Recommended reading books for primary and secondary aged children in the UK
Isaac Hamilton-McKenzie is a children’s author whose work includes middle-grade fantasy, mystery and action-adventure fiction. He began writing in late 2018 after graduating in History and Economics.
He was part of the writing team for Future Hero, a middle-grade fantasy series created by Jasmine Richards and published under the collective pen name Remi Blackwood. The series includes Race to Fire Mountain, Mission to Shadow Sea, Escape from the Clay City and Battle for Sky Kingdom.
Hamilton-McKenzie has also written with Marcus Rashford on The Breakfast Club Adventures. His books in the series include The Headless Ghost, illustrated by Marta Kissi and published by Macmillan Children’s Books in 2024, and The Goblin’s Revenge, published in 2025.
His solo debut, Jamaal Target: PHANTOM Agent, is the first book in the Jamaal Target series. Published by Puffin in 2026, the novel follows a twelve-year-old boy who discovers inherited powers after his best friend is kidnapped.
World Book Day 2027 takes place on Thursday 4 March. Here is the full selection of 18 New £1/€1.50 books, including all-region titles and regional books for Ireland, Scotland and Wales, plus practical ideas for teachers and parents.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction, young adult novels and non-fiction.
August 2026’s book club includes titles by Michael Rosen, Katherine Rundell, Eoin Colfer, Lex Croucher, A.F. Harrold, Kate Wakeling, Stephanie Stansbie, Julie Sykes, Love Ssega, Lucy Strange, and Angelica Cheng.
Jamaal Target: PHANTOM Agent is fast-moving from the start, making Jamaal instantly likeable and relatable as his life changes through kidnap, secrets, superpowers, danger and questions about identity.
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