3 books I’ve bought as presents for children aged 8 and over
Awesomely Austen: Pride and Prejudice by Katherine Woodfine (Hodder & Stoughton, £9.99)
As a first introduction to Jane Austen, I like the Awesomely Austen series of illustrated witty retellings of Austen’s beloved novels. Awesomely Austen: Pride and Prejudice retells the story about Elizabeth Bennet, who is determined to marry for love, although her mum wants to ensure her five daughters marry wealthy many. With humorous black and white illustrations by Eglantine Ceulemans and short chapters, the series is recommended for readers aged 8 years and over.
Lucky Button by Michale Morpurgo (Walker Books, £9.99)
Lucky Button by Michael Morpurgo (Walker Books, £9.99), which I first received to review, is a powerful tale about friendship and music, featuring historical references and giving readers an insight into a childhood centred around the Foundling Hospital in London. The book tells the story about a boy who is bullied in school and also takes care of his mum. With a complicated life, he one day meets a phantom, who tells the boy about his own childhood challenges from the eighteenth century when he was brought up by foster parents and then left to be educated at the Foundling Hospital. The historical story is inspired by the Foundling Museum, and the tale includes reference to early supporters like Hogarth and Handel. Lucky Button is recommended for children aged 9 and over, and it features beautiful illustrations by Michael Foreman.
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf (Orion Children’s Books, £6.99)
The celebrated book The Boy at the Back of the Class offers a child’s perspective on the refugee crisis, telling the story about how friendships are formed after nine-year-old Ahmet, who’s escaped war, is welcomed into a new class in a London school. The book, which features illustrations by Pippa Curnick, is recommended for readers aged 8 years and over, and it was a winner of both the Blue Peter Book Award 2019 and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019.
Related Posts
3 funny graphic novels for kids →
3 picture books about friendship →
15 funny book series to get children reading in 2020 →
