I recently had a chat with some friends whose children enjoy the kind of outdoors adventures that I used to read about when I was a kid. They quoted Enid Blyton but it could have been any children’s author from the 1970s writing in the same genre of mystery/adventure (Monica Dickens’ series “Worlds End” springs to mind and the less literary “Nancy Drew” series or Enid Nesbit’s stories about the Psammead and her less well-known ones about the Bastable family of “The Treasure Seekers” and “The Enchanted Castle” ). Wary of lecturing on the range of good children’s authors writing these kind of adventures and now being published, I didn’t say much at the time, but feel compelled now to write this blog to suggest some contemporary alternatives at all reading abilities and interest levels. So here we go:
The Girl Who Speaks Bear by Sophie Anderson
Found abandoned in a bear cave as a baby, Yanka has always wondered about where she is from. She tries to ignore the strange whispers and looks from the villagers, wishing she was as strong on the inside as she is on the outside. But, when she has to flee her house, looking for answers about who she really is, a journey far beyond one that she ever imagined begins: from icy rivers to smouldering mountains meeting an ever-growing herd of extraordinary friends along the way.
This is a mythical tale of magic, forest creatures, friendship and bravery set in the mysterious Taiga forests of Russia. Ideal for confident readers of 9 and above.
October October by Katya Balen
October and her dad live in the woods. They know the trees and the rocks and the lake and stars like best friends. They live in the woods and they are wild. And that’s the way it is. Until the year October turns eleven. That’s the year October rescues a baby owl. It’s the year Dad falls out of the biggest tree in their woods. The year the woman who calls herself October’s mother comes back. The year everything changes.
This is a compelling read for 10 year olds and above, which may provoke debate amongst more thoughtful readers and engage those fascinated by the challenges of living in the wild. It is also a moving tale of changes and coming to terms with who you are in relation to your family.
This Wonderful Thing(third in the series about Cymbeline Igloo) by Adam Baron
Jessica is playing with her family at the river when she finds a dirty, bedraggled teddy bear in the water. She has no idea that it will change everything, forever. Meanwhile, Cymbeline comes home from school to find that his mum’s house has been broken into – and the thieves seemed oddly focused on his toys. Thank goodness he had Not Mr Fluffy, his Bear of Most Extreme Importance, with him. Soon, Jessica and Cymbeline find themselves swept up in a mystery that spans decades, threatens their families, and turns their lives upside down.
This is the third in the series about the unique, heart-warming and exasperating character of Cymbeline. Ideal for confident readers of 9 and above.
Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
Vera has been sent on Russian summer camp where she hopes she will make friends with people from the same background and experiences as her, unlike her home in the suburbs. But camp isn’t as easy as she thought and making friends is a skill she has to learn while she is there if she wants to feel part of the group and enjoy herself.
This is a graphic novel ideal for 9 and above due to subject content and is accessible for younger readers on account of the simple graphic novel style illustrations with easy to follow speech bubbles.
Diamonds and Daggers: a Marsh Road mystery by Elen Caldecott
Hollywood sensation, Betty Massino, has come to star in the theatre down the road and Piotr and his friends Andrew and Minnie couldn’t be more excited! But when the famous actress’s hugely expensive diamond necklace goes missing, Piotr’s dad, a security guard at the theatre, is a prime suspect. Soon, Piotr faces the very real threat of being sent ‘home’ to Poland. With the help of Sylvie and her twin sister Flora, can Piotr, Andrew and Minnie solve the crime or will they lose Piotr forever?
This is the first in 5 titles about the children who live on Marsh Road and who attempt to solve the petty crimes that go on around them. They are well written with contemporary characters and settings, lots of pace and page-turning peril but nothing too terrifying, making them ideal for 7years and above.
The Cure for a Crime: a Double Detectives Medical Mystery by Roopa Farooki
Twins Ali and Tulip have grown up with a surgeon mother and so have picked up lots of knowledge of first aid, medicine, and the ways of the hospital-they even know where the secret biscuit drawer in A&E is. When their mother becomes unnaturally sleepy and forgetful, they become suspicious of her new boyfriend. With help-and a watchful eye-from their mysterious wheelchair-bound gran, they set out to crack the mystery.
Authentic medical references and a dry sense of humour feature in this slick parody of the type of detective dramas you see on TV, ideal for bright independent readers of 10 years and above.
Rabbit’s Bad Habits by Julian Gough
Bear wakes up early from hibernation. If she can’t sleep, then at least she can make a snowman. Rabbit has never made a snowman, but he definitely wants to make one that’s better than Bear’s. But with an avalanche and a hungry wolf heading his way, Rabbit soon realises that it might be nice to have a friend on his side.
This book will leave you in stitches, whether you are sharing the reading aloud or listening to someone else read it. The carefully selected sparse text beautifully outlines the contrasting characters of Rabbit and Bear and their unique relationship. You will be pleased to hear that there are 5 titles in total in this series for 7 years and above.
The Secret of the Treasure Keepers by A. M. Howell
Ruth has been whisked off to the lonely Rook Farm to investigate the discovery of long-buried treasure with her mother. But at the farmhouse, she finds secrets lurk around every corner. Joe, the farmer’s son, is hiding something about the treasure, while land girl Audrey watches their every move. But before Ruth can find out more, the treasure is stolen. With a storm coming, Ruth must race to uncover the secrets of the treasure keepers before all of their lives are changed forever.
A post-war story of intrigue and suspenseful deception, reinforced by the gloomy immersive atmospheric setting of the fens, this will engage and thrill anyone above10 years of age who loves a good mystery.
High-Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson
The detective duo everyone is dying to meet! Summer in London is hot, the hottest on record, and there’s been a murder in THE TRI: the high-rise home to resident know-it-alls, Nik and Norva. Who better to solve the case? Armed with curiosity, home-turf knowledge and unlimited time – until the end of the summer holidays anyway.
This is a tale told in the first person with a dry sense of humour, leaving clues throughout the story for the reader to find. Ideal contemporary tale for 11 and above.
Twitch by M G Leonard
Twitch has three pet chickens, four pigeons, swallows nesting in his bedroom and a passion for birdwatching. On the first day of the summer holidays, he arrives at his secret hide to find police everywhere: a convicted robber has broken out of prison and is hiding in Aves Wood. Can Twitch use his talents for birdwatching to hunt for the dangerous prisoner and find the missing loot?
Thrilling and suspenseful, this mystery pulls no punches. There is peril in every chapter, making this an ideal page turner for mystery fans of 10 and above, with every chance they will pick up some birdwatching vocabulary along the way. There are two more in the series to follow.
Big Sky Mountain by Alex Milway
Rosa has come from the city to live with Grandma Nan in the wilds of Big Sky Mountain and what surprises are in store for her! Grandma Nan is not exactly an ordinary grandma, and Big Sky Mountain is like nowhere Rosa has dreamed about before. Grandma Nan lives in an old wooden cabin with Albert the moose and Little Pig the pygmy owl, and spends every day out on adventures. From canoeing down rapids to making friends with the local animals, life never stays still for long on Big Sky Mountain!
This is a charming tale of Rosa and her experiences living with Grandma, surviving in the North, talking with the animals and learning about the environment around her. Readers of 7 and above will find this an easy read and the first in a series of books about living in harmony with the environment, problem solving with a little bit of magic from talking animals.
Anisha, Accidental Detective by Serena Patel
“HELP! My super-dramatic Aunty Bindi is getting married tomorrow and she’s having a mega meltdown. But sssh! I’ve just found a ransom note, pushed through the letter box, saying Uncle Tony, Bindi’s husband-to-be, has been kidnapped, and will only be freed if the wedding is cancelled! I have to keep this a secret otherwise it’ll be panic-central. I guess it’s up to me – Anisha, ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE, to save the day.”
A quirky amusing and heart-warming beginning to this series told in the first person by a young inquisitive girl from a large British Indian family, one who incorporates their family traditions into their contemporary Western lifestyle. Ideal for 7 year olds and above.
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Brian is a city boy. Not used to living rough. Until his plane crash-lands in the Canadian wilderness. All he has is a hatchet – and a desperate will to survive. Now Brian must learn to live the hard way – or die.
This is a modern classic, to be read by 12 and above. Brian has to learn to survive on wits, courage and sheer determination alone but he learns resilience and grit, and living in the wild also gives him the time to develop the emotional intelligence he needs to come to terms with his parents’ failed relationship.
Wolf Brother(first in the series “Chronicles of Ancient Darkness”) by Michelle Paver
Twelve-year-old Torak sees his father murdered by the bear. With his dying breath, he asks his son to make him a promise. Alone, wounded, terrified and on the run, Torak must now lead the bear to the Mountain of the World Spirit – a mountain that no one has ever found before. But can Torak keep his promise? A terrifying quest commences in a world of wolves, tree spirits and Hidden People, a world in which trusting a friend means risking your life.
This is the first in a series of 8 books featuring Torak, in which he has many challenges to overcome and enemies to face. Set in the Hunter-Gatherer period with a supernatural subplot, this is a pacy and compelling, heart-rending story of survival for ancient tribes in the Stone Age, ideal for 11years and above.
Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Missing Diamonds by Annabelle Sami
At her cousin’s Mehndi party, Zaiba gets her first challenge: to discover the identity of the VIP staying at the same hotel. With the help of her best friend Poppy and brother Ali, Zaiba puts her sleuthing skills to the test. And when the celebrity’s precious dog disappears, along with its priceless diamond collar, it’s up to the trio to save the day!
Fun detective work with a Pakistani cultural background to the very English characters. This is an easy read for 7 and above.
Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens
At Deapdean School for Girls, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong have set up their own detective agency. But they are struggling to find any real crimes to investigate. Then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. To add to the mystery, when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove one happened in the first place. Determined to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects and use all the cunning and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test?
The first in an epic series of 10 books about the boarding school girl-detective duo that is Wells and Wong, and set in the 1920s. These detective stories will keep fans of the genre on the edge of their seat and rooting for Daisy and Hazel in every case they take up. Ideal for 11 years and above.
Peril in Paris (Taylor and Rose Secret Agents) by Katherine Woodfine
It’s 1911, and the young detectives of TAYLOR & ROSE are turning their talents to espionage. On a case for the mysterious Secret Service Bureau, the daring Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lilian Rose must leave London for the boulevards and grand hotels of Paris. But danger lurks beneath the bright lights of the city – and intrigue and murder lie in store. As aeroplanes soar in the skies overhead, our heroines will need to put all their spy skills to the test to face the peril that awaits them
Following on from the Sinclair Mysteries, where Sophie and Lil first meet, this series of 4 books follows their employment by the British Secret Service, as spies. But their enemies from their Sinclair days follow them as does Sophie’s mysterious past before she became one of the working class. A thrilling, fast-paced mystery, ideal for 11 years and above.
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