School Reading List curates children's and YA booklists. We recommend new and classic children's books, young adult books and teen books to teachers, parents, librarians, home educators and schools in the UK and worldwide. Our highly qualified and experienced team of children's literature experts has been creating reading lists and online resources since 2011.

Our children’s books and recommended reading lists

Our core children’s and teen book lists

Welcome to the School Reading List, your go-to resource for curated and comprehensive children’s book lists. Whether you’re a dedicated teacher, a passionate home educator, an involved parent, an inspirational librarian, or a forward-thinking school seeking quality reading recommendations, our website is designed to help you promote reading for pleasure culture and encourage young people to read.

Book lists for children in primary schools.

Books for 0-11-year-olds

Recommended reading books for children aged 3-11 in UK primary schools. Our lists are curated and updated by qualified teachers and librarians.

Book lists for young adults and teens in secondary school.

Books for 11-18-year-olds

Books for young adults and teens aged 11-18 with reading lists for years 7-9, years 10-11 & years 12-13 in secondary school. Titles are selected by experienced teachers.

New children's and YA book reviews

New book reviews

Children’s, teen and YA book reviews, all written by our panel of experienced teachers, home educators and librarians.

Magazines for children

Magazines for children

Our recommended newspapers and magazines for children aged 3-6, 7-12 & 13+, and subject teachers.

Topic books and themed reading list books for kids

Genres & nonfiction

Genre lists, themed lists, cross-curricular teaching topic book lists and nonfiction lists for children and teens.

School Reading List children's and YA books of the month

Books of the month

Each month we select a picture book, a chapter book and nonfiction children’s and YA books of the month.

Literacy and reading competitions for children and teens.

Competitions

Browse our regularly updated month-by-month calendared lists of competitions covering reading, writing, and oracy.

Children's booklists with favourites chosen by children

Chosen by children

Browse favourite children’s books chosen by children. Find out which titles proved to be popular in each age group.

Reading and literacy resources for teachers and librarians.

Teaching resources

Reading for pleasure, literacy, library and teaching resources, including our free-to-download summer reading challenge.

Home learning resources, activities and courses for children and teens.

Home learning ideas

Online learning courses, activities, lessons, interactive games, and video teaching for primary and secondary-aged students.

Inset and training courses for teachers, with a focus on literacy and reading for pleasure

Training for teachers

Literacy, reading and English courses, training and inset ideas for teachers, librarians and teaching assistants.


Our latest children’s and YA book lists

At the School Reading List, we understand the importance of fostering a lifelong appreciation for literature in young minds. Our carefully curated children’s book lists cater to a diverse audience, encompassing a wide range of genres, themes, and reading levels. We aim to provide an extensive collection of kids’ books that not only entertain but augment cross-curricular teaching and inspire your students’ learning and imagination.

Stone Age history topic books for children

Stone Age, Bronze Age & Iron Age children’s books

Stone Age, Bronze Age & Iron Age themed children’s books including titles by Bridget Marzo, Raymond Briggs, Kathleen Fidler, Tom Palmer, Marcia Williams, Satoshi Kitamura, Sophie Kirtley, Terry Deary, Ben Lerwill & more.
LGBTQI+ themed books for secondary schools

LGBTQIA+ fiction for secondary aged children and teens aged 11+

LGBTQIA+ themed books for secondary schools, featuring titles by Simon James Green, Alice Oseman, David Levithan, Phil Stamper, Rainbow Rowell, Dean Atta, Meg Grehan, Juno Dawson, Kalynn Bayron, William Hussey and Erin Ekins.
LGBTQI+ themed books for primary schools

LGBTQIA+ themed books for primary school aged children

Children’s books with LGBTQIA+ themes for primary schools with titles by Jessica Love, Simon James Green, Ian Eagleton, Juno Dawson, Raina Telgemeier, Sarah Hagger-Holt, Alex Gino, Jen Carney and Benjamin Dean.

Our latest children’s and YA book reviews

Read our reviews of fiction and non-fiction children’s, teen, and young adult books. Expertly analysed by experienced teachers, librarians, and children’s authors, our reviews provide valuable insights to help you buy new titles for your children, classroom or school library. Every new book opens a new chapter of discovery!

Aliya to the Infinite City by Laila Rifaat

Aliya to the Infinite City by Laila Rifaat

Aliya to the Infinite City is is an exciting, fast-moving fantasy for confident readers who enjoy longer books. It has an exciting storyline with enticing cliffhangers which could be suitable for reading aloud.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Where Sleeping Girls Lie is an intricately plotted tale of loyalty and the quest for justice. It will appeal to older readers who enjoyed This Book Kills and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
Tourmaline and the Museum of Marvels by Ruth Lauren

Tourmaline and the Museum of Marvels by Ruth Lauren

Tourmaline and the Museum of Marvels is an excellent follow-up to Tourmaline and the Island of Elsewhere and once again I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience. The strongest message throughout is that friendship matters.
Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith

Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith

Those We Drown is an immersive tale of mystery and hidden depths that will appeal to fans of Kalynn Bayron’s This Poison Heart. It is not recommended for anyone about to go on a cruise!
Bad Panda: Mites, Camera, Action! by Swapna Haddow

Bad Panda: Mites, Camera, Action! by Swapna Haddow

Bad Panda: Mites, Camera, Action is a hilarious stand-alone story in itself but, there are others in the series. So, don’t be surprised if your child wants to read the rest of the series after they have finished!
Sleepy Unicorn Countdown to Bedtime Sleepy Unicorn by Candy Bee, illustrated by Tom Knight

Countdown to Bedtime Sleepy Unicorn by Candy Bee, illustrated by Tom Knight

Countdown to Bedtime Sleepy Unicorn will help young children slow down, relax and drift off to sleep, hopefully dreaming about the fluffy bunnies, tiny fireflies or some of the other lovely characters they have seen throughout the book.
Soulmates and Other Ways To Die by Melissa Welliver

Soulmates and Other Ways To Die by Melissa Welliver

Readers will quickly become immersed in this near-future, scarily real dystopia. Soulmates And Other Ways To Die is an original tale of destiny and independence that will appeal to fans of You & Me at the End Of The World.
The 'Luis Ortega' Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

The ‘Luis Ortega’ Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

The ‘Luis Ortega’ Survival Club is a powerful, uplifting story of bravery, friendship and standing up for the truth. It celebrates female empowerment and will appeal to fans of You Think You Know Me and Moxie.
The Shape of Rainbows by Neal Zetter

The Shape of Rainbows by Neal Zetter, illustrated by Will Hughes

If I were asked now to make up a package of ten collections of poetry to be shipped out to every primary school in the country, then this would be one of them. Neal Zetter’s poems are funny, surprising, liberating, clever and thought-provoking.

Trending children’s book lists

Whether it’s the latest page-turners inspired by current events, seasonally-themed picks, or recommendations tied to festivals and news items, our curated lists keep you in the know. Browse the hottest reading trends in children’s and YA literature.

Yoto Carnegie shortlist 2024

Yoto Carnegie Medal 2024 Shortlisted Books

Shortlists for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2024 and Kate Greenaway award 2024 – recommended for children and young adults in primary and secondary schools.
Vikings topic books for KS2

Vikings topic books

Vikings topic books for children aged 7-11 in KS2. This list includes nonfiction books and stories by Tony Bradman, Jane Chisholm, Michael Morpurgo, Cressida Cowell, Terry Deary, and Neil Gaiman.
Easter topic books for EYFS, KS1 and KS2

Easter topic books for EYFS, KS1 & KS2

Easter topic books with fiction and nonfiction suitable for children in EYFS, KS1 & KS2 including titles by Roger Hargreaves, Fiona Watt, Charlotte Zolotow, Emily Gravett, Brian Wildsmith and Kes Gray.

Brand new this school term

Our curated picks for autumn, spring, and summer terms showcase the best in children’s and young adult literature. Tune into our monthly podcast episodes for insights into new releases, classics to revisit, and current educational trends. Plus, explore our handpicked book club lists, perfect for sparking discussions in primary and secondary school book clubs. Every month is an adventure in reading!

Spring 2024 new children's books

Latest season preview

Published on 

Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Spring 2024

Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
BookTok

Latest podcast episode

Published on 

BookTok: a blessing or a curse? | Series 1, Episode 18

Season 1, Episode 18 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for March 2024 and the impact of BookTok on YA and teen books.
March 2024 book club picks

Latest book club list

Published on 

March 2024 book club picks

March 2024’s set of book club recommendations includes thought-provoking picture books, animal story fun, historical intrigue, magical fantasy adventure, contemporary drama, TikTok teen romcom and dark mystery horror.

Our latest resources

Find your child’s next favourite book in regularly updated age group reading lists! Carefully selected by experienced teachers and librarians, we hope you will discover the perfect books for every stage of your child’s development. Our free resources are designed to enhance learning and literacy and offer time-saving tips. Our latest revision resource book lists cover exams from 11+ through to GCSE. We believe in the transformative magic that happens when children connect with the right books.

Books for reception

Latest age group list

Updated on 

Reception recommended reading list for children aged 4-5

Books for Reception – a collection of great picture books for EYFS children aged 4-5 in UK primary schools. Picked by teachers and librarians, this reading list contains stories and poems by Michael Rosen, Steve Weatherill, Jeanne Willis, Oliver Jeffers, Julie Fulton, and more.
Children's and YA book publicity

Latest resource

Updated on 

Children’s and YA book publicists and PR

A resource for new children’s and YA authors. Discover the importance of a children’s book publicist & how they can propel your book into the spotlight for its target audience.
Key Stage 2 SATs revision books

Latest revision resource

Updated on 

KS2 SATs revision books

KS2 SATs revision books for children of all abilities in Year 6. Our recommendations cover Maths, English, SPaG & confidence building and include resources by Andrew Jennings, Matthew Syed, CGP, Igloo Books, Collins Education, Pearson and STP Books.


How to use our recommended book lists

Our lists of books for kids and teens are carefully curated to make it easier for teachers, parents, and schools to find high-quality, engaging and interesting books to instil a reading-for-pleasure culture in the classroom and encourage primary and secondary-aged pupils to read at home. Share the joy as your children experience Michael Rosen, Julia Donaldson, Eric Carle, Malorie Blackman, Liz Pichon, Cressida Cowell, and many more, for the first time.

Empower your students with a thought-provoking, diverse and inclusive selection of children’s books that foster imagination, empathy and inclusion. Our expertly curated booklists cover a range of topics, from history and geography to STEM and personal development, aligning with primary and secondary curriculum subjects. Handpicked for the classroom by experienced educators and librarians, our lists support pupils’ learning and cater to various age groups, helping teachers and parents to recommend great books to all young readers.

Dive into our new book reviews, where our team of reviewers spotlight exciting children’s books each month, spanning picture books, poetry, chapter books, YA novels, and non-fiction. Stay on top of the literary scene with our trending children’s book lists, featuring curated selections influenced by current events, festivals, and themed weeks.

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or librarian, we hope you will find the School Reading List a useful resource to help instil reading for pleasure in your school. Explore our latest resources, age-specific reading lists, genre and topic-based booklists and season previews to build a cracking collection of books to spark imagination and curiosity.


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School Reading List –Our Mission

Our mission is to recommend great children’s and teen books, covering both new titles and classics in age group, genre and nonfiction lists. In addition to our lists of books for kids and teens, we also provide free resources for schools, teachers, authors and librarians and round-ups of online courses for home learning.

What we do

We recommend fiction and nonfiction children’s books and YA books to teachers, UK curriculum primary and secondary schools, parents, librarians, home educators and tutors of children aged 3-18.

Our values

We are committed to ensuring our content is accurate and fair and our policies are transparent. See our policies on corrections, copyright, diversity, ethics, and publishing principles.

Get in touch

Use our contact form, email us, message us on social media, check FAQs, or call us – all the details of these and more methods to get in touch with us can be found on our contact page

Editor: Tom Tolkien

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Tom Tolkien is a highly qualified (BA Hons, PGCE, QTS) children's literature expert and teacher with over 25 years of experience. He has led inset courses, developed curriculum materials, spoken at conferences, advised on longlisting for several international children's literature literature awards and written for educational publishers including contributing to a BETT award-nominated app. Social profiles: Twitter | Linkedin