RECOMMENDED READS FOR 1ST YEARS:
Author
Title
Publisher
Comment
Almond, David
Blade, Adam
Boyne, John
Donbavand, Tommy
Grisham, John
Hurn, Roger
Jefferies, Cindy
Kiernan, Celine
Kinney, Jeff
The Savage
Beast Quest
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Uniform
Theodore Boone (series)
Mystery Mob Series
Fame School
Into the Grey
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series
Walker Books
Orchard Books
Transworld
Barrington Stoke
Hodder & Stoughton
Rising Stars
Usborne
O’Brien Press
Amulet
McKenzie, Sophie
Morpurgo, Michael
Ness, Patrick
Pichon, Liz
Girl, Missing
Warhorse
A Monster Calls
Tom Gates is Absolutely
Fantastic
Cirque du Freak
Various titles
Simon & Schuster
Egmont
Walker
Scholastic
Beautiful mix of words and pictures
Very popular – especially among boys
Poignant and dark. Great story
Spooky mystery with an open ending
Thriller. Popular with boys
Short, simple stories that revolve around a group of friends
School drama. Easily accessible
Challenging read for more able students
Language is deceptively difficult. Main character is hapless
and cynical. Endlessly popular.
Very popular series
Modern classic
Tissues needed for the ending!
Comic look at school life. Very funny book. For boys and girls
Collins
Harper Collins
Best series ever according to some students!
Can’t go wrong with Walliams – always funny!
Shan, Darren
Walliams, David
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RECOMMENDED READS FOR 2nd YEARS:
Author
Title
Publisher
Comment
Almond, David
Blackman, Malorie
A Life in Stories
Noughts and Crosses
Walker Books
Corgi Childrens
Engstrom, Mikael
Gibbons, Alan
Gleitzman, Morris
Grant, Michael
Hooper, Mary
Johnson, Pete
Landy, Derek
Little Island
Indigo
Puffin
Egmont
Bloomsbury
Barrington Stoke
Harper Collins
Puffin Classics
Hodder
Moving story of WW2 evacuee
Great action books
Ness, Patrick
Thin Ice
Hate
Once
Gone Series
Megan
The Best Holiday Ever
Skulduggary Pleasant
series
Goodnight Mr. Tom
Cherub and Henderson
Boys Series
A Monster Calls
Almond is an enchanting writer
The original dystopian thriller – with racial considerations which
give it added depth. Captures the imagination of students
Lovely book about a boy finding his place in the world
Drama based on a true story
First in series. Always popular
Compulsive, fast-paced mystery. Popular with boys and girls
Always popular
Popular easy read
Very popular – with boys and girls
Walker Books
Palacio, R.J.
Shan, Darren
Walliams, David
Wonder
Zom-B
The Boy in the Dress
Corgi Childrens
Simon & Schuster
Harper Collins
A young boy deals with the terminal illness of his mother – with a
little help. Appeals to boys and girls
Original and unsentimental story about disability
Gory and exciting zombie story for teens
A sensitive and funny book about being different
Magorian, Michelle
Muchamore, Robert
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RECOMMENDED READS FOR 3rd YEARS:
Author
Title
Publisher
Comment
Bradford, Chris
Condie, Ally
Dashner, James
Delaney, Joseph
Dowd, Siobhain
Forman, Gayle
Green, John
Green, John
Hinton, S.E.
Kropp, Paul
Lee, Harper
McKenzie, Sophie
Muchamore, Robert
Mulligan, Andy
Lockhart, Emily
Parkinson, Siobhain
Roscoff, Meg
Tolkien, J.R.R.
Various
Young Samurai
Matched
Maze Runner
Spook’s Apprentice
Solace of the Road
If I Stay
Looking for Alaska
The Fault in Our Stars
The Outsiders
Juvie
To Kill a Mockingbird
Falling Fast Series
The Recruit
Trash
We Were Liars
Bruised
How I Live Now
The Hobbit
Cutting Edge
Puffin
Razorbill
Chicken House
Red Fox
David Fickling Books
Random House
Penguin
Penguin
Penguin
Robinswood
Arrow
Simon & Schuster
Hodder
David Fickling Books
Hot Key Books
Hodder
Penguin
Harper Collins
Ransom
Very popular – especially among boys
Dystopian thriller romance
A wonderful adventure. Perfect for fans of the Hunger Games
Very popular with boys
Girl runs away from foster parents in search of her mother
Most popular among girls
Good book about growing up
Great romantic film tie-in book. Not just for girls!
Author was only 17 when this was written. About gangs
Action packed story. Easy to read
Deals with important issues
Teenage romance
First book in CHERUB series about crime fighting kids
Exciting thriller
Americal WASPs Island mystery
Realistic and powerful story
An exciting, futuristic story that deals with real-life issues for teens
Always popular. Quite a difficult read. Currently popular due to films
‘Edgy’ content. Easy reads. For boys and girls
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RECOMMENDED READS FOR SENIOR CYCLE:
Author
Title
Publisher
Comment
Arakawa, Hiromu
Berry, Julie
Collins, Suzanne
Conan Doyle, Sir
Arthur
David, Keren
Fitzgerald, F. Scott
Horowitz, Anthony
Kavanagh, Joyce
McCarthy, Cormac
Meyer, Stephenie
Ness, Patrick
Picoult, Jodi
Portis, Charles
Reeve, Philip
Roscoff, Meg
Roth, Veronica
Rowell, Rainbow
Rowling, J.K.
Staid, Rebecca
Zephaniah, Benjamin
Fullmetal Alchemist
All the Truth That’s in Me
Hunger Games
Complete Sherlock
Holmes Stories
When I Was Joe
The Great Gatsby
Stormbreaker
Click Click
The Road
Twilight
More Than This
My Sister’s Keeper
True Grit
Mortal Engines
How I Live Now
Divergent Series
Eleanor & Park
Harry Potter Series
When You Reach Me
Gangsta Rap
Viz Media
Templar
Scholastic
Wordsworth
27 book series. Very popular
A romantic mystery
Great first book of a trilogy that appeals to boys and girls
Simply well-crafted mysteries. Still accessible and compelling
Frances Lincoln
Penguin
Walker Books
Hachette
Picador
Atom
Walker Books
Hodder & Stoughton
Bloomsbury
Scholastic
Penguin
Harper Collins
Orion
Scholastic
Andersen Press
Bloomsbury
Very popular
Tale of excess set in the jazz age
Especially popular among older boys
Non-fiction. Story of abuse.
Post-apocalyptic story by an Irish author
Vampire story that girls love
Provocative and moving. Appeals to both boys and girls
Popular with girls
Rediscovered after the recent movie. This is a classic
Fantastic and unusual setting
Children struggle alone after war breaks out in England
Epic suspense trilogy. Current films making books popular
Romance set in the 80s
Different enough from the films to still be interesting
Complex but wonderfully told story
Great story. Very true to life
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RECOMMENDED READS FOR BOYS:
Author
Title
Publisher
Comment
Arakawa, Hiromu
Chbosky, Stephen
Delaney, Joseph
Freedman, Dan
Grylls, Bear
Hurn, Roger
Kinney, Jeff
Landy, Derek
Lore, Pittacus
McNab, Andy
Muchamore, Robert
Palmer, Tom
Patterson, James
Pilkey, Dav
Riordan, Rick
Riordan, Rick
Shan, Darren
Strasser, Todd
Walliams, David
Fullmetal Alchemist
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Spook’s Apprentice
Jamie Johnson Series
Mission Survival
Mystery Mob Series
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series
Skulduggery Pleasant
I Am Number Four
Boy Soldier
CHERUB series
Over the Line
I Funny, A Middle School Story
Captain Underpants series
Heroes of Olympus Series
Percy Jackson Series
Cirque du Freak/Demonata/Zom-B
If I Grow Up
Various
Viz Media
Simon & Schuster
Red Fox
Scholastic
Red Fox
Rising Stars
Puffin Books
Harper Collins
Penguin
Doubleday
Hodder
Barrington Stoke
Arrow
Scholastic
Puffin Books
Puffin Books
Harper Collins
Simon & Schuster
Harper Collins
Watt, Tom
The Jags Series
Rising Stars
27 book series. Very popular
A funny and poignant book about growing up
Boys love this series
Soccer drama. Gripping
Excitement and adventure. Accessible read
Protagonists tease each other on their adventures
Always popular
Entertaining detective series with a twist
Exciting futuristic adventure story
Gripping realistic fact-based thriller
12 books in series.
Football in the trenches
Very funny book for boys
Popular easy reads
Great fantasy action series
Film and graphic novel tie-in
These series are always popular with boys
Life in a ghetto in the US
All of Walliam’s books are popular with younger students.
Very funny and a light read
Football stories. Always popular
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RECOMMENDED READS FOR GIRLS:
Author
Title
Publisher
Comment
Blume, Judy
Are You There God It’s Me
Margaret
City of Bones Series
The Selection
Before I Die
MacMillan
First published over 40 years ago. Still well liked by today’s teenage
girls
Popular with strong readers
1st in trilogy
Thought-provoking story of a terminally ill girl. Adult themes.
Clare, Cassandra
Cass, Kiera
Downham, Jenny
Green, John
Hinton, S.E.
Hooper, Mary
Hopkins, Cathy
McKenzie, Sophie
Parkinson, Siobhain
Rennison, Louise
Russell, Rachel
Renee
Sheldon, Dyan
Smith, L.J.
Sugg, Zoe
Wilson, Jacqueline
The Fault in Our Stars
The Outsiders
Megan
Mates, Dates Guide to Life
Girl Missing/Falling Fast/The
One and Only/Medusa Series
Bruised
Angus Thongs and Fullfrontal Snogging (series)
Dork Diaries: Tales from a
Not-so-Fabulous Life
And Baby Makes Two
Vampire Diaries series
Girl Online
The Butterfly Club
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Walker Books
Harper Collins
David Fickling
Books
Penguin
Penguin
Bloomsbury
Piccadilly Press
Simon & Schuster
Great romantic film tie-in book
Girls tend to recommend this book to each other
Realistic, gripping dilemma of a teen pregnancy
Fun read for teen girls.
Author loved by girls
Hodder
Harper Collins
Gritty story. Very popular
An old favourite. Comic romance in diary form.
Simon & Schuster
Hilarious book for girls. Girl’s version of Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Walker Books
Hodder
Penguin
Doubleday
Accessible story about teenage pregnancy
Horror romance
Very popular. Great book club pick.
The latest from the ever-popular Jacqueline Wilson
RECOMMENDED READS FOR RELUCTANT READERS:
Author
Title
Publisher
Comment
Apps, Roy
Arrigan, Mary
Atkins, Jill
Brooks, Kevin
Brown, Eric
Catchpole, Barbara
Combes, Alan
Croft, Andy
Francis, Pauline
Dream to Win Series
Chocolate Moon
Cry, Baby
Johnny Delgado
Twocking
Pig Series
Fire Escape
Steven Gerrard (etc.)
Fast Track Classic – Black
Beauty
Partners in Crime
Baby Father (The Play)
Take Two/Three’s a Crowd
Dark Man series
Goblin of Tara
Big Nate
Fight
Blade
The Runners
In Pieces
Franklin Watts
Barrington Stoke
Evans
Barrington Stoke
Barrington Stoke
Ransom
Barrington Stoke
Barrington Stoke
Evans
Bios of sporting heroes
Appeals to boys and girls
Gripping story
A murder mystery. Hooks the reluctant boys
Highly recommended
Similar to ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ – but shorter
Very short read, but gripping
Sporting bios
Lovely book about man’s kindness and cruelty – seen through the eyes
of a horse
Fast-paced, page-turning thriller
A heart-warming teen pregnancy story that students can read aloud
Popular with girls
Excellent series for very weak readers (with workbooks)
Excellent for struggling readers and as a readaloud to a class
Ideal for Wimpy Kid fans
Very popular
Great starter book
Gritty read by Irish author
Fantastic quick read. Set in Dublin. Available to purchase from
www.becpublishing.com
Hinton, Nigel
Kenrick, Joanna
Kendrick, Joanna
Lancett, Peter
McGann, Oisin
Peirce, Lincoln
Phillips, Dee
Powling, Chris
Sheridan, Fiachra
Trinity Comp
Writers
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Barrington Stoke
Barrington Stoke
Barrington Stoke
Ransom
Barrington Stoke
Harper Collins
Evans
Barrington Stoke
New Island Books
JCSP/PDST
RECOMMENDED PICTURE BOOKS FOR TEENS:
Author
Title
Publisher
Comment
Almond, David
Binch, Caroline
Bunting, Eve
Huggins-Cooper,
Lynn
Innocenti, R. &
Gallaz, C.
Monsen, Avery
Seiznick, Brian
The Savage
Christy’s Dream
One Candle
One Boy’s War
Walker Books
Frances Lincoln
Harper Collins
Frances Lincoln
Intriguing story on the nature of ‘story’
Magical and beautiful story for horse lovers
Moving book about the holocaust
First World War story that appeals to boys
Rose Blanche
Creative Paperbacks
Story about WW2. A powerful argument for peace
All My Friends are Dead
The Invention of Hugo
Cabret
The Missing Piece Meets
the Big O
The Arrival
Chronicle Books
Scholastic
Cute and dark lessons about life
Part book part silent movie
Harper Collins
Allegory for the secret of love and nurturing relationships
Hodder
The Mysteries of Harris
Burdick
Tuesday
Andersen
Beautifully illustrated book – helpful for non-nationals to
articulate their feelings on moving to a new country
Wordless portrait of the immigrant experience. Beautiful images
that are great for story starters or discussion
True story of Wilson Bentley, the man who photographed
snowflakes.
Silverstein, Shel
Tan, Shaun
Van Allsburg, Chris
Wiesner, David
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Houghton Mifflin
RECOMMENDED READS - NON-FICTION:
Author
Bansky
BBC
Callery, Sean
Doyle, Roddy &
Keane, Roy
DK Eyewitness
Guinness
Linde, Arvid
Maguire, Neven
O’Toole, Julie
Palacio, R.J.
Ripley
Title
Publisher
Comment
Minecraft Beginners
Handbook
Wall and Piece
Top Gear titles
Go Series
The Second Half
Egmont
Accessible, comprehensive beginners guide
Century
BBC Children
Barrington Stoke
Weidenfeld &
Nicholson
Dorling Kindersley
A favourite with all. Art with a message
Popular with boys
Popular with boys and girls
Popular sports bio.
Veloce Publishing
Gill & Macmillan
Great for any budding mechanics
Beautiful recipe book
Maverick House
The Bodley Head
Pacy, accessible read that comes full circle
Inspiring quotes for every day of the year
Amazing facts – for students of all ages
Eyewitness Series
Guinness Book of World
Records
How Your Car Works
The Nation’s Favourite
Food
Heroin
365 Days of Wonder
Ripley’s Believe It or Not
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Useful for research
Very popular with students of all ages
RECOMMENDED READS – GRAPHIC NOVELS:
Author
Title
Publisher
Comment
Arakawa, Hiromu
Briggs, Raymond
Busiek, Kurt
Colfer, Eoin
Fullmetal Alchemist
Fungus the Bogeyman
Avengers Assemble
Artemis Fowl
Viz Media
Penguin
Marvel
Puffin
Foreman, Michael
Hunt, Gerry
Isayama, Hajime
Kirkman, Robert
Kishimoto, Masashi
Mochizuki, Jun
Muchamore, Robert
Spiegelman, Art
Various
Various
Venditti, Robert
War Game
Blood Upon the Rose
Attach on Tital
The Walking Dead
Naruto
Pandora Hearts
The Recruit
The Complete Maus
Bleach
Ultimate X Men
Percy Jackson and the
Lightening Thief – the
Graphic Novel
Fables
Twilight – The Graphic
Novel
Pavilion
O’Brien Press
Kodansha Comics
Image
Viz Media
Yen Press
Hodder
Penguin
VIZ Media
Marvel
27 book series.
Humorous. Appeals to both boys and girls
Popular title
Graphic version – easier read for those who have difficulty with
print stories
Factual, emotional WW1 story
Engaging and popular way of presenting the 1916 Rising
Manga series
Hugely popular zombie apocalypse. Suitable for seniors
Popular manga
Exciting manga story for boys and girls
Graphic novel version of the original.
Pulitzer Prize winning graphic novel – set in WW2
Popular manga series
Slick, updated classic X-Men stories
Enjoyed by boys
Willingham, Bill
Young, Kim
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DC Comics
Atom
Fairy tales in modern New York
Popular with boys
RECOMMENDED READS – POPULAR MAGAZINES:
Title
All About History
Gamesmaster
Goal
Irish History Magazine
Look
Match
Match of the Day
National Geographic
Top Gear
Top of the Pops
Voice of the Traveller
World Soccer
Your Hair
Publisher
IPC Media
BBC
BBC
BBC
Time Inc. (UK) Ltd.
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Comment
Interesting history articles
All the platforms represented here. Reviews and tips
Aimed at teens interested in keeping up with UK Premier League football
Interesting articles on history
Loved by students and staff. All the latest fashion news
Current football magazine
Football news
Exciting magazine filled with colourful stories from around the world
Popular with boys
Favourite with girls
Interesting magazine of special interest to travellers of all ages
Popular with boys
Articles, tips and photos