Year 2 reading list for children aged 6-7
A selection of reading books for Year 2 to challenge and interest children aged 6-7 in KS1 classes in UK primary schools. Authors include Eoin Colfer, Clotilde Perrin, Michael Rosen and Enid Blyton.
Joe Todd-Stanton author page
Joe Todd-Stanton biography
Joe Todd-Stanton is a British author-illustrator whose Brownstone’s Mythical Collection began with Arthur and the Golden Rope in 2016. He followed it with Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx in 2017, Kai and the Monkey King in 2019, Leo and the Gorgon’s Curse in 2020, and Luna and the Treasure of Tlaloc in 2022. Kai and the Monkey King won the 2018 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and Arthur and the Golden Rope was nominated for an Eisner award.
Alongside that mythology sequence, Todd-Stanton wrote and illustrated The Secret of Black Rock in 2017 and The Comet in 2022. He has also illustrated books by other writers, including Icarus by Susan Gates in 2016, Kew: Darwin and Hooker by Alexandra Stewart, and Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono.
His recent illustration work for younger and middle-grade readers includes Hero Trial, the first Dungeon Runners book with Kieran Larwood, published in 2024, and City of Secrets, a Wildsmith novel by Liz Flanagan, published in 2023. In 2024, The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton, won the CLiPPA.
Biography writer: Joanna Nance-Phillips
Children’s literature expert and primary school teacher with 30+ years of experience running a primary school library, teaching literacy and tutoring in the UK and abroad.| Articles and reviews by Joanna Nance-Phillips 
Year 3 reading list for children aged 7-8
Suggested reading books for Year 3 children, aged 7-8. A diverse and interesting range of exciting titles aimed at children of all abilities in lower KS2 including books by Roald Dahl, Jacqueline Wilson, Zanib Mian and Tony Bradman.
Children’s Literature News April 2026
Children’s book news for April 2026: Michael Rosen wins the Hans Christian Andersen Award, CLiPPA and UKLA shortlists arrive, and Puffin launches its new picture book list, Puffin Studio.
Six Weeks by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
Six Weeks is a beautifully written verse novel about grief, family and hope, following Alfie through a summer of loss and difficult conversations as friendship helps him begin to look ahead again.
School Reading List Children’s Book of the Month
The School Reading List compiles this list of recommended books monthly. This children’s and YA books of the month list highlights new releases and editions of fiction and non-fiction books suitable for children and young adults aged 2-16.
Fishing books for children and teens
Fishing books for children and teens with titles by Beatrix Potter, Emily Gravett, Anita Desai, Jess Butterworth, Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, Ernest Hemingway, Bao Phi, Chigozie Obioma, Liz Kessler, Malachy Tallack and Herman Meville.
Graphic novels for KS2 children aged 7-11
Our recommended graphic novels for children aged 7-11 to appeal to reluctant and able readers alike. This list includes works by Ben Clanton, Gary Northfield, Shannon Watters, Deborah Ellis, Jeanne DuPrau and Alastair Humphreys.
Exploration topic books for KS2
Exploration topic books for KS2, including fiction and nonfiction novels, picture books and real life stories by writers including Sally Walker, William Grill, Libby Jackson, Nellie Huang, Catherine Johnson, Katherine Rundell, Alexandra Stewart and Joe Todd-Stanton.
Myths for children
Myths for children, featuring books by Michael Morpurgo, Roger Lancelyn Green, John Agard, Joe Todd-Stanton, Chitra Soundar, Liz Kessler, Efua Traoré, Wendy Shearer, Louie Stowell, and Pamela Butchart.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in spring 2026
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in spring 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Ancient Egyptian topic books
Ancient Egyptian topic books for Key Stage 2, including titles by David Long, Emma Carroll, Emily Bone, David Weitzman, Marcia Williams, Joe Todd-Stanton, Laura Wood and Terry Deary.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Autumn 2025
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Seaside books for children
Seaside themed stories for EYFS, KS1, KS2 and KS3 with titles by Michael Rosen, Mairi Hedderwick, Shirley Hughes, Sam Usher, Atinuke, Richard Pickard, Michael Morpurgo, Lauren St John, Liz Kessler and more.
Biographies and autobiographies for children and teens
Biographies and autobiographies for children with titles by Mick Manning, Brita Granström, Michael Rosen, Vashti Harrison, Floella Benjamin, John Agard, Jacqueline Wilson, Alastair Humphreys, Malala Yousafzai, David Long, William Grill and Linda Sue Park.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Summer 2025
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.
Carnegies 2025 Shortlisted Books
Shortlists for the Carnegie Medal 2025 and Kate Greenaway award 2025 – recommended for children and young adults in primary and secondary schools.
The First Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
The First Year is a powerful and engaging novel, particularly relevant for Year 6 pupils facing their own imminent move to secondary school, as well as those who may be struggling to fit in once they reach Year 7.
Best Children’s Books of 2024
Children’s books of the year 2024 – our team has picked a shortlist of great children’s and teen titles published in the last 12 months, with fiction, non-fiction and picture books for 3-18 years and a diverse range of prose, poetry and graphic novels. Vote now!
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Spring 2025
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Autumn 2024
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels, poetry and non-fiction.
Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial by Kieran Larwood & Joe Todd-Stanton
I can’t wait to recommend Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial to my Key Stage 2 pupils – especially those who love fantasy-adventure novels. The fact that it’s only the first in a series is even more exciting!
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Summer 2024
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton
The Final Year is a highly relevant book that would serve as a great support for year five and six pupils who are facing their own imminent move to secondary school. The verse format makes for an accessible read and the illustrations enhance the realistic setting.
How To Organise An Effective Quiet Reading Time | Series 1, Episode 14
Season 1, Episode 14 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for September 2023 and how to organise quiet reading time.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Autumn 2023
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Transitioning from picture books to short chapter books | Series 1, Episode 11
Season 1, Episode 11 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for June 2023, adventure book picks and transitioning from picture books to short chapter books.
Yoto Carnegie Medal 2023 Shortlisted Books
Shortlists for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2023 and Kate Greenaway award 2023 – recommended for children and young adults in primary and secondary schools.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Spring 2023
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Autumn 2019 – best new children’s and YA books – our picks
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in autumn 2019. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Spring 2019
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.
Bestselling books by Joe Todd-Stanton
Browse Joe Todd-Stanton books on UK.Bookshop.orgBrowse Joe Todd-Stanton books on Waterstones.com
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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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