More great reads: the best books for 9 year olds
"Another visually stunning, thought-provoking masterpiece from the incomparable , multi award winning, internationally acclaimed Shaun Tan. Graphic novel fans and anybody who loves his book, The Arrival, will not want to miss this."
November 2026 Book of the Month
A new book from Shaun Tan is always a highly anticipated event by teachers and families alike and this beautiful hardback will certainly not disappoint.
It is, as an object, difficult to define -a unique hybrid of picturebook and graphic novel, combining wonderful, often wordless, full colour, double paged spreads, with the more usual multiple panels that progress the story along.
The minimal yet lyrical, text is either beneath or opposite the panels and in this story our seemingly human narrator, who gazes out to us from the cover, introduces herself and in a deadpan teenage voice describes and shows us her very ordinary life — family, friends, chores, and routines. ‘Gravity keeps me here.
Or love, which is kind of the same thing.’ But again, in a very typical teenage way, she wonders ‘ if things could be a bit more interesting. You know, just different’. A pronouncement which will seem ironically humorous to the reader, who will have been astonished by the brilliant visual images of a very different and alien world populated by all sorts of weird and quirky creatures.
Their happy routine is disrupted when a blazing object one day crash-lands outside of town, and a figure resembling an astronaut appears. Having saved the astronaut from being devoured by one of the planet’s more violent inhabitants, the narrator invites the newcomer into their home. She is shocked that the creature does not seem to like anything and even more shocked when he removes his helmet and claims (correctly) that she looks more like him than any of the beings she knows and loves.
He urges her to go back with him. She doesn’t belong here and he offers to take her to a faraway place, where she could live among other humans. We follow her struggles with this dilemma, with her final decision delivered in a satisfying twist.
This is a heartfelt examination of what home and family really mean and a return to the themes of displacement and belonging that were so powerfully expressed in The Arrival and which make this the perfect companion novel to that acclaimed book.
As with all his work there is much to discuss. The arrogance of the stranger and his assumption that his world is better resonates with wider themes of colonialism and I don’t think it is too much of a stretch with older audiences to look at gender roles and coercive control, with a domineering male character insisting a girl should follow his lead and that he knows better. The self-determination of our fearless, creative, loving heroine is inspirational and very satisfying.
This profound and transportive tale, where every page is an extraordinary work of art, is a deeply thoughtful exploration of home, belonging, love, being strong and being yourself and deserves a treasured place in every home and school library.
This limited edition gift box contains an exclusive signed and numbered print. The perfect companion to The Arrival, this is a spectacular new book about home and belonging from the internationally renowned artist Shaun Tan."When it comes to originality and genius, Tan is in a league of his own." The Irish IndependentGravity keeps me here. Or love, which is kind of the same thing.A girl lives with her family, friends and neighbours in her hometown. Every so often, she can't help wondering if there might be more out there for her. But life is good.When a strange human boy lands in her hometown and insists she return to her "real home" with him, the girl must make a choice. Where does she truly belong?A beautifully illustrated, thoughtful and funny story about finding your place in the world.
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This limited edition gift box contains an exclusive signed and numbered print. Or love, which is kind of the same thing.A girl lives with her family, friends and neighbours in her hometown.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Hometown and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-14 years old
Hometown features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Featured Books for 13+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Science Fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Hardback. £90.00, down from the £100.00 cover price. Pre-order. 5th November 2026.
Hometown was written by Shaun Tan and published by Walker Studio an imprint of Walker Books
Hometown has 136 pages
£90.00, reduced from £100.00. Pre-order. 5th November 2026.
