Children’s Literature News August 2025
Children’s book news for August 2025: classroom reading picks, prize winners, nature writing, humour awards, YA headlines, festivals, and policy moves shaping libraries and school resources.
Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Adiba Jaigirdar is a Bangladeshi-Irish author known for her contributions to young adult literature. She was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and later moved to Dublin, Ireland. Jaigirdar holds a BA in English and History from University College Dublin and an MA in Postcolonial Studies from the University of Kent.
Her debut novel, The Henna Wars, was published in 2020 by Page Street Publishing. The book explores themes of cultural identity, entrepreneurship, and LGBTQ+ issues, centring on a young Bangladeshi-Irish girl navigating her way through a school business competition while dealing with personal and cultural challenges. The Henna Wars received critical acclaim and was shortlisted for several awards, including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
Jaigirdar’s second novel, Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating, was released in 2021. This book continues her exploration of LGBTQ+ themes and cultural identity, focusing on two Bengali girls in Ireland who pretend to date each other for personal reasons. The novel was well-received and further established Jaigirdar as a significant voice in contemporary young adult fiction.
In 2022, Jaigirdar published her third novel, A Million to One, a historical heist story set aboard the Titanic. This novel marked a departure from her previous contemporary settings, showcasing her versatility as a writer.
Adiba Jaigirdar’s work is characterised by its focus on diverse characters and authentic representation of underrepresented communities. Her novels have been praised for their engaging storytelling and meaningful exploration of complex themes.
Children’s book news for August 2025: classroom reading picks, prize winners, nature writing, humour awards, YA headlines, festivals, and policy moves shaping libraries and school resources.
LGBTQIA+ themed books for secondary schools, featuring titles by Simon James Green, Alice Oseman, David Levithan, Phil Stamper, Rainbow Rowell, Dean Atta, Meg Grehan, Juno Dawson, Kalynn Bayron, William Hussey and Erin Ekins.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels, poetry and non-fiction.
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Our latest reading national curriculum year group recommended reading lists:
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