Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Lauren James is a British author known for her work in young adult science fiction. She studied Chemistry and Physics at the University of Nottingham. Her debut novel, The Next Together, was published by Walker Books in 2015. This book, which explores themes of reincarnation and time travel, was followed by a sequel, The Last Beginning, in 2016.
James has also written The Loneliest Girl in the Universe, published in 2017, which is a psychological thriller set in space. Her other works include The Quiet at the End of the World (2019) and The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker (2020). In addition to her novels, she has written short stories and novellas, such as The Starlight Watchmaker (2019) and The Deep-Sea Duke (2020).
Her books have been translated into several languages, and she has been shortlisted for various awards, including the YA Book Prize and the STEAM Children’s Book Prize. Lauren James continues to contribute to the young adult genre with her distinctive blend of science fiction and romance.
Keep your teen reading over the summer holidays with books by Abiola Bello, Simon James Green, Cynthia Murphy, Oskar Kroon, Meredith Adamo, E Lockhart, Angeline Boulley, Tess Sharpe, John Schu and more.
A selection of reading books to challenge and interest Year 8 pupils – aged 12-13 – in KS3 secondary schools. Authors include Michael Morpurgo and Anne Fine.
Books for Year 9 – a selection of reading books to challenge and interest pupils aged 13-14 in KS3 secondary schools. Authors include Gary Paulsen and Judy Blume.
Science fiction books for children and teens with titles by Karen Inglis, Christopher Edge, Madeleine L’Engle, Louis Sachar, Donna Barba Higuera, S. F. Said, Malorie Blackman, James Dashner, Douglas Adams, Soyoung Park, Ben Oliver & more.
Ocean and sea life books for children with titles by Alex Bell, Lauren James, Jess McGeachin, Nicola Davies, Michael Morpurgo, Yuval Zommer, Britta Teckentrup and Ken Wilson-Max.
Summer reading challenge – A good reading challenge will not only promote reading and encourage reading for pleasure, but it will encourage a reading culture to spread like a virus throughout your school.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Autumn 2021. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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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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