Recommende books
for 9-11 year olds
1. Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
Willie Beech is evacuated to a tiny English village in the country just before the outbreak of World War II. A lonely and deprived child, he finds himself living with the reclusive, gruff old widower, Thomas Oakley. Although the two find it hard to adjust to their life together at first, they gradually develop a strong, mutual bond. Willie begins to enjoy life and make new friends in the village.
However, everything is thrown into confusion when Willie is suddenly recalled to London by his neglectful and abusive mother. After several weeks with no letter from Willie, Tom Oakley becomes concerned for his welfare and sets out to London in search of him.
Michelle Magorian's classic wartime story is a superbly written and deeply moving tale, which shows that even the most unlikely people can become exceptional parents.
2. Holes by Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats' family has a history of bad luck, so he is not entirely surprised when a miscarriage of justice sends him to the Camp Green Lake Juvenile Detention Centre in the middle of the Texan desert. There is in fact no lake there at all and not much green either. Stanley soon discovers that his work at the camp will be to dig a deep hole each day, and to report back about anything he finds there. Stanley gets to work - but he soon discovers there's more to the task he's been given than merely an exercise in character-building.
This witty, inventive and utterly compelling novel from Louis Sacharis a must-read for children and adults too. A deft mixture of seriousness and humour, it is told in a direct, simple style that belies the clever construction of Sachar's powerful narrative.
3. Once by Morris Gleitzman
Felix has lived in a Catholic orphanage for over three years but always hopes that his Jewish bookseller parents to come for him. Alarmed by the sight of what he assumes are official 'librarians' burning Jewish books in the orphanage, he sets off in search of his parents to warn them of the danger.
On his travels Felix uses his natural optimism and storytelling gift to explain away the horrific events he witnesses in Nazi-occupied Poland. His stories bring hope to the children of a ghetto and ultimately comfort to them on their final train journey.
Morris Gleitzman brings heart and humour to the difficult subject of the Holocaust in this ground-breaking children's book. Told in simple yet powerful language, his story reveals the redemptive power of stories and the potential for humanity and hope even in the most tragic times.
This is the story about how one ordinary nine-year-old child and three classmates are full of empathy for Ahmet, a boy that comes to their school as a refugee from Syria (he is the boy at the back of the class).
Through their sensitivity, curiosity, ingenuity, bravery and innocent niceness, they make a massive impact on Ahmet’s life, friends, class, school, community and wider world. There’s a lovely lack of stereotyping on gender and backstory for the narrator, which adds to the message of not judging people before you know them.
An inspiring and sweet tale that will help children think about what it is to be a good person whatever your circumstances (the narrator is from a poor background with a single parent mum who struggles to make ends meet), and challenge prejudice and push for fairness, whenever possible.
This is a beautiful, open-hearted debut from Onjali Q Raúf that should help children be the best they can be and realise the power of kindness.
5. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C S Lewis
When the Pevensie children - Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy - step through a wardrobe door in the strange country house where they are staying, they find themselves in the land of Narnia. Frozen in eternal winter, Narnia is a land of snow and pine forests, and its creatures are enslaved by the terrible White Witch.
Tempted by the promise of endless Turkish Delight, Edmund becomes the White Witch's servant - and its up to his brother and sisters to release him from his enchantment and to rid Narnia of the witch. But just when it seems that all hope is lost, the Great Lion Aslan returns to help the children to save Narnia.
This classic story is certain to capture young imaginations, cleverly blending elements of fairy-tale and fantasy to create a wonderfully engaging adventure. Adult readers will be quick to spot the Christian symbolism woven through C S Lewis's story, which some critics have found problematic - but children will enjoy the magic of this spellbinding adventure in its own right.