Summer Reading Challenge
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.
Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Patrice Lawrence is a British author known for her contributions to children’s and young adult literature. She was born in Brighton, England, and grew up in an Italian-Trinidadian family. Lawrence’s writing often explores themes of identity, family, and social issues, drawing on her diverse cultural background.
Her debut novel, Orangeboy, was published in 2016 by Hodder Children’s Books. The book received critical acclaim and won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Children and The Bookseller’s YA Book Prize in 2017. Orangeboy was also shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award and the Carnegie Medal.
Following the success of her debut, Lawrence published Indigo Donut in 2017, which was also well-received and shortlisted for the YA Book Prize. Her other works include Rose, Interrupted (2019) and Eight Pieces of Silva (2020), both of which continue to explore complex themes relevant to young adults.
In addition to her novels, Lawrence has contributed to various anthologies and written short stories. Her work is noted for its authentic voice and ability to engage with contemporary issues faced by young people.
Patrice Lawrence’s contributions to literature have been recognised with numerous awards and nominations, solidifying her reputation as a significant voice in young adult fiction. Her novel Eight Pieces of Silva was shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize in 2021.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, or Blackwells.co.uk.
Keep up to date with our email newsletter and our latest social media posts about reading, children's books and literacy.
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