Choosing a shortlist of just 6 books from a longlist of 60 titles was very difficult. Here are some of the close contenders that were particularly enjoyed by the Year 5 and 6 children who took part in the judging process.

Tom is in shock. He's just discovered that his dad is an escaped fairy on the run. He never knew he was a demi-sprite - the chill of a fairy and a human. Now he must trust his life to his three fairy godmothers. Their magic is dangerous, they can't stop bickering, and two of them are hardened criminals. Will Tom survive their botched spells?

This was enjoyed by children at Longnor Primary School, who said: “I loved the way that it was humorous but not unrealistic”, “new excitement at every turn”, “very easy to read, fun...” It is highly recommended: “should be on every bookshelf!”, “recommended to 9-11-year-olds as it’s funny, exciting and full of adventure”, “would recommend it to people who like things like Harry Potter”.

There's an empty notebook lying on the table in the moonlight. It's been there for an age. I keep on saying that I'll write a journal. So I'll start right here, right now. I open the book and write the very first words: My name is Mina and I love the night. Then what shall I write? I can't just write that this happened then this happened then this happened to boring infinitum. I'll let my journal grow just like the mind does, just like a tree or a beast does, just like life does. Why should a book tell a tale in a dull straight line?

And so Mina writes and writes in her notebook, and through her stories, thoughts, lessons and dreams, Mina's journal and mind grow into something extraordinary.

This is recommended by children at Longnor Primary School, who said: “The storyline was amazing and this is the best book I have read!”, ”One moment it’s comedy, the next there is terror and sadness” and “I loved the characters in this book”.

All Hall ever wanted was a dog. His wealthy parents refuse to even consider one until they discover Easy Pets, a convenient dog-rental agency. The mischievous terrier Fleck arrives on Hal’s birthday, but when Hal discovers that his dog must be returned, he decides to run away.

Joined by a group of pedigree breeds who have managed to escape from Easy Pets, Hal and Fleck set forth on a quest to find their own perfect place – somewhere they can be together for always.

Recommended by children at Greenfields Primary School: “Would recommend to 8 and over. Some might not understand it if they were young.” “If people like a calm, happy book they would love this.” Their comments about the storyline and the book’s themes included: “book was happy and sad, cliff hanging and exciting”, “entertaining and fun”, “made me feel as though I was watching the whole thing as clear as crystal”.

Magic and Mayhem

by Marcus Sedgwick

Chaos strikes after a trip to the circus, and Otherhand Castle is suddenly filled with thieves, bunnies, and lethal cabbages, in the fifth quirky mystery by Blue Peter award-winning team Marcus Sedgwick and Pete Williamson.

Recommended by children at Greenfields Primary School, who said: “At first I didn’t get into the story line but once all the confusing clues tied in it was a good story.”

“The way he describes the characters it’s as if they’re sitting next to me.”

“It was magical and mysterious”

“Good if you like mystery books.”

“Due to the page layout, it’s good for people who don’t like reading or who struggle with it.”

“Top of my list, really funny.”

How To Get What You Want by Peony Pinker

by Jenny Walker

Peony Pinker wants a dog, a bit of tlc from Mum, a a bit of peace from Dad (the world’s worst agony aunt), but most of all right now, for her big sister’s horrible new best friend to stop being mean to her.

It’s not going to happen... until Mr Kaminski next door tells her the secret of how to get what you want. Can Peony make it work?

Recommended by children in Condover Primary School as being a book that would particularly appeal to girls. They described the storyline as “awesome”, “funny and cool” and “it’s the best”.

When 13-year-old Brummie babe, Destiny enters the Bright Sparks beauty contest behind her (ex-model) mum's back, she is determined to prove she has talent and brains - and that she is not just a pretty face.

Together with her cousin, Keisha and best friends, Ebyan and Bee, Destiny deals with every challenge life throws at her - including scary eyeball-to-eyeball confrontations with bully-girl Bella and secret winks from heart-throb, Joel.

And then real disaster strikes...

Several children at Greenfields Primary enjoyed reading this book. They said: “It was funny and exciting”, “very good, easy to read, makes you want to read on”, “cheeky, a bit naughty, “brilliant characters, well described, realistic”. Some reckoned it was “for girls aged 10-12, a little bit rude at times though”, but others said, “You don’t have to be a girl to enjoy this story”.

Caddy is 12, grappling with school, best friends, first boyfriends, younger siblings and the unexpected arrival of one baby Permanent Rose who has arrived in the world a little sooner than expected. While baby Rose lies in critical condition in hospital, life goes on in the unpredictable, colourful Casson household ...

This was recommended by children at Baschurch Primary School. They described it as: “very realistic and funny”, “storyline easy to follow – funny and made you chuckle various times”, “storyline was great – it did what the blurb said”, “exciting, upsetting, surprising and happy”.

Some people felt it was mainly for girls, although others disagreed: “The book is for boys and girls although the cover makes it look like it’s for girls.”

Joe has a lot of reasons to be happy. About a billion of them, in fact.

You see, Joe's rich. Really, really rich. Joe's got his own bowling alley, his own cinema, even his own butler who is also an orangutan. He's the wealthiest 12-year-old in the land.

Yes, Joe has absolutely everything he could possibly want. But there’s just one thing he really needs: a friend…

This was enjoyed by children at Baschurch Primary School, who said: “Teaches you a good lesson – money can ruin your life”, “characters were very funny” and “It’s ‘equizit’ – I would definitely read it again”. They recommended it as being “for anyone who likes funny books” and “suitable for anyone as it’s hard to put down and easy to read”.

In the deepest, darkest jungle grows something of such immense value that men will do ANYTHING to get their hands on it: the elusive and delicious Chocoplum! Well-meaning but hapless Fintan Fedora sets out to find it before anyone else.

Recommended by children in Condover Primary School, who said: “very funny, adventurous and I am sure people would love this book”, “recommended for everyone and has humour for all ages”, “hilarious”.

Liam O'Connor should have died at sea in 1912.

Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010.

Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2029.

Yet moments before death, someone mysteriously appeared and said,
'Take my hand . . .'

But Liam, Maddy and Sal aren't rescued. They are recruited by an agency that no one knows exists, with only one purpose - to fix broken history. Because time travel is here, and there are those who would go back in time and change the past. That's why the TimeRiders exist: to protect us. To stop time travel from destroying the world . . .

Some of the children at Market Drayton Primary enjoyed this book and described it as: “very imaginative and creative – I liked the idea of time travelling”, “excellent storyline – fast pace and exciting” but also “quite spooky and a little scary”. Although some felt that “anyone would enjoy this – once you start reading you can’t stop”, others felt it was more suitable for older readers: “suitable for 12+ because there are a lot of very difficult words”.

A very natural and honest version of life's events from the perspective of a young girl - from her suspicions about her neighbours, to her rocky friendship with the girl next door; from the sudden death of her beloved granny to her relentless quest for a pet hamster, only to then find it mysteriously slaughtered - which kickstarts a local investigation of 'suspects'.

Children in Condover Primary School enjoyed this book: “brilliant storyline”, “easy read for younger readers”, “for people who like funny books”, “easy text”.

The sister is a knife-thrower in a magician's stage act, the brother an undertaker's assistant. Neither orphan knows of the other's existence. Until, that is, three terrible Aunts descend on the girl's house and imprison her guardian, the Great Cardamom. His dying act is to pass the girl a note with clues to the secret he carries to his grave. Cardamom was one of three explorers on an expedition to locate the legendary Amarant, a plant with power over life and death. Now, pursued by flesh-eating crow-like ghuls, brother and sister must decode the message and save themselves from its sinister legacy.

Children at Albrighton Primary School enjoyed this, but agreed that it is aimed at older readers: “for 10+ - too scary for younger children”, “for people who like thrilling books”. They described it as being “intense and very frightening”, “thrilling and cool and you can’t put it down”, “slow start but later lots of excitement and tension – all cliffhangers”, “started OK – great by end”.

Fourteen-year-old Mariel returns to England for her grandmother's funeral. It is the first time she has been back since she emigrated with her mother as a baby, and it is the beginning of the uncovering of some really extraordinary truths about the Considine family. Why did Mariel's mum argue with Grandma all those years ago? Why does Amelia wear so much perfume? Why is there a very large cat flap in Louvre House? Why does Gerald seem scared of his brother's appetite? Did Grandma Considine really break her neck falling down the stairs? And most importantly, what is the dark secret that lies at the heart of the family?

Recommended by children at Longden Primary School.