Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Abiola Bello, a Nigerian-British author, hails from Stoke Newington in North London, where she spent her formative years. Her literary journey commenced at the age of 12 when she embarked on crafting the Emily Knight saga.
Abiola garnered critical acclaim for her maiden middle-grade book series. “Emily Knight I am,” published by Hashtag Press under her pseudonym, A. Bello, received enthusiastic reviews. Subsequently, “Emily Knight I am…Awakened,” released in September 2017, also published by Hashtag Press, enjoyed a string of commendations. This second installment achieved a nomination for the 2019 Carnegie Medal, secured the title of London’s Big Read victor in the same year, and reached finalist status in the ‘Best Children’s Book’ category at the esteemed People’s Book Prize in 2019. “Emily Knight I am..Becoming,” the third book in this acclaimed series, hit bookshelves in September 2020, and it too was met with positive critiques.
Wild Magic: The Legend of the Black Lion delivers a positive message and remains hopeful throughout. The illustrations are excellent, adding depth to the storyline, and there is great potential for class activities.
Adventure stories for children and teens, including modern and classic titles by Maz Evans, Cressida Cowell, Dom Conlon, Lucy Brandt, Sufiya Ahmed, Varsha Shah, A.F. Steadman, Wilbur Smith, Robert Muchamore, Robert Louis Stevenson and more.
Books to help teach diversity to children in KS1 and KS2 in primary schools – with characters and settings to introduce age-appropriate discussions of the diversity of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, education, disability, identity, nationality, religion, sexuality, neurodiversity, social background, and beliefs.
Keep your teen reading over the summer holidays with books by Abiola Bello, Simon James Green, Cynthia Murphy, Oskar Kroon, Meredith Adamo, E Lockhart, Angeline Boulley, Tess Sharpe, John Schu and more.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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Picture books for the under 5s | Books for Reception | Books for Year 1 | Books for Year 2 | Books for Year 3 | Books for Year 4 | Books for Year 5 | Books for Year 6 | Books for Year 7 | Books for Year 8 | Books for Year 9 | Books for Year 10 | Books for Year 11
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