February 2024’s set of recommendations for book clubs features eight titles to get children in primary and secondary classes consumed by books in the run-up to half-term. With funny rhyming capers, fast-paced madcap adventures, absorbing quests of heroism, dark mystery plots and a deep dive into K-pop, there’s lots to discuss for book groups. February 2024’s picks include titles by Cyber Group Studios, Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie, Charlie P. Brooks, Bex Hogan, Gavin Puckett and India Joseph, Lucy McRobert, Melissa Albert and Axie Oh.
February 2024 book club recommendations
Gigantosaurus – I Love Giganto by Cyber Group Studios
I Love Giganto is a heartwarming lift-the-flap adventure featuring dino babies and familiar Gigantosaurus characters. Mazu plans a busy day, showing the dino babies how to be kind. But when a grumpy visitor arrives, will the dinos remember what they have learned? This is a fun addition for Gigantosaurus fans who will love the chunky board board format with large interactive flaps to explore.
0-5 year olds | Author’s website
I Really, Really Need a Poo by Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie
I Really, Really Need a Poo is the third instalment in this bestselling funny picture books series for 3-6 year olds. When Bush Baby faces a poo-poo pandemonium, she can’t find a toilet. It’s a rhyming number two nightmare! With plenty of onomatopoeia and clever humour for both children and parents to read and share, this is the perfect anarchic bedtime story.
3-6 year olds | Author’s website
Sammy and the Extra-Hot Chilli Powder by Charlie P. Brooks
This hilarious family comedy follows Sammy, a sniffer dog whose extraordinary sense of smell vanishes when she encounters extra-hot chilli powder. Can human friend Beanie help Sammy get her smell back and sniff out who is planning an audacious diamond heist? Perfect for readers aged 7 who enjoy a fast pace, madcap action and short chapters.
7+ year olds | Author’s website
Bronte Tempestra and the Lightning Steeds by Bex Hogan
In Bex Hogan’s enchanting debut, we meet Bronte Tempestra, a princess determined to rewrite the rules and become the first princess-knight in the Storm Kingdom. However, Knight School isn’t the heroic journey she envisioned. When the Lightning Steeds vanish, chaos ensues, and Bronte, accompanied by her gluttonous friend Tonk, must save the kingdom. The narrative, beautifully complemented by Hannah McCaffery’s illustrations, combines humour and imagination. A perfect introduction to fantasy adventures for 7-9-year-olds, the story unfolds with a delightful blend of silliness and heroism.
7-9 year olds | Author’s website
Frank the Unicorn Alpaca by Gavin Puckett, illustrated by India Joseph
Frank the Unicorn Alpaca is a funny rhyming story for LKS2 children about Frank, an alpaca in a petting zoo who becomes a unicorn. Filled with humour and an easy rhythm, it’s an uplifting story of self-discovery and acceptance. The black and white illustrations by debut artist India Joseph add charm to this warm-hearted read. Read our full review.
7-10 year olds | Author’s website
Blue’s Planet: Australia by Lucy McRobert
Blue faces the harsh realities of climate change during an Australian summer as she explores the world with her environmentalist parents. Lucy McRobert’s chapter book immerses young readers in a thrilling adventure set in the Australian summer, seamlessly weaving educational elements into the storyline. This compelling middle-grade adventure will inspire 9-12-year-old readers who care about the planet to take responsibility and be proactive. Part of a series of eco-adventure thrillers, it’s ideal for KS2 and LKS3 book club discussions and school libraries.
9-12 year olds | Author’s website
The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert
A chilling narrative unfolds when four people mysteriously disappear one winter’s night, revealing a dark world of occult power and toxic friendships. 12+ year olds will relate to Nora, who unravels the dark magic and coded messages left by her friend, Becca. Blending supernatural elements and gritty real life, this is a spooky, unforgettable and thought-provoking read.
12+ year olds | Author’s Twitter
ASAP by Axie Oh
In this companion novel to XOXO. Sori, a K-pop hopeful, is caught between her mother’s expectations and her father’s political dreams. And she faces pressure to maintain a squeaky-clean public image. So when she offers her scandal-hit ex-boyfriend refuge, Sori must decide if a second chance at love is worth sacrificing her future for. Exploring parental expectations and dreams of fame, through the lens of a swoon-worthy second chance love story, this YA romance is perfect for teen fans of K-Pop culture.
14+ year olds | Author’s website
Themed day / social media opportunities for February 2024
These hashtag days might provide current and relevant talking points for secondary-aged pupils aged 13+ in KS3, KS4 and KS5, especially when linked to related literature.
- February is LGBT+ History Month. The LGBT+ History Month website offers a range of free resources for schools across the age ranges, and ‘The Classroom’ also includes literacy-based resources.
- February 1st is World Read Aloud Day. Scholastic offers a raft of reading-based ideas and resources to help educators celebrate this day.
- February 5th is National Yorkshire Pudding Day. Why not work this important different gravy culinary treat into your curriculum by writing about the experience, reading stories that feature Yorkshire puddings, hot seating characters that eat such delicacies and using this BBC Good Food recipe or Delia Smith’s excellent video guide?
- The second week of February is Schools Football Week and also Children’s Mental Health Week. The ESFA features a range of activities and ideas to help schools promote girls’ football.
- The Children’s Mental Health Week website includes lots of free downloadables for schools to create assemblies, PSHE discussions and fundraising ideas to help promote discussion of better mental health.
- February 6th is Safer Internet Day. On the organisation’s website, there are plenty of free activities for both primary and secondary schools to build up to the week itself, engage children during the week, and ensure long-term positive outcomes.
- February 14th is International Book Giving Day. Why not arrange a second-hand school book sale, classroom book swaps, paired peer reading sessions, cross-school library activities or visit your local children’s bookshop on this day?
- February 15th is World Hippo Day. Celebrate and help protect these amazing creatures from extinction by adopting a rare hippo. Both Marwell Zoo in Hampshire and Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland offer opportunities to adopt a pygmy hippo. Don’t worry, it won’t be delivered to your school. Hopefully…
- February 11-17th is Random Acts of Kindness Week. Including ‘the kindness experience’, ‘become a RAKactivist’, ‘take the workplace challenge’ and ‘kindness in the classroom’. Our favourite acts of kindness at the School Reading List mostly involve cake with succulent blueberries, artisan custards and luxurious golden sprinkles.
Extension activities:
- Have a look at our writing competitions for February 2024.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest February 2024 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books coming out in spring 2024.
- Our February 2024 books of the day on Twitter.
- Our guide on how to run a school book club covers both primary school book clubs and secondary school book clubs.
Click one of the buttons below to buy all this month’s recommended book club titles, or class sets of any of these books, from Bookshop.org UK or Amazon.co.uk. As an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.
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