Author of the Month See all

Abena Eyeson inspires readers to pursue their dreams in Running My Own Race

Abena Eyeson inspires readers to pursue their dreams in Running My Own Race

Abena Eyeson celebrates boyhood, community and following your dreams in her debut novel, Running My Own Race. Abe More...

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Author Q&A See all

Mudlarking, monsters and misfits

Mudlarking, monsters and misfits

More about The Girl with Gills:   In a time and place which might be now, people with g More...

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A Career in..... See all

Becoming a Film Editor

Becoming a Film Editor

John from [3] tells us about his route into becoming a video editor, what the job involves, and how to get into this area if it's somethi More...

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Latest Books & Extracts

  • The Museum of Lost Umbrellas

    DISCOVER A MAGICAL ISLAND where the houses grant you wishes and the alleyways are secret portals . . .The first book in a show-stop

  • Twice Upon a Time: The perfect time-travel mystery

    A delicious mystery adventure for fans of Robin Stevens and Cressida Cowell with a supernatural twist.

  • Rosa By Starlight

    A magical, heartbreaking novella from Hilary McKay, award-winning author of the Casson Family Chronicles and The Skylarks' War. Gorgeousl

  • The Last Pebble: A heartwarming middle grade mystery about a boy, his grandad and a pebble

    From the presenter of Taskmaster comes a beautifully told story of a young boy's connection with his grandpa, and a mystery that may come

  • Skrimsli

    Skrimsli is a second fantasy adventure from author Nicola Davies, set in a world where animals and humans can sometimes share their thoug

  • The Girl with Gills

    An original, middle grade fantasy debut awash with adventure. A determined heroine and a sinister villain clash to reveal river lore in a

  • Shoot for the Stars

    A friendly, empowering guide covering everything you need to know in order to strike out, believe in yourself and become a sporting champ

  • Running My Own Race

    Perfect for fans of Sharna Jackson and Maisie Chan, this debut coming of age story combines captivating writing with unforgettable charac

  • Cruise Ship Kid: Thief At Sea!

    THIS BOOK IS:- 50% crime-solving + 50% friendship = 100% FUN!

  • Wigglesbottom Primary: The Popcorn Puppy

    Three perfectly pitched school stories hilariously told by Pamela Butchart and beautifully illustrated by Becka Moor for children just be

Featured Authors

  • Taskmaster's Alex Horne pens his first children's book, The Last Pebble

    Taskmaster's Alex Horne pens his first children's book, The Last Pebble: Taskmaster presenter Alex Horne introduces his first book for children, The Last Pebble, a story about a boy, his grandad, and a

  • Danielle Brown inspires young athletes to Shoot for the Stars!

    Danielle Brown inspires young athletes to Shoot for the Stars!: Paralympian Danielle Brown encourages girls and young women to stay in sport - and enjoy it - in Shoot for the Stars.</p

  • Abena Eyeson inspires readers to pursue their dreams in Running My Own Race

    Abena Eyeson inspires readers to pursue their dreams in Running My Own Race: Abena Eyeson celebrates boyhood, community and following your dreams in her debut novel, Running My Own Race. Abe

  • Mudlarking, monsters and misfits in Becca Rogers' The Girl With Gills

    Mudlarking, monsters and misfits in Becca Rogers' The Girl With Gills: Becca Rogers introduces her debut novel, The Girl with Gills, an adventure about mudlarking with community and friendship at its

  • Exploring identity in Kristina Rahim's The Doughnut Club

    Exploring identity in Kristina Rahim's The Doughnut Club: Kristina Rahim's The Doughnut Club explores donor-conception and being true to oneself through 12-year-old Quinn's questions abou

  • Rachel Morrisroe

    Rachel Morrisroe: Discover a hidden world of premonitions, magical creatures and deadly dangers in Felix and the Future Agency by Rachel Morrisroe!

  • Christopher Edge's  Escape Room adventures

    Christopher Edge's Escape Room adventures: Christopher Edge returns to his Escape Room world in Escape Room: Game Zero, where the stakes in this thrilling virtual world bec

  • Meet Chanté Timothy's science-loving genius and graphic novel star, Supa Nova

    Meet Chanté Timothy's science-loving genius and graphic novel star, Supa Nova: Chanté Timothy's new graphic novel introduces young genius Supa Nova, who looks to science to solve the world's problems! Chanté h

  • Jules Howard encourages readers to Choose Your Own Evolution

    Jules Howard encourages readers to Choose Your Own Evolution: Jules Howard shares his fascination with evolution through his new choose-your-own-adventure - style book for children, Choose Yo

  • Martin Stewart introduces his eco-adventure series, Sandy Fin: Operation Splash Landing

    Martin Stewart introduces his eco-adventure series, Sandy Fin: Operation Splash Landing: Kick off your summer reading with this riotously funny, action-packed eco-adventure, Sandy Fin: Operation Splash Landing by Marti

  • James Catchpole and Jen Campbell introduce Owning It!, stories about disabled childhoods

    James Catchpole and Jen Campbell introduce Owning It!, stories about disabled childhoods: Owning It is a new anthology by disabled authors, who share their stories and experiences of growing up disabled. James Ca

  • Sinéad O'Hart introduces her Lola and Larch series

    Sinéad O'Hart introduces her Lola and Larch series: In the Lola and Larch series by Sinéad O'Hart, we follow the adventures of Lola and her fairy friend, Larch, and the cha

  • Rachel Chivers Khoo

    Rachel Chivers Khoo: Rachel Chivers Khoo introduces her magical new series, The Finders of Silverthorn Forest: The Lost Treasure, and tells R

  • Explore Tamsin Mori's magical Gargoyles adventure series

    Explore Tamsin Mori's magical Gargoyles adventure series: Tamsin Mori talks to ReadingZone about gargoyles, myths and her latest magical Gargoyles adventure, The Watcher (UCLan).

  • Liz Kessler introduces Valley of the Vikings, a new Emily Windsnap adventure

    Liz Kessler introduces Valley of the Vikings, a new Emily Windsnap adventure: Valley of the Vikings features Viking gods, crystals and a 1,000-year-old curse. We find out more from author Liz Kessler.</stron

  • Lui Sit introduces her eco-adventure, Land of the Last Wildcat

    Lui Sit introduces her eco-adventure, Land of the Last Wildcat: Lui Sit's debut children's book, Land of the Last Wildcat, takes us on a journey to a lush island and myths about a magical creat

  • Alastair Chisholm

    Alastair Chisholm: Alastair Chisholm introduces his new science fiction novel, I Am Raven, the follow-up to his acclaimed novel, I

  • Dive into Eve Wersocki-Morris's Clem Fatale mystery series

    Dive into Eve Wersocki-Morris's Clem Fatale mystery series: Eve Wersocki Morris grew up in North London and has been making up stories her whole life. Diagnosed with dyslexia aged

  • Ben Lerwill introduces Wonder World: Earth

    Ben Lerwill introduces Wonder World: Earth: Discover the world beneath our feat in Ben Lerwill's new book, Earth, the first in the Wonder World series.  Ben

  • Ben Hoare investigates The Secrets of Bees

    Ben Hoare investigates The Secrets of Bees: Bestselling wildlife writer and self-described nature nerd introduces his new non-fiction book for children, Secrets of Bees. Ben

  • Katya Balen

    Katya Balen: Award-winning author Katya Balen and illustrator Gill Smith talk to ReadingZone about their new series for younger reade

  • Padraig Kenny

    Padraig Kenny: Padraig Kenny, our Author of the Month, tells ReadingZone what inspired his new dystopian adventure, After. Padra

  • Nathanael Lessore takes a fresh, hilarious look at Superheroes

    Nathanael Lessore takes a fresh, hilarious look at Superheroes: Nathanael Lessore grew up in a North Peckham estate as one of eight children to French and Madagascan parents. His debut

  • Catherine Wilkins

    Catherine Wilkins: Meet Catherine Wilkins and find out about her series Café Chaos, a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at running a

  • AF Harrold's Pocket Book of Pocket Poems

    AF Harrold's Pocket Book of Pocket Poems: AF Harrold is an English poet and children's author. He spends his time showing off on stage, writing poems and books, and stroking his b

  • Lydia Monks explores the lives of Henry VIII's wives in Six Queens

    Lydia Monks explores the lives of Henry VIII's wives in Six Queens: Lydia Monks tells ReadingZone about her new non-fiction book for younger readers, Six Queens, about the lives of Henry VIII's wiv

  • Jules Howard and Gavin Scott introduce MEGA: The Most Enormous Animals Ever

    Jules Howard and Gavin Scott introduce MEGA: The Most Enormous Animals Ever: Jules Howard is a zoology correspondent, author, science-writer and broadcaster who appears regularly on TV and radio, i

  • Kieran Larwood:  Dungeon Runners

    Kieran Larwood: Dungeon Runners: Kieran Larwood lives on the Isle of Wight where he enjoys exploring rockpools, climbing trees and writing. He was a Rece

  • Gary Panton introduces The Notwitches

    Gary Panton introduces The Notwitches: Gary Panton describes himself as a 'writer, scribbler and constant doodler' and The Notwitches is his first children's n

  • Anu Adebogun introduces her guide to life, It's a Brave Young World

    Anu Adebogun introduces her guide to life, It's a Brave Young World: Anu Adebogun, British-Nigerian author, scholar and award-winning youth practitioner, introduces her new guide for young people, I

  • MG Leonard introduces her Time Keys adventures

    MG Leonard introduces her Time Keys adventures: MG Leonard's new Time Keys series takes us into the world of time-travel and ancient mysteries. She is also the author of bestselling ser

  • Holly Webb

    Holly Webb: Author Holly Webb has just written the 60th book in her best-selling Animal Stories series, The Bold Kitten, and also wr

  • Eric Huang's Guardians of the New Moon series

    Eric Huang's Guardians of the New Moon series: Eric Huang has always been fascinated by legends and lore and East Asian myths have helped inspire his debut series, Gua

  • Jack Jackman

    Jack Jackman: Discover how a journey to Antarctica inspired Jack Jackman's debut novel, Maisie Vs Antarctica, an adventure-packed story of surv

  • Mike Rampton and Guilherme Karsten:  Why we should ask questions!

    Mike Rampton and Guilherme Karsten: Why we should ask questions!: Discover the importance of asking questions in the fact-tastique Why There is No Such Thing as a Silly Question!

  • The comic inspirations behind Swapna Reddy's new Reggie Rabbit series

    The comic inspirations behind Swapna Reddy's new Reggie Rabbit series: Humour, comic-style illustrations and daring-do will have children reaching for the new Reggie Rabbit books by Swapna Reddy, illu

  • Liz Flanagan introduces her Wildsmith series

    Liz Flanagan introduces her Wildsmith series: Liz Flanagan introduce her latest and final book in the Wildsmith series, Magical Mountain Rescue, and

  • Martin Howard

    Martin Howard: Martin Howard writes absurdly funny books for children and he's here to tell us about his latest book, Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Mag

  • Olivia Tuffin

    Olivia Tuffin: Olivia Tuffin, whose passion for horses shines through her writing, joins ReadingZone to tell us about The Horse Who Danced, her exciting

  • Alex Foulkes

    Alex Foulkes: Discover a world of mischievous imps in Alex Foulkes's new children's book, Ministry of Mischief! Alex is from St

  • BB Alston

    BB Alston: BB Alston started writing in middle school, entertaining his classmates with horror stories starring the whole class where not everyone s

  • Katherine Rundell

    Katherine Rundell : Katherine Rundell is a bestselling author and whose novels for children include Rooftoppers, The Wolf Wilder, The

  • Nazima Pathan

    Nazima Pathan: Discover Dream Hunters, the debut fantasy novel by Nazima Pathan, set in a richly imagined alternate India.

  • Natasha Farrant

    Natasha Farrant: Natasha Farrant tells ReadingZone about her new adventure, The Secret of Golden Island.  Her earlier children's adventure stories include

  • Helen Peters

    Helen Peters: Helen Peters revisits her childhood, growing up on an old-fashioned farm in Sussex, surrounded by family, animals and mud, in her new boo

  • Nicola Colton

    Nicola Colton: Nicola Colton introduces her new series, Bertha and Blink, about a bear inventor and an excitable Robo-bird!  Nic

  • Marie Basting

    Marie Basting: Discover an alternate world peopled by Roman gods in Marie Basting's Auntie Medusa and Me, the follow-up to her hilarious My Family and O

  • MT Khan

    MT Khan: MT Khan is back to tell us about her new novel, Amir and the Jinn Princess, which returns us to the world of her debut n

  • Gita Ralleigh

    Gita Ralleigh: Gita Ralleigh introduces The Voyage of Sam Singh, the adventurous follow-up to her acclaimed debut, The Destiny of Minou Moonshin

  • Emma Carroll

    Emma Carroll: Emma Carroll's new historical fiction novel, The Houdini Inheritance, explores the intrigue and mystery of one of the gr

  • Alan MacDonald

    Alan MacDonald: Alan MacDonald introduces his brilliant new series for younger readers about best friends Huxley, a koala bear, and Flap

  • Adeola Sokunbi

    Adeola Sokunbi: Destiny Ink: Sleepover Surprise is Adeola Sokunbi's first book for children. Adeola is both a writer and illustrator, and an obsessive do

  • Bryony Pearce

    Bryony Pearce: Discover ancient gods, mysterious thefts, and new friends in Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwold, Bryony Pearce's new book

  • Patrick Gallagher

    Patrick Gallagher: Transcendent, the action-packed debut by Patrick Gallagher, explores the climate crisis against a backdrop of Uganda and London,

  • Jennifer Bell

    Jennifer Bell: Find out what inspired Jennifer Bell's wondrous new series, Magicalia: Race of Wonders!  Londoner Jennifer Bell worked as a childr

  • Chibundu Onuzo

    Chibundu Onuzo: Chibundu Onuzo, author of Welcome to Lagos, introduces her first children's book, Mayowa and the Sea of Words. Ch

  • Fiona Longmuir

    Fiona Longmuir: Freya's Gold by Fiona Longmuir is a mystery story about a secret tunnel, hidden treasure and a community fighting to save its tow

  • Alex Falase-Koya

    Alex Falase-Koya : Author of the Marv superhero books, Alex Falase-Koya has been writing since he was a teenager and in 2019 won the Spread

  • Manon Steffan Ros

    Manon Steffan Ros: Carnegie-winning author Manon Steffan Ros tells ReadingZone about her new novel, Me and Aaron Ramsey. Manon was born in Snowdonia

  • Greg Jenner

    Greg Jenner: Greg Jenner, historian, author and podcast host, tells ReadingZone about his new Totally Chaotic History series, starting with An

  • Josh Lacey

    Josh Lacey: Josh Lacey's Time Travel Twins series (Andersen Press) takes its readers back in time to explore different periods in hi

  • Ben Martynoga & Moose Allain

    Ben Martynoga & Moose Allain: Ben Martynoga is a neuroscientist and science writer. Aftera decade at the forefront of brain research, he swapped his w

  • Louise Forshaw

    Louise Forshaw: Louise Forshaw's hilarious new graphic novel series, Bad United, stars Hoof the unicorn in a football team with some unusual talents....S

  • Catherine Bruton

    Catherine Bruton: Catherine Bruton, author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, introduces her new book, Bird Boy. Catherine studied Englis

  • Abi Elphinstone

    Abi Elphinstone: Abi Elphinstone grew up in Scotland where she spent most of her childhood running wild across the moors, hiding in tree houses and buildi

  • Nicola Penfold

    Nicola Penfold: In her books Where the World Turns Wild and its follow-up, When the Wild Calls, Nicola Penfold explores how climate change might affect o

  • Carlie Sorosiak

    Carlie Sorosiak: Carlie Sorosiak writes books about magical summer camps, missing people, and the inner life of dogs.  She grew up in North Carolina and h

  • Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson

    Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson: Anders Sparring writes children’s books and is a screenwriter for many popular television shows.  He is also a stand-up

  • Ash Bond

    Ash Bond: Ash Bond writes magical stories that have classical myth sprinkled through them like fairy dust. Look out for her debut, Peregrin

  • Guy Bass:  Hugh Dunnit Mysteries

    Guy Bass: Hugh Dunnit Mysteries: Guy Bass introduces Hugh Dunnit, 'a self-styled detective who loves nothing more than cracking cases and solving mysteries - even

  • Alexandra Sheppard

    Alexandra Sheppard: Alexandra Sheppard introduces her latest novel, Alyssa and the Spell Garden, exploring community, teamwork - and the mag

  • Catherine Cawthorne & Sara Ogilvie

    Catherine Cawthorne & Sara Ogilvie: Catherine Cawthorne's Big Bad Wolf Investigates explores the science behind our favourite fairy tales... Growing up, Cat

  • Katie and Kevin Tsang

    Katie and Kevin Tsang: Authors Katie and Kevin Tsang introduce their new Dragon Force adventure, Devourer's Attack, in this special ReadingZone feature.

  • Catherine Doyle

    Catherine Doyle: Catherine Doyle introduces her new swashbuckling tale, Pirates of Darksea!   Catherine grew up beside the Atlantic in the west of Ireland

  • Guy Bass & Pete Williamson

    Guy Bass & Pete Williamson: The bestselling Stitch Head series is getting a new look - as a graphic novel!  Author Guy Bass and illustrator Pete Wil

  • Justin Somper

    Justin Somper: Justin Somper, author of Vampirates, introduces his brand new pirate series, Pirate Academy! Justin grew up in St Albans and worke

  • James Nicol

    James Nicol: James Nicol, author of The Apprentice Witch series, tells ReadingZone about his new eco fantasy, The Cloud Thief. James has loved

  • Piu DasGupta

    Piu DasGupta: Our debut author of the month Piu DasGupta introduces her novel, Secrets of the Snakestone. Piu

  • Jenny McLachlan

    Jenny McLachlan: Stink the troublesome fairy is back in Fairy Vs Wizard  Jenny McLachlan's first book for child

  • Alex Bell

    Alex Bell: Alex Bell introduces her magical new middle grade novel, The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts, the latest in a range of  novels and short

Your Reviews

  • Reggie Rabbit: Robbery at the Masqued Ball

    Natalie J

    Robbery at the Masqued Ball is the third title in the series about Reggie Rabbit, a would-be detective and his parrot Sidekick Pipsquawk who get caught up...

  • The Girl with Gills

    Beverley

    In The Girl with Gills, Effra and her brother, Fleet, are part of the larker community - people with gills who search the banks and depth...

  • The Wood Where Magic Grows

    Sue

    Iggy is facing a lot of changes. After his mum had a 'whirlwind romance' with Mitchell, he is living in a new house and has a new, very lively little brot...

  • The Last Journey

    Alice

    From the start, The Last Journey both educates and entertains the reader as it is told from the perspective of a cat, Pusskin. The author...

  • The Dawn of Adonis: follow-up to When the Sky Falls

    Linda

    The Dawn of Adonis is the powerful prequel to the deeply moving story, When the Sky Falls. Once again this magnificent children's writer feeds the...

  • Runaways: An irresistible story about finding your true home

    Sue

    Jamie and July are both 11 and both live in London, but their lives are very different. Both are desperate to get away from home - Jamie to escape somethi...

  • The Week Junior Ultimate Puzzles and Quizzes

    Elen

    This puzzle book from The Week Junior newspaper stands out for its format, a mix of photographs, fact boxes and drawings that make the puzzles and...

  • Skrimsli

    Lorraine

    A little tiger cub is saved by a boy named Owl, who is called 'freak' and lives in the circus. So begins a relationship that will traverse across time and...

  • Supersized Squirrel: Attack of the Zombears

    Amanda

    What's not to love? The very first thing that you are greeted by is the heroes page and the FART (villains) page! Well if children were in any doubt that...

  • Running My Own Race

    Rachel

    There is so much to unpick in this novel: it's about running, which makes a change from football; it's about family relationships that aren't often writte...

Videos & Vlogs

A beachcombing mystery

A beachcombing mystery

Taskmaster presenter Alex Horne tells ReadingZone about The Last Pebble, a story about beachcombing, missing treasure and a stran

Shoot for the Stars with Danielle Brown

Shoot for the Stars with Danielle Brown

If you love sports - and even if you don't, yet! - Danielle Brown's Shoot for the Stars gives tips and ideas to help you find a s

Seaside adventures with Sandy Fin

Seaside adventures with Sandy Fin

Hear from author Martin Stewart about his funny, action-packed seaside adventure, Sandy Fin: Operation Splash Landing.

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This month’s highlights

  • Picture Book

    Create a Picture Book Competition 2024

    Create a Picture Book Competition 2024

    Winners of the ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2024 announced We are thrilled to announce the winners of the ReadingZone Picture Book Competition 2024, judged by Ste...

  • Book Trailers

    Make a Book Trailer

    Make a Book Trailer

    Create a Book Trailer Create a book trailer of your favourite book or your latest bookclub read for ReadingZone, and encourage others to read the book!  Or you can use it...

  • Podcasts

    Create your own Podcast

    Create your own Podcast

    Bex, a presenter for Fun Kids, has put together a simple guide for us about creating podcasts and gives us some top tips for starting your own podcast.

  • Videos & Vlogs

    Creating a Book Vlog

    Creating a Book Vlog

    Ever wanted to create your own vlog, but don't know how to get started? In these videos, author and book vlogger Lucy Powrie (lucythereader) gives her tips on getting started, what to inc...

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