Recommended Reading - Key Stage 3
Once by Morris Gleitzman
The first book in a series that tells the story of Felix, a young Jewish orphan who struggles to survive in Nazi-occupied Poland during the Holocaust. Felix wants to escape from the orphanage where he lives so he can save his parents from the Nazis.
Published by Penguin Books, ISBN: 9780141320632
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Matilda is no ordinary child. Despite her dysfunctional upbringing and being saddled with ignorant, neglectful and vulgar parents, Matilda triumphs at school and builds herself a perfect life. Hilarious events and unforgettable characters ensure that the story is an exciting romp, with award-winning Quentin Blake’s illustrations adding to the fun.
Published by Penguin Random House, ISBN: 9780241423165
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A spine-tingling tale about a young girl named Coraline and the strange happenings in her new home. Why is the cat always watching her and what is going on in the ‘other house’ that lurks behind the door in the drawing room? A strange, scary and gripping modern fairy tale that’s funny and frightening in equal measure.
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, ISBN: 9781408814754
The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit
When Roberta, Phyllis and Peter’s father is mysteriously taken away, the children and their mother are forced to move away from London to the countryside. The children come to enjoy adventures in their new surroundings, but are determined to discover where their father is held and to have him returned home.
Published by Vintage Publishing, ISBN: 9780099572992
11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass
Amanda is looking forward to her special day immensely, but after falling out with her best friend and spending it without him, she is glad for it to be over – but is it? Waking up the next day, she has to relive it all over again – what kind of magic is this?
Published by Scholastic, ISBN: 9781407146805
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Auggie is born with a facial deformity due to a genetic disorder (Treacher-Collins syndrome) and has endured 27 operations. He has spent the first 10 years of his life being educated at home but now wants to attend mainstream school. This heartwarming, brilliantly written and funny book describes how he deals with the transition.
Published by Random House Children’s Publishers UK, ISBN: 9780552565974
Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
When Wilbur the pig’s life is in danger he needs help. Can Charlotte A. Cavatica –a beautiful and very clever spider - come up with a solution? A beautifully told tale of friendship and courage, this book is a much loved timeless classic.
Published by Penguin Books Ltd, ISBN: 9780141354828
My Name is Mina by David Almond
Mina’s life is all there in the pages of her journal - her thoughts; ideas; poetry; dreams; and songs. This book was shortlisted for the 2012 Carnegie Medal.
Published by Hachette Children’s Group, ISBN: 97806340997260
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The four March sisters and their mother need to pull together when Mr March is away at war. Jo, Amy, Beth and Meg invite the reader into their everyday lives. Special occasions, tragedies and joys are all shared in one of the world’s best loved novels, famous for its beautifully drawn female characters.
Published by Penguin Books Ltd, ISBN: 9780147514011
Watership Down by Richard Adams
The story of a colony of rabbits who seek a place to build their new warren. When Fiver, a sensitive young buck, senses imminent danger he persuades the whole group to leave their home and begin an epic trek that leads to Watership Down and - they hope - safety. A novel full of nail-biting adventure; sad and jubilant moments; and unforgettable characters.
Published by Penguin Books Ltd, ISBN: 9780141354965
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
This novel has sold over a million copies and is one of the 100 best books of the 21st century listed by The Guardian. Its narrator is Christopher Boone, a fifteen-year-old with Asperger’s syndrome who is determined to solve the mystery of why his neighbour’s dog has been murdered. Funny, unique and moving, this is an unforgettable book.
Published by Vintage Publishing, ISBN: 9780099450252
Clover Moon by Jacqueline Wilson
Intelligent and imaginative Clover Moon needs to find her place in the world – but can she escape from her poverty stricken home life? A fabulously told story set in Victorian London about courage, resilience and starting afresh.
Published by Random House Children’s Publisher Ltd, ISBN: 9780440870258
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
First published in 1877, this is the story of Black Beauty, a good-natured thoroughbred, told from the horse’s point of view. Beauty's life begins well but he is soon sent away from all he knows to begin an eventful and sometimes hard new life. The book's values, including kindness and consideration towards animals, have resonated with children for decades.
Published by Wordsworth Editions Ltd, ISBN: 9781840227611
The Tulip Touch by Anne Fine
Tulip isn’t a nice girl. She is unpopular at school - with good reason. She is rude to teachers, spiteful, plays truant and tells the most outrageous lies. However, there is one girl who is prepared to befriend her; Natalie finds Tulip’s antics exciting - at first. Then Tulip’s behaviour becomes increasingly dark and terrifying. A scary, authentic and thrilling read that could also be considered a cautionary tale.
Published by Penguin Books Ltd, ISBN: 9780140378085
Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
This is the story of Private Tommo Peaceful and his experiences in the armed forces during World War I (WWI). It is a moving and informative novel, focused on 24 hours at the front line. Tommo's memories of family life back home and the book's vivid conclusion combine to create an unforgettable account that offers an insight into the thoughts of those who fought in WWI.
Published by HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN: 9780007486441
I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick
Malala was raised in a once-peaceful area of Pakistan. The arrival of terrorists instilled fear in the locals but Malala stood up for her rights and fought for her education and for this she was targeted and shot. Surviving horrendous injuries, Malala became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history and continues to inspire all with her courage and determination to change the world for the better.
Published by Hachette Children’s Group, ISBN: 9781780622163
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Since his mother became ill, teenager Conor has been having a terrifying, recurring dream. Then, one night, the dream becomes reality and Conor must face up to the truth of his situation and learn courage. A deeply affecting story, beautifully told and based on an idea by the late author Siobhan Dowd, who sadly died of cancer before she was able to write it herself.
Published by Walker Books Ltd, ISBN: 9781406361803
Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman
The first novel in Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is set in a parallel universe where all humans possess animal-like manifestations of their inner selves known as daemons. Lyra, the book's protagonist, is happy to spend her time clambering over Oxford's rooftops with her best friend Roger; when Roger disappears, however, she finds she is in deadly danger and embarks on a quest to find him.
Published by Scholastic, ISBN: 9781407286108