March 2025’s set of recommendations for book clubs features quirky though provoking illustrations, first chapter book fun, monsters and beasts, superpowers, spies, transatlantic mystery, lurking evil, corruption, romantasy and lots of spectacular trees. March 2025’s picks include titles by Enomwoyi Damali, Swapna Haddow, Jamie Hammond, Nathanael Lessore, Tony Russell, Ally Sherrick, Sarah Harrison, Jess French, Robert Muchamore, Anthony Kessel, Philippa Gregory and R.M. Gray.
March 2025 book club recommendations
Meet Amber Class by Enomwoyi Damali, illustrated by Ruthine Burton
Amber Class is full of big feelings and even bigger lessons. In three interconnected stories, the children tackle self-confidence, teamwork, and discovering their own strengths. Believe in Yourself encourages self-belief, Sort it Out sees two classmates settling a football dispute, and Feeling Good helps everyone recognise what makes them special. With guidance from their warm and wise teacher, Mrs Adisa, the class explores these themes through chats, songs, and everyday school moments. A relatable and uplifting read for early readers.
5+ year-olds | Author’s website
Bad Panda: For Sale by Swapna Haddow
In the final instalment of Swapna Haddow’s super-engaging Bad Panda series, Lin faces her biggest challenge yet: the zoo’s closure and the separation of her animal friends. Though thrilled at the thought of reuniting with her brother at the panda sanctuary, Lin’s not about to abandon her zoo family. With her usual flair for mischief, she devises a wild plan to save the day. Packed with humour and heart, this adventure for 5+ year-old emerging readers offers an anarchic, fun and fitting farewell. Highly recommended.
5+ year-olds | Author’s website
Grumpfort by Jamie Hammond
Unlikely monster hunter Mo is on a quest to prove himself to the village. But when he stumbles upon Grumpfort, he discovers a secret monster hideaway threatened by the villainous Grumpsnatcher. With monster companions, including a troll and a fire-breathing snotwoggle, Mo decides to save the fortress. This fun-filled adventure combines Hammond’s vibrant illustrations and clever storytelling to offer young readers a tale of courage and friendship. We think Grumpfort will be enormously popular with children in LKS2.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Solving Crimes Is NOT My Superpower by Nathanael Lessore, illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh
In Walsham, superpowers are the norm – except for Sara, who feels like the odd one out. But when the school football trophy and her best friend’s lucky charm vanish, she’s determined to crack the case, powers or not. As she follows the clues, she starts to realise that being extraordinary isn’t just about super strength or flying. A fun, fast-paced mystery about friendship, perseverance, and finding what makes you special – with no capes required! We think Solving Crimes Is NOT My Superpower will be very popular with children in years 3&4.
7-9 year-olds | Author’s website
The Magnificent Book of Trees by Tony Russell, illustrated by Val Walerczuk and Simon Treadwell
This beautifully illustrated book introduces 36 trees from around the world, from lush rainforests to arid deserts. Meet fascinating species like the rainbow eucalyptus, monkey puzzle tree, and kapok tree – along with the wildlife that calls them home. A full-page map pinpoints their origins, while vivid, full-colour artwork brings each tree to life. Packed with intriguing facts, this is a perfect pick for nature lovers keen to explore the world’s most remarkable trees and their histories. Highly recommended.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
Rebel Heart by Ally Sherrick
As Cromwell’s forces close in, Merriweather Pryce is forced to flee her besieged home, searching for allies in a war-torn England. But with spies, traitors, and enemy soldiers at every turn, knowing who to trust could mean the difference between survival and capture. Set during the English Civil War, Rebel Heart is a gripping adventure about loyalty, bravery, and the cost of war. From the author of Black Powder, Rebel Heart is a grimming and immersive historical novel that’s ideal for UKS2. Highly recommended.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
School of Doom by Sarah Harrison
Eddie can eat anything – literally. A wheelie bin? No problem. But when she’s sent to the School of Doom, where students are trained to be the worst, she’s not so sure she belongs. She doesn’t want to be evil – just maybe a little bit mischievous. But when her friends are in trouble, she’ll have to decide whether her monstrous talent is a curse or a gift. A wildly fun adventure from Sarah Harrison, winner of the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2022. Riotously funny and subversive – 9-11 year olds will love it.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Beastlands: Legend of the Crystal Caves by Jess French
In the second book of the Beastlands trilogy, Alethea, Kayla, and Rustus face new challenges as they try to stop Professor Penn from raising an army of beasts. Separated on different quests, they search for clues in the Southlands, the Crystal Caves, and a distant realm. As the island’s environment changes, they must uncover the truth behind an ancient legend. It’s a fast-paced page-turner with plenty of surprises. 9+ year olds will love it.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Fury, Fire and Frost by Robert Muchamore
Robin Hood’s battle against corruption rages on in the ninth book of Robert Muchamore’s modern retelling. With his father now Sheriff of Nottingham, Robin faces an even bigger threat – Marjorie Kovacevic, the newly elected national president, who’s ready to send in the army to seize Sherwood Castle. Meanwhile, his half-brother John, trapped under her rule, starts to question everything. As the stakes rise, war feels inevitable. It’s a big bold, high-octane hit for KS3 readers.
11+ year-olds | Author’s website
American Mystery by Anthony Kessel
In the third Don’t Doubt the Rainbow book, Edie Marble heads to Canada to see her grandfather – only to stumble upon a decades-old family mystery. Strange messages from an unknown number send her on a trail from Toronto to Washington, the Outer Banks, and Dartmoor. As she pieces things together, she must trust her instincts and sharpen her detective skills. It’s a gripping mystery adventure that explores perception, resilience, and the power of thinking for yourself. Perfect for ages 11+.
11+ year-olds | Author’s website
Normal Women Making History for 900 Years by Philippa Gregory
This book dives into the lives of English women over nine centuries – the ones history usually forgets. From farmers and pirates to soldiers and writers, it explores their work, protests, and fight to survive. Adapted for younger readers, it tackles myths about the past and sheds light on the long battle for women’s rights. Backed by solid research but told in an engaging, accessible way, it’s a fresh look at the women who helped shape history. Highly recommended for KS3 and KS4.
12+ year-olds | Author’s website
Nightweaver by R.M. Gray
Aster Oberon has always lived at sea, far from the grasp of the Nightweavers. But when her family’s ship is attacked and her brother killed, she’s captured and sent to Bludgrave Manor as a servant. Desperate for answers, she strikes a risky deal with Will Castor, son of a Nightweaver lord. With magic, secrets, and danger at every turn, Aster must choose – stay in the shadows or fight for the truth, no matter the cost. Nightweaver is a compelling and surprising pirate romantasy that will appeal to KS4 students.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
Themed day / social media opportunities for March 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.
- 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.
- Empathy Week is an annual festival dedicated to helping students aged 5-18 build essential empathy skills through engaging events, powerful storytelling, and dynamic film-based resources.
- 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 2025.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest March 2025 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books released this spring 2025.
- Our March 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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