Kristen's top junior fiction picks - December

Looking for a new series from the junior fiction series? Look no further than Kristen’s December picks!

Mapmaker chronicles by E.L Tait (suitable for ages 10+)

 The King of Verdania has heard rumour that a neighbouring kingdom is in possession of a map that suggests that the world is not flat. Such knowledge brings power and Verdania will not be left behind. He declares that the explorer that brings him the most comprehensive map within a year will win whatever their heart desires. 3 men step forward. 10 young men from throughout Verdania will be trained, and paid dearly, to become mapmakers but only 3 will be picked to join the explorers on their expeditions.

Although Quinn, 14, is the youngest of five farmers sons his mother has taught him how to read and write, a skill that normally only those of noble upbringing experience. He is more than happy to stay in with small world he knows but predictably he is picked as one of the 10 young men who are to be trained. Follow Quinn as he sets sail. The things he sees make him question everything he has ever known.

I could not put this series down- I read the first two over a weekend and then blabbed to anyone that would listen about how great it was! A great introduction to fantasy but at the heart of it is a story about a boy growing up.


Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling

Harry Potter lives in a cupboard under the stairs and has spent his life at the beck and call of his Uncle and Aunty (who are perfectly normal, thank you very much!) and rotten cousin Dudley until a mysterious letter arrives. His Uncle and Aunty try to do whatever they can to stop Harry receiving the letter and before long hundreds if not thousands are arriving daily, all by owl!

Who would have guessed that Harry Potter was the most famous Wizard that the world (well wizarding world) had ever known? Harry Potter is the Boy Who Lived!

Follow Harry as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He must learn all he can about the wizarding world, along with making friends, navigating school and saving humanity from He Who Shall Not Be Named.

These have been my favourite books since I was 7 years old (best Christmas present ever, Mum!) and I want everyone else to love them as much as I do.


Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (suitable for ages 9+)

Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are bundled off the live with their distant uncle, Count Olaf, after the mysterious death of their parents in a fire. Upon arrival, they are dismayed to discover that Olaf has no interest in them whatsoever and seems to go out of his way to make their stay as unpleasant as possible. The only thing that Olaf does seem interested in is their rather large inheritance.

Violet is a hugely talented inventor, Klaus is an avid reader and remembers everything and Sunny is great at biting things. With no one to help them, they must help themselves.

Throughout the series, the Baudelaires meet more distant relatives than they thought possible and find out more about their parents mysterious death all the while avoiding Olaf at every turn.

This is a great read aloud series, written in a unique style. Snicket makes the reader very aware that they are reading a story and he will often break the forth wall to give the reader more information.


The “Just” series by Andy Griffiths

If you have a reluctant reader, or someone that enjoys captain underpants, Diary of a Wimpy Kid or just plain gross stuff, this is the series for you!

Andy has a wide collection of books made up of short stories based on events from his childhood. If you can think of an awkward situation, Andy has experienced it AND written about it!

My favourite story revolves around Andy’s massive desire for a bath with is hampered by the fact that their house only has a shower. Throw in industrial grade super glue, a flushing toilet, boiling hot, then freezing cold water a broken shower head and your Dad’s boss coming over for an important dinner and you have comedy gold.

Andy has been a favourite of mine since my little brother received a copy almost 15 years ago!