Books we love in October 2023

The Train of Dark Wonders

Author: Alex Bell
Publisher: Rock the Boat
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

A charming fantasy adventure, in which Bess travels to the Land of Halloween Sweets on a remarkable train meeting a host of peculiar people and creatures including a ghost cat, goblins, miniature mermaids with razor-sharp teeth and a tiny bat called Mish who enjoys swimming in jam.

Impossible Creatures

Author: Katherine Rundell Illustrator: Tomislav Tomić
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 8+

Katherine Rundell has created an incredibly real-feeling magical world and story to rival classics like Narnia, with writing that sweeps you up and main characters who are simultaneously humanly flawed yet inherently pure and good.

Kicked Out

Author: A. M. Dassu
Publisher: Old Barn Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Best mates Ali, Sami and Mark organise a fundraising football event to help pay their friend’s legal fees when his asylum claim is rejected and he faces deportation to Syria. A powerful and thought-provoking read, with hope and friendship at its heart.

The Walking School Bus

Author: Aaron Friedland and Ndileka Mandela with an afterword by Julian Lennon Illustrator: Andrew Jackson Obol
Publisher: Greystone Kids
Interest age: 6-8

How can Shaka and Nandi walk to school safely? Their ingenuity and hardy spirits will find a way. This gorgeous picture book will spark conversations about other countries and resilience.

Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf

Author: Craig Barr-Green Illustrator: Francis Martin
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 6+

Retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with a neurodivergent protagonist.

Electric Life

Author: Rachel Delahaye
Publisher: Troika
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 10-12

Set in a post-apocalyptic, sanitised world, this dystopian thriller contains many powerful elements that reflect some of the ways in which our society is already developing.

Ellie Engle Saves Herself

Author: Leah Johnson
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

When twelve-year-old Ellie gains superpowers after an earthquake, her ordinary life becomes extraordinary. Can she navigate school, friendship battles and strange powers that she can’t control? Funny, moving and empowering.

Geoffrey Gets the Jitters

Author: Nadia Shireen
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 4-5

Geoffrey’s jitters are out of control! How can he get rid of them? Told with humour and great empathy, this picture book from the author-illustrator of Barbara Throws a Wobbler is both funny and helpful.

Live Like a Roman: Discovering the Secrets of Ancient Rome

Author: Claire Saunders Illustrator: Ruth Hickson
Publisher: Button Books

A comprehensive, accessible guide to what it would have been like to live in Ancient Rome, with engaging activities and illustrations to bring the facts to life. Enjoyable reading at school or at home.

Stuntboy, In-Between Time

Author: Jason Reynolds Illustrator: Raúl the Third
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

Portico spends a fun-filled day hanging out with his friends but underneath the laughter, he’s struggling to come to terms with his parents’ separation. This funny tale moves at a frantic pace and is absolutely packed with dynamic cartoon illustrations.

Crossing the Stream

Author: Elizabeth-Irene Baitie
Publisher: Cassava Republic Press
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

An engaging mystery with real heart, set in contemporary Ghana, with themes of grief, superstitions and distinguishing truth from lies.

Oh Maya Gods

Author: Maz Evans
Publisher: Chicken House
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Super-sporty Vesper and super-bright Aster are cousins and now reluctant partners in stopping Kizin, the Maya god of death, from killing everyone in the world. A brilliant adventure full of action and humour… and chocolate!

Welcome to Wild Town

Author: AF Harrold and Dom Conlon Illustrator: Korky Paul
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

This exciting mix of funny, sinister and contemplative verse by two highly-acclaimed poets centres on all things wild, from animals and plants to weather and wild ideas. Illustrated throughout with quirky black-and-white artwork.

I’m Not Scared, You Are!

Author: Patricia Hegarty Illustrator: Thomas Elliott
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 4-5

Two young children embark on a scary night-time journey in this spooky board book, which contains 24 individual sound-effects. A fabulously frightening tale, perfect for Halloween.

How To Spaghettify Your Dog… and other science secrets of the universe

Author: Hiba Noor Khan Illustrator: Harry Woodgate
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

It could be said that physics is the science of absolutely everything: clouds to cars, time to rainbows and rain to sandwiches. But, as a subject, it can seem a bit complicated – or, can it?

Man Man and the Tree of Memories

Author: Yaba Badoe Illustrator: Joelle Avelino
Publisher: Zephyr
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Man-man is excited for Carnival, and mistakenly summons the Queen of Revels during the parade. Can she help his mother get better? Vibrant colour illustrations bring this unusual story of family history and different Black cultures to life.

And I Climbed and I Climbed

Author: Stephen Lightbown Illustrator: Shih-Yu Lin
Publisher: Troika Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

Eight-year-old Cosmo fell from a tree and is now disabled. He talks to the tree in free-verse poems that are punchy and accessible, honest and thought-provoking. An important and beautifully affecting book.

Who Let the Words Out?

Author: Joshua Seigal Illustrator: Chris Piascik
Publisher: Bloomsbury Education
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

A funny and engaging poetry collection, perfect for reading aloud and for sharing.

A Year of Black Joy: 52 Black Voices Share Their Life Passions

Author: Jamia Wilson Illustrator: Jade Orlando
Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing
Interest age: 9-11

52 Black visionaries, creators and changemakers share what brings them joy. Inspiring and fascinating, this beautiful book also includes an activity or fact file linked to the profiled person. Gorgeous.

The Oak Tree

Author: Julia Donaldson Illustrator: Victoria Sandøy
Publisher: Alison Green Books
Interest age: 4-5

This is the story of an oak tree, told in Julia Donaldson’s trademark rich rhyme, with beautiful illustrations showcasing the diversity of life in and around the tree.

Who’s Afraid of the Light?

Author: Anna McGregor
Publisher: Scribble
Interest age: 4-5

Meet Fergus, who is a real deep-sea creature. But we can only see his eyes. What could he be? An enjoyable anarchic mash-up of fiction and non-fiction, with facts at the end, and a surprise reveal.

Make Tracks: Emergency

Author: Johnny Dyrander
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 2-3

Robust, interactive board book on emergency vehicles.

Boom Boom

Author: Jude Idada
Publisher: Swift
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 9-10

A heartwarming, heartbreaking story about one Nigerian family whose life is blighted by sickle-cell anaemia and a remarkable talking dog who helps in the search for a bone marrow donor.

The Slug and the Snail

Author: Oein DeBhairduin Illustrator: Olya Anima
Publisher: Little Island
Interest age: 4-5
Reading age: 4+

A story rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community, this lyrical picture book tells the story of two slug brothers and their journey together exploring their identities.

What a Day: A mindful moment for bedtime

Author: Emma Ballantine & Mark Strepan Illustrator: Harriet Hobday
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books
Interest age: 2-3

Journey through the day to bedtime in this lovely, simple book, which reminds little ones that their adults love to spend time with them, and that they are always safe and loved. With useful sleep guidance at the end, too.

How are you feeling, Little Mouse?

Author: Illustrator: Leonie Servini
Publisher: Rily Publications
Interest age: 2-3

Join Little Mouse in a conversation about emotions. Simple, repetitive text and friendly pastel illustrations give toddlers a prompt to recognise and to talk about their feelings.

Suitcase S(witch)

Author: Aisha Bushby Illustrator: Coralie Muce
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

When Zahra accidentally swaps suitcases with a witch, she experiences a weekend of magical surprises, helping her to overcome her fears and form new friendships. A humorous, dyslexia-friendly chapter book, with delightful black-and-white illustrations.

Monster Support Group: The Werewolf’s Tale

Author: Laura Suarez
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Interest age: 12+

A hilarious cast of crazy characters including mummies, medusas and vampires form The Monster Support Group in this hilarious high school themed graphic novel. A howl out loud coming of age story like no other.

21% Monster: Serpent Strike

Author: P J Canning
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 10-12

A breathtaking sci-fi action thriller in which the heroes are four youngsters whose DNA has been contaminated to make them part monster, part alien and part sabre-toothed polar bear.

The Ghost Cat Who Saved my Life

Author: Pamela Butchart Illustrator: Monika Filipina
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 6-8

When Sav and Liam hear a cat meowing in the upstairs flat, they decide it must be a ghost, so go to investigate. An engaging, heart-warming mystery, ideal for reluctant and dyslexic readers.

Dreamweavers: Night of the Scary Fairies

Author: Annabelle Sami Illustrator: Forrest Burdett
Publisher: Little Tiger Press
Interest age: 7-8
Reading age: 7+

Dreamweavers: Night of the Scary Fairies will take you on the rip-roaring journey of a lifetime! Each night under the cover of darkness Tito and his awe-inspiring new companion embark on a series of adventures, each one more thrilling than the last.

Poetry Prompts: All sorts of ways to start a poem

Author: Joseph Coelho Illustrator: Georgie Birkett Grasya Oliyko Amanda Quartey and Viola Wang
Publisher: Wide-eyed Editions
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 7+

Everyone can be a poet! Packed with suggestions for themes and forms, with examples throughout, this is a friendly and accessible guide to having fun with words. Useful in a classroom, alongside the Poetry Prompt videos.