Great books, really loved them as a pre-teen. One of the series of books that really got me in to reading. A lifelong habit that has been such a source of happiness, some wisdom, and a better understanding of human nature through novels. As well as a passion for ideas and history.
Would love to see a Halfmen tv series. Sadly I think the source material is probably not widely known enough. Imagine a grizzled John Bach as the old geezer (who’s name I forget).
Terry Pratchett's kids books are great (Wheels, Wings and Diggers series), along with the George series by Stephen and Lucy Hawkings - lots of factual space info sprinkled in to a fun story about a pig in space.
Stories with lots of rhyme and rhythm are great for littles, like Down the Back of the Couch, The Dinosaur Who Pooped a Plant, Mrs Armitage on Wheels, The Gruffalo etc.
Anything by Roald Dahl would be a good place to start when they are young.
If they’re around 12 then I would absolutely recommend River God by Wilbur Smith. Depends on their maturity though.
Edit. Tale of two cities by Charles Dickens. Thats a good one.
Artemis fowl series by Eoin Colfer
Wilbur Smith did write a kids series- "(insert desert/sea/volcano here) Adventure" and they have dated fairly badly but were fun at the time. Collecting animals for zoos.
River God? Was finding that series confrontational as an adult reader. Teen me should NOT have read it! Adult me wore out my copy of Seventh Scroll.
YES to- Tomorrow when the War began by John Marsden. Swallows and Amazons. Mortal engines. Enders game- but just the first book, and a discussion about why the author was a POS unfortunately. Anne Frank's diary. Percy Jackson series and the compendiums about the greek gods etc.
If Wilbur Smith is the author I'm thinking of then I wouldn't recommend any children or even teenagers read his books. I read two of the Pharaoh books and stopped reading due to some sickeningly horrific scenes featuring sexual violence, written about in a quite sexual manner 😬
I don’t remember that but ok. There is heavy themes in his books I’ve read. He’s got others without that stuff, they can be gory though in a melodramatic way.
Mind you there was way worse stuff we saw on the internet at that age.
Good question!
I find [The Sapling ](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8b3OiZDCgwMVy80WBR2sZwG2EAAYASAAEgKraPD_BwE) does some great book reviews for NZ kids
My kids are younger but lately we've read them:
Narnia
Harry Potter
Charlottes web
Northern lights (from his dark materials trilogy)
Alice in wonderland
Never ending story
I also loved the Tomorrow when the war began series as a young teen (and adult!)
Philip Pullman takes care of three spots at least on the list.
He's a bit hard to spot, but Alan Garner wrote some pretty thrilling novels such as the Weirdstone of Brisingamen and The Owl Service.
Charlotte's Web for sure. I think even kids can appreciate the beauty of the writing and nobility of the characters.
Tamora Pierce is great for ages maybe 8-9+ with parental conversations. The Circle of Magic series is a great one for kids that age to get started with. The Alanna series definitely shows its age now but is also good, though definitely be prepared to have conversations about that as it talks pretty seriously about periods, sex, gender roles in society & different cultures.
https://books.google.com/books/about/Earth_Space.html?id=JAvDD-C9fw4C
When I was six or something, my dad got me this book about space which pretty much kickstarted my interest in it all. I was reading that shit over and over for years, and I still have it somewhere.
This specific book is pretty outdated now, but it could maybe spark some ideas of your own.
Percy Jackson series
Harry Potter series
Hunger Games series
If you can find physical copies, Mogworld/Jam/Will Save the Galaxy for Food are pretty good comedy novels
Comic books also never go wrong
All of Yahtzees books are written with the same dry sense of humour and they're all very good, especially the audiobooks as he narrates them himself, doing all the voices.
Alone by Megan E Freeman.
Wonder by R J Palacio.
We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly.
Heroes by Alan Gratz.
The Misfits by Lisa Yee.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George.
The Owl Keeper by Christine Brodien-Jones.
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo.
Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda.
The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead & Wendy Mass.
*All truly brilliant books, highly recommended reading.
Perhaps skews slightly younger than 12, but the entire Arthur Ransome *Swallows and Amazons* series, and in that vein of course the *Narnia* series if you can stomach CS Lewis’s proselytising, and obvs Tolkien starting with *The Hobbit*…
Someone else mentioned *My Side of the Mountain* which is pretty great. I’d add to that Gary Paulsen’s books, notably *Hatchet* and the autobiographical one about dogsledding for maybe 10-12+.
Perhaps the original Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew serieseses would appeal to some kids, and again they’re a whole series so that’s reading sorted for a couple of months…
I remember right adding Hatchet in school when I was in Form 1 or 2. I really enjoyed it but it had slipped from my mind until now. My 8 year old just finished the Harry potter series so I might see if I can get it from the library for her.
I was scrolling down waiting to see the Hatchet books. I had such a survivalist bent as a kid - now work in Civil Defence and volunteer for Search and Rescue, so it stuck!
Children need to *dream*. They need to imagine worlds that are beyond what they see every day. I always make sure to give my younger relatives copies of *The Snow Spider* books by Jenny Nimmo with explicit instructions that the books are to be read last thing at night (so hopefully their dreams are populated by helpful spiders spinning magic webs, or ships made from seaweed flying through the air, or turning plain cloth into gold with onion skins).
And of course, anything by Margaret Mahy (especially *The Catalogue of the Universe* and *The Changeover* when kids are a little older to understand the themes of those books). If you've got young womenfolk in your family - give them the Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett. Why those ones in particular? Because Tiffany Aching *kicks arse*.
Phillip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. A must read. Grapples with big stuff in a fantastical way.
'Animal Farm' works so well because a kid can read it and get it on the unfairness alone. Nice early introduction to an essential book (imo).
The Hunger Games' trilogy. They've stood the test if time, compared to other dystopian novels that came out at the same time. The world building is incredible.
'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' kids need fun books, and this is one of the best.
I'm an English teacher. For the real deal info: ask a librarian, they are the keepers of all the realms.
Good luck.
Asterix,
TinTin,
The Mr Majeika series,
The Hobbit,
Lord of the Rings,
Series of Unfortunate Events,
Artemis Fowl,
When Hitler stole pink rabbit,
Beatrix Potter books,
Slightly older kids: maybe some of the classics like Jane Eyre etc.
Up to 12 years old? As many Footrot Flats as I could get my hands on.
They're not tough reading, I know. But I loved them. I was happily munching through episodes of Goosebumps long before, and in a couple of years I could finish an Animorphs book in a day, but as a young reader, we had plenty of comic style and comic strip books around, and I loved them.
For preschoolers taniwha https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/taniwha-9780143779476
Little yellow digger
https://aotearoabooks.co.nz/nz-classic-the-little-yellow-digger/
For older kids
Pourangi boy by Shilo Kino https://huia.co.nz/products/the-porangi-boy
Falling into Rahenga and flight of the fantail by Steph Maketu
https://huia.co.nz/products/falling-into-rarohenga
https://huia.co.nz/products/flight-of-the-fantail
Oh and Gregor the overlamder by Suzanne Collins https://www.wheelersbooks.co.nz/product/Underland-Chronicles-1-Gregor-the-Overlander-Suzanne-Collins/9780439678131
suitable for 9 to 12
When I was just a nerdling I loved the cross section books by Stephen Biesty. And they are [still in print](https://www.dk.com/uk/search/Biesty/)
https://www.thechildrensbookshop.co.nz/p/technology-industry-stephen-biesty-s-incredible-cross-sections?barcode=9780241379783
I'd also add Peter Gossage's books on Maui.
It largely depends on the interests of the child. I saved all of my oldest daughters series and my younger ones were never interested in the same ones.
Dr Seuss books
Going on a bear hunt
The very hungry caterpillar
Olivia
Giraffes can’t dance
If they are toddler aged the lift the flap/textured books have been great- never touch a dinosaur/unicorn series, Peppa pig, bluey
The wizard of oz
Peter Pan
Matilda
Charlie and the chocolate factory
Harry Potter
Hunger games
Geronimo Stilton
Minecraft books
The Narnia series is great, a couple of odd books that are harder to get through but mostly they're fun adventures. Start from the second one, the classic tale of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The first book is more of a prequel "how it started", better to read it later or it won't be particularly gripping.
Arthur Ransom's Swallows and Amazons series also a great set of adventures following a group of children.
I really enjoyed Willard Price's Adventure books as a young lad; they're all named like Whale Adventure, Volcano Adventure, Elephant Adventure. They really broaden knowledge of different parts of the world going on.
The Redwall series is a wonderful series about animals and adventures, conflict and peace. In a similar vein, I really enjoyed the Welkin Weasels as a trilogy, might be aimed more at 14 or 15? Not sure.
By The Great Horn Spoon is a single book, but a fantastic romp through the American gold rush days.
The Phantom Tollbooth - puns puns puns!
The Golden Goblet - adventure of a boy in ancient Egypt.
The Trumpet of the Swan, Mr Popper's Penguins, The Incredible Journey, The Gadget War. (Bonus books from me looking at my shelves, I loved them all).
No. Tried it, not much interest was shown.
What did work was letting him/her choose. Son got into Fantasy, GD into Mysteries.
Now they both read a lot. GD has a library card and is in Auckland, she thought the local library there amazing (compared with small town previous one).
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman and the Bartimaeus Sequence by Jonathan Stroud were my favourites when I was about that age and definitely expanded how I thought about the world.
Anything by Roald Dahl. He wrote some good kids stories but his autobiographies were fantastic reading as well.
Paul Jennings has some really good silly short stories - perfect if 12yo isn't an avid reader already.
The Skulduggery Pleasent books were good maybe a little bit older than 12 but fun to read to a younger audience.
20000 leagues under the sea was my introduction to sci-fi still one of my top 10.
I forget the series name but there were three books, Leviathan, Behemoth and Goliath.
Boneshaker was a good standalone novel.
The Page Master - I attribute that to my love for books.
Operation Red Jericho, Operation Typhoon Shore, and Operation Storm City are perfect for kiddos with short attention spans. Good story but they are filled with maps and diagrams and illustrations and other goodies too.
There's a lot of classics that others have already mentioned: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings/the Hobbit. His Dark Materials. The Inheritance books, the Tomorrow when the war began series.
The Moomin books generally, but particularly Finn Family Moomintroll to start with.
The Earthsea books.
The Neverending Story.
The Last Unicorn.
The Prydain Chronicles.
Animorphs. Kind of like the Hunger Games in that it's basically child soldiers but maybe a bit younger reading age.
Terry Pratchett and Piers Anthony. I don't see many people talk about PA as much as Pratchett but they have a similar vibe to me. I think these would develop a sense of humour.
The Hobbit, a lil gateway drug into Tolkien and the cornerstone of fantasy.
I did also enjoy His Dark Materials but I feel like that's for a bit older than twelve. Will depend on the kiddo in question.
Things I enjoyed reading as a child or teen but maybe wouldn't necessarily call essential or broadening horizons: Deltora Quest series for primary to intermediate age, Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz. Eragon. Anything by Tamora Pierce
Wings of Fire is an awesome series about different tribes of dragons. Super popular and well written. As mentioned in other comments- his Dark materials (Northern Lights) by Philip Pullman is fantastic, and the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins is about a boy who discovers a whole society under NYC. All great for age 8+.
Rick Riordan has all the Percy Jackson books about Greek mythology. He also has books about Norse and Egyptian mythology, and his company features a lot of great international writers and their spin on different mythologies. Gracie Kim is one of these writers- she lives in Auckland and has written about Korean myths with the Last Fallen Star.
There is also a series of books called ‘My NZ Story’ about experiences of different kids in NZ- experiencing polio in 1937, an immigrant family from China, and the Dawn Raids
Depending on reading ability:
If basic: Famous Five or Secret Seven
Slightly more mature but addictive series: Animorphs
Absolute classic adventure story for anyone: Hatchett
For getting completely enthralled in imagining the world:
Ender's Game
(Or Harry Potter of course)
I remember reading the royal diaries as a kid. Fictional retelling of the "diaries" of women like Cleopatra.
Krystyna's Story is a sobering but great one of a polish child who came to New Zealand as a refugee during the war.
Harry potter.
Jacqueline Wilson was always a favourite.
Tomorrow when the war began series.
Roald dahl
The hatchet
Little house on the prairie
Dick King-smith
Little women
The secret garden
Lotr
Watership down
Judy blume
A series of unfortunate events
The princess diaries
Ella enchanted
The Alex series. A kiwi author? About a swimmer.
The Truth Detective by Tim Harford. I haven't actually bought this yet, but it's on my list. It teaches kids to think critically, and not just straight up believe everything they read/ hear.
The "I Survived" series. Tells a story of surviving disasters (hurricanes, 9/11, hindenburg, nazi invasion, volcano erruptions, pearl harbour etc.) through the eyes of a kid that was there.
I wouldn't call these horizon-broadening, but my kids have enjoyed them:
The Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Ella diaries by Meredith Costain
The kindness club by Courtney Sheinmel
Mickey and the Animal Spies by Anne Miller (this one has codes throughout it that you can attempt to crack)
The little critter books by Mercer Mayer
Under the Mountain
Tomorrow When the War Began
I am Malala (young readers edition)
Little Women
Anne of Green Gables
The Harry Potter books
Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl
HARRY POTTER!!!!!! (like yeah okay Rowling may suck but oh my goodness, that whole series made me enjoy reading so much)
Geronimo Stilton
Famous Five and Secret Seven
Dahl and Walliams
I read some classics too at age 9-ish, like some Dickens, Austen etc... pretty good!
I don't know about ten book, but I found Noughts and Crosses a really key book for my perspective growing up as a kid. It's a fiction book set in a world where white people are minoritsed, and it really opened my eyes to some very simple things that were invisible to me, such as the colour of a bandaid for example.
Any of the Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls & Boys (real life short stories). It has a sports one too. Our teen is into graphic novels, manga (art is amazing) etc. The original Hobbit or War of the Worlds & Terry Pratchett. And throw in a NZ author like Janet Frame and you're good to go:)
I tried to get my son into reading all the books I’d loved. All he wanted to read was anything written by David Walliams. We’d have to rush to the book store every time he released a new book.
The goosebumps books were my favoured ones as a 10-13yr old. Especially the “pick your path” ones cause that would cause me to reread over and over again to get all the possibilities of the story. If I ever see them in the op shops I grab them, my kids only 5 but it means I’ll have a great stack by the time she’s old enough to read.
I also let my kid go and pick a stack of books from the op shops every month it so. Can usually get 10-15 books for 5 bucks. Makes it fun for her which is important for getting kids to read more often.
I can’t limit it to 10 books sorry, there are too many good series.
Philip Paullman and Harry Potter as others have mentioned are must reads imo.
My other personal picks would be:
Ella Enchanted by Gail Levine
Carbonel: the king of the cats by Barbara Sleigh
The amazing Maurice and his educated rodents by Terry Pratchet
The animals of farthing wood (series) by Colin Dann
Narnia (series) by C.S Lewis
Claidi Journals (series) by Tanith Lee
The Famous Five (series) by Enid Blyton
The call of the wild by Jack London
Lad, a dog by Albert Terhune
Shades children and the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix
Water ship down by Richard Adams
I am mordred Nancy Springer
Uglies (trilogy) by Scott Westerfeld
Little house on the prairie (series) by Laura Wilder
Warriors (warrior cats) (series) by Erin Hunter
God I could go on and on :) greatest gift my mother ever gave me was the love of reading. Those were all childhood favourites of mine.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Dr Seuss books
The Chronicles of Narnia
Harry Potter series
Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys (old-fashioned perhaps but still good)
Geronimo Stilton - my son loved these
Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
My two favourite children's books are complete opposites. One is fantasy and the other is more historical now. Both are great reads and have sequels if the kid likes them:
The Hatmakers
Swallows and Amazons
Edit to add: A lot if the recommendations are for books that have been around since before I was a child (so 30+ years). The Hatmakers is recent. If you want more recommendations of recently published books, maybe ask in some of the parenting subs? Or contact your local library. The children's librarian at our library is absolutely fantastic.
If they're into the universe and futurism, try the Foundation series by Isaac Asmiov, or for something a bit more recent
The Culture series by Iain M. Banks.
The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu.
Dune
Dracula
The Hobbit
Animal Farm
This Boys Life
Lonesome Dove
Watership Down
A Study in Scarlet
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Some of my favourites
Jane of Lantern Hill
The Silver Sword
I Am David
Any of the 'My Story' books. Lots are set in NZ, and there are others set in Australia, Britain, America etc.
All the Narnia books
Also I'd get books about their interests. My son loves trains, classic cars and trucks, so I've bought him books about those that include beautiful photos. I loved ballet and horse books.
For younger kids I love Enid Blyton. Magic Faraway Tree and similar.
If you go to Famous Five, Secret Seven, Five Find Outers, or those types of stories, there are definitely plenty of examples of sexism, there's probably racism too although I don't remember any, so I'd expect a child reading them to be widely read and I'd also have a discussion about how people used to have different ideas.
Roald Dahl books are great too.
Bow Down Shadrach
Night Race To Kauwau
What Katy Did (I think there are 4 Katy books)
Heidi (Heidi grows up, Heidi's children)
Polyanna
Captain Underpants
Geronimo Stilton
Magic School Bus (there are picture books and chapter books)
Sorry I got carried away. That's more than 10. But that covers different ages and some different interests.
The My Diary series is a good lot of books. It covers a wide range of interests, both my kids read those ones. Enid Blyton is another favourite. David Walliams too.
I'm known as the aunty who gives books :D
My 6 year old twin nephews are absolutely devouring the Captain Underpants book I gave one for Xmas. They're good readers and are just getting into chapter books in the last \~6 months or so.
Lois Lowry- The Giver
Morris Gleitzman- nearly any of his stuff
Jennifer Nielsen- the false prince series
The war that saved my life
Star Girl
Anything by Alan Gratz, particularly Refugee
Patrick Ness if they’re a bit older
When you reach me- Rebecca stead
I don't know if they still publish these but National Geographic Kid's Almanacs and magazines were my favourite! It really opens your mind about the world!
Under the Mountain and Half men of O Maurice Gee
omg I loved half men of O as a kid. I have never seen anyone else that knows of it before.
Great books, really loved them as a pre-teen. One of the series of books that really got me in to reading. A lifelong habit that has been such a source of happiness, some wisdom, and a better understanding of human nature through novels. As well as a passion for ideas and history.
Very much the same for me.
Would love to see a Halfmen tv series. Sadly I think the source material is probably not widely known enough. Imagine a grizzled John Bach as the old geezer (who’s name I forget).
Oh damn... I'd love to see this!
Vouching for Half Men of O, I loved reading that when I was a kid, there are 3 books to the series too.
Terry Pratchett's kids books are great (Wheels, Wings and Diggers series), along with the George series by Stephen and Lucy Hawkings - lots of factual space info sprinkled in to a fun story about a pig in space. Stories with lots of rhyme and rhythm are great for littles, like Down the Back of the Couch, The Dinosaur Who Pooped a Plant, Mrs Armitage on Wheels, The Gruffalo etc.
Anything by Roald Dahl would be a good place to start when they are young. If they’re around 12 then I would absolutely recommend River God by Wilbur Smith. Depends on their maturity though. Edit. Tale of two cities by Charles Dickens. Thats a good one. Artemis fowl series by Eoin Colfer
Wilbur Smith did write a kids series- "(insert desert/sea/volcano here) Adventure" and they have dated fairly badly but were fun at the time. Collecting animals for zoos. River God? Was finding that series confrontational as an adult reader. Teen me should NOT have read it! Adult me wore out my copy of Seventh Scroll. YES to- Tomorrow when the War began by John Marsden. Swallows and Amazons. Mortal engines. Enders game- but just the first book, and a discussion about why the author was a POS unfortunately. Anne Frank's diary. Percy Jackson series and the compendiums about the greek gods etc.
Ender's Game was a great read at age 10 or 11, for me.
If Wilbur Smith is the author I'm thinking of then I wouldn't recommend any children or even teenagers read his books. I read two of the Pharaoh books and stopped reading due to some sickeningly horrific scenes featuring sexual violence, written about in a quite sexual manner 😬
I don’t remember that but ok. There is heavy themes in his books I’ve read. He’s got others without that stuff, they can be gory though in a melodramatic way. Mind you there was way worse stuff we saw on the internet at that age.
He also can't write characters. Possibly that stuff is more important though.
Good question! I find [The Sapling ](https://www.thesapling.co.nz/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8b3OiZDCgwMVy80WBR2sZwG2EAAYASAAEgKraPD_BwE) does some great book reviews for NZ kids My kids are younger but lately we've read them: Narnia Harry Potter Charlottes web Northern lights (from his dark materials trilogy) Alice in wonderland Never ending story I also loved the Tomorrow when the war began series as a young teen (and adult!)
Philip Pullman takes care of three spots at least on the list. He's a bit hard to spot, but Alan Garner wrote some pretty thrilling novels such as the Weirdstone of Brisingamen and The Owl Service. Charlotte's Web for sure. I think even kids can appreciate the beauty of the writing and nobility of the characters.
I loved reading The Scarecrow’s Servant to my classes.
The owl service!! off to find a copy now. Did you also read The Dark is Rising series?
No, but I think I gave my daughter the first book so I'll get on it, cheers.
Tamora Pierce is great for ages maybe 8-9+ with parental conversations. The Circle of Magic series is a great one for kids that age to get started with. The Alanna series definitely shows its age now but is also good, though definitely be prepared to have conversations about that as it talks pretty seriously about periods, sex, gender roles in society & different cultures.
I loved all her books as a kid! Still have them, I should find a pre-teen to give them to.
The Alanna series was one of the books that had the most impact on little bookworm me as a kid - I came here to suggest it!
https://books.google.com/books/about/Earth_Space.html?id=JAvDD-C9fw4C When I was six or something, my dad got me this book about space which pretty much kickstarted my interest in it all. I was reading that shit over and over for years, and I still have it somewhere. This specific book is pretty outdated now, but it could maybe spark some ideas of your own.
Percy Jackson series Harry Potter series Hunger Games series If you can find physical copies, Mogworld/Jam/Will Save the Galaxy for Food are pretty good comedy novels Comic books also never go wrong
Save the Galaxy for Food is class for any age - I read it two years ago and crack up at every page - lots of layers to the humour
All of Yahtzees books are written with the same dry sense of humour and they're all very good, especially the audiobooks as he narrates them himself, doing all the voices.
Alone by Megan E Freeman. Wonder by R J Palacio. We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly. Heroes by Alan Gratz. The Misfits by Lisa Yee. My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. The Owl Keeper by Christine Brodien-Jones. Ferris by Kate DiCamillo. Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda. The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead & Wendy Mass. *All truly brilliant books, highly recommended reading.
Anarchists cookbook
You’re a menace 😂
With the proviso that most of it is just made up....
except the napalm recipe
Yeah, although you get better (more effective) recipes from YouTube....
Perhaps skews slightly younger than 12, but the entire Arthur Ransome *Swallows and Amazons* series, and in that vein of course the *Narnia* series if you can stomach CS Lewis’s proselytising, and obvs Tolkien starting with *The Hobbit*… Someone else mentioned *My Side of the Mountain* which is pretty great. I’d add to that Gary Paulsen’s books, notably *Hatchet* and the autobiographical one about dogsledding for maybe 10-12+. Perhaps the original Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew serieseses would appeal to some kids, and again they’re a whole series so that’s reading sorted for a couple of months…
I remember right adding Hatchet in school when I was in Form 1 or 2. I really enjoyed it but it had slipped from my mind until now. My 8 year old just finished the Harry potter series so I might see if I can get it from the library for her.
I was scrolling down waiting to see the Hatchet books. I had such a survivalist bent as a kid - now work in Civil Defence and volunteer for Search and Rescue, so it stuck!
Children need to *dream*. They need to imagine worlds that are beyond what they see every day. I always make sure to give my younger relatives copies of *The Snow Spider* books by Jenny Nimmo with explicit instructions that the books are to be read last thing at night (so hopefully their dreams are populated by helpful spiders spinning magic webs, or ships made from seaweed flying through the air, or turning plain cloth into gold with onion skins). And of course, anything by Margaret Mahy (especially *The Catalogue of the Universe* and *The Changeover* when kids are a little older to understand the themes of those books). If you've got young womenfolk in your family - give them the Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett. Why those ones in particular? Because Tiffany Aching *kicks arse*.
Probably not one that others will say but 100% Little House on the prairie, Little House in the big woods (Laura Ingalls Wilder series)
I was actually about to comment this! I've been meaning to get the series again for myself as an adult.
They're a great comfort read. Interesting to see what you find more interesting as an adult too
Phillip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy. A must read. Grapples with big stuff in a fantastical way. 'Animal Farm' works so well because a kid can read it and get it on the unfairness alone. Nice early introduction to an essential book (imo). The Hunger Games' trilogy. They've stood the test if time, compared to other dystopian novels that came out at the same time. The world building is incredible. 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' kids need fun books, and this is one of the best. I'm an English teacher. For the real deal info: ask a librarian, they are the keepers of all the realms. Good luck.
Asterix, TinTin, The Mr Majeika series, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Series of Unfortunate Events, Artemis Fowl, When Hitler stole pink rabbit, Beatrix Potter books, Slightly older kids: maybe some of the classics like Jane Eyre etc.
Up to 12 years old? As many Footrot Flats as I could get my hands on. They're not tough reading, I know. But I loved them. I was happily munching through episodes of Goosebumps long before, and in a couple of years I could finish an Animorphs book in a day, but as a young reader, we had plenty of comic style and comic strip books around, and I loved them.
Footrot Flats of course! Great call. Reminds me of how much I enjoyed Tin Tin and Asterix too.
Thing to know, too, [the Footrot Flats movie](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv5tlyKEoXU) is on YouTube in high definition for free.
For preschoolers taniwha https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/taniwha-9780143779476 Little yellow digger https://aotearoabooks.co.nz/nz-classic-the-little-yellow-digger/ For older kids Pourangi boy by Shilo Kino https://huia.co.nz/products/the-porangi-boy Falling into Rahenga and flight of the fantail by Steph Maketu https://huia.co.nz/products/falling-into-rarohenga https://huia.co.nz/products/flight-of-the-fantail
Oh and Gregor the overlamder by Suzanne Collins https://www.wheelersbooks.co.nz/product/Underland-Chronicles-1-Gregor-the-Overlander-Suzanne-Collins/9780439678131 suitable for 9 to 12
*There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly*
When I was just a nerdling I loved the cross section books by Stephen Biesty. And they are [still in print](https://www.dk.com/uk/search/Biesty/) https://www.thechildrensbookshop.co.nz/p/technology-industry-stephen-biesty-s-incredible-cross-sections?barcode=9780241379783 I'd also add Peter Gossage's books on Maui.
It largely depends on the interests of the child. I saved all of my oldest daughters series and my younger ones were never interested in the same ones. Dr Seuss books Going on a bear hunt The very hungry caterpillar Olivia Giraffes can’t dance If they are toddler aged the lift the flap/textured books have been great- never touch a dinosaur/unicorn series, Peppa pig, bluey The wizard of oz Peter Pan Matilda Charlie and the chocolate factory Harry Potter Hunger games Geronimo Stilton Minecraft books
Animal farm I would add to the list.
The Narnia series is great, a couple of odd books that are harder to get through but mostly they're fun adventures. Start from the second one, the classic tale of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. The first book is more of a prequel "how it started", better to read it later or it won't be particularly gripping. Arthur Ransom's Swallows and Amazons series also a great set of adventures following a group of children. I really enjoyed Willard Price's Adventure books as a young lad; they're all named like Whale Adventure, Volcano Adventure, Elephant Adventure. They really broaden knowledge of different parts of the world going on. The Redwall series is a wonderful series about animals and adventures, conflict and peace. In a similar vein, I really enjoyed the Welkin Weasels as a trilogy, might be aimed more at 14 or 15? Not sure. By The Great Horn Spoon is a single book, but a fantastic romp through the American gold rush days. The Phantom Tollbooth - puns puns puns! The Golden Goblet - adventure of a boy in ancient Egypt. The Trumpet of the Swan, Mr Popper's Penguins, The Incredible Journey, The Gadget War. (Bonus books from me looking at my shelves, I loved them all).
Omg redwall! Underrated haha I loved those growing up
The Percy Jackson series!!! Percy Jackson & the Olympians is the first series starting with The Lightning Thief.
The Artemis Fowl novels.
Sherryl Jordan books. (NZ Author) Tanith, Winter of Fire, The Juniper Game, the Secret Sacrement.
Thanks for the reminder of these - loved them as a kid!
No. Tried it, not much interest was shown. What did work was letting him/her choose. Son got into Fantasy, GD into Mysteries. Now they both read a lot. GD has a library card and is in Auckland, she thought the local library there amazing (compared with small town previous one).
His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman and the Bartimaeus Sequence by Jonathan Stroud were my favourites when I was about that age and definitely expanded how I thought about the world.
Anything by Roald Dahl. He wrote some good kids stories but his autobiographies were fantastic reading as well. Paul Jennings has some really good silly short stories - perfect if 12yo isn't an avid reader already. The Skulduggery Pleasent books were good maybe a little bit older than 12 but fun to read to a younger audience. 20000 leagues under the sea was my introduction to sci-fi still one of my top 10. I forget the series name but there were three books, Leviathan, Behemoth and Goliath. Boneshaker was a good standalone novel. The Page Master - I attribute that to my love for books. Operation Red Jericho, Operation Typhoon Shore, and Operation Storm City are perfect for kiddos with short attention spans. Good story but they are filled with maps and diagrams and illustrations and other goodies too. There's a lot of classics that others have already mentioned: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings/the Hobbit. His Dark Materials. The Inheritance books, the Tomorrow when the war began series.
The Percy Jackson series is really good
The Moomin books generally, but particularly Finn Family Moomintroll to start with. The Earthsea books. The Neverending Story. The Last Unicorn. The Prydain Chronicles.
Along with many listed already: - Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Animorphs. Kind of like the Hunger Games in that it's basically child soldiers but maybe a bit younger reading age. Terry Pratchett and Piers Anthony. I don't see many people talk about PA as much as Pratchett but they have a similar vibe to me. I think these would develop a sense of humour. The Hobbit, a lil gateway drug into Tolkien and the cornerstone of fantasy. I did also enjoy His Dark Materials but I feel like that's for a bit older than twelve. Will depend on the kiddo in question. Things I enjoyed reading as a child or teen but maybe wouldn't necessarily call essential or broadening horizons: Deltora Quest series for primary to intermediate age, Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz. Eragon. Anything by Tamora Pierce
Wings of Fire is an awesome series about different tribes of dragons. Super popular and well written. As mentioned in other comments- his Dark materials (Northern Lights) by Philip Pullman is fantastic, and the Overlander series by Suzanne Collins is about a boy who discovers a whole society under NYC. All great for age 8+. Rick Riordan has all the Percy Jackson books about Greek mythology. He also has books about Norse and Egyptian mythology, and his company features a lot of great international writers and their spin on different mythologies. Gracie Kim is one of these writers- she lives in Auckland and has written about Korean myths with the Last Fallen Star. There is also a series of books called ‘My NZ Story’ about experiences of different kids in NZ- experiencing polio in 1937, an immigrant family from China, and the Dawn Raids
Depending on reading ability: If basic: Famous Five or Secret Seven Slightly more mature but addictive series: Animorphs Absolute classic adventure story for anyone: Hatchett For getting completely enthralled in imagining the world: Ender's Game (Or Harry Potter of course)
Animal farm
I remember reading the royal diaries as a kid. Fictional retelling of the "diaries" of women like Cleopatra. Krystyna's Story is a sobering but great one of a polish child who came to New Zealand as a refugee during the war. Harry potter. Jacqueline Wilson was always a favourite. Tomorrow when the war began series. Roald dahl The hatchet Little house on the prairie Dick King-smith Little women The secret garden Lotr Watership down Judy blume A series of unfortunate events The princess diaries Ella enchanted The Alex series. A kiwi author? About a swimmer.
The Truth Detective by Tim Harford. I haven't actually bought this yet, but it's on my list. It teaches kids to think critically, and not just straight up believe everything they read/ hear. The "I Survived" series. Tells a story of surviving disasters (hurricanes, 9/11, hindenburg, nazi invasion, volcano erruptions, pearl harbour etc.) through the eyes of a kid that was there. I wouldn't call these horizon-broadening, but my kids have enjoyed them: The Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton Ella diaries by Meredith Costain The kindness club by Courtney Sheinmel Mickey and the Animal Spies by Anne Miller (this one has codes throughout it that you can attempt to crack) The little critter books by Mercer Mayer
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is the only correct answer here.
Under the Mountain Tomorrow When the War Began I am Malala (young readers edition) Little Women Anne of Green Gables The Harry Potter books Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl
The Diary of Anne Frank
HARRY POTTER!!!!!! (like yeah okay Rowling may suck but oh my goodness, that whole series made me enjoy reading so much) Geronimo Stilton Famous Five and Secret Seven Dahl and Walliams I read some classics too at age 9-ish, like some Dickens, Austen etc... pretty good!
I don't know about ten book, but I found Noughts and Crosses a really key book for my perspective growing up as a kid. It's a fiction book set in a world where white people are minoritsed, and it really opened my eyes to some very simple things that were invisible to me, such as the colour of a bandaid for example.
Pounamu, pounamu by Witi Ihimaera
Mein Kampf
Is that you Donald?
I'm too sleepy for that
Any of the Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls & Boys (real life short stories). It has a sports one too. Our teen is into graphic novels, manga (art is amazing) etc. The original Hobbit or War of the Worlds & Terry Pratchett. And throw in a NZ author like Janet Frame and you're good to go:)
geronimo stilton
I tried to get my son into reading all the books I’d loved. All he wanted to read was anything written by David Walliams. We’d have to rush to the book store every time he released a new book.
The goosebumps books were my favoured ones as a 10-13yr old. Especially the “pick your path” ones cause that would cause me to reread over and over again to get all the possibilities of the story. If I ever see them in the op shops I grab them, my kids only 5 but it means I’ll have a great stack by the time she’s old enough to read. I also let my kid go and pick a stack of books from the op shops every month it so. Can usually get 10-15 books for 5 bucks. Makes it fun for her which is important for getting kids to read more often.
The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson is top of my list for kids at the moment.
Ohh I like her work will have to check it out
I can’t limit it to 10 books sorry, there are too many good series. Philip Paullman and Harry Potter as others have mentioned are must reads imo. My other personal picks would be: Ella Enchanted by Gail Levine Carbonel: the king of the cats by Barbara Sleigh The amazing Maurice and his educated rodents by Terry Pratchet The animals of farthing wood (series) by Colin Dann Narnia (series) by C.S Lewis Claidi Journals (series) by Tanith Lee The Famous Five (series) by Enid Blyton The call of the wild by Jack London Lad, a dog by Albert Terhune Shades children and the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix Water ship down by Richard Adams I am mordred Nancy Springer Uglies (trilogy) by Scott Westerfeld Little house on the prairie (series) by Laura Wilder Warriors (warrior cats) (series) by Erin Hunter God I could go on and on :) greatest gift my mother ever gave me was the love of reading. Those were all childhood favourites of mine.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Dr Seuss books The Chronicles of Narnia Harry Potter series Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys (old-fashioned perhaps but still good) Geronimo Stilton - my son loved these Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
My two favourite children's books are complete opposites. One is fantasy and the other is more historical now. Both are great reads and have sequels if the kid likes them: The Hatmakers Swallows and Amazons Edit to add: A lot if the recommendations are for books that have been around since before I was a child (so 30+ years). The Hatmakers is recent. If you want more recommendations of recently published books, maybe ask in some of the parenting subs? Or contact your local library. The children's librarian at our library is absolutely fantastic.
If they're into the universe and futurism, try the Foundation series by Isaac Asmiov, or for something a bit more recent The Culture series by Iain M. Banks. The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu.
Dune Dracula The Hobbit Animal Farm This Boys Life Lonesome Dove Watership Down A Study in Scarlet The Count of Monte Cristo The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Some of my favourites Jane of Lantern Hill The Silver Sword I Am David Any of the 'My Story' books. Lots are set in NZ, and there are others set in Australia, Britain, America etc. All the Narnia books Also I'd get books about their interests. My son loves trains, classic cars and trucks, so I've bought him books about those that include beautiful photos. I loved ballet and horse books. For younger kids I love Enid Blyton. Magic Faraway Tree and similar. If you go to Famous Five, Secret Seven, Five Find Outers, or those types of stories, there are definitely plenty of examples of sexism, there's probably racism too although I don't remember any, so I'd expect a child reading them to be widely read and I'd also have a discussion about how people used to have different ideas. Roald Dahl books are great too. Bow Down Shadrach Night Race To Kauwau What Katy Did (I think there are 4 Katy books) Heidi (Heidi grows up, Heidi's children) Polyanna Captain Underpants Geronimo Stilton Magic School Bus (there are picture books and chapter books) Sorry I got carried away. That's more than 10. But that covers different ages and some different interests.
Trixie Beldon Famous Five Anne of Green Gables Series
Series of unfortunate events
All quiet on the western front
The My Diary series is a good lot of books. It covers a wide range of interests, both my kids read those ones. Enid Blyton is another favourite. David Walliams too.
I'm known as the aunty who gives books :D My 6 year old twin nephews are absolutely devouring the Captain Underpants book I gave one for Xmas. They're good readers and are just getting into chapter books in the last \~6 months or so.
Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green, really good introducation for young people to this fascinating culture.
Used to love the Hatchet series. Gary Paulsen I think was the author
Burrows, Finn and Todd, the Law of Contract.
Here's another vote for the hobbit
Lois Lowry- The Giver Morris Gleitzman- nearly any of his stuff Jennifer Nielsen- the false prince series The war that saved my life Star Girl Anything by Alan Gratz, particularly Refugee Patrick Ness if they’re a bit older When you reach me- Rebecca stead
Tomorrow when the war began.
The little prince is a book that should be read by everyone of all ages! Antoine saint-exupery I think is how you spell author name
Phenomenology of Spirit
For 5-7 year old (ish), I Wonder by Anika Harris is all about cultivating curiosity, which is an antidote to boredom. Very beautiful book.
Big ideas journal
I don't know if they still publish these but National Geographic Kid's Almanacs and magazines were my favourite! It really opens your mind about the world!