Must-Read Middle Grade Books Set in London & the United Kingdom
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There’s something so special about London, England, where my oldest daughter went to university and still lives. She loves London’s ease of navigation, diversity, culture, and history. To celebrate my daughter’s love for London and the Commonwealth, here are some of the best middle grade books set in London and the United Kingdom!
If your tween loves stories packed with mystery, magic, or everyday school drama—with a dash of British charm—then this middle grade book list will get you started. From cobblestone streets and ancient castles to cozy villages and bustling cities, these stories bring the UK to life in vivid, unforgettable ways.
Happy reading!
Middle Grade Books Set in London & the United Kingdom
Mac Undercover (Kid Spy #1) by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Mike Lowery
(ages 7 – 10)
This funny adventure is about a kid who the queen of England uses to solve an important mystery…You’ll need to withhold disbelief, or at least I did, but it’s super cute and popular with many readers. The story includes lots of illustrations, fabulous vocabulary (regicide, for example), and a problem solver main character.
Plague Thieves written by Caroline Fernandez
HISTORICAL FICTION
Readers will LOVE this fascinating historical fiction story about the origin of Thieves oil set during the Bubonic Plague in London. Rose’s dad owns a spice shop in London in 1665, but he and her mom suddenly die of the plague. Her dad gives Rose instructions to make a spice and oil blend that will protect Rose and her older brother. He sends them into the streets to steal and survive, burning their building so as not to spread the disease. Rose is abandoned by her gambling addict brother, and she lives under a bridge with other street kids– but she’s hunted because adults are desperate to get their hands on her so-called cure. It’s a harrowing time of hunger, suspicion, survival, and death, but the engaging story is written in an age-appropriate way and recommend it for 9 to 12 year olds.
The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd
MYSTERY
This middle-grade novel is a puzzling mystery that only the boy named Ted, who seems to be an autistic character can solve. How did his cousin disappear from a closed pod on the London Eye? The enjoyable action and intrigue will keep your attention throughout — and you’ll wonder why you didn’t guess the ending before Ted.
The Case of the Left-Handed Lady: An Enola Holmes Mystery (series) by
Boy, Everywhere by A.M. Dassu
IMMIGRATION
Sami’s family flees from modern Syrian life to detention in England and a new home in England with hateful relatives. We feel Sami’s emotions every step of this journey — from thinking about playing video games and soccer to his worry about capsizing in an overcrowded boat in the ocean and to blaming himself for his mom and sister being at the mall when it was bombed. In sharing his experiences, readers will see how much they can relate to Sami who is just a regular kid trying to be safe.
Anyone But Ivy Pocket by Caleb Krisp
FUNNY
Ivy’s (mis)adventures involve a sinister ghost, a mystical jewel, and a surprising destiny. If you like quirky, funny ghost stories, don’t miss this series, my girls and I loved it.
The Griffins of Castle Cary by Heather Shumaker
GHOST STORY
Siblings Meg, Will, and Ariel couldn’t have known that visiting their aunt in England would put them on a ghost hunting adventure. While Meg and Will look for information on a famous ghost who is searching eternally for her missing child, they won’t just find the ghost but they’ll also discover something scarier than they could have imagined –their little sister, Ariel, has become enraptured with a real ghost child who has a deadly plan. Well-written, action-packed, and spooky!
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab (Edinburgh, Scotland)
GHOST
A plot-driven, spooky story! Cass’s parents are ghost aficionados for their own TV show. After a terrible drowning accident, Cass actually sees ghosts and the Veil. In fact, Cass’s best friend is a ghost named Jacob who saved her life. When they all travel to Edinburgh, Scotland, Cass discovers that she is a ghost hunter. Just as she’s trying to figure out what that means, she’s terrorized by the Raven in Red, an old ghost who kills children. Creepy and compelling.
Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Raúf
REALISTIC
Ahmed is a refugee boy from Syria who arrives at Alexa’s London school. Alexa and her friends hear that England is going to shut the borders to refugees, they decide to ask the Queen for help to reunite him with his family. Showing the power of individuals to make a difference, this moving gem of a novel ultimately is about human kindness and friendship.
Sweep by Jonathan Auxier
MAGICAL REALISM
Set in Victorian London, this is a beautiful, bittersweet story about a plucky girl and her protector golem. Nan works for a cruel chimney sweep. When another sweep tries to burn Nan alive, a charcoal golem emerges to save her. She and her protector golem, Char, find a new place to live but must stay vigilant so her old master doesn’t find them. On their own, they are helped by a street boy and a kind Jewish teacher with trust, love, and friendship growing slowly.
Lockwood and Co.: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud
GHOST
Dangerous ghosts and spirits are appearing everywhere in London, but only certain kids can see and eradicate them. Teens Lucy, Anthony, and George badly need money for their ghost-hunting agency, Lockwood & Co., so they take a perilous job that, if the ghosts have their way, may just be their last. EXCELLENT writing & series.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay
MAGICAL REALISM
Worth reading and rereading because there are layers of meaning, skillful writing, and a haunting truthtelling that resonates with us all. Ever since Conor’s mom got breast cancer, a wild, ancient tree monster visits Conor’s nightmares. The monster demands that Conor admit the truth about his mother, but Conor refuses. In the awake world, Conor moves in with his cold, unfriendly grandmother. The metaphorical nightmare echoes Conor’s real-world experiences as we journey with him into pain, loss, and eventually, healing. Astonishing and powerful, this is one of the best books I’ve EVER read.
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ada and her brother escape their mother’s abuse when the London children are evacuated during WWII and go to live with a grieving woman in a small country town. It’s difficult for both the woman and children to trust, but slowly the trust grows and all three regain something lost — hope and love. I can’t recommend this book enough, it just touched my heart at such a deep level. Furthermore, the sequel, The War I Finally Won, is also an incredible, beautiful story.
Journey of the Pale Bear written by Susan Fletcher
HISTORICAL FICTION
Arthur Welsh is a poor homeless Norwegian boy who works for passage on a ship to England as the caretaker of a captive polar bear, a gift for the King Henry of England. The conditions for the polar bear are worse than the boys, both being victims of their circumstances, powerless and captive. It’s a physical and emotional journey of survival and friendship. The two survive a pirate attack, escape in the wild, and a new life in England. I hated the captivity of the bear but I loved this story and the bond of friendship between animal and man.
A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
An absolutely wonderful, heartwarming historical fiction story with close-knit siblings who stick together and eventually find their forever home. Evacuated from London during WWII these siblings need to find a new home. Unfortunately, their placements are horrid. It’s only the library and the kind librarian who help them survive the bullying and hunger. Unfortunately, the librarian is deemed “unsuitable” to be their foster mother since her missing husband is German. When things go from bad to worse in their latest home, can the children fight for a home with the librarian no matter what the town thinks?
The Player King by Avi
HISTORICAL FICTION
It’s England in the 1400s with a usurper king on the throne, King Henry VII. When a friar spots kitchen boy Lambert Simnel, he tells him that Lambert is really the next in line to the throne, that he is the missing Prince Edward. So begins Lambert’s journey from poor pauper to heir-in-hiding. Based on true events, Avi skillfully weaves a believable story of this little-known historical event. Fascinating.
The Academy by TZ Layton
REALISTIC / SOCCER
Leo, a kid from a small town in Ohio, gets scouted and invited to the Dragons soccer summer camp in the UK with a chance to be in their prestigious academy if he does well. Leo loves his iguana and lizards, he’s a great video game player, and he excels at soccer. At least he did until he got to the big leagues where everyone else has more experience and training. Leo can be lazy and he has to confront his mindset and train extra hard to learn the basics that other players already know. He makes new friends, overcomes a bully, and finds mentors who genuinely care about his success. The story is exciting, mesmerizing, and a fantastic first book in the series. If your readers like soccer, underdogs, and excellent writing, this book will be their new favorite!
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