Fiction for older children – reviews
Whether all-action thrillers or tender coming-of-age stories, these novels for older children are packed with complex, chewy themes, writes Kitty Empire
Quidditch has now become a real life sport – have children’s books inspired any other games?
JK Rowling's Harry Potter books have prompted people to bring their broomsticks out to the park – now the Book Doctor investigates other books that have inspired sporting activity after reading the book
Top 10 books for children in translation
Anthea Bell, the award winning translator of Asterix, shares 10 of the best translated books for children
Winner of the Astrid Lindgren prize announced
Th winner of the world's biggest international children's book award, the Astrid Lindgren Prize, is announced
Tanya Byrne’s top 10 black characters in children’s books
Where are all the people of colour in children's books? Tanya Byrne has long been aware that most of the characters in books don't look like her. Here she shares the 10 best books for children and teenagers which are about black characters… and calls for more
David Mackintosh’s top 10 illustration and design tips
The illustrator and author of children's books including Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School shares his tips on how you can improve your own illustrations and designs
Katherine Rundell’s top 10 orphans
From Harry Potter to Alex Rider, just where would children's literature be without orphans? Katherine Rundell – winner of the Blue Peter book award 2014 for best story – shares 10 of the best orphans
Janis MacKay top 10 books set on the ocean
From stories set on desert islands to Scottish folk myths about selkies, winner of the Scottish children's book award's younger readers' prize with her novel The Accidental Time Traveller has been deeply inspired by books set by the sea, and shares her top 10 with us here
Quickfire interview: Claire McFall
The winner of the Scottish children's book award older readers prize with her novel Ferryman takes the Guardian children's books quickfire interview
My top five secret reads
More confessions of a justified bookworm as site member Katiedoglovesbooks reveals her secret, under-the-covers-with-a-torch books
Ratburger by David Walliams – review
Kat Winter 'It grossed me out a bit!'
Which £1 book should you spend your voucher on?
WBD 2014: Read our members' reviews of the World Book Day 2014 £1 books and decide what to spend your voucher on!
I am Not Nit a Loser by Jim Smith – review
Booktictac: 'It made me laugh when Barry pees and his trousers fall down!'
Barry Loser: I Am Not Nit a Loser by Jim Smith – review
TwilightVi: 'This book is full of the most hilarious drawings: I think Jim Smith mainly wrote the book so he could do the drawings!'
Robert Muchamore: ‘I’m competing with PlayStation and XBox… sometimes it’s going to get a bit racey’
Robert Muchamore is interviewed by site members Evil Mastermind and Patrick about his new Rock War series, why he's cynical about the X Factor and how a film of CHERUB really could – finally – be on the way