Fiction for older children reviews – tales of the cities
London and New York both feature strongly in stories from both sides of the pond, while Room author Emma Donoghue makes her children’s fiction debut
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson review – thrills and spills for girls
The fearsome, feminine world of roller derby is brought to life in this perceptive coming-of-teens graphic novel
Tilly and the Time Machine by Adrian Edmondson review – journey of discovery
The actor’s tale about a seven-year-old chasing her dad through history is engaging and insightful
Fiction for 8- to 12-year-olds reviews – cyborgs, sisters and a girl called Owl
Film directors Sylvain Chomet and Bobbie Peers give a fantastic spin to the challenges of the tweenage years
Uncle Shawn and Bill and the Almost Entirely Unplanned Adventure by AL Kennedy review – surreal and funny
In her first book for children, AL Kennedy conjures up a vividly imagined world with delightful prose
The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson review – a perceptive tale of a 12-year-old sleuth with OCD
A missing toddler, and a witness with OCD… this kind and confident debut is a fine addition to the ‘child detective’ genre
Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans review – a riotously funny adventure
Recalling the magic of Dahl and Carroll, this tale of a tyrannical toy rabbit is the first must-read children’s book of the year
Moomintroll, Thingumy and Bob: welcome to the Moomins
A new exhibition pays homage to the placid beasts of Tove Jansson’s imagination
Fiction for 8 to 12-year-olds review – magic, moles and redemption
Celebrity authors Tom Fletcher and Clare Balding come up trumps along with seasoned favourites from Moira Young to Lauren Child
How to get your boy reading
Boys are generally less enthusiastic than girls to spend their time reading – but all they need are a few bookworm male role models
Winnie-the-Pooh at 90: still the best bear in all the world
Brian Sibley, contributor to a new Winnie-the-Pooh 90th-anniversary edition, celebrates the magic of AA Milne
Fiction for older children reviews – half-dead and dead funny
Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon fleshes out her teenage queen of hell, while Frank Cottrell Boyce’s screwball comedy has depth
The Incomplete Book of Dragons, by Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third by Cressida Cowell – review
Dragonflame: ‘as I am a dragonologist (also known as a dracologist), I find this book very handy!’
Horatio Clare and Penny Thomas win the Branford Boase award
Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot wins the award for first-time children’s authors and their editors
How to write rollicking rhyming stories
Squishy McFluff author Pip Jones with the best advice on writing stories that rhyme – and the golden rule is never, ever sacrifice a story for a rhyme!