Crime and punishment books for children
KS2 crime and punishment books with titles by Malorie Blackman, Louis Sachar, Terry Deary, Jon Scieszka, Elle McNicoll, M. G. Leonard, Sam Sedgman, Sharna Jackson, Serena Patel, and Philip Ardagh.
Elle McNicoll author page
Elle McNicoll biography
Elle McNicoll is a Scottish children’s and young adult author and screenwriter.
Her debut novel, A Kind of Spark, was published by Knights Of in 2020. The book won the Blue Peter Book Award and the Overall Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and was also named Blackwell’s Book of 2020.
McNicoll followed it with Show Us Who You Are in 2021. In 2022, Knights Of published Like a Charm, the first book in a fantasy series set in Edinburgh, followed by Like a Curse in 2023.
In 2024, she published Keedie, a prequel to A Kind of Spark, and the young adult novel Some Like It Cold. Her 2025 books include Wish You Were Her and Role Model.
A Kind of Spark was adapted for television in partnership with BBC Children’s and 9 Story Media Group, and the series premiered on BBC iPlayer on 31 March 2023.
In January 2026, The Bookseller reported that Pan Macmillan had acquired McNicoll’s backlist in an eight-book deal.
- Author website and school visit details
Biography writer: Joanna Nance-Phillips
Children’s literature expert and primary school teacher with 30+ years of experience running a primary school library, teaching literacy and tutoring in the UK and abroad. Articles and reviews by Joanna Nance-Phillips 
Yearning Difficulties by Elle McNicoll
Yearning Difficulties is a tender, slow-burning romance as Zella and Killian’s fake dating becomes real. It celebrates autistic self-discovery, finding belonging and being cherished as yourself.
Contemporary fiction for children and teens
Contemporary fiction for children and teens with titles by Jacqueline Wilson, Alice Oseman, Angie Thomas, R. J. Palacio, Onjali Q. Raúf, Elizabeth Acevedo, Patrice Lawrence, Juno Dawson, Benjamin Dean, and Dean Atta.
Books about witches for children and teens
Witches books for children with titles by Roald Dahl, C. S. Lewis, Jill Murphy, Cressida Cowell, Diana Wynne Jones, Eiko Kadono, Kelly Barnhill, V. E. Schwab, Elle McNicoll, and Ciannon Smart.
School Reading List Children’s Book of the Month
The School Reading List compiles this list of recommended books monthly. This children’s and YA books of the month list highlights new releases and editions of fiction and non-fiction books suitable for children and young adults aged 2-16.
School based stories for children and teens
School stories including titles by Allan Ahlberg, Mo Willems, Lisa Thompson, Pamela Butchart, Matt Goodfellow, Onjali Rauf, Elle McNicoll, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Alice Oseman, and Holly Bourne.
Books about AI and AI ethics for children and teens
Books about AI and AI ethics for children and teens with titles by Malorie Blackman, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Peter Brown, Neal Shusterman, Philip K. Dick, Marie Lu, Hannah Fry, Cathy O’Neil, Laura Bates, and Kazuo Ishiguro.
Year 7 recommended reading list for children aged 11-12
Books for Year 7 – our reading recommendation for 11-year-olds at the start of secondary school in Year 7, including titles by A.M Dassu, Mitch Johnson, Lisa Thompson, Gillian Cross, Malorie Blackman, R.J. Palacio, Philip Pullman, Catherine Johnson & Michael Rosen.
Children’s and teen books to help combat hatred and bigotry
Children’s books to combat hatred including titles by Michael Rosen, Malorie Blackman, Benjamin Zephaniah, Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, David Olusoga, R. J. Palacio, Lois Lowry, Elle McNicoll, and Nicola Davies.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Autumn 2026
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction, young adult novels and non-fiction.
Books for children and teens about big egos, politicians and influencers
Books for children about politicians, big egos and influencers with titles by Michael Rosen, Hans Christian Andersen, L. Frank Baum, Beverley Naidoo, Elle McNicoll, Yomi Adegoke, Rebecca F. Kuang, Naomi Klein, Jon Ronson, and Maria Ressa.
Teaching diversity through reading in primary schools
Books to help teach diversity to children in KS1 and KS2 in primary schools – with characters and settings to introduce age-appropriate discussions of the diversity of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, education, disability, identity, nationality, religion, sexuality, neurodiversity, social background, and beliefs.
Role Model by Elle McNicoll
Role Model is a moving story of Aeriel Sharpe, who struggles with life in the spotlight yet learns, with resilience and honesty, how to find acceptance, friendship and a way to belong.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Autumn 2025
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Summer 2025
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Autumn 2024
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels, poetry and non-fiction.
Bestselling books by Elle McNicoll
Browse Elle McNicoll books on UK.Bookshop.orgBrowse Elle McNicoll books on Waterstones.com
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