Frankie's Top 10 Best Books of 2016 So Far

Halfway through the year already! I've finished all my exams, left school and already read 42 books! Here is a countdown of my top 10 best so far!

10: Nothing Scares Me by Gene Kemp

A dark and mysterious children's book by a Carnegie Award-winning author, it's a shame Nothing Scares Me has faded into obscurity. Following the life of a psychic girl pressured into using her powers to find out about a missing schoolmate, the book has child characters as believable as those on Tracy Beaker, insight into warring youth cultures and a slow build-up to a terrifying intense climax.

9: Spot the Difference by Juno Dawson

Though the story is similar to Mean Girls, this is a surprisingly enjoyable chick-lit - with well-rounded characters, brilliant dialogue and good wit, Spot the Difference reflects British teen life brilliantly. On top of which, the short story ends with a powerful feminist message.

8: 13 Unpredictable Tales by Paul Jennings

Don't be put off by the hideous CGI. This book is as surprising as the title would imply with a terrific twist in each short story with everything from mad inventions to geometric dragons. Some are whacky and hilarious, some heartfelt and emotional. Some are weird and outlandish, others funny and ordinary. Best of all this book does something not all children's books do - it genuinely makes you feel twelve again.

7: The Fire of Ares by Michael Ford

Though it may look like a cheap Percy Jackson knock-off, this children's novel is a brilliant recent work of historical fiction. Following the life of a young Helot slave struggling to save his sick mother and finding his father's family, the main protagonist, Lysander, is easy to route for and sympathise with. At times, enjoyably macho with brutal fight scenes, others, an emotional voyage of self-discovery, The Fire of Ares is full of educational value and moral ideas.

6: Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeve

With its surreal vision of a distant post-apocalyptic future, Phillip Reeve's sci-fi novel has all the elements of a great adventure story. With truly memorable and complex characters, vast and vibrant imagination and exciting action, Mortal Engines is as much fun as Star Wars.

5: Blitz Boys by Linda Newberry

Despite its short length and unappealing cover, Blitz Boys is a surprisingly moving children's book that doesn't sacrifice character development and good fun for a history lesson. With realistic dialogue to reflect class differences  and how children actually behave and showing historical issues to give young readers food for thought, Linda Newberry proves that you don't need big words for big emotion.

4: Viking's Dawn by Henry Treece

Another of Treece's forgotten classics, Viking's Dawn has wonderful descriptive writing that modern authors struggle to reproduce. Though the story may not be one of historical significance, the layered characters and powerful story make the book a thoughtful, thoroughly enjoyable read.

3: Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Though perhaps not quite as good as its predecessor, Sea of Monsters is a brilliant and easy-to-read middle grade book. Cleverly incorporating Greek myth into the modern day yet again, the children's novel provides laughs, action and brilliant heroes.

2: Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson

Another gem of historical fiction, Journey to the River Sea is a wonderful read. About an orphan girl called Maia who has to move to Brazil and live with her horrible, snobbish relatives, the Carters, it's a story of adapting to new places, making new friends and spirit of adventure. With its beautiful settings, loveable characters and emotional story, it's a children's book that is bound to stay with the reader.

Honourable Mentions:

Young Sherlock Holmes: Death Cloud by Andrew Lane, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, H.I.V.E by Mark Walden, Eve: The Awakening by Jenna Moreci, Department 19 by Will Hill and The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck.

1: The Hunted by Charlie Higson

The penultimate book in Higson's The Enemy series does not disappoint. Set in a world where adults are savage and diseased, leaving children and teenagers to fend for themselves, The Hunted earns top spot with its intense action sequences, cleverly constructed plotlines and perhaps the most incredible climax I've ever read! Even if the rest of the book had been dull, the climax would have redeemed it, but everything else was so good!

Between the blood and gore, there's a surprising amount of humanity with complicated characters including beautifully written children.

So, what books have been your favourites in 2016 so far?