Meet our Book Doctor for World Book Day... Jeff Kinney!

Jeff Kinney – author of the hilarious Diary of a Wimpy Kid series – is our guest Book Doctor for World Book Day, prescribing the best reads for young booklovers.

You sent in your reading ruts – whether you were after books to read together or funny stories to pick up – and Jeff has picked five to answer. All five Caboodlers will each receive a £15/€20 National Book Token and a set of 13 books in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Got a bookish bothering of your own? Send your questions in – if we pick yours for the attention of our future Book Doctors, you’ll get a National Book Token!

The Terrible Two

I love a good joke and I love to trick my friends. Can you recommend a book that might give me some great ideas and jokes for surprising my friends? – Jacob

Yes! There's a book *series* called The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John. It's about two pranksters who are in a competition to one-up one another. It sounds like the perfect book series for you... but you might want to read it before your friends do, so you can have the advantage!

Callum

My mum reads us three books every night before bed, but I don't think that's enough. How can I get her to read more? – Callum

Wow, Callum, three isn't enough for you? Sounds like you have a terrific mom. But if you want her to read more, maybe you can let her pick the books. Or maybe you can take turns reading to one another. EVERYONE loves being read to!

El Deafo

I need a book with a superhero girl. What should I try? – Mandy

I've got a great answer to that question, Mandy! You should read El Deafo by Cece Bell. The protagonist is a different kind of superhero than you might be used to, but I know you'll love the book!

Jason Reynolds

My dilemma is that I've read quite a few of the Wimpy Kid books which I love! I've just finished Kick and want to know what you'd recommend next? I'm mad on basketball and rugby so anything about either of these would be amazing. – Clem, age 10

Why not try exploring a new sport, Clem? There’s a great series called Run by Jason Reynolds. There will be four books, each following a different track and field athlete at high school. I think you'll enjoy reading a great series told from different perspectives!

Sarah Dessen

I am forming a reading club for my close friends. Can you recommend a good first book to introduce them to? – Claudine

That's a great question, Claudine! Now, I don’t know how old you are, and that's an important factor when recommending a book. I'd say that if you’re between 7 and 11, I'd recommend Max and the Midknights, by Lincoln Peirce. 12-16, Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. Older than that? How about anything by Sabaa Tahir. There, I think I'm covered!

Diary of Greg Heffley's Best Friend is the original tale of Diary of a Wimpy Kid like you’ve never seen it before, told from Rowley’s point-of-view. But how closely with Rowley’s diary journal match up with Greg’s version of events? Browse the other £1/€1.50 books for World Book Day 2019.

Need urgent book advice? Why not visit your local bookshop where the booksellers will be happy to recommend your next read – find your nearest.