Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Greg James is a British author and broadcaster. He is best known in children’s literature for co-authoring the Kid Normal series with Chris Smith. The first book, Kid Normal, was published by Bloomsbury in 2017. The series follows the adventures of Murph Cooper, an ordinary boy in a school for children with superpowers. Subsequent titles include Kid Normal and the Rogue Heroes (2018), Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine (2019), and Kid Normal and the Final Five (2020).
The Kid Normal books have been translated into multiple languages and have sold over half a million copies worldwide, according to Bloomsbury. The series was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2018. Greg James and Chris Smith have also written The Great Dream Robbery, published by Puffin in 2021, and Super Ghost, published in 2023.
In addition to his writing, Greg James is known for his work as a radio presenter on BBC Radio 1. His books are published in the UK by Bloomsbury and Puffin. Kid Normal was shortlisted for the 2018 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
Books for 8-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by Alex Bellos, 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.
Human body books for children in EYFS, KS1, and KS2 suitable for cross-curricular topics. Including titles by Charlotte Markey, Robert Winston, Adam Kay, Yumi Stynes, Emma Quay, Nick Fisher, and Elizabeth Verdick.
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.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2019. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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