Reimagining children's classics

Rags & Bones

Taking inspiration from some favourite stories and characters, these authors have all put a new spin on classic novels.

Catering to a range of ages and reasing abilities, there is something on this list for everyone.

  • Wishing for Tomorrow

    Author: Hilary McKay Illustrator: Nick Maland

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 8+

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  • Wishing for Tomorrow

    Author: Hilary McKay Illustrator: Nick Maland

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 8+

    Evocatively illustrated, this is a warm and humorous sequel to Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess.

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  • Chasing the Stars

    Author: Malorie Blackman

    Interest level: 14+

    Reading age: 14+

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  • Chasing the Stars

    Author: Malorie Blackman

    Interest level: 14+

    Reading age: 14+

    Blackman's skilful retelling of Shakespeare's Othello in a futuristic space setting is thrilling and romantic. The characters are …

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  • Mister Creecher

    Author: Chris Priestley

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 11+

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  • Mister Creecher

    Author: Chris Priestley

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 11+

    Friendship, trust and betrayal combine to form a dangerous liaison in this moving and frightening new book from Chris Priestley

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  • Oliver Twisted

    Author: J D Sharpe

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Oliver Twisted

    Author: J D Sharpe

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 10+

    'Can I have some gore?' Oliver Twist is given a supernatural spin in this vivid reimagining of Dickens’ novel.

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  • Ash

    Author: Malinda Lo

    Interest level: 13-15

    Reading age: 12+

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  • Ash

    Author: Malinda Lo

    Interest level: 13-15

    Reading age: 12+

    In this bewitching and sophisticated re-interpretation of the Cinderella story, lonely orphan Ash falls in love not with a handsom…

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  • Four Children and It

    Author: Jacqueline Wilson

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Four Children and It

    Author: Jacqueline Wilson

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

    Jacqueline Wilson pays tribute to her 'all-time favourite classic children's author' E. Nesbit in this contemporary reimagining of…

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  • Barefoot on the Wind

    Author: Zoe Marriott

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 12+

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  • Barefoot on the Wind

    Author: Zoe Marriott

    Interest level: 12+

    Reading age: 12+

    This stylish reworking of Beauty and the Beast unfolds in mythical Japan. Beautiful visual imagery, viscerally brutal action and d…

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  • Interstellar Cinderella

    Author: Deborah Underwood Illustrator: Meg Hunt

    Interest level: 5-8

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Interstellar Cinderella

    Author: Deborah Underwood Illustrator: Meg Hunt

    Interest level: 5-8

    Reading age: 6+

    Told in amusing rhyming verse with bold illustrations, this is a fresh, enjoyable revamp of a traditional tale.

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  • Dodger

    Author: Terry Pratchett

    Interest level: 14+

    Reading age: 14+

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  • Dodger

    Author: Terry Pratchett

    Interest level: 14+

    Reading age: 14+

    Terry Pratchett once again proves himself a master storyteller in this tribute to one of Charles Dickens' best-known characters, t…

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  • The Story of Antigone

    Author: Ali Smith Illustrator: Laura Paoletti

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

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  • The Story of Antigone

    Author: Ali Smith Illustrator: Laura Paoletti

    Interest level: 9+

    Reading age: 9+

    Ali Smith's wonderfully presented adaptation of Sophocles's play opens on a battlefield with a crow contemplating which bit of a f…

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  • Thicker Than Water

    Author: Anne Cassidy

    Interest level: 13-16

    Reading age: 8+

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  • Thicker Than Water

    Author: Anne Cassidy

    Interest level: 13-16

    Reading age: 8+

    A confident retelling of Steinbeck's classic Of Mice and Men,updated for a modern audience and presented in a super readable/dysle…

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  • Rags & Bones

    Author: Various Editor: Melissa Marr & Tim Pratt

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 13+

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  • Rags & Bones

    Author: Various Editor: Melissa Marr & Tim Pratt

    Interest level: 13+

    Reading age: 13+

    This anthology collects re-workings of classic stories by a number of well-known (and less-well-known) fantasy and science fiction…

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  • Hansel & Gretel

    Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Lorenzo Mattotti

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 9+

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  • Hansel & Gretel

    Author: Neil Gaiman Illustrator: Lorenzo Mattotti

    Interest level: 10+

    Reading age: 9+

    Neil Gaiman has created a chilling and dark retelling of the story of Hansel and Gretel.

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  • Nobody Saw No One

    Author: Steve Tasane

    Interest level: 12-17

    Reading age: 10+

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  • Nobody Saw No One

    Author: Steve Tasane

    Interest level: 12-17

    Reading age: 10+

    This witty, gritty and disturbing dual narrative story of abuse and exploitation starts as a modernised retelling of Oliver Twist …

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  • A Pilgrim's Progress

    Author: Geraldine McCaughrean (retold from John Bunyan's original story) Illustrator: Jason Cockroft

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

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  • A Pilgrim's Progress

    Author: Geraldine McCaughrean (retold from John Bunyan's original story) Illustrator: Jason Cockroft

    Interest level: 9-11

    Reading age: 9+

    This retelling of John Bunyan's classic story is filled with drama, excitement and adventure

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