Dec 11, 2024 12 min read Books

Favourite children's books of the 21st century

Delicious reads for tots, teens and in-betweens

Hello loves!

One of the best parts of my job teaching creative writing is getting to spend a lot of time thinking about my favourite children's books and what makes them wonderful. Last year, I got to vote on this question for the BBC's "100 Greatest Children's Books of All Time" list - it was an impossible task to choose just ten to vote for, but I do think the final list is pretty great.

I love a list. Umberto Eco once said, "The list is the origin of culture ... [because it aims] to make infinity comprehensible." I'm so addicted to list-making that my psychologist once gave me a temporary ban on making to-do lists. She didn't say anything about making booklists, though! LOOPHOLE!

Anyway, here's a longer list of my favourite children's and teen books. Note, these are my personal faves, not the ones I think are objectively the best books for kids. If you're busy with Xmas shopping, I hope it gives you some ideas.

Some notes:

I'm cutting off everything published before 2000, because you don't need me to tell you about Where the Wild Things Are, His Dark Materials, The Little Prince, and Winnie the Pooh. This also means I can strategically avoid discussing a certain magical wizard.
I'm excluding graphic novels, comics and manga, simply because they're formats I'm less familiar with.

Enjoy!

Picture books for 0-6 year-olds (ish)

Rhyming Julia Donaldson is a one-woman children's publishing empire, but she bloody deserves to be. Every child should own a copy of The Gruffalo (technically 1999; sue me), but all her books are bangers. Particular faves are The Hospital Dog (2020), Room on the Broom (2001) and Tiddler (2007).
It’s a Tiger! by David LaRochelle (2012). A hilariously unexpected adventure involving a tiger that keeps appearing where you least expect it. Prepare to be begged for a thousand re-reads.
Pip & Egg by Alex Latimer (2021). It's difficult to choose my favourite Latimer book - they're all so witty - but Pip & Egg is a story about how friendship can persist even as we change, and I often have to secretly dry my eyes afterwards. The Duck Never Blinks (2023) is another great one: try winning a staring contest against an illustrated duck.
Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (2018). A lushly illustrated, heartmelting tale about a boy embracing his true self and feeling seen.
Ten Delicious Teachers by Ross Montgomery (2021). A zany counting book about teachers on a walk through the woods, with an unfortunate surprise waiting for them. One for the kids with a dark sense of humour (i.e. most kids).
Cat Secrets by Jef Czekaj (2011). A book where you, dear reader, must prove your worthiness to learn cat secrets. Spoiler: You’ll fail, but you’ll laugh trying.
The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak (2014). Picture books are scripts for the world's most exhausted actors. This book really gets that, and turns the adult reader into a clown forced to make absurd sound effects. One of the most fun read-aloud books.
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (2011). Stunning illustrations and deadpan humour that appeals as much to grownups as their kids. The sequels This Is Not My Hat (2012) and We Found a Hat (2016) are just as sly. Klassen also teamed up with Mac Barnett for the equally fabulous Shapes series (start with Triangle, 2017).
We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems (2010). Meta as heck, with Elephant and Piggie realising they’re characters in a book. Willems created one of my favourite shows as a kid, Sheep in the Big City, which has the same offbeat charm. His bigger hit, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (2003), is also fab. Also check out his "Lunchtime Doodles" series on Youtube - a treat for budding young artists.
Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers (2017). Jeffers is better known for his gently funny The Day the Crayons Quit (with Drew Daywalt 2013), but I adore this more poignant and existential book about humanity's place in the universe.
Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter (2023). A gentle, lyrical story about a girl named Nell and the tree she plants, told across generations. A quiet, beautiful story about intergenerational love, perfect for bedtime.
Press Here by Hervé Tullet (2010). A simple concept that turns a book into interactive magic. Press the dots, follow the instructions, and watch the pages come alive. It’s like a screen-free iPad.
Duck, Death and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch (2006). An unforgettably moving, simple story about a duck who strikes up a friendship with Death. A gentle, age-appropriate introduction to the topic. Hide tissues in your sleeve.
Oi Frog! by Kes Gray (2014). Cats sit on mats, hares sit on chairs, mules sit on stools and gophers sit on sofas. But Frog does not want to sit on a log. The illustrations are as silly as the increasingly absurd rhymes.
A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea by Michael Ian Black (2010). A deadpan look at why, despite how cute pigs are, a pig parade would be an utter disaster. It's a great teaching book.
Many of my all-time favourite children's picture books were published by South African nonprofit Book Dash, and can be read for free online. It's hard to choose, but special faves include Where is Lulu? (Mohale Mashigo, Clyde Beech and Nkosingiphile Mazibuko) about a child hiding to get out of returning library books; And Also! (Lauren Beukes, Anja Venter and Nkosingiphile Mazibuko) about how imaginative play is more fun with friends; and Where's that Cat? (Sam Wilson, Chenel Ferreira and Thea Nicole de Klerk), a wordless book about a young inventor looking for her missing pet.

Chapter books for 6 - 14 year-olds (ish)

This is a wide category, but reading levels and interests vary widely throughout later childhood. These are listed in order of increasing length and difficulty (ish).

Mr. Penguin series by Alex T. Smith (2017-2021). Think Indiana Jones, but a penguin. With a bowler hat. And a kung-fu spider sidekick. These hilarious books are packed with mystery, adventure, and an irresistible charm.
The Dragonsitter by Josh Lacey (2012). A hilarious story told through emails, where Eddie has to look after a dragon while trying not to burn down the house. Ridiculous fun.
Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Being Good by Louie Stowell (2022). Mischief god Loki is forced to live as a human child until he learns to behave. Chaos ensues. These books feature cracking jokes and hilarious illustrations: they're an excellent (much funnier) alternative to Wimpy Kid, around the same reading level. There are currently 4 books in the series.
Anisha, Accidental Detective by Serena Patel (2020). Anisha just wants to make it through her drama queen aunt's over-the-top wedding, but then her uncle-in-law is kidnapped, and Anisha has to use all her sleuthing skills to find him. A wholesome, witty middle-grade series about a down-to-earth girl with a zany family.
Jacqueline Wilson - any title really. She's the queen of writing kid characters who are both funny and relatable. The Tracy Beaker stories from the 90s are my favourites, about a lovable orphan with a big personality and an even bigger propensity for trouble. Hetty Feather (2009), about a Victorian foundling, is also delightful.
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant by Nizrana Farook (2020). Adventure, rebellion, and a heist in a wild jungle adventure set in Sri Lanka. Immediately lovable.
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll (2020). A powerful story of an autistic girl standing up to injustice in her small Scottish town while learning about the history of the witch trials.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (2016). A robot washes up on an island and learns to survive in the wild, forging unlikely friendships with animals. Rich, imaginative and moving.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (2012). A life-affirming story about a boy with facial differences, and how he navigates life with courage and kindness.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (1999-2006). A delightfully dark series about three orphans who face increasingly absurd and dangerous situations while thwarting the evil Count Olaf (who will forever be Neil Patrick Harris in my head).
What To Do if You Turn Invisible by Ross Welford (2016). When 12-year-old Ethel accidentally turns invisible, she tries to use her newfound power to escape her problems, only to discover that being unseen causes more trouble than she imagined.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (2011). Probably my all-time favourite book in this age category. It's about a boy who is visited by a wild ancient monster who helps him come to terms with his mother's terminal cancer, and I don't think any book has ever made me cry so much. I adore it. Get the illustrated edition if you can.
Tyger by S.F. Said (2022). Set in an alternate London, about a boy who discovers a mythical, talking tiger straight out of a William Blake poem. Strange, lyrical, and woven through with poignant observations about colonialism.
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell (2013). After a shipwreck, Sophie is found floating in a cello case and embarks on a quest to find her mother, leading her to the rooftops of Paris. A wild and inventive adventure with unforgettable characters.
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan (2005-2009). Not exactly obscure, but this modern take on Greek mythology for tweens lives up to the hype, mostly because the voice of the narrator is so distinctive.
Sticky Pines series by Dashe Roberts (2020-2024). Note-perfect blend of mystery, adventure, ecological themes, and Bigfoot, set in the forests of the American Northwest. Fans of Gravity Falls will love it.
October, October by Katya Balen (2020). October lives a wild and free life in the woods with her father, until an accident forces her to move to the city with her estranged mother. A sumptuous story about identity, the bonds between parent and child, and finding your place in the world, with unforgettable prose.
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy (2007). A skeleton detective, magic, and nonstop action. Can be a little scary for younger readers, but morbid tweens love it.
My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece (2011). Stunning story about a ten-year-old whose sister was killed in a terrorist attack five years ago. Heavy themes of grief, loss, Islamophobia, and identity are tackled with warmth and honesty, and it's ultimately a deeply hopeful book.
Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud (2013). Ghost-hunting teens in London, filled with spooky mysteries and sharp humour. Stroud is one of my favourite children's writers working today. The Outlaws Scarlett & Browne is also fabulous, for slightly older readers.
When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle (2021). A gripping WW2 novel about a boy’s bond with a gorilla during the London Blitz. Emotional and powerful.
What Sunny Saw in the Flames / Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (2011). A 12-year-old moves from New York to Nigeria and learns that she has magical abilities and a world-saving mission. What sets this apart from similar stories is that the worldbuilding feels utterly fresh, with brilliant creative details rooted in Nigerian mythology, and an emphasis on learning to love the traits that make you different.

Young adult novels for 14+ year-olds (ish)

"Young Adult" is a funny category - one that didn't even exist 40 years ago. Many novels with teenage protagonists aren't considered YA, including masterpieces like Demon Copperhead, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, The Power and White Oleander, though teens often love them. Meanwhile, many novels devoured by teens feature adult protagonists (true of my own teenage obsessions: Lord of the Rings and Stephen King). Girls of Little Hope, the novel Dale Halvorsen and I wrote, is marketed as adult horror, but was written with teenagers in mind. Hallmarks of YA include a focus on "first" experiences (loves, losses), a teen perspective rather than an adult remembering their teenage years, more careful handling of difficult subjects, and accessible language and pacing. But in reality, this classification is often less about content than it is a quirk of the publishing industry; a marketing tool more than a creative distinction.

Still, for the sake of this list, I'm going to constrain myself to books generally marketed as Young Adult.

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher (2020). T. Kingfisher is the pen name of Ursula Vernon, who also writes charming children's books (her Hamster Princess series for 8-12 year olds is bonkers and brilliant) AND breathtaking adult fantasy novels (Nettle and Bone is one of the most simply joyful yarns I've read in years). A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking might be my favourite, though, about a 14-year-old wizard whose magic only works on baked goods, who has to solve a mysterious string of murders with the help of enchanted gingerbread men and her familiar - a sentient sourdough starter. Somehow both whimsical and dark.
Love is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann (2021). A hilarious and sweet contemporary sapphic story about a cynical teenager falling in love while working at a charity shop.
The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge (2015). Hardinge is the most inventive children's author working today, and I'm lowkey obsessed with her. Her books are sometimes marketed as middle-grade, but her work is pretty scary (her changeling story Cuckoo Song features the most terrifying antagonist I've read in a long long time). The Lie Tree is a Victorian gothic about a tree that feeds off lies and produces fruit that reveals the truth. It's dark, strange, utterly absorbing.
The Scholomance Trilogy by Naomi Novik (2020-2022). The much better version of those other magical wizarding school books. Imagine if Hogwarts had a global student body, no teachers, and a survival rate barely above 20%. Biting humour, complex morality, and a lovably unlikable heroine, this series had me literally missing sleep because I couldn't put it down.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli (2015). Yes, Heartstopper is delightful (not on the list because it's a graphic novel), but I connect more deeply with Becky Albertalli's characters. A warm, funny, and heartfelt look at one boy’s journey to come out on his own terms. Cosy and adorable.
Coconut by Kopano Matlwa (2007). A poignant story about growing up Black in the formerly white suburbs of post-Apartheid South Africa. Beautifully written, thoughtful and honest.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (2008-2010). Suzanne Collins deserved a much better editor than she had, and these books are imperfect, but they're entirely worthy of their success. Katniss Everdeen’s fight for survival in a brutal, deeply unequal dystopia set the bar for YA dystopian fiction and remains unsettlingly relevant. I especially love these books for how they show the toll trauma takes: none of these characters escape their struggles without profound emotional scars.
Blood Moon by Lucy Cuthew (2020). A stunning novel-in-verse about periods, sex, shame, and online bullying. An astronomy-obsessed teen has her first sexual experience, and happens to be on her period. Then an awful meme starts to circulate around her school turning what was a gentle, intimate experience into something mortifying. The serious subject matter is treated with lightness and care; it's deeply funny and swoon-worthy in moments, lavishly written, and empowering.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston (2022). A tasty teen mystery/romcom about an ambitious valedictorian chasing down her missing rival and maybe love-interest, prom queen Shara Wheeler.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo (2021). Another sapphic coming-of-age love story, this one set in 1950s San Francisco Chinatown. Sumptuous and complex, like a YA Sarah Waters.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness (2015). Patrick Ness is better known for his wonderful Chaos Walking trilogy (starting with The Knife of Never Letting Go), a thoughtful action-adventure about the ways teenage masculinity can feel annihilating, but I'm even more fond of this witty, heartfelt subversion of the Chosen One trope. Mikey goes to a school where everyone else happens to have superpowers, cosmic destinies, and the responsibility of saving the world. Mikey ... just wants to find the courage to ask out his crush before someone blows up the school, again. A warm love letter to the joys of being ordinary.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart (2014). There's a whole subgenre of juicy teen mysteries (One of Us Is Lying; A Good Girl's Guide to Murder), but this is the best of the bunch. A decadent, atmospheric novel about wealth, privilege, and family secrets ... with, of course, a tasty twist.
Apocalypse Now-Now by Charlie Human (2013). Outlandish urban fantasy romp about a 16-year-old crime kingpin drawn into South Africa's supernatural underworld. Funny, biting, bonkers.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (2013). A bittersweet love story about two misfit teens in 1986 who bond over comics and music.
Some of my favourite horror novels feature teenage protagonists but aren't marketed as YA (Stephen Graham Jones' My Heart is a Chainsaw, Grady Hendrix's My Best Friend's Exorcism, Stephen King's The Institute). House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland (2011) is a happy exception which manages to remain horrific while being positioned for teens. A deliciously dark story about two sisters searching for their missing third sister, and in the process unravelling a mystery that's haunted their whole lives. A moreish nightmare.
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (2017). John Green of The Fault in Our Stars-fame is practically a one-man subgenre at this point, and it's deserved. I have a soft spot for his first novel Looking for Alaska, because it's the most raw exploration of a lot of what became his trademarks: witty repartee, teenagers putting their crushes on pedestals, experiencing death far too young. But Turtles All the Way Down stands apart. In a world where young people face a growing mental health crisis, this portrayal of OCD is unflinching, heartfelt, humane. More than anything else, I'm always struck by the deep empathy John Green has for teenagers.
After the Fire by Will Hill (2017). A harrowing story about life inside and outside a cult. Moonbeam's entire life has been controlled by Father John, but after a devastating fire, she must confront the lies and trauma she’s grown up with. A good companion is Fiona Neill's The Haven (2024), which tackles similar themes in a gripping flashback-mystery structure.
Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher (2023). A powerful verse novel about a boy who becomes swept up into county lines (drug running for gangs) after his dad dies. A wrenching, empathetic story about the teenagers who fall through the cracks of modern Britain.