Children’s literature is one of the most popular categories to hold its place in book shops. It is consistently ranked amongst the top-selling genres which is proven by the figures collected each year. In 2022 there was a record-breaking number of books sold with over 122 million fictional children’s books being purchased, as well as 67 million non-fictional children’s books. This shows the appetite for reading is still very strong amongst the younger population.
If you were to ask children what they look for in a good novel the answers would almost certainly vary, but I am assuming that ‘humorous’ and ‘relatable characters’ would be popular opinions. Seeing yourself represented in a character is a massively self-affirming moment and will inadvertently show the reader that they are not alone, or the only one who feels and acts a certain way. This is incredibly important for children’s well-being, especially those who may not experience that emotional support in their home lives. Books are a great source of escapism, which isn’t easy to achieve these days with the constant pressures our young people face.
When I worked in a book shop many years ago, nearly every week I would be asked for recommendations on what the best children’s books were for pre-teens (ages 8-12). Therefore, due to the popularity of this genre, I thought I would put some recommendations in this blog to give people inspiration should it be needed.
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl has been the go-to choice for many children since he began releasing his books in 1943. His quirky sense of child-like humour allows for escapism when reading and his extreme characters offers children’s imagination to be limitless. Dahl’s books are usually the focus novel in primary school classes, teaching them the foundations of a good story and encouraging children to engage with the themes without realising how much they are learning. Dahl’s most popular novels include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits, Matilda, The BFG and Fantastic Mr Fox. Most of his publications have since been turned into films which could further inspire children to enjoy his writing.
David Walliams
This comedian-turned-author wrote his first book, The Boy in the Dress, in 2008. He has since released a range of books targeting younger children with his funny picture books, and older children with his many longer novels. Walliams’ has been referred to as the modern-day Roald Dahl due to his flamboyant characters and focus on humour. However, some of his books take historic events and add this information into the mix, such as Code Name Bananas which is set during World War Two. Choosing this as a setting allows the reader to enjoy the plot but also become educated about a significant time in Britain’s history. As the main character is only 11, it can provoke empathy in the reader as they are most likely the same age range. David Walliams puts himself on a level with children and appears to see himself as their advocate with him releasing titles such as World’s Worst Parents and World’s Worst Teachers.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series began in 2007 and has become extremely popular with school-age children since. This diary-style format focuses on 12-year-old Greg Heffley who is navigating the challenges of secondary school and a home life with troublesome brothers. These books appeal to children because of their amusing illustrations which break the pages up nicely. The main character is relatable as he is going through a period in his life where the emotions felt will possibly synchronise with the reader. It is very similar to the Secret Life of Adrian Mole series which was released in 1982 and still brings laughter to adults today.
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
This graphic novel series has 20 ‘episodes’ now and is a popular collection based on the adventures of a group of animal criminals, aka the bad guys. They find themselves fighting with the law and other various creatures, whilst they plan heists and various thefts. They may be ‘bad’, but they try their best to turn their lives around over the course of the series. This has also been adapted into a film with another set to be released later this year. My ten-year-old daughter loves these books, describing them as ‘easy reading’ because they don’t require a lot of concentration where the writing is contained within speech bubbles. The visual humour allows the child’s imagination to flow easily and it isn’t seen as a chore to read.
Jacqueline Wilson
Jacqueline Wilson has been one of the most celebrated authors of children’s literature since she released her first book in 1972. She writes for a range of ages so both children and teens can enjoy her writing. Recently, Wilson has released a book for adults which revisits characters she wrote about previously following their teenage years. Her creations are well-known with the stories being turned into television adaptions, such as The Story of Tracy Beaker and The Illustrated Mum. Wilson focuses on realism and doesn’t shy away from hard- hitting topics like divorce, death, eating disorders, relationship issues and many more. Her storylines are relatable, and this is why they act as perfect resources for younger readers. The Suitcase Kid specifically is a fantastic guide if a child is dealing with a family divorce. It focuses on ten-year-old Andy and her battles with moving between two different houses every fortnight and dealing with a stepsister she is less than keen on.
Dav Pilkey
Dav Pilkey is most known for writing the graphic novels Captain Underpants and Dogman. These easy-reading books are extremely popular due to their humorous plots and adventures. The author has been transparent about his diagnosis of ADHD as well as dyslexia. He says these conditions are his superpower and have helped him to use the language that he adopts in his books which appeal to many children. Pilkey’s novels are easily accessible and can be followed without needing lots of attention. They are highly recommended series for those who aren’t necessarily too keen on reading as the person will get enjoyment from the illustrations as well as the plot.
Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
This series of books is widely known and has been since the debut novel was released in 2005. Riordan has stated how he initially wrote these books for his son who loved Greek mythology but struggled with reading. Percy, the series protagonist, is a demigod- half human and half child of a Greek god. It focuses on his ventures trying to save himself and his family by stopping wars amongst the gods. He has special powers, such as controlling water, and enhanced strength which he uses on his quests. It is an adventure series and helps the reader learn about Greek mythology, as well as being highly entertaining. There are now 18 books in the saga with the most recent one being released in 2024.
These are just a selection of the books and authors I would initially choose to recommend. However, with a vast array of growing children’s literature there are bound to be many more that are equally enjoyable. If you do have any recommendations, please let me know as the beauty of reading is always discovering new treasures.