November 2024’s set of recommendations for book clubs features picture book inspiration, Christmas warmth, historical humour, stories of self discovery, fantasy curses, vivid animal fiction and ghostly secrets. Perfect for the second half of term, darker days, twilight reading sessions and thought-provoking discussion, November 2024’s picks include titles by Oliver Jeffers, Jane Chapman, Sally Gardner, Nuria Gómez Benet, Coral Rumble, Hannah Peck, A.F Steadman, Marta Palazzesi, Frances Hardinge and Rosie Talbot.
November 2024 book club recommendations
Where to Hide a Star by Oliver Jeffers
Where to Hide a Star by Oliver Jeffers marks the 20th anniversary of his beloved Boy series, reuniting familiar characters while introducing a new one. Aimed at children aged 3+, this absorbing picture book follows the Boy’s quest to find his missing star. Parents and EYFS teachers will appreciate themes of friendship, the sense of freedom and adventure, and the use of vivid imagination. Highly recommended.
3+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Littlest Christmas Tree by Jane Chapman
When Cubby and Daddy Bear pick a tree for Christmas, Cubby forms a bond with Little Tree, decorating it and celebrating the holiday with friends. But after Christmas, Cubby feels sad about throwing the tree away. Daddy Bear proposes a solution: plant it in the garden to care for until next Christmas. Blending warmth with an environmental message, this charming picture book is an ideal festive story.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
Fairy Shopping by Sally Gardner
Take a stroll through magical streets filled with shops run by fairies, giants, elves, and more. There’s Sparks & Twinkle for wands, Dragon Dreams for pet owners, and Miss Prism’s for gift-wrapped wishes. The stunning illustrations and imaginative settings will keep 4+ years olds enchanted for hours, and this is the perfect book for inquisitive children to discuss! Fairy Shopping is a masterpiece of nostalgia, magic and warm-hearted storytelling. Highly recommended.
3+ year-olds | Author’s website
Montezuma’s Tantrum by Nuria Gómez Benet and Santiago Solis
Nuria Gómez Benet’s Montezuma’s Tantrum tells the story of Emperor Montezuma’s extremely bad mood and how his palace courtiers try everything to cheer him up. This lively hardback picture book introduces Aztec culture and the origins of hot chocolate and includes vibrant illustrations of Aztec life and symbols. Highlighting the ancient tradition of xocolátl, or chocolate, as a remedy for Montezuma’s mood, this story is ideal for Aztec topic teaching, discussing in circle time, or stocking in non-fiction sections of LKS2 libraries. Highly recommended. Read our full review.
4-9 year-olds | Author’s website
Jakub’s Otter by Coral Rumble
Ten-year-old Jakub cares for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis. When family friends take him to Italy for a break, at first he can’t stop worrying about his mum. But with the help of a wise woodsman, he discovers a new side of himself through storytelling and poetry. This distinctive and original story explores Jakub’s growth beyond his struggles as a young carer, highlighting themes of self-discovery and the connection between humans and nature. Jakub’s Otter is an accessible, thought-provoking and memorable read, perfect for KS2 book club discussions.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
The River Thief by Hannah Peck
Adderley discovers Ef, a mysterious creature part human, part fish, living in the river by her home. Together, they set out to recover a stolen stone crucial to Ef’s people, which may hold the key to ending a devastating drought. Ideal for 9+ years olds, this well-written, page-turning and immersive fantasy quest is perfect for whole-class reading and will appeal to fans of Emma Carroll and Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Read our full review.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Skandar and the Skeleton Curse by A. F. Steadman
The fourth entry in A. F. Steadman’s epic fantasy series, Skandar and the Skeleton Curse, follows Skandar and his friends in their fourth year at the Eyrie as they face a deadly curse threatening the island’s unicorns. With a vengeful sister and a Commodore bent on eradicating spirit magic, Skandar must race to stop the curse before time runs out. Highly recommended for KS2.
9-12 year-olds | Author’s website
Feather and Claw by Marta Palazzesi
The 1914 Las Fallas festival in Valencia is brought to vivid life through the eyes of Amparo, a girl who lives the daytime as a hawk, and Tomás, a boy who roams the night as a panther. Even though they cannot meet as children, their friendship blossoms. Together, they try to learn more about their intertwined past and identities, helped by the savvy Pepe. Reminiscent of The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the story effortlessly flits between text and pictures. This stunning hardback is a great book for 9-12-year-olds to read in small groups.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Forest of a Thousand Eyes by Frances Hardinge, illustrated by Emily Gravett
Feather and her scaled ferret, Sleek, face danger around every corner in their quest to return a stolen spyglass. The encroaching forest, filled with dangerous creatures, threatens the crumbling wall where humans live. Blending adventure, resilience, and a cautionary tale about nature’s power, The Forest of a Thousand Eyes is a richly atmospheric and original story. Perfect for classroom discussion, this distinctive and stunningly illustrated hardback would also make the perfect gift for imaginative readers aged 10 and up. Highly recommended.
10+ year-olds | Author’s website
Phantom Hearts by Rosie Talbot and Sarah Maxwell
16-year-old Malia struggles with anxiety after a fatal school bus crash. As she begins to see ghosts and uncover secrets about the accident with her new friend Keezy, Malia is drawn into a deadly mystery. With atmospheric artwork by Sarah Maxwell, this gripping supernatural story is a fresh and original murder mystery graphic novel that poses plenty of questions.
Themed day / social media opportunities for November 2024
These hashtag days might provide ideas for primary and secondary teachers and current and relevant talking points for secondary-aged pupils aged 13+ in KS3, KS4 and KS5, especially when linked to related literature.
- Michael Rosen Day will be celebrated on 12th November. This national day is aimed at families, schools, nurseries and libraries. Schools can sign up for a free webinar featuring Michael Rosen and MC Grammar. There are also free resources to download from the Michael Rosen website.
- This month is ‘National Non-fiction November’. Have a look at our narrative nonfiction titles and our collection of topic book resources for inspiration!
- November 4-10 is Children’s Book Week. Every Child A Reader has a great selection of free resources.
- November 5th is Guy Fawkes Night / Bonfire Night. BBC Bitesize has a great guide for KS1.
- There’s a presidential election in the USA. It’s calendared for 5th November but may go on for longer…
- November 7th is the second Outdoor Classroom Day date for the year. Get outside and read! Have a look at our outdoor reading page for extra inspiration!
- November 8th is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medicine (STEM) Day #STEMDay. Have a look at our STEM-related stories.
- November 10th is World Science Day. UN Action has lots of ideas and activities for schools.
- November 11th is Remembrance Day. Have a look at our Remembrance topic books list page for ideas and free resources.
- November 11-15 is Anti-Bullying Week. There’s a great pack of free school resources here.
- November 13th is World Kindness Day. Have a look at our kindness book list and Kind by Jess McGeachin
- November 13-19 is Transgender Awareness Week. Trans EDU has produced a range of useful resources for schools.
- November 14th is National Biscuit Base Day #NationalBiscuitBaseDay. Biscuit bases are a crucial component of cheesecakes and similar desserts. According to Biscuit Base Confederation guidelines, approved biscuit bases must be at least 1cm thick to form a mouthwatering foundation for success.
- November 16 is International Day for Tolerance #ToleranceDay. Unesco has created a useful website here.
- YALC – the UK’s Young Adult Literature Convention – takes place on November 16-17 as part of London Comic Con.
Extension activities:
- Have a look at our writing competitions for November 2024.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest November 2024 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books released this autumn 2024.
- Our November 2024 books of the day on Twitter. These can also be viewed on uk.Bookshop.org.
- Our guide on how to run a school book club covers both primary school book clubs and secondary school book clubs.
Click one of the buttons below to buy all this month’s recommended book club titles, or class sets of any of these books, from Bookshop.org UK or Amazon.co.uk. As an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.
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