October 2025’s set of recommendations for book clubs features witchy Halloween thrills and mystery, food madness, thought-provoking picture books, tales of resilience and grit, gripping adventures, and faery intrigue. October 2025’s picks include titles by Stephanie Stansbie, Wendy J Warren, Laura Baker, Stacey Thomas, Carrie Sellon, Harriet Muncaster, Nathanael Lessore, Jason Reynolds, N. D. Stevenson, Collins Kids, Jeffrey Boakye, Lauren St John, Bex Hogan, Bill Wood, Rosie Talbot, and Logan-Ashley Kisner.
October 2025 book club recommendations
The Bear Who Wanted to Dance by Stephanie Stansbie and Wendy J Warren
Rita is a bear with big ballet dreams. She trains with her friend Wanda but starts to lose confidence when she compares herself to the ballerinas in glossy magazines. With gentle support from her teacher and friends, she discovers her own inner strength and keeps dancing. Illustrated by Wendy J Warren, this thought-provoking and charming picture book sets a ballet story against themes of self-belief, representation and the joy of seeing yourself reflected in what you love. It is perfect to read and discuss with 3–6 year olds in EYFS and KS1.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
Squirrel and Bird by Laura Baker and Stacey Thomas
Squirrel starts out as noisy and full of energy, while Bird is painted as quiet and shy – or so the narrator thinks. Bird pushes back, pointing out that neither of them can be summed up so simply. Laura Baker’s lyrical story, paired with Stacey Thomas’s lively and vibrant illustrations, shows how friends can be full of unexpected sides. It is a thought-provoking and careful reminder for 3–6 year olds that identity is not fixed and that first impressions do not tell the whole story. Highly recommended, it is perfect for reading and discussing with EYFS children.
3-6 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, which 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
The Diary of Whiska Wildflower by Harriet Muncaster
The Diary of Wiska Wildflower follows Wiska, a small wiskling, as she embarks on her first days at Inkcap’s Academy. Written in diary form with colourful illustrations, the story delves into her search for friendship and self-expression. As Wiska bonds with Cleobelle and Primrose, she learns to balance her creativity with the desire to fit in. All about the ups and downs of friendship and being true to yourself, it’s a charming, relatable read for 7-9 year olds who’ve enjoyed Isadora Moon. Highly recommended.
7-9 year-olds | Author’s website
Time Travel Is NOT My Superpower by Nathanael Lessore, illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh
Sara’s teleportation training takes a wrong turn, sending her, Georgie, Javier and her rival Jock hurtling into the past. They are told not to meddle, but staying unnoticed proves tricky when a birthday party and a ruined cake spark far bigger trouble. Nathanael Lessore, with illustrations by Simran Diamond Singh, keeps the popular series racing along with laughter, chaos and plenty of superpowered twists for 7–9 year olds who like their adventures fast-paced and jam-packed with fun. Highly recommended for less confident readers in KS2.
7-9 year-olds | Author’s website
Coach by Jason Reynolds
This engaging and accessible return to the RUN series traces the childhood of Otis “Otie” Brody, long before he became the Defenders’ coach. Set in the late 1980s, this vivid graphic novel for 8+ year olds follows Otis’s passion for sprinting, his admiration of Carl Lewis, and the shadow cast by his father’s addiction. When both his prized Jordans and his dad disappear, Otie is forced to confront painful truths about family and self. Sport, loss, and resilience run through every stride of his early story. Highly recommended for KS2 readers and less confident readers in KS3.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
Scarlet Morning by N. D. Stevenson
Viola and Wilmur leave their empty home on Caveat when Captain Cadence Chase arrives in search of a locked book. Joining her sets them adrift in greater troubles than they imagined, from Queen Hail Meridian’s death to the shadow of Scarlet Morning and the riddle of the Great Blow. This expansive and gripping illustrated novel for 8–12 year olds mixes tantalising plot puzzles with uneasy alliances and the clash of rival powers across Dickerson’s Sea, with plenty of narrative twists to keep the voyage unpredictable. Scarlet Morning is a fresh and spellbinding fantasy adventure for UKS2 and KS3, highly recommended.
8-12 year-olds | Author’s website
Space Tour by Collins Kids
Space Tour, made in association with the UK National Space Centre, invites children aged 9+ to take a cosmic journey using maps, images, and bite-sized facts. Planets, stars, and space missions are introduced in the style of a travel guide, turning the Universe into a grand tour. Clear and easy to follow, the book provides a lively, fact-packed introduction to astronomy and the vast cosmos beyond. Highly recommended for KS2.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Kofi and the Brand New Vibe by Jeffrey Boakye
Kofi and his friends are buzzing after their pirate station, Clipper FM, turns them into local stars. But the arrival of a flashy new rapper, Snipa, stirs tension and drags Kofi towards trouble he isn’t sure he can dodge. With ambition pushing one way and friendship pulling another, the pressure builds fast in this punchy page-turner. Kofi and the Brand New Vibe is the third in Jeffrey Boakye’s highly accessible contemporary, music-tinged series for 9–11 year olds.
9-11 year-olds | Author’s website
The Lion Cub’s Secret by Lauren St John
Martine saves a lion cub from a market, then discovers he was stolen from a South African game reserve. With her friend Ben, she sets out to return Tau home, only to find the reserve hiding dangers of its own. What starts as a rescue turns into a test of trust and bravery, as well as a reminder of what’s at stake for wildlife. Lauren St John continues The White Giraffe series with another well-written and gripping adventure that’s perfectly pitched to children in upper primary school classes.
9-12 year-olds | Author’s website
Owl King by Bex Hogan
Ilsette and Lyla are drawn into the faery court, where the Owl King is choosing a new bride. While Lyla slips under his spell, Ilsette hunts for a stolen talisman that could tip the balance of power. Their journey takes them through perilous realms steeped in faery lore, old magic, and treacherous bargains. Owl King is a brilliantly written and highly immersive standalone YA fantasy set in the world of Nettle, weaving folklore and courtly intrigue into a tale of survival and shifting loyalties. It’s perfect for KS3 book clubs. Highly recommended. Read our full review.
12+ year-olds | Author’s website
Be Right Back by Bill Wood
Readers are thrust back into Sanera a year after the first murders, as Buffy, Jonesy, Amber, and Cam reunite for the town’s new Hallowed Fall Fest. In this sequel to Let’s Split Up, celebrations soon give way to fear when another series of killings begins. Each crime leaves a cryptic clue, pushing the friends into a dangerous search for answers. Online forums filled with rumours of old legends may hold hints, but the killer stays one step ahead until the final showdown in this gripping and relentlessly pacey chiller-thriller for 12+ year olds. Highly recommended.
12-18 year-olds | Author’s website
We Three Witches by Rosie Talbot
In 1930s York, witch Viola Samphire investigates a deadly fire that claimed her coven sister Edie. Gifted with the unsettling ability to see ghosts, including Edie herself, Viola hunts for answers alongside fellow witches Bea and Merle. Strange signs emerge: children’s spirits drift into view, her divination tools vanish, and the trail twists further. It is a hot cauldron brew of thrilling mystery. Part ghost story, part whodunnit and part gothic romantasy, it is an unforgettable tale of magic, grief, and the fierce ties of sisterhood. Highly recommended, We Three Witches is perfect Halloween reading for 13+ year olds in KS3 and KS4.
13+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Transition by Logan-Ashley Kisner
17 year old Hunter is attacked by a werewolf while recovering from top surgery, and the bite sparks a struggle to protect both his hopes for the future and his friends. His transition, strained relationship with his father, and bullying at school all play into the wider fight against losing his humanity. As the danger mounts, his bond with Mars and Gabe deepens into a relationship that steadies him, even as he wrestles with what it means to survive. This poignant and thought-provoking horror allegory for 14+ year olds is highly recommended.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
Themed day / social media opportunities for October 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.
- October is Black History Month. There are some invaluable resources from National Geographic Kids for 5-11-year-olds, videos and interactive resources for KS2, KS3 and KS4 from BBC Teach, free lesson plans for secondary schools from Stonewall, a collection of resources from the NEU, and this selection of articles and columns from The Guardian for sixth formers.
- International Walk to School Month takes place in October. There’s a wealth of information on the ‘Living Streets‘ website.
- Also, October-wide is International School Library Month. There are lots of ideas on the IASL website.
- During the first week of October, Dyslexia Awareness Week takes place. The BDA has lots of ideas on its website to help schools get involved.
- World Space Week runs at the start of the month and offers a free educators’ network to help inspire the next generation with the power of STEAM and space.
- The Literature for Schools programme at Cheltenham Literature Festival runs from the first week through to the second week of October. The programme includes a vast programme of author events covering all primary and secondary age groups. Henley Literary Festival is also running in October, and there’s an extensive program of streamed events for schools.
- World Teachers Day on October 5th is probably best celebrated by giving hardworking staff the day off. But let’s face it, in most schools, that will never happen. UNESCO has a history of the event and participation ideas on its website. UNESCO also runs the Global Media and Information Literacy Week at the end of October.
- And there’s National Poetry Day! Held on October 3rd, it’s “the UK’s biggest mass-participation celebration of poetry” There are lots of ideas for schools on the official website, including a trove of resources.
- Word Smile Day on the first Friday of October asks everyone to commit to an act of kindness. For pastoral coordinators concerned about potential smile shaming, the Young Minds website has useful resources for schools about all forms of body image.
- World Mental Health Day on the 10th of the month is celebrated on the mentalhealth.org.uk website, which features posts to download and free podcasts.
- Harry Potter Day is held on October 17th. It’s “a chance for fans around the globe to celebrate J.K. Rowling’s iconic series with events”. Teachers can register for a free event kit and there’s an introductory video on the website.
- And finally, there’s Halloween on October 31st. Have a look at our Halloween books list! There are some great resources for primary and secondary schools on BBC Teach, and STEM.org.uk has some great ideas for integrating spooky themes into maths and science lessons.
Extension activities:
- Have a look at our writing competitions for October 2025.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest October 2025 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books released this autumn 2025.
- Our October 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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