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recommended reading list

The best way for children to get into reading is for them to enjoy reading, obviously!

​

Our reading list is organised by reading difficulty.

It considers the sentence lengths, word lengths, vocabulary complexity, and the book's length.
It is important that children are reading books that they can comfortably comprehend. Giving them a book that is beyond their ability can demotivate them and cause them to lose interest.

 

Furthermore, we have restricted the list to only titles that have a 3.8+ Goodreads rating. 

Goodreads is a global database of books. With over 90 million members leaving reviews, we have capped the reading list to ensure a good read for everyone!
 

To further aid your decision-making, we have included when the book was written, the genre and reading length of each book.​

​

We will endeavour to update this list regularly.

We are also open to any suggestions that we have not yet included!


Last updated: 29th April 2022.

books we'd recommend:

Title
Author
Link
Publish Date
Rating
Difficulty
Length
The Cat in the Hat
Dr. Seuss
https://amzn.to/3vBDJhT
1957
4.17
2.1
0h 10m
Small in the City
Sydney Smith
https://amzn.to/3OVKwec
2019
4.23
2.3
1h 2m
I Go Quiet
David Ouimet
https://amzn.to/37aaIR7
2019
4.25
2.5
1h 15m
The Giving Tree
Shel Silverstein
https://amzn.to/3kB5OQo
1964
4.37
2.6
0h 3m
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Dr. Seuss
https://amzn.to/3F8blHm
1957
4.36
3
0h 8m
The Lorax
Dr. Seuss
https://amzn.to/3OV041C
1971
4.33
3.1
0h 11m
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak
https://amzn.to/39rYx2R
1963
4.23
3.4
0h 4m
The Crossing
Manjeet Mann
https://amzn.to/3yhx2Do
2021
4.45
3.6
8h 20m
Run, Rebel
Manjeet Mann
https://amzn.to/3kye7My
2020
4.36
3.7
9h 35m
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein
https://amzn.to/3FdyN6o
1974
4.31
3.9
5h 28m
The Ickabog
J.K. Rowling
https://amzn.to/3kzF1nr
2020
3.96
3.9
4h 42m
October, October
Katya Balen
https://amzn.to/3vF83bL
2020
4.5
4
5h 4m
The Illustrated Mum
Jacqueline Wilson
https://amzn.to/3vXwno5
1999
3.82
4
6h 58m
Hedgewitch
Skye McKenna
https://amzn.to/3FcXH5L
2022
4.25
4
6h 42m
Starbird
Sharon King-Chai
https://amzn.to/3vYqZkw
2020
4.29
4.1
0h 50m
Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4 (The Battle of the Labyrinth)
Rick Riordan
https://amzn.to/3ye38jx
2008
4.41
4.1
8h 51m
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Roald Dahl
https://amzn.to/38NCseE
1970
4.07
4.1
0h 58m
Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3 (The Titan's Curse)
Rick Riordan
https://amzn.to/3ye38jx
2007
4.36
4.2
7h 36m
Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5 (The Last Olympian)
Rick Riordan
https://amzn.to/3ye38jx
2009
4.52
4.3
10h 6m
Echo Mountain
Lauren Wolk
https://amzn.to/3vXwMa5
2020
4.31
4.3
9h 35m
The Twits
Roald Dahl
https://amzn.to/3kwf5cq
1980
3.97
4.4
0h 51m
Cane Warriors
Alex Wheatle
https://amzn.to/38IuB28
2020
4.07
4.4
5h 0m
The Last Firefox
Lee Newbery
https://amzn.to/3F8LnDL
2022
4.4
4.4
5h 4m
Coraline
Neil Gaiman
https://amzn.to/3LH16wa
2002
4.08
4.4
1h 18m
The Thief Who Sang Storms
Sophie Anderson
https://amzn.to/3OWRGP9
2022
4.33
4.5
6h 56m
Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck
https://amzn.to/3KxtfEI
1937
3.88
4.5
3h 4m
How the Stars Came to Be
Poonam Mistry
https://amzn.to/3OVMYBq
2020
4.45
4.5
0h 32m
The Fountains of Silence
Ruta Sepetys
https://amzn.to/3s3wj55
2019
4.3
4.5
8h 54m
Front Desk
Kelly Yang
https://amzn.to/3w6JL9E
2018
4.42
4.5
6h 41m
The Light in Everything
Katya Balen
https://amzn.to/3KLcUfS
2022
4.75
4.5
5h 18m
Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2 (The Sea Monsters)
Rick Riordan
https://amzn.to/3ye38jx
2006
4.24
4.6
6h 39m
Bridge to Terabithia
Katherine Paterson
https://amzn.to/3MMoybD
1977
4.02
4.6
3h 25m
The Butterfly Lion
Michael Morpurgo
https://amzn.to/3vDoG7F
1996
4.09
4.6
1h 29m
Holes #1 (Holes)
Louis Sachar
https://amzn.to/3MJGN1l
1998
3.98
4.6
4h 54m
Adventures on Trains #2 (Kidnap on the California Comet)
M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
https://amzn.to/3vCgWCE
2020
4.33
4.6
4h 16m
Winnie-the-Pooh #1 (Winnie-the-Pooh)
A. A. Milne
https://amzn.to/3F7Zfy8
1926
4.34
4.6
2h 21m
The Sky Over Rebecca
Matthew Fox
https://amzn.to/3vWUByU
2022
4.29
4.7
3h 33m
Adventures on Trains #3 (Murder on the Safari Star)
M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
https://amzn.to/3w0svTd
2021
4.5
4.7
4h 28m
On Midnight Beach
Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick
https://amzn.to/38KMqNW
2020
3.88
4.7
8h 20m
The Catcher in the Rye
J. D. Salinger
https://amzn.to/3sbRVMz
1951
3.81
4.7
7h 38m
The Witches
Roald Dahl
https://amzn.to/3w29wI4
1983
4.17
4.7
3h 44m
Kensuke's Kingdom
Michael Morpurgo
https://amzn.to/3KRt9YR
1999
4.12
4.7
3h 12m
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L'Engle
https://amzn.to/3F7V2up
1962
3.99
4.7
5h 12m
Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1 (The Lightning Thief)
Rick Riordan
https://amzn.to/3ye38jx
2005
4.28
4.7
9h 2m
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
E. L. Konigsburg
https://amzn.to/3vDpedJ
1967
4.15
4.7
3h 13m
Adventures on Trains #1 (The Highland Falcon Thief)
M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
https://amzn.to/3vzwN54
2020
4.29
4.7
3h 44m
Gentle Ben
Walt Morey
https://amzn.to/3LEENaF
1965
4.14
4.8
5h 27m
Orphans of the Tide #1 (Orphans of the Tide)
Struan Murray
https://amzn.to/3OSxaz8
2020
4.32
4.8
10h 46m
Winnie-the-Pooh #2 (The House at Pooh Corner)
A. A. Milne
https://amzn.to/3ORGaom
1928
4.36
4.8
5h 0m
James and the Giant Peach
Roald Dahl
https://amzn.to/3vSH636
1961
4.02
4.8
2h 29m
Wonder #1 (Wonder)
R. J. Palacio
https://amzn.to/3y6TiQn
2012
4.4
4.8
7h 36m
Look Both Ways
Jason Reynolds
https://amzn.to/3y6u8S4
2019
3.98
4.8
3h 58m
Orphans of the Tide #2 (Shipwreck Island)
Struan Murray
https://amzn.to/3OSxaz8
2021
4.5
4.8
12h 46m
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Roald Dahl
https://amzn.to/3LJ2cYy
1964
4.15
4.8
3h 11m
The BFG
Roald Dahl
https://amzn.to/39zXiPl
1982
4.22
4.8
3h 54m
Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good
Louie Stowell
https://amzn.to/3OV76Dy
2022
4.28
4.9
6h 15m
Tuck Everlasting
Natalie Babbitt
https://amzn.to/37W9ae6
1975
3.89
5
2h 54m
Bud, Not Buddy
Christopher Paul Curtis
https://amzn.to/3LEFZuF
1999
3.95
5
5h 26m
Matilda
Roald Dahl
https://amzn.to/3y9Lo8U
1988
4.33
5
4h 10m
The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
https://amzn.to/39zYnGT
1943
4.32
5
1h 43m
The Grisha Trilogy #3 (Ruin and Rising)
Leigh Bardugo
https://amzn.to/3MNgSWx
2014
4.03
5
9h 55m
The Grisha Trilogy #2 (Siege and Storm)
Leigh Bardugo
https://amzn.to/3vCA9En
2013
3.86
5
10h 42m
A Little Princess
Frances Hodgson Burnett
https://amzn.to/3s5hQWo
1905
4.21
5.1
2h 36m
Guard Your Heart
Sue Divin
https://amzn.to/3ybWkD4
2020
4.12
5.1
10h 50m
Adventures on Trains #4 (Danger at Dead Man's Pass)
M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
https://amzn.to/37dkt12
2022
4.36
5.1
4h 48m
Private Peaceful
Michael Morpurgo
https://amzn.to/3OW8Egw
2003
4.16
5.2
4h 49m
A Dog on Barkham Street
Mary Stolz
1960
3.97
5.2
3h 4m
Born to Run
Michael Morpurgo
https://amzn.to/38KVaUg
2007
4.17
5.2
6h 15m
The Girl Who Speaks Bear
Sophie Anderson
https://amzn.to/3LHLKrj
2019
4.26
5.2
7h 15m
A Sprinkle of Sorcery
Michelle Harrison
https://amzn.to/3safFRf
2020
4.21
5.2
11h 31m
Prairie Lotus
Linda Sue Park
https://amzn.to/3yqyp35
2020
4.35
5.2
8h 5m
An Elephant in the Garden
Michael Morpurgo
https://amzn.to/3s7KjdW
1009
4.18
5.2
3h 45m
The Black Stallion
Walter Farley
https://amzn.to/3yqxPSX
1941
4.19
5.2
5h 6m
Alone on the Wide Wide Sea
Michael Morpurgo
https://amzn.to/3s9p7nR
2006
4.2
5.2
8h 20m
The Silver Arrow
Lev Grossman
https://amzn.to/3vZndrc
2020
4
5.2
11h 39m
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
Jacqueline Kelly
https://amzn.to/3KFmJfd
2009
3.98
5.3
8h 26m
The Children of Green Knowe
Lucy M. Boston
https://amzn.to/3vSZuss
1954
4.02
5.3
5h 58m
The Borrowers #1 (The Borrowers)
Mary Norton
https://amzn.to/3OQy6En
1952
4.03
5.3
3h 37m
The Dark is Rising #3 (Greenwitch)
Susan Cooper
https://amzn.to/3yc19fO
1974
3.99
5.3
4h 11m
Clap When You Land
Elizabeth Acevedo
https://amzn.to/3OSPVmd
2020
4.28
5.3
5h 32m
The Grisha Trilogy #1 (Shadow and Bone)
Leigh Bardugo
https://amzn.to/3KxUaAl
2012
3.96
5.3
8h 28m
Esperanza Rising
Pam Muñoz Ryan
https://amzn.to/3MLCouJ
2000
4.01
5.3
4h 21m
All the Bright Places
Jennifer Niven
https://amzn.to/3LG4GH0
2015
4.2
5.3
9h 15m
The Chronicles of Narnia #6 (The Magician's Nephew)
C. S. Lewis
https://amzn.to/3y6xKDC
1955
4.04
5.4
4h 18m
The Dark is Rising #1 (Over Sea, Under Stone)
Susan Cooper
https://amzn.to/3MNRjos
1965
3.84
5.4
7h 48m
When the Sky Falls
Phil Earle
https://amzn.to/3yaqxT6
2021
4.5
5.4
8h 20m
The Velveteen Rabbit
Margery Williams
https://amzn.to/3vV4ZqK
1922
4.28
5.5
0h 43m
Tsunami Girl
Julian Sedgwick
https://amzn.to/3y8B3tQ
2021
4.14
5.5
5h 50m
Harry Potter #1 (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
J.K. Rowling
https://amzn.to/39mse5l
1997
4.48
5.5
8h 0m
The Chronicles of Narnia #7 (The Last Battle)
C. S. Lewis
https://amzn.to/3y6xKDC
1956
4.01
5.6
4h 30m
The Chronicles of Narnia #2 (Prince Caspian)
C. S. Lewis
https://amzn.to/3y6xKDC
1951
3.98
5.7
4h 39m
Running Wild
Michael Morpurgo
https://amzn.to/3wjXbiH
2009
4.22
5.7
9h 2m
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Howard Pyle
https://amzn.to/3vXGWrf
1883
4.07
5.7
1h 43m
The Chronicles of Narnia #4 (The Silver Chair)
C. S. Lewis
https://amzn.to/3y6xKDC
1953
3.95
5.7
5h 27m
The Chronicles of Narnia #1 (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe)
C. S. Lewis
https://amzn.to/3y6xKDC
1950
4.23
5.7
3h 47m
Punching the Air
Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
https://amzn.to/3kSmLWJ
2020
4.47
5.7
10h 25m
The Chronicles of Narnia #5 (The Horse and His Boy)
C. S. Lewis
https://amzn.to/3y6xKDC
1954
3.91
5.8
5h 8m
The Lunar Chronicles #2 (Scarlet)
Marissa Meyer
https://amzn.to/3s8TOtw
2013
4.26
5.8
11h 46m
The Lunar Chronicles #1 (Cinder)
Marissa Meyer
https://amzn.to/39yECPX
2012
4.13
5.8
9h 7m
The Chronicles of Narnia #3 (The Voyage of the Dawn Treader)
C. S. Lewis
https://amzn.to/3y6xKDC
1952
4.09
5.9
5h 35m
The Lunar Chronicles #4 (Winter)
Marissa Meyer
https://amzn.to/381erB0
2015
4.43
5.9
21h 32m
War Horse #1 (War Horse)
Michael Morpurgo
https://amzn.to/3y4EyBI
1982
4.14
5.9
0h 0m
The Lunar Chronicles #3 (Cress)
Marissa Meyer
https://amzn.to/3vSMvHq
2014
4.42
6
14h 24m
Cheaper by the Dozen
Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
https://amzn.to/3FdOjiE
1948
3.97
6
6h 22m
Caddie Woodlawn
Carol Ryrie Brink
1935
4.01
6
5h 22m
The Dark is Rising #5 (Silver on the Tree)
Susan Cooper
https://amzn.to/3LDK2av
1977
4.1
6
8h 59m
Mary Poppins
P. L. Travers
https://amzn.to/3FezSea
1934
4.02
6.1
3h 58m
The Dark is Rising #2 (The Dark is Rising)
Susan Cooper
https://amzn.to/3OTTAQx
1973
4.05
6.2
8h 33m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #4 (The Miserable Mill)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2000
3.85
6.2
3h 1m
The Dark is Rising #4 (The Grey King)
Susan Cooper
https://amzn.to/3vCWEsL
1975
4.16
6.2
5h 49m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #3 (The Wide Window)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2000
3.94
6.3
3h 18m
The Rescuers
Margery Sharp
1959
4.08
6.3
4h 59m
The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
1910
4.14
6.3
9h 24m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #2 (The Reptile Room)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
1999
3.99
6.3
3h 2m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #1 (The Bad Beginning)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
1999
3.98
6.4
2h 30m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #11 (The Grim Grotto)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2004
4.01
6.5
5h 4m
The Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank
https://amzn.to/39mrBZx
1947
4.17
6.5
8h 51m
D'Aulaires' Book Of Norse Myths
Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
https://amzn.to/3yeoPjs
1967
4.39
6.6
3h 53m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #9 (The Carnivorous Carnival)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2002
3.99
6.6
4h 33m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #6 (The Ersatz Elevator)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2001
4.04
6.6
4h 9m
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
J. R. R. Tolkien
https://amzn.to/3LDNKkr
1937
4.28
6.6
18h 27m
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Mark Twain
https://amzn.to/38O60ZW
1884
3.82
6.6
11h 24m
Harry Potter #3 (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
J.K. Rowling
https://amzn.to/39mse5l
1999
4.58
6.7
11h 7m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #5 (The Austere Academy)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2000
3.99
6.7
3h 30m
A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens
https://amzn.to/3yhKwz0
1999
4.1
6.7
1h 33m
Harry Potter #2 (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
J.K. Rowling
https://amzn.to/39mse5l
1998
4.43
6.7
8h 52m
The Phantom Tollbooth
Norton Juster
1961
4.18
6.7
6h 40m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #7 (The Vile Village)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2001
3.96
6.7
4h 5m
Harry Potter #4 (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
J.K. Rowling
https://amzn.to/39mse5l
2000
4.57
6.8
19h 52m
Harry Potter #7 (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows)
J.K. Rowling
https://amzn.to/39mse5l
2007
4.62
6.9
20h 38m
Ben & Me
Robert Lawson
1988
3.83
6.9
1h 33m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #8 (The Hostile Hospital)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2001
3.98
6.9
3h 55m
The Wonderful Wizard of OZ
L. Frank Baum
https://amzn.to/37Tu25L
1900
3.99
7
4h 13m
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Arthur Conan Doyle
https://amzn.to/3MRUqvD
1892
4.3
7
1h 59m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #10 (The Slippery Slope)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2003
4.03
7.1
5h 32m
Harry Potter #5 (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix)
J.K. Rowling
https://amzn.to/39mse5l
2003
4.5
7.2
2h 47m
Harry Potter #6 (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)
J.K. Rowling
https://amzn.to/39mse5l
2005
4.57
7.2
17h 35m
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
https://amzn.to/381OvVV
1925
3.93
7.3
4h 54m
Animal Farm
George Orwell
https://amzn.to/3s93Zyc
1945
3.97
7.3
3h 7m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #13 (The End)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2006
4.02
7.3
5h 23m
Anne of Green Gables #1 (Anne of Green Gables)
L. M. Montgomery
https://amzn.to/3OSl49i
1908
4.28
7.3
4h 6m
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland #1 (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
Lewis Carroll
https://amzn.to/3kBkE9u
1865
4.06
7.4
2h 45m
A Series of Unfortunate Events #12 (The Penultimate Peril)
Lemony Snicket
https://amzn.to/39mrn4D
2005
4.06
7.4
4h 13m
The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling
1894
3.91
7.5
5h 16m
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland #2 (Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There)
Lewis Carroll
1871
4.06
7.6
2h 22m
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Oscar Wilde
1890
4.1
7.7
6h 46m
Black Beauty
Anna Sewell
1877
3.98
7.7
6h 12m
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott
https://amzn.to/38KNAce
1868
4.12
7.9
19h 8m
Jane Eyre
Charlotte Brontë
1847
4.14
7.9
19h 9m
The Call of the Wild
Jack London
1903
3.89
8
3h 51m
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Mark Twain
1876
3.92
8.1
7h 5m
Swiss Family Robinson
Johann David Wyss
https://amzn.to/38QXOYY
1812
3.91
8.1
6h 39m
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame
https://amzn.to/3KxTlY8
1908
3.99
8.2
2h 37m
Heidi
Johanna Spyri
1880
4.01
8.2
9h 17m
Treasure Island
Robert Louis Stevenson
1883
3.84
8.3
7h 30m
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen
1811
4.08
8.4
12h 46m
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
1960
4.27
8.6
2h 15m
Nineteen Eighty-Four
George Orwell
1949
4.19
8.9
9h 15m
Much Ado About Nothing
William Shakespeare
1598
4.06
9
2h 12m
Hike
Pete Oswald
2020
4.36
9
0h 40m
The War of the Worlds
H. G. Wells
1897
3.83
9.1
6h 34m
Emma
Jane Austen
1815
4.03
9.3
16h 46m
The Yellow Wallpaper
Charlotte Perkins Gilman
1892
4.11
9.3
0h 37m
Tess of the d'Urbervilles
Thomas Hardy
1891
3.82
9.5
15h 25m
A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens
1859
3.86
9.7
15h 15m
Les Miserables
Victor Hugo
1987
4.44
9.8
7h 18m
The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
1812
4.5
9.9
16h 58m
The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales
Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
1812
4.5
9.9
16h 58m
Hamlet
William Shakespeare
1601
4.03
10.5
3h 20m
A Midsummer Night's Dream
William Shakespeare
1595
3.95
10.9
1h 43m
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving
1810
3.94
11
3h 21m
Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
1847
3.88
11.3
11h 14m
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
1813
4.28
12
12h 43m
Frankenstein
Mary Shelley
1818
3.83
12.4
7h 51m

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Reading Difficulty Chart

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Age

Year 1 (age 5-6): 

Year 2 (age 6-7): 

Year 3 (age 7-8): 

Year 4 (age 8-9): 

Year 5 (age 9-10): 

Year 6 (age 10-11): 

Year 7 (age 11-12): 

 

These are determined based upon the average reading level required for each age group. Ideally, for your exam, you will be comfortable reading (and comprehending!) texts a year ahead of yours.


Last updated: 29th April 2022.

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Reading Difficulty Level

1 - 2.4

2.5 - 3.5

3.6 - 4.2

4.3 - 4.9

5 - 5.5

5.6 - 6.3

6.4+

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