6 books like Bob vs the Selfie Zombies

By Andy Jones, Robin Boyden (illustrator),

Here are 6 books that Bob vs the Selfie Zombies fans have personally recommended if you like Bob vs the Selfie Zombies. Shepherd is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of Nevermoor

P.G. Bell Author Of The Beanstalk Murder

From my list on middle grade mysteries that visit other worlds.

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up in a quiet corner of Welsh suburbia where nothing ever seemed to happen, so I quickly fell in love with stories that transported me to other places–worlds full of magic, mystery, and excitement. Now, I write my own stories, and those ingredients are still my favorites. I love exploring them in my writing and in the stories of others.

P.G.'s book list on middle grade mysteries that visit other worlds

P.G. Bell Why did P.G. love this book?

I thought Hogwarts was special until I discovered the magical city of Nevermoor–a whole society filled with intrigue, surprises, and whimsical twists. (Giant talking cats, anyone?)

The central mystery is also gripping stuff, as cursed child Morrigan grapples with her powers and the dark presence of a powerful evil lurking just out of sight.

By Jessica Townsend,

Why should I read it?

7 authors picked Nevermoor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

A breathtaking, enchanting new series by debut author Jessica Townsend, about a cursed girl who escapes death and finds herself in a magical world--but is then tested beyond her wildest imagination.

Morrigan Crow is cursed. Having been born on Eventide, the unluckiest day for any child to be born, she's blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks--and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on her eleventh birthday.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters…


Book cover of The Clockwork Crow

P.G. Bell Author Of The Beanstalk Murder

From my list on middle grade mysteries that visit other worlds.

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up in a quiet corner of Welsh suburbia where nothing ever seemed to happen, so I quickly fell in love with stories that transported me to other places–worlds full of magic, mystery, and excitement. Now, I write my own stories, and those ingredients are still my favorites. I love exploring them in my writing and in the stories of others.

P.G.'s book list on middle grade mysteries that visit other worlds

P.G. Bell Why did P.G. love this book?

This book is set in my home country of Wales and draws deeply on Welsh folklore and mythology in a way I’ve not seen in many other Middle-Grade books.

Fisher establishes a dark and spooky tone for her mystery, which involves malignant fairies, a sinister old mansion and the titular crow–a living animatronic with some dangerous secrets. 

By Catherine Fisher,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Clockwork Crow as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

A magical story of snow and stars by Catherine Fisher. The Clockwork Crow is a mysterious gothic Christmas tale set in a frost-bound Victorian country mansion. When orphaned Seren Rees is given a mysterious package by a strange and frightened man on her way to her new home, she reluctantly takes it with her. But what is in the parcel? Who are the Family who must not be spoken of, and can the Crow help Seren find Tom, before the owner of the parcel finds her? The Clockwork Crow is a gripping Christmas tale of families and belonging set in…


Book cover of Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine

P.G. Bell Author Of The Beanstalk Murder

From my list on middle grade mysteries that visit other worlds.

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up in a quiet corner of Welsh suburbia where nothing ever seemed to happen, so I quickly fell in love with stories that transported me to other places–worlds full of magic, mystery, and excitement. Now, I write my own stories, and those ingredients are still my favorites. I love exploring them in my writing and in the stories of others.

P.G.'s book list on middle grade mysteries that visit other worlds

P.G. Bell Why did P.G. love this book?

I wanted madcap, impossible worlds, and this book is packed with them. It was great fun to see my home country of Wales become a gateway to an interdimensional river, leading to a host of imaginative and compelling new planets.

This is pacey, funny, and action-packed, with some wonderfully quirky characters, including a sentient houseplant that communicates through Morse code.

By Claire Fayers,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

Tapper Watson is just an ordinary Erisean boy who loves adventure stories. But when one of his sixty-seven cousins sends him away on a smugglers' submarine through the River Lethe to other worlds, he just wants to go home again.
On an unscheduled visit to Earth he meets Fern Shakespeare, and a talking plant called Morse, and their adventures begin. And when he finds himself being chased through worlds by a pair of trigger-happy lobster mobsters in search of the mysterious Nemo Machine, Tapper begins to realise that he might not be so ordinary after all...


Book cover of Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain

P.G. Bell Author Of The Beanstalk Murder

From my list on middle grade mysteries that visit other worlds.

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up in a quiet corner of Welsh suburbia where nothing ever seemed to happen, so I quickly fell in love with stories that transported me to other places–worlds full of magic, mystery, and excitement. Now, I write my own stories, and those ingredients are still my favorites. I love exploring them in my writing and in the stories of others.

P.G.'s book list on middle grade mysteries that visit other worlds

P.G. Bell Why did P.G. love this book?

I’m a sucker for in-depth worldbuilding, and this book really delivers. Jess French cooks up a host of contrasting human cultures and throws them together in an unforgiving wilderness populated with fantastical creatures.

And thanks to her zoological background, the creatures have as much depth as the human characters. I’m already looking forward to the sequel.

By Jess French,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Beastlands as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

A FANTASTICAL MIDDLE GRADE ADVENTURE FROM DR JESS FRENCH: TV PRESENTER, VET, CREATURE EXPERT AND CHILDREN'S AUTHOR!

"I absolutely loved this book! It's perfect for fans of Skandar and Fireborn, with brilliant world-building, great characterisation, and heaps of peril." - Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear

BEFORE THERE WERE PEOPLE, THERE WERE BEASTS . . .

The island of Ramoa was once luscious and populated with mighty beasts. Now though, it is home to barren and tamed cities, where nature is locked out and trouble is brewing.

When Kayla's beloved animal companion, a rare winged pangron, is stolen, she's…


Book cover of Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties

Rachel Hamilton Author Of Louie Lets Loose!

From my list on by British authors to get kids laughing out loud.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am Rachel Hamilton and I’m the author of the Exploding series with Simon & Schuster and the Unicorn in New York series with OUP and Scholastic. I love making people laugh, especially when it's intentional rather than accidental. As well as writing books, I write comedy sketches and have performed standup as part of the Funny Girls tour in the Middle East. It's hard to do humor well, so I have huge respect and admiration for the authors on this list, because they do it fantastically. I hope you love their stories as much as I do. 

Rachel's book list on by British authors to get kids laughing out loud

Rachel Hamilton Why did Rachel love this book?

Sometimes, I just fall instantly in love with the voice of a book, and ‘Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties’ was one of those books for me. I spent ten years in the Middle East surrounded by brilliant kids with big voices and even bigger dreams, and I miss them! You don’t see these kids often enough in stories. So, how could I resist Humza Khan, a.k.a. Little Badman, who’s determined to become “the greatest 11-year-old rapper Eggington has ever known”?

The only things standing in the way of his plans for fame and glory are the sinister food-obsessed “aunties” who’ve taken over his school and insist on feeding everyone delicious snacks. Furiously funny, with an ending that is simultaneously truly bonkers and genuinely satisfying, this book is pure joy!

“Me and my best friends Umer and Wendy are going to hunt for the truth. Cos something…

By Humza Arshad, Aleksei Bitskoff (illustrator), Henry White

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Little Badman and the Invasion of the Killer Aunties as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

One of The Guardian's 100 best holiday books for 2019

'Wildly over the top and satisfying' The Observer New Review Children's Book of the Month

'This book is bonkers but proper funny- it's Drake meets James Bond' Match of the Day Magazine

'Microwaved pants and killer bees feature in this rib-aching comic caper, heightened with moments of real tenderness and heart.' The Guardian

"A perfect read for Tom Gates fans: prepare for big belly laughs and great advice on how to be yourself." BookTrust

________

"You've probably heard of me, right? Little Badman. No? Oh. Well. . . Doesn't matter.…


Book cover of Check Mates

Alysa Wishingrad Author Of The Verdigris Pawn

From my list on for chess lovers.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love games; board games, card games, head games*; any kind of situation in which employing strategy is the only way forward. And yet, I’m not a big game player—aside from word games. I’m also endlessly fascinated by the mechanisms of power and how societies arrange themselves. The marriage between writing and understanding politics (in the traditional, not the partisan sense) is my true north. Writing a book in which a chess-like game provides the foundation felt inevitable for me, for what game better explores the dynamics of power and strategy? *I don’t play head games, but I do find manipulation fascinating fodder for writing.

Alysa's book list on for chess lovers

Alysa Wishingrad Why did Alysa love this book?

I love intergenerational stories, and Check Mates fulfills that love with the added glory of including a chess subplot. 11-year-old Felix is constantly getting into trouble as his ADHA makes it very hard for him to focus and attend in-class. His Grandfather, who he’s never been particularly close to, is also suffering greatly following the death of his wife. The beauty and power in this story comes when the two are thrust together and the grandfather begins to teach Felix to play chess, while also sharing stories of his life during wartime. The result is a moving story filled with connection, discovering your strengths, and a fantastic immersion into the game of chess.

By Stewart Foster,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Check Mates as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

WINNER OF THE UKLA BOOK AWARDS 2021

'Funny and heartfelt with a cunning twist. Stewart Foster is a grandmaster' - ROSS WELFORD

'An inspirational underdog story and a chilling mystery! A winning combination' - DAVID SOLOMONS

Some people think that I'm a problem child, that I'm lazy and never pay attention in lessons. But the thing is, I'm not a problem child at all. I'm just a child with a problem. Felix is struggling at school. His ADHD makes it hard for him to concentrate and his grades are slipping. Everyone keeps telling him to try harder, but no one…


Book cover of Nevermoor
Book cover of The Clockwork Crow
Book cover of Tapper Watson and the Quest for the Nemo Machine

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