Toppsta - Childrens Books – Reviews

Top 10 Books to Read this Term

Discover our Top 10 Books to Read this Term!

From fascinating non-fiction to heart-stopping fantasy, and laugh-out-loud school stories, find out why we've chosen these ten books from the thousands of children's books coming out this Autumn.

And the best part is your very own school can get a special discount to buy our special selection, so that all children in the classroom get a chance to enjoy these fantastic reads!. At Toppsta, one of our biggest beliefs is that all children should have access to the best books, and we are always looking for new ways to make that happen.

Let your school know that they can purchase all the books with a 30% discount via Peters using the code 'TOPPSTA30'.

And parents can support local bookshops and buy from Bookshop.org.

We've also designed a poster which you can download and display at home or at school. Send us a picture (either email [email protected] or tweet us @toppsta) with a picture of the poster on display and one lucky winner will win ALL TEN BOOKS for their school. Closes 1st November 2023, UK Only.

Georgina Atwell

Toppsta

2023-09-08

2023-08-30

Top 10 Books to Read this Term

Brilliant Black British History

This full-colour illustrated book narrates the history of Britain we’ve not heard through mainstream channels before, perfect for all history lovers aged 7+, though we’d recommend adults read this too.

This is a history book like none seen before, journeying through the ages from the very first Britons, as well as the Black Tudors, Georgians and Victorians, accounting the brilliant lives of Black people that have made history. Packed full of beautiful maps and timelines, this book covers science, sport, literature, law and, of course, HISTORY, covering the world wars, slavery, the industrial revolution, Windrush and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Brought to life through Atinuke's fascinating storytelling and illustrations by Kingsley Nebechi.

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Ten-Word Tiny Tales

Ten tiny tales, each only ten words long! This beautiful collection of illustrated stories inspires children aged 7+ to go beyond the word on the page and use their imagination!

Spin a tale using just ten words in this unique compendium of stories, each one illustrated by a different illustrator of our time and written by poet Joseph Coelho. From underwater worlds, demon hamsters, bears in outer space and portals to places unknown...each story transports readers to a different world and encourages them to imagine what could happen next.

With two creative writing challenges at the back, this is the perfect gift for all those ready to unleash their imaginations.

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Mysteries at Sea: Peril on the Atlantic

Award-winning A.M. Howell is back with a twisty and heart-pounding mystery at sea set in 1936, perfect for middle grade readers who love an adventure!

Alice is set to sail across the Atlantic in an exciting race with her father, but the moment she steps on board she witnesses a SHOCKING attack. Together with her new friend Sonny, she will uncover a dark sabotage plot. Gold bars, anonymous notes and lost silk gloves will all be clues to solve the mystery…and discover even more secrets.

This grippingly exciting story set at sea will have children turning each page with bated breath as they uncover mysteries and secrets on the Atlantic.

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Dork Diaries: I Love Paris!

In this latest book in the aDORKable and well-loved mega-selling Dork Diaries series for readers aged 9 and up, Nikki is headed to PARIS!

When Nikki and her band are invited to Paris for a super cool photoshoot, it’s an absolute dream come true! Nikki can’t wait to learn new art styles, practice her French and explore the most romantic city in the world with her crush Brandon. Oh la la! But if there’s anything to know about the Dork Diaries, it’s that nothing ever quite goes to plan, and dorky disasters always await!

With over 50 million copies in print worldwide, this series is perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates. Welcome to Nikki Maxwell's aDORKable world!

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Until the Road Ends

Until the Road Ends is the eagerly awaited new novel from the bestselling author of the award-winning When the Sky Falls, set again during the war, and showcasing another beautiful relationship between humans and animals, perfect for all readers 9+.

When Peggy saves a stray dog from near-death, a friendship begins. But then the war arrives, and while Peggy is evacuated to the safety of the coast, Beau is left behind. Night after night, Beau saves countless families from bombs. But when Peggy’s parents are killed, both she and Beau are left alone, unless they can find each other again.

A beautiful story about the unbreakable bond between a little girl and a stray dog destined to stay together again at last against all the odds.

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Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight: The start of an epic new adventure series

This first book in an epic new middle grade fantasy adventure for readers aged 9+, inspired by West African mythology, full of magic, curses and an incredible quest!

Koku has always felt like a fish out of water. With a unique name and an equally unique illness, he couldn’t feel less weird… until he releases a DEMON during a school trip! So begins a journey uncovering magical tribes, man-eating monsters, mermaids and dangerous secrets. Koku’s only hope? Joining forces with two unusual characters: a warrior-in-training and a shapeshifter.

Readers who enjoyed Amari and the Night Brothers, Percy Jackson and Dragon Mountain will LOVE this book!

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The Little Fear

A beautiful debut picture book, perfect for bedtime, facing fears and finding courage when we’re afraid, with colourful and sweet illustrations throughout.

It was just before bed, when Sam let in a little fear… The fear was quite tiny, so he was sure it wouldn’t be any bother. But before he knows it, the fear grows bigger and BIGGER. Until even the sunniest of sunny days doesn’t feel very sunny any more! There’s only one thing for it. Sam must try and be a little bit brave ….

This is the perfect bedtime read to help little ones face their fears, overcome anxiety and find courage when they feel worried, by author and illustrator Luke Scriven.

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Super Ghost: From the hilarious bestselling authors of Kid Normal

Superheroes, arch-nemeses, giant robots and EXPLOSIONS! This action-filled middle grade fantasy adventure for fans of The Incredibles and Thor makes for a unputdownable read!

Super Ghost begins rather unexpectedly: world-famous superhero Doctor Extraordinary is battling as usual with his arch-nemesis Captain Chaos, but this time they get a little carried away and sadly both end up getting BLOWN UP inside a giant robot. But Doctor Ex returns to the human world as a ghost…and only his number-one fan, twelve-year-old Sonny Nelson can see him…

An amazing new page-turner from Radio 1 broadcasters and bestselling authors of Kid Normal and The Great Dream Robbery.

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Weird but true! 2024: Wild and Wacky Facts & Photos!

This annual collection of jaw-dropping, eye-popping, brain-bending facts about animals, art, history and science is the perfect read for curious weird-fact lovers aged 5+!

Did you know that baby koalas eat their parents’ poo? Or that in the deserts you can find statues made of CHALK? Or that parks of MONSTERS exist? From cockroach cyborgs to super sneezes, this book combines all of our world’s most strangest facts and stories. This book covers EVERYTHING from animals and geography to the environment and human work.

The perfect book for fans of Guinness World Records and Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, this 2024 children’s annual is sure to entertain!

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Kevin the Vampire: A Most Mysterious Monster

This is the first book in a funny new fantasy series for children aged 7+! Meet Kevin Aurelius, an eleven-year-old just like any other, except he’s a vampire…

Kevin and his vampire family are on their way to Monstros City, but along the journey they get stuck in a strange, quiet place where HUMANS reside! This town might seem ordinary, but it has its own secrets too, and Kevin accidentally wakes up something OLD and VERY HUNGRY. It's up to Kevin to save everyone - or else!

Written by the utterly funny Matt Brown and packed full of black and white illustrations throughout by Flavia Sorrentino, this is the best book to get children in the autumnal spirit!

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30th August 2023

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