An image of a selection of books for 9-12s on a blue background with a large splodge and striped print

Article-Card-24-Books-9-12s-Update

Children's reading lists

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

An image showing a selection of fantasy books against a green background with a shape filled with stars

Article-Card-Fantasy-books-9-12-2023-Update

15 must-read fantasy books for 9-12-year-olds

joseph-delaney-spooks-blood-video-788×306.jpg

Watch a trailer for The Spook’s Blood

Brother Wulf: The Last Spook

Another thrilling and magical adventure from master storyteller Joseph Delaney, set in the multi-million copy bestselling world of The Spook's Apprentice 
 
We are entering a new age of darkness. Hell has grown in power and neither priest nor Spook can do anything about it. So go home now while you can . . . 
 
Years have passed since Wulf and Tilda vanished from the County. Alice and Tom have given up hope of ever seeing them again - until a terrible enemy from the past forces them to take drastic action, and reach out through time in a bid for help. 
 
Now Wulf faces the greatest and most powerful demon who has ever walked the Dark: the Fiend. He will have to use all his powers - and gather some new ones - to have even a chance of survival . . .

Joseph Delaney was the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold millions of copies. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore. Joseph passed away in August 2022, shortly after handing in his last manuscript.

We are entering a new age of darkness. Hell has grown in power and neither priest nor Spook can do anything about it. So go home now while you can . . . 
 
Years have passed since Wulf and Tilda vanished from the County. Alice and Tom have given up hope of ever seeing them again - until a terrible enemy from the past forces them to take drastic action, and reach out through time in a bid for help. 
 
Now Wulf faces the greatest and most powerful demon who has ever walked the Dark: the Fiend. He will have to use all his powers - and gather some new ones - to have even a chance of survival . . .

Brother Wulf: Wulf's Bane

The next thrilling and magical adventure set in the multi million copy bestselling world of The Spook's Apprentice. 
 
Wulf has left behind his life in the monastery and is now the Apprentice to Spook Johnson, assisting him in protecting the County from denizens of the dark - which mainly involves Wulf acting as bait. 
 
But Wulf is captured by Hrothgar, a giant with abilities to conjure subservient creatures - or tulpas - from his imagination. And he strongly suspects that Wulf has these abilities too . . . 
 
Wulf begrudgingly begins training with his new master, but meanwhile, something dangerous is afoot in the County. Wulf's old friends, Tom and Alice, have been imprisoned by an all-powerful witch and her brain sucking minions. And together with Tilda, Tom and Alice's daughter, he needs to rescue them from Circe's enchanted lair before it's too late...

The newest Delaney character returns to steal the limelight ... step forward Brother Wulf.

Wulf has left behind life in the monastery and is now the Apprentice to Spook Johnson, assisting him in protecting the County from denizens of the dark - which mainly involves Wulf acting as bait. 
 
But Wulf is captured by Hrothgar, a giant with abilities to conjure subservient creatures - or tulpas - from his imagination. And he strongly suspects that Wulf has these abilities too . . . 
 
Wulf begrudgingly begins training with his new master, but meanwhile, something dangerous is afoot in the County. Wulf's old friends, Tom and Alice, have been imprisoned by an all-powerful witch and her brain sucking minions. And together with Tilda, Tom and Alice's daughter, he needs to rescue them from Circe's enchanted lair before it's too late...

Brother Wulf

When young novice monk Brother Beowulf is sent to spy on Spook Johnson, he has no idea of the trouble he's about to find himself in. Johnson boasts to Wulf of his battles against demonic creatures, and even seems to imprisons local witches, though Wulf is sceptical - not least because the church has taught him that Spooks are a force for evil, and not to be trusted. But then the monsters Johnson claims to fight turn out to be very real indeed, and soon Wulf is forced to seek help from another young Spook, Tom Ward, who terrifies and charms him in equal measure. 
 
But the forces of the dark are many, and it's not long until Wulf and Tom realise they've bitten off far more than they can chew. A horrifying new enemy is rising - and only Wulf can stop it.

Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and has sold millions of copies. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was turned into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

When young novice monk Brother Beowulf is sent to spy on Spook Johnson, he has no idea of the trouble he's about to find himself in. Johnson boasts to Wulf of his battles against demonic creatures, and even seems to imprison local witches, though Wulf is sceptical. The church has taught him that Spooks are a force for evil, and not to be trusted. But then the monsters Johnson claims to fight turn out to be very real indeed, and soon Wulf is forced to seek help from another young Spook, Tom Ward, who terrifies and charms him in equal measure. 
 
But the forces of the dark are many, and it's not long until Wulf and Tom realise they've bitten off far more than they can chew. A horrifying new enemy is rising - and only Wulf can stop it.

The Witch's Warning

A gloriously spooky horror-fantasy story from Joseph Delaney, the internationally multi-million bestselling author of The Spook's Apprentice 
 
Crafty halted, his heart lurching with fear, his mouth dry. There were bare footprints in the white snow, and each one was smeared with red, as if the owner of those clawed feet had stepped in a puddle of blood . . . 
 
Crafty and his friends have already faced dozens of horrifying aberrations during their time as Castle Gate Grubs - assistants to the mysterious guild of Gatemancers, who fight against the terrifying Shole. But the real battle is only just beginning. New and more dangerous aberrations are appearing all the time, and worse yet, it seems someone from within the Castle is helping them attack. And when an old enemy returns to give Crafty a disturbing warning, it seems time might be running out for all of them . . .

Praise for The Beast Awakens (book one): This is a must for all fantasy and adventure fans

A page turning story that kept you hanging on edge

This book was utterly unputdownable - I loved each and every second of time I spent reading it!

Crafty halted, his heart lurching with fear, his mouth dry. There were bare footprints in the white snow, and each one was smeared with red, as if the owner of those clawed feet had stepped in a puddle of blood . . . 
 
Crafty and his friends have already faced dozens of horrifying aberrations during their time as Castle Gate Grubs - assistants to the mysterious guild of Gatemancers, who fight against the terrifying Shole. But the real battle is only just beginning. New and even more dangerous aberrations are appearing all the time, and worse yet, it seems someone from within the Castle is helping them attack. And when an old enemy returns to give Crafty a disturbing warning, it seems time might be running out for all of them . . .

The Beast Awakens

Calling all budding Stephen King fans... this is the book for you! 
 
The first book in a horrifying new fantasy sequence from Joseph Delaney, the internationally multi-million-selling author of The Spook's Apprentice. 
 
They heard shouting, and cries of fear. Crafty looked down the slope and realised what had happened to cause so much panic. Without warning, the dark wall of the Shole had advanced. 
 
Crafty can't remember a time before the Shole - the terrifying mist that has engulfed most of Britain, leaving those trapped in it to either die or be transformed into terrifying monsters: the aberrations. 
 
He's been stuck in his family's cellar for nearly a year, his only companions his restless, whispering dead brothers, and an unusually friendly aberration he names the Bog Queen. 
 
But then Crafty's life abruptly changes. 
 
He is ordered to report to the Castle, where he will train as a gate grub - operators of magical portals that allow the mysterious guild of Gatemancers to explore within the Shole. It is a dangerous job, with a very short life expectancy... 
 
To survive, Crafty will have to use every inch of his cunning - whatever the cost.

Praise for The Spook's Apprentice series: Be warned - these books are seriously scary

Packed full of scary creatures and chilling characters, I only wish this had been much, much longer. This is a must for all fantasy and adventure fans

A thrilling fantasy novel full of monsters, action and intriguing characters - I highly recommend it!

This book was utterly unputdownable - I loved each and every second of time I spent reading it! I was torn between wanting to find out what happened and not wanting the book to end!

I think that the Beast Awakens is a fabulous read because it lulls the reader into a never ending journey through the magical kingdom, the Shole, and the people involved

They heard shouting, and cries of fear. Crafty looked down the slope and realised what had happened to cause so much panic. Without warning, the dark wall of the Shole had advanced. 
 
Crafty can't remember a time before the Shole - the terrifying mist that has engulfed most of Britain, leaving those trapped in it to either die or be transformed into horrifying monsters: the aberrations. Crafty has been stuck in his family's cellar for nearly a year, his only companions his restless, whispering dead brothers, and an unusually friendly aberration he names the Bog Queen. 
 
But then Crafty's life abruptly changes. He is ordered to report to the Castle, where he will train as a gate grub - operators of magical portals that allow the mysterious guild of Gatemancers to explore within the Shole. It is a dangerous job, with a very short life expectancy... 
 
To survive, Crafty will have to use every inch of his cunning - whatever the cost.

Arena 13: The Warrior

The third exhilarating instalment in the Arena 13 series by Joseph Delaney, author of THE SPOOK’S APPRENTICE

Joseph Delaney used to be an English teacher, before becoming the best-selling author of the Spook's series, which has been published in 30 countries and sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide. The first book, The Spook's Apprentice, was adapted into a major motion picture starring Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore.

The third exhilarating instalment in the Arena 13 series by Joseph Delaney, author of THE SPOOK’S APPRENTICE 
 
After everything Leif has been through in Arena 13, it’s finally time for him to fulfil his destiny and accompany his father’s people beyond the barrier that imprisons all mankind. 
 
Meanwhile, Kwin, the girl he loves, is making waves in the arena as the first woman ever to grace its fighting floor. 
 
In their own ways, each of them is fighting to bring down the superhuman monsters that threaten the last people on earth. They might have picked fights they can’t win. But freedom could be something worth dying for. 
 
Books in the series 
1: ARENA 13 
2: ARENA 13: THE PREY 
3: ARENA 13: THE WARRIOR

Joseph Delaney

Wulf must face his greatest enemy yet - and this time, he's all alone . . . 
 
Wulf is at war - a war against the Dark. As Pan's soldier and champion, it's his responsibility to fight for what is right. An early winter has come to the County, threatening its people with starvation - but there is an even more dangerous foe to face. A demon is trying to become the next ruler of the Dark. He has many names but one of them is Loki, the Trickster God. Loki has many, terrible powers - but his most deadly weapon is the one that controls all Wulf's own power . . . 
 
Featuring fan-favourite characters Grimalkin, Thorne, Jenny and even Slither, Wulf's War is sure to delight - and fright!

Joseph Delaney

Books by Joseph Delaney

Series by Joseph Delaney

Aberrations2 Books

Arena 133 Books

The Spook's Apprentice: Brother Wulf4 Books

The Starblade Chronicles3 Books

The Wardstone Chronicles19 Books

Articles featuring Joseph Delaney

24 must-read books for 9-12-year-olds

15 must-read fantasy books for 9-12-year-olds

Watch a trailer for The Spook’s Blood

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter