The Bookwanderers by Anna James: (Pages & Co. Book 1)

Middle Grade • Fantasy • Books About Books • Adventure • Imagination

Author: Anna James

Genre: Fantasy

Recommended Ages: 8-12; grades 3-6; Wonderful for independent reading, read-alouds, and classroom libraries.

Summary: (Spoiler-free)

The Bookwanderers follows Tilly Pages, a book-loving girl who lives with her grandparents in Pages & Co., their cozy London bookshop. One ordinary day, Tilly discovers something extraordinary—she can bookwander, stepping inside the stories she loves most. Suddenly, Anne of Green Gables and Alice in Wonderland are no longer characters on a page but real companions.

As Tilly explores the magic of bookwandering, she uncovers family secrets connected to her missing mother and learns that not every literary figure is as kind as they seem…

My Thoughts:

This book is a dream for young readers who adore stories. Anna James captures the wonder of reading so beautifully that you can almost smell the bookshop, hear pages fluttering, and feel the thrill of stepping into your favorite worlds.

As a future elementary school librarian, I love how The Bookwanderers celebrates imagination and reinforces reading as an act of exploration. Tilly is curious, brave, and deeply relatable—especially for children who use books to make sense of their own lives. The story blends gentle mystery with whimsy, making it accessible for both fantasy lovers and reluctant readers.

Most of all, I appreciate how the book centers the magic of reading itself. It invites kids to see books as places where they belong.

Themes:

• The Magic of Reading

• Friendship & Belonging

• Family Mysteries

• Bravery & Curiosity

• Imagination as Power

• Identity & Self-Discovery

Why The BookWanderers by Anna James is Important for Diversity and Inclusion:

While The Bookwanderers is primarily a cozy fantasy about stories and imagination, it also highlights how books can help children understand themselves and others. Tilly’s experiences—feeling lonely, longing for answers, trying to find her place—mirror emotions many children share.

The novel subtly emphasizes inclusivity through its celebration of libraries, bookshops, and the belief that all readers belong. Stories like this help build reading confidence while validating that every child deserves books that welcome them in and spark joy.

Library Integration:

Grades 3–6

• Bookwandering Activity: Students choose a book they’d love to step inside and explain why.

• Character Crossover Writing Prompt: What would happen if two fictional characters met in the real world?

• Bookshop Design Challenge: Create a dream bookstore layout on paper or in Canva.

• Genre Exploration: Discuss how stepping into different genres might feel.

• Reading Passport: Students collect “stamps” for every story world they visit.

Library Programming

• Cozy Reading Corner: Inspired by Pages & Co., create a bookshop-themed display.

• Favorite Character Parade: Kids dress as literary characters.

• Literary Mystery Clues: Hide clues around the library connected to famous books.

Librarian Reflection:

Books that celebrate reading are gifts for young readers, and The Bookwanderers is one of the best. It shows kids that stories matter—that they can be safe places, adventurous places, and comforting places all at once. As librarians, we want children to feel empowered by reading, and this book does exactly that. Tilly’s journey gently reminds readers that the worlds we enter through books can shape the worlds we build for ourselves.

*The Bookwanderers by Anna James