Year 11 recommended reading list for teens aged 15-16
A selection of reading books to challenge and interest Year 11 pupils – aged 15-16 – in KS4 secondary schools. Authors include Ray Bradbury and John Steinbeck.
Kate Francis author page
Kate Francis biography
Kate Francis is an English-American writer and architect. She earned degrees from the University of Edinburgh and the Bartlett School of Architecture.
Before turning to full-time writing, she worked as an architect for design firms in London.
Her fiction work includes the young adult thriller Circle of Liars, published by Usborne in 2025. She is also credited with Every Last Liar, scheduled for publication in 2026.
Francis has noted that her background in architecture influences her plotting and world-building.
A recent milestone is the release of Circle of Liars in 2025.
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 
It’s For Your Own Good by Kate Francis
It’s For Your Own Good is a gripping, brisk YA thriller in which Liv is betrayed by her family and trapped at a sinister wilderness camp, where suspicion spreads and escape becomes a fight for survival.
Thrillers for teens
Teen thrillers with titles by Holly Jackson, Karen M. McManus, E. Lockhart, Robert Muchamore, Sophie McKenzie, Maureen Johnson, Kody Keplinger, Rory Power, Ravena Guron, and William Hussey.
Mystery stories for children and teens
Mystery stories for children and teens with titles by Julia Donaldson, Richard Osman, Marcus Rashford, Marissa Meyer, David Wiesner, Abiola Bello, Patrice Lawrence, Konnie Huq, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and Maureen Johnson.
Books for detentions
Books for detentions with titles by Kate DiCamillo, David Baddiel, Liz Pichon, Jeff Kinney, Michael Rosen, Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Ravena Guron, Holly Jackson, and Karen M. McManus.
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.
Circle of Liars by Kate Francis
Circle of Liars is a nail-biting thriller of confessions, guilt, and friendship. With dramatic twists and turns, and a swiftly increasing number of sniper victims, the truth about the fire, the students’ guilt from that day, and their true colours will be exposed.
Bestselling books by Kate Francis
Browse Kate Francis books on UK.Bookshop.orgBrowse Kate Francis books on Waterstones.com
Disclosure: If you buy books linked to our site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops, or Waterstones.com.
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Our latest reading national curriculum year group recommended reading lists:
- Books for EYFS | Books for Reception
- Books for KS1 | Books for Year 1 | Books for Year 2
- Books for KS2 | Books for Year 3 | Books for Year 4 | Books for Year 5 | Books for Year 6
- Books for KS3 | Books for Year 7 | Books for Year 8 | Books for Year 9
- Books for KS4 | Books for Year 10 | Books for Year 11
- Books for 6th Form
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