With booksellers for parents, our kids have an endless supply of reading material and are always willing to roadtest for us. Ranging from age 5 to age 16, they told us the books they discovered in 2014 that hooked them the most, including several new releases and some old favourites.

Teens

Charlie, age 16, loved:

The Rookie Yearbooks edited by Tavi Gevinson (Books 1-3). Perfect for fans of fashion, humour and in-depth personal essays by teenagers and celebrities, presented in a stylish magazine anthology.

Andras, age 14, loved:

The Old Kingdom Chronicles by Garth Nix.

(Book One, Sabriel; Book Two, Lirael, Book Three, Abhorsen and the latest one, a prequel to the series, Clariel.) This is an excellent series for fans of well-written high fantasy.

The Enemy series by Charlie Higson. (Book One, The Enemy; Book Two, The Dead; Book Three, The Fear; Book Four, The Sacrifice; Book Five, The Fallen; Book Six, The Hunted.) This series is perfect for those who love zombie horror!

Tweens

Blake, age 11:

The Timmy Failure series by Stephen Pastis.

(Book One, Mistakes Were Made; Book Two, Now Look What You’ve Done; Book Three, We Meet Again.) A great series for those who plough through the humorous Wimpy Kid-style illustrated diaries.

Maddy, age 10:

The Last Thirteen by James Phelan (A 13-book series!). A good pre-Hunger Games choice for kids wanting a short sharp dystopian novel.

Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell. This has an old-fashioned feel and will delight fans of whimsical, imaginative adventures. It won the Guardian Fiction Prize in 2013.

Stay Well Soon by Penny Tangey. Perfectly-pitched to that pre-YA audience who want issues and stories full of emotion, but also humour and hope. This was one of our shortlisted titles for the 2014 Readings Children’s Book Prize.

Kids

Jonah, age 8:

The Bloodhound Boys series by Andrew Cranna.(Book One, The Great Bloodbank Robbery; Book Two, The Monster Truck Tremor Dilemma.) A great choice for newbie readers growing in confidence who love poring over illustrations just as much as words. The first book in this graphic novel series was shortlisted for the 2014 Readings Children’s Book Prize.

The How to Train Your Dragon series by Cressida Cowell, beginning with Book One: How To Train Your Dragon, and this illustrated guide The Incomplete Book of Dragons. Lively Viking fantasy, and as of this year two excellent movies to go with them. Funny adventures with amusing dragons, great characters and plenty of heart.

Alex, age 7:

The Treehouse Books by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton: 13, 26, 39 and 52! The books that have transformed thousands of Australian children into keen readers who will stand in line for hours to meet their heroes, Andy and Terry! Imaginative and great fun.

Verity, age 6:

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. This playful and assertive girl remains a firm favourite, and this edition with illustrations by Lauren Child suits Pippi perfectly.

Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana T.C. Simpson. Sweet but also very funny, for fans of comic strips like Calvin and Hobbes or Charlie Brown.

Josie, age 5:

The Ella Bella books by James Mayhew, particularly Nutcracker and Swan Lake. If they love pretty picture books and they’re into ballet these are an ideal choice.

The Ant and Bee books by Angela Bannerman. These simple books encourage new readers and are just right for little hands.

Library Lion by Michelle Kundsen. The competition for best lion in a picture book is stiff, but this beautiful classic has to be in the running.

The Forever Clover books. A series of simple, innocent books about friendship and school.

We’ve got lots more recommendations for you in our handy gift guides:

What To Buy For Kids and Teens and Gifts For Hard-To-Buy-For Kids and Teens.