September 2026‘s set of recommendations for book clubs features nature and conservation, space exploration, ghosts and Halloween, friendship and resilience, myths and ancient history, mysteries, survival adventures, fantasy magic, dystopia, romance and family drama.
September 2026’s picks features books by Sam Usher, Kes Gray, Petr Horáček, Chloe Savage, Jeanne Willis, Raoul Follereau, Huw Lewis Jones, Laura Baker, Emma Simpson, Maudie Powell-Tuck, Elizabeth Wathuti, Marnie Willow, Joseph Coelho, Elissa Elwick, Hannah Cockayne, Vivian French, Adam Thompson, Erica Harrison, Elaine Connolly, Mick Manning, Phil Corbett, Steve Webb, Jon Lock, Nadia Shireen, Rumana Yasmin, Frances Durkin, Tyus D. Williams, Derek Keilty, Vienna Tran, Charlotte Birkmanis, David Olusoga, Christine Modafferi, Elin Manon, Becky Baines, Katie Tsang, Kevin Tsang, Harry Woodgate, P.J. Killburn, Ruby Clyde, Rachel WD, Jessica Ellis, Steve Cole, Lisa Williamson, Lindsay Galvin, Tom Palmer, Lui Sit, Emma Carroll, Fumitake Koga, Sally Nicholls, Ayana Gray, Anna Bright, Aamna Qureshi, Kelechi Okafor, Catherine Doyle, Elizabeth Acevedo, Ava Reid, Megan Clawson, and Charlotte Ingham.
September 2026 book club recommendations
Bang!: Join the adventures of a boy and his grandad! by Sam Usher
Boy and Grandad are gardening when they dig up something astonishing: a dragon egg. They need to return it to its nest before it hatches, which sends them underground through deep caves, bubbling lava and towering stalagmites. As in Sam Usher’s other Boy and Grandad adventures, imagination and invention drive the journey, with everyday materials repurposed into ingenious ways of getting around. This energetic picture book gives younger children a wonderfully improbable expedition adventure built around imaginative problem-solving, family teamwork and the pressing question of how to get a dragon egg home. It is now available in paperback.
0-5 year-olds | Author’s website
I Saw a Tree by Kes Gray, illustrated by Jim Field
A girl’s bond with a beloved tree is threatened by deforestation in this immersive and accessible interactive picture book for 3+ year olds. Kes Gray’s spare, lyrical, repeating text and Jim Field’s vibrant artwork use peep-through pages to place the tree at the heart of every page. Warm-hearted without losing any moral urgency, this outstanding story offers a perfect starting point for talking about forests, caring for nature and protecting living things in EYFS and KS1 settings. Highly recommended.
3+ year-olds | Author’s website
How to Scare Blue Monster by Petr Horáček
Blue Monster may be lovable, but he is also a little scary, and everyone seems convinced that nothing could possibly frighten him. Petr Horáček centres this picture book on a simple challenge: what can scare Blue Monster? The answer brings a surprise for both the monster and the children following his beautifully illustrated story, making this playful exploration of being scared an entertaining read for 3+ year olds. It’s a thought-provoking and imaginative read that’s ideal for reading and discussing with nursery and EYFS children.
3+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbours by Chloe Savage
Commander Julia and her crew spend ten years crossing space with their loyal dog, Khan, hoping to find life beyond Earth. They hop between planets and moons, each with its own quirks, until they finally meet a welcoming alien species. Chloe Savage mixes story and science, using accessible cross-sections and effortlessly engaging artwork to show how the crew lives on their ship and adapts to new worlds. For 3-7 year olds, it’s a warm-hearted, STEM-inspiring look at exploration, teamwork and meeting cultures unlike your own. Highly recommended.
3+ year-olds | Author’s website
Who Said Boo? by Jeanne Willis, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald
An invisible green ghost delights in frightening everyone inside a green castle, although observant readers can see exactly who is shouting “Boo!” Each startled character accuses the wrong suspect until a clever jester devises a way to expose the mischievous culprit. The cumulative rhyme, repeated phrases and pantomime-style audience participation make it especially enjoyable to perform aloud with a EYFS groups.
3+ year-olds | Author’s website
A Smile by Raoul Follereau, illustrated by Hoda Hadadi
When a smile moves through a typical day, it effortlessly changes the mood of family, neighbours, school and community in small but positive and noticeable ways. Perfect for 3+ year-olds, this enchanting and uplifting picture book pairs Raoul Follereau’s thought-provoking short poem with Hoda Hadadi’s vibrant collage illustrations, creating a gentle classroom or bedtime read about kindness, empathy and the effect simple gestures can have. Highly recommended.
3+ year-olds | Illustrator’s website
Clive Penguin Learns to Fly, Sort of by Huw Lewis Jones, illustrated by Ben Sanders
Clive Penguin is tired of hearing how brilliant seagulls are at flying, so he decides he’ll fly too. Never mind that penguins can’t. With a lot of determination and a touch of stubbornness, Clive gives it his best shot. Along the way, he trades dry remarks with the narrator in a playful back-and-forth in this funny picture book for 3-6 year olds about persistence and believing in yourself. Now available in paperback.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
Squirrel and Bird by Laura Baker, illustrated by 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. Now available in paperback.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
Pebble and Po by Emma Simpson
Pebble wakes one morning on Po’s soft, warm tummy, beginning an unexpected friendship and a journey in which the pair brave rainstorms, explore dark caves and meet curious companions. They do not always know where they are going, but they quickly learn they can depend on one another. This charming picture book sensitively explores kindness, asking for help and the uneasy feeling of becoming lost or muddled. Highly recommended for KS1.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
Frankenkitty by Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Mini Grey
Born from stitches and lightning, Frankenkitty wanders the halls of a gloomy castle where most of its inhabitants are convinced that the strange new creature must be monstrous. Only Olive sees a sweeter side to him. As Frankenkitty gets blamed for everything going wrong, the story mixes gothic spookiness, visual jokes and mischievous scares with a gentle challenge to judging others by appearances. Mini Grey’s detailed and vibrant illustrations give 3-6 year olds plenty to discover. It’s a striking picture book to read to EYFS classes in the run-up to Halloween.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
The Forest Is a Part of Me by Elizabeth Wathuti, illustrated by Michelle Pereira
Kenyan environmentalist Elizabeth Wathuti looks back to the moment she planted her first tree at seven and the connection with nature that grew into a life of campaigning against deforestation. Michelle Pereira’s vibrant artwork and peek-through pages accompany this biographical picture book about forests, environmental protection and the possibility of making a difference. The story introduces EYFS and KS1 children to conservation through activism and a genuine love of the natural world. Highly recommended.
3-6 year-olds | Author’s website
Thrive: inspiring conservation stories from across the world! by Marnie Willow, illustrated by Amy Grimes
From mangrove forests in the Philippines and British hedgerows to the grasslands of the Gobi Desert, this illustrated guide examines threatened habitats and the people working to protect them. KS1 classes can utilise this fabulous hardback to discover projects involving Darwin’s frogs, angel sharks and tiger habitats in the Terai Arc, alongside examples of scientists, conservationists and communities helping nature recover. The hopeful approach also shows children practical ways that people can contribute to protecting wildlife and ecosystems. Highly recommended.
5+ year-olds | Author’s website
Rapunzel is a Lettuce: Poems to Grow With by Joseph Coelho, illustrated by Shirley Hottier
Joseph Coelho’s poetry collection recognises that children grow as readers at different speeds and may enjoy returning to simple, familiar poems while also trying something more challenging. The poems are designed to meet changing moods and understanding, offering fresh discoveries along the way. With Shirley Hottier’s illustrations, this collection for 5+ year olds gives young poetry fans room to revisit, explore and grow. Highly recommended.
5+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Gumdrops: Main Character Energy by Elissa Elwick
The Gumdrops are guardians of a magical land filled with imaginary friends, storybook characters and creatures born from dreams. When they meet Bowie, he is fading because his book is being forgotten, so they travel inside his story and try to bring it back to life by making it as exciting as possible. This interactive graphic novel, the second in a highly engaging series, gives 5-8 year olds a playful, accessible adventure shaped by imagination, storytelling and the mischievous Evilee. Highly recommended for less confident KS1 and KS2 readers.
5-8 year-olds | Author’s website
Behind the Scenes by Hannah Cockayne, illustrated by Åsa Gilland
5-9 year olds get an access-all-areas look at London and Whipsnade Zoos in this enthusiastically fact-packed collaboration with ZSL. Hannah Cockayne visits places ordinary visitors do not see, from reptile-house corners and veterinary hospitals to the kitchens where animal food is prepared. There are Sumatran tigers, Asian elephants and a close look at a zookeeper’s working day, alongside the wider conservation work carried out by ZSL. Åsa Gilland’s vibrant illustrations help turn animal care, habitats and conservation into an inviting and highly accessible behind-the-scenes tour. It’s perfect for KS1 and KS2 libraries.
5-9 year-olds | Illustrator’s website
Trouble in Ogreville by Vivian French, illustrated by Pauline Gregory
Monny the ogre has accidentally destroyed the village bakery, leaving the Pepper family in a terrible fix. His solution is to take them to Ogreville, where Good King Ogle might grant them a new bakery if they can make him a cake. Unfortunately, the palace is in disarray, Prince Pomlet is throwing tantrums and Hogspittle has plans of his own. Vivian French’s illustrated, fun-packed, fairy-tale first chapter book adventure mixes ogres, royal trouble and plenty of chocolate cake with a fast-moving comic plot. It’s ideal for KS1 and LKS2 children. Highly recommended.
6+ year-olds | Author’s website
Tiny Tours Travel Guides: Ancient Egypt by Adam Thompson and Erica Harrison
Tiny takes young explorers back to Kemet during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II, showing them where to stay, what to eat, how to barter and which monuments to visit. Built like an illustrated travel guide, with an engaging map, timeline, useful glossary and lively facts, it is aimed at 6+ year olds who enjoy history. It’s ideal for KS1 and LKS2.
6+ year-olds
Mouse and Bear: Stay Safe Online by Elaine Connolly, illustrated by John Cei Douglas
Mouse’s time online brings accidental spending on gaming skins, cyberbullying, comparison and too much screen time, but Bear is ready to help. Ten short graphic stories give 7+ year olds eminently practical ways to recognise risks, use devices with care and enjoy games safely. Elaine Connolly’s highly relatable scenarios are informed by expert advice, while John Cei Douglas’s reassuring comic art keeps the accessible guidance friendly, humorous and ripe for discussion in KS2 PSHE lessons. Highly recommended.
7+ year-olds | Illustrator’s website
Nature’s Heroes: Great Conservation Campaigners by Mick Manning, illustrated by Brita Granström
Mick Manning and Brita Granström introduce conservation campaigners from across the world and across history in this graphic non-fiction book for 7+ year olds. The line-up stretches from Queen Hatshepsut of ancient Egypt to Sir David Attenborough and young activists working today, offering an informative survey of inspirational people who have campaigned for nature in different places and periods. Perfect for KS2 libraries, this vibrant and lively collection of biographies offers detail, accessible text and a highly engaging presentation. Highly recommended.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Ghost and Toast: Slice to Meet You! by Phil Corbett
Ghost arrives at a haunted mansion expecting the paranormal, but not a talking slice of bread called Toast. Ghost remembers nothing about life before becoming a ghost, so the unlikely pair set out to uncover his past while contending with evil pastries, ghost trains, giant kittens, gingerbread houses and a scheming Croissant. Phil Corbett’s graphic novel keeps the jokes and surreal detours coming. The comic sharpness and brisk visual storytelling make this a sparkling pick for 7-12 year olds.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Peng and Spanners: Dr Biscuits! by Steve Webb
Spanners takes his latest invention, the Crust-Away, to the Invention Convention, where rival inventor Dr Biscuits and his boss, Magnificent, realise they could use it to steal anything from anywhere without leaving their secret hideout. For KS2 readers, this fun-packed fourth Peng and Spanners graphic crime novel has the pair desperately trying to stop them before they can put their plan into action. Highly recommended.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Tiny Hercules – Golden Cabbage Chaos by Jon Lock, illustrated by Nich Angell
Tiny Hercules must find the elusive golden cabbage, but Tiny Zeus has sent the Tinytaur, Minidusa and the Grifflet to stop him. Meanwhile, Jeff is using facts, figures and charts to save his local supermarket, and the two missions soon collide. A lively full-colour comic adventure for 7-11 year olds, this second Tiny Hercules story combines mythical monsters, visual jokes and an unusually mathematical battle against disaster.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Grimwood: The Fast and the Furriest by Nadia Shireen
The Treebonk World Cup has arrived, and Nancy is determined to lead her scrappy team of squirrels to victory. Unfortunately, Grimwood’s players are hopeless, Twinklenuts’ stadium has been destroyed and an entire team has disappeared. Ted, Nancy and their forest friends must rescue the tournament before the trophy slips away. 7+ year olds can be assured that this, the sixth Grimwood adventure, delivers abundant illustrated mayhem, frantic sporting action and the series’ characteristically anarchic humour.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Stories from Bengal: Myths, Legends and Folk Tales of the Region by Rumana Yasmin, illustrated by Farah Khandaker
Chaader Buri, the magical grandmother on the moon, spins stories from moonlight and invites children into Bengal’s rich storytelling traditions. Gods and goddesses, clever tricksters, mystical saints and magical creatures appear alongside Ganga’s journey from heaven to earth, Gopal Bhar’s cunning escapades and tales of Sufi wisdom. Perfect for 7-12 year olds, this 40-page collection combines engaging retellings with cultural insights, while Farah Khandaker’s intricate, nakshi kantha-inspired artwork celebrates the region’s folklore and textile heritage. Highly recommended.
7+ year-olds | Illustrator’s website
Myths and Legends: The Heroes, Gods and Monsters Who Shaped Our History by Frances Durkin, illustrated by Nur Ventura
Twenty myths and legends from around the world introduce intrepid KS2 readers to lightning-throwing gods, blood-sucking creatures, ingenious tricks and epic adventures. Bite-sized historical context explains what the stories can reveal about the past, while accessible step-by-step activities help 7+ year olds bring them to life. Nur Ventura’s wonderful illustrations give this high quality non-fiction text a bold visual route into heroes, gods and monsters. Highly recommended for years 3-6.
7+ year-olds | Author’s website
Secrets of the Museum: Predators by Tyus D. Williams, illustrated by Hannah Bailey
The first Secrets of the Museum volume treks through rainforest, desert heat and ocean depths to discover some of the world’s most captivating predators. Facts and interactive challenges accompany the expedition as it moves between these very different habitats. It’s perfect for LKS2 individual reading, sharing and exploring in the school library.
7-9 year-olds | Author’s website
Olivia Shivers: Spooky Special Agent by Derek Keilty, illustrated by Louis Ghibault
During a school author visit, Olivia alone realises that the visiting writer is a ghost. The discovery reveals that she has inherited her grandfather’s Spook Sense and that he secretly works for SCARE, the Spook Capture and Rehabilitation Enterprises. When Grandpa is kidnapped, Olivia and her best friend Roop launch a rescue mission. This series opening adventure for 7+ year olds blends accessible chapter-book storytelling, black-and-white illustrations, supernatural danger and an inventive secret-agent setup. It’s a winning formula for KS2.
7-10 year-olds | Author’s website
Space Explorers: Our Solar System by Dr Vienna Tran, illustrated by Donough O’Malley
From Mercury’s fierce heat to Neptune’s icy edge, each stop reveals what makes the planets and moons of our cosmic neighbourhood distinctive. Comets, asteroids and dwarf planets broaden the tour, while vivid illustrations help make immense distances and unfamiliar worlds easier to picture. 7-11-year-olds will love the inviting visuals, accessible text underpinned by clear science and the real-world expertise of a doctor and space-medicine researcher. Highly recommended for KS2 libraries.
7-11 year-olds | Illustrator’s website
Wonders of the Wild: Sharks by Dr Charlotte Birkmanis, illustrated by Gustav Dejert
Great whites and tiger sharks share the pages with less familiar species such as cookiecutter and goblin sharks in this guide to 50 remarkable fish. Each profile covers habitat, diet, size and conservation status, supported by labelled anatomy and a useful glossary. For KS2 children fascinated by the wonders of marine life, the combination of a shark researcher’s expertise and Gustav Dejert’s superb illustrations provides plenty to browse, compare and discuss. Highly recommended.
7-11 year-olds | Author’s website
Black and British: an illustrated history for young readers by David Olusoga, illustrated by Jake Alexander and Melleny Taylor
Roman Africans guarding Hadrian’s Wall begin this accessible journey through 1,800 years of Black British history. Young readers encounter an African trumpeter at Henry VIII’s court, Georgian campaigners against slavery, Black First World War soldiers and the Windrush generation. Ideal for 8-11 year olds, it’s full of immersive full-colour combinations maps, timelines, photographs, portraits and illustrated galleries. Now available in paperback.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
A Year in the Forest: by Christine Modafferi, illustrated by Magdalena Konecná
A different forest discovery awaits on every day of the year, mixing nature facts and short stories with hands-on activities, poems, drawing ideas and journalling prompts. KS2 children can explore woodland creatures and birdlife, mark dates such as Earth Day and World Wildlife Day, and consider practical approaches to sustainability and conservation. This outstanding and beautifully realised treasury for 8+ year olds suits independent browsing, shared reading or primary school libraries, with Magdalena Konecná’s illustrations making each entry super-inviting and easy to dip into. Highly recommended.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
Earth Ever After by Elin Manon
Mother Earth narrates the planet’s story in this spectacular illustrated gift book hardback, explaining time from creation and the birth of life to the environmental pressures of the present day. Elin Manon’s lyrical text and immersive graphic illustrations place humanity within the natural world, showing growth, change and the delicate balance between people and the planet. For 8+ year olds, the sweeping timeline offers an accessible starting point for conversations about interdependence, responsibility and how we might live more harmoniously with Earth. Highly recommended – a stunning book.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
How to Do (Almost) Everything by Becky Baines, illustrated by Laurie Avon
Reading a map, tying knots, making slime, building a den and even writing an algorithm are among the 100 exciting and practical challenges gathered here. Step-by-step diagrams, photographs and detailed illustrations turn each skill into something readers can try, while specialists add tips on paper planes, moon-watching, memory and more. Curious readers aged 8+ can browse easily between crafts, outdoor know-how, brain teasers and useful everyday tasks. A stunning large-format hardback, How to Do (Almost) Everything is perfect for gifting. Highly recommended.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Neverland Thieves by Katie Tsang and Kevin Tsang
Gold dust, strange music and living stone creatures pull Tom, his visiting best friend Felix and new friend Daisy from Great Ormond Street Hospital into the magical world of Neverland. Mermaids, pirates and the Lost Boys and Girls await, but this blockbuster page-turning adventure soon turns dangerous when the children are blamed for a string of thefts and must face the Beekeeper to clear their names. It’s a spellbinding and pacey choice for 8+ year olds who enjoy immersive fantasy quests with relatable characters. Highly recommended for KS2 classes.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
Cinnamon Crumb, Baking Detective: The Great Cake Caper by Harry Woodgate
Cinnamon Crumb lives in Marzipan, a town full of famed bakers, but she cannot even manage toast without burning it. Detective work suits her better. At the Great Cake Carnival, rivals Victoria Sponge and Madeleine Macaron are battling for the Twelve Tier Crown, and both decide Cinnamon is useful. Victoria asks her to spy on Madeleine. Madeleine asks her to spy on Victoria. Cinnamon says yes to both, then sabotage creeps into the contest and she is stuck in the middle. Illustrations appear on nearly every page in this deliciously clandestine, cookery-sprinkled mystery that’s bound to appeal to 8+ year olds. Highly recommended.
8+ year-olds | Author’s website
Dead Yard: Deep Trouble by P.J. Killburn, illustrated by Markia Jenai
Jermaine wants to leave the supernatural events surrounding his great-great-uncle Carl’s Dead Yard behind, but trouble follows him. A voice calls from the water, snakes burst from school sinks and classmates disappear into the Thames before returning with strangely altered personalities. The second Dead Yard adventure gives 9-12 year olds another deliciously creepy mystery with Jermaine and his friends.
8-12 year-olds | Illustrator’s website
Glam and Beardy: Volume II by Ruby Clyde and Rachel WD, illustrated by Vincent Batignole
After Glam and Beardy are nearly blasted by someone from the supposedly destroyed Fire Kingdom, they have plenty of questions about their world, Beardy’s Ice power and the history they have been taught. Their search for answers takes them towards the secret and dangerous Fire Kingdom. Told through their shared diary, this effortlessly funny fantasy adventure for 8-10 year olds mixes friendship, mystery and magical powers. The second in a series that’s ideal for less confident KS2 readers.
8-12 year-olds | Author’s website
When the Birds Wake Up by Jessica Ellis, illustrated by Sophie Burrows
Ten-year-old Pear is trying to manage her grandma’s Alzheimer’s, a new school and cruel classmates when Piglet, a scruffy rescue dog, comes into her life. For 8-12 year olds, this outstanding and powerful illustrated verse novel explores music, friendship and the bond between a child and dog as Pear begins to rebuild her confidence and sense of self. Highly recommended, When the Birds Wake Up is perfect for reading and discussing as a class text in UKS2. Read our full review. https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-book-reviews/when-the-birds-wake-up/
8-12 year-olds | Illustrator’s website
The Wild Ones by Steve Cole
After the Night of the Great Growl leaves the pet care centre empty of people, Scamp heads out into a city now roamed by the Things. With Chandelier, Punzel, Patticake, Falstaff, Nudge and Wink beside him, Scamp leads the perilous search for safety and a new home. The powerful and relatable animal cast gives the quest plenty of character and authenticity, while full-page illustrations help keep the danger gripping, accessible and real. It’s a standout survival adventure story for 8+ year olds. Highly recommended.
8-12 year-olds | Author’s website
Bigg School: Stepmum Showdown by Lisa Williamson, illustrated by Jess Bradley
Gabby has enough to deal with at Henry Bigg Academy before discovering that her dad’s new girlfriend, Natasha, is also Miss Bell, the school’s super-strict new teacher. Then Gabby gets her first period and feels too embarrassed to tell anyone. Funny but sympathetic about family change and growing up, this latest Bigg School story gives 9-12 year olds plenty of recognisable worries alongside Gabby’s campaign to stop a new stepmum joining the family. It is the seventh in the popular, fun, school-based series.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Cleopatra’s Amulet by Lindsay Galvin
Twelve-year-old Cleopatra is already a princess and goddess of Egypt when a threat to her father’s life forces her to investigate who wants the throne badly enough to kill for it. A prophecy and an enchanted board game summon Egypt’s animal gods to protect her, although not all are trustworthy. This exciting and well-paced Ancient Egyptian adventure for 8+ year olds mixes royal intrigue, mythology, danger and a young Cleopatra determined to save Egypt. It’s ideal for class reading as part of an Ancient Egyptians humanities topic with KS2 children.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
Front Foot by Tom Palmer, illustrated by Robin Boyden
Newly arrived in Britain, Azeem carries his father’s dream of seeing him play cricket while worrying about his mother and sister, who remain in a refugee camp in Pakistan. On an estate where football dominates, he teaches new friends the game and invites intimidating older boys to form a team. For readers aged 9+, with a reading age of 7, this punchy story explores displacement, family pressure, friendship and the challenge of concentrating despite being far from home.
9+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Wildcat and the Gathering Storm by Lui Sit, illustrated by David Dean
Caring for Noma, a wilful baby kuri wildcat whose mythical powers are beginning to emerge, gives Puffin Lau a demanding new responsibility. When Puffin’s scientist mother runs into trouble during a research trip, Puffin, Lance and Noma rush to rescue her, only to discover a much wider threat. A gripping and immersive animal adventure for 9-11 year olds, the sequel combines family relationships and magical abilities with an escalating environmental crisis. Highly recommended.
9-11 year-olds | Author’s website
The Curator’s Collection: An A to Z of Plants illustrated by Katie Scott
From wild columbine to ginger root, this stunning alphabetical gallery hardback reveals the variety, complexity and beauty of the plant kingdom. Created in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this compact edition draws on the world of Botanicum, pairing scientific detail with Katie Scott’s marvellous and intricate botanical illustrations. 9-12 year olds can browse one plant at a time, or compare unfamiliar species and discover how much diversity lies within the flora growing around the world. This versatile pocket-sized format also makes it an appealing reference book for nature topics, outdoor learning and primary school libraries. Highly recommended.
9-12 year-olds | Illustrator’s website
Dracula & Daughters: School for Slayers by Emma Carroll
Strange events at the prestigious Poisonwood School for Boys have frightened the pupils into holding secret vampire-slaying lessons. Mina, Buffy and Bella must persuade them that killing is not the answer, even as vampires begin appearing by the classful and the cousins’ healing skills are put firmly to the test. Ideal for 9-12 year olds, this second adventure combines a school mystery with gothic atmosphere, supernatural danger and the return of Dracula’s ever resourceful granddaughters.
9-12 year-olds | Author’s website
The Courage to Be Yourself by Fumitake Koga
Ockley hates being the only octopus at school, especially when that makes him the target of jokes. Meeting a wise old hermit crab begins to change the way he understands himself. This illustrated blend of story and self-help for 10-14 year olds explores thoughts and feelings, the limits of what we can control, self-knowledge and self-acceptance, offering engaging and practical ideas for building confidence and resilience. Highly recommended.
10+ year-olds | Author’s website
Dangerous Influence by Sally Nicholls, illustrated by Jessica Cruickshank
Anna and Josie have grown up in front of their mother’s camera, with family life turned into popular online content. Anna has long felt uneasy, but the danger becomes impossible to ignore when a follower begins stalking Josie and both sisters refuse to keep filming. Written for 11+ readers at a reading age of 8, this powerful short novel raises urgent questions about consent, privacy and the cost of an income built on children’s lives.
11+ (Teen) year-olds | Author’s website
Hawk & Sparrow by Ayana Gray
In Gilded Age-inspired Basalton, seventeen-year-old Vesper Evans works for the Basalton Herald and distrusts the magic used by the city’s wealthy elite. After witnessing a murder, she accepts an offer from rich young sorcerer Maximilian Kite to investigate and help prove his innocence. Their search requires a fake courtship that suddenly brings Vesper into high society. 12+ year olds can expect mystery, magic, romance and pointed social divisions. A gripping read for KS3 students.
12+ year-olds | Author’s website
Disney Wings of Reverie by Anna Bright
Frost-fairy Periwinkle crosses too close to the forbidden border between Spring and the Winter Woods and discovers a lost magic that gives her dreams. When those dreams begin to show the destruction of the Pixie Dust Tree, mysterious dream-talent Weaver claims they can spin them into the thread needed to save it. Their search for a magical spindle and scissors leads into the lost workshops of earlier dream-talents, with monsters and dangerous magic ahead. This Pixie Hollow romantasy for 12+ year olds blends quest fantasy with a developing attraction between its two leads.
12+ year-olds | Author’s website
A Witch’s Guide to Love and Deception by Aamna Qureshi
Born without magic and often disregarded, Sonya runs away from the castle she has never left. For readers aged 12+, her escape brings her to Azam, a ‘stitch-witch’, who offers her a place in the cottage he shares with his grandmother and little sister. As news of the missing princess spreads, Sonya’s new life is threatened and she must decide who she can trust. A thrilling witchy love-tinged magic fantasy for 12+ year olds. Highly recommended.
12+ year-olds | Author’s website
Are You Still Watching by Kelechi Okafor
In 2032, Dorcas is thinking about university, a career and escaping her small town when an otherworldly visitor reveals something horrifying: her entire life is a reality show broadcast across the galaxy. Worse, the audience is losing interest, and cancellation could be permanent. Kelechi Okafor turns that premise into a sharp dystopian thriller about surveillance, social media, AI ethics and inequality. Imaginative 13+ year olds can follow Dorcas as she tries to work out what makes a life worth living when everyone may be watching. A gripping and unputdownable teen read. Highly recommended.
13+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Dragon and the Dove by Catherine Doyle
Love and power are pulled in opposite directions as Sera and Ransom confront the self-proclaimed People’s Saint. Sera’s Saint-maker gift threatens to consume her, while Ransom, newly sainted, is bound to nightmarish shadows. The stunning concluding City of Fantome novel is a high-stakes romantasy for 14+ year olds, bringing the trilogy’s questions of loyalty, sacrifice and what its central pair are prepared to lose to a final, unforgettable reckoning.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
Anger Is Only a Shadow by Elizabeth Acevedo
Seventeen-year-old Lil has three weeks until her court hearing and is determined to follow the rules of her probation, however fiercely her anger pushes back. But when Aldwin, hundreds of miles away, begins talking about nightmares and hearing voices, just helping him could put her own freedom at risk. Through contemplative poetry and incisive humour, this stunning contemporary novel for 14+ year olds explores family ties, self-understanding and the cost of doing the right thing. Highly recommended.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
Winterveil by Ava Reid
Valeran Academy recruits the nation’s brightest and most precociously criminal students, training them through war simulations, ruthless competitions and unsettling new technology to become elite assets in a Cold War that has lasted nearly a century. Four very different students are drawn into a mysterious mission as a conspiracy takes shape. This highly imaginative and incisive dystopian thriller for 14+ year olds tests loyalty, ambition and the uneasy boundary between freedom and tyranny. It’s perfect for KS2 book club discussion.
14+ year-olds | Author’s website
The Fall I Fell by Megan Clawson
Ava Matthews has always associated her grandparents’ farm with long school holidays, treehouse secrets and Jacob, her best friend and first love. When her parents’ marriage falls apart, she returns to the autumn countryside and finds Jacob still next door, two years after he broke her heart. Megan Clawson folds first love, family upheaval and questions about Ava’s future into a cosy second-chance romance. The novel is a warm, reflective and thought-provoking choice for 14+ year olds who enjoy contemporary romances. Highly recommended.
14+ year-olds
Too Hexed To Handle by Charlotte Ingham
Daisy is a Souleater, an outlawed magical being who feeds on emotions, and a hex has made her kiss deadly. She keeps both secrets while running a crumbling inn, until a mysterious contest offers a possible cure and a reward large enough to save it. Her quest pairs her with Astin, her gardener and a Souleater hunter who has no idea what Daisy is, creating a fantasy romance built on dangerous secrets and impossible attraction. It’s a delicious blend of magic, smouldering romance and sharply fun fantasy. Highly recommended.
16+ year-olds | Author’s website
Themed day / social media opportunities for September 2026
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.
- September is #BackToSchoolMonth – the perfect opportunity for parents and classroom teachers to stock up on children’s books for the year ahead. Our most popular recommended book guides at the start of the school year are our lists of Year 1 books, Year 6 books and Year 7 books.
- #WorldLetterWritingDay is held on September 1st and there are lots of ideas and sources of inspiration on the World Letter Writing Day website.
- September 13th is Roald Dahl Story Day, held on the author’s birthday each year. The day is “an annual global celebration of Roald Dahl’s marvellous stories, characters and worlds from Matilda to Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.” There are details explaining how to get involved and activity ideas on the website.
- September 15th is #OnlineLearningDay. We have a comprehensive online learning resource page with ideas and websites to support online learning.
- September 15th is World Afro Day, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026. The day promotes equality, celebrates Afro hair and provides opportunities to explore identity, representation and hair discrimination through books and discussion.
- The Diverse Books Awards shortlist is announced. The award aims to “highlight the best of the diverse voices published in the UK & Ireland”.
- September 6th is #ReadABookDay and September 8th is UNESCO’s #InternationalLiteracyDay – both great opportunities to revitalise whole-school reading, set up a reading challenge or take part in a writing competition.
- September 9th is the UN’s International Day to Protect Education from Attack. Books about young people living through conflict, displacement or restrictions on schooling can open up discussion about the right to education and why schools need to remain safe places.
- The Jane Austen Festival runs from September 11th to 20th in Bath, with talks, performances, book clubs and Regency-themed events. It’s a good excuse to revisit Austen’s novels, compare screen adaptations or stage a suitably dramatic classroom reading.
- Avast ye! Get your pirate books out and put on your best cod Cornish accents! It’s Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th. Perhaps arrange a teacher-sponsored talk like a pirate for the entire school day!
- September 21st is the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. War fiction, refugee stories, historical novels and books about protest or reconciliation can provide starting points for discussions about conflict, peace and the experiences of young people around the world.
- September is World Kid Lit Month – “the time to discover international literature for children and young adults”. Their website contains useful resources for primary and secondary-aged students.
- September 24th is World Gorilla Day. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund has lots of ideas to generate interest or involvement, or you might decide to opt for a sponsored ‘come to school hairy’ day, or read aloud and dress up as the characters from Anthony Browne’s books.
- September 26th is the European Day of Languages. The 2026 theme is ‘Languages unite!’ – try a multilingual library display, explore the languages spoken in your school community or compare how familiar book titles, characters and phrases are translated into other languages.
- International Podcast Day is held on September 30th. Listen to our children’s literature podcast, which features new book reviews and previews, ‘blast from the past’ author features, current themes in literacy and English teaching and much more.
- And finally, September is #NationalSewingMonth – ideal for kick-starting an extracurricular needlework club and reading The Spell Tailors by James Nicol with your KS2 class.
Extension activities:
- Have a look at our writing competitions for September 2026.
Other recently released titles to have a look at:
- Our latest September 2026 books of the month.
- Our rundown of the best books released this summer 2026.
- Our September 2026 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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