Children's books: 8-12 years
The run-up to a general election is the perfect time for Mr Fib’s arrival
Mr Fib and Little Miss Surprise join ranks of the Mr Men and Little Misses
Geri Halliwell-Horner reveals writing advice she was given by top authors
Ex-Spice Girl tells Hay festival about tips from William Boyd and Jacqueline Wilson for children’s book
Other lives
Maureen Roffey obituaryChildren's book reviews round-up
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter books
Laurent de Brunhoff, author of Babar children’s books, dies at 98
Painter and storyteller, who revived father’s picture-book series about elephant king, said he didn’t consciously write for young people
Children's book reviews round-up
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter booksTime travel lessons, secret underwater schools and careers in demon hunting feature among this month’s selection
Today’s lesson: The Boy at the Back of the Class now learns from To Kill a Mockingbird
Adapting Onjali Q Raúf’s novel for the stage proved a challenge but her refugee story, which has a new nod to Harper Lee, is both urgent and unforgettable
2023 in Culture
The best children’s and YA books of 2023From a bear who stockpiles dreams to a sisterhood of knights via a tiger sea captain, our critics pick their favourite titles for children and young adults
Children's book reviews round-up
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter booksMichael Rosen returns with an adventurous French hound, while BBC sport presenter Damian Johnson offers inspiring football stories. Plus, a lion comes to tea and stays
The G2 interview
‘I wanted to be No 1. But a certain JK Rowling came along’: Jacqueline Wilson on rivalry, censorship – and loveRaised by a ‘scary’ father and a ‘terrible snob’ of a mother, the Tracy Beaker author has always understood the loneliness that marks so many young lives. But at 77, she’s never been happier
‘Mozart didn’t have explosions’: Simon Mayo on how his book Itch became an opera
Observer New Review Q&A
Beth Mead: ‘I told Saka just to curtsy when he sees me!’The Arsenal and England footballer on her MBE, her terrible singing voice – and the best and worst year of her life
Dogger to the rescue: how my mother’s books brought joy to the children of Ukraine
After the death last year of children’s author Shirley Hughes, her son took hundreds of her books, including the award-winning Dogger, to libraries in Ukraine
Michael Roberts obituary
Fashion journalist and illustrator who helped transform Tatler magazine into a leading glossy
Judy Blume: book banning now much worse in US than in 1980s
Children’s and young adult author of 1970 book Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret says growing intolerance must be challenged
Paul O’Grady obituary
Comedian, broadcaster and chat-show host who shot to widespread fame in the 1990s as his alter ego Lily Savage
Mary Rayner obituary
Children’s author who devised the adventures of the Pig family and illustrated stories including Dick King-Smith’s The Sheep-Pig
Children's book roundup
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter booksA pair of historical novels focus on different aspects of the 70s, while gender identity is a theme in an array of strong new adventures
About 5,196 results for Children's books: 8-12 years 
The G2 interview‘I wanted to be No 1. But a certain JK Rowling came along’: Jacqueline Wilson on rivalry, censorship – and loveRaised by a ‘scary’ father and a ‘terrible snob’ of a mother, the Tracy Beaker author has always understood the loneliness that marks so many young lives. But at 77, she’s never been happier
