12 great contemporary books for 11 year olds.
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High-Rise Mystery
Author: Sharna Jackson
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+High-Rise Mystery is the perfect ‘whodunnit’. As the two girls sift through red herrings and reveal a series of tower block secrets, short snappy sentences and sparkling dialogue will keep readers turning the pages. A mystery as hot as the summer heatwave in which it’s set!
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The Crossover
Author: Kwame Alexander
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 9+Dynamically-illustrated graphic novel version of a bestselling, award-winning story of twin basketball players and their coming-of-age.
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Roller Girl
Author: Victoria Jamieson
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 9+It’s really exciting to be starting at Roller Derby summer camp, but less so when Astrid finds herself doing it alone. A fantastic full-colour graphic novel about friendship and awesome, strong girls, this a genuine joy to read.
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The Wolf Wilder
Author: Katherine Rundell
Publisher: Bloomsbury
When the murderous hostility of the Russian Army threatens her very existence, Feo is left with no option but to go on the run. What follows is a story of revolution and adventure, about standing up for the things you love and fighting back. And, of course, wolves.
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Drone Racer
Author: Andy Briggs
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 9+Carson and his friends are into drone racing but the older kids always outclass them with more expensive tech. When they come across a faster drone, they think they're in luck– but then they discover the military want it back. Brilliantly filmic and unputdownable.
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S.C.R.E.A.M: Carnival of Monsters
Author: Andrew Beasley
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 10-12
Reading age: 10-12Spooky supernatural activity is mixed here with plenty of humour to create the right balance of action, fun and thrills. Sharp-witted Charley makes a spectacular wheelchair-using protagonist, alongside streetwise partner Billy.
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The Nowhere Emporium
Author: Ross Mackenzie
Publisher: Floris Books
Interest age: 8+
Reading age: 7+Daniel's life changes forever when he stumbles upon The Nowhere Emporium in Glasgow. A dazzling and quirky tale, full of imagination and wonder - perfect for fans of JK Rowling, Philip Pullman and Neil Gaiman.
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Phoenix
Author: S F SaidIllustrator: Dave McKean
Publisher: Corgi
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+Lucky is on the run and joins up with a group of aliens - refugees from the ongoing war between aliens and humans - who agree to help Lucky find his father. A thrilling space adventure, full of suspense, action, emotion and more.
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Wonder
Author: R J Palacio
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+August ('Auggie') Pullman can't help but stand out - he was born with a severe facial deformity. Written in the first person, Wonder follows Auggie as he experiences more than the usual ups-and-downs of friendships, family and school.
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An Eagle in the Snow
Author: Michael MorpurgoIllustrator: Michael Foreman
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+Stuck on a train, a boy listens to a stranger’s story about one moment that could have stopped World War II. A thought-provoking story that young history enthusiasts will especially welcome.
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Ghost
Author: Jason Reynolds Illustrator: Selom Sunu
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 12+Three years ago Ghost’s dad chased him and his mum down the road with a gun. His dad got ten years in prison, and Ghost learned how to run. Ghost has never thought of athletics as a sporting option – basketball is his thing. But now, after challenging a sprinter to a race at the local track, he’s won himself a place on an elite running team.
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Where the River Runs Gold
Author: Sita Brahmachari
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 9+Shifa and her brother Themba live in a world destroyed by climate change, but when they're sent away to work, they're horrified to discover a cruel and corrupt system. Will they be able to escape and make the world a better place?
