I know that ‘books for young readers’ is a very vague title, but these aren’t all chapter books, though the age-group for all the books on the list is similar. I also don’t read as many chapter books as I do other children’s books, but as I was making this list, I realised that I probably should read more because I’ve enjoyed each and every one of these!
The Last Tiger (Mark Greenwood)
A work of non-fiction, The Last Tiger is exactly the kind of book I would have loved to read age eight. Even as a child, I was fascinated by the wild world, and aghast at what humans were doing to it. The Last Tiger is the perfect mixture of seriousness and hope, bringing home to me that nature is in danger, but all is not lost yet.
Read a more detailed review here.
Tilly and the Time Machine (Adrian Edmondson)
I would imagine that writing a fresh story about a time machine is incredibly difficult. There are just so many wonderful stories about getting stuck in the wrong time that the bar for time-travel stories is very high. Yet, Tilly and the Time Machine is one of those incredible books that does not seem like an age-old idea. It’s fresh, new, warm and wonderful.
Read a more detailed review here.
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World (Kate Pankhurst)
Another work of non-fiction, this one reminded me of Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls, but the title here does not indicate that the target audience should be girls, and that is something I particularly appreciate! I read this book for a workshop I did for Women’s Day, and it’s a beautifully laid out book, full of pictures, ideas and inspiration.
Read a more detailed review here.
The Not-a-Pig (Clare Vulliamy)
How many books have you read about a tapir? This was an absolutely delightful, mad read, which made me giggle time and time again. I love both the girl Mango and the tapir Bambang. And, of course, it’s the relationship between them that forms the heart of the story.
Read a more detailed review here.
Kittu’s Terrible Horrible No Good Very Mad Day (Harshikaa Udasi)
The biggest problem with reading books on a Kindle is that you cannot get a signed copy! When I met Harshikaa Udasi at Caterpillars, the Lodha School Literary Fest, last month, I wished I could ask her to sign my book because I enjoyed the story so much! I did the next best thing, though: I sat in for her session and giggled with all the children there. Kittu’s Terrible Horrible No Good Very Mad Day is another book I see myself rereading multiple times.
Read a more detailed review here.
The ACB with Honora Lee (Kate De Goldi)
Sometimes, I realise how much I enjoy a book when I think about how slowly I savour it towards the end to draw it on and not bring an end to the experience of reading it. The ACB with Honora Lee is a beautiful book about love and bonding. It’s about the slow blossoming of an unexpected relationship, full of wonders and love so sweet that it is painful.
Read a more detailed review here.
Heartsong (Kevin Crossley-Holland)
Another moving book that I read early last year, Heartsong creates the kind of yearning I love. We have a need for things that are beautiful, don’t we? And when words that are lovely bring alive music that is moving, we experience something that fills us up and makes us long for more.
Read a more detailed review here.
The Secret Railway (Wendy Meddour)
Some books I love are funny, others are moving, and still others are gripping and pacy. And then, there are books that are really none of these, but are still fun to read – quirky, lighthearted and entertaining – like The Secret Railway. This story is the prefect mixture of madness and purpose, in which two children go on a crazy adventure that begins at a railway station. A quick read, The Secret Railway is part of a series that I am sure I would enjoy.
Wishing for Tomorrow – the sequel to A Little Princess (Hilary McKay)
Writing a sequel to a classic like A Little Princess is an act of courage! Wishing for Tomorrow one was simply perfect. When I picked it up, I was nervous on two counts. One, I love A Little Princess. Two, I do usually enjoy Hilary McKay’s work. Despite my high expectations, I was not disappointed. I love the way the story progresses, and I love how the characters – especially Ermengarde – grow. Life goes on at Miss Minchin’s, and though nothing is the same, everything is deliciously believable.
Lady Lollipop (Dick King-Smith)
I’ve lost count of the number of books I’ve read by Dick King-Smith. Everything I know about pigs (which is, admittedly, very little) is thanks to him. Lady Lollipop is yet another pig story that is both funny and charming. In this adorable tale, an intelligent pig makes friends with the spoilt princess Penelope. It’s a happy, fun book!
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