Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK
Sarah Hagger-Holt is a British author known for her children’s and young adult fiction. Her debut novel, Nothing Ever Happens Here, was published by Usborne in 2020. The book was shortlisted for the 2021 Carnegie Medal and the 2021 Little Rebels Award. Hagger-Holt’s second novel, Proud of Me, was released by Usborne in 2021 and was also shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2022.
In addition to her fiction, Hagger-Holt co-authored the non-fiction title Pride and Joy: A Story of Successful LGBTQ Parenting with her partner, published by Pinter & Martin in 2017. Her work often explores themes of identity and family, drawing on her experience in LGBTQ advocacy.
Hagger-Holt’s third children’s novel, Nothing Else But Miracles, was published by Usborne in 2023. Her books have been recognised for their contribution to contemporary children’s literature in the UK. Proud of Me was also longlisted for the 2022 UKLA Book Awards.
Her novel Nothing Ever Happens Here was selected for the 2021 Read for Empathy collection by EmpathyLab UK.
International Transgender Day of Visibility books for children and teens with titles by Juno Dawson, Virginia Woolf, Kacen Callender, Alex Gino, Kyle Lukoff, Aiden Thomas, Andrew Joseph White, Anna-Marie McLemore, Meredith Russo, and Dashka Slater.
A Sister Like You is an uplifting, feel-good novel about adopted girls Ella and Ari, whose school choir friendship leads to a life-changing family discovery and questions about identity and belonging.
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.
Children’s books with LGBTQIA+ themes for primary schools with titles by Jessica Love, Simon James Green, Ian Eagleton, Juno Dawson, Raina Telgemeier, Sarah Hagger-Holt, Alex Gino, Jen Carney and Benjamin Dean.
Suggested reading books for Year 6 children, aged 10-11. A selection of exciting titles aimed at boys and girls of all abilities in upper KS2. Highlighted authors include David Almond, Malorie Blackman, Nina Bawden and Charlie Higson.
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.
Children’s book news for October 2025: Libraries, lists and a LEGO leap have made this a busy month for children’s reading. Year 8 tests, awards, AI in classrooms, Poetry By Heart, events, market shifts.
Season 1, Episode 11 of the School Reading List podcast. New book post, 30 great books for June 2023, adventure book picks and transitioning from picture books to short chapter books.
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.
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.
Keep up to date with our email newsletter and our latest social media posts about reading, children's books and literacy.
© 2026 School Reading List. All Rights Reserved | As an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases | Policies and Terms of Use
