Jacqueline Wilson is a multi-award-winning author whose hundreds of books hold huge appeal and often feature children who are facing challenging home lives. Her many fans may be at a bit of a loss as to what to try next when they move into KS3.

These light-hearted novels, mainly tackling friendship and family problems, are a great next step, with more complex narratives and depth than in a Jacqueline Wilson novel but with that magic mix of poignant real-life challenges, humour and unforgettable characters. They have all been read and checked by our secondary school library expert as being suitable for readers in KS3.

Example title list:

• Indi Raye is Totally Faking It by Lauren Layfield
• My life on fire by Cath Howe
• Glow Up, Lara Bloom by Dee Benson
• The Mystery in Flat 6B by Karen McCombie
• Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One by Maggie Horne
• The Map of Leaves by Yarrow Townsend
• A Glasshouse of Stars by Shirley Marr
• When Life Gives You Mangoes by Kereen Getten
• Beverly, Right Here by Kate DiCamillo
• A Whisper of Horses by Zillah Bethell
• Missing Arabella by Kathryn Siebel
• Wonder by R.J. Palacio