Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Ben Hoare is a British author and natural history writer. He has contributed to a range of publications, including BBC Wildlife Magazine and BBC Countryfile Magazine. Hoare is known for his work with Dorling Kindersley (DK), where he has written and edited several children’s non-fiction books focused on nature and science.
His notable titles include An Anthology of Intriguing Animals (2018), The Wonders of Nature (2019), and Nature’s Treasures (2021), all published by DK. These books feature detailed illustrations and factual information about animals, plants, and natural phenomena. An Anthology of Intriguing Animals was shortlisted for the 2019 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize.
Hoare has also contributed to the Encyclopedia of Animals and other reference works for children. His books have been translated into multiple languages and are used in educational settings. In 2022, Nature’s Treasures was longlisted for the School Library Association Information Book Award.
Ben Hoare’s work is published by Dorling Kindersley, and he continues to write and edit books on natural history for young readers.
Children’s book news for September 2025: Prizes, lists, roles, and dates crowd the calendar, with UKLA longlists, Wainwright and Klaus Flugge results, WBD 2026 titles, new roles, a City Lit exhibition, and a new charity drive.
Animals nonfiction books for children with wildlife, behaviour, conservation, endangered species, animal diversity and evolution titles by Mike Barfield, Julie Beer, Ed J Brown, Dieter Braun, Susan Martineau, Brooke Barker and Moira Butterfield.
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.
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.
Season 1, Episode 30 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for May 2025 and Investing in Your School Library Can Boost Your School Inspection Grade.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Children’s books of the year 2024 – our team has picked a shortlist of great children’s and teen titles published in the last 12 months, with fiction, non-fiction and picture books for 3-18 years and a diverse range of prose, poetry and graphic novels. Vote now!
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.
Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops, or Waterstones.com, or Blackwells.co.uk.
Keep up to date with our email newsletter and our latest social media posts about reading, children's books and literacy.
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
© 2025 School Reading List. All Rights Reserved | As an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases | Policies and Terms of Use