Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
People Like Stars by Patrice Lawrence is a wonderful book, told from three different points of view. It has fast-moving, intertwined storylines, where strong emotions and childhood responsibilities are beautifully drawn.
January 2025’s set of book club recommendations features titles by Eric Huang, Charlie P. Brooks, Philip Kavvadias, David Owen, Patrice Lawrence, Niyla Farook, Alice Nuttall, Gayle Forman, Sujin Witherspoon, and Madeline Claire Franklin.
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.
A selection of reading books to challenge and interest Year 10 pupils – aged 14-15 – in KS4 secondary schools. Authors include Jeanette Winterson and JRR Tolkien.
Africa themed books for children and teens with nonfiction and fiction titles by Wakanyi Hoffman and Onyinye Iwu, Niki Daly, Ken Wilson-Max, Yaba Badoe, Wilbur Smith, Namina Forna, Wole Soyinka and more.
Crime fiction for teens including titles by Tia Fisher, Robert Muchamore, Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Maureen Johnson, Ben Oliver, Karen M. McManus, Cynthia Murphy and Holly Jackson.
Tudor and Stuart books for children including titles by Patrice Lawrence, Terry Deary, Gillian Clements, Michael Rosen, Lindsay Galvin, Philip Ardagh, Lucy Worsley, Michael Morpurgo, Ally Sherrick and Tony Bradman.
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 Summer 2024. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Shortlists for the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2023 and Kate Greenaway award 2023 – recommended for children and young adults in primary and secondary schools.
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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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