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Chapter book

1720. Blue Mountains, windward Jamaica. In the sweltering heat Captain Shettlewood leads a troop of British soldiers through the thick trees towards the river. They are hunting slaves who have escaped from the brutal plantations. Their mission: to find them, and kill them.

But up ahead, hidden among the rocks above the water, a group of men with cutlasses and muskets wait patiently for the instructions of their leader. Queen Nanny is a ‘wise woman’ with a reputation for ancient obeah magic, and a guerilla fighter with a genius for organisation. So the battle for Jamaica begins, the First Maroon War, in which the maroons – escaped slaves – will make a final, do-or-die stand against the slavers and soldiers of Empire.

Chapter book

Best Storytime Chapter Books for Upper KS2

We have selected a list of storytime favourites for Year 5 and Year 6 (ages 9-11), which includes books that are particularly well suited for being read out loud. Storytime is still just as valuable in the older primary years as it is in the early years, and knowing the best books to choose to read aloud can elevate the storytime experience – whether you have fans of thrillers or readers who prefer magical worlds or thought-provoking animal tales. From the best class readers to favourite bedtime stories, browse our list of brilliant books for capturing the magic of storytelling with Upper KS2.

Dive into a thoughtfully curated assortment of stories that cater to a variety of tastes and interests. Experience the thrill of edge-of-your-seat adventures with Running Out of Time, lose yourselves in fantastical adventures like The Explorer and share a giggle together with the heartwarming humour found in The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh. For those seeking shorter reads, The Final Year or the Crooked Oak series awaits, while those who like something to provoke deeper thought and discussion should enjoy The Lost Whale or Front Desk.

Whether you’re a teacher enhancing the classroom storytime experience or a parent in search of the perfect bedtime story, our collection offers a diverse range of options. Explore the world of storytelling with BooksForTopics – your guide to engaging choices for Year 5 and 6 storytimes.

Chapter book

Best Storytime Books for Lower KS2

We have selected a list of storytime favourites for Year 3 and Year 4 (ages 7-9)which includes books that are particularly well suited for being read out loud. From the best class readers to favourite bedtime stories, browse our list of brilliant books for capturing the magic storytelling with Lower KS2.

This thoughtfully curated collection is designed to ignite the love of stories for children aged 7 to 9. Share together stories of enchanting fantasy adventures like The Land of Roar, embark on laugh-out-loud escapades with Charlie Changes into a Chicken and delve into favourite animal stories such as Varjak Paw. We’ve also included true classics for this age group like Charlotte’s Web and storybooks that stimulate thinking and discussion on real-life topics, such as Hannah Gold’s beautiful story of The Last Bear.

The books on this list cater to a range of interests, ensuring that every young reader finds a story that resonates with them and that shared storytimes are ones to treasure.

Chapter book

Best Storytime Chapter Books for Key Stage 1 

We have selected a list of storytime chapter books for Year 1 and Year 2 (ages 5-7)which includes books that are particularly well suited for being read out loud to younger children. From the best class readers to favourite bedtime stories, browse our list of brilliant books for capturing the magic storytelling with KS1.

Simple chapter books with a story that continues over short instalments make excellent choices for storytime at this age group. Many of the books we have chosen on this list have memorable characters, integrated illustrations and stories that are tried-and-tested favourites with the 5-7 age range.

Immerse young readers in the enchanting world of storytelling with our carefully chosen chapter books, featuring favourite animal stories like Einstein the Penguin and humorous adventures such as The Legend of Kevin. Explore timeless classics tailored for this age group, including the beloved Mrs Pepperpot and The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, or stories of family life like the Betsey Biggalow series. Our diverse list is chosen to create an engaging reading experience, fostering both entertainment and literacy development in Key Stage 1.

Discover these thoughtfully selected storytime favourites for KS1, and embark on a journey of lifelong reading joy.

 

Chapter book

The real world is a hostile place for twelve-year-old Bren, his schooldays stalked by vicious bully, Shaun, and his family life fractured at home. Ever since his sister Evie died in an accident, Bren’s only safe space is Furthermoor, an imagined world of mechanised trees and clockwork animals, where Evie is still alive. In Furthermoor, no one can hurt Bren…until the mysterious Featherly arrives.

Now Bren is forced to confront his deepest fears and decide if his place in the real world is worth fighting for.

Enter a world as vast and dark as your imagination, in this unforgettable coming-of-age story about courage, friendship and finding your voice.

Chapter book

WHEN EVIE TALKS TO ANIMALS . . . THEY TALK BACK.

Eleven-year-old Evie has a talent: a supertalent. She can HEAR what animals are thinking.

She promises to keep it top secret, but then an evil pet-thief strikes.

Every animal in town is in danger and only by DARING TO BE HERSELF can Evie save her furry and feathered friends.

Chapter book

This first new novel in two years from the Nation’s Favourite Storyteller is a sweeping story of love and rescue – an unforgettable journey to the Greek island of Ithaca, and back in time to World War Two…

Australian-Greek girl Nandi travels to her ancestors’ home in Ithaca, and discovers – through a friendship with an extremely unusual flying fish – the extraordinary story of her great-aunt Elena; of how she fell in love, in the hardest of times, and how of how she became an unsung hero of World War Two.

But Elena has gone missing, and Nandi has to find her. In her search, she will discover that Elena was an even greater hero than she thought – and still is…

Nandi’s story is a beautiful and inspiring tale of personal discovery, of love and place and belonging, threaded through with the quiet heroism of everyday people. Stunningly illustrated throughout by acclaimed artist George Butler, and full of magic, myth and mystery, it is a classic Morpurgo novel that will move and thrill every reader who loved Private Peaceful and War Horse , and combines all the hallmarks of this beloved Master Storyteller.

Chapter book

Save the library, save the world!

Kit can’t STAND reading.

She’d MUCH rather be outside, playing games and getting muddy, than stuck inside with a book. But when she’s dragged along to the library one day by her two best friends, she makes an incredible discovery – and soon it’s up to Kit and her friends to save the library … and the world.

The first book in a fantastically exciting, brilliantly funny, magical new series!

Chapter book

Radio 1 broadcasters and bestselling authors of KID NORMAL – Greg James and Chris Smith – are back with a mind-bending adventure you won’t want to wake up from . . .

Have you ever had a really strange dream? Maya Clayton definitely has. Last night she dreamt that her dad, the brilliant but slightly odd Professor Dexter, had been trapped in a nightmare by his evil boss Lilith Delamere!

But it’s not just a dream – it’s real and Maya and her new friends the Dream Bandits must rescue the Professor before it’s too late! All they need is a bit of courage and a LOT of imagination.

Chapter book

A magical story of snow and stars by Catherine Fisher. The Clockwork Crow is a mysterious gothic Christmas tale set in a frost-bound Victorian country mansion. When orphaned Seren Rees is given a mysterious package by a strange and frightened man on her way to her new home, she reluctantly takes it with her. But what is in the parcel? Who are the Family who must not be spoken of, and can the Crow help Seren find Tom, before the owner of the parcel finds her? The Clockwork Crow is a gripping Christmas tale of families and belonging set in snowy Wales from a master storyteller.

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