Year 7 Recommended Reading List We have put together this reading list so that you are not stuck for choice to pursue your own reading for pleasure. Before reading, look for a review or summary of the book to see if it sounds like it would interest you and be challenging enough. Here are some websites to get you started when doing this research: • Lovereading4schools (which also has recommended reading lists) • Bookstrust (which also has a Book finder and reading lists) • Goodreads • Amazon (look at the description and reviews of the book) • Project Gutenberg - http://www.gutenberg.org/ - A huge resource of free online ebooks. Top Tip: If a book isn’t interesting or gripping at first, read to at least 30% of a book before giving up! We have made notes where books contain emotional or mature context and categorised books according to the type of reader they are. Please look at the notes because some books are suitable for one than one type of reader. Types of Readers Yellow • reluctant readers friendly • reading ages below 9 years Blue • books are accessible • great for those who loved, or used to love reading but don’t read frequently enough • reading ages 9-11 Red • for readers who read often and/or are growing confident in their reading ability • vocabulary and narrative are slightly more complex • books are longer • reading ages of 11-15 Green • for very practised readers who want a challenge • vocabulary, themes and narrative are complex • books are quite long • reading ages of 15+

Ark Pioneer Year 7 Recommended Reading Fiction or Type of Name of Book/Series Name of Author Non- Notes Reader fiction Dream Team Alan Gibbons Fiction Yellow sport, football The Beautiful Game Alan Gibbons Fiction Yellow sport, football The Greatest Alan Gibbons Fiction Yellow sport, football Home ground Alan Gibbons Fiction Yellow sport, football The Number 7 Shirt Alan Gibbons Fiction Yellow sport, football Football School: Star Alex Bellos and Ben Fiction Blue sport, non-fiction Players Lyttleton 12+, Jane Eyre science-fiction retelling, also suitable for Brightly Burning Alexa Donne Fiction Blue Red & Green readers Looking After Your Mental Alice James and Non-Fiction Blue mental health Health Louie Stowell Young Sherlock series Andrew Lane Fiction Blue crime, mystery, thriller, adventure, around the world police brutality, mature content, coming-of-age, also The Hate U Give (THUG) Angie Thomas Fiction Green suitable for confident Red readers bereavement, family, friendship, politics/human rights, On the Come Up Angie Thomas Fiction Green coming-of-age, mature content, also suitable for confident Red readers recommended by Mr Robinson, also suitable for Red and Horrible Geography Series Anita Ganeri Non-Fiction Blue Green readers Game On Bali Rai Fiction Yellow football Stay a Little Longer Bali Rai Fiction Yellow emotional content Now or Never: A Dunkirk Bali Rai Fiction Yellow emotional content, war(WW1) Story The Gun Bali Rai Fiction Yellow mature content, family, friendship mature content, family, bullying, crime, romance, Shivers Bali Rai Fiction Yellow sexuality mature content, horror, romance, science-fiction, Fire City Bali Rai Fiction Yellow friendship, dystopia The Harder They Fall Bali Rai Fiction Yellow bullying, school, emotional content Benjamin Face Fiction Blue facial deformities, mature content, suitable for Red and Zephaniah Green readers too Benjamin Refugee Boy Fiction Blue refugee, suitable for Red and Green readers too Zephaniah The Tiger on his Back Bernard Ashley Fiction Yellow Journey to Jo'burg Beverly Naidoo Fiction Yellow Africa, around the world, travel, family refugee, bereavement, war (Syria), friendship, also No Ballet Shoes in Syria Catherine Bruton Fiction Blue suitable for confident Yellow readers When Good Geeks Go Bad Catherine Wilkins Fiction Blue friendship, teenage, funny, also suitable for Red readers coming-of-age, family, fathers, mothers, school, The Chocolate Box series Cathy Cassidy Fiction Yellow relationships, also suitable for Blue readers Young Bond series / The Charlie Higson Fiction Blue crime, mystery, thriller spy, mature content, relationship, Enemy Series school, recommended if you liked Alex Rider The Spider King's Chibundu Onuzo Fiction Green mature content, Africa Daughter religion, around the world, Africa, recommended by Mr Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe Fiction Green Robinson historical, around the world, friendship, school, also Young Samurai series Chris Bradford Fiction Blue suitable for Red readers war (Afghanistan), veteran, animal, pet, emotional War Dog Chris Ryan Fiction Blue content Agent 21 series Chris Ryan Fiction Red crime, spy, bereavement, mature content The Colour of the Sun David Almond Fiction Blue crime, ghost tale fantasy, adventure, coming-of-age, classics, fear, family, Skellig David Almond Fiction Red friendships, relationships 12+, coming-of-age, romance, family, friendship, My Name is Mina David Almond Fiction Blue relationships, feelings The Parent Agency David Baddiel Fiction Blue funny, fantasy, family The Person Controller David Baddiel Fiction Yellow funny, science-fiction, school Head Kid David Baddiel Fiction Blue funny Birthday Boy David Baddiel Fiction Blue funny AniMalcom David Baddiel Fiction Blue funny Suffragette The Battle for David Roberts Non-Fiction Blue equality, history Equality Doctor Who David Solomons Fiction Blue science-fiction, mystery My Brother is a Superhero David Solomons Fiction Blue funny My Gym Teacher is an David Solomons Fiction Blue funny, sequel to My Brother is a Superhero Alien Overlord The Boy in the Dress David Walliams Fiction Blue Funny film adaptation Fing David Walliams Fiction Blue funny Billionaire Boy David Walliams Fiction Blue funny Ratburger David Walliams Fiction Blue funny Awful Auntie David Walliams Fiction Blue funny Gangsta Granny David Walliams Fiction Blue funny Mr Stink David Walliams Fiction Blue funny The Demon Dentist David Walliams Fiction Blue funny funny, crime, elements of ghost tale and fantasy, also Skulduggery Series Derek Landy Fiction Red appropiate for confident Blue readers I Capture the Castle Dodie Smith Fiction Green war (ww2), also suitable for confident Red readers suitable for all reading levels, history, personal Dorling Kindersley Dorling Kindersley Non-Fiction Yellow experience A Little History of the E. H. Gombrich Non-fiction Blue history, recommended by Mr Coward World The Railway Children E. Nesbit Fiction Red classics, family, fathers, mothers, siblings verse novel, music, religion, romance, mature content, The Poet X Elizabeth Acevedo Fiction Green poetry, coming-of-age Medium challenge, fantasy, also appropriate for Artemis Fowl series Eoin Colfer Fiction Red confident Blue readers Adventure, prize-winning fiction, classics, around the Journey to the River Sea Eva Ibbotson Fiction Blue world, environment, family, friendship, moving home, nature The Secret of Platform 13 Eva Ibbotson Fiction Yellow fantasy, horror, classics, mothers In The Sea There Are Fabio Geda Fiction Blue refugee, war(Afghanistan), travel, journey, coming-of- Crocodiles age, family, friendship, immigration, human rights The Lie Tree Frances Hardinge Fiction Green 13+, mystery, fantasy, religion, science, historical, thriller Frances Hodgson The Secret Garden Red adventure, classics, disability, family Burnett Frankie’s Magic Football Frank Lampard Fiction Yellow sport, football series War of the Worlds H G Wells Fiction Green dystopia, classic, 19th century novel, science-fiction Girls FC series Helen Pietichaty Fiction Blue sport, football A Good Girl's Guide to Holly Jackson Fiction Red 12+, funny, thriller, crime Murder teen fashion, fashion, bullying, coming-of-age, funny, Geek Girl series Holly Smale Fiction Red family, friendship, grandparents, feelings Lord of the Rings series & J. R. R. Tolkein Fiction Green fantasy, film adaptations, journey, friendship The Hobbit fantasy, magic, friendship, some emotional content and Harry Potter series J.K.Rowling Fiction Green fight scenes White Fang Jack London Fiction Green 12+, 20th century, animals, fantasy, mature content The Maze Runner series James Dashner Fiction Red dystopia, film adaptation, also suitable for Green readers When the Guns Fall Silent James Riordan Fiction Blue football, WW1 India, around the world, magic, animals, adventure, Asha and the Spirit Bird Jasbinder Bilan Fiction Yellow family, religion/spirituality, politics/human rights Track series (Ghost, Jason Reynolds Fiction Red sport, coming-of-age, family, fear, friendship, school, Patina, Sunny, Lu) feelings, also suitable for confident Blue readers Jewell Parker Ghost Boys Fiction Blue bereavement, bullying, fear, politics/human rights, Rhodes feelings, ghosts I Swapped my Brother on Jo Simmons Fiction Blue funny, also suitable for confident Yellow readers the Internet The Wolves of Willoughby adventure, fantasy, history, classics, also suitable for Joan Aiken Fiction Red Chase Green readers Going batty John Agard Fiction Yellow environment, funny, school, nature Shona, word detective John Agard Fiction Yellow language, detective Lockwood & Co. series Jonathan Stroud Fiction Blue adventure, ghosts, horror, adventure, mystery, fear adventure, fantasy, magic, religion, also suitable for Bartimaeus Trilogy Jonathan Stroud Fiction Red Green and confident Blue readers When Hitler Stole Pink Judith Kerr Fiction Red historical, classics, war (WW2) Rabbit Speechless Kate Derbishire Fiction Red disability, family adventure, around the world, family, friendship, also Rooftoppers Katherine Rundell Fiction Red suitable for Green and confident Blue readers adventure, around the world, environment, friendship, The Explorer Katherine Rundell Fiction Red nature, also suitable for Green and confident Blue readers coming-of-age, illness, sport, family, romance, school, Wing Jones Katherine Webber Fiction Red relationships, also suitable for Green readers equality, science, politics, also suitable for confident Blue What Would She Do? Kay Woodward Non-Fiction Red readers verse novel, sport, basketball, coming-of-age, The Crossover Kwame Alexander Fiction Blue bereavement, family, friendship, also available as a graphic novel verse novel, sport, football, coming-of-age, bereavement, Booked Kwame Alexander Fiction Blue family, friendship, Bridge to Terabithia Latherine Paterson Fiction Red bereavement, family, also suitable for Green readers Ruby Redfort series Lauren Child Fiction Blue adventure, funny, thriller, crime, family, fear A Series of Unfortunate Lemony Snicket Fiction Blue funny, adventures, award-winner, bereavement, family, Events also suitable for Red and Green readers Libby Scott and Can You See Me? Fiction Blue Autistic spectrum, bullying, friendship, school, feelings, Rebecca Westcott diaries and journals funny, family, friendship, school, also suitable for Tom Gates series Liz Pinchon Fiction Blue confident Yellow readers family, relationships, romance, coming-of-age, classics, Little Women Louisa May Alcott Fiction Green film adaption 12+, LGBT+, family, romance, coming-of-age, Girl Hearts Girl Lucy Sutcliffe Fiction Red relationships A Wrinkle in Time Madeleine L'engle Fiction Red adventure, science-fiction, classics equality, war(Afghanistan), activism, politics and human I am Malala Malala Yousafai Non-Fiction Red rights, mature content The Noughts and Crosses 12+, dystopia, racism, some mature content, romance, Malorie Blackman Fiction Red friendship, politics, classics, also suitable for Green and Series confident Blue readers 12+, coming of age, romance, bullying, family, pregnancy, Boys Don’t Cry Malorie Blackman Fiction Red sexuality, relationships, feelings, also suitable for Green and confident Blue readers A Dangerous Game Malorie Blackman Fiction Yellow adventure, bullying, friendship, illness, nature, feelings Contact Malorie Blackman Fiction Yellow science-fiction, friendship, sport, dystopia Grandpa Bert and the Malorie Blackman Fiction Yellow adventure, ghosts, funny, mystery, crime, family, Ghost Snatchers grandparents Jon for Short Malorie Blackman Fiction Yellow 12+, horror, mystery mature content Peace Maker Malorie Blackman Fiction Yellow adventure, science-fiction, personal/social issues Robot Girl Malorie Blackman Fiction Yellow science-fiction, family 12+, mature content, Autistic spectrum, feelings, diaries The Curious Incident of Mark Haddon Fiction Red and journals, coming-of-age, thriller, family, science, the Dog in the Night-time maths, Asperger’s Syndrome, crime, detective, also recommended for Green readers Marley Dias Gets It Done Marley Davis with Non-Fiction Red equality, politics and human rights, activism, race, also and So Can You! Siobhan McGowan suitable for confident Blue readers Mary Bello, Isha A Change is Gonna Come Bushby (Various Fiction Red short stories, poetry, diversity authors) some emotional content, war (WW2), historical, around Once series Maurice Gleitzman Fiction Blue the world, politics/human rights, friendship persecution of Jews, also suitable for confident Yellow readers 12+, classics, family, relationships, romance, dystopia How I Live Now Meg Rosoff Fiction Red romance, 15 rated film adaptation 12+, mature content, science-fiction, thriller, bullying, Gone series Michael Grant Fiction Red friendship war (WW1), historical, award-winning, classics, Private Peaceful Michael Mopurgo Fiction Blue relationships, bereavement Cool Michael Mopurgo Fiction Blue football, also suitable for confident Yellow readers 12+, fairy tale, fantasy, classics, family, magic, spooky, Coraline Neil Gaiman Fiction Red recommended by Mr Robinson science, also suitable for light reading for Red/Green Horrible Science Nick Arnold Non-Fiction Blue readers and confident Yellow readers The Boy at the Back of the refugee, adventure, bereavement, friendship, Onjali Q. Raúf Fiction Blue politics/human rights, also suitable for red and confident Class yellow readers Diver's Daughter: A Tudor Patrice Lawrence Fiction Blue history, Tudors Story Orangeboy Patrice Lawrence Fiction Green 12+, mature content, crime, gangs bereavement, emotional content, bullying, classics, A Monster Calls Patrick Ness Fiction Blue coming-of-age, school, mothers, feelings, fear, film adaptation Chaos of Walking series dystopia, science-fiction, war, film adaptation being (Book 1- The Knife of Patrick Ness Fiction Red released in 2021 Never Letting Go) fantasy, around the world, romance, myths and legends, The Alchemist Paulo Coelho Fiction Green recommended by Mr Robinson The Silk Roads A New history, also suitable for Green readers and confident Peter Frankopan Non-fiction Red History of the World Blue readers, recommended by Mr Coward fantasy, recommendation by Ms Rolle, BBC TV His Dark Materials Series Philip Pullman Fiction Green adaptation Challenging, fantasy, some mature content, includes a Book of Dust Series Philip Pullman Fiction Green prequel to the His Dark Materials Series Sally Lockhart Mysteries Philip Pullman Fiction Red mystery, crime, bereavement, fathers, mature content disability, facial deformity, family, school, friendship, Wonder R.J. Palacio Fiction Blue recommended by Mr Robinson, also suitable for Red, Green and confident Yellow readers Watership Down Richard Adams Fiction Red animals, mature content, film adaptation Heroes of Olympus series Rick Riordan Fiction Blue adventure, fantasy, myths and legends, friendship fantasy, adventure, film adaptation, myths and legends, disability, friendship, magic, relationships, monsters, Percy Jackson series Rick Riordan Fiction Blue also suitable for confident readers and Red/Green readers The Trials of Apollo series Rick Riordan Fiction Red fantasy, adventure, myths and legends Magnus Chase series Rick Riordan Fiction Red fantasy, myths and legends Kane Chronicles Rick Riordan Fiction Blue fantasy, historical, myths and legends, Egypt Robert Louis The Sign of Four Fiction Green mystery, 19th century, detective, crime, romance Stevenson adventure, thriller, classics, crime, suitable for confident Cherub series Robert Muchamore Fiction Red Blue readers religion, abandonment, family, friendship, some Abomination Robert Swindells Fiction Blue emotional content Stone Cold Robert Swindells Fiction Red 12+, homelessness, mature content, family, classics Murder Most Unladylike Robin Stevens Fiction Red crime, mystery, friendship, historical, school, also series suitable for confident Blue readers adventure, coming-of-age, bereavement, bullying, family, The 1,000-Year-Old Boy Ross Welford Fiction Blue foster care, friendship, mothers The Love and Lies of Sabina Khan Fiction Red LGBT+, family, politics and human rights Rukhsana Ali 12+, mature content, funny, coming-of-age, racism, That Asian Kid Savita Kalhan Fiction Red friendship, relationships, family mystery, crime, adventure, fathers, family, siblings, High-Rise Mystery Sharna Jackson Fiction Red relationships bereavement, illness, romance, grandparents, feelings, Artichoke Hearts Sita Bramachari Fiction Red diaries and journals, also suitable for confident Blue and Green readers sequel to Artichoke Hearts, family, friendship, romance, Jasmine Skies Sita Bramachari Fiction Red also suitable for Green and confident Blue readers from the perspective of Mina (from Artichoke Heart)’s Tender Earth Sita Bramachari Fiction Red sister, identity, friendship, school, politics and human rights, disability, coming-of-age bereavement, family, friendship, emotional content, Kite Spirit Sita Bramachari Fiction Red nature, coming-of-age Red Leaves Sita Bramachari Fiction Red ghost, war, adoption, family Autistic spectrum, Asperger’s Syndrome, family, Car Wash Wish Sita Bramachari Fiction Yellow grandparents, illness, feelings family break up, school, anxiety, friendship, Worry Angels Sita Bramachari Fiction Yellow environment, moving home, refugees/asylum, school, mental health Zebra Crossing Soul Son Sita Bramachari Fiction Yellow bereavement, friendship Where the River Runs Sita Bramachari Fiction Blue climate change, family, dystopia Gold Girl, Missing Sophie Mackenzie Fiction Red thriller, family, emotional content Sister, Missing Sophie Mackenzie Fiction Green sequel to Girl Missing, family, emotional content Woman in Black Susan Hill Fiction Green mystery, ghost, thriller mature content, violence, dystopia, romance, film Hunger Games series Suzanne Collins Fiction Red adaptation, also suitable for green and confident blue readers The Dark Matter Trilogy Terri Terry Fiction Green Very challenging, science-fiction, mature content Horrible History Series Terry Deary Non-Fiction Blue Accessible-medium, non-fiction history, geography, war, around the world, recommended Prisoners of Geography Tim Marshall Non-fiction Yellow by Mr Coward Over the Line Tom Palmer Fiction Yellow football, WW1 non-fiction, child-friendly biographies of famous Ultimate Football Heroes Various authors Fiction Blue footballers, sport, also suitable for confident Yellow readers and Red readers non-fiction, celebrities, also suitable for confident Yellow Ultimate Superstars series Various authors Fiction Blue readers and Red readers Medium challenge, dystopia, romance, film adaptation, Divergent series Veronica Roth Fiction Red also suitable for Green and confident Blue readers Lord of the Flies William Golding Fiction Green 13+, mature content, violence, dystopia, horror 12+, mature content, adventure, classics, around the Life of Pi Yann Martel Fiction Green world, animals, family, fear, nature refugee, family, friendships, emotional content, also The Bone Sparrow Zana Fraillon Fiction Red suitable for Green and confident Blue readers Kerb-Stain Boys Alex Wheatle Fiction Red coming-of-age, funny, friendship, relationships, crime coming-of-age, mature content, gangs, drugs, Crongton Knights Alex Wheatle Fiction Red bereavement, also suitable for Greens coming-of-age, mature content, gangs, drugs, Liccle Bit Alex Wheatle Fiction Red bereavement, also suitable for Greens