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Introduction
The 9-11 age range is a flourishing one for writers, as child readers take further steps toward enjoying more sophisticated plots, characters, themes and issues. This age group is the stepping stone between childhood and teenagerdom and most readers of this age flip between one stage and the other fluidly, one day seeking the reassurance of easy, familiar childhood books and the next stretching themselves with teenage reads. The reader of this age must be encouraged to explore and grow and take the next reading leap into teenage and adult books - a step that boys, in particular, often find hard. They must be provided with books that grab their interest, with action, depth, subtlety, deft characterisation and engaging characters - and all of the books selected fulfil these criteria, offering a range of the best books this year to yank even the most reluctant reader away from the TV and Playstation and into the irresistible thrall of a good book.
Download our complete list of recommended reads for 2008 here - ages_9-12
Download our complete list of recommended reads for 2008 here - ages_9-12_guide_2008
Our Top Reads for 2009:
 ESTHER GÖBL UÍ NUALLÁIN MAISITHE AG EMILY COLENSO
EACHTRAÍ UCHTAIGH: SCÉALTA DO DHAOINE ÓGA
MÓINÍN, b8.00 (BOG), ISBN 9780955407994
Cnuasach gearrscéalta é seo atá dírithe ar an bpáiste sna blianta luatha dá shaol bunscoile.
Tugtar iontu léiriú an-bhreá ar mhothúcháin an pháiste san aoisghrúpa seo: ina measc
sceoin, eagla, imní, grá, misneach agus míshocracht faoi tharlúintí nua.
 PHILIP REEVE FEVER CRUMB
SCHOLASTIC 2009, £12.99 (HBK), ISBN 9781407102429
Engineer-apprentice Fever Crumb always does ‘the rational thing'. But lost in a futuristic London with political struggles and deadly secrets, Fever is brought to uncover her own dark side.
 KIERAN MARK CROWLEY COLM & THE LAZARUS KEY
MERCIER PRESS 2009, b8.99 (PBK), ISBN 9781856356466
Bickering detectives and shadowy crime-lords descend on the Red House Hotel, where Colm and his family are reluctant guests. A supernatural mystery for kids with lashings of humour.
 MARY ARRIGAN ESTY'S GOLD
FRANCES LINCOLN 2009, £6.99 (PBK) ISBN 9781845079659
As Esty and her family struggle to survive the Irish potato famine, this story follows her family's new life in the violent goldfields of Australia. Sophisticated and accessible while addressing topical issues.
Our top reads for 2008:
AIRMAN
PUFFIN BOOKS, £10.99 (HBK), ISBN 9780141383354
Born in a balloon over the Paris World Fair only to be shot down moments later, it seems that Conor Broekhart was destined to fly. In the style of a true adventure tale, the reader is gripped from the first page. Early on, Conor saves the princess from certain death and quickly becomes a classic hero struggling through challenges that would leave Superman gasping. Colfer’s characters are wonderfully drawn – Bonvilain is the epitome of an evil pretender to the throne, while the self-serving prison officer Billtoe stands for all that is petty and small-minded. Age: 9 – 12 years
MARVIN HALLERAKER, AISTRITHE AG TREASA NÍ BHRUA AGUS MAGNUS VESTVOLL
ADOLF SNA hARDA
COIS LIFE, €9 (CRUA), ISBN 9871901176810
Is leabhar álainn smaointeach é seo faoi tiománaí craenach uaigneach, a chónaíonn ina chuid cabáin gan baint aige leis an domhan laistíos, ach amháin go gcloiseann gach éinne an ceol binn á sheinnt aige ar an bhflúgalchorn os cionn na cathrach istoíche. Go tobann, titeann sé i ngrá le Ramona agus bíonn air í a mhealladh ar bhealach éigin. Aistriúchán simplí oiriúnach is ea é ar bhunsaothar Ioruaise. Tá maisiúchán aoibhinn ann a chuireann atmaisféar dugaí, calafoirt agus long in iúil do leitheoir ar bith. Aoisghrpa: 9 - 12 years
DEREK LANDY
SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT: PLAYING WITH FIRE
HARPERCOLLINS, £12.99 (PBK), ISBN 9780007257058
Written with gusto, wit and panache, this is the second fantasy adventure featuring a skeleton detective, Skulduggery Pleasant, and his protégée, thirteen-year-old Dubliner, Stephanie. This time the duo have to use their magical talents to fight ‘the Grotesquery’, a creature who has been created by weaving and stitching together body parts from mythical monsters and beasts. Knowledge of the first book would be an advantage, but it can be read as a stand-alone novel. I’d heartily recommend it to any reader, adults included. Age: 9 – 12 years
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