First published in 1937, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit has become known as a classic book for children and one that remains highly recommended today, particularly for secondary school students.
The story follows the magical adventure of one of the best-loved characters in fantasy literature – peace-loving hobbit Bilbo Baggins.
This book’s engaging narrative and accessible language make it an ideal introduction to longer-form storytelling and the wild and imaginative cast of characters (like the wizard Gandalf, the band of dwarves and Smaug the dragon) familiarise a variety of key tropes of the fantasy genre. It also lays a foundation for appreciating the broader world of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, should readers wish to explore further.
Exciting, strange, magical, adventurous and gripping!
This is an award-winning and profoundly evocative tale by Patrick Ness. Filled with pathos, this is not a story for the faint-hearted. In equal parts emotionally challenging and rewarding, the narrative also offers a profound exploration of love, loss and hope found in unexpected places.
Conor has experienced the same terrifying nightmare since his mother’s illness began. One night, a different kind of visitor arrives at his window – an ancient, elemental monster. As Conor grapples with his mother’s worsening condition, bullies at school and worries about family relationships, the monster’s nightly visits and enigmatic stories force him to confront his deepest fears and the painful realities he struggles to acknowledge.
This powerful novel explores themes of grief, loss and fear while also highlighting the courage required to confront troubling truths and raw human emotions. Ness doesn’t shy away from the deep sadness of Conor’s situation, but at the same time weaves in elements of light and dark and points the reader towards the slow but hopeful process of healing.
A Monster Calls is a poignant and unforgettable modern classic, best suited for mature readers in Key Stages 3 and 4.
This popular and thoroughly gripping series mixes high-stakes action with thought-provoking themes of social injustice and the cost of conflict – making it a modern must-read for young adults.
In the first book in the series, readers are first introduced to the brutal world of Panem, where the chilling Hunger Games force teenagers from twelve districts to fight to the death in a televised spectacle. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps up to volunteer as a tribute in the Games in order to protect her younger sister. For Katniss, this becomes the start of a desperate fight for survival that results in the beginnings of a movement of rebellion against the oppressive Capitol.
With a resilient female lead in Katniss and a relentlessly paced plot, The Hunger Games and its subsequent books offer a thrilling dystopian adventure that are a proven hit with teen readers and have subsequently been made into hit films.
Highly recommended, this series is perfect for fans of action-packed stories with strong characters, a dose of brutality and meaningful themes.
Jeffrey Boakye’s Musical World presents an exploration of 20th and 21st-century global history through the lens of 40 influential songs. By examining artists like Shakira and John Lennon, Boakye reveals how music reflects pivotal historical moments and social changes worldwide, offering a unique and accessible way for young teens to engage with significant historical events and understand the link between music and global issues.
This book is the follow-up to Musical Truth, which focuses on British history, whereas Musical World widens out into a global perspective. Both can be read and enjoyed as standalones.
With its playlist format spanning a range of musical genres, the book introduces important artists alongside topics like discrimination and liberation. Musical World provides a unique and thought-provoking experience of learning, which is bound to offer young people an appealing way to engage with global history. By encouraging critical thinking and harnessing the power of music to connect with and comment on the world around us, the book becomes a highly valuable and appealing non-fiction choice for children in today’s secondary schools.
This is the definitive edition of The Diary of a Young Girl, which details the experiences of Anne Frank as a Jewish girl whose family fled Nazi occupation during World War II.
Anne’s story is written in diary format and provides details of the months leading up to her time in hiding, background about her family and the political situation in Germany and then the Netherlands. The diary depicts Anne’s short life from her hiding place in the Annexe until she was discovered in 1944. It also gives details about those she was in hiding with and the very brave people who kept them safe.
The book is now considered a classic and is accessible for secondary school children – with language and themes appropriate for children in Key Stage. The book could be used in schools in a wider teaching context or for children to read in their own time, although discussion around the events of the book is always recommended. Anne’s is no ordinary diary and the gravity of the historical and political context needs to be keenly felt, particularly as our children grow up in an age where it would seem they need to be alert to hate crimes, extreme political movements and discrimination in various forms.
Nonetheless, her story is a remarkable and eye-opening one that – despite its dark historical context – also celebrates acts of courage in the face of adversity, making it a key text for readers in Key Stage 3.
Wink is a remarkable book with a story that masterfully balances weighty themes with humour, making it a highly engaging read for older children and younger teens.
Ross’s seventh-grade year takes an unexpected turn when he receives a diagnosis of a rare eye cancer, instantly making his desire to be ‘normal’ a distant dream. Navigating the challenges of hair loss, a required hat and the awkward silence of friends unsure how to react, he feels like nothing more than the ‘cancer kid’. Readers follow Ross and his family grappling with this significant life event, discovering strength and laughter through friends, art and music amidst the hardship – not to mention the imagined antics of his comic creation, Batpig, offering a unique and relatable perspective.
Alongside the cancer plotline inspired by the author’s own experiences, this recommended read also explores themes of friendship dynamics, family bonds, peer judgement, identity and cyberbullying. The cast of characters – not least Ross’s friends and supporting adults – highly enrich the story, from Abby’s sharp wit to Frank’s musical passion and Jimmy’s surprising depth.
Relatable, funny and highly recommended.
Kwame Alexander’s Booked is a sports-themed verse novel for readers aged 12 and above, all about growing up.
Told through verse, the story follows Nick as he learns to navigate bullies, family changes and first crushes with the same energy he brings to the football pitch. The dynamic style of the poetry makes Nick’s real-world challenges relatable and engaging for young teens.
The novel’s undaunting verse format and fast pace ensure accessibility, even for reluctant readers. Nick’s journey, guided by a librarian, spotlights the power of stories to navigate tough times. Booked tackles themes of family, friendship, resilience and the challenges of growing up, making it a relevant and appealing read for this age group.
Nicola Morgan’s Be Resilient is a helpful guide for teens, offering practical, science-backed ways to build mental strength.
The book is designed to empower readers to cope with challenges by developing skills for navigating adolescence and beyond, like building support and staying optimistic.
With its clear and accessible style, the book provides relatable advice and encourages self-reflection without patronising readers or downplaying life’s challenges. Morgan equips young teenagers with tools to manage stress and build resilience, making it a highly relevant and beneficial read for this age group and an always-popular choice in school libraries.
An award-winning children’s classic first published in 1976, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry remains a powerful and essential read today, offering a powerful exploration of racism and resilience and set in 1930s Mississippi during the American Depression.
The narrative is told through the experiences of Cassie Logan and explores the Logan family’s unwavering fight for dignity in the face of public racial prejudice. The story addresses key themes such as family loyalty and the pursuit of justice. Students unfamiliar with the historical context will learn about the harshness of growing up as an African American in the American South during the 1930s – a period of enforced racial segregation, Jim Crow laws, nightly Ku Klux Klan rides and the struggle for economic independence.
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry is a highly recommended classic book for tween and younger teen readers and one that will encourage empathy and critical thinking.
Tall Story is a humorous and moving novel about Andi, a teen who finally meets her half-brother, Bernardo, from the Philippines.
Andi deeply wishes to play on the school basketball team but despite her passion, her shorter-than-average height is an obstacle to her success. Meanwhile, when half-brother Bernardo arrives from the Philippines, he turns out to be extremely tall – in fact, giant size!
This dual narrative is told from both Andi and Bernardo’s perspectives and the story explores the ups and downs of their sibling relationship and the merging of their cultures.
Tall Story is Candy Gourlay’s debut novel and makes for a memorable read about family in its extraordinary forms. This is a great text for Y8 readers who will appreciate humour alongside deeper themes of identity, belonging and accepting differences.
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Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
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Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
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