Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
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.
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.
The School Reading List compiles this list of recommended books monthly. This children’s and YA books of the month list highlights new releases and editions of fiction and non-fiction books suitable for children and young adults aged 2-16.
A selection of reading books to challenge and interest Year 8 pupils – aged 12-13 – in KS3 secondary schools. Authors include Michael Morpurgo and Anne Fine.
Books for Year 9 – a selection of reading books to challenge and interest pupils aged 13-14 in KS3 secondary schools. Authors include Gary Paulsen and Judy Blume.
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.
Edgy stories for 11-14 year olds with titles by Kwame Alexander, Malorie Blackman, Hilary McKay, Jason Rohan, Ele Fountain, Christopher Edge, Catherine Bruton, Derek Landy, Simon James Green, Robert Muchamore, Anne Cassidy & 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.
Season 1, Episode 20 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for June 2024 and Drop Everything And Read (DEAR).
May 2024’s set of book club recommendations features a selection of exciting new titles by Judith Kerr, Angela Woolfe and Mark Chambers, Bethan Clarke, Louise Forshaw, Stephen Mulhern and Tom Easton, Ravena Guron, Ros Roberts, Sarah Naughton and Angeline Boulley.
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 10 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for May 2023, book picks for Pride Month and how how to avoid the summer slide by encouraging reading.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Summer 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
The Thief of Farrowfell is the first in a new series of fast-paced children’s books by YA author Ravena Guron. The action is fast-paced and the side characters well developed. The ending is satisfying while leaving room for further books in the series.
Season 1, Episode 6 of the School Reading List podcast. With new book post, 30 great books for January 2023, a look at our year 1 book list and why we shouldn’t ban books.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in Spring 2023. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
This Book Kills would appeal to fans of Gossip Girl and Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and without spoiling the reveal, the denouement is satisfying and does justice to the plot.
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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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