Year 9: 50 Recommended Reads

Inspired to take a walk on the moors by their Dad, who remembered taking such walks with their grandad when he was their age, Nicky and Kenny set off with their Jack Russel terrier on what should have been nothing more than a stroll to take in the views and blow off a bit of energy after being cooped up during the Easter holidays. Even as they step off the bus to begin their walk, Nicky can see the weather changing as a few flakes of snow become more of a blizzard, and what had been a fun adventure leaves them frozen to the core, lost and alone.

Picking up the slim tome, I initially wondered how this diminutive volume could live up to the reviews, especially as I am not familiar with the three prior titles in the series, but I needn’t have worried. Heartbreaking and soul-restoring in equal measure, you’re swept along on their journey with insights into some of their lives and troubles before the time and to the depths of their fear, pain and anguish as their stroll takes a more dangerous turn. Incredibly emotive, more sensitive readers may find some of the text upsetting.

This book doesn’t waste a single word. Unquestionably a rich source for writing and discussion.

Stone Cold was originally published in 1993 and is a teen story of hope, friendship and homelessness. The key protagonist is Link, homeless at age 16 and alone on the streets. He meets another youngster, Ginger, who provides much-needed friendship and support, but who then goes missing. Link tries to find out what happened to him.

It is most definitely a young adult book, best suitable for readers aged 13 and above, due to some graphic written descriptions and language use. However it is an extremely powerful portrayal of young people having to live on the streets when they become homeless, and the issues and dangers they face. The author, Robert Swindells, originally wrote it in response to seeing so many youngsters homeless on visits to London and hoped that it might provoke a public (and government) response to alter their perceptions of homelessness, which is rarely a matter of choice. With little having changed for the better since then for homeless teens, this is just as important a read now as it was when first published.

Powerful and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to think for themselves about what it is to be human and how to care about others.

The Austen Girls is the imagined tale of Jane Austen’s nieces, Anna and Fanny, and their introduction to society, balls, mature responsibility, and matters of the heart.

Anna and Fanny are cousins who have just reached marriageable age. Close friends with very different personalities, the girls have very different views of the world and their roles and responsibilities within it. The cousins are under pressure to find suitors, one for the money, the other for family. Whilst they navigate the pressures of society during the Georgian era, a darker plot enfolds, involving scams, prison and thief-takers.

The book is written by Lucy Worsley, famous for her history television programmes and the Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces. She was inspired to write this tale whilst researching for a Jane Austen Biography she was writing. It is clearly written by an Austen-lover, and there is a clear respect for the author here, which may inspire readers to start to explore Austen’s works for themselves.

A delightful and composed book for secondary pupils, this is a great read.

I can entirely see why this book was garlanded with awards. It is a beautifully written story (originally in Welsh), told in two voices, Dylan and his mother. Each voice is starkly different, experiencing the world differently. The nebulous End, is explained but left deliberately vague and is all the more menacing for that.

The story forces you to think about what you might do if the worst happened and the end of life as we know it appeared on the horizon. It might be an awful time, and yet it is also an extraordinary time, allowing both mother and son to experience things as they never would otherwise. This is a dystopian novel with a difference, because although it contains literally world-shattering events, it is remarkably calm and low-key in tone and surprisingly uplifting despite the tragedy.

It is a story that will stay with me for a long time. The content, themes and language of the book are best suited for mature KS3 readers and above.

A powerful thriller based on real events and winner of the Yoto Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Medal for Writing 2023.

This heartbreaking thriller would be for more mature readers in KS3 and KS4. Cristian has lived his entire life in the grip of a repressive dictatorship. The country is governed by fear. When the secret police blackmail him, Cristian has an impossible choice. Save the life of his sick grandfather by informing on his family, or risk his life – and all of theirs – by resisting? At 17, Cristian dreams of being free but doesn’t know who to trust. In this dangerous climate of constant suspicion, can he questions who he can trust.

Closely based on the real events of the Romanian Revolution of 1989, this is a powerful, heart-breaking thriller from the author of Salt to the Sea, winner of the Carnegie Medal.

A timeless classic by renowned historical fiction writer Geoffrey Trease, A Cue for Treason is a thrilling adventure set in Elizabethan England.

The novel follows fourteen-year-old Peter Brownrigg, who joins a travelling theatre group and apprentices with William Shakespeare after fleeing a tyrannical lord. Peter uncovers a dangerous plot in a gripping tale of spies, betrayal and treason against Queen Elizabeth herself. 

Originally published in 1940, this is a story that remains exciting for today’s readers in KS3 who enjoy historical fiction and is an excellent companion to any study of the Elizabethan era.

A compelling historical novel set in 1945.

Salt to the Sea follows a small group of refugees who are desperately fleeing the Russian army. As they make a dangerous journey across the country, their destination is a German evacuation ship, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Each chapter is told from a different character’s perspective as the group strives to flee to safety. 

Based on meticulous research into the real-life maritime disaster, Ruta Sepetys weaves a masterfully crafted narrative that is both beautiful and sad. Told as a multiple perspective narrative, this story explores topics of survival and unity during the final months of the Second World War, as well as wider themes of refugee experiences, learning to trust others and the power of finding hope and human connection in difficult times.

The first in Philip Pullman’s thrilling Victorian mystery series for teens and young adults.

Sally Lockhart finds herself embroiled in a perilous adventure after her father’s unexpected death at sea. When Sally moves to London to live with her cousin, an anonymous letter leads her to the city’s dangerous underworld. Determined to uncover the truth about her family’s past, Sally is soon at the centre of a plot involving murder and deceit.

This mystery adventure story, inspired by Victorian melodrama, is full of suspense, excitement and historical insights into the injustices of the era, making it a rich and compelling read.

Philip Reeve’s Carnegie medal-winning ‘Here Lies Arthur’ is a radical reimagining of the legend of King Arthur full of intrigue, subterfuge and gender politics.

From the moment that Gwyna is rescued by Myrddin, she becomes a key player in the carefully constructed legends aimed to persuade Britons of the one true king. Disguised as a young boy, she learns to fight, ride and live within Arthur’s court, travelling the land helping Myrddin spin stories that command awe and wonder and ease strategic alliance. But, as Gwyna grows up, her secret can’t stay hidden forever, and her days with Myrddin are numbered. Placed into service to Gwenhwyfar, wife of Arthur, Gwyna soon finds herself in a dangerous position as she struggles to keep her lady’s romantic secrets hidden from Mryddin and his greater political plans.

‘Here lies Arthur’ is a fast-paced adventure story with a unique twist on the Arthurian legends.

With a high-interest premise for today’s teens, Keren David’s fast-paced novel explores a challenge offered to a group of students: give up their phones for six weeks to win a prize of one thousand pounds.

The story follows Esther, who struggles with the challenge as she uses her phone to keep in contact with her father and sister in New York. She soon realises that not everyone is playing the challenge fairly.

This relatable story offers a look at the impact of technology and social media on young people in a fair and balanced way – unapologetically touching on both pros and cons of teenage mobile phone use. Written in a dyslexia-friendly format, it is an ideal and accessible short read exploring themes of friendship, peer pressure and the digital world.

This sci-fi comedy classic wasn’t initially written for children, but so many young readers still fall in love with this pop-culture series between the ages of 12 and 17.

Perfectly ordinary Arthur Dent is surprised to learn that his best friend Ford Prefect isn’t from Guildford, but actually from Beletegeuse, and that Earth is about to be destroyed to make way for a new hyperspace bypass. The pair flee the planet and set off on a wild series of bizarre, hilarious adventures that will appeal to sci-lovers and fans of silly humour.

Douglas Adams’s Hitchhiker novels are imaginative and very funny. This edition, which is illustrated by former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell, is brought to life with line illustrations that capture the spirit of quirky adventure perfectly.

Little Women is Louisa May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age novel, first published in 1868.

This timeless story follows the lives of the four March sisters, each with a distinct and memorable personality. From the beautifully poised eldest sister Meg and the fiercely independent and bookish Jo (often cited as a favourite heroine of classic literature!) to the gentle and musical Beth and the self-absorbed youngest sister Amy. Most readers can see elements of their own or their friends’ personalities reflected in one or more of the sisters.

Set in America during the American Civil War, the book follows the girls as they navigate the challenges and joys of growing up and finding their place in society as females during this time period – a task that takes each of the four sisters on separate courses. 

The enduring appeal of their shared experiences and individual journeys ensures the story remains relevant and deeply relatable for contemporary readers today, and is a classic work of literature not to be missed.

This first book in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic Lord of the Rings saga, first published in 1954, introduces hobbit Frodo Baggins, who inherits the all-powerful One Ring forged by the dark lord Sauron. To prevent Sauron from dominating Middle-earth, Frodo must embark on a perilous journey to destroy the Ring.

Joining forces with a wizard and various travelling companions, he begins his quest towards Mordor.

This series is considered a foundational work of epic fantasy, earning its place in the literary canon for both adult and teen readers.

When the boat Bill is on capsizes during a ferocious storm, he becomes separated from his crewmates and ends up adrift in a tiny boat on the endless sea. A few days later, he comes across a girl, Aya, also a survivor of a shipwreck, and they decide that their chances of survival are better together.

As their hopes of being rescued quickly fade, Aya keeps Bill going with tales inspired by Shahrazad. Together they do what they have to do to survive – they learn how to create drinkable water from the interminable ocean, they realise they are going to have to kill to eat, and they try to protect themselves from the devastating heat of the sun. Then, one day, they spot land … but is it going to be the safe haven they have so desperately hoped for?

This is an incredible story of survival against the odds, of finding the inner strength to survive and of the power of friendship.

Robert Swindells’ Brother in the Land is a much-loved story of survival, first published in 1984, with a post-apocalyptic setting.

 This powerful story plunges the reader into a world shattered by nuclear war, tapping into public fears that are still as prevalent today as they were when it was first published during the Cold War. The story follows Danny Lodge and his younger brother as he navigates the grim aftermath of a nuclear bomb, his hometown now a scene of devastation and emptiness.

Without the comforts and safety of civilised society, Danny contends with a landscape where danger abounds – including the impact of radiation and the inevitability of human selfishness. Meanwhile, his efforts to protect his sibling are admirable as he strives not to give up hope. The narrative is an unflinching look at human responses to the fight for survival.

Brother in the Land is a stark and highly memorable adventure, recommended for Year 9.

Eragon is the first book in the Inheritance Cycle series, written, amazingly, by the author when he was just 15. Paolini was clearly a lover of fantasy, and his passion shows in the novel, with echoes of ‘Star Wars’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’, with dragons thrown in for good measure!

Fellow fantasy lovers will enjoy the story of a poor farm boy who realises he is destined to do battle against the evil forces in his land when he discovers a dragon’s egg in the forboding forest near his home village. As well as epic quests and adventure, there is also violence and bloodshed – including the death of a baby impaled on a stake.  Themes of good vs evil are prominent, and the ‘Shade’ and his minions – the urquals – are pretty scary, although no more so than characters from Tolkien’s works!

Recommended for teenage fans of fantasy worlds who are looking for a series to dig into.

Following the tragic death of his father, teenager Gabe’s world is turned upside down. As he grapples with grief and a new life with his estranged uncle, he discovers an extraordinary power: the ability to create alternate realities through a video game.

Gabe’s journey begins as an escape, but soon evolves into an interesting and empathetic exploration of family, loss and the very nature of reality.

This is a thought-provoking and rich read, perfect for older students and those interested in gaming or the notion of alternative realities.

Frances Hardinge’s historical fantasy A Skinful of Shadows transports readers to the turbulence of the English Civil War.

The tale follows twelve-year-old Makepeace, who has been raised to ward off the restless spirits of the dead. Her abilities are tested when, in a moment of grief, she is possessed by an unexpected spirit: a bear. With this powerful spirit residing within her, Makepeace is thrust into a terrifying new life with her estranged and sinister family.

This multi-layered narrative blends a paranormal mystery with fast-paced historical drama, creating a highly original story for teens that is as beautiful as it is thought-provoking.

Jessie Burton’s Medusa is a spellbinding reimagining of the ancient myth, told with tenderness and a new perspective. Rather than focusing on Medusa as the terrifying monster of legend, Burton gives her a voice filled with longing, vulnerability and strength.

The story centres on Medusa as a young woman living in exile, grappling with her identity and the curse that has defined her. When she encounters Perseus, their meeting is charged with tension and the weight of choices that could change everything. Burton’s retelling strips away the layers of fear and villainy that have clung to Medusa for centuries and instead portrays her as a symbol of resilience  and female power.

A stunning, must-read for young adults. The story paints Medusa in such a different light from the one in most other stories. Utterly captivating.

A visually stunning representation of an incredibly emotive novel.

This story is told through the voice of Will, who has grown up knowing how to watch his own back and that of his friends and family, knowing the death of those close to him in his neighbourhood and knowing ‘The Rules’. Then the unthinkable happens, and Will knows it is his turn to right the wrongs, just like his brother, Dad and Uncle before him.

Incredibly insightful, this graphic novel opens up a world of gangland violence without sugar coating or glamorising any of it. The tale is powerfully delivered through language and watercolour.

Once I had started this book, there was no stopping; I was completely swept up by its emotional force.

There’s no stopping Amber either, once she sets herself on the path of rebellion against her father and her community. To the outside world, she is a pretty normal teenager. At home, she wrestles with a toxic mixture of poverty, alcoholism, domestic violence and the expectation that, as a girl, she must obediently prove she is not a burden. The only outlet for her emotions is running, which turns down the rage and provides respite from the familiar urge to escape. When her father’s rules threaten to destroy an amazing chance for her to run competitively, Amber musters the courage to rebel. The price of freedom will be high, but she is determined not to cave in like her sister and mother.

Written in verse, economical language strikes to the heart of complex issues and conflicting emotions. Through the poetry of Amber’s internal narrative, we get to know a character who inspires our sympathy and empathy. She resents her father’s control, but she also loves him. She is frustrated by her mother’s compliance, but she also worries for her. She longs to share her secret but also wants to protect it. The closer she comes to total rebellion, the more desperately Amber hopes she won’t have to go through with it. This compelling and moving story gives a voice to those marginalised by poverty, fear and demanding social expectations. It would be great for provoking discussions about cultural norms, individuality and ambition.

‘It’s the hope that’ll kill you.’This haunting story of hope and heartbreak wrenches the emotions as it explores the meaning of life and death, love and forgiveness.

For Joe, his brother Ed is the person who attended his parents’ evenings, who saved up money so he could have proper Christmas presents, and who protected him from the disorder of a life of poverty with an alcoholic mother. But when Joe was seven, his brother – himself damaged by the disorder – left home. Then Ed is wrongly accused and found guilty of the murder of a cop in Texas, where the penalty for the crime is death. Years of appeals have failed, and now there’s a date for his execution. Joe, still only a teenager, travels alone from New York to Texas to visit his brother. There’s one final hope for reprieve.

Flashbacks fill in the details of the brothers’ relationship and show the poignant contrast between public perceptions and private memories of a convicted murderer on Death Row. Written in verse, the language is spare and simple and cuts directly to the emotional centre of Joe’s young life. I liked the way it is carefully nuanced. There is empathy rather than judgment for all the characters – even the warden responsible for the Death Row prisoners and Aunt Karen, who assumes that Ed is guilty and does her best to keep Joe from his wicked older brother. This beautiful book made me think, and cry – and I’m still worrying about Joe.

Packed with tales as old as time, unsolved mysteries and stories stranger than fiction, this introduction to urban myths contains super-succinct summaries of different urban legends and folk tales, grouped roughly by period and then theme. The range is global, which enables themes to be compared and cross-referenced across time and cultures. While many of the tales were familiar to me, many others were not. I found myself fascinated by how similar legends spring up in completely different places, responding to shared human concerns. Each story summary is followed by a very brief and measured discussion of context, plausibility and origin. This allows the authors to point out links between story traditions, identify nuggets of truth and expose wild embellishments.

Very often, the authors’ analyses pinpoint where the legends began and suggest why they were believed and passed on. This is a real strength of the book. It mitigates the horror of some of the creepier tales and provides useful warnings against disinformation – a crucial theme for today’s teens living in a world of fake news and viral story snippets.

It will appeal to KS3 students who are still building up their reading stamina, as well as lovers of the bizarre and macabre. It is broken into short sections, illustrated with contemporary, age-appropriate graphics. This structure makes it easy to dip in and out, but beware: it’s hard to put down!

Back on track is a no-nonsense guide to when things aren’t going to plan in secondary school. This guide is divided into 8 short chapters covering topics such as The Meh Monster and Fitting back in.

It’s easy to read with lots of funny bits along the way. As an adult and a parent, a lot of the messages resonated with me, especially “Find your normal in a world that’s not at all normal”. There are lots of tips and comforting words for when things aren’t going so well.

This book is targeted at secondary school pupils and could be a useful tool for those transitioning between key stages.

Normal Women by Philippa Gregory is a bold, eye-opening dive into the hidden histories of women in Britain – and is not your typical historical non-fiction. Aimed squarely at teens and young adults, this is an empowering and unflinching look at the lives of real women through the ages, from rebels and revolutionaries to everyday figures whose stories have too often been untold.

Gregory, best known for her historical fiction, turns her sharp storytelling skills and deep research to a new audience. She reclaims women’s historical roles with a refreshing, no-nonsense tone, refusing to sanitise or soften the truth. Rather than focusing on queens and noblewomen (as she points out), Gregory celebrates the “normal” women – the working-class, the enslaved, the protestors, the thinkers, the mothers, the childless, the defiant – and the roles they played in shaping the world.

This book encourages critical thinking about the narratives we’ve been taught. Gregory doesn’t just add women to history—she questions why they were left out in the first place. It’s a powerful invitation for young people to reflect on their place in the world and the systems they’re growing up within. The language is accessible and conversational, making it highly readable for secondary-age students while still grounded in rich, historical evidence.

For secondary pupils, the book could be a brilliant companion text to enrich studies in History, PSHE, or English. It also offers plenty of cross-curricular potential – opening doors to discussion, debate, and a deeper understanding of both history and the present day. It might also be a great book club choice for mature, socially aware readers ready to engage with feminist thought and historical injustices.

Philippa Gregory has undoubtedly delivered something special here: an unflinching, inspiring, and much-needed reminder that “normal” women have always been anything but ordinary.