giftmiddlegirls For young readers at this time of year, it's all about adventure, other-worlds, great illustrations and, most important of all, a cast of fabulous characters. From super-spy Ruby Redfort to orphaned psychic Verity Sparks and Californian tom-boy Janie Scott, Angela Crocombe of Readings St Kilda picks out some books that are guaranteed to get kids reading, and imaginations churning, these holidays.

9780007334063 Ruby Redfort
Lauren Child

'Ruby looks like a normal kid, but inside her small body is the mind of a genius and a sassy comedian. She answers the phone with novelty greetings and wears t-shirts that say ‘bored beyond belief’. Naturally, a secret government spy agency recruits Ruby to help them crack a code and prevent a major theft... This is going to be the first of a series of six books about Ruby; young girls who enjoy the humour of Clarice Bean will particularly love them.' – Angela Crocrombe, Readings St Kilda.

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1300840648199 The Truth About Verity Sparks
Susan Green

'‘My name is Verity Sparks, and I’ve got itchy fingers.’ So begins this historical mystery novel about an orphaned young psychic who has a special talent for finding things. It is pleasantly reminiscent of Philip Pullman’s Sally Lockhart novels, with the Victorian-era interest in spiritualism and class tensions, and there are plenty of delicious characters with motives for a variety of crimes. However, the ultimate mystery to be solved by our young heroine is the truth about her parentage and her special gift.' – Angela Crocrombe, Readings St Kilda

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9780670075157 Wildwood
Colin Meloy

'When Prue’s baby brother is snatched up by a murder of crows and spirited away to the Impassable Wilderness where strange, sinister creatures live, she is determined to get him back. Accompanied by her less-than-brave classmate Curtis, our plucky heroine encounters talking animals, witches and coyote soldiers on her quest to reunite her family... The illustrations peppered throughout this Narnia-esque book are charming, and, with its whimsical story and great cast of characters, help make this one of the most original fantasy books I’ve read in some time. Lemony Snicket fans aged nine and up will devour it!' – Holly Harper, Readings Carlton.

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ApothecaryFinalCvr_large_cover The Apothecary
Malee Meloy

'Janie Scott is a tomboyish Californian 14-year-old who idolises Katherine Hepburn, wears trousers, and loves junior lifesaving, and eating oranges and avocadoes fresh from the tree. But when her parents, Hollywood screenwriters, are pursued for being Communists, they’re forced to move to grey, cold, London: land of bad food, worse heating and cramped lodgings. There, homesick Janie meets chess champ Benjamin, who yearns to be a spy, though his apothecary father wants him to follow in his footsteps. When Benjamin learns his father is no ordinary pharmacist, but makes magic medicines and is involved in a mission to thwart nuclear warfare, he and Janie are drawn into a fantastical plot and a series of thrilling adventures. All the ingredients of a successful early teen adventure are here: (very chaste) romance, friendship, and a quest to assert control over their world largely in the absence of – or despite – the adults in their life. There’s a book of spells to be protected, a bomb to beware, and an unexpectedly dastardly villain to evade. It’s great fun – and smart to boot!' – Jo Case, Readings Monthly Editor.

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Wonderstruck-Cover Wonderstruck
Brian Selznick

'Some of you may recognise Selznick as the author of the brilliant The Invention of Hugo Cabret which has been adapted into a film by Martin Scorsese. He’s written another illustrated novel in the same vein as Hugo, this time telling the stories of Ben and Rose, set fifty years apart. The beautiful illustrations really need to be seen to be believed, and will captivate any reader.' – Holly Harper, Readings Carlton.

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jo-case Jo Case is the editor of Readings Monthly and associate editor of Kill Your Darlings journal. You can follow her on Twiiter - @jocaseau.


holly-pic Holly Harper is a children’s bookseller at Readings Carlton where she organises the kids and Young Adult e-newsletters. She also writes books for younger readers under the name H.J. Harper. Find out more about her Star League series and other books here and follow her on twitter - @hj_harper.