British Children's Books About Justice

What the Ladybird Heard

Julia Donaldson

Ages 3–6

What the Ladybird Heard

Julia Donaldson · Lydia Monks

For readers interested in courage, humour and justice, compare What the Ladybird Heard by Julia Donaldson. It is illustrated by Lydia Monks. It is a picture book for children aged 3 to 6.

Picture Book2009

Voices in the Park

Anthony Browne

Ages 5–9

Voices in the Park

Anthony Browne

Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne is a picture book for children aged 5 to 9. A useful choice for reading about family, wonder and justice.

Picture Book1998

Matilda

Ages 7–11

Matilda

Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake

Matilda is a gifted reader whose dismissive parents fail to recognise her abilities.

Chapter Book1988

The Enormous Crocodile

Ages 4–7

The Enormous Crocodile

Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake

On the shelf for children aged 4 to 7: The Enormous Crocodile, a picture book by Roald Dahl. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. It connects with courage, justice and humour.

Picture Book1978

The Magic Finger

Ages 6–9

The Magic Finger

Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake

First published in 1966, The Magic Finger is a chapter book by Roald Dahl for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include justice, courage and nature.

Chapter Book1966

The Twits

Ages 6–9

The Twits

Roald Dahl · Quentin Blake

Choose The Twits by Roald Dahl for children aged 6 to 9. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. This chapter book is shelved with books about humour and justice.

Chapter Book1980

The Subtle Knife

Philip Pullman

Ages 11–16

The Subtle Knife

Philip Pullman

The Subtle Knife, a novel by Philip Pullman, is selected for readers aged 11+. Compare it with other books exploring courage, adventure, wonder and justice.

Novel1997

The Amber Spyglass

Philip Pullman

Ages 11–16

The Amber Spyglass

Philip Pullman

For readers interested in courage, adventure, loyalty and justice, compare The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. It is a novel for readers aged 11+.

Novel2000

The Boy in the Dress

David Walliams

Ages 8–11

The Boy in the Dress

David Walliams · Quentin Blake

First published in 2008, The Boy in the Dress is a chapter book by David Walliams for children aged 8 to 11. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include courage, kindness, justice and self-reliance.

Chapter Book2008

Mr Stink

David Walliams

Ages 7–10

Mr Stink

David Walliams · Quentin Blake

First published in 2009, Mr Stink is a chapter book by David Walliams for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by Quentin Blake. Its themes include kindness, friendship, courage and justice.

Chapter Book2009

Awful Auntie

David Walliams

Ages 8–11

Awful Auntie

David Walliams · Tony Ross

For readers interested in courage, humour and justice, compare Awful Auntie by David Walliams. It is illustrated by Tony Ross. It is a chapter book for children aged 8 to 11.

Chapter Book2014

Black Beauty

Anna Sewell

Ages 9–13

Black Beauty

Anna Sewell

For readers interested in courage, kindness, justice and loyalty, compare Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. It is a classic for children aged 9 to 13.

Classic1877

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

C. S. Lewis

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

C. S. Lewis

Four siblings evacuated to the countryside enter Narnia through a wardrobe and find it held in winter by the White Witch.

Classic1950

The Good Thieves

Katherine Rundell

The Good Thieves

Katherine Rundell

Choose The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell for children aged 9 to 12. This novel is shelved with books about courage, adventure, friendship and justice.

Novel2019

Noughts and Crosses

Malorie Blackman

Ages 13–16

Noughts and Crosses

Malorie Blackman

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman is a novel for readers aged 13+. A useful choice for reading about justice, courage, loyalty and heritage.

Novel2001

Pig Heart Boy

Malorie Blackman

Ages 10–14

Pig Heart Boy

Malorie Blackman

On the shelf for children aged 10 to 14: Pig Heart Boy, a novel by Malorie Blackman. It connects with courage, family, justice and perseverance.

Novel1997

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

John Boyne

Ages 12–16

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

John Boyne

Choose The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne for readers aged 12+. This novel is shelved with books about friendship, courage, heritage and justice.

Novel2006

The London Eye Mystery

Siobhan Dowd

Ages 9–13

The London Eye Mystery

Siobhan Dowd

Choose The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd for children aged 9 to 13. This novel is shelved with books about family, perseverance and justice.

Novel2007

Bill's New Frock

Anne Fine

Ages 7–10

Bill's New Frock

Anne Fine

Bill's New Frock, a chapter book by Anne Fine, is selected for children aged 7 to 10. Compare it with other books exploring humour, justice and self-reliance.

Chapter Book1989

Refugee Boy

Benjamin Zephaniah

Ages 12–16

Refugee Boy

Benjamin Zephaniah

For readers interested in courage, justice, resilience and heritage, compare Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah. It is a novel for readers aged 12+.

Novel2001

Talking Turkeys

Benjamin Zephaniah

Ages 8–14

Talking Turkeys

Benjamin Zephaniah

Talking Turkeys by Benjamin Zephaniah is a poetry collection for children aged 8 to 14. A useful choice for reading about humour, justice and creativity.

Poetry1994

Farmer Duck

Martin Waddell

Ages 3–6

Farmer Duck

Martin Waddell · Helen Oxenbury

On the shelf for children aged 3 to 6: Farmer Duck, a picture book by Martin Waddell. It is illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. It connects with justice, friendship and kindness.

Picture Book1991

You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum!

Andy Stanton

Ages 7–10

You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum!

Andy Stanton · David Tazzyman

You're a Bad Man, Mr Gum! by Andy Stanton is a chapter book for children aged 7 to 10. It is illustrated by David Tazzyman. A useful choice for reading about humour and justice.

Chapter Book2006

The Boy at the Back of the Class

Onjali Q. Rauf

Ages 8–11

The Boy at the Back of the Class

Onjali Q. Rauf

First published in 2018, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a novel by Onjali Q. Rauf for children aged 8 to 11. Its themes include kindness, justice and friendship.

Novel2018

The Demon Headmaster

Gillian Cross

The Demon Headmaster

Gillian Cross

First published in 1982, The Demon Headmaster is a novel by Gillian Cross for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include courage, justice and friendship.

Novel1982

Mortal Engines

Philip Reeve

Ages 11–16

Mortal Engines

Philip Reeve

Choose Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve for readers aged 11+. This novel is shelved with books about adventure, courage and justice.

Novel2001

Smith

Leon Garfield

Ages 10–14

Smith

Leon Garfield

Smith by Leon Garfield is a novel for children aged 10 to 14. A useful choice for reading about adventure, justice and heritage.

Novel1967

Stone Cold

Robert Swindells

Ages 12–16

Stone Cold

Robert Swindells

Stone Cold, a novel by Robert Swindells, is selected for readers aged 12+. Compare it with other books exploring justice, resilience and courage.

Novel1993

The Iron Woman

Ted Hughes

The Iron Woman

Ted Hughes

First published in 1993, The Iron Woman is a classic by Ted Hughes for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include nature, justice and wonder.

Classic1993

Murder Most Unladylike

Robin Stevens

Ages 9–13

Murder Most Unladylike

Robin Stevens

First published in 2014, Murder Most Unladylike is a novel by Robin Stevens for children aged 9 to 13. Its themes include friendship, justice and adventure.

Novel2014

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow

Katherine Woodfine

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow

Katherine Woodfine

Choose The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine for children aged 9 to 12. This novel is shelved with books about adventure, justice and friendship.

Novel2015

A Kind of Spark

Elle McNicoll

A Kind of Spark

Elle McNicoll

A Kind of Spark, a novel by Elle McNicoll, is selected for children aged 9 to 12. Compare it with other books exploring justice, courage and self-reliance.

Novel2020

High-Rise Mystery

Sharna Jackson

High-Rise Mystery

Sharna Jackson

Choose High-Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson for children aged 9 to 12. This novel is shelved with books about justice, friendship and adventure.

Novel2019

The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler

Gene Kemp

The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler

Gene Kemp

First published in 1977, The Turbulent Term of Tyke Tiler is a novel by Gene Kemp for children aged 8 to 12. Its themes include friendship, humour and justice.

Novel1977