Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>Whether you&#8217;ve got a bookworm or a reluctant reader, these gripping page turners are sure to get kids reading this summer. We asked the Charlotte King at <a href="https://www.onemorechapter.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One More Chapter</a> in Nottingham for a hand-picked list of her favourite kids&#8217; books for the summer holidays. From modern classics to newly published page turners &#8211; tuck in.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-younger-readers-5-8">YOUNGER READERS (5-8)</h2>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Book-Anisha.jpg" alt="Anisha Accidental Detective" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Anisha, Accidental Detective by Serena Patel</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>I recommend this series all the time because it has that magical combination of being genuinely funny whilst still feeling achievable for younger readers. Anisha is sharp, curious and endlessly relatable. I particularly love that children often come back asking for the next book in the series – always a good sign!</p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Book-Beast.jpg" alt="The Beast and Bethany book" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">The Beast and the Bethany by Jack Meggitt-Phillips</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>I adore this book because it doesn&#8217;t underestimate its readers. It&#8217;s a little bit dark, a little bit naughty and incredibly funny. Children absolutely revel in the outrageousness of it all, and I think it&#8217;s perfect for those who enjoy the slightly weird side of storytelling. </p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Book-Alan.jpg" alt="Alan and the Universe book" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Alan, King of the Universe by Tom McLaughlin</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>As booksellers, we&#8217;re always on the lookout for stories that bridge the gap between comics and novels, and this new book is exactly that. I can already imagine it becoming one of those books that&#8217;s passed around friendship groups. It&#8217;s funny, energetic and brilliant for reluctant readers.</p></div></div></div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-older-readers-9-12">OLDER READERS (9-12)</h2>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Book-Explorer.jpg" alt="The Explorer" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">The Explorer by Katherine Rundell</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>If I could place one book into every child&#8217;s hands, it might be this one. Katherine Rundell has an extraordinary ability to make adventure feel both thrilling and meaningful. It&#8217;s the sort of story that reminds children that the world is full of possibility – and it might just inspire a few family adventures of their own this summer. As a child, I loved books that swept me away entirely, and The Explorer gave me that same feeling as an adult. It&#8217;s one of those rare stories that lingers long after you&#8217;ve turned the final page.</p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Book-Impossible.jpg" alt="Impossible Creatures" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Imaginative in the very best way, filled with mythical creatures and high stakes, but at its heart it&#8217;s a story about courage and friendship. It&#8217;s one of those books that makes children fall in love with reading all over again. If you grew up loving Roald Dahl&#8217;s wildly imaginative worlds, this feels like a modern equivalent – full of wonder, danger and magic.</p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Book-Fear-Files.jpg" alt="Fear Files" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Fear Files: Hide and Seek by Christopher Edge</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>Christopher Edge has become one of my go-to recommendations for children who want something genuinely gripping. This latest offering is clever, pacey and impossible to predict. I love books that trust young readers to handle big ideas and a few delicious chills along the way, and Edge does this brilliantly.</p></div></div></div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teens-13">TEENS (13+)</h2>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Book-Good-Girl.jpg" alt="A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">A Good Girl&#8217;s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ve ever recommended this series without someone returning to tell me how much they loved it. It&#8217;s twisty, addictive and brilliantly plotted. If your teenager enjoys true crime documentaries or mystery TV dramas, this is the book equivalent. </p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Book-King.jpg" alt="king of nithing" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>One of the things I love most about this book is its warmth. It&#8217;s laugh-out-loud funny whilst also tackling friendship, identity and the pressure to fit in. Nathanael Lessore writes teenagers exactly as they are – messy, complicated and full of heart. </p></div></div></div></div>



<div class="wp-block-muddy-blocks-giftguide gift"><div class="gift-img"><img decoding="async" class="card__image" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2026/07/Book-Coterie.jpg" alt="Coterie of Liars" /></div><div class="gift-text"><div class="gift-price"><h2 class="giftguide-title">Coterie of Liars by Kate Weston</h2><div class="giftguide-body"><p>This new book is one for older teens who love a bit of drama. It&#8217;s glamorous, fast-paced and packed with secrets. I can already imagine readers racing through it in a single weekend. Compelling characters and a hint of intrigue.</p></div></div></div></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/things-to-do-with-the-kids-summer-holidays-notts-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plot your family fun with our local summer guide</a></p>



<p><a href="https://nottsderbyshire.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on-notts-derbyshire-august-notts-derbyshire/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Awesome August! What&#8217;s on near you</a></p>


The great escape! Summer holiday reads to fire kids’ imaginations

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