KS2 Archives < Page 2 of 258

The Last Dragon

Chapter book

From award-winning author Polly Ho-Yen, comes a beautifully illustrated story for readers aged 7+.

Yara has only glimpsed the last dragon on Earth twice. She’s got other things to worry about: her sister is in hospital, her parents are panicking, and her new teacher has labelled her a troublemaker and wants her out. But one evening, in the glow of the lights of the shopping centre in Milton Keynes, Yara finds herself being watched by the last dragon and, before it departs, it leaves her a gift: its only egg.

Entrusted with the care of the last dragon egg, Yara discovers it is more powerful than she could ever have imagined. But there are others who want it and they’ll stop at nothing to steal it for themselves…

A moving story about bravery, self-belief and our responsibility to protect the natural world.

North and the Only One

Chapter book

From the award-winning author of The Brightstorm Chroncles, Vashti Hardy, comes a powerful new story set in a surprising world filled with action, adventure and big questions about family and what it means to be human. Perfect for readers aged 9+ and for fans of Ross Welford and Piers Torday.

Twelve-year-old Rose can’t remember anything before last week, when she woke up not knowing her own name, her own house, or or even her own mother. The only thing Rose recognized was her puppy, North.

But Mother patiently explained everything – well, not everything. Not the real-feeling dreams Rose has about a mysterious forest she half-recognizes. Or why she is not allowed to stray beyond the garden, out into Luminelle, the vast city surrounding them.

Mother is kind and helpful, but Rose can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right. Or maybe it’s everything that’s not right?

But then, when Rose flees to the outside world with North, it quickly becomes clear to Rose that she is different. And for reasons she doesn’t understand, she’s dangerous.

On an unforgettable journey of discovery, Rose uncovers life-altering truths about the city she’s in, the people around her … and ultimately herself.

The Voyage of Sam Singh

Chapter book

In Gita Ralleigh’s second magical middle grade adventure set in a parallel colonial India, land-pirate Sam Singh sails to an isle teeming with spirits and secrets on a perilous journey to find the truth.

‘We are kings of the forest, Let them tame us if they can!’

Sam’s older brother, Moon, has been missing for three long years. Moon is a skilled thief, but Sam fears Moon’s luck has finally run out. It’s rumoured he’s held in the Octopus, a notorious prison on the Isle of Lost Voices, from which no one has ever escaped alive. Leaving his tribe of land-pirates behind, Sam sets sail with the shady Professor Bogusz and his faithful parrot, Suka. With help from a young forest guide called Lola, they trek deep into the island’s interior, a place where spirits dwell and the Octopus casts a deadly shadow.

With a storm brewing and the clock ticking, Sam is in a race against time to break into the prison, save Moon and find a brighter future for them all.

Nush and the Stolen Emerald

Chapter book

A stunning new historical children’s novel from Costa Award-winning author of Asha & the Spirit Bird.

Anushka is furious. As princess of an Indian kingdom, she has watched the British East India Company take land and her family’s most divine jewel – an emerald the size of an apple.

So when her father, the Maharaja, decides to visit Queen Victoria at Buckinham Palace, Nush goes too – determined to bring back the gem that can heal her country.

A fabulous new historical direction from Costa-winning and Waterstones-shortlisted author, Jasbinder Bilan.

Themes of colonialism and identity, mixed with an action-packed royal mystery.

Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly!

Chapter book

The first book in a fantastically funny new history series from best-selling author and chart-topping podcaster Greg Jenner!

Think history is just a boring list of facts and dates? Think again! History is hectic, exciting and unpredictable – in fact, it’s absolute CHAOS! Join bestselling author Greg Jenner on a riotously fun journey through ancient Egypt, from brilliant beginnings to epic ending. Accompanied by expert Egyptologist Dr Campbell Price and with side-splitting illustrations from Rikin Parekh, Greg’s whirlwind tour will cover everything you need to know about the Egyptians and show you what it would REALLY have been like to live through thousands of years of chaotic history. Hold on tight, because with history, you’ll never believe what happens next!

Year 4: 50 Recommended Reads

Best Books for Y4 (Children Aged 8-9)

NEWLY updated – April 2024!

Looking for book recommendations for Year 4 children? Look no further than BooksForTopics.com.

Our experts have assembled a carefully curated list of the top books for 8-9-year-olds, selected by experienced primary teachers, librarians and children’s book experts. Find the best books to top up your Y4 book collection with our hand-picked list of storytime favourites, thought-provoking tales, funny books, picturebooks, graphic novels, poetry collections, non-fiction texts and more. We hope that there will be something for everyone, but do keep your eyes open for magical foxes, Viking cats, wish-granting fifty-pence pieces and a mysterious giant rainforest that grows over the city of London…

Our Year 4 booklist covers a range of genres and themes to cater to a range of children’s reading levels and interests. This booklist includes some of the most popular Year 4 stories such as The Land of Roar, The Boy at the Back of the Class and How to Train Your Dragon as well as some lesser-known storytime delights that we recommend for Y4, like David Almond’s AI-inspired Brand New Boy, Elizabeth Laird’s Song of the Dolphin Boy and the super fun choose-your-own-adventure style mystery The Monster Maker.

The experts at BooksForTopics have hand-picked each book based on merit for its age-appropriateness, quality storytelling, engaging illustrations and ability to challenge children to think imaginatively and creatively. If you are looking for a recommended reading list for Year 4 children, our specially selected booklist has been carefully designed to match the age, developmental stage and interest level of children in Year 4.

As well as the Y4 reading list below to browse, we’ve also got a printable poster and downloadable checklist for you, and schools can purchase full sets of the books via Peters.

Browse the Y4 booklist below or scroll down to find more purchasing options and printable resources.

Year Group Lists – New Additions

Best Books for Each Year Primary Group

New Additions for 2024

Each of our Year Group Recommended Reads lists contains 50 books specially picked out for reading for pleasure in each primary year group, from Preschool to Year 6. The lists are designed to provide recommendations of age-appropriate and accessible books across a range of genres and styles. These lists differ from our topic booklists, as the books are purely selected to read for pleasure at each age group. The Year Group lists also come with printable posters and checklists.

We update our lists annually in April and schools can purchase sets of the packs from Peters. As well as the full book packs, schools can also purchase a top-up pack containing just the newly added titles for 2024.

Some of the titles are newly published, whereas others are older favourites that have just been added to the Year Group lists for the first time. Browse the lists below to see the new additions for each year group, launched 16 April 2024.

Year 3: 50 Recommended Reads

50 Best Books for Y3 (Children Aged 7-8)

NEWLY updated – April 2024!

We’ve selected 50 top recommended books for Year 3 (children aged seven and eight). Find the best books to level up your Y3 reading collections with our carefully selected list of storytime chapter books, independent reads, funny stories, picturebooks, poetry collections, graphic novels, non-fiction texts and more. There’s something for all tastes, but keep an eye out for ninja princesses, adventuring robots, animal rescues and the odd exploding dragon poo here and there, too…

As well as taking into account which reading trends are currently the most popular with Year 3 children, our team of experts at BooksForTopics loves to put each book through its paces. Each title on our booklist has been chosen based on its age-appropriateness, quality of writing, engaging illustrations and ability to inspire children’s imagination and creativity. Our booklists have been carefully compiled by experts in children’s literature, and we have taken care to ensure that we feature a variety of characters, themes and styles that hook in different types of readers.

This booklist includes popular Year 3 stories such as The Boy Who Grew Dragons, Charlotte’s Web and Varjak Paw, as well as the most popular read-it-yourself choices like Dog Man and The 13-Storey Tree House. We also included some lesser-known storytime delights that we recommend for Y3, like The Wild Robot, the wildlife rescue story A Rabbit Called Clover and the magical story of fairies and forests in Lola and Larch.

If you are looking for recommended reads to capture the attention of your Year 3 children, our specially selected reading list has got you covered with books that have been matched to the age, developmental stage and interest level of children in Year 3.

As well as the Y3 booklist below to browse, we’ve also got a printable poster and downloadable checklist for you, and schools can purchase full sets of the books via Peters.

Browse the Y3 booklist below or scroll down to find more purchasing options and printable resources.

Year 5: 50 Recommended Reads

Best Books for Year 5 (Children Aged 9-10)

NEWLY updated – April 2024!

Looking for the best Year 5 books? Look no further than BooksForTopics.com. Our primary school reading experts have selected a list of the top 50 recommended books for children aged 9-10. There are so many books to love on this list, but do keep an eye out for houses that walk, moon miners, boarding schools for criminals and a good old polar bear rescue…

Our Year 5 recommended reading list features a diverse range of books from both classic and contemporary authors, carefully chosen to help develop reading fluency, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Our list includes popular Y5 books such as Percy Jackson, The Last Bear and Diary of a Wimpy Kid as well as lesser-known gems that are equally delightful, like Always Clementine and Guy Bass’s robot-themed SCRAP.

Our team of experts at BooksForTopics considers several factors to ensure that our booklist features the most suitable book recommendations for Year 5 children. In addition to evaluating the current popularity of books, we carefully assess each title’s appropriateness for the age group, quality of writing, engaging illustrations, and ability to stimulate imagination and creativity. Our curated booklists are compiled by specialists in children’s literature, and we take pride in presenting a diverse range of voices and catering to different types of readers, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

Our curated reading list is designed to capture the attention of Year 5 children, matching their developmental stages and interests. We have also provided accompanying resources to support parents and teachers, including a printable poster, a downloadable checklist, and the option for schools to purchase full sets of the 50 books through Peters.

Browse the Y5 booklist below or scroll down to find more purchasing options and printable resources.

Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

History

Geography

Science, Maths & Computing

Literacy & Reading

PSHE & Emotional Literacy

Diversity & Inclusion

Seasonal & Events

Booklists by Child's Age

Age Group: KS2

The Last Dragon

North and the Only One

The Voyage of Sam Singh

Nush and the Stolen Emerald

Totally Chaotic History: Ancient Egypt Gets Unruly!