Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Why not browse our national curriculum year group recommended reading lists:
Books for Nursery and 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
Suggested reading books for Year 4 pupils, aged 8-9. A selection of exciting titles aimed at boys and girls of all abilities in lower KS2. Featured authors include Roald Dahl, Helen Cresswell, Andy Griffiths, Pamela Butchart and Malorie Blackman.
Books for 11-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by J.K. Rowling, Sophie McKenzie, Raina Telgemeier, Katie Kirby, Kazu Kibuishi, Louis Sachar, Robert Muchamore, Derek Landy, Simon Mugford, Roald Dahl, Jeff Kinney and Jerry Craft.
Our recommended graphic novels for children aged 7-11 to appeal to reluctant and able readers alike. This list includes works by Ben Clanton, Gary Northfield, Shannon Watters, Deborah Ellis, Jeanne DuPrau and Alastair Humphreys.
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.
Suggested reading books for Year 3 pupils, aged 7-8. A diverse and interesting range of exciting titles aimed at children of all abilities in lower KS2 including books by Roald Dahl, Jacqueline Wilson, Zanib Mian and Tony Bradman.
A selection of reading books for Year 2 to challenge and interest pupils aged 6-7 in KS1 classes in UK primary schools. Authors include Eoin Colfer, Clotilde Perrin, Michael Rosen and Enid Blyton.
Books for year 7 – our reading recommendation for 11 year olds at the start of secondary school in Year 7. There’s a selection of choices including classics, well-known authors, new titles, cult fiction and short stories. This recommended Year 7 reading list is aimed at all ability ranges.
Children’s poetry for 7-11-year-olds with collections and anthologies by Michael Rosen, Joseph Coelho, Carol Ann Duffy, Brian Moses, Benjamin Zephaniah, Zaro Weil, Kate Wakeling, Neal Zetter, John Agard, T.S Eliot, Maya Angelou, Kaye Webb and more.
Books for 7-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by Jeff Kinney, Tom Fletcher, Harriet Muncaster, Dav Pilkey, Roald Dahl, Adam Blade, Ian Whybrow, Martin Handford, Dermot O’Leary, Francesca Simon, Humza Arshad and Henry White & Andrea Beaty.
Books for 8-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by David Walliams, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, Liz Pichon, Tom Fletcher, Greg James and Chris Smith, Julian Clary, Roald Dahl, Louie Stowell, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Nadia Shireen & Enid Blyton and Jaqueline Wilson.
Books for 6-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by Dav Pilkey, Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers, Daisy Meadows, Lauren Child, Jeanne Willis, Nick Sharratt, Roald Dahl, Pamela Butchart, Alex T Smith, Julia Donaldson & Lucy Brandt.
Children’s, young adult and teen books about Halloween, trick or treating, ghosts, unexplained events, and dark spooky nights. With books by Oliver Jeffers, Julia Donaldson, Eric Carle, Harriet Muncaster, Roald Dahl, Susan Hill, Neil Gaiman, Rainbow Rowell and more.
A calendared list of competitions, festivals and events ideal for schools to promote to primary and secondary aged pupils.
Banned books week suggestions with middle-grade fiction, teen novels, nonfiction and picture books by writers including Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, Jason Reynolds, Raina Telgemeier, David Levithan and Sherman Alexie.
Our World Book Day costume recommendations and suggestions for cracking book character outfits for your child. We’ve picked out fancy dress kits based on book characters by authors including Roald Dahl, Beatix Potter, J.K. Rowling, J.M. Barrie and Lewis Carroll.
Books for 9-year-olds – favourites chosen by children including titles by Rob Biddulph, David Walliams, Terry Deary, Maz Evans, Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, Matt Haig, Roald Dahl, Joanna Nadin, R.L. Stine, Sharna Jackson, David Baddiel & Kate Pankhurst.
Looking for a travel destination to engage your children? How about a location from a favourite children’s book, or an actual landmark or building which inspired a magical or legendary setting from a story? Here’s a list of top holiday spots with literary themes.
A 100 question quiz with a festive Christmas round for children aged 7-11 in KS2. Genres include fantasy, historical, mystery, adventure and picture books. This literacy quiz is ideal for end of term school activities, family fun in the holiday, or something for your children to do at your local library.
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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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