Here's our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.

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All the Queens’ Curses is a brilliant retelling of Kate Crackernuts, blending curses, body-swapping and romance with sensitive themes of chronic illness, abuse and complex family relationships.

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And Now We Run is a tense, thought-provoking survival story about Jelly and Lincoln, whose friendship, courage and teamwork are tested when extreme weather leaves them trapped by devastating floods.

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Natural Selection is a fierce, darkly funny feminist thriller about three girls confronting a shared predator, plotting revenge and discovering that danger does not lurk only in the woods.

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My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary: The Phantom Pooper is packed with funny, cringeworthy adventures as Pedro, Ozzy and Olga tackle dog poo schemes, bubble tea, trading-card fever and loneliness.

The post My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary: The Phantom Pooper by Jim Smith appeared first on School Reading List.

Gypsy Roma, Traveller, Showman and Boater books for children and teens with titles by Kevin Brooks, Elizabeth Wein, Siobhan Dowd, Rumer Godden, Richard O'Neill, Oein DeBhairduin, Annie Murray, and Mikey Walsh.

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When Skeletons Rise is a beautifully written story about eleven-year-old Arlo, whose new Cornish home, friendships and local shipwreck history help him face family secrets and change.

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Season 1, Episode 44 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for August 2026 and Reading for Pleasure Without Ranking.

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Teen thrillers with titles by Holly Jackson, Karen M. McManus, E. Lockhart, Robert Muchamore, Sophie McKenzie, Maureen Johnson, Kody Keplinger, Rory Power, Ravena Guron, and William Hussey.

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Natural history books for children and teens with titles by Chris Packham, Ed Yong, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Steve Brusatte, Mya-Rose Craig, Peter Wohlleben, Gillian Burke, Isabella Tree, Dara McAnulty, and Helen Scales.

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Space books for children and teens with titles by Tim Peake, Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chris Hadfield, Margot Lee Shetterly, Pippa Goodhart, Louie Stowell, Isabel Thomas, Katie Mack, and Chanda Prescod-Weinstein.

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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.

The post They Sent a Cat to Saturn by Valerie Bloom, illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max appeared first on School Reading List.

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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