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Children's reading lists

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

The Nine Night Mystery

A page-turning, fast-paced, twisty murder mystery packed with epic reveals, red herrings and sharp, real, funny teen dialogue, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and the Lizzie and Belle Mysteries, from the award-winning author of High-Rise Mystery and The Good Turn. 
Last night Wesley and his friends Josephine and Margot threw their neighbour Rachel a surprise birthday party. 
 This morning, Rachel is dead. And Wesley is the one who finds her body. 
 Rachel's friends throw a traditional Caribbean Nine Night celebration to help guide her soul to the next world. But Wesley, Margot and Josephine don't have time to mourn Rachel. They are determined to find out who did this - and find out what secrets Rachel was keeping... 
 
 Praise for Sharna Jackson: 
 
 'I utterly loved The Good Turn; it's bone-deep brilliant; a joy to the very end. It's so warm and so funny, and so ferociously on the side of justice and of hope. I adored it.' - Katherine Rundell

I love it! Josie, Margot and Wesley are so real to me after reading it. Sharna really knows how to properly tell stories with and for young people. I want to be in the Copseys!

A funny, warm and thought-provoking celebration of community of all kinds

Praise for Sharna Jackson: 
 Jackson's voice is distinct and original, while her deft characterisation and evocation of place make for a funny, engaging modern mystery.

Sharna Jackson is an award-winning author and curator who specialises in developing socially-engaged initiatives for children across culture, publishing and entertainment. She was recently the Artistic Director at Site Gallery in Sheffield, and was formerly the editor of the Tate Kids website. Sharna's debut novel High-Rise Mystery received numerous awards and accolades including the Waterstones Book Prize for the Best Book for Younger Readers. Sharna lives on a ship in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Last night Wesley and his friends Josephine and Margot threw their neighbour Rachel a surprise birthday party. 
 
This morning, Rachel is dead. And Wesley is the one who finds her body. 
 
Rachel's friends throw a traditional Caribbean Nine Night celebration to help guide her soul to the next world. But Wesley, Margot and Josephine don't have time to mourn Rachel. They are determined to find out who did this - and find out what secrets Rachel was keeping... 
 
Sharna is the master of page-turning, twisty murder mysteries with a sparky urban voice, and in The Nine Night Mystery has delivered a fast paced and compelling whodunnit which will appeal to fans of Robin Stevens, Kereen Getten and the Lizzie and Belle Mysteries. She writes sharp, real, funny teenage dialogue and has packed this book with epic reveals and red herrings to keep readers guessing. 
 
 
Praise for Sharna Jackson: 'I utterly loved The Good Turn; it's bone-deep brilliant; a joy to the very end. It's so warm and so funny, and so ferociously on the side of justice and of hope. I adored it.' - Katherine Rundell

The Good Turn

A thrilling, pacy adventure about friendship, bravery and real-life injustice from the award-winning author of High Rise Mystery 
 
'For 9+ readers, this gripping, thoughtful update to the Blytonesque "secret society" genre engages squarely with racism and social injustice.' Guardian 
 
 'Brilliant; a joy to the very end' Katherine Rundell 
 
 
 
Josephine Williams is definitely a leader - and her teachers know it! What other eleven-year-old is desperate for MORE schoolwork? 
 
 Looking for more challenging tasks, Josie enlists her friends Wesley and Margot into her very own Scout troop, the Copseys, named after the street they all live on. Together they start their quest for their camping badge by sleeping out near to the abandoned factory behind their houses. 
 
But that night they stumble across something strange. Someone seems to be living in the derelict building! The Copseys have to solve the mystery... and perhaps earn their bravery and activism badges along the way... 
 
 
 Perfect for readers who love Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine, and full of fast-paced adventure, brilliant characters and snappy dialogue with themes of real-life activism and how to help others. 
 
'I love it!' Elle McNicoll 
 
 
'An intriguing mystery adventure . . . bold and brilliant' Sophie Anderson 
 
'A joy to read.' Alex Wheatle 
 
 'A funny, warm and thought-provoking celebration of community of all kinds' Anna James

For 9+ readers, this gripping, thoughtful update to the Blytonesque 'secret society' genre engages squarely with racism and social injustice.

I utterly loved The Good Turn; it's bone-deep brilliant; a joy to the very end. It's so warm and so funny, and so ferociously on the side of justice and of hope. I wanted to know the kids; I loved them like they were real - and I wanted every child I know to have the chance to be in the Copseys. It has a clarity to it that means that to read it feels like being nourished.  I adored it.

An intriguing mystery adventure with bold and brilliant characters, and heartfelt themes of family, friendship and good intentions.'

Sophie Anderson, author of The House With Chicken Legs

Fully-rounded characters that young readers will recognise and engage with. The dialogue is number 1 haircut grade sharp - it powers the story along and is full of witty, entertaining banter. Perfect for the middle-grade reader. A joy to read.

Praise for Sharna Jackson: 
Jackson's voice is distinct and original, while her deft characterisation and evocation of place make for a funny, engaging modern mystery.

Praise for Sharna Jackson: 
This story reads with a rare freshness and energy. The voices and the setting are convincing and vivid... an intriguing mystery

Josephine Williams is definitely a leader - and her teachers know it! What other eleven-year-old is desperate for MORE schoolwork? 
 
Looking for more challenging tasks, Josie enlists her friends Wesley and Margot into her very own Scout troop, the Copseys, named after the street they all live on. Together they start their quest for their camping badge by sleeping out near to the abandoned factory behind their houses. 
 
But that night they stumble across something strange. Someone seems to be living in the derelict building! The Copseys have to solve the mystery...and perhaps earn their bravery and activism badges along the way... 
 
Perfect for readers who love Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine, and full of fast-paced adventure, brilliant characters and snappy dialogue with themes of real-life activism and how to help others.

Sharna Jackson

I love it! Josie, Margot and Wesley are so real to me after reading it. Sharna really knows how to properly tell stories with and for young people. I want to be in the Copseys! - Elle McNicoll on The Good Turn

A funny, warm and thought-provoking celebration of community of all kinds - Anna James on The Good Turn

Jackson's voice is distinct and original, while her deft characterisation and evocation of place make for a funny, engaging modern mystery

Margot, Wesley and Josephine have got an awesome weekend mapped out for the end of the holidays before they start high school – and they don’t want anything to stand in the way of their BIG plans in London. But when they are staying with Margot's mum and her new boyfriend Teddy in Notting Hill, something happens that they just can't ignore… 
 
Join the kids as they follow the case across wild West London, following the trail of a super creative murderer as well as some epic street art. From skate parks, tower blocks and canal towpaths they end up on a float at the colourful Notting Hill carnival - the biggest party of the year! How will they piece together the evidence to solve the mystery at the heart of London's coolest sights? 
 
Praise for Sharna Jackson: 'I utterly loved The Good Turn; it's bone-deep brilliant; a joy to the very end. It's so warm and so funny, and so ferociously on the side of justice and of hope. I adored it.' - Katherine Rundell

Sharna Jackson

Praise for The Street Art Mystery

I love it! Josie, Margot and Wesley are so real to me after reading it. Sharna really knows how to properly tell stories with and for young people. I want to be in the Copseys! - Elle McNicoll on The Good Turn

A funny, warm and thought-provoking celebration of community of all kinds - Anna James on The Good Turn

Jackson's voice is distinct and original, while her deft characterisation and evocation of place make for a funny, engaging modern mystery

I love it! Josie, Margot and Wesley are so real to me after reading it. Sharna really knows how to properly tell stories with and for young people. I want to be in the Copseys! - Elle McNicoll on The Good Turn

A funny, warm and thought-provoking celebration of community of all kinds - Anna James on The Good Turn

Jackson's voice is distinct and original, while her deft characterisation and evocation of place make for a funny, engaging modern mystery

I love it! Josie, Margot and Wesley are so real to me after reading it. Sharna really knows how to properly tell stories with and for young people. I want to be in the Copseys! - Elle McNicoll on The Good Turn

A funny, warm and thought-provoking celebration of community of all kinds - Anna James on The Good Turn

Jackson's voice is distinct and original, while her deft characterisation and evocation of place make for a funny, engaging modern mystery

Books by Sharna Jackson

Articles featuring Sharna Jackson

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

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