Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is a British author known for her young adult fiction that explores themes of identity, race, and social justice. Born and raised in Croydon, South London, she pursued a BA in English Literature at the University of Aberdeen and later obtained an MA in Shakespeare Studies from King’s College London.
Her debut novel, Ace of Spades (2021), is a young adult thriller that delves into institutional racism and homophobia within an elite private school setting. The book received critical acclaim, becoming a New York Times bestseller and earning several accolades, including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Youth/Teens in 2022, the Books Are My Bag 2021 Reader’s Award for Young Adult Fiction, and a finalist position for the William C. Morris Award in 2022.
In 2024, Àbíké-Íyímídé released Where Sleeping Girls Lie, a boarding school mystery, and co-authored Four Eids and a Funeral with Adiba Jaigirdar, a story centered on two ex-best friends working together to save their Islamic Centre. She also contributed to the Marvel universe with a story featuring the character Spider-UK/Zarina Zahari and authored The Doomsday Date for World Book Day 2024.
Beyond her novels, Àbíké-Íyímídé has written for publications such as The Bookseller, gal-dem, NME, and Reader’s Digest. She is the founder of the mentorship scheme “Avengers of Colour,” which supports unagented writers of colour in their journey to publication.
Àbíké-Íyímídé identifies as Black, queer, Muslim, and of Nigerian heritage. She currently resides in London.
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.
Summer reading challenge – A good reading challenge will not only promote reading and encourage reading for pleasure, but it will encourage a reading culture to spread like a virus throughout your school.
A selection of reading books to challenge and interest Year 10 pupils – aged 14-15 – in KS4 secondary schools. Authors include Jeanette Winterson and JRR Tolkien.
Books for Year 9 – a selection of reading books to challenge and interest pupils aged 13-14 in KS3 secondary schools. Authors include Gary Paulsen and Judy Blume.
Books for 12-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by Michael Grant, Sarah Crossan, Rick Riordan, Taran Matharu, A.F. Steadman, Erin Hunter, Malala Yousafzai, Faridah Abike-Iyimide, Christopher Edge, John Boyne and Alice Oseman.
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!
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.
Where Sleeping Girls Lie is an intricately plotted tale of loyalty and the quest for justice. It will appeal to older readers who enjoyed This Book Kills and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 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 Summer 2021. 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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