The following book list contains titles to appeal to children and young adults aged 14-15 in Year 10 of secondary school. The books consist of a range of titles to cover all ability ranges including the less able and the more able. This list was last updated on .
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
An award winning young adult novel about Conor, a teenager who has the same dream – or nightmare – every night. But this time, when he wakes up, there’s an otherworldly creature from his dream right outside his window. The creature demands one thing – the truth about everything.
Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield
A heart-breaking story about June, who feels trapped in her life full of secrets and lies. She longs to escape, and when she meets Blister, she thinks she might have – but her new hope has unimaginable consequences. Very sad and moving.
Every Day by David Levithan
This thought provoking story follows ‘A’ who wakes up each day in a different body. ‘A’ knows not to change things or get too involved, until one day ‘A’ meets Rhiannon, who changes everything.
Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci
A stunning short novel set in Manhattan in the 1980s. A Russian and an American ballet dancer embark on a blossoming friendship despite political and cultural differences. Beautifully written.
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
A modern classic exploring the world of introverted teenager Gene who lives out WW2 at boarding school and his polar opposite Phineas who is carefree and dangerous. A must read YA novel.
Never Let me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Told as a series of flashbacks, Kathy tried to make sense of her childhood at the seemingly perfect Hailsham School. The story slowly reveals a shocking dystopia which forces the reader to confront the horrors of modern society.
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
A gripping, yet peculiar, story about a man who is released from prison and meets a man who claims to be a godlike King of America. Together, they start to solve murders, sort problems, and make the country great by telling everyone what they want to hear. The climax builds with storm of biblical proportions.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
A classic love story following the intertwining lives of Catherine and Heathcliffe. Spanning many years and life changing events this story of passion, revenge and betrayal is a classic which has stood the test of time. An ideal Year 10 text.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
The life of Pip is explored in this timeless saga filled with unique and memorable characters about one boy’s self discovery and drive to become a man, despite unremitting adversity.
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Downtrodden orphan Rebecca thinks her life has changed for the better after meeting Maxim in the South of France in a whirlwind romance. But moving to Cornwall reveals unexpected ghosts from the past and a nemesis in Mrs Danvers…
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Joad family follow their dreams and head to the West Coast of America. Things don’t go well for them. A classic in American Fiction, exploring characters, raw emotions; with many parallels to broken society today.
Atonement by Ian McEwan
13 year old Briony Tallis stumbles upon something shocking which sets into events a downward spiral and life-changing crime. Can Briony ever put the pieces back together? A modern masterpiece.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K Dick
A must read classic sci-fi novel. After a devastating world war, Rick Deckard, a ruthless bounty hunter, takes an assignment to beat all others. Promised a huge reward, he soon finds himself in a bad dream of lies, plots and treachery.
Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela
A thought provoking and emotive autobiography which chronicles the first part of Nelson Mandela’s life, leading up to his time in captivity. An examination of the triumph of human spirit over adversity.
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks
16 year old Frank thinks killing various family members was just a stage he was going through. A brilliantly written horror story with strong themes and an unforgettable twist.
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
This multi award winning saga follows father and son on a road trip across a post apocalyptic American landscape heading for the hope of salvation on the coast. Emotive and easy to read, this characters and emotional scenes are poignant.
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
A dark first person account, this is a simply told, yet chilling, story of the realities of war. Pressed into action by a fervent and patriotic teacher, Paul soon witnesses conditions in the trenches. A moving story which beautifully illustrates the pointlessness of conflict.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
A gripping page turner following George Smiley, a calculating and clever Cold War spy tracking an elusive Russian agent.
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Cassandra lives a carefree life in a delapitated castle in the countryside. But her life changes forever when Americans arrive unexpectedly to claim the castle as their inheritance.
Cider With Rosie by Laurie Lee
Idyllic childhood memories in the Cotswolds are painted in timeless prose in this evocative reminiscence of growing up in an almost forgotten world.
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
The dystopian novel without which the world would not have Big Brother, the Ministry of Truth and the Party. Still highly relevant in the modern world of spin, media and the rise of right wing populism.
Hitler’s Willing Executioners by Daniel Goldhagen
A book which systematically explores how the human condition can go horribly wrong for seemingly rational reasons. One of those books everyone should try to read before the age of 25. Refreshingly clear and concise, this is an essential read for anyone studying modern European history.
The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien
Sauron seeks total power of Middle Earth by controlling magical rings. But the all important ring to rule them all is now in the hands of a Hobbit called Frodo. High fantasy in this, the first of three volumes.
Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift
A fantasy classic which satirizes the eighteenth century world in which is was written. Gulliver visits the strange and mysterious lands of Lilliput, the Yahoos, and the giants in Brobdingnag. Unique and memorable.
Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally
The book which inspired the film and numerous documentaries, Keneally’s account is a touching realisation of determination, adversity and hope in the unlikeliest setting.
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
Jeanette is brought up in a strict world of privilege and expectation as one of “God’s Elect”. But she rebels and leaves the church world at the age of 16 to pursue a dangerous relationship.
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
The story of Saleem, one of a thousand children born at exactly midnight. Like the other 999, he finds himself blessed, or cursed with a superpower. A moving story charting India’s journey after independence.
For less challenging books, see our Year 9 reading list.
For further reading suggestions, see our Year 11 reading list.
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