The Big Green Activity Book by Damara Strong

The Big Green Activity Book by Damara Strong

The Big Green Activity book is bursting with ideas. It’s an ideal resource for wet playtimes, or extension classwork or homework; and it offers teachers ideas for short, fun informal AFL style tests on green and eco-related cross-curricular topics. It’s perfect for classrooms and school libraries.

Poems the wind blew in. Poetry for children.

Poems the wind blew in by Karmelo C. Iribarren

Traces of Wallace Stevens, T S Eliot, Ted Hughes and William Blake in this fresh, clear, startling & spot-on new poetry collection by Karmelo C. Iribarren. Ideal for independent readers in KS2.

The Missing by Michael Rosen

The Missing by Michael Rosen

The Missing is an accessible, engaging and poignant account that will appeal to children aged 9-12. It provides an invaluable human link to events that must never be forgotten. It’s a book about the Holocaust, it’s a book about the present and it’s a warning for all our futures.

The Pearl in the Ice by Cathryn Constable

The Pearl in the Ice by Cathryn Constable

This middle-grade novel is an interesting entwinement of realism and fantasy with a pacey mystery plot and a quest to find the truth – a story which will appeal to children who are just starting to consider and question their position in the world.

A Million Dots by Sven Völker

A Million Dots by Sven Völker

Classroom activities and maths topics in KS2 will benefit from this eye-catching children’s non-fiction book. Sven Völker’s clever presentation and sharp graphics will pose questions for enquiring minds to solve and consider in greater depth.

Dr Maggie's Grand Tour of the Solar System by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock cover

Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour of the Solar System by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

A cleverly presented and engaging personal tour of the solar system, Dr Maggie’s Grand Tour runs Saturn-sized rings around other children’s space books. As well as a history of space and current scientific knowledge, this book is always trying to make children think and look to the future.

Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler

Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince by Liz Kessler

Emily Windsnap and the Pirate Prince is ideal for children in years 5&6 who like to rip through book after book of adventure based thrills and spills. The unique combination of fantasy-tinged seafaring thrills combined with contemporary characters will appeal to a wide demographic of children.

When It Rains by Rassi Narika

When It Rains by Rassi Narika

When It Rains is perfect for reading aloud and in small groups with EYFS and KS1 children and great for discussing different points of view and ways of looking at problems in circle time.

The Girl Who Learned All the Languages of the World

The Girl Who Learned All the Languages of the World by Ieva Flamingo

The Girl Who Learned All the Languages of the World is highly recommended for children aged 8-11 who are interested in languages and discovering new words. It would be a great left-field choice for a class reader or book club text and is well-suited for reading aloud.

Notes on my Family

Notes on my Family by Emily Critchley

This startling debut novel is bound to appeal to older teen readers who want something slightly different to read in one or two sittings. It would be perfect for Year 9, 10 and 11 book groups and reluctant readers in KS4 who want a book with bite.

book of the month archive

School Reading List Book of the Month Archive

Each month, the School Reading List compiles a list of recommended books and on this page, we feature an archive of recommendations for picture books, fiction, and nonfiction from previous years.

Peter in Peril

Peter in Peril by Helen Bate

Set in Budapest in 1944, this graphic novel follows the life of Peter, a child, who goes into hiding with his family when the Nazis occupy Hungary during the second world war.


Sign up to the School Reading List Newsletter

Keep up to date with our email newsletter and our latest social media posts about reading, children's books and literacy.


Our latest reading national curriculum year group recommended reading lists: Picture books for the under 5s | Books for Reception | Books for Year 1 | Books for Year 2 | Books for Year 3 | Books for Year 4 | Books for Year 5 | Books for Year 6 | Books for Year 7 | Books for Year 8 | Books for Year 9 | Books for Year 10 | Books for Year 11


Home » Children's & YA book reviews » Page 4