July 2025’s set of recommendations for book clubs features a resplendently crimson and oblivious dodo, a bumper book of poetry, dystopian adventure, cruise ship drama, tales of friendship and kindness, and uniqueness, toilet humour and off-the-scale lying. July 2025’s picks include titles by Huw Lewis Jones, Becky Wilson, Jon Agee, Humera Malik, Jim Smith, John Agard, Emma Swan, Philip Kavvadias, Ciannon Smart, Kathryn Clark, Jay McGuiness, and Jessica S. Olson.
July 2025 book club recommendations
Go Go Dodo! by Huw Lewis Jones, illustrated by Fred Blunt
Go Go Dodo! is a playful adventure about a bright crimson and clueless dodo wandering through jungle, swamp, and sea – completely unaware that a tiger is quietly tailing him. Animal antics keep things interesting, and the lively mix of words and pictures means readers get to see both sides of the chase. Jones, who’s known for books on explorers and maps, brings plenty of charm and laughs to this cracking read-aloud picture book for 3-6 year olds.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
Every Botty Burps by Becky Wilson, illustrated by Alex Patrick
Every Botty Burps takes a light-hearted look at animal flatulence, all wrapped up in bouncy rhymes. Expect a parade of animals and plenty of giggles, as the book tackles a subject kids usually find hilarious. The playful artwork brings the story to life. The perfect book to read with sound effects, we think 3-6 year olds love this energetic picture book.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
George and Lenny Are Always Together by Jon Agee
George and Lenny Are Always Together introduces infants to a bear and a rabbit, close friends who discover what it’s like to be together – and apart – on the playground. While Lenny enjoys a bit of quiet time drawing or building, George would rather have company. With empathetic illustrations and thought-provoking dialogue, this useful picture book looks at how friendship and personal space can fit together for young children. Highly recommended for reading and discussing with 4+ year olds.
4+ year-olds | Author’s website
Farah’s Nose by Humera Malik, illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
In Humera Malik’s thought-provoking picture book, Farah worries about her appearance until a trip to a museum exhibition makes her reconsider everything. There, surrounded by stories and portraits of South Asian women, she discovers her family’s proud history and learns about the journeys of immigrant women. The book mixes real historical facts with Farah’s story, giving children an introduction to South Asian heritage. The vibrant and engaging illustrations come from Chaaya Prabhat.
5-7 year-olds | Author’s website
My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary 3 by Jim Smith
My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary 3 brings back Pedro, Olga, and Ozzy for more school escapades and oddball challenges, all in funky graphic novel form. Packed with Jim Smith’s inimitable full-colour illustrations, it mixes raucous fun, friendship and a good dose of toilet humour. Even better than number two, My Big Fat Smelly Poo Diary 3 will get high marks from 7+ year olds.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Poetry World of John Agard by John Agard
John Agard has handpicked poems from eight of his published collections for this lively anthology. You’ll find favourites from titles like I Din Do Nuttin, Say it Again, Granny, Laughter is an Egg, and Grandfather’s Old Bruk-a-Down Car. With over 80 poems on everything from family and animals to language and daily life, it’s a brilliant introduction to Agard’s playful and thought-provoking poetry for KS2 readers. Highly recommended.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Cruise Ship Kid by Emma Swan, illustrated by Katie Saunders
Silver lives full-time on a cruise ship, and when some pricey watches vanish, she reckons cracking the case might finally help her make some mates. Told through her diary – with quizzes, ship facts, and other fun bits – this mystery is packed with personality. Inspired by the author’s own sea-soaked childhood, it’s the first in a new detective series for readers aged 8 and up who like fun whodunnits. Highly recommended. Read our full review.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
Mission: Monster Mind by Philip Kavvadias, illustrated by Euan Cook
Mission: Monster Mind by Philip Kavvadias sees junior agents Finn, Milo, Tasi, Ether the hacker, and Arty the microraptor off to Scotland on the hunt for stolen tech. Along the way, they run into mercenaries and a fair bit of trouble in the woods. With Euan Cook’s illustrations and a mix of science, mind-control, and adventure, it’s another rip-roaring outing in the Mission: Microraptor series for eco-curious middle-grade readers.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Rayleigh Mann and the Quest of Misfits by Ciannon Smart
Rayleigh Mann and the Quest of Misfits by Ciannon Smart continues Rayleigh’s story as he and his friends hunt for treasure in Below-London. As they investigate monster society and uncover hidden clues, Rayleigh works to keep Below-London safe from harm. The book weaves together themes of identity, friendship, and problem-solving, all set in an enthralling, well-realised fantasy world. It’s ideal for 9+ year olds.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Things I Learned While I Was Dead by Kathryn Clark
When 17-year-old Calico loses her sister, she takes a desperate gamble on cryogenics. But when she wakes decades later, everything’s changed – Asha’s gone, the lab’s a creepy shell of its former self, and something’s seriously off. Hunted through a biotech nightmare, Calico pieces together the truth, one memory at a time. Kathryn Clark’s debut is eerie, emotional, and sharp-edged – part sci-fi thriller, part gut-punch. Highly recommended for 12+ year olds. Read our full review.
12+ year-olds | Author’s website
Poison Tides by Jay McGuiness
Poison Tides sees Bear leaving Calleston with three witches on a mission to save their sister. While Bear tries to keep his friend Felix safe, High Lady Meya deals with her own troubles – and some uneasy visions about Bear’s future. The story digs into survival, power, and loyalty, all set against a witchy dystopian backdrop. It’s perfect for 13+ year olds who enjoy intense dark romantasy.
13+ year-olds | Author’s website
Den of Liars by Jessica S. Olson
Lola St. James – also known as Astra – has made a name for herself as a skilled thief. But when a job goes sideways, her only way out is the Liar’s Dice Tournament, where secrets are the currency. The mastermind behind it? The mysterious Liar, her mentor’s dangerous brother. As Lola bluffs her way through deadly games, tangled alliances, and an inconvenient attraction to Liar himself, she starts uncovering truths that could change everything. A sharp, high-stakes and twisty tale of deception and power, it’s ideal for 14+ year olds who like romantasies. Highly recommended. Read our full review.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
Themed day / social media opportunities for July 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.
- #NationalMoonDay on July 20th celebrates the Moon landing and inspires us to look up and learn about the moon and its phases. There’s also #SleepUnderTheStarsNight in the following month. There are free resources from the Museum of Flight website. Don’t forget NASA’s stunning website with resources for learning about the phases of the moon and Google’s Earth’s interactive view of the moon.
- #PlasticBagFreeDay takes place on July 3rd and forms part of #PlasticFreeJuly. There’s an official website with lots of free educational ideas and an annual challenge.
- #PicnicMonth takes place each July and #TeddyBearPicnicDay on July 10th may well be of interest to teens with younger siblings.
- #CowAppreciationDay has mooved to July 8th this year. The steaks are high, so it will behoove your school to amoose your students. An udderly important event, perhaps we can steer you towards this useful resource.
- July, for many, represents school transition, whether from KS5 to university, KS4 to KS5, college, employment or apprenticeship, or from primary to secondary school. BBC Bitesize offers a range of videos, resources and activities for KS2 children about to transition to secondary school. Mental health charity Anna Freud features a downloadable free toolkit for teachers to support children who are anxious. The Scottish Association for Mental Health has created a set of tips to help smooth the transition from secondary school to college. Devon LEA offers an advice page for teachers looking to support students’ transition to further education, employment or training. The Asperger’s Syndrome Foundation has produced an information sheet about creating a transition plan to provide longer-term support for students leaving secondary education.
- If you need ideas for holiday reading activities, have a look at our Summer Reading Challenge resource page and our collection of downloadable reading challenge cards.
- #PandemoniumDay will suit your school on July 14, especially since it’s nearly the end of term.
Extension activities:
- Have a look at our writing competitions for July 2025.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest July 2025 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books released this summer 2025.
- Our July 2025 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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