Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Lis Jardine is a British author who writes for children. She is known for her debut novel, The Detention Detectives, which was published by Puffin in 2023. The book introduces a group of schoolchildren who become amateur detectives while serving detention, and it is aimed at readers aged 9 and above.
The Detention Detectives was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2024. Jardine’s writing is characterised by its focus on mystery and friendship, set within a contemporary school environment. Her work is published by Puffin, an imprint of Penguin Random House Children’s UK.
Lis Jardine’s debut novel, The Detention Detectives, was published in 2023.
Mystery stories for children and teens with titles by Julia Donaldson, Richard Osman, Marcus Rashford, Marissa Meyer, David Wiesner, Abiola Bello, Patrice Lawrence, Konnie Huq, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and Maureen Johnson.
Books for 12-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by Michael Grant, Sarah Crossan, Rick Riordan, Taran Matharu, A.F. Steadman, Erin Hunter, Malala Yousafzai, Faridah Abike-Iyimide, Christopher Edge, Lis Jardine and Alice Oseman.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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