Recommended reading books for primary and secondary aged children in the UK
Serena Patel is a British children’s author known for her humorous mystery series. Her debut novel, Anisha, Accidental Detective, was published by Usborne in 2020. The book introduces Anisha Mistry, a British-Indian girl who solves mysteries involving her family and friends. The series has expanded to include several titles, such as Anisha, Accidental Detective: School’s Cancelled, Anisha, Accidental Detective: Granny Trouble, and Anisha, Accidental Detective: Show Stoppers.
Patel’s work has received recognition within the UK children’s literature community. Anisha, Accidental Detective won the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Award for Fiction in 2020. The book was also shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award and the British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year. Patel has contributed to anthologies, including The Very Merry Murder Club, published by Farshore in 2021.
Serena Patel is represented by the Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency. Her books are published by Usborne Publishing. In 2022, she was selected as a World Book Day author, with her title Anisha, Accidental Detective: Mission Possible released for the event.
Patel’s Anisha, Accidental Detective series continues to be published in the UK, with new titles added regularly. Her books have been translated into multiple languages. In 2023, Anisha, Accidental Detective: Fright Night was published by Usborne.
Dyslexia-friendly books for children and teens with titles by Malorie Blackman, Patrice Lawrence, Holly Webb, Tom Palmer, Bali Rai, Tanya Landman, Vashti Hardy, Chris Bradford, Jeremy Strong, and Annabel Pitcher.
Short story anthologies for secondary school form time with titles by Roald Dahl, David Almond, Malorie Blackman, Shaun Tan, Robin Stevens, Patrice Lawrence, Katherine Woodfine, Frances Hardinge, Benjamin Dean, and Neal Shusterman.
Detective stories for children and teens with titles by Julia Donaldson, Malorie Blackman, Sharna Jackson, Beth Lincoln, Janice Hallett, Karen M. McManus, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Joelle Wellington, and Cynthia Murphy.
KS2 crime and punishment books with titles by Malorie Blackman, Louis Sachar, Terry Deary, Jon Scieszka, Elle McNicoll, M. G. Leonard, Sam Sedgman, Sharna Jackson, Serena Patel, and Philip Ardagh.
Children’s book news for October 2026: new research on reading wellbeing and representation, UKLA and Week Junior award announcements, Gruffalo Granny, free school support and literacy schemes.
Mystery stories for children and teens with titles by Julia Donaldson, Richard Osman, Marcus Rashford, Marissa Meyer, David Wiesner, Abiola Bello, Patrice Lawrence, Konnie Huq, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and Maureen Johnson.
Children’s books about families and adoption for children aged 2-11 in EYFS, KS1 & KS2 – including stories by Samuel Langley-Swain, Jamie Lee-Curtis, Todd Parr, Phoebe Koehler, Frank Cottrell Boyce and Justin Richardson.
Children’s book news for June 2026: reading enjoyment rises but gaps widen, with IBC book boxes, Bookstart picks, AI findings, awards, festivals and new inclusive school resources.
Book series for children and teens to encourage reading for pleasure, including titles by Dominic Sandbrook, Liz Pichon, Harriet Muncaster, Kevin & Katie Tsang, Marie Lu Robert Muchamore and Jason Reynolds.
Children’s book news for December 2025: award longlists and winners, a library card proposal, Book Nooks, bookshop plans, an MPs inquiry, and exhibitions in Chelmsford and Bedford.
Here’s our selection of top new titles coming out in spring 2026. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
December 2025’s book club includes titles by Monika Singh Gangotra, Sam Hutchinson, Jim Smith, Isabella Harcourt, Serena Patel, Sophie Anderson, Serena Holly, Lucy Edwards, S.A. Reyhani, Denise Brown, Natalie Lucy, B Wheeler & Natasha Preston.
Children’s book news for September 2025: Prizes, lists, roles, and dates crowd the calendar, with UKLA longlists, Wainwright and Klaus Flugge results, WBD 2026 titles, new roles, a City Lit exhibition, and a new charity drive.
Children’s book news for June 2025: award winners, new releases, book sales trends, and key updates for UK teachers and parents. Find highlights from poetry and fiction to inclusive books and literacy campaigns.
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.
Pia’s Pet Club: Puppy Problem is a story full of mayhem, doggy destruction, and heartfelt conversations between Pia and her mum about her fears. The first three chapters are very enjoyable and it’s difficult to fully grasp what will happen next.
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 Spring 2020. These reading recommendations include picture books, early and middle-grade fiction; young adult novels and non-fiction.
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