After we suggested 11 books to help with kids’ self confidence, we got requests for books for older children, and of course we had to oblige.

This time around, these books have got the stamp of approval from Black Ballad’s Head of Editorial, Jendella Benson and her 9-year-old son.

Even if you think that maybe some of these books might be above your child’s reading age, they make great bedtime books to read together, one chapter at a time.

Zo and the Forest of Secrets and Zo and the Invisible Island by Alake Pilgrim

At the heart of this two book series is Zo, a curious and smart young girl from Trinidad who discovers she has amazing powers. Soon she realises that she needs to save herself and other gifted children from the clutches of a nefarious, secret organisation. This is a pan-Caribbean adventures that also celebrates the natural world and ecology. Bonus points for Zo’s blended family and the racial diversity of the Caribbean displayed through the kids.

Buy now: Amazon | Bookshop.org: …Forest of Secrets, …Invisible Island

Future Hero: Race To Fire Mountain by Remi Blackwood

If your child loves Black Panther and superheroes, they will love this adventure that starts in South London but ends in the far off kingdom of Ulfrika. Jarell is a young kid who draws amazing scenes from a world he believes he imagines, little does he know it’s a link to his ancestors who need his help to save them from an evil sorcerer. His way in starts with a trip to his cousin’s new barbershop… Bonus points for this entire world being blackity-black-black-black!

Buy now: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Yomi and the Fury of Ninki Nanka by Davina Tijani

Have you heard about the dragons in Africa? Rooted in West African folklore, this adventure features mythical African creatures, secret societies and two siblings on a trip to Gambia. The illustrations throughout make this a fun visual read and bonus points for being a good introduction to chapter books for kids who are ready to move on from picture books.

Buy now: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Kyan Green and the Infinity Racers by Colm Field

One for kids who love cars, multiverses, science and adventure, this is a high-speed journey through multiple parallel universes as kid-racer Kyan Green sets out to retrieve the prize that is rightfully his. This is a story about friendship, trust and a kid who wants to help his family get out of a financial bind. Bonus points for the car details that will have your kids asking engineering questions as they read.

Buy now: Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Day We Saved The Future by Ashley Banjo and Jordan Banjo

Time travel, evil billionaires, 1980s pop culture and two brothers putting aside their differences to work together and save the world as they know it – what’s not to love? This is sci-fi-blast-from-the-past with some nods to gamer culture and a super-smart car called Frank. Bonus points for some genuinely tense scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Buy now: Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Book of Legends by Lenny Henry

This is a book about stories, fables and legends, starring twins – one of whom is Deaf – and a cast of fun and fabulous storybook characters. Set in the Midlands, it also features a wonderful bookshop and an adventure to find missing parents who have disappeared in a bolt of lightening. It’s also about family and loyalty and is a heartwarming read with lots of bonus points for the humour – it is written by Lenny Henry after all!

Buy now: Amazon | Bookshop.org

One Chance Dance by Efua Traoré

Jomi heads to Lagos with his pet bushbaby to track down his mum who left him to seek her destiny in the big city. Along the way he meets up with a bunch of lively street kids and they decide that his mum’s favourite TV dance competition is their best bet of finding her. Bonus points for a resourceful main character who builds his own inventions out of scrap parts he finds in and around rubbish dumps.

Buy now: Amazon | Bookshop.org

The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles

Part paranormal, part science fiction, this is a mind-bending adventures featuring two mystery-busting cousins who accidentally freeze time on the very last day of summer. Set in a small town with warm characters and strange creatures, Otto and Sheed must work out what’s going on and save the town from being frozen forever in this fast-paced adventure. Bonus points for the weird and slightly absurd world this book is set in.

Buy now: Amazon

The links contained in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you do decide to purchase one of the books mentioned through that link, Black Ballad will receive a small commission from Amazon or Bookshop.org, at no additional cost to you. Any commission we do make is invested back into the ongoing work of Black Ballad.