Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

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Year Group Recommended Reads

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Best Books for Each Year Primary Group

NEWLY updated – April 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.

When we put together each list, we look for a balance across different genres and styles. Some children naturally navigate towards non-fiction, while others find graphic novels or poetry the most enjoyable forms to pick up and read. Each list contains a balance of age-appropriate fiction, picturebooks, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels, with a handful of novelty or tactile books added in too. We’ve also aimed to collate lists that cater for different reading styles, interest levels, publication dates (you’ll find some true golden oldies as well as brand new titles on each list) and also books that contain a diversity of characters and settings. This way, schools using our lists can offer children access to a wealth of quality reading choices to enjoy.

Each Year Group Booklist comes with a printable poster and checklist and is also available to purchase as a full book pack from Peters.

 

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Recommended Reading Lists for Primary Year Groups: FAQ

What are the Year Group booklists for?

Each one 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 selected by children’s reading experts with the help of our school-based review panel and bookselling colleagues, designed to provide recommendations of age-appropriate and accessible books across a range of genres and styles, all matching the developmental stage of the relevant year groups.

These lists differ from our topic booklists, as the books are purely selected to read for pleasure at each age group.

Can I download these lists in a printable format?

Each Recommended Read booklist comes with a printable poster and checklist.

Click here to download the printable PDF versions of the posters and checklists for each year group.

How often do these lists get updated?

The Recommended Read lists are updated annually in April. The current version launched 16th April 2024.

Click here to see the new additions for 2024 lists or to find out about school top-up packs.

 

Where can I purchase the books on the BooksForTopics Year Group booklists?

 

school book packs

Can I share the links to the recommended primary reading lists?

We are happy for you to share the links to our primary reading lists on your school website, newsletter or social platform. You can also print the posters and display them in your school libraries or classrooms, or give copies to pupils.

The BooksForTopics team has put hours of work into collating these lists with due care and expertise, and we love to share our free reading-for-pleasure resources far and wide.

Here are our quick links:

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Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

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

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments