November 2025’s set of recommendations for book clubs features stolen sweets, STEM quests, animal chaos, fantastic fantasy and creepy weather, dystopian London, ghostly pasts and edgy teen romance. November 2025’s picks include titles by Cat Weldon, Walt Disney, Paul Ian Cross, Ewa Jozefkowicz, Gill Lewis, Katya Balen, Carrie Sellon, Bex Hogan, Carlos Sánchez, Sharique Zea, Emma Read, Sonya Wilson, David Barker, Finbar Hawkins, Bethany Rutter, and Amber Hamilton.
November 2025 book club recommendations
Amelia Cheeseheart Investigates: Chocolate Cheat by Cat Weldon, illustrated by Nene Lonergan
Amelia and Webster are hot on the trail of stolen chocolate at a museum. Where is the chocolate? Who scoffed the sweets? Their search takes a chaotic turn when they find mice paddling in a pool of melted chocolate in the Aztec exhibit. It’s a playful mix of mystery, teamwork, and quick thinking. This bright and engaging graphic novel series is ideal for encouraging inference skills in less confident KS1 readers.
5+ year-olds | Author’s website
Where’s Stitch? Limited Christmas Edition: A Disney Search-And-Find Activity Book by Walt Disney
This special edition Disney search-and-find book stars Stitch and the gang from Lilo & Stitch, hidden in packed, playful scenes. A brand-new Christmas spread brings a festive twist, inviting readers to hunt for familiar faces among tinsel and snow. It also includes classic pages from earlier editions. Part of the wider Disney activity range, such as Where’s Olaf? and Where’s Grogu, it’s a fun Christmas-themed visual challenge that will keep KS1 and KS2 occupied.
5+ year-olds | Author’s website
SuperQuesters Mission: Rainforest Magic by Paul Ian Cross
Lilli, Leo and Bea return to Questland, this time discovering superhero powers rooted in science and engineering. With Jamac the jaguar at their side, they set out to find rainforest plants that might heal a sick capybara. The STEM adventure blends puzzles, problem solving and scientific twists, while extra activities like making a vibrobot or playing with light refraction bring the story into real life. It’s a winning formula of fun facts and fiction that’s perfect for KS1and LKS2 classrooms.
6+ year-olds | Author’s website
Fujiko and the Fox by Ewa Jozefkowicz
A proud member of the Woodland Explorers Club, Fujiko and her friends solve nature puzzles and care for the creatures of Willow Wish Wood. After a cycling accident stops her from playing the violin, she begins to hear odd city sounds echoing through the forest. When the club discovers a fox living close by, Fujiko feels an unexpected bond with it. As the autumn festival approaches, Fujiko, her friends, and 6+ year old readers learn about resilience, change, and the wonders of the autumnal natural world. It’s grounded and highly readable short-chapter fun for newly independent readers.
6+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Winter Snow Goose by Gill Lewis, illustrated by Irina Avgustinovich
Tia and Nat rescue a snow goose caught in a storm on Gull Haven Island, just as a harsh winter brings power cuts and shortages. As the community struggles, the children play their part in helping neighbours pull together, culminating in a shared celebration that lifts spirits. Part of a dyslexia friendly series aimed at 7+ year olds, this heartwarming story blends wildlife detail with themes of resilience, cooperation and community strength.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Collie Chaos by Katya Balen
In Mossdale, the team find themselves busy with fresh cases, from a terrapin named Algernon to a cat called Crumpet and Domino, a three-legged dog. Trouble strikes when Domino vanishes in a snowstorm, sending the friends on a tense search through the cold. Their efforts lead to his rescue, but also uncover a surprising new challenge. Blending teamwork, resilience and kindness, this warm-hearted and fulfilling animal-themed short chapter series for 7+ year olds celebrates what can be achieved when working together.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Pizza Pete and the Peculiar Professor by Carrie Sellon, illustrated by Sarah Horne
Pete’s biggest problem isn’t homework this time – it’s that Anna’s stuck fun-sized after a botched shrinking spell. The only hope lies with Professor Tregoning, the elusive potion-maker, who sparks a road trip full of odd turns, a wisecracking dog, and a rival who’s up to no good. Carrie Sellon wraps up her trilogy here, with Sarah Horne’s illustrations adding extra fizz to a finale that’s equal parts magic, mischief, and loyal friendship. It’s ideal for less confident readers in LKS2.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Bronte Tempestra and the Vanishing Kingdom by Bex Hogan, illustrated by Hannah McCaffery
Bronte Tempestra leaps into action when the Sun Beam suddenly disappears from Ellie’s kingdom. With rumours swirling about the Weather Witch, Bronte sets off on a secret mission that whirls her into the strange and perilous Vanishing Kingdom. Battling storms, solving riddles and meeting unexpected allies, she must summon every scrap of courage to make things right. This final adventure in the short chapter book series set at Sir Sebastian’s School for Squires is packed with danger, clever surprises and heart-pounding magic for fearless 7–9 year olds.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Rune: Tale of the Obsidian Maze by Carlos Sánchez
Chiri and Dai find themselves drawn back into danger just as life in Puddin’ starts to feel safe again, in this striking follow-up to The Tale of a Thousand Faces. An invitation to the Obsidian Maze lures them toward MidKnight, a new foe darker than any they have faced before. With friends at their side, they enter winding corridors where both magic and survival are pushed to the limit. Sánchez’s artwork gives the graphic novel a distinctive and mesmerising edge, with intricate detail and a bold palette of lilac and pink. Thrill-seeking 8+ year olds will not be able to put it down.
8-12 year-olds | Author’s website
Lionborn by Sharique Zea
Fionn is plagued by dreams that leave real scars, until he discovers he is Lionborn, a being thought to be long extinct. When a sorcerer seeking to raise a demon hunts him for his blood, only his friends Ella and Tiny stand by him as he enters Arborea, where nightmares take shape as monsters. This complex and fascinating fantasy adventure for 8–12 year olds moves between school life in London and journeys through magical realms, with a lion cub, riddles, and hidden powers driving the story. Highly recommended.
8-12 year-olds | Author’s website
Silent Night by Emma Read
Masen, Conor and Joss wake on Christmas morning to find their parents gone and a snowstorm sealing them in. The presents stay untouched as the house fills with an uneasy silence. Searching for answers leads them into dangers that push their courage and loyalty to the limit. Emma Read, best known for Milton the Mighty, spins a winter mystery with a sharp sci-fi edge, blending family ties, fear and suspense. With short chapters and plenty of cliffhangers, it is ideal for reading to classes in the run-up to winter. It is also tailor-made for spooky 9+ year old late-night reading. Highly recommended. Read our full review.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Spark Hunter by Sonya Wilson
When Nissa spots mysterious lights deep in the Fiordland forest, no one else believes her. Determined to uncover the truth, she slips away from camp and soon finds herself lost in the wild. As she searches for answers, Nissa discovers the forest is in danger and learns its hidden stories. Blending te reo Māori, New Zealand history and wildlife, Spark Hunter is a compelling, original and award-winning adventure set in one of the world’s last great wildernesses, perfect for nature-loving 9+ year olds. Highly recommended.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Pax and the Secret Swarm by David Barker
Pax is back for his final year at Scholastic Parliament, but things in New London are far from normal. With new tech tracking his every move and Mayor Silas Leatherington tightening his grip on power, Pax and his friends Megan and Samuel stumble upon a plot that could destroy the city. The final instalment of a trilogy, it’s a tense dystopian mix of loyalty, courage, and rebellion, and Pax must decide how far he’ll go to protect the people he cares about. Ideal for imaginative children in UKS2 and LKS3.
10+ year-olds | Author’s website
Ghost by Finbar Hawkins
Three lives intertwine across time in Ghost. In 60 AD, Aine breaks free from Roman masters and stirs an ancient force. In 1783, Sarah senses restless spirits in the woods. In the present day, Marie leaves art school and begins to hear voices that pull her into the same battle. Bound to one place and one dark power, their stories collide in a gripping mix of history, survival and otherworldly strangeness. 12+ year olds will be gripped by this unusually atmospheric and magical novel. Highly recommended for KS3. Read our full review.
12+ year-olds | Author’s website
Ask Me Anything by Bethany Rutter
Back for her second year in London, Mary-Elizabeth is juggling lectures with writing an advice column for the campus magazine. She is drawn to Felix, the sharp-eyed editor, but keeps butting heads with Laurie from the rival paper. Between late-night parties, shifting friendships and simmering rivalries, she has to figure out who is really on her side. In this unputdownable contemporary romance for 14+ readers, Bethany Rutter sets her edgy drama in the world of student media, where problem pages mix with messy feelings and blurred loyalties. It is a highly recommended guilty pleasure for KS4 book clubs.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
Seven Deadly Thorns by Amber Hamilton
Viola Sinclair faces execution for using outlawed magic. Roze Roquelart, the prince ordered to kill her, must do so within a week or die himself. With few options, they strike a deal and start digging into the secrets their kingdom would rather keep buried. The story weaves in fantasy and romance, with shifting loyalties, hidden groups, and tense rivalries, while also touching on power, punishment and trust – none of it easy, and none of it clear-cut. A blazing debut romantasy for 15+ year old fans of Holly Black and Lauren Roberts. Highly recommended.
15+ year-olds | Author’s website
Themed day / social media opportunities for November 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.
- Michael Rosen Day will be celebrated on 13th November. This national day is aimed at families, schools, nurseries and libraries. Schools can sign up for a free webinar featuring Michael Rosen and MC Grammar. There are also free resources to download from the Michael Rosen website.
- Empathy Action Month takes place during November. This free programme helps young people turn understanding of others into real social action, from small everyday kindnesses to community projects, while revisiting their Empathy Day resolutions.
- This month is ‘National Non-fiction November’. Have a look at our narrative nonfiction titles and our collection of topic book resources for inspiration!
- World Nursery Rhyme Week takes place in the middle of the month. Each year, five rhymes are chosen and children are encouraged to take part in a ‘Rhyme a Day’ challenge by singing the nursery rhymes and taking part in supporting activities.
- November 4-10 is Children’s Book Week. Every Child A Reader has a great selection of free resources.
- November 5th is Guy Fawkes Night / Bonfire Night. BBC Bitesize has a great guide for KS1.
- The second of the biannual Outdoor Classroom Day takes place in the first week of November. On Outdoor Classroom Day, teachers celebrate with a special day outdoors for their class. Why not have a look at our outdoor reading guide for inspiration!
- November 7th is the second Outdoor Classroom Day date for the year. Get outside and read! Have a look at our outdoor reading page for extra inspiration!
- November 8th is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Medicine (STEM) Day #STEMDay. Have a look at our STEM-related stories.
- November 10th is World Science Day. UN Action has lots of ideas and activities for schools.
- November 11th is Remembrance Day. Have a look at our Remembrance topic books list page for ideas and free resources.
- November 11-15 is Anti-Bullying Week. There’s a great pack of free school resources here.
- November 13th is World Kindness Day. Have a look at our kindness book list and Kind by Jess McGeachin
- November 13-19 is Transgender Awareness Week. Trans EDU has produced a range of useful resources for schools.
- November 14th is National Biscuit Base Day #NationalBiscuitBaseDay. Biscuit bases are a crucial component of cheesecakes and similar desserts. According to Biscuit Base Confederation guidelines, approved biscuit bases must be at least 1cm thick to form a mouthwatering foundation for success.
- November 16 is International Day for Tolerance #ToleranceDay. UNESCO has created a useful website here.
- YALC – the UK’s Young Adult Literature Convention – takes place on November 16-17 as part of London Comic Con.
Extension activities:
- Have a look at our writing competitions for November 2025.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest November 2025 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books released this autumn 2025.
- Our November 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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