January 2025’s set of recommendations for book clubs features rip-roaring fantasy action, twisty mysteries, villainous magic, environmental horror, family struggles and dark romantasy. Perfect for the start of the spring term, January 2025’s picks include titles by Eric Huang, Charlie P. Brooks, Philip Kavvadias, David Owen, Patrice Lawrence, Niyla Farook, Alice Nuttall, Gayle Forman, Sujin Witherspoon, and Madeline Claire Franklin.
January 2025 book club recommendations
Guardians of the New Moon: Ming and Miaow’s Great Race by Eric Huang, illustrated by Phung Nguyen Quang
Miaow, a reserved temple guardian cat, gets roped into the Jade Emperor’s Great Race and finds himself teaming up with Ming, a lively shapeshifter. Along the way, they face challenges that test their courage, wit, and newfound friendship. Set in a vivid mythological world, this fast-paced adventure weaves camaraderie and self-discovery into its action-packed plot, brought to life by Phung Nguyen Quang’s stunning illustrations. The first in a series, it’s a treat for young fantasy lovers.
6-9 year-olds | Author’s website
Sammy and the Stolen Paintings by Charlie P. Brooks, illustrated by Steve May
Sammy, a clever sniffer dog, uncovers a forged painting but is kidnapped by the dastardly Monsieur de Noir. It’s up to her human pal Beanie and a gang of animal sidekicks to save her, recover the stolen artwork, and outwit the villain—all in the heart of Paris. Packed with humour, teamwork, and high-stakes adventure, this lively tale is perfect for readers aged 7 and up who love a good mystery with plenty of twists.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Mission: Manta Ray by Philip Kavvadias
Mission: Manta Ray sees Finn, Milo, and Tasi diving into mysterious deep-sea trouble – literally. Their investigation takes a dangerous turn when a giant submersible, shaped like a manta ray, targets them. Fast-paced and packed with adventure, this second book in Philip Kavvadias’s series mixes ecological themes with heart-pounding action. Euan Cook’s dynamic illustrations bring the drama to life, making it a brilliant pick for young readers who love a fast-paced, environmentally charged story.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Alex Neptune, Dragon Champion by David Owen, illustrated by George Ermos
David Owen wraps up the Alex Neptune series with a thrilling finale. Pirate Brineblood plans to drain the sea’s magic to unleash a monster that could flood the world. As Alex, Zoey, and Anil race against time in a homemade submarine, Alex must rely on his brain, not his magic, to save Haven Bay. With illustrations by George Ermos, this high-stakes adventure blends friendship, danger, and a quest to protect the ocean’s power.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
People Like Stars by Patrice Lawrence
Patrice Lawrence’s sparkling contemporary middle-grade novel weaves together the lives of Ayrton, Stanley, and Senna, each grappling with a secret from the past. Ayrton, once briefly abducted as a baby, is suffocated by his mum’s overprotectiveness. Stanley’s family hides a mysterious grandmother, while Senna risks homelessness if she steps out of line with her landlady. Told through alternating perspectives, this heartfelt story for 9+ year olds explores family, friendship, and the tangled truths that bring people together. Highly recommended.
9-12 year-olds | Author’s website
Murder for Two (A Tariq Twins Mystery) by Niyla Farook
Twins Ani and Riri reunite after years apart to solve a murder. When their father is accused of a café owner’s death, the siblings – one an aspiring detective, the other reserved and bookish – must overcome their differences to clear his name. This debut mystery blends family dynamics and crime-solving through an engaging narrative and a distinctive voice. It’s ideal for KS3 mystery fans.
9-13 year-olds | Author’s website
The Zombie Project by Alice Nuttall
The Zombie Project by Alice Nuttall flips the zombie story on its head, weaving in an environmental twist. In a world where death flies and zombies help sustain agriculture, fear and misunderstanding put everything at risk. Merian must rally her community to accept this creepy but crucial solution. Packed with ecological themes and a dash of horror, this inventive middle-grade debut is a fresh spin on the genre. It’s no wonder Alice Nuttall scooped the MSLexia Children’s and YA 2023 awards. Highly recommended for KS3.
11+ year-olds | Author’s website
After Life by Gayle Forman
When high school senior Amber returns home seven years after her death in a bicycle accident, her sudden reappearance shakes everyone connected to her – family, friends, even strangers. Told from multiple viewpoints, the novel dives into grief, identity, and the messy web of relationships. As Amber grapples with her unexpected second chance, the story blends past and present to show how one life can ripple through so many others.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
Bingsu For Two by Sujin Witherspoon
River Langston-Lee’s life unravels after walking out of his exams, losing his girlfriend and quitting his job, leading him to work at the struggling Bingsu for Two Korean café. There, he meets Sarang Cho, a goth co-worker with a no-nonsense attitude. When their viral antics spark a fake romance to save the café, River is thrown into a whirlwind of fame, family drama, and tough decisions about love and self-identity. With humour, heart, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc, this book offers a delightful, chaotic journey. Highly recommended.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin
When Rhi starts over in Happy Valley she stumbles upon a group of wild, untamed girls claiming to be princesses from another world. As Rhi helps them adjust to society, secrets about their pasts – and potential magic – begin to surface. Blending mystery with themes of identity and resilience, this debut weaves a compelling tale for readers who love stories that blur the line between reality and imagination.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
Themed day / social media opportunities for January 2025
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.
- January is ‘Veganuary’, highlighting the benefits of being vegan. The Vegan Society has created a useful guide for schools.
- January 2nd is Science Fiction Day. Have a look at our STEM and science fiction themed list for KS2 and KS3 students.
- January 4th is World Braille Day. RNIB offers a great resource pack for schools that covers all age groups.
- On January 8th, the RSPB’s Big Schools Birdwatch project begins. Have a look at the RSPB’s guide for teachers.
- January 23rd is National Handwriting Day.
- January 25th is Burns Night. Scottish Language has created a great set of free activities for learners.
- January 26th is Australia Day. Have a look at our Australian texts list for some inspo.
- January 27th is Holocaust Memorial Day. The Holocaust Memorial Trust has written an extensive range of resources for schools, and author Tom Palmer is offering a range of resources to download from his website.
- January 28th is Data Privacy Day, also known as Data Protection Day, and you’ll be happy to know that, unlike many other book recommendation sites, the School Reading List website does not track users, collect your personal data or use cookies. We prefer cheesecakes. In an ironic twist, the EU’s Data Protection Day website is currently blocking UK users, due to ‘data protection’.
- National Storytelling Week begins on January 30th, and runs into February. Here’s a great guide to running a storytelling club.
Extension activities:
- Have a look at our writing competitions for January 2025.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest January 2025 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books released this spring 2025.
- Our January 2025 books of the day on Twitter. 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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