March 2024’s set of recommendations for book clubs features a sparkling collection of thought-provoking picture books, animal story fun, historical intrigue, magical fantasy adventure, contemporary drama, TikTok teen romcom and dark mystery horror. March 2024’s picks include titles by Tiny Fisscher and Herma Starreveld, Idan Ben-Barak and Christopher Nielsen, Swapna Haddow, Clare Pollard, Clare Balding, Laila Rifaat, Malcolm Duffy, Marissa Meyer and Amy Goldsmith.
March 2024 book club recommendations
Bird Is Dead by Tiny Fisscher and Herma Starreveld
Bird Is Dead offers a frank approach to death and grief for children aged 4 to 8. With quirky and striking collage illustrations it approaches the topic with understanding, sensitivity and practicality – an approach which parents and teachers will find useful to prompt discussions in families and classrooms.
4-8 year olds | Author’s website
Your Brain Is a Lump of Goo by Idan Ben-Barak and Christopher Nielsen
The human brain is revealed through relatable child-like comparisons, pictures and ideas. 4+-year-olds will discover the wonders of their brain in this brightly illustrated, fun-filled and thought-provoking picture book. Perfect for more curious readers to read as part of British Science Week, Your Brain Is a Lump of Goo is ideal to read aloud, share and use to prompt discussions with EYFS classes.
4+ year olds | Author’s website
Bad Panda: Mites, Camera, Action! by Swapna Haddow
Lin and Fu cause chaos during a zoo documentary when a prancing lion threatens to steal the limelight in this fun addition to the illustrated short chapter book series. Ideal for children aged 7-10, this instalment blends fast-paced fun with themes of teamwork and creativity.
7-9 year olds | Author’s website
The Untameables by Clare Pollard
In Clare Pollard’s debut for young readers, The Untameables offers a dark and subversive twist on Arthurian legends. Amidst the cruel rule of King Arthur’s knights, Roan, a gentle dog keeper, and Elva, an outspoken kitchenhand, embark on a daring quest for the Holy Grail to cure a mysterious illness plaguing Camelot. This imaginative narrative challenges traditional folklore, weaving hope and mystery as the two children strive to rewrite the legends that shape their world. Illustrated by Reena Makwana, Pollard’s compelling tale urges readers to reconsider how stories are crafted and whose voices are heard. Read our full review.
8-10 year olds | Author’s website
Animal All Stars by Clare Balding
Join commentator Clare Balding for a laugh-out-loud comic-strip-style journey through the animal kingdom’s most entertaining sports day. From the Australian tiger beetle to the peregrine falcon, animals go head-to-head in this rip-roaring guide filled with incredible facts and laugh-out-loud commentary. Perfect for animal-loving children in KS2, it combines jokes with fascinating factual nuggets about the world’s most extraordinary creatures.
9+ year olds | Author’s website
Aliya to the Infinite City by Laila Rifaat
Embark on an unforgettable journey with Aliya as she discovers her family’s legacy of time travel and unravels the mysteries of the Infinite City. Laila Rifaat weaves a richly woven plot imbued with adventure, magic, and unexpected twists. Perfect for readers aged 9 and above, this fast-paced fantasy delivers an exhilarating ride through parallel worlds where Aliya faces the challenge of mastering her unique abilities. Highly recommended.
9+ year olds | Author’s Twitter
Seven Million Sunflowers by Malcolm Duffy
Inspired by real events, Seven Million Sunflowers follows 15-year-old Kateryno and her family as they flee war-torn Kharkiv in Ukraine for safety in England. But their new life is not without problems in this memorable contemporary YA novel that offers a relatable and empathetic glimpse into the struggles of teenage life amidst conflict, fear and dealing with the unknown. Perfect for KS3 and KS4 book clubs, Seven Million Sunflowers is highly recommended.
12+ year olds | Author’s website
Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer
Chronic overachiever Prudence Barnett finds herself with the power of instant karma – which she doesn’t hesitate to use on those who deserve it. But her plans backfire when she targets her lazy lab partner Quint Erickson. Meyer’s contemporary YA novel, suitable for ages 14 and up, explores themes of ambition, ethics and vanity through a page-turning plot.
14+ year olds | Author’s website
Those We Drown by Amy Goldsmith
Those We Drown will plunge readers into a nailbiting mystery horror aboard the luxury cruise ship, The Eos. When Live’s friend falls sick, she isn’t convinced and suspects dark forces are at work. Ideal for more mature secondary-aged readers, this atmospheric, unforgettable and contemporary debut explores themes of friendship, fear, and fear of the unknown. With vivid characters, Amy Goldsmith delivers a gripping narrative that will mesmerise teen readers. Highly recommended.
15-18 year olds | Author’s website
Themed day / social media opportunities for March 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.
- March is Women’s History Month. BBC Teach has a great range of free resources for schools including videos and activities.
- The third Thursday in March is World Book Day. The World Book Day website has lots of ideas for teachers and schools, and we have a page with lots of World Book Day costumes and activities.
- British Science Week is a 10-day celebration of science and STEM that takes place in the middle of March. There are lots of free downloadable activity packs for both primary and secondary educators on the organisation’s website.
- March 13th is Young Carers Action Day – the Care Trust has a range of toolkits for schools and educators.
- March 21st is World Poetry Day. Unesco has more information about this international celebration.
- The third week of March is Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Here’s a comprehensive and diverse range of resources for teachers.
- March 20th is World Storytelling Day. OUP has published a useful set of free resources for primary schools on their blog.
- Shakespeare Week takes place during the third week of March. There are lots of ideas and resources on this website from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
- March 31st is Transgender Day of Visibility #TDOV. There’s more information and printable resources on the Trans day visibility resource.
- March 28th is Wear a Hat Day. To highlight brain tumour research, schools are encouraged to fundraise by wearing a hat at school.
- March 25th is Tolkien Reading Day. #TolkienReadingDay Combine it with World Hat Day and dress up as Gandalf. The Tolkien Society has lots of ideas.
- March 27th is World Theatre Day. Break a … no don’t – call everyone ‘luvvie’ instead – much better for health and safety.
- March 23rd is Earth Hour Day #EarthHour. Find out how to take part.
- March 30th is national Bellybutton appreciation day which encourages everyone to stop for a moment, clear their minds of all worries and anxieties and consider their navel(s).
Extension activities:
- Have a look at our writing competitions for March 2024.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest March 2024 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books coming out in spring 2024.
- Our March 2024 books of the day on Twitter.
- Our guide on how to run a school book club, which 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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