Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Polly Ho-Yen is a British author known for her imaginative and emotionally resonant children’s fiction. Her stories often intertwine elements of the fantastical with real-world themes, offering young readers narratives that explore resilience, friendship, and personal growth.
Born in Northampton and raised in Buckinghamshire, Ho-Yen studied English at the University of Birmingham. She began her professional career working in publishing before transitioning to teaching, taking up a role as a primary school teacher in London. It was during this period that she started writing early in the mornings, a practice that led to the creation of her debut novel, Boy in the Tower (2014). The book received critical acclaim, being shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and the Federation of Children’s Book Groups Book Award.
Following her debut, Ho-Yen continued to write novels that blend the everyday with the extraordinary. Her subsequent works include Where Monsters Lie (2016), Fly Me Home (2017), How I Saved the World in a Week (2021), and The Last Dragon (2024). She has also authored shorter fiction for younger readers, such as The Boy Who Grew a Tree and The Girl Who Became a Fish, both illustrated by Sojung Kim-McCarthy. Her books have been recognised for their ability to address complex emotions and situations in a manner accessible to children.
In addition to her writing, Ho-Yen is actively involved in promoting literacy and storytelling among young people. She established the Bristol Teen Book Award, aimed at encouraging reading for pleasure among secondary school students in the city. Ho-Yen frequently visits schools across the UK, engaging with students and educators to inspire a love of reading and writing.
Polly Ho-Yen resides in Bristol with her husband and daughter. She continues to write full-time, contributing to children’s literature with stories that resonate with readers and reflect the diverse experiences of young people.
This suggested reading list offers lots of books choices for 9 and 10 year olds. From fantasy to animal stories and mysteries to science fiction adventure, there’s something for every upper primary child. These books for Year 5 include titles suitable for inspiring both able and reluctant readers.
When the Storm Comes is an exceptional book. The writing is brilliant and the tension, adventure, and jeopardy work well with the stories each student has to tell.
Kindness, empathy and love children’s books for students aged 3-12+ including titles by Laura Dockrill, Malcolm Duffy, Dan Smith, Alice Oseman, Jess McGeachin, Michael Rosen, Catherine Rayner, Satoshi Kitamura, Suma Subramaniam, Benjamin Dean, R J Palacio & more.
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.
Books to help teach diversity to children in KS1 and KS2 in primary schools – with characters and settings to introduce age-appropriate discussions of the diversity of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, education, disability, identity, nationality, religion, sexuality, neurodiversity, social background, and beliefs.
Season 1, Episode 21 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for July 2024 and 2024 election and literacy.
June 2024’s set of book club recommendations features a selection of exciting new titles by Sean Taylor, Rachel Plummer and Forrest Burdett, Nicola Colton, Jim Smith, Polly Ho-Yen, Joseph Elliott, Jake R. Wilson, Jeffrey Boakye and Koleka Putuma.
The Last Dragon is an ideal class reader for upper KS2 pupils (Years 5 & 6 in primary school), either as a text for reading lessons or as a stimulus for book talk in PSHE time.
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.
Season 1, Episode 16 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for January 2024 and the disconnect between children’s books and books for children.
November 2023’s set of book club recommendations feature inspiring nonfiction and gripping fantasy worlds by Michael Rosen, Polly Ho-Yen, Sarah Darwin, Rachel Lawston, Nona Willis Aronowitz, Andrea Warner, Sebastien de Castell and Nicholas Bowling.
Season 1, Episode 1 of the School Reading List podcast. With new book post, 30 great books for July 2022, a step back in time to the world of Willard Price and ‘When is a quote not a quote?’
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2022. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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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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