Pick of the Year for Older Readers
Each year children from our twelve Testing Groups and all over the country read hundreds of books, and the top 50 of these are our Pick of the Year.
After taking out our Top Ten, which became our shortlist for the 2010 award, we are pleased to recommend the following 40 books, which children have chosen as their favourites.
Reads of the year 2010
Older Readers
- Then
- Puffin Books
Haunting and thought-provoking, this harrowing historical story of a young boy and his sister hiding from the Nazis during World War II instantly appealed to our older readers. Bringing the human tragedy of the Holocaust home to children, Gleitzman finds moments of hope even in one of humanity's darkest hours.
- Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian
- Puffin Books
The final instalment in the terrific Percy Jackson series proved to be incredibly gripping. The greatest monster of all, the storm giant Typhon, is on the loose, wreaking havoc - while Kronos's army lays siege to Manhattan. Percy Jackson has a choice to make - a choice that will save or destroy the world.
- Skulduggery Pleasant: The Faceless Ones
- Harpercollins Children's Books
Packed with suspense and high drama while managing to be funny too, the third book in the Skulduggery Pleasant series is brilliant. Skeleton detective Skulduggery and Valkyrie Cain have to move quickly. Someone is murdering the teleporters, and they plan to open a gateway that will release the devilish Faceless Ones. Skulduggery must prevent it from happening before it's too late.
- Young Samurai: The Way of the Sword
- Puffin Books
This thrilling historical novel sees the return of hero Jack Fletcher. One year of training in samurai school and he's in real trouble. Not only does he have to prepare for the Circle of Three, he knows that his deadly rival Dragon Eye could strike at any moment. Can he master the Way of the Sword in time?
- The Medusa Project The Set-Up
- Simon & Schuster Children's Books
Last year's winner Sophie McKenzie returns with the first book in an exciting new series, which proved very popular with our testers. Fourteen years ago a scientist implanted four babies with a gene to make them psychic. When he died the babies were hidden away, but as they become teenagers their powers start to kick in. Nico thinks his abilities will bring him money and power, but soon he finds out how wrong he actually is.
- Esty's Gold
- Frances Lincoln Children's Books
When Esty's family is uprooted and torn apart during the Irish potato famine she is sent into service. She dreams of going to Australia to find gold and manages to get assisted passage for her family and friends, but during the scavenging and rebellion all their hard work is in danger of turning to dust. An incredible story!
- The Enemy
- Puffin Books
When the sickness came, every adult fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under 14 remain, and they're fighting to survive. Our older readers were shocked and thrilled by this creepy zombie novel by Young Bond author Charlie Higson.
- Dot. Robot
- Puffin Books
Dot.com billionaire Devlin Lear is watching Jackson Farley. He knows he has found a digital genius, and needs him to help stop the criminal heist of the century. And all by using the power of the most highly advanced, state-of-the-art robots ever invented! This imaginative, highly-charged, gadget-filled thriller definitely managed to impress!
- X Isle
- David Fickling Books
This fast-moving thriller keeps readers guessing as they are taken on a deadly journey. Ever since the floods came and washed the world away, survivors have been desperate to win a place on X Isle. Baz and Ray are two of the lucky few to be chosen, but when they get there it isn't as they expected. Ruled by a cruel religious fanatic, it's a violent place where terrible things can happen at any moment. The boys hatch a plan to escape, but will they succeed?
- Numbers
- Chicken House
Chilling and original, this novel introduces a girl with an amazing power. When her eyes meet someone else's, a number pops into her head - the date of their death. Waiting in the queue for the London Eye she sees that everyone else in the queue has the same number. Something terrible is going to happen...
- Solace of the Road
- David Fickling Books
Holly Hogan hates her foster family and her life, but when she finds a wig everything changes. Wearing the long, flowing locks she feels transformed. And so begins a bittersweet and sometimes humorous journey. This novel touched our testers.
- Gone
- Egmont Children's Books
The world has changed. Adults have vanished without trace and those left must do everything they can to survive. But everyone's idea of survival is different. Some look after themselves, some look after others and some will do anything for power... even kill. Disturbingly brilliant.
- Chosen (A House of Night Novel)
- Atom
Zoey's best mate is undead - in a 'eww! zombie!' kind of way. Can Zoey help her to retain her humanity even as the line between friend and enemy becomes blurred? Sinister and supernatural, this novel was a huge hit.
