Resilience topic books
Children’s books about resilience, perseverance, and grit, including titles suitable for KS1 and KS2 by David Long, Cece Bell, Matthew Syed, Julie Murphy, Esther Pia Cordova, and Barney Salzberg.
Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Alastair Humphreys (born 1976) is a British adventurer, author, and motivational speaker, recognised for his extensive global expeditions and efforts to inspire everyday adventure. He has written numerous books for both adults and children, aiming to encourage readers to explore the world around them.
After studying at the University of Edinburgh and Oxford, Humphreys embarked on a four-year cycling journey around the world, covering approximately 46,000 miles across 60 countries and five continents. This expedition laid the foundation for his career in adventure writing and public speaking.
In the realm of children’s literature, Humphreys is best known for The Boy Who Biked the World trilogy. These books follow a young boy named Tom as he cycles through Africa, the Americas, and Asia, introducing young readers to diverse cultures and geographies. The series combines elements of travelogue and fiction, aiming to educate and inspire a sense of adventure in children.
Another notable work is The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean, which tells the story of a young girl’s solo rowing journey across the Atlantic Ocean. This book continues Humphreys’ theme of young protagonists undertaking significant adventures, highlighting resilience and determination.
Humphreys has also authored Alastair Humphreys’ Great Adventurers, an illustrated collection profiling historical figures known for their explorations and achievements. This work serves to introduce young readers to real-life adventurers, providing context and inspiration for their own explorations.
Beyond writing, Humphreys has been involved in various expeditions, including rowing across the Atlantic Ocean and walking across India. He is a proponent of “microadventures,” encouraging people to undertake short, local adventures to break the routine of daily life. His contributions to adventure and literature have been recognised by organisations such as National Geographic, which named him Adventurer of the Year in 2012.
Moods Of Future Joys
Thunder Sunshine
Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes
There Are Other Rivers: On Foot Across India
The Boy Who Biked the World: On the Road to Africa
The Kindness of Strangers: Travel Stories That Make Your Heart Grow
The Gentle Art of Tramping
My Midsummer Morning: Rediscovering a Life of Adventure
Grand Adventures
The Boy Who Biked the World: Part Two: Riding the Americas
Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Adventures
The Boy who Biked the World Part Three: Riding Home through Asia – Part 3
Ten Lessons from the Road
The Doorstep Mile: Live More Adventurously Every Day
The Doorstep Mile
The Boy Who Biked the World: Part Three: Riding Home through Asia
Alastair Humphreys’ Great Adventurers
Around the World by Bike (2 Book Series)
The Boy Who Biked the World: Complete Collection
Philosophy of Logic
The Boy Who Biked the World Collection Alastair Humphreys 3 Books Bundle (On the Road to Africa,Riding the Americas,Riding Home Through Asia Part 3)
The Boy Who Biked the World: Part Three: Riding Home Through Asia
Alastair Humphreys Collection The Boy Who Biked the World 3 Books Bundle With gift journal (On the Road to Africa,Riding Home Through Asia) Gift Wrapped Slipcase Specially For You
Microadventures Lib/E: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes
America’s Viceroys
The Boy Who Biked the World: Part Three: Riding Home Through Asia
Children’s books about resilience, perseverance, and grit, including titles suitable for KS1 and KS2 by David Long, Cece Bell, Matthew Syed, Julie Murphy, Esther Pia Cordova, and Barney Salzberg.
Our recommended graphic novels for children aged 7-11 to appeal to reluctant and able readers alike. This list includes works by Ben Clanton, Gary Northfield, Shannon Watters, Deborah Ellis, Jeanne DuPrau and Alastair Humphreys.
Transport topic books for children aged 5-11 in KS1 and KS2. This list includes nonfiction books and stories by Uijung Kim, Emily Hawkins, Giles Chapman, Vivian French, Vashti Hardy, and Ian Fleming.
Biographies and autobiographies for children with titles by Mick Manning, Brita Granström, Michael Rosen, Vashti Harrison, Floella Benjamin, John Agard, Jacqueline Wilson, Alastair Humphreys, Malala Yousafzai, David Long, William Grill and Linda Sue Park.
The School Reading List compiles this list of recommended books monthly. This children’s and YA books of the month list highlights new releases and editions of fiction and non-fiction books suitable for children and young adults aged 2-16.
Exploration topic books for KS2, including fiction and nonfiction novels, picture books and real life stories by writers including Sally Walker, William Grill, Libby Jackson, Nellie Huang, Catherine Johnson, Katherine Rundell, Alexandra Stewart and Joe Todd-Stanton.
Maya civilisation books for children including fiction and nonfiction titles by Maz Evans, Katherine Rundell, Alex Scarrow, Alastair Humphreys, Clare Hibbert, Davide Domenici, Jerome Martin and Rupert Matthews.
Africa themed books for children and teens with nonfiction and fiction titles by Wakanyi Hoffman and Onyinye Iwu, Niki Daly, Ken Wilson-Max, Yaba Badoe, Wilbur Smith, Namina Forna, Wole Soyinka and more.
Season 1, Episode 13 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for August 2023 and the DfE’s reading framework updates.
Against the Odds is an inspiring collection that will appeal to fans of the Rebel Girls books and readers who prefer non-fiction. As well as being highly engaging for reading for pleasure, the book would also be inspiring for class activities and creative writing prompts.
Season 1, Episode 12 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for July 2023 and using the power of children’s and teen book series to kickstart reading for pleasure.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels 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