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Books Like Gangsta Granny

A personal project — every book hand-picked by a London dad 🇬🇧

These books continue the mix of broad comedy, secret adventure, and family relationships that lets Gangsta Granny move from outrageous premise to a more emotional finish.

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12 hand-picked books

How to use this shelf

Separate the heist from the heart of the book: choose comic crime for pace, another grandparent story for the relationship, or a family adventure for both. Check emotional intensity if the ending was difficult for the reader.

Quick comparison

6 varied places to start. Compare the age, format, and themes, then read the notes or check current UK editions.

Demon Dentist
David Walliams · Chapter Book · ages 8–11 · courage and humour
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Danny the Champion of the World
Roald Dahl · Chapter Book · ages 8–12 · family and courage
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A Bear Called Paddington
Michael Bond · Chapter Book · ages 5–8 · kindness and family
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Anisha, Accidental Detective
Serena Patel · Chapter Book · ages 8–11 · humour and family
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Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors
Steve Cole · Chapter Book · ages 6–9 · adventure and humour
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Awful End
Philip Ardagh · Chapter Book · ages 8–11 · humour and adventure
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Demon Dentist book cover
Demon Dentist
David Walliams
Ages 8–11
Demon Dentist
David Walliams · Tony Ross
On the shelf for children aged 8 to 11: Demon Dentist, a chapter book by David Walliams. It is illustrated by Tony Ross. It connects with courage, humour and adventure.
Why it fits: another title by David Walliams, the same chapter book format and shared themes of courage and humour.
Chapter Book2013
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Danny the Champion of the World book cover
Danny the Champion of the World
Roald Dahl
Ages 8–12
Danny the Champion of the World
Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake
For readers interested in family, courage, loyalty and humour, compare Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 12.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of family and courage and overlapping age guidance for 8–12.
Chapter Book1975
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A Bear Called Paddington book cover
A Bear Called Paddington
Michael Bond
Ages 5–8
A Bear Called Paddington
Michael Bond · Peggy Fortnum
The Brown family meet a polite bear from Peru at Paddington Station and invite him into their home.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of family and humour and overlapping age guidance for 5–8.
Chapter Book1958
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Anisha, Accidental Detective book cover
Anisha, Accidental Detective
Serena Patel
Ages 8–11
Anisha, Accidental Detective
Serena Patel
Anisha, Accidental Detective by Serena Patel is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11. A useful choice for reading about humour, family and friendship.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and family and overlapping age guidance for 8–11.
Chapter Book2020
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Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors book cover
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors
Steve Cole
Ages 6–9
Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors
Steve Cole
First published in 2005, Astrosaurs: Riddle of the Raptors is a chapter book by Steve Cole for children aged 6 to 9. Its themes include adventure and humour.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of adventure and humour and overlapping age guidance for 6–9.
Chapter Book2005
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Awful End book cover
Awful End
Philip Ardagh
Ages 8–11
Awful End
Philip Ardagh · David Roberts
For readers interested in humour and adventure, compare Awful End by Philip Ardagh. It is illustrated by David Roberts. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and adventure and overlapping age guidance for 8–11.
Chapter Book2000
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Bunny vs Monkey book cover
Bunny vs Monkey
Jamie Smart
Ages 7–11
Bunny vs Monkey
Jamie Smart
Choose Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart for children aged 7 to 11. This chapter book is shelved with books about humour and adventure.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and adventure and overlapping age guidance for 7–11.
Chapter Book2014
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Claude in the City book cover
Claude in the City
Alex T. Smith
Ages 5–8
Claude in the City
Alex T. Smith
Claude in the City, a chapter book by Alex T. Smith, is selected for children aged 5 to 8. Compare it with other books exploring humour and adventure.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and adventure and overlapping age guidance for 5–8.
Chapter Book2011
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Five on a Treasure Island book cover
Five on a Treasure Island
Enid Blyton
Ages 7–11
Five on a Treasure Island
Enid Blyton
On the shelf for children aged 7 to 11: Five on a Treasure Island, a chapter book by Enid Blyton. It connects with adventure, friendship and courage.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of adventure and courage and overlapping age guidance for 7–11.
Chapter Book1942
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Fortunately, the Milk book cover
Fortunately, the Milk
Neil Gaiman
Ages 7–10
Fortunately, the Milk
Neil Gaiman · Chris Riddell
First published in 2013, Fortunately, the Milk is a chapter book by Neil Gaiman for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by Chris Riddell. Its themes include humour, imagination and adventure.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and adventure and overlapping age guidance for 7–10.
Chapter Book2013
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Horrid Henry book cover
Horrid Henry
Francesca Simon
Ages 6–9
Horrid Henry
Francesca Simon · Tony Ross
First published in 1994, Horrid Henry is a chapter book by Francesca Simon for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Tony Ross. Its themes include humour and family.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and family and overlapping age guidance for 6–9.
Chapter Book1994
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Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties book cover
Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties
Humza Arshad
Ages 8–12
Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties
Humza Arshad
First published in 2019, Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties is a chapter book by Humza Arshad for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include humour, courage and friendship.
Why it fits: the same chapter book format, shared themes of humour and courage and overlapping age guidance for 8–12.
Chapter Book2019
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