Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Hiba Noor Khan is a British author and former physics teacher. She has written several books for children, including The Little War Cat, published by Macmillan Children’s Books in 2020, and One Home, published by Macmillan Children’s Books in 2022. Her non-fiction titles include Hidden Heroes, published by Scholastic in 2022, and How to Spaghettify Your Dog, published by Bloomsbury in 2022.
Khan’s writing often draws on her background in science and her experience working with humanitarian organisations. She has contributed to anthologies such as It’s Not Just You, published by Macmillan Children’s Books in 2023. Her book The Little War Cat was illustrated by Laura Chamberlain.
Hiba Noor Khan’s work has been recognised by the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, with How to Spaghettify Your Dog shortlisted in 2023. She has also been shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards. Her books have been published by major UK publishers including Macmillan Children’s Books, Bloomsbury, and Scholastic.
In 2023, How to Spaghettify Your Dog was shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize.
Suggested reading books for Year 6 children, aged 10-11. A selection of exciting titles aimed at boys and girls of all abilities in upper KS2. Highlighted authors include David Almond, Malorie Blackman, Nina Bawden and Charlie Higson.
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.
Food and cookery topic books including picture books by Gianna Pollero, Jasbinder Bilan, Winsome Bingham, Ewa Jozefkowicz, Chris Callaghan, A.F. Harrold, Morag Hood, Laura Gladwin and more.
Children’s book news for February 2026: CLiPPA opens, Carnegies longlists land, BBC screens Lord of the Flies, plus Information Book Award and ALCS Education Writers’ shortlist updates.
Children’s and teen books about World War 2 with fiction, nonfiction, true stories, picture books, graphic novels, poetry and diaries, with titles by Michael Rosen, Bali Rai, Tom Palmer, Sufiya Ahmed, Michael Morpurgo, Ruta Sepetys and Anne Frank.
Children’s book news for July 2025: winners from Carnegie and UKLA awards, shortlisted titles, summer literacy initiatives, poetry competitions, and reading schemes for schools across the UK.
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.
Shortlists for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2024 and Kate Greenaway award 2024 – recommended for children and young adults in primary and secondary schools.
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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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