Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Julian Gough is an Irish writer whose work includes novels, short fiction and children’s books. He wrote the “End Poem” that appears at the end of the video game Minecraft. In 2007, he won the BBC National Short Story Award for “The Orphan and the Mob”, which later formed the prologue to Jude: Level 1.
Gough’s novels include Juno & Juliet (2001), Jude in Ireland (2007) and Jude in London (2011). His novel Connect was published by Picador in 2018.
For children, he is the author of the Rabbit and Bear series, illustrated by Jim Field, which began with Rabbit and Bear: Rabbit’s Bad Habits (Hodder Children’s Books, 14 January 2016) and continued with Rabbit and Bear: The Pest in the Nest (Hodder Children’s Books, 12 January 2017). His picture book When Tad Kicked Vlad, illustrated by Ross Collins, is published by Faber (2026).
Funny books for children and teens with titles by Michael Rosen, Cressida Cowell, Lauren Child, Nick Sharratt, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Nadia Shireen, Nathanael Lessore, Sonora Reyes, John Patrick Green, and Lex Croucher.
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.
Season 1, Episode 39 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for March 2026 and “Only 10% of boys aged 14-16 read daily for pleasure”.
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