February 2026’s set of recommendations for book clubs features outdoor leaning, decisions and consequences, resilience, wintry adventures, mystery, football, diverse discussions and oracy, magic, dystopia and science fiction. February 2026’s picks include titles by Ruth Symons, Seb Braun, Maudie Powell-Tuck, Laura Dockrill, Kip Alizadeh, Sophy Henn, Meg McLaren, Hannah Tunnicliffe, Alan Joyce, Sam Hutchinson, Vicky Barker, Guy Bass, Pete Williamson, Rob Biddulph, Emma Slade Edmondson, James Fox, Sophie McKenzie, Melania Badosa, Miranda Reason, K. L. Kettle, and Amie Kaufman.
February 2026 book club recommendations
Mrs Owl’s Forest School: a Treasure Hunt Surprise by Ruth Symons, illustrated by Seb Braun
Mouse, Squirrel, Fox and Rabbit take part in a forest school session led by Mrs Owl. With their practical kit list and Mrs Owl’s guide to trail-making, they learn how to follow clues during a woodland treasure hunt. The story introduces wildlife, outdoor play, things to look out for and lots of exciting shared activities through a clever and educational plot. Vibrant illustrations blend bursts of group-reading-friendly story scenes with interwoven knowledge. Part of the popular Forest School series, it’s ideal for 3–6 year olds.
3+ year-olds | Author’s website
Don’t Do It, Doug by Maudie Powell-Tuck
Doug the hamster never listens to the voice telling him to stop. He pushes buttons, pulls cords and ignores warnings, and things usually go wrong. After one mishap too many, Doug tries channelling his energy into new activities with his friends instead. Told with catchy humour and bold illustrations, this lively read-aloud story for 3–6 year olds looks at impulse control and thinking about consequences. It’s ideal to discuss in EYFS settings.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
I Am Strong Just Being Me by Laura Dockrill and Kip Alizadeh
When Bean asks Nanna what it means to be strong, the answer isn’t as simple as they expect. Is strength about winning? Speaking the loudest? Always being right? Or could it be something quieter – kindness, resilience, or knowing when to listen? With gentle, thoughtful storytelling and expressive illustrations, this book flips the usual idea of strength on its head, inviting children to see power in unexpected places – and in themselves. A beautifully written, warm, reflective read that lingers long after the last page. Now available in paperback.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
Happy Hills: Cheesy Bob Strikes! by Sophy Henn
A monkey magician called Cheesy Bob turns up in Happy Hills with revenge on his mind. But Ace spots the danger first and scrambles to warn the others before the anarchic magic gets out of hand. What follows is fast-paced, noisy chaos, with vibrant comic action and a crowd of familiar faces including Mimi, Shroomer and the Knick Knacks. This full-colour graphic novel, the fourth in the Happy Hills series, is perfect for 5+ year old fans of Bunny vs Monkey and Dog Man.
5+ year-olds | Author’s website
Watts & Whiskerton: The Great Glacier Hotel Heist by Meg McLaren
In their third adventure in the illustrated first chapter book series, dog detective Watts and his cat partner Pearl head to a glacier hotel for a well-earned holiday. The relaxing break doesn’t last long. The prized Ice Crystal vanishes and Watts’s parents are blamed. Determined to clear their names, Watts and Pearl dig into the locked-room mystery, questioning guests, staff and anyone acting suspiciously. This fun detective story for 5+ year olds blends snow, skiing, teamwork and plenty of illustrated inferential clues.
5+ year-olds | Author’s website
Detective Stanley and the Green Thumbed Thief by Hannah Tunnicliffe
Detective Stanley is called in when rare plants start disappearing from Narlybone Gardens. With Parker Pine alongside him, he follows visual clues hidden in the artwork to track down the thief. The mystery unfolds through detailed illustrations rather than long text, inviting inquisitive 5–9 year olds to spot evidence on every page. Designed for emerging readers, it cleverly bridges picture books and comics while focusing on careful retrieval, inference and problem solving. Highly recommended.
5-9 year-olds | Author’s website
The Galaxy World Cup by Alan Joyce
Mistaken for professional footballers, a group of eager schoolchildren are whisked across the galaxy to compete in an intergalactic alien tournament. Playing on unfamiliar pitches against very strange teams, they must work together to survive the matches and find their way back home. Ideal for 7–12 year olds, this wacky, fun-filled debut celebrates teamwork, friendship and perseverance, and is likely to be popular in the run-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
How to Speak and Be Heard: A Kids’ Toolkit for Oracy and Confident Speaking by Sam Hutchinson and Vicky Barker
Children will learn the basics of oracy, from speaking with confidence to really listening and choosing the right way to communicate. This book offers practical tips for research, debate and collaborative play, all aimed at helping 7–12 year olds use their voices well and make a positive impact. Written by Sam Hutchinson and illustrated by Vicky Barker, it serves as a useful toolkit for developing a personal communication style ahead of secondary school.
7-12 year-olds | Author’s website
Stitch Head by Guy Bass
Left behind in Castle Grotteskew, Stitch Head quietly watches over the strange creatures created by Professor Erasmus and keeps himself out of sight. That routine cracks when a circus ringmaster spots him and promises attention, applause and a way out. But stepping into the spotlight brings risks Stitch Head has never faced before. Illustrated by Pete Williamson, this highly engaging chapter book for 8–10 year olds explores what happens when being noticed suddenly matters. It is now set for a highly anticipated UK cinema release in February 2026. Ideal for less enthusiastic readers in KS2.
8-10 year-olds | Author’s website
The Moonhaven Chronicles: The Last Wolf by Rob Biddulph
Jax, Jovi, Esau, and Fourth love sneaking out after dark to uncover Moonhaven’s secrets. But when a werewolf attack terrifies the town, the friends are suddenly accused and hunted by the Nighthawks. On the run, they must stick together to uncover what’s really lurking in the shadows before time runs out. Packed with over 100 illustrations and quick-fire chapters, Rob Biddulph’s outstanding tale drips with mystery, danger, and friendship, perfect for 9–11 year olds who crave suspense and thrills. Highly recommended.
9-11 year-olds | Author’s website
Mixed: Explore and Celebrate Your Mixed-Race Identity by Emma Slade Edmondson
Written by award-winning podcaster Emma Slade Edmondson, this immersive guide supports children in understanding and valuing their mixed heritage. It combines practical activities with letters from mixed-race contributors and a wide range of examples drawn from global history. The text, with activities, exercises and short bursts of information, encourages open conversation about identity and belonging, with a range of lived perspectives. Designed for sharing and discussion, it works well in primary and early secondary book clubs and as a PSHE resource for schools and families.
9-11 year-olds | Author’s website
Boy Vs Reality by James Fox
Ethan Lacey spends most days on camera, starring in his family’s vlog and keeping an eye on the view count. Off screen, things are messier, with arguments, sibling rows and pressure building at home. As the online version of their life starts to feel fake, Ethan begins to question what the channel is really doing to his family. This fun yet thought-provoking story encourages 9–12 year olds to think about social media, family change and the cost of living. It’s highly relatable and ideal for KS2 book clubs.
9-12 year-olds | Author’s website
Escape! by Sophie McKenzie, illustrated by Melania Badosa
Bernice’s school visit to a sea life sanctuary turns frightening when she and her friends are swept into the cold water of Shark Bay. Drawing on what she knows about marine creatures, she has to steady her nerves and guide everyone to safety. Set within the aquarium’s tunnels and tanks, this highly accessible story blends risk, friendship and speed of thought. Short, pacey and unforgettable, it’s bound to grab even the most reluctant readers in lower KS3.
11+ year-olds | Author’s website
Day of Now by Miranda Reason
Dayna and Pax have grown up in the shadow of a fungal outbreak that has wiped out most of society. They live quietly with their father until he falls sick, and their call for help brings far more danger than relief. Forced out into a broken landscape, the siblings push on in search of people they can trust. This incendiary YA story, told in 55 short chapters, follows their shifting threats, uneasy alliances and the tough choices they must make to keep their family together. It’s a fresh, original and genuinely affecting dystopian novel for 13+ year olds. Highly recommended.
13+ year-olds | Author’s website
Control Alter Delete by K. L. Kettle
Hal lives in a world where virtual reality shapes almost everything, and winning the Knox Cup could earn her a meeting with tech icon Francis Knox. What begins as a high-pressure competition soon cracks open, revealing faults in the glossy system she has always trusted. As Hal pushes further, she is forced to question who holds the power and what she is willing to risk. It’s a deliciously sharp speculative YA story about technology, control and self. Highly recommended for KS4.
13+ year-olds | Author’s website
Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman
In 2067, Hunter Graves and Cleo find themselves stranded at a United Nations base on Mars with a group of mercenaries closing in. With just eight hours before the base is destroyed, the two teens are forced into a high-stakes race against time. As danger tightens its grip, this science fiction adventure digs into survival, corporate power and the uneasy bond that forms between two very different people under extreme pressure. With a sharp premise and stunning delivery, Red Star Rebels will grip 14+ year olds.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
Themed day / social media opportunities for February 2026
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.
- February 4th is World Read Aloud Day. Lit World offers a raft of reading-based ideas and resources to help educators celebrate this day.
- February 1st 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?
- National Storytelling Week, run by the Society for Storytelling, celebrates oral storytelling. There are more details on the organiser’s website.
- The second week of February is Children’s Mental Health Week.
- 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 discussions on better mental health.
- February 10th 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’, ‘becoming a RAKactivist’, ‘taking 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 2026.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest February 2026 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books released this spring 2026.
- Our February 2026 books of the day on X. These can also be viewed on uk.Bookshop.org.
- 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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