I (a grown adult woman) really enjoy challenging children's books. I started reading them so I could discuss books with my form group (I'm a high school teacher, UK), then I realised I was enjoying a lot of the books much more than similar genre adult books. I mostly read fantasy when I'm reading fiction, and children's books have such amazing inventiveness, with a distinct lack of romance subplots – another plus.
I have enjoyed Frances Hardinge, Katya Balen, Sophie Anderson (any other Slavic folk tale inspired books? I would love recommendations (have read Naomi Novik & Katherine Arden too)), Pari Thomson, Jessica Townsend, Tamzin Merchant, RJ Palacio, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Lauren James, Giovanna & Tom Fletcher, Sally Gardner, SF Said, Elle McNicoll, and obviously Philip Pullman.
I like fantasy/sci-fi, would prefer no or little romance, anything with an eco/nature influence (loved Pari Thomson's Greenwood), anything with a neurodivergent protagonist or written by a neurodivergent author would be good too.
Yes, my students recommend me lots of books, but they're often into the boy/girl/person meets boy/girl/person stories, or sometimes get into ACOTAR type series, which don't interest me (sorry!) I've also gone beyond reading simply to talk to my students, I'm enjoying the books for their own sake at this point! So…any recommendations folks?
by Miss_Type