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The Best Children's Fiction Books of 2024

Posted on 17th October 2024 by Mark Skinner

From A.F. Steadman to Patrick Ness, here is the children's fiction we've loved this year.

If you're looking for a wonderful self-contained story, 2024 has served up some fantastic examples. Whether you're on a quest to find the Deer Mother in prehistoric Ireland with Eilish Fisher, hunting for clues aboard an ocean liner with David Walliams or chasing theatrical dreams with the incomparable Jacqueline Wilson, there are plenty of page-turning treats below.

Fia and the Last Snow Deer (Hardback)

Eilish Fisher, Dermot Flynn

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

A bewitching verse novel set in prehistoric Ireland, Fia and the Last Snow Deer sends the eponymous girl and her cousin on a quest to save their reindeer from being sacrificed and to discover the mythical Deer Mother.

Ghostlines (Hardback)

Katya Balen

£12.99 £10.99

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Themes of friendship and adventure abound in this hugely exciting novel from the author of Foxlight, as Tilda shows newcomer Albie the delights and dangers of Ayrie's old island.

Turtle Moon (Hardback)

Hannah Gold, Levi Pinfold

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

From the author of former Waterstones Children's Book Prize-winner The Last Bear comes an enthralling and exotic story of jungle adventure, as Silver Trevelon and her new friends track down the stolen eggs of a leatherback turtle.

Star of the Show (Hardback)

Jacqueline Wilson, Rachael Dean

£12.99 £6.49

Hardback

5+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Jacqueline Wilson takes readers back to the Victorian age in a heartwarming and evocative historical tale of family, poverty and theatrical dreams.

Super Sleuth (Hardback)

David Walliams, Adam Stower

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Budding junior detective Dilly finds herself at the centre of a real-life murder mystery aboard an ocean liner in this gripping and very funny page-turner from the bestselling duo.

The Nine Night Mystery (Paperback)

Sharna Jackson

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

A compelling murder mystery from former Waterstones Children's Book Prize Younger Readers category winner Sharna Jackson that finds a trio of courageous kids investigating the murder of their neighbour.

I Am Rebel (Paperback)

Ross Montgomery

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The beloved author delivers a heartwarming, richly adventurous story as the titular canine hero embarks on a quest to rescue his master Tom who has gone to war.

The Houdini Inheritance (Paperback)

Emma Carroll

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The queen of children's historical fiction delivers another exquisite excursion into the past, as two children in the 1920s find themselves dragged into the seedy world of American amusement parks in the service of the world's greatest escapologist.

Pirates of Darksea (Paperback)

Catherine Doyle

£7.99

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The author of the hugely popular The Storm Keeper's Island spins a magical and moving adventure of pirate kings, sea monsters and family crisis, as Max receives an unexpected invitation to join a very unusual crew.

The Boy Who Fell From the Sky (Paperback)

Benjamin Dean

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

From the author of Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow comes a spectacular fantasy adventure with a heartwarming message of inclusion and togetherness at its heart, as Zed finds himself faced with a demon who is strikingly similar to himself.

Cobweb (Hardback)

Michael Morpurgo, Michael Foreman

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

5+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The author of the classic War Horse returns once more to the theme of animals and conflict with a heartrending and engrossing story about a plucky Drover's Dog during the Napoleonic Wars.

Black Hole Cinema Club (Paperback)

Christopher Edge

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The author of Escape Room delivers a page-turning, truly cinematic rollercoaster ride, as four friends find themselves swept into big screen adventures at their local movie theatre.

Fox Goes North (Hardback)

Jeremy Strong

£14.99 £12.99

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Celebrating everything from the importance of books to shortbread biscuits, this heartwarming winter's tale finds a cast of unforgettable animal characters on a magical expedition to Snowland.

Robin Hood Aged 10 3/4 (Hardback)

Ben Miller, Elisa Paganelli

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

5+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

From the bestselling author of The Day I Turned into a Fairytale comes a rollicking adventure story, as lonely Charlie banishes unhappy schooldays by fighting the Sheriff of Nottingham in a magical world.

The Last Life of Lori Mills (Paperback)

Max Boucherat

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

A unique blend of rapturously funny and terrifying, The Last Life of Lori Mills revolves around the titular 11-year-old – home alone for the first time in her life – as she finds herself entrapped in a gaming adventure of epic proportions.

The Worlds We Leave Behind (Paperback)

A.F. Harrold, Levi Pinfold

£9.99

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Boasting richly atmospheric illustrations from the award-winning Levi Pinfold, this masterful story of betrayal and friendship revolves around a mysterious old lady with the ability to grant fresh chances.

From the impeccably crafted world of Alexander Armstrong's Evenfall to Andy Griffiths' characteristically madcap Land of Lost Things, we've seen the creation of some hugely exciting new series this year. Get in right at the start of these terrific sagas.

Evenfall: The Golden Linnet - Evenfall (Hardback)

Alexander Armstrong, Tom Roberts

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

5+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The enthralling debut children's novel from the much-loved actor and presenter, The Golden Linnet follows thirteen-year-old Sam who discovers he belongs to an ancient secret society which holds the keys to the future of all humankind.

The Clockwork Conspiracy - Isaac Turner Investigates (Paperback)

Sam Sedgman

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The co-writer of the Adventures on Trains series spins a thrilling, brilliantly clever mystery through the streets of London, as the Chief Horologist in charge of Big Ben disappears and his son must solve a multitude of clues and codes to find him.

The Whisperwicks: The Labyrinth of Lost and Found: Exclusive Edition - The Whisperwicks (Paperback)

Jordan Lees, Vivienne To

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

A joyous, gripping adventure perfect for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, The Whisperwicks finds a very rational boy whisked away to the magical land of Wreathenwold to join the crafty Elizabella on a quest to find her missing brother.

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody - Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody (Paperback)

Patrick Ness, Tim Miller

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The author of modern YA classics like A Monster Calls and the Chaos Walking trilogy turns his hand to madcap middle grade fiction with the hilarious story of three hall monitors charged with protecting their school from all manner of zany threats.

Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm (Paperback)

Siobhan McDermott, Yuzhen Cai

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Inspired by Chinese culture and folklore, the first instalment of McDermott's breathtaking fantasy series finds orphan Zhi Ging apprenticed to the Immortals and about to begin her magical training in an underwater realm.

The Cheat Book (vol.1) (Paperback)

RAMZEE

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

A laugh-out-loud series about a boy who wants to become popular, The Cheat Book follows the hapless hero's riotous attempts to earn his place at the school's 'cool table' after he acquires the titular volume packed with priceless information.

Relic Hamilton, Genie Hunter - Relic Hamilton (Paperback)

Joseph Coelho, Hyun Song We

£7.99

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

An evil spirit who feeds on hope gets unleashed in this pacey and brilliantly gripping adventure from the former Waterstones Children's Laureate, centring on a 12-year-old boy who finds himself in an underground world of genie-hunting academics.

Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial - Dungeon Runners (Paperback)

Kieran Larwood, Joe Todd-Stanton

£7.99

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

From a children's writing and illustration dream team comes a thrilling new fantasy series which sees a gnorf - half gnome, half dwarf - desperate to fulfill his destiny as one of the eponymous adventurers.

Artezans: The Forgotten Magic (1): Epic fantasy adventure of dreams and magical powers - Artezans (Paperback)

L.D. Lapinski, Angus King

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The first instalment of an effervescent fantasy saga from the acclaimed author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency series, The Forgotten Magic focuses on an adopted boy from an enchanted Artezan family and the problems that stem from his unique ability.

Chronicles of Whetherwhy: The Age of Enchantment (Hardback)

Anna James, David Wyatt

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

From the author of the bestselling Pages and Co. series comes a sparkling seasonal adventure where a pair of twins strive to protect the mysterious Thistledown Academy of Enchantment from dangerous monsters.

Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons Volume 1 - Ember Spark (Paperback)

Abi Elphinstone, Kristina Kister

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The opening book in a new series from the bestselling author of former Children's Book of the Month Sky Song, Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons finds a vet to magical creatures in need of an apprentice.

Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull: Signed Edition (Paperback)

Martin Howard, Pete Williamson

£7.99

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Perfect reading for fans of Lemony Snicket and Skulduggery Pleasant, this hilarious gothic adventure revolves around a junior necromancer as she attempts to rescue the spirits of her parents with the aid of a mercurial talking skull.

Maisie vs Antarctica (Paperback)

Jack Jackman

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

A rollicking adventure in the Antarctic chock full of humour and heart, Jackman's fast-paced debut revolves around the titular girl as she discovers some very unusual - and very cool - things about her dad.

A Grimacres Whodunnit: Murder! By Narwhal! (Paperback)

Alex T. Smith

£8.99 £7.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and The Swifts, this deliciously witty and playful middle grade murder mystery from the creator of Claude and Mr Penguin finds resourceful Edna Gristle in pursuit of her tyrannical grandfather's murderer.

Witchspark - Witchspark (Paperback)

Dominique Valente

£8.99 £7.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

From the author of the bestselling Starfell series comes an electrifying fantasy series featuring two witches who turn to a disgraced sorceress for help in solving their ever-increasing magical problems.

Dexter Procter the 10-Year-Old Doctor (Hardback)

Adam Kay, Henry Paker

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

From the former doctor and bestselling author of This is Going to Hurt comes the first in a side-splitting series about the world's youngest doctor, who must contend with mortal enemies and an outbreak of explosive diarrhoea whilst trying to fit in with his ten-year-old friends.

You and Me and the Land of Lost Things - Adventures Unlimited (Hardback)

Andy Griffiths, Bill Hope

£12.99 £6.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Bursting with the same madcap energy and surreal humour as Griffiths' Treehouse series, The Land of Lost Things is the first in a stupendously silly series vibrantly illustrated by Bill Hope.

Murray the Viking - Murray and Bun (1) (Paperback)

Adam Stower

£6.99 £5.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

From the author of King Coo and illustrator of numerous David Walliams books comes a bright, wacky and completely adorable tale of unexpected adventure, as Murray the cat and his best friend Bun undertake a mission for some Vikings.

This year we welcomed back a host of much-loved children's characters with page-turning fresh instalments of Skandar, Wimpy Kid, Percy Jackson and many many more wildly popular series. Find out what your favourite has been up to with our great selection of continuing series titles.

Skandar & the Skeleton Curse: Exclusive Edition (Hardback)

A.F. Steadman

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

Out of stock

Fourth year at the Eyrie proves to be the most dangerous yet for Skandar and his friends as a chilling curse infects the Island's unicorns in this gripping instalment of Steadman's bestselling series.

This product is currently unavailable online. Click to be notified when it is back in stock or to collect in store.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess - Percy Jackson and The Olympians (Hardback)

Rick Riordan

£16.99 £8.49

Hardback

In stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Riordan's mega-selling children's fantasy series continues with another brilliantly realised tale of mythical mayhem, as Percy, Annabeth and Grover are forced to pet-sit Hecate's polecat and mastiff – whilst staying away from the goddess' potions.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess - Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Hardback)

Jeff Kinney

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Greg Heffley returns in a side-splitting, summery Wimpy Kid story, as the two halves of his extended family come together with riotous consequences.

The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks - Lottie Brooks (Hardback)

Katie Kirby

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Plenty more chaotic capers and agonising embarrassments abound in the sixth side-splitting instalment of Kirby's hugely popular Lottie Brooks series.

Greenwild: The City Beyond the Sea - Greenwild (Hardback)

Pari Thomson, Elisa Paganelli

£12.99

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Daisy and the Five O'Clock Club embark on a perilous quest to locate the legendary Iffenwild in the enthralling and wildly imaginative sequel to the bestselling Greenwild.

The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues - The Swifts (Hardback)

Beth Lincoln, Claire Powell

£14.99 £12.99

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

In this mischievous and mystery-filled sequel to The Swifts, a trail leads Shenanigan and her sisters to Paris where they are plunged into an adventure involving long lost relatives and highly artistic thieves.

The Twits Next Door (Hardback)

Greg James, Chris Smith

£12.99 £6.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The creators of Kid Normal pen a gloriously grotesque new story featuring Roald Dahl's iconic characters, as a sickeningly wholesome family move in next door to the cantankerous couple.

Inkheart 4: The Colour of Revenge HB - Inkheart (Hardback)

Cornelia Funke

£14.99 £11.99

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

A thrilling standalone novel set in the universe of Cornelia Funke's bestselling Inkheart trilogy, The Colour of Revenge finds a corrupted artist who creates bewitched portraits causing mayhem in the Inkworld.

Tom Gates Ha! Ha! Hilarious HB - Tom Gates (Hardback)

Liz Pichon, Liz Pichon

£12.99 £9.99

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Tom's brand new and extremely hilarious self-written comic falls into the wrong hands in the 22nd side-splitting instalment in Pichon's bestselling series.

The Haunted House on Hollow Hill - Skulduggery Pleasant (Hardback)

Derek Landy

£14.99 £7.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The indomitable Derek Landy throws open the doors to the Hollow Hotel, pitching Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain against a bloodthirsty killer taking guests out one by one in this most haunted establishment in Britain.

Keedie (Paperback)

Elle McNicoll

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The former Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner and modern children's classic A Kind of Spark gets a magnificent prequel focusing on Addie's older sister Keedie, as she comes of age as an autistic teenager in the town of Juniper.

Hercules: the Diary of a (Sort of) Hero (Paperback)

Tom Vaughan, David O'Connell

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The author of A Gangster Stole My Trunks spins a side-splitting story in which a boy called Hercules takes it upon himself to become the equivalent of his Greek namesake in the heroism department, with hilarious consequences.

Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Making Enemies - Loki: A Bad God’s Guide (Paperback)

Louie Stowell, Louie Stowell

£7.99 £6.49

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

Stowell's magnificently funny series about a Norse trickster god trapped in the body of a schoolboy rides again, as a dastardly elf appears in child form to continue his vendetta against the hapless Loki.

Oh Mummy Mia! - Gods Squad (Paperback)

Maz Evans

£7.99

Paperback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The Gods Squad are back in a thrilling and hilarious adventure in the Egyptian underworld, as Vesper and Aster attempt to save the sun god Ra and avert global catastrophe.

Arkspire 2: The Order of Misfits: Exclusive Edition - Arkspire (Paperback)

Jamie Littler

£7.99

Paperback

In stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The second rip-roaring instalment of Littler's enchanting fantasy series finds Juniper Bell's Order of Misfits doubling down on their sworn mission to rid Arkspire of the evil Arcanists.

Geomancer: The Storm and the Sea Hawk - Geomancer (Hardback)

Kiran Millwood Hargrave

£14.99 £12.99

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The second breathtaking instalment of the bestselling Geomancer trilogy sends Ysolda on a perilous quest to the Drakken Peak, accompanied by her loyal sea hawk Nara.

Bunny vs Monkey: The Great Big Glitch (Hardback)

Jamie Smart

£12.99 £8.99

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The woodland gang make the bombshell discovery that all of existence is just a virtual reality simulation in this hilarious, typically madcap instalment of the bestselling comic book series.

Dog Man 13: Big Jim Begins (Hardback)

Dav Pilkey, Dav Pilkey

£12.99 £9.99

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The Dog Man origin story you never knew you needed is another laugh-out-loud comic book creation from Dav Pilkey, as our canine hero sets out to stop the Space Cuties from destroying the city.

InvestiGators Class Action - InvestiGators! (Hardback)

John Patrick Green

£12.99 £6.49

Hardback

10+ in stock

Usually dispatched within 1-2 days

The eighth laugh-out-loud instalment in Green's bestselling comic book series finds Mango and Brash going undercover at school - with hilarious consequences.

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The Best Children's Fiction Books of 2024

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