ACHUKA

children's & YA recommendations on the go

You are here: Home / Archives for middle-grade

The Secrets of Wild Hill: A Pony’s Promise by Olivia Tuffin

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 8 Jul 2026

Publisher: Nosy Crow 
ISBN: 9781805137665

“An intriguing story that immediately grips the reader, keeps you involved, rooting for Lottie and her beloved Wild Hill to the final page.” RedReadingHub

Olivia Tuffin lives on an arable farm in Dorset with her farmer husband Clive, two children, and an assortment of ponies, dogs, pet sheep and chickens. She never outgrew the pony-mad stage and her favourite thing to do is to ride off for hours into the countryside with her children. She’s always loved writing and wanted to write the kind of pony story she adored as a child. Her own ponies and their funny antics provide inspiration for her stories.

Ponies and horses still feature strongly in children’s books.  At the end of the week we shall be recommending a novel for older readers. In the meantime, Olivia Tuffin is a noted writer of fiction for the primary age range and this new series (there are to be at least four titles) can be warmly recommended.

Old rivalries, new friends and a fresh start. Can Lottie rebuild her connection with Patch enough to get them to the championships and one step closer to her dream?

In this second gripping adventure (the first book in the series, Lottie’s Dream, was published earlier in the year) Lottie works hard to heal her bond with Patch, desperate to learn how to hear him. But ever since the Rhinefields Show when he galloped off, Patch has been detached and afraid…

Meanwhile, Lottie’s friendship with Felix is over and she feels betrayed. But when he texts her out of the blue, she realises how much she’s missed him. Could she trust him again? And why does he need her help? As more secrets emerge, Lottie and Felix try to make sense of the photograph he found and the old connection between their two families.

With Wild Hill up for sale, there’s still so much to overcome. Lottie knows that without Wild Hill, there will be no more time with Patch. And without Patch, there is no dream.

The Children of Wolf Rock by Natasha Farrant

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 11 Jun 2026

Publisher: Faber & Faber
ISBN: 9780571382521

“This is the epitome of a modern, classic adventure which kept me eagerly turning pages as the children unearth the truth behind the lies, and find themselves in increasing danger. I was genuinely gripped by their discoveries, their developing friendships, and their willingness to follow their hearts, even when this led to trouble, danger and difficulties.” BookCraic
“There is an immediacy to [Farrant’s] writing, instantly engaging readers and making the book so hard to put down.” ThroughTheBookshelf

Middle grade adventure novels (the lifeblood of newly confident readers) don’t come much better than those by Natasha Farrant and she is on top of her form in this companion novel to The Children of Castle Rock.

High in the mountains of western Scotland, there is a loch, and on its shores there is a castle, and in that castle there is a school . . .

Stormy Loch Academy is like no other teaching establishment. For one, its headmaster, Major Fortescue, believes in sharing the beauty of the world with his students, so that they will have the courage to fight for it.

For Minna, Kass and Tom it proves to be the safe haven from their chaotic home lives, giving them all a chance to breathe freely, and to roam the valleys and lakes on their doorstep.

But then they come across Addie, an older ex-student, hiding out in the wild, with only her guitar and her dog for company . . .

At first they believe her stories, but when she goes missing, the lies she has told start to emerge.

With Addie at risk, Minna, Kass and Tom must travel to London to uncover her past. The journey is dangerous, especially for those so young . . . But these are the children of Stormy Loch, and bravery and adventure runs through their bones . . .

You can follow the author on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Natasha Farrant (@natasha_farrant)

Entangled by Emma Rea

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 16 Apr 2026

Publisher: Firefly Press Ltd
ISBN: 9781917718189

“A very entertaining and enjoyable read!” ThroughTheBookshelf
“[A] well-paced adventure, with an atmospheric backdrop, a likeable protagonist and a diverse cast.” BookTrust
“With its blend of atmospheric settings, heartfelt emotion, and a twisting plot, this book is set to become a standout read for those who crave a story that is as visually rich as it is emotionally compelling.” MrRipley

Did you recommend Escape From The Child Snatchers [a Book of the Day last week] to someone and they’ve already finished it? Well, here’s what they could read next—another really good, just-published middle-grade adventure.

When Thomas’ sister, Tia, gets kidnapped during an art trip to Venice, no one will believe he has a vital clue, especially when he’s so clumsy.

Ever since Tia lost her sight, Thomas has been by her side. But Tia is the second girl to go missing in Venice that week and now it’s up to Thomas to race across the city, navigating canals, carnival parades and masked balls, and uncover a hair-raising conspiracy.

Follow the author on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Emma Rea (@emmarea8)

Escape from the Child Snatchers by Sufiya Ahmed

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 10 Apr 2026

Publisher: Andersen Press Ltd
ISBN: 9781839136511

See also:
Rose Raja: Undercover Codebreaker [ACHUKA Book of the Day 15 Aug 2024]
Mission To Cairo
Churchill’s Spy

“An absolutely riveting adventure, brimming with danger and discoveries, and with courage and friendship. The short, action-packed chapters are perfect for encouraging readers to continue reading ‘just one more chapter’.” BookCraic
“Humza and Ranj are very engaging characters whose friendship is heart warming, making it easy to empathise with their experiences and cheer them on every step of the way.” ThroughTheBookshelf
“An exciting and very fast paced novel that blends adventure with social history. It invites young readers to consider whose stories are remembered and whose are forgotten, while delivering a narrative driven by bravery, loyalty, and the determination to protect family at all costs.” BfK
“With likeable protagonists, sinister villains and an action-packed plot, the novel brings this dark period of history to life for a young audience in an accessible and age-appropriate manner.” BookTrust

Just the book for newly-independent readers beginning to rattle their way through well-crafted, exciting adventure stories. Children’s publishers can never have enough of such titles on their list, or find authors capable of producing them at pace.

Is it my imagination or is there a lack of current book series to keep such readers engaged?

1865, India. Humza and his friend Ranj set off on a daring quest to find Humza’s missing brother, Dani, in London.

After a terrifying journey, they are welcomed by a seemingly kind Englishman who leads them to an inn. There, Daisy, the innkeeper’s daughter, warns them – they’ve been captured by the notorious child snatcher!

Can Humza and Ranj escape his clutches and find Dani?

Follow the author on

The Not-So Great Escape by Emma Green

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 13 Jan 2026

Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 9781836045663

A hilarious and heartbreaking road trip adventure about friendship, grief and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.

Hedley has always played it safe, especially since the night that changed his life for ever. But when his friend Aiden steals an alpaca, Hedley is dragged on a runaway road trip that he did NOT sign up for:

  • An accidental robbery
  • A night in a haunted wood
  • And becoming internet famous 

As the chaos builds, Hedley finds he isn’t just running from the police, he’s also running from the truth. And as his world comes crashing down, will Hedley play it safe, or take his biggest risk yet?

Follow Emma Green on

The Girl with Gills by Becca Rogers

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 11 Jul 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

An original, middle grade fantasy debut awash with adventure. A determined heroine and a sinister villain clash to reveal river lore in a watery world of fantastical creatures and colossal challenges.

They have houseboats along the river. Concealing their gills from land lubbers, they scour the mudbanks, trade their finds and live off their wits. Thirteen-year-old Effra has been supporting her brother, Fleet, alone since their beloved grandfather died six months ago.

When merciless Rivermun, a larker gone bad, threatens Fleet, Effra’s quests begins. Rivermun asks for the impossible – he wants to overpower Mother River, to possess the river serpent’s pearl and for age-old debts to be settled. Effra must bargain with the imposing Mother River, dive into the underwater parts of the city, venture deep into the Rat Queen’s lair and confront the terrible river serpent to save not only Fleet, but everything the Larkers stand for. Luckily, she is not alone. She befriends a sentient sewer rat and a landlubber girl called Bow, who will help her in her quest.

This is a very good, thrilling debut, with well-realised characters. Rogers’ writing is at its best when action-driven.

Driven by the rats, she reached the sewer. She burst out of the water, knees scraping across a cold, brick floor. The stench in the air – damp fur and rat urine – caught in her throat. Her eyes stung and her stomach retched. The rats slipped and squirmed across each other as they too reached the sewer floor.

Follow the author on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Becca Rogers (@becca.rogers.author)

Other children’s books that feature mud larking include Katya Balen’s The Thames And Tide Club series and, more recently, Hidden Treasure by Jessie Burton. 

The Scream of the Whistle by Emily Randall-Jones

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 18 Jun 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

“The action is brisk, and Randall-Jones keeps the focus firmly fixed on our nervous young narrator, ensuring that every ghoulish image is filtered through her eyes. (‘In the dim light, the Conductor’s eye sockets seemed to sink into themselves. As if they were empty. As if his head were only a skull… [then his] bony face turned human again. It did funny things, darkness.’) The result is that this is more a story of derring-do than “paranormal horror” – and all the better for that.” Telegraph
“A superbly spooky, supernatural mystery that completely captivated me as the tragic tale of a lost village unfolded.” Bookcraic

All aboard for a new middle-grade paranormal adventure from 2024 Branford Boase-longlisted author of The Witchstone Ghosts, Emily Randall-Jones.

Ruby is miserable. Her parents have split up, and now she’s stuck in a creepy village. At night, she decides to escape and follow the ancient train track home. Her journey has barely begun when she hears the eerie scream of a whistle – and an old steam train appears out of the darkness

Is Ruby ready for the ghost ride of her life?

You can follow Emily on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Emily Randall-Jones (@erandalljones)

Boss of the Underworld: Book 1 – Shirley vs the Green Menace by Tor Freeman

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 5 Mar 2025

Waterstones
Bookshop

“Boss of the Underworld is one of the funniest books I’ve read this year, maybe this lifetime, and I’m not even exaggerating. It’s INCREDIBLE.” Jamie Smart

Yet more proof that middle grade graphic novels are on the rise…

Join Shirley and her giant cockroach friend, George, on a strange adventure through the Underworld. Will they triumph over scary foes, resist eating delicious things in the forest, navigate the Bog of Intense Emotions, and find their way into the dark sewers to confront the Green Menace??

There are many ways into the Underworld… but only one way out.

A fast-paced, funny and accessible graphic novel. Tor already has another book in the series in the pipeline, which she travels down to get a better feel for the underworld vibe.

Tor Freeman is an author, illustrator and comic artist.  She is a regular contributor to magazines including Tralalire, Pomme d’Api and the weekly story comic, The Phoenix. You can follow her on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Tor Freeman (@tormalore)

Murder at Wintertide by Fleur Hitchcock

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 25 Nov 2024

Waterstones
Bookshop

“Full of intrigue from the off, it will hook in young readers and the clever plot and classic detective novel features will sustain their interest until the thrilling climax. Murder at Wintertide is brought to life by tight exposition, which makes you care about the characters without straying too far from the story. Woven with details of seaside life, fossil finds and archaeology- it’s a fab read for 9-12 year olds.” Amazon reviewer
“Some great misdirection, a story of ancient treasure and very poor mobile phone coverage add excitement and just the right amount of jeopardy.” BookTrust

Murder and mayhem disrupt a family Christmas by the sea in this new title from “the queen of middle-grade murder”.

Murder at Wintertide is the story of George and Isla, misfit step cousins who while on holiday at the seaside, find themselves intrigued by a series of events, a man rolling in on the surf, a light falling from a cliff, a raided archaeological dig – and then, before they realise it, they’re caught up in the mystery and couldn’t back out if they wanted to.
Author’s own summary

George and his family are celebrating Christmas by the sea. But when a body washes up on the beach, George can’t stop thinking about the strange lights he saw on the cliff top… Neither can his cousin, Isla. Together, they follow the clues, and as they draw nearer to the truth, they step further into danger. On land, or at sea, someone is desperate to stop them, whatever it takes. And that someone may be closer to home than they realise…

Take a look:

You can follow Fleur Hitchcock on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Fleur Hitchcock (@fleur.hitchcock)

Birdie by J. P. Rose

By Leave a Comment

ACHUKA Book of the Day 22 Oct 2024

Waterstones
Bookshop

“At its heart, this is a compelling adventure story incorporating social history and life-threatening drama.The racism suffered by mixed-race Birdie is shocking: perpetrated verbally and physically by both adults and children and reflecting some of the author’s lived experiences.Not everyone is hostile to Birdie; she also encounters friendship and, ultimately, acceptance as people learn to judge her for who she is rather than what she looks like. Which is a vital life lesson for everyone. ” BookTrust
“A beautiful story of acceptance, friendship and family.” ScopeForImagination
• Recommended: author interview with Fiona Noble in The Bookseller

See also:
The Haunting of Tyrese Walker [ACHUKA Book of the Day 31 Oct 2022]

Birdie Bagshaw has never known her parents. Having grown up in a children’s home for mixed race children in 1950s Leeds, she has come to live with her great-aunt in the Yorkshire Dales.

Birdie is treated like an outsider by the local children. When their bullying drives her to hide in the nearby coal mine, she finds an unexpected rescuer in the form of Mr Duke, the last remaining pit pony in the village. As the weeks pass, Birdie forms a special bond with the spirited little pony. But his future is in danger, and Birdie comes up with a daring plan to save his life.

Cover art by Keith Robinson

Follow J.P. Rose on

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by JACQUI ROSE AKA JP ROSE (@jprosewriter)