Why author visits are so important for schools | Series 1, Episode 37
Season 1, Episode 37 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for January 2026 and why author visits are so important for schools.
Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Natalie Lucy is a UK-based writer and researcher whose work bridges literature and folklore. She holds a Master’s degree in English Language and Literature and a PhD from University College London, where her doctoral research examined Caribbean and British literature and folklore. As part of her PhD, she completed a six-month placement at the British Library.
Lucy’s debut young adult novel, Searching for the Remarkable in Things, is published by ZunTold. The book explores family history and the legacies of the past through parallel voices across time.
Searching for the Remarkable in Things was published on 25 September 2025 (ISBN 9781915758132).
Season 1, Episode 37 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for January 2026 and why author visits are so important for schools.
Grief and loss themed books for children and teens with titles by Britta Teckentrup, Samuel Langley-Swain, Judith Kerr, Harry Woodgate, Laura Dockrill, Oliver Jeffers, Kereen Getten, Michael Rosen and Joseph Coelho.
December 2025’s book club includes titles by Monika Singh Gangotra, Sam Hutchinson, Jim Smith, Isabella Harcourt, Serena Patel, Sophie Anderson, Serena Holly, Lucy Edwards, S.A. Reyhani, Denise Brown, Natalie Lucy, B Wheeler & Natasha Preston.
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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