Did you love Lumi and the Wolf? Here are some of my favourite animal and nature adventures for readers aged 8–12: stories about brave children, wild animals and the places we need to protect.
A touching adventure about April and a lonely polar bear she finds on Bear Island. Quiet, sweet, and with the most gorgeous illustrations. This bestselling middle-grade novel celebrates friendship, courage and protecting the natural world. They’re currently working on a film!
Perfect for: sensitive children aged 8-10, readers who feel a little bit alone in the world, children who care about climate change and conservation.
Mentioning one more of Hannah Gold’s books, although you should read them all. Set in the world of The Last Bear, this 2025 release follows April on a thrilling Arctic dogsled race where she must earn the trust of a troubled husky named Blaze.
Perfect for: dog lovers, adventure stories set in icy wilderness, fans of Lumi and the Wolf, and readers who enjoy fast-paced animal friendships.
Waterstones’ Children’s Book of the Year 2024 follows a devoted dog and his human, but written from the dog’s perspective. It is emotional and so funny at the same time. I didn’t want it to end.
Perfect for: dog lovers, readers who enjoy humour mixed with heartfelt adventure, and anyone who likes animal-narrated stories.
Merryn meets Sorrel, a dreamlike horse that appears after a storm and becomes her steadfast companion as she navigates family loss and emotional healing. Did Merryn wished him into existence? He becomes her friend and confidant.
Perfect for: horse lovers aged 8-12, who enjoy dreamy, magical realism stories, and young readers who enjoy emotional tales of healing and friendship.
Alice Tonks is starting boarding school and really just wants to make friends. But then Alice discovers she can talk to animals. When animals begin mysteriously disappearing, it’s up to her to work out what’s happening. Alice’s sensory sensitivities and experiences are woven naturally alongside the magic, mysteries, and talking animals. I love books where autistic kids simply get to be the heroes of exciting adventures, and the book isn’t just about being autistic!
Perfect for: animal lovers, mystery fans, boarding-school story lovers and kids who wish they could talk to animals.
One of the best-known middle-grade books with an autistic main character. It follows 11-year-old Addie, who becomes fascinated by the women accused of witchcraft in her Scottish town. She decides they deserve a memorial and she’s not going to stop fighting for one. The story tackles friendship, ableism, family and the exhausting pressure to fit in. There’s also a brilliant CBBC adaptation if your reader loves watching the story after finishing the book!
Perfect for: kids who feel misunderstood, and anyone who loves determined heroines.
And of course, my own animal adventure! Lumi is sent to Lapland for the winter, where she befriends a wild white wolf. When she finds out he is being hunted, she sets off across the snowy fells with local boy Oskár to lead him to a national park where he will be safe.
Perfect for: animal lovers, reluctant readers, kids who love adventures, wild nature and learning about new places and cultures.
(Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.)