Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Janeen Hayat is a British-based author of children’s and middle-grade fiction. She grew up in Florida and now lives in London.
Before writing full time, Hayat practised as a lawyer and worked as a teacher. She is also Director at the education charity The Fair Education Alliance.
Hayat’s debut novel, Evie and Maryam’s Family Tree, won the Guppy Open Submission in 2023 and was published in May 2025. The story weaves between contemporary London and pre-Partition India, exploring identity and family history across generations.
In addition to writing, Hayat gives school and library presentations and workshops tailored to young readers.
Evie and Maryam’s Family Tree seamlessly weaves relatable modern-day issues into the historical narratives of two seemingly unconnected families. It highlights that differences can be challenging, positive and rewarding.
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.
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