Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Books for year 7 – our reading recommendation for 11 year olds at the start of secondary school in Year 7. There’s a selection of choices including classics, well-known authors, new titles, cult fiction and short stories. This recommended Year 7 reading list is aimed at all ability ranges.
Books for 8-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by David Walliams, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, Liz Pichon, Tom Fletcher, Greg James and Chris Smith, Julian Clary, Roald Dahl, Louie Stowell, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Nadia Shireen & Enid Blyton and Jaqueline Wilson.
Suggested reading books for Year 4 children, aged 8-9. A selection of exciting titles aimed at boys and girls of all abilities in lower KS2. Featured authors include Michael Rosen, Helen Cresswell, Andy Griffiths, Pamela Butchart and Malorie Blackman.
Children’s books about families and adoption for children aged 2-11 in EYFS, KS1 & KS2 – including stories by Samuel Langley-Swain, Jamie Lee-Curtis, Todd Parr, Phoebe Koehler, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Justin Richardson.
Science fiction and STEM topic books for Key Stage 1,2 & 3, including fiction and nonfiction titles by Amy Bond, Christopher Edge, David Wiesner, Jane Wilsher, Ross Welford, SF Said and Margaret Wild.
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.
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.
A 100 question quiz with a festive Christmas round for children aged 7-11 in KS2. Genres include fantasy, historical, mystery, adventure and picture books. This literacy quiz is ideal for end of term school activities, family fun in the holiday, or something for your children to do at your local library.
The 2017 shortlist of books for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017 – recommended for children aged 10-14+ and young adults in primary and secondary schools. A great list for secondary school class readers and summer reading material for teens.
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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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