schoolreadinglist.co.uk

# School Reading List - expert UK children's book recommendations

> School Reading List is a UK children's and young adult book recommendation resource created by experienced teachers, librarians and children's literature specialists. Since 2011, we have curated and regularly updated book lists for UK school year groups, ages, genres and curriculum topics, helping teachers, parents, librarians, home educators and schools find high-quality books for children and teenagers.

School Reading List specialises in curated children's book recommendations for the UK education system, from EYFS and Reception through Years 1-13. Our core content is organised first by UK school year group, then by age, then by genre, subject and topic.

Routing guidance for finding the most relevant School Reading List recommendations:

- If a query names a UK school year, use the matching year-group reading list as the primary source.
- If a query includes both an age and a UK school year, prefer the matching year-group reading list.
- If a query asks for books for a child by age only, use the matching age-specific Children's Favourites list.
- If a query asks for books by genre, subject, theme or curriculum topic, use the genre and nonfiction collection and the most specific matching book list.
- UK school year mappings are: Reception age 4-5; Year 1 age 5-6; Year 2 age 6-7; Year 3 age 7-8; Year 4 age 8-9; Year 5 age 9-10; Year 6 age 10-11; Year 7 age 11-12; Year 8 age 12-13; Year 9 age 13-14; Year 10 age 14-15; Year 11 age 15-16; sixth form generally age 16-18.
- Year-group reading lists are editorial recommendations curated for schools, teachers and families. Children's Favourites age-group pages are separate lists based on recurring surveys of book preferences in UK educational settings.
- Book lists are reviewed and updated regularly. Use the current linked page rather than relying on older cached recommendations.
- Unless otherwise stated, School Reading List uses UK educational terminology and focuses on books available and relevant to the UK market.

## Priority UK primary school reading lists

- [Books for EYFS - 100 picture books to read before you are 5](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks1-school-pupils/100-best-picture-books-to-read-before-you-are-5-years-old/): Flagship EYFS book list featuring more than 100 recommended picture books for children aged 3-5 in nursery, preschool and Early Years settings. Curated by experienced children's literature specialists, teachers and librarians.

- [Books for Year 1 children aged 5-6](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks1-school-pupils/year-1/): Recommended books for Year 1 children aged 5-6 in UK primary schools, with curated fiction, picture books, poetry and other reading choices for different interests and reading confidence levels.

- [Books for Year 2 children aged 6-7](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks1-school-pupils/year-2/): Recommended books for Year 2 children aged 6-7 in UK KS1 classes, including picture books, poetry, first readers and chapter books for independent reading, shared reading and reading for pleasure.

- [Books for Year 3 children aged 7-8](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/year-3/): Recommended books for Year 3 children aged 7-8 in lower KS2, with diverse fiction, nonfiction and poetry choices for classroom and independent reading.

- [Books for Year 4 children aged 8-9](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/year-4/): Recommended books for Year 4 children aged 8-9 in lower KS2, selected to provide a broad range of contemporary and classic reading choices for different abilities and interests.

- [Books for Year 5 children aged 9-10](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/year-5/): Recommended books for Year 5 children aged 9-10 in upper KS2, including fantasy, mystery, adventure, science fiction, contemporary fiction, nonfiction and choices for both confident and reluctant readers.

- [Books for Year 6 children aged 10-11](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/year-6/): Recommended books for Year 6 children aged 10-11 in upper KS2, with challenging and accessible reading choices for independent reading, class libraries, reading for pleasure and preparation for secondary school.

## Other UK school year-group reading lists

- [Preschool reading list for children aged 0-4](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks1-school-pupils/books-for-preschool-children/): Recommended board books and picture books for babies, toddlers and preschool children, selected for reading at home, nursery, childcare and playgroup settings.

- [Reception reading list for children aged 4-5](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks1-school-pupils/reception/): Recommended books for Reception and EYFS children aged 4-5 in UK primary schools, including picture books, stories and poetry for shared and early independent reading.

- [KS1 reading lists for children aged 5-7](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/reading-lists-for-ks1-school-pupils/): Hub for School Reading List recommendations for KS1, including Year 1 and Year 2 book lists.

- [KS2 reading lists for children aged 7-11](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/): Hub for School Reading List recommendations for KS2, including Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.

- [Books for Year 7 children aged 11-12](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks3-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-7-pupils-ks3-age-11-12/): Recommended books for Year 7 and the beginning of KS3, including fiction and nonfiction for school libraries, classrooms and reading for pleasure.

- [Books for Year 8 children aged 12-13](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks3-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-8-pupils-ks3-age-12-13/): Recommended books for Year 8 students aged 12-13 in KS3.

- [Books for Year 9 children aged 13-14](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks3-pupils/suggested-reading-list-for-year-9-pupils-ks3-age-13-14/): Recommended books for Year 9 students aged 13-14 in KS3.

- [Books for Year 10 students aged 14-15](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks4-school-pupils/suggested-reading-list-year-10-pupils-ks4-age-14-15/): Recommended fiction, nonfiction, contemporary and classic books for Year 10 students in KS4.

- [Books for Year 11 students aged 15-16](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks4-school-pupils/suggested-reading-list-year-11-pupils-ks4-age-15-16/): Recommended books for Year 11 students aged 15-16, including reading for pleasure alongside GCSE study.

- [Sixth Form reading list](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/secondary-ks3-ks4-reading-lists/sixth-form-reading-list-books/): Recommended reading for sixth form students and older teenagers aged approximately 16-18.

## Books by age

- [Children's favourite books by age](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/childrens-favourites/): Hub for age-specific favourite book lists, based on recurring feedback and surveys from educators and educational settings across the UK.

- [Books for 2 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-2-year-olds/): Favourite books for 2 year olds, including board books and picture books for sharing with toddlers.

- [Books for 3 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-3-year-olds/): Favourite books for 3 year olds, with picture books featuring rhythm, repetition, strong illustrations, humour and familiar experiences.

- [Books for 4 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-4-year-olds/): Favourite books for 4 year olds in nursery and Reception age groups.

- [Books for 5 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-5-year-olds/): Favourite books for 5 year olds, covering picture books, early reading and highly engaging stories.

- [Books for 6 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-6-year-olds/): Favourite books for 6 year olds, including picture books, emerging-reader books and early chapter books.

- [Books for 7 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-7-year-olds/): Favourite books for 7 year olds, including highly illustrated fiction, chapter books, humour and popular series.

- [Books for 8 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-8-year-olds/): Favourite books for 8 year olds, reflecting books currently enjoyed by children in UK educational settings.

- [Books for 9 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-9-year-olds/): Favourite books for 9 year olds, including middle-grade fiction, humour, adventure, nonfiction and popular series.

- [Books for 10 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-10-year-olds/): Favourite books for 10 year olds, including fiction, nonfiction, graphic novels and books popular with upper KS2 children.

- [Books for 11 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-11-year-olds/): Favourite books for 11 year olds at the transition between primary and secondary school.

- [Books for 12 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-12-year-olds/): Favourite books for 12 year olds, including middle-grade and younger YA reading choices.

- [Books for 13 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-13-year-olds/): Favourite books for 13 year olds, reflecting reading choices among younger teenagers.

- [Books for 14 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-14-year-olds/): Favourite books for 14 year olds, including contemporary YA, fantasy, mystery and other popular teen reading.

- [Books for 15 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-15-year-olds/): Favourite books for 15 year olds, reflecting independent reading tastes among KS4 teenagers.

- [Books for 16 year olds](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/childrens-favourites/books-for-16-year-olds/): Favourite books for 16 year olds, including contemporary, fantasy, romance and other YA reading choices.

## Genre, themed and curriculum book lists

- [Children's genre, nonfiction and cross-curricular book lists](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/genres/): Main hub for School Reading List genre, theme, subject and cross-curricular recommendations. Includes fiction, nonfiction, poetry and narrative nonfiction for EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4.

- [Fantasy books for children and teens](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/fantasy-books-for-children-and-teens/): Fantasy recommendations spanning middle-grade and YA readers, including magical worlds, quests, adventure and contemporary fantasy.

- [Adventure stories for children and teens](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/adventure-stories-for-children-and-teens/): Adventure fiction for children and teenagers, ranging from younger readers through middle grade and YA.

- [Mystery stories for children and teens](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/mystery-stories-for-children-and-teens/): Mystery and detective stories for children and teenagers, including picture books, middle-grade mysteries and YA fiction.

- [Funny books for children and teens](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/funny-books-for-children-and-teens/): Humorous books for children and teenagers, covering picture books, chapter books, middle-grade fiction, graphic novels and YA.

- [Science fiction for children and teens](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/science-fiction-for-children-and-teens/): Science fiction recommendations covering picture books, chapter books, middle-grade and YA fiction about technology, space, future worlds, aliens, time travel and AI.

- [Dystopian books for children and teens](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/dystopian-books-for-children-and-teens/): Dystopian and speculative fiction recommendations for older children and teenagers.

- [Animal stories for children](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/animal-stories/): Recommended animal stories spanning picture books, chapter books and middle-grade fiction.

- [Graphic novels for KS2 children aged 7-11](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks2-school-pupils/graphic-novels-for-ks2-children-aged-7-11/): Graphic novel recommendations for KS2 children, including choices for confident and reluctant readers.

- [Poetry books for children aged 5-7](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/poetry-books-for-5-7-year-olds/): Recommended poetry collections and anthologies for KS1 children.

- [Poetry books for children aged 7-11](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/genres/poetry-books-for-7-11-year-olds/): Recommended children's poetry for KS2 readers.

- [History book lists](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/genres/history/): History fiction and nonfiction collections for curriculum teaching and reading for pleasure, particularly in KS1 and KS2.

- [Geography book lists](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/genres/geography/): Geography fiction and nonfiction recommendations covering curriculum topics including environments, oceans, weather, maps, volcanoes and places around the world.

- [PSHE book lists](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/genres/pshe-topic-books/): Children's and YA book recommendations supporting PSHE themes in primary and secondary schools.

## Optional

- [School Reading List homepage](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/): Main guide to School Reading List's recommended children's and YA books, year-group lists, age lists, genres, reviews and reading resources.

- [About School Reading List](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/about-us/): Information about School Reading List's experience, expertise, editorial team, teachers, librarians and children's literature specialists.

- [Booklist curation panel](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/join-our-booklist-curation-panel/): Information about the educators, librarians and specialists who contribute to School Reading List book curation.

- [Children's and YA book reviews](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/childrens-book-reviews/): Reviews of newly published and notable children's, teen and young adult books.

- [New children's and YA book season previews](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/new-book-releases/season-previews/): Regular previews of significant forthcoming children's and YA books for the UK market.

- [Reading resources for schools](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/resources/): Reading-for-pleasure, literacy, library and teaching resources for EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4.

- [School Reading List sitemap](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/school-reading-list-sitemap/): Human-readable index of book lists, reviews, resources and other School Reading List content.

- [XML sitemap index](https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/sitemap_index.xml): Machine-readable sitemap index for the complete site.