Traitors’ Nest is a beautifully written historical fantasy, combining compelling pace, humour and unpredictability with relatable characters and a quiet optimism that good will triumph.

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The School Reading List compiles this list of recommended books monthly. This children's and YA books of the month list highlights new releases and editions of fiction and non-fiction books suitable for children and young adults aged 2-16.

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August 2026's book club includes titles by Michael Rosen, Katherine Rundell, Eoin Colfer, Lex Croucher, A.F. Harrold, Kate Wakeling, Stephanie Stansbie, Julie Sykes, Love Ssega, Lucy Strange, and Angelica Cheng.

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The Genie Game is a fast-paced adventure across real and virtual realms, blending gaming and influencer culture with a strong call to challenge social injustice, exploitation and corporate power.

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They Sent a Cat to Saturn is a brilliant collection whose poems speak for themselves, inspiring warm memories of childhood, favourite teachers and the special pleasure of being read to at school.

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A practical guide to implementing the Education Committee’s 2026 Reading for Pleasure report, with 13 SMART actions on reading time, libraries, staff CPD, families, SEND, pupil voice and partnerships.

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Starting school books for children with titles by Mo Willems, Lauren Child, Allan Ahlberg, Ian Whybrow, Rosie Jones, Katie Kirby, Zanib Mian, Matt Goodfellow, Anna Llenas, and Helen Rutter.

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Slave trade books for children and teens with titles by Kwame Alexander, Catherine Johnson, Alex Wheatle, Esi Edugyan, Yaa Gyasi, Andrea Levy, Zora Neale Hurston, Mary Prince, James Walvin, and Kereen Getten.

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Moth the Veggie Vampire (Book 01) is a funny, thoughtful gothic adventure in which a new friendship transforms an isolated half-vampire's life and gives him the confidence to stand up to bullying.

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Local Gods is a gripping YA folk-horror thriller that draws readers into Sylvie’s emotional journey through small-town cruelty, sinister fairytale echoes and the dangerous magic of the West Woods.

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Thorn is an ambitious and unusual story in which a metaphysical journey through past, present and future explores identity, self-worth, belonging and the uncertainties of early adolescence.

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The Neverland Thieves is a beautifully written modern return to Neverland, where three children face pirates, mermaids and a chilling enemy while learning about friendship, honesty and themselves.

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Game of Pets: The Boy Who Knew Too Much is a funny, accessible illustrated adventure that makes global warming and pollution understandable without becoming scary or doom laden.

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Golf books for children and teens with titles by James Patterson, P. G. Wodehouse, John Feinstein, Mark Frost, Clive Gifford, John David Anderson, Shamini Flint, David A. Kelly, Richard Michelson, and Ann Kelly.

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KS2 crime and punishment books with titles by Malorie Blackman, Louis Sachar, Terry Deary, Jon Scieszka, Elle McNicoll, M. G. Leonard, Sam Sedgman, Sharna Jackson, Serena Patel, and Philip Ardagh.

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Children’s book news for July 2026: Beth O’Brien wins the Carnegie and UKLA awards, Patrice Lawrence becomes Children’s Laureate, John Agard takes a third CLiPPA, and Little Smith launches.

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Dystopian books for children and teens with titles by George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, Suzanne Collins, Stephen King, William Golding, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ray Bradbury, Jordan Ifueko, Yoko Ogawa, and Patrick Ness.

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Mystery stories for children and teens with titles by Julia Donaldson, Richard Osman, Marcus Rashford, Marissa Meyer, David Wiesner, Abiola Bello, Patrice Lawrence, Konnie Huq, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and Maureen Johnson.

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Wizardology: 20th Anniversary Edition is an interactive wizard’s guide with flaps, captions, diagrams and small booklets, made for searching, lifting, comparing and noticing details.

The post Wizardology: 20th Anniversary Edition by Dugald Steer appeared first on School Reading List.

A Scrap of Moss and Magick is rich in world building, with likeable protagonists, fascinating spells and incantations, and a story that moves quickly from one problem to the next in a page-turning manner.

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