What happens when children spend the book budget? | Series 1, Episode 43
Season 1, Episode 43 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for July 2026 and What happens when children spend the book budget?
Patrick Gallagher author page
Patrick Gallagher biography
Patrick Gallagher is a children’s author whose work explores science, environment and identity for middle-grade readers. A primary school teacher by profession, he studied English and American Literature with Creative Writing in Kent and at Maynooth.
Gallagher’s debut novel, Transcendent, launched a high-stakes science-fiction series following twin prodigies Jacob and Kira. Set between Uganda and London, the story blends space research with questions about climate change and trust in powerful organisations.
Transcendent was published by Orion Children’s Books – an imprint of Hachette Children’s Group – on 6 June 2024. A sequel, Transcendent: Dark Swarm, followed in June 2025.
Biography writer: Joanna Nance-Phillips
Children’s literature expert and primary school teacher with 30+ years of experience running a primary school library, teaching literacy and tutoring in the UK and abroad. Articles and reviews by Joanna Nance-Phillips 
Year 7 recommended reading list for children aged 11-12
Books for year 7 – our reading recommendation for 11 year olds at the start of secondary school in Year 7, including titles by A.M Dassu, Mitch Johnson, Lisa Thompson, Gillian Cross, Malorie Blackman, R.J. Palacio, Philip Pullman, Catherine Johnson & Michael Rosen.
June 2026 book club picks
June 2026’s book club includes titles by Marjoke Henrichs, Philip Ardagh, Ian Eagleton, Hayley Wells, Mary Hoffman, Ros Asquith, Tony Bradman, Bec Manser, Clare Pollard, Patrick Gallagher, Jamie Gregory, Mitch Johnson & Matt Goodfellow.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Summer 2026
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Summer 2025
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2025. These reading recommendations include picture books, poetry, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
Our picks of the best children’s books coming out in Summer 2024
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.
Bestselling books by Patrick Gallagher
Browse Patrick Gallagher books on UK.Bookshop.orgBrowse Patrick Gallagher books on Waterstones.com
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.
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Our latest reading national curriculum year group recommended reading lists:
- Books for EYFS | Books for Reception
- Books for KS1 | Books for Year 1 | Books for Year 2
- Books for KS2 | Books for Year 3 | Books for Year 4 | Books for Year 5 | Books for Year 6
- Books for KS3 | Books for Year 7 | Books for Year 8 | Books for Year 9
- Books for KS4 | Books for Year 10 | Books for Year 11
- Books for 6th Form
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