Recommended Reading

Year 7 & 8 Recommended Reading Lis

Boy Soldier by Andy McNab, Robert Robert Rigby

Danny Watt’s grandfather, Fergus, was a traitor – an SAS explosives expert who betrayed his country and his regiment for a big secret. Read on to find out what. Format: Paperback. Released: 4/5/2006.

Bumface by Morris Gleitzman
The story of a kid who’s having to lead a far more adult life than he really wants to. An exciting read! Format: Paperback. Released: 4/3/1999.

Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan
Darren goes to a freak show with his friend, Steve. It’s the gothic ‘Cirque du Freak’ where weird, half human, half… Format: Paperback. Released: 21/11/2005.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
A murder mystery like no other, this novel features Christopher Boone, a 15 year-old who unravels the mystery. Format: Paperback. Released: 1/4/2004.

Fat Boy Swim by Catherine Ford
It’s a deal with the devil. Jimmy “Fat Boy Fat” Kelly, a 14 year old boy mercilessly teased at school. Format: Paperback. Released 7/8/2003.

Holes by Louis Sachar

Stanley Yelnat’s family has a history of bad luck going back generations, so he is not surprised when he ends up at a detention centre by accident. Format: Paperback. Released: 2/10/2000.

Martyn Pig by Kevin Brooks
Did I hate him? Of course I hated him. But I never meant to kill him. Get the book to find out the rest. Format: Paperback. Released: 6/3/2006.

Pig Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman
Cameron is thirteen and in need of a heart transplant when a pioneering doctor approaches his family with a plan to save him. Format: Paperback. Released: 5/2/2004.

Silverfin by Charle Higson
James Bond is back, aged 13 years. The original superspy. A global phenomenon. A hero every boy wants to be! Format: Paperback. Released: 3/3/2005.

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
Get ready for the biggest NEW publishing phenomenon of 2007! Format: Hardback. Released: 2/4/2007.

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

When his guardian dies in suspicious circumstances, 14 year old Alex Rider finds his world turned upside down. Format: Paperback. Released: 1/4/2005.

There’s a Boy in the Girl’s Bathroom by Louis Sachar
A boy who fights with his school mates and makes it difficult for anyone to like him, learns how to get along with his new friends. Format: Paperback. Released: 20/20/2004.

Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
It’s mid-winter’s Eve, the day before Will’s 11th birthday. But there is an atmosphere of fear in the familiar countryside. Format: Paperback. Released: 25/3/1976.

Deadly! by Morris Gleitzman and Paul Jennings
When Amy goes home for her birthday tea she finds her parents have vanished and in their place is a… Format: Paperback. Released: 5/7/2001.

The Killer Underpants by Michael Lawrence
Join Jiggy McCue and his pals in this pant-astically funny tale. The underpants from hell – that what Joggy calls… Format: Paperback. Released: 26/10/2000.

Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyle
A bittersweet story about the perils and pleasures of pounds and pennies. It will make you laugh and cry. Format: Paperback. Released: 15/10/2004.

Two Weeks with the Queen by Morris Gleitzman
When Colin’s brother Luke becomes seriously ill with leukemia, he is determined to get the best help possible. He makes plans to see the Queen. Format: Paperback. Released: 4/3/1999.

Year 9 & 10 Recommended Reading List

Easy Reads

Girl Underground by Michael Gleitzman – very funny and exciting)

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz – first in Alex Rider, the teenage spy series

Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpugo – boy shipwrecked on a desert island

Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling

Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson – starts a teenage series

Face by Benjamin Zephaniah – teenager’s recovery from car crash involving drug dealers

Page turners you won’t be able to put down

Shadows by Tim Bowler

Boy by Roald Dahl

Other Side of Truth by Beverley Naidoo – refugees flee to Britain from Africa

Shell House by Linda Newbery – teenagers investigate the fate of a soldier

Sabriel by Garth Nix – first in fantasy series

Hatchet Series by Gary Paulsen – plane crash leaves boy stranded in the wilderness

Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett – first in Discworld fantasy series

Holes by Louis Sacher – miscarriage of justice send boy to a detention centre

Daz 4 Zoe by Robert Swindells – teenage romance set in a future city

No Angels by Robert Swindells – parallel experiences of modern girl and Victorian boy on London streets

Refugee Boy by Benjamin Zephaniah – boy escapes from war to seek new life in London

Rats by Paul Zindel – rats threaten New York City

More challenging books

Anita and Me by Meera Syal – Asian girl growing up in a mining village

Dear Nobody by Berlie Doherty – schoolgirl becomes pregnant

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman – first in trilogy about a parallel world

Nineteenth Century Novels

Try any novel by:

Charlotte or Emily Bronte – passionate, story romances

Charles Dickens – exciting tales, often set in 19th century London

Treasure Island or Kidnapped by RL Stevenson – adventure

Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain – adventure

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne – exciting and descriptive

War of the Worlds by HG Wells – martians invade London