Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Erika Meza is a Mexican-born author and illustrator known for her work in children’s literature. She studied graphic design at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California and later attended the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Meza has contributed illustrations to a range of picture books and has collaborated with various authors and publishers.
Her illustration work includes titles such as My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, published by Kokila in 2021. Meza is also the author and illustrator of To the Other Side, published by Roaring Brook Press in 2023. Her books often explore themes of migration, family, and cultural identity.
In 2022, My Two Border Towns was recognised as a Pura Belpré Honor Book for Illustration.
Suggested reading books for Year 3 children, aged 7-8. A diverse and interesting range of exciting titles aimed at children of all abilities in lower KS2 including books by Roald Dahl, Jacqueline Wilson, Zanib Mian and Tony Bradman.
March 2026’s book club includes titles by Ruth Brown, Julie Sykes, Emily Jones, Claire Powell, Love Ssega, Erika Meza, Jenny Jacoby, Emma Swan, Ramzee, Kimberly Whittam, Robert Muchamore, Billy Ray, and Alexis Henderson.
Children’s book news for January 2026: festivals, awards, school publishing, comics events, national reading policy, literacy campaigns and major competitions shaping children’s and YA books across the UK.
Refugees and migration books for children and teens, featuring books by Erika Meza, Na’ima B. Robert, Brian Bilston, Eoin Colfer, Onjali Q. Raúf, Sita Brahmachari, Armin Greder, Michael Rosen, Ele Fountain and Malcolm Duffy.
Shortlists for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2024 and Kate Greenaway award 2024 – recommended for children and young adults in primary and secondary schools.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 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
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