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The best school holiday books for kids of all ages

Need to load up on school holiday books for kids? Want some fresh suggestions? We’ve asked all the parents in our office and online for the best new books they would recommend for kids. 

Our list includes books for pre-schoolers through to pre-teens. You will find something to keep every small or medium-sized person out of trouble for a couple of weeks.

Under 8 (for parents to read and for young readers)

  • The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors, by Drew Daywalt and Adam RexThe Legend of Rock Paper Scissors

  • The Street Beneath My Feet, by Charlotte Guillian and Yuval Zommer
    The-Street-Beneath-My-Feet

  • Here We Are, by Oliver Jeffers
    Here we are

  • The Boy Who Grew Dragons, by Andy Shepherd and Sara Ogilvie
    The book who grew dragons

  • Do Not Lick This Book, by Iran Ben-Barak and Julian Frost
    Do not lick this book

  • The Ella and Olivia Series, by Yvette Poshoglian and Danielle McDonald 

    Ella and Olivia by Yvette Poshoglian.

Kids aged 8 +

  • 5 Worlds: The Sand Warrior, by Alexis Siegel, Mark Siegel and Xanthe Bouma 5 Worlds the Sand Warrior

  • Raid of No Return, By Nathan Hale
    Raid of No Return

  • The Nevermoor series, By Jessica Townsend
    The Nevermoor series

  • The WeirDo Series, by Anh Do
    WeirDo

  • The Treehouse Series, by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
    Treehouse Andy and Terry

  • The Polly and Buster Series, by Sally Rippin
    Polly and Buster

  • The Wizards of Once Series, by Cressida Cowell
    The-Wizards-Of-Once

Kids aged 10 +

  • Beyond the Bright Sea, by Lauren Wolk
    Beyond the bright sea

  • Wonder, by R.J. Palacio
    Wonder

  • The Wings Of Fire Series, By Tui T. Sutherland
    Wings-Of-Fire books

  • A Wrinkle In Time, by Madeleine L’Engle
     A wrinkle in time

  • Wishtree, by Katherine Applegate
    Wishtree books

  • The Elsewhere Emporium, by Ross MacKenzie
    The-Elsewhere-Emporium

  • Roller Girl, by Victoria Jamieson
    Roller girl books for kids

  • Amina’s Voice, by Hena Khan 
    Aminas Voice

Kids aged 12 +

  • The Throne of Glass Series, by Sarah J. Maas

    Throne-Of-Glass books

  • The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone, by Jaclyn Moriarty
    Bronte Mettlestone

  • Greetings from Witness Protection!, by Jake Burt
    Greetings from Witness Protection

  • The Medoran Chronicles Series, by Lynette Noni
    Medoran Chronicles

  • Good Night stories For Rebel Girls, by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
    Good Night stories for Rebel Girls

  • The Magnus Chase Series, by Rick Riordan
    Magnus Chase

Are you planning a holiday? Need some help? Here’s a few more stories to read: 

Plan your trip – school holidays 2019, 2020

How to max out your holiday and minimise your annual leave

Top tips for Thailand holidays with kids

Why Disney cruises are awesome for families

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