Sussex

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Whether it’s summer reading challenges, are-we-there-yet expeditions or rainy afternoons, a book is every child’s best friend this summer. They’re also great for parents, especially when it comes to persuading everyone that bedtime really is still a thing – yes, even during the summer holidays. 



Ready to browse? We’ve curated our top picks with help from Amy Adams, Head of English at <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/review-cumnor-house-sussex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cumnor House Sussex</a>, Simon Homer, Head Librarian at <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/lancing-college/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lancing College</a>, and two of our favourite local kids&#8217; bookshops, <a href="https://bags-of-books.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bags of Books</a> and <a href="https://booknookuk.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Book Nook</a>. 



These books can help build curious, creative, confident kids but they’re also just really good reads. Whether you’re browsing on behalf of a junior bookworm or a more reluctant reader, there’ll be something here to entertain and inspire. You may even find something for yourself, too. 



Scroll to the end for Simon’s tips on how to encourage children to keep reading over the school holidays.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_child_pink-1000x667.png" alt="Child reading" class="wp-image-85343" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_child_pink-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_child_pink-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_child_pink-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_child_pink.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-5-8">Age 5-8</h3>



Cruise Ship Kid: Thief At Sea!&nbsp;by Emma Swan –&nbsp;A funny adventure story for children aged seven and up. Silver has lived on board a cruise ship her whole life, travelling the world eight times and counting. But all is not as shiny as it seems, because her friends are all over 70 – until this latest trip. If only she can find Yana’s uncle’s stolen watch, surely the two will become BFFs. Told in diary form, the book’s friendship problems will be relatable to many children, and it’s also interactive. A great holiday read! (Bags of Books)



Grimwood: Rock the Vote&nbsp;by Nadia Shireen – The perfect laugh-out-laugh summer holiday read, full of illustrations, humour and surprises.&nbsp;(The Book Nook)



Happy Hills: Mr Big Fluff Rules&nbsp;by Sophy Henn –&nbsp;The latest in a fabulous, funny, full-colour graphic novel series from the award-winning author and illustrator behind the&nbsp;Pizazz&nbsp;books. (The Book Nook) 



A Mermaid’s Diary&nbsp;by Chris Riddell –&nbsp;Dive into a mermaid’s diary and discover all the underwater secrets in this fantasy adventure, fully illustrated in black and white throughout. (The Book Nook) 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-9-12">Age 9-12</h3>



Fia and the Last Snow Deer&nbsp;by Eilish Fisher&nbsp;–&nbsp;While this book is a snowy read, there’s a mythical quality to the writing that will get children thinking about the seasons ahead! It won Children’s Book of the Year in the Irish Book Awards in 2025, and the author will be attending the <a href="https://cuckfieldbookfest.co.uk/children-and-young-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cuckfield Bookfest</a> on 3 Oct, sponsored by Cumnor House. (AA)



Arkspire 3: Revenge of the&nbsp;Misfits by Jamie Littler –&nbsp;The thrilling conclusion to an epic series, full of magic, mayhem and thrills. Ideal for a holiday escape. (The Book Nook) 



Ghostlines&nbsp;by Katya Balen –&nbsp;A perfect story about friendship and belonging. Tilda lives on Ayrie, a remote island where she enjoys spending time outdoors with her friends, although she misses her older brother Rowan, who left the previous summer. Everyone on the island knows everyone else, but when new boy Albie arrives, he just wants to go back to the mainland. Attempting to persuade him that life on the island really is cool, Tilda puts them both in danger. A great adventure with beautiful description of the island way of life, this award-winning novel is a must-read for anyone over 10, including adults. (Bags of Books)



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-13">Age 13+</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_beach.png" alt="Reading on a beach" class="wp-image-85344" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_beach.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_beach-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_beach-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_beach-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – Secrets and lies in the heat of summer. A real page-turner. (SH)



Alex in Wonderland by Simon James Green – Follows the hilarious trials and tribulations of Alex as he tries to navigate teen life. (SH)



Cruel Summer by Juno Dawson –&nbsp;A group of friends go on holiday together. Everything is fine until a stranger arrives with shocking news.&nbsp;(SH)



Northern Lights by Philip Pullman –&nbsp;If you’ve managed to not read the His Dark Materials series yet I can think of nothing better to suggest that soaking up the sunshine while following Lyra’s world changing adventures. Be prepared, it’s an emotional rollercoaster! (SH)



The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas –&nbsp;A powerful and gripping novel about one girl’s quest for justice. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and the winner of numerous awards. (SH)



Ready Player One by Ernest Cline – Intelligent sci-fi infused with lashings of nostalgia. If you love gaming this is a must-read. (SH)



Traumaland by Josh Silver –&nbsp;One of the best YA books I’ve ever read! So many deeply buried dark secrets and some shocking revelations. Perfect for fans of Black Mirror. (SH)



Hekate by Nikita Gill –&nbsp;Verse novel retelling of the life of Greek Goddess Hekate. A well-crafted piece of work. (SH)



The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros – Beautifully written dystopian story of the changing relationship between a mother and son dealing with the end of the world in an isolated Welsh village. (SH)



Shadow &amp; Bone by Leigh Bardugo –&nbsp;Enter the Grishaverse! Excellent worldbuilding in this fantasy/romance/action epic. You will fall in love with Alina Starkov. (SH)



13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher – Loads of suspense and revelations in this hugely popular novel. A disturbing but important book. (SH)



A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson – Looking for fantasy with dragons galore? Welcome to Bletchley Park – with dragons. In a politically conflicted world that has divided both humans and dragons, Viv is a talented and ambitious polyglot in dragon languages. However, her carefully planned life shatters when her parents are arrested and she unintentionally starts a civil war. With the hanging threat of losing her family, the government offer her a job and tasks her with translating what they believe is a secret dragon code that can win them the war. As secrets start to unravel and truths emerge, Viv needs to choose who she’s actually fighting for. An epic, sweeping story, filled with twists and turns, betrayals and secret identities. (Bags of Books)



Where the Heart Should Be by Sarah Crossan – A thought-provoking and moving historical novel, exploring love and family during Ireland’s Great Hunger. (The Book Nook) 



The Binding Spell by Marisa Linton – A stand-alone YA contemporary fantasy novel with folk horror elements, set in a creepy rural village. Expect spells, legends, druids and all things supernatural. (The Book Nook)



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-16">Age 16+ </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_tent.png" alt="Reading in a tent" class="wp-image-85345" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_tent.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_tent-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_tent-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/reading_teen_tent-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin –&nbsp;Intense desire and difficult decisions in 1950’s Paris. A classic. (SH)



Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead –&nbsp;Brilliantly plotted family drama set in 1960’s Harlem. Will Ray navigate the fine line between the criminal world and the legal side of life? (SH)



The Beach by Alex Garland – Just wow! Classic coming-of-age/finding yourself travelling novel. Read it! And then watch the film. (SH)



100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez – Dazzling, intricate storytelling follows 7 generations of the Buendia family and the town they build. Magical realism at its best. (SH)



Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro – Klara (an artificial friend) watches the humans who come into the shop she is on sale in. Will someone purchase her? And how will she cope in the world of humans? A sci-fi novel and exploration of love. (SH)



Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – An unforgettable novel set in the late 1960’s on the coast of North Carolina. Kya has lived alone in the marsh for years but trouble comes looking for her. (SH)



Babel by R. F. Kuang – One of the best new ‘dark academia’ books from a hugely talented author. Read this and then discover her other amazing books. (SH)



The Secret History by Donna Tartt – The original ‘dark academia’ novel still packs a mighty punch. I think this can now be called a classic. (SH)



Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi – Excellent, insightful graphic novel of life during the Iranian Revolution. (SH)



The Road by Cormac McCarthy – Dark, brooding and emotional post-apocalyptic classic. A father a daughter try to reach the coast against all odds. This book will stick with you after the final page. (SH)



Brave New World by Aldous Huxley – Classic dystopia that feels like it gets more relevant with every passing year. An essential read. (SH)



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-got-a-reluctant-reader-on-your-hands-here-are-lancing-college-librarian-simon-homer-s-top-tips">Got a reluctant reader on your hands? Here are Lancing College Librarian Simon Homer&#8217;s top tips </h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/books_woods-1000x667.png" alt="Woodland mini libraries" class="wp-image-85181" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/books_woods-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/books_woods-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/books_woods-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2026/07/books_woods.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Do not judge your child’s reading choices.



Take your child to a bookshop and let them browse.



Read yourself. Children that see adults around them reading are more likely to see reading as a positive habit.



Talk to your child about what you/they are reading.&nbsp;



Maybe read the same book as your child and discuss it.



Try audiobooks.&nbsp;



Find books that match their interests.



Graphic novels can be a great gateway to reading for reluctant readers. And if graphic novels are what they enjoy, encourage this. Graphic novels are a great way to tell stories.



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Screen-free summer! Brilliant books for ages 5-16+ (yes, that includes you)

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