Some Stand Outs from the Top 50 Kids

The Top 50 Kids 2017 list is absolutely filled to the brim with timeless classics, both from contemporary times, right back to the 1910s with Winnie The Pooh. We at Better Reading have some favourites on the list – what do you think?

The Ranger’s Apprentice takes both the first and second places, but we couldn’t go past The Ruins of Gorlan. It’s the very first book published in the series, and started a craze with young kids everywhere. For fans of fantasy, action, and heroes, you can’t go past The Ranger’s Apprentice series. Ages 9+.

Andy Griffith’s The 13-Storey Treehouse needs no introduction. Who wouldn’t want to live in a treehouse? Each book adds new storeys and adventures, and the newest in the series has just come out – The 91-Storey Treehouse! Ages 8+.

Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell is a stand out. With the proliferation of dorky misfit books for boys, it’s always great to have one for those dorky girls out there! Ages 8+.

With an international film release starring Owen Wilson coming up, if you haven’t already done so, you need to pick up Wonder by RJ Palacio. Following Augie, born with a dreadful facial deformity, this ten year old boy navigates going to school for the first time. Ages 10+.

How could we not include Roald Dahl? Matilda is possibly his best known, and all about a girl with a magical love of reading… Reread Matilda in time for Roald Dahl Day this year on the 13th of September!

A home-grown Aussie favourite, WeirDo by Anh Do, Australian-Vietnamese comedian explores idea of multiculturalism and acceptance, incredibly important in today’s time, all with laugh out loud moments and great humour. Ages 6+.

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is essential reading for any young reader. In this fantastic world of talking animals, kings and queens, and witches with wintry powers, the C.S. Lewis tale is a classic for a reason, teaching young ones about family, love, and perseverance against evil. Ages 7+.

A classic since ’95, Unreal by Paul Jennings has kept readers entertained with its spooky, strange stories that’ll leave readers on the edge of their seats. Many episodes were adapted for the 2000s show Round the Twist!, so fans of that show will devour the short stories of Unreal. Ages 9+.

Deltora Quest by Emily Rodda sent young fantasy fans on an obsession, as they follow Leif, Barda, and Jasmine on a perilous quest to unite the seven lost gems of the Belt of Deltora. It’s a quest that’ll leave them into hair-raising danger, and with over seven books in the first series, and a follow up series, readers won’t be able to stop. Ages 7+.

And with the next in the series, Maybe, coming soon, how could we skip Once by Morris Gleitzman? Following Felix, a young boy, in his quest through Nazi-occupied Poland, Once is a touching and harrowing tale, informing young people about one of the most significant events in our world history. Ages 9+.

What have we missed that are your favourite picks? Let us know!