Reads of the Year for Younger Readers
Each year children from our twelve Testing Groups read hundreds of books, and the top 50 of these are our Pick of the Year.
After taking out our Top Ten, which become our Shortlist, we are pleased to recommend the following 40 books, which children have chosen as their favourites.
Younger Readers
- Babymouse Queen of the World
- Harper Collins
- 9 780007 224470
A quirky, pacy tale of an aspirational, day-dreaming mouse who finally realizes what is important in life, and that sometimes you don’t appreciate what you already have. The black and white comic book format is fun to read, with plenty of amusing details. The fantasies Babymouse indulges in (shaded pink) draw on a range of movie genres.
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- Maggie Magic
- Walker
- 9 781844 289295
Maggie Magic is a magical lollipop lady, much-loved by all over many years. But disaster strikes, and Maggie is dismissed from her job! Can the children think of a way to get her back? This lively first reading book has simple illustrations that help tell the story.
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- My Brother’s Famous Bottom
- Puffin
- 9 780141 319780
There is a crisis! Nicholas’ family is running out of money, especially since the twins (known as Cheese and Tomato) came along. Dad comes up with various crazy schemes, but the solution comes in a highly unusual way. An hilarious book, which will keep younger readers chuckling.
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- Horrid Henry and the Football Fiend
- Orion
- 9 781842 550717
Four more funny stories for Horrid Henry fans as he battles to win a cup final ticket and becomes embroiled in other adventures. Younger readers enjoyed each of Henry’s scrapes, and Tony Ross’s exuberant drawings gave added pleasure.
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- Christophe’s Story
- Frances Lincoln
- 9 781845 075217
Christophe finds his new school bewildering, but telling his own story gives him strength to move on. A sensitive and beautifully- told tale of a young Rwandan boy’s gradual acceptance into an English school through the power of story-telling.
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- Indie Kidd Are we having Fun yet? (Hmm?)
- Walker
- 9 781844 280704
When Fee’s cat, Garfield gets knocked down, Fee is so upset that it seems that Indie and her friends will never cheer her up. They try many different ideas but will anything work? This fast-paced large print book, full of peer group care and interaction, is ideal for going solo.
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- Spy Dog 2
- Puffin
- 9 780141 318851
Lara is no ordinary family pet. How many dogs used to work for M15? How many can play football, juggle and ride a bike? When a gang of dog-nappers threaten the Cook children’s camping holiday, Lara the Spy Dog rushes into action. Children love this new adventure from one of our winning 2006 RHCBA authors.
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- Grk and the Pelotti Gang
- Andersen
- 9 781842 705278
The Pelotti Gang are the most successful and dangerous gang of bank robbers in Brazilian history. Who can stop them? Surely not an ordinary boy called Timothy Malt and his dog Grk. This is a fast-paced adventure with a real cliff-hanger ending!
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- A Series of Unfortunate Events – Book the Thirteenth -The End
- Egmont
- 9 781405 226738
Will Violet, Klaus and Sunny reach a happy ending? Or will Count Olaf finally succeed with his evil master plan to steal their inheritance? Those who have followed the misfortunes of the Baudelaires will not be disappointed with this, their final adventure. Read it…if you can bear the misery!
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- The Making of May
- Macmillan
- 9 780330 441032
May’s favourite film is The Secret Garden; she loves watching it again and again. Will a move to Thornton Hall in the country with her big brother, Ben, a real secret garden, and a new friend be the making of May, or will the scary housekeeper, a big lie, and mysterious goings –on in the attic be her undoing?
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- Victory
- Bodley Head
- 9 780370 328911
This intriguing tale weaves together the story of a sailor boy, Sam and a young girl, Molly. Sam is kidnapped and forced to sail on HMS Victory with Nelson, while Molly must cope with new members in a new country. And old book weaves their lives together to reach an unexpected and exciting conclusion.
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- The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless
Can Max and Minerva rescue their father from the evil monster king, Zarmaglorg? The children, with the aid of a one-eyed coyote and a talking book, set out to rescue him and find more adventure than they bargained for! The book is lavishly illustrated with photographs, drawings and recipes, all of which make a rich experience for any reader.
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- Anna/Bella
- Simon and Schuster
- 9 781416 904731
Annabella is trying to cope with her parents’ divorce and it isn’t easy. With her Mum she is Anna who likes arts and crafts; with her Dad she is Bella, the coolest dresser in town. How can she keep this double life up, and what will happen when a boy enters the picture? A fresh look at a very common dilemma.
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