Book ideas to enhance your reading...

Reading List

Below is a list of recommended books for middle-senior primary aged children.  NB:  not all books have been rated for suitability and some contain themes and content that may be deemed unsuitable to some.  It is important to check the theme and general content of each title before allowing your child to read the books listed.

Middle Primary Great Reads	Format	Suitability	Rating
Stig of the Dump - by Clive King  When Barney falls down a dump the last thing he expects is to meet a cave boy. Stig was an eco-warrior before the term was invented.
Ballet Shoes - by Noel Streatfeild  Adopted sisters Posy, Pauline and Petrova Fossil train as a dancer, an actor and an aeroplane pilot.
Howl's Moving Castle - by Diana Wynne Jones  The Witch of Waste puts Sophie under a spell. To break it, she must brave the castle of the Wizard Howl. Imaginative and funny.
Just So Stories - by Rudyard Kipling  Learn how the leopard got his spots and the camel his hump.
The Borrowers - by Mary Norton  First published in 1953. The Clock family live beneath a floorboard, making do with what "human beans" drop, until one day one of them allows herself to be seen…
The Magic Faraway Tree - by Enid Blyton  An oldy but a goody . . . Jo, Bessie and Fanny climb to the top of a magical tree, above which are endlessly circulating worlds: the Land of Birthdays, or, more unluckily, of Dame Slap.	Chapter Book	Middle Primary	
Danny, the Champion of the World - by Roald Dahl  Danny and his hard-up father bond over poaching pheasants from nasty Mr Hazell's land - before moral dues are paid.	Chapter Book	Middle Primary	
George's Marvellous Medicine - by Roald Dahl  To cure his grumpy grandmother, George Kranky concocts a medicine from shaving foam, sheep dip, engine oil and brown paint. Granny grows huge.	Chapter Book	Middle Primary	
Underwater Adventure - by Willard Price  Willard Price invented zoologist brothers Hal and Roger Hunt to get children interested in nature. Underwater Adventure takes them into shark-infested seas. Some sharks are human.
Tintin in Tibet - by Hergé  After Tintin reads of a plane crash in the Himalayas, he dreams his friend Chang has survived. Uniquely, there are no villains - just a tender yeti and acres of snow.
Erik the Viking - by Terry Jones, illustrated by Michael Foreman  Erik tells his wife that he must go to "the land where the sun goes at night"; off he travels on an atmospheric adventure, terrifically illustrated.
When the Wind Blows - by Raymond Briggs  Jim and Hilda Bloggs's preparation for a nuclear attack remains enthralling. First comic, then moving.
The Iron Man - by Ted Hughes  Since it appeared in 1968, the late Poet Laureate's children's book has become a classic. Benign iron bloke falls from sky, battles space-bat-angel-dragon, saves world. Bliss.
The Wind in the Willows - by Kenneth Grahame  "Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." But reading about Mole, Ratty, Toad and Badger runs it a close second.
The Worst Witch Collection - by Jill Murphy  Before Harry Potter there was Mildred Hubble, the worst witch at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. A tale of flying broomsticks, rivalries and magical pedagogy.
Mr Majeika - by Humphrey Carpenter  Mr Majeika, with his tuft of hair, is ever ready to cast spells on unruly pupils - most notably Hamish Bigmore, whose rudeness gets him changed into a frog. Charming and funny in equal measure.
The Water Babies - by Charles Kinglsey  Tom the sweep drowns after being chased from a rich household and falls into a sub-aquatic purgatory. But once he proves his worth he is allowed wonderful adventures.
A Little Princess - by Frances Hodgson Burnett  Seven-year-old Sara Crewe is sent back from India to Miss Minchin's Seminary for Young Ladies in England, to discover she has lost her fortune to a swindler and her father to disease. A stirring tale.
I'm The King of the Castle - by Susan Hill  A powerful and claustrophobic study of bullying, this has a real narrative grip and a frightening message. No reader remains untouched.
The Wave - by Morton Rhue  Teacher Ben Ross doesn't think his students understand what it was like to live in Nazi Germany, so he devises an experiment. A powerful story about the risks of conformism.
Pippi Longstocking - by Astrid Lindgren  Pippi is impulsive, irrepressible, red-haired and so strong you won't believe it. Her bizzare adventures delight children and confound health and safety.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - by Roald Dahl  Charlie Bucket's adventures in Willy Wonka's factory - the chocolate rivers, the minia-tuarisation room, the Oompa Loompas - will live forever.	Chapter Book	Middle Primary	
Bambert's Book of Missing Stories - by Reinhardt Jung  Shy Bambert sends his half-written stories into the world attached to balloons for whoever finds them to finish. Stories come back from all over the world, and the final story is heartbreaking.
The Firework-maker's Daughter - by Philip Pullman  Lila's father doesn't want her to follow his career in fireworks so she must prove herself on an epic quest that takes in dragons and pirates.
Tom's Midnight Garden -  by Philippa Pearce  As Tom lies in bed preparing for the most boring holiday of his life, the clock strikes 13. Racing downstairs he sees daylight and a beautiful garden where there should be darkness. Incredibly exciting.
The Phantom Tollbooth - by Norton Juster  A bored young boy pushes his toy car through a toy tollbooth, and finds himself in the kingdom of Wisdom. Clever wordplay, slapstick and a real sense of fun.
The Silver Sword - by Ian Serrallier  Just after the Second World War, a group of children navigate war-torn Europe armed with little more than a letter opener. Tense, demanding and adult.	Chapter Book	Senior Primary Early Secondary	
A Wizard of Earthsea - by Ursula K LeGuin  A young wizard has to come to terms with the destructive power of his magic.
Harry Potter Series - by JK Rowling  A range of tales of young wizard Harry Potters adventures at the famous Hogwarts School of Wizardry.  A must read series for all children.	Chapter Books	Middle - Senior Primary	
The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set - by CS Lewis  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe isn't the only Narnia story worth reading. The Silver Chair is a powerful allegory of mental slavery; and Voyage of the Dawn Treader sees a talking mouse paddle over the edge of the world.
The BFG - by Roald Dahl  At the witching hour, a giant blows sweet dreams into children's bedrooms. When orphan Sophie sees him one night, he takes her to his cave. Beware whizzpoppers!	Chapter Books	Middle Primary	
Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now - by Lauren Child  At first glance one for the girls, but boys should read it too. Over the series Clarice has matured from an infant with a quirky vocabulary into a complex, engaging teenager.
The Selfish Giant - by Oscar Wilde  Wilde's giant wants to keep children out of his garden so that he can have it to himself. But it stays shrouded in snow until one day, when the giant's hard heart is softened by one of the boys…
Black Beauty - by Anna Sewell  One of the greatest books ever narrated by a horse, with a fine message: be kind to animals, and they'll be kind to you.
Just William - by Richmal Crompton  The classic naughty schoolboy, William wages a gentle war of attrition against parental and teacherly authority.
Jennings Goes to School - by Anthony Buckeridge  Catapults, grazed knees, and mischief of the best sort. Hogwarts may have revived our appetite for boys-school stories, but Jennings was there first.
Comet in Moominland - by Tove Jansson  Moomin is a peculiar fellow, but through him and his equally peculiar friends the Finnish author Tove Jansson explores the big issues: friendship, alienation, fear, loss and meteors from outer space.
The Bad Beginning - by Lemony Snicket  This magnificently black-hearted book introduced us to the Baudelaire children, orphaned in a fire and trying to keep one step ahead of the predatory Count Olaf, who is after their inherited fortune.  If this first book is of interest an extensive series follows.
The Voyage of the Arctic Tern – by Hugh Montgomery The biggest selling, self-published book.  A Tale about a man who betrayed his village then gets cursed until he does some tasks.
Magic School Bus - Pony Pal Series	Chapter Books	Early readers
Animal Ark – by Lucy Daniels Collection of animal books	Chapter Books	Early readers
Keeper – by Mal Peet A great sporting book about the worlds best soccer goal keeper.  A must read for soccer fans.	Novel	Middle Primary	
Exposure – by Mal Peet A 21st centure “Othello” set in a soccer team.	Novel	Middle Primary
The Young Man & The Sea (also called Lobster Boy) – by Rodman Philbrook  Story about fishing with underlying values of loyalty, determination, father/son bond, love.	Novel	Middle Primary
35 Kilos of Hope – by Anne Gavalda Story about a boys experience at school.	Novel	Middle Primary
A Wayne in a Manger – by Gervase Phinn About Christmas.
Bloodline – by Kevin Brooks A novel about a supermarket robbery.
Kissing the Rain – by Kevin Brooks A fat kid witnesses murder.
Martyn Pig – by Kevin Brooks Black humour – about a bullying father accidentally killed by his child.
Kin - by Peter Dickinson About the beginning of civilisation in Africa.
Annerton Pit – by Peter Dickinson About being blind.
Eva – by Peter Dickinson Set in the future - a girl with zoologist parents is killed in a car crash. Her brain is put into the body of a chimp and the daughter lives on.
The School Story – by Andrew Clements A novel about kids getting a book published.
Out of the Dust & The Music of Dolphins – by Karen Hesse Story about a wild (feral) child.
Stormbreaker – by Anthony Horowitz The first book in the Alex Ryder series.	Novel	Middle Primary	
Myths and Legends – by Anthony Horowitz	Novel	Middle Primary
Granny – by Anthony Horowitz Similar in style to Roald Dahl.	Novel	Middle Primary
Kiwi Bites / Kiwi Chomps Small, and easy to read – ideal for kids who don’t like reading.	Chapter Book	Early Readers
Horrible Histories /  Horrible Sciences etc – by Terry Deary True stories	Chapter Books	Middle Primary
Mortal Engines Science fiction, set in the future.
Henry and the Flea – by Brian Falkner NZ Author, story about a sport – a young boy who makes it into the Warriors NRL team.	Novel	Middle Primary	
A Series of Unfortunate Events – by Lemony Snicket A gothic melodrama – 13 books in the series.	Novel	Middle Primary	
Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians – by Brandon Sanderson Humourous	Novel	Middle Primary
The Kraken – by Gary Crew Sophisticated picture book about a monster of the deep (Norse mythology)	Sophisticated Picture Book	Middle Primary
The Bet – by Anton Chekar A story about capital punishment.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret – by Brian Selznick	Novel	Middle Primary
The Colour of Magic – by Terry Pratchett The first in a series of books.	Novel	Middle Primary
The Amazing Morris – by Terry Pratchett The pied piper of hamlet.	Novel	Middle Primary
Good Omens – by Terry Pratchett Humourous	Novel	Middle Primary
Diary of a Wimpy Kid – by Geoff Kinney	Novel	Middle Primary	
King of Shadows / Victory – by Susan Cooper History
Naruto (Manga Comic) – by Masashi Kishimoto	Comic	Middle Primary
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key – by Jack Gantos Real life/humourous	Novel	Middle – Senior Primary	
Frindle – by A. Clement Real life/humourous	Novel	Middle – Senior Primary
The Landry News – by A. Clement A girl with a disinterested teacher becomes bored in class and writes her own newspaper.	Novel	Middle Primary	
Evil Fred – by Kylie Begg Dog welfare and mistreatment of animals	Novel	Middle – Senior Primary
Zoom / Re-Zoom – by ?? Picture within picture concept
Spud – by John van de Ruit A young boy in a South African boarding school.

Below is a list of recommended books for senior primary-early secondary aged children.  NB:  not all books have been rated for suitability and many contain themes and content that may be deemed unsuitable to some.  It is important to check the theme and general content of each title before allowing your child to read the books listed.

Harder, More Mature Reads	Format	Suitability	Rating
Call of the Wild - by Jack London  Jack London introduced some dark themes into this story of Buck, a sled dog in the Yukon who rediscovers his wild nature when put to the test.		Senior Primary/Early Secondary
The Outsiders - by SE Hinton  This powerful novel about school gangs was published when SE Hinton was just 18. The Greasers and the Socs clash in typical teenage fashion - but then someone dies.		Senior Primary/Early Secondary
I Capture the Castle - by Dodie Smith  Smith is better known for A Hundred and One Dalmatians, but although this, her first novel, is quieter, it shines brighter. Narrated in diary form by 17-year-old Cassandra, it documents the lives of her eccentric family.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - by Joan Aiken  1832, and wolves have over-run a fictional kingdom of England. Orphans Sylvia and Bonnie fall into the hands of an evil Miss Slycarp and must use all their wits to escape. A mercilessly shadowy thriller.
The Diary of a Young Girl - by Anne Frank  On June 12, 1942, Annelies Marie Frank started writing a diary. It was her 13th birthday. She died three years later in Belsen. An ordinary teenage life, made poignant by the knowledge of how it ended.
Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry - by Mildred D Taylor  A tale of oppression in the American South, this tells the story of the Logans, a black family living in rural Mississippi during the 1930s.
A Kestrel for a Knave - by Barry Hines  Filmed by Ken Loach as Kes, this snapshot of deprivation in 1960s Yorkshire describes a troubled boy's relationship with his pet kestrel.
War Horse - by Michael Morpurgo  Michael Morpurgo's moving story plunges into the horror of the First World War by following the story of Joey, a cavalry officer's horse on the Western Front.
Beowulf - by Michael Morpurgo  Beowulf is a great story: scary monsters, fearsome matriarchs, boasting, singing, feasting, fighting and booty. Michael Morpurgo's rendition brings it to a new generation.		Senior Primary/Early Secondary
Kim - by Rudyard Kipling  Kimball O'Hara, the orphaned son of an Irish soldier, wanders Lahore cadging, playing and living a carefree life - until he's forced into espionage.
The Road of Bones - by Anne Fine  Anne Fine weaves a disturbing parable of life in a totalitarian state, as young Yuri learns the cost of speaking the truth.
Treasure Island - by RL Stevenson  The riddles of Stevenson's tale endure. Why does X mark the spot? What is it with parrots? And why did Pugh go blind?
Little Women - by Louisa May Alcott  The tale of four sisters - Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy - growing up in the US Civil War, this is a charming and insightful story of childhood and family.
Watership Down - by Richard Adams  Fiver and his brother Hazel know that something terrible will happen to the warren, and set off for safety. Their story has implications beyond the usual concerns of rabbits.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - by Mark Twain  Less ambitious than The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn but just as exciting. The language is hard to begin with but the hero is one of the most endearing in literature.
True Grit - by Charles Portis  Mattie Ross - spirited, witty, probably beautiful - is out to avenge her "father's blood" in this slim Western. Great for teenage girls.
Holes - by Louis Sachar  Sentenced to dig holes in the desert for stealing trainers, wrongly convicted Stanley discovers that the holes are not so pointless as first thought.
Lord of the Flies - by William Golding  When a gang of boys are marooned on an island they try to set up a community based on cooperation.
My Family and Other Animals - by Gerald Durrell  When the Durrell family takes a villa in Corfu one summer they do not imagine staying five years, but so they do. In that time Gerald, a boy of 10, discovers the joys of the local flora and fauna, and describes it with a delightful wit.
Coraline - by Neil Gaiman  This spooky story won't soon be forgotten. Coraline is a girl who finds her way down a corridor to a flat just like her own - but slightly different. And where her doting "other mother" has buttons for eyes…
Carrie's War - by Nina Bawden  Carrie and her brother are wartime evacuees billeted on a bullying Welsh grocer. A wonderfully crafted novel full of memorable characters.
The Story of Tracy Beaker - by Jacqueline Wilson  A slice of life in a children's home narrated by 10-year-old Tracy, through whose eyes we confront tough dilemmas.
The Lantern Bearers - by Rosemary Sutcliffe  As the Roman army prepares to leave for home, Aquila is forced to desert to protect his family.
Inventing Elliott – by Graham Gardner A novel about bullying.	Novel	Senior Primary                     Boy/Girl
Mahtab’s Story – by Libby Gleeson Novel about refugees escaping the Taliban.	Novel	Senior Primary              Boy/Girl
Beast – by Margaret Wild Story about an OCD boy who experiences bullying.	Novel	Senior Primary              Boy/Girl
Running on the Cracks – by Julia Donaldson The heroin is a gifted musician and artist whose parents die.  She goes to live with her aunt and uncle but runs away and tracks down the other side of her family.	Novel	Senior Primary              Boy/Girl	
Inkheart – by Cornelia Funke German author, books translated into English.  Enjoyable fantasy stories.	Novel	?
The Thief Lord – by Cornelia Funke German author, books translated into English.  Enjoyable fantasy stories.	Novel	?
Dragon Rider – by Cornelia Funke German author, books translated into English.  Enjoyable fantasy stories.	Novel	?
Tokyo – by Graham Marks Girls goes on Overseas Experience and disappears in Tokyo, Japan.	Novel	Senior Primary
Hideout – by Lorraine Orman 2 kids run away from home where they are experiencing sexual abuse.	Novel	Senior Primary/ Secondary
The Amythest Child  / Century – by Sarah Singleton A graphic novel about cults (child within a cult).	Novel	Senior Primary
The Fourth Horseman – by Kate Thompson Irish writer, about genetic manipulation.	Novel	Senior Primary/ Secondary
The Bear Skinner – by the Grimm Brothers A solider makes a deal with the devil.
Twilight Series – by Stephenie Mayer Vampires	Novel	Senior Primary some mature content	
Erika’s Story – by Ruth van der Zee The halocuast	Novel	Senior Primary