Reads of the Year for Younger 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 become our short list, we are pleased to recommend the following 40 books, which children have chosen as their favourites.
Younger Readers
- The Mouse Family Robinson
- Puffin 9780141383415
Master storyteller, Dick King-Smith has created a family of mice who decide to emigrate when Beaumont Robinson, an inquisitive young mouse, is nearly killed by the cat. Appealing pictures and characters, from old Mr. Brown to young Beaumont, make this book a popular choice.
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- Charlie & The Big Snow
- Scholastic 9780439968829
Charlie is thrilled to find that it has snowed in the night, but as the day progresses he has one problem after another, and soon gets deeper and deeper in to trouble. Will he finally manage to build the best snowman ever? An engaging, pacy tale for new solo readers.
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- Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman
- Orion 9781842550700
Another in the hilarious series of stories about wicked Horrid Henry. This time they include four separate stories, one in which he enters a snowman competition to win a year’s free supply of ice cream, vying with Moody Margaret and his brother Peter for the prize. Expressive line drawings add to the appeal.
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- Mr Gum and the Goblins
- Egmont 9781405228169
After winning the 2007 Red House Children’s Book Award, Mr Gum is back! Here is another adventure starring nine-year-old Polly and Friday O’Leary in their pursuit of the evil goblins and their king. This book will make children laugh out loud! Our readers also enjoyed Mr Gum and the Biscuit Billionaire by the same author.
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- Daisy and the Trouble with Life
- Red Fox 9781862301672
It all started when Daisy did a really silly thing and got grounded. Eating something with germs on it can lead to bad tummies, which makes being grounded even harder! Readers who have met Daisy in picture books will enjoy reading about their favourite heroine in this longer format.
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- Cows in Action: The Ter-Moo-Nators
- Red Fox 9781862301894
In the second of this Cows in Action (CIA) series, Professor Angus McMoo, a very brainy bull, invents a time machine and finds himself transported with his fellow agents to the time of Henry VIII. Can they foil a plot to substitute a cow for Anne of Cleves and kill off the king? Our young reviewers also enjoyed The Moo-my’s Curse by the same author.
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- The Worst Witch to the Rescue
- Puffin 9780141383019
Mildred is returning to Miss Cackle’s Academy confident that she will do well in the summer term. But it doesn’t get off to a good start... Ethel Hallow steals her project and passes it off as her work! The humour and non-stop action are well supported by the expressive black and white illustrations.
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- Zac Power: Deep Waters
- Egmont 9781405230926
Twelve-year-old Zac and his family work for a spy agency. He is proud to be given his first solo task to find the Sea Devil, a deep sea sub on a mission to destroy a crucial piece of technology. Young readers will enjoy this fast-paced nautical adventure from Australia.
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- Tom’s Dragon Trouble
- Usborne 9780746072271
Tom has bought a pet dragon without permission and as the dragon grows, it becomes more difficult to hide him. But perhaps there is a solution! Children will love the zany illustrations by Stephen Parkhouse, which move this humorous tale along.
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- Born to Run
- HarperCollins 9780007230570
When Patrick rescues a litter of greyhounds that have been thrown in the local canal, he has no idea about the chain of events set in motion by his heroic act. A series of exciting and thought-provoking adventures follow that will keep all dog lovers enthralled.
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- Cecily’s Portrait
- Usborne 9780746073124
Cecily is enchanted when she meets Rosalind, a photographer. She longs to learn this new art and become famous herself. But she also has another plan… can she get her lonely, widowed father and Rosalind together? A touching and authentic historical tale with plenty of girl appeal.
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- The Robe of Skulls
Lady Lamorna has a problem. She has set her heart on an expensive new robe which she cannot afford! She will stop at nothing to get the cash – kidnapping, blackmail and magic. Exuberant, fast-moving fun, this is a wildly entertaining tale, wickedly illustrated in black and white.
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- Sundae Girl
- Puffin 9780141322100
On Parents’ Night, Jude’s whole family shows up – Dad the Elvis impersonator, Mum the would-be actress, not tomention her embarrassing grandparents. More serious family problems make Jude’s situation even harder to cope with. The author handles sensitive issues with a light touch.
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- Den of Thieves
- Egmont 9781405228183
In the third volume of the Cat Royal stories, Cat finds herself homeless after the closure of the Drury Lane theatre. Travelling to Paris as an underground reporter, she is nearly hanged as a traitor! This show-stopping adventure will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
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