Katherine Rundell is a beloved British children's author known for her exhilarating adventures, lyrical prose, and vivid imagination. Novels such as The Explorer and Rooftoppers combine heart, danger, and wonder in a way that stays with readers long after the final page.
If you love Katherine Rundell’s books, these authors are well worth exploring next:
Eva Ibbotson wrote magical, big-hearted adventures filled with humor, warmth, and richly imagined settings. Her stories often center on friendship, courage, and young people discovering where they belong.
If Rundell’s sense of wonder appeals to you, try Ibbotson’s Journey to the River Sea, about an orphan named Maia whose journey into the Brazilian Amazon becomes far more extraordinary than she expected.
Frances Hardinge writes inventive, atmospheric fiction packed with mystery, unusual characters, and startling ideas. Her novels often carry a darker edge, while still celebrating bravery and resilience in young protagonists.
A great place to start is The Lie Tree, an award-winning Victorian mystery that blends science, deception, and suspense into a brilliantly unsettling story.
Jonathan Auxier combines wonder, menace, and emotional depth in tales that feel both classic and fresh. His books are known for memorable characters and high-stakes plots in which children must face genuinely frightening challenges.
Readers drawn to Rundell’s adventurous spirit should try Auxier’s The Night Gardener, a chilling novel about two orphaned siblings caught up in a sinister house, an ancient curse, and a growing mystery.
Philip Pullman is a master of expansive, imaginative storytelling that speaks to both children and adults. His novels explore identity, truth, freedom, and morality without ever losing their sense of adventure.
If you enjoy Rundell’s blend of excitement and wonder, you’ll likely be captivated by Pullman’s Northern Lights (also known as The Golden Compass), in which Lyra Belacqua sets out on a dangerous journey through a world of mystery, friendship, and magic.
Trenton Lee Stewart writes clever, fast-moving stories about resourceful children solving puzzles, uncovering secrets, and learning to trust one another. His work shares Rundell’s appreciation for bravery, intelligence, and friendship.
His standout novel The Mysterious Benedict Society follows four gifted, eccentric children recruited for a secret mission full of riddles, danger, and delightful twists.
Cornelia Funke is celebrated for writing immersive fantasy packed with adventure, magic, and a deep love of stories themselves. Her books often highlight courage, loyalty, and the transformative power of imagination.
If Rundell’s inventive storytelling is what you love most, pick up Funke’s Inkheart, where characters step out of books and into the real world—with thrilling and dangerous consequences.
Siobhan Dowd wrote with clarity, compassion, and emotional intelligence, often tackling difficult subjects through unforgettable young narrators. Her stories share with Rundell’s work a deep interest in resilience, courage, and the complexity of family life.
Her novel The London Eye Mystery pairs a gripping disappearance story with a thoughtful, humane portrait of family and difference.
Geraldine McCaughrean is known for lyrical prose, imaginative daring, and stories that cast familiar settings or histories in a startling new light. Like Rundell, she combines originality with emotional depth.
Try Where the World Ends, a haunting survival story about boys stranded on a remote sea stack, forced to rely on hope, endurance, and one another.
Kelly Barnhill writes luminous fantasy that balances enchantment with emotional richness. Her novels often explore kindness, sacrifice, power, and the quiet strength found in unexpected places.
A wonderful choice is The Girl Who Drank the Moon, a magical and deeply moving story filled with mystery, tenderness, and wonder.
Diana Wynne Jones brought wit, playfulness, and boundless imagination to her fantasy novels. Her stories frequently feature ordinary people stumbling into extraordinary magical worlds and discovering hidden reserves of courage.
If you admire Katherine Rundell’s adventurous energy, you’ll likely love Jones’s classic Howl's Moving Castle, a charming, funny fantasy about a young woman cursed into old age and drawn into a wildly magical new life.
Jacqueline Wilson is renowned for writing accessible, emotionally honest stories about the real challenges children face. Her books handle family, friendship, and resilience with warmth, humor, and sensitivity.
Her much-loved novel The Story of Tracy Beaker follows a spirited girl in foster care, blending sharp humor with real emotional depth.
Louis Sachar has a gift for offbeat, intelligent storytelling that is both funny and surprisingly profound. Beneath the humor, his books often explore injustice, belonging, friendship, and perseverance.
His bestselling novel Holes follows Stanley Yelnats, wrongly sent to a brutal camp, in a cleverly layered story that ties together past and present with remarkable skill.
Kate DiCamillo writes tender, memorable stories that never shy away from sadness, hope, or longing. Her work is filled with compassion and often celebrates the healing power of friendship and connection.
In Because of Winn-Dixie, a young girl named Opal forms an unexpected bond with a stray dog, setting in motion a story about love, community, and emotional healing.
Roald Dahl remains one of the great masters of children’s fiction, famous for his mischievous humor, inventive language, and unforgettable heroes and villains. His stories delight in exaggeration while capturing the intensity of childhood beautifully.
His classic Matilda tells the story of a brilliant, brave girl who stands up to cruel adults with intelligence, determination, and heart.
Michael Morpurgo writes emotionally resonant stories, often drawing on history, war, or the bond between humans and animals. His work is thoughtful and compassionate, with a strong focus on courage and endurance.
War Horse follows Joey, a horse swept into the devastation of World War I, and captures both the brutality of conflict and the enduring power of loyalty and kindness.
