Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Pádraig Kenny is an Irish author known for his work in children’s and young adult fiction. His debut novel, Tin, was published by Chicken House in 2018. Tin was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Irish Book Awards in 2018. The novel is set in an alternate England and features a cast of mechanical children.
Kenny’s second novel, Pog, was published by Chicken House in 2019. Pog was shortlisted for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards in 2020. The story follows two siblings who encounter a mysterious creature in their new home.
In 2021, Kenny published The Monsters of Rookhaven with Macmillan Children’s Books. The book was illustrated by Edward Bettison and was shortlisted for the 2021 Irish Book Awards. Its sequel, The Shadows of Rookhaven, was released in 2022.
Kenny has also written for radio and contributed to various publications. His books have been translated into several languages. The Monsters of Rookhaven was included in the 2021 Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year shortlist.
Horror for children and teens with titles by Julia Donaldson, Jon Klassen, Oliver Jeffers, Tom Fletcher, Shirley Jackson, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Stephen Graham Jones, Tananarive Due, Kalynn Bayron, and Helen Oyeyemi.
Books about AI and AI ethics for children and teens with titles by Malorie Blackman, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Peter Brown, Neal Shusterman, Philip K. Dick, Marie Lu, Hannah Fry, Cathy O’Neil, Laura Bates, and Kazuo Ishiguro.
This suggested reading list offers lots of book choices for children aged 9 and 10. From fantasy and animal stories to mysteries and science fiction adventures, there’s something for every upper primary child. These books for Year 5 include titles suitable for inspiring both able and reluctant readers.
Dystopian books for children and teens with titles by George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, Suzanne Collins, Stephen King, William Golding, Kazuo Ishiguro, Ray Bradbury, Jordan Ifueko, Yoko Ogawa, and Patrick Ness.
Children’s, young adult and teen books about Halloween, trick or treating, ghosts, unexplained events, and dark spooky nights. With books by Oliver Jeffers, Julia Donaldson, Eric Carle, Harriet Muncaster, Roald Dahl, Susan Hill, Neil Gaiman, Rainbow Rowell and more.
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.
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 2020. These children’s 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 Spring 2019. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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