and w Ho D A N E M P I C

19,662,147 1,146,353 books read students

5,603 schools

The Book-Reading Behaviours of Pupils in Pandemic Times An independent study by Professor Keith Topping, Professor of Educational and Social Research, University of Dundee, with contributions from Dr. Christina Clark, Head of Research, and Irene Picton, Research Manager, National Literacy Trust What and How Kids Are Reading: The Book-Reading Behaviours of Pupils in Pandemic Times 2021 Pandemic Edition

An independent study by: Professor Keith Topping, Professor of Educational and Social Research, School of Education, University of Dundee (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_James_Topping) and

Dr Christina Clark, Head of Research, and Irene Picton, Research Manager, National Literacy Trust (https://literacytrust.org.uk).

Dr Topping did the analysis for and wrote much of this report, while the National Literacy Trust section involved analysis and writing by Dr Christina Clark and Irene Picton.

©Copyright 2021 by Renaissance Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United Kingdom. All logos, designs, and brand names for Renaissance’s products and services, including but not limited to Accelerated Reader, ATOS, myON, myON News, myON Reader, Star Reading and Renaissance, are trademarks of Renaissance Learning, Inc., and its subsidiaries, registered, common law, or pending registration in the United States. All other product and company names should be considered the property of their respective companies and organisations.

Reflections on Reading ©Copyright 2021 by Saadia Faruqi. Reflections on Reading ©Copyright 2021 by Sav Akyüz. Reflections on Reading ©Copyright 2021 by Joseph Elliott.

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Suggested citation: Renaissance Learning. (2021). What Kids Are Reading: The Book-Reading Behaviours of Pupils in Pandemic Times: 2021 Pandemic edition. London, UK: Author: Professor Keith Topping Contents | What Kids Are Reading | 3

Contents

Executive Summary...... 4 Foreword...... 7 Welcome...... 8 Introduction...... 9 Part A: How Kids Are Reading...... 11 Section One: Implementation Quality and Effectiveness...... 12 Average Percent Correct...... 12 Star Reading Scores...... 13 Quizzes Passed...... 13 Engaged Reading Time...... 14 Engaged Reading Time and Cumulative Words Read...... 14 Zone of Proximal Development...... 15 Summary...... 16 Section Two: Children and Young People’s Reading Enjoyment During the First Lockdown (by the National Literacy Trust)...... 17 Why More Children Enjoy Reading During Lockdown ...... 18 What Were Children and Young People Reading During the First Lockdown? ...... 19 Part B: What Kids Are Reading...... 22 Section One: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often...... 23 Books Kids Are Reading Most Often: Overall Picture...... 23 Books Kids Are Reading Most Often: By Year...... 24 Section Two: Popularity of Authors...... 28 Overall popularity of authors...... 28 Section Three: Highest New Entrants...... 29 Highest New Entrants by Year...... 29 Most Popular New Entrants...... 30 Section Four: Books High-Achieving Kids Read Most Often...... 32 Books High-Achieving Kids Read Most Often by Year...... 32 Section Five: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often...... 35 Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often by Year...... 35 Section Six: Most Read Non-Fiction Books ...... 37 Most Read Non-Fiction Books by Year...... 37 Section Seven: Voting for Favourite Books...... 39 Favourite Books by Year...... 39 Favourite Books in Primary and Secondary Schools...... 43 Section Eight: Regional Variation in Reading Habits...... 44 Regional Variation in Book Choices by Year...... 44 Summary...... 45 Section Nine: myON and Other Countries...... 47 Top 20 Books Read with myON...... 47 Section Ten: AR in Countries Other Than the UK and USA...... 49 A: In Countries Where English is the First Language...... 49 B: In Countries Where English is Not the First Language...... 50 Overall Summary...... 53 Recommendations...... 58 About the Report and Data...... 61 About the Authors...... 64 Part C: Appendices...... 65 4 | Executive Summary | What Kids Are Reading

Executive Summary Lockdown

The 25% of pupils who carried on using Accelerated and relaxation. Some children reported a lack of access Reader (AR) during the first lockdown read fewer to books due to school and public library closures, and books but longer books of greater difficulty and with this of course denied them access to the above benefits. greater comprehension. The lower number of students There was evidence of more reading on screen, and assessed during lockdown tended to score higher than reading of news articles, song lyrics and poems, but all pupils over the whole year. Looking at AR and Star pupils with no access to screens were again deprived. Reading test performance, the Percentile Ranks started Regarding authors, during lockdown David Walliams higher and increased from there, peaking at the 65th and Julia Donaldson became even more popular. percentile in Year 8. This suggests that the much lower J. K. Rowling made a very substantial re-appearance number of students assessed during lockdown tended with 36 mentions, while Roald Dahl sustained his to score higher than all pupils over the whole year. popularity. Suzanne Collins showed an increase in Whereas for the whole year boys outnumbered girls, popularity. However, Jeff Kinney declined in popularity now girls outnumbered boys. and Roderick Hunt almost disappeared altogether. While for the whole year less than half of children said Regarding Favourite Authors, during lockdown Years 1-3 that they enjoyed reading, continuing the decline from showed levels of book difficulty well above those for the a peak of 59% in 2016, during lockdown levels of reading whole year, together with high levels of quality of reading enjoyment improved. However, during lockdown more comprehension. For the remainder of primary school girls than boys said that they enjoyed reading. Many and into secondary school, the lockdown figures were children said having more time to read enabled them similar to those for the whole year, and quality of reading to enjoy reading more. Another reason pupils might have comprehension also tended to be similar. turned to reading was to further their mental wellbeing. Three in five said that reading made them feel better myON is a student-centred, personalised literacy during lockdown, and 32% said that reading helped platform that offers unlimited access to thousands them when they felt sad because they could not of enhanced digital books, many of which have also see their family and friends. Half the respondents been quizzed for Accelerated Reader. From 2019 to said that reading had offered a refuge in this difficult 2020 myON increased by 105 times (reflecting time, providing a valuable source of calm, escapism increased access to books and more schools using the programme). During lockdown, the number of myON hours increased compared to the whole year. myON was used outside of school hours 44% of the time and in school 56% of the time. However, most myON Many children reading was done Monday through Thursday, with a decline on Friday and quite low levels on Saturday and “ Sunday. This seems to suggest that many students said having regard weekends as times when they engage in other pursuits than reading. The authors read during the more time to lockdown period were similar to those who for the whole year, but readers were particularly focused on Shelley Swanson Sateren, Jake Maddox and Michael Dahl. read enabled For the whole year, average myON book difficulty was the same as the average for all regular books, but for the them to enjoy lockdown period book difficulty was the same for myON but higher for regular books. reading more. Executive Summary | What Kids Are Reading | 5

Whole Year

Although more schools were involved than last year, the number of pupils involved was only slightly more, and they tended to read distinctly fewer books. Slightly more Average book males than females featured. Northern Ireland had the highest proportion of AR-using pupils in relation to the “ size of the school population (21%), followed by England difficulty (ATOS) rose (14%). This means that in Northern Ireland more than one in five pupils was using AR. as pupils got older in

Considering the relationship between AR and tested reading performance, AR pupils started above average, the primary school, then steadily increased to peak at the 54th percentile in Year 9 (i.e., well above average). In almost all Years but plateaued in the there was a consistent pattern whereby the lowest APC (Average Percent Correct) scores were associated with the lowest reading scores, the highest with the highest secondary school. reading scores, and the middle APC scores associated with the middle reading scores. The lowest Engaged Reading Time scores were associated with the lowest reading scores, the highest with the highest reading popular. The overall Primary table of Most Popular scores, and the middle ERT scores associated with the Authors was again headed by Jeff Kinney, but Julia middle reading scores. More reading time in school Donaldson had risen to second place, after which came led to higher reading attainment. The more time was Walliams, Hunt, Dahl, Simon, Kerr and Rosen as in 2020. allocated to reading, the greater was the number of The Secondary table of Most Popular Authors is again words read. headed by Jeff Kinney, followed by David Walliams. J. K. Rowling advances to third. Beyond this the list is Average book difficulty (ATOS) rose as pupils got older much the same, with Dahl, Palacio, Boyne, Collins and in primary school, but plateaued in secondary school. Steinbeck appearing. Older pupils in secondary school were still reading the same difficulty of books as upper primary pupils. Regarding New Entrants, the new books from Walliams Similarly, there was an increasing tendency to read and Kinney were top. Then came Jacqueline Wilson, books which were below the Zone of Proximal Julia Donaldson and Francesca Simon: again well-known Development (ZPD) as pupils progressed into and names. After that, more variety: Dav Pilkey, Jim Smith, through secondary school, coupled with a decline in Sally Brash, Russell Hunter, David Baddiel, Andy Griffiths, the tendency to read books above the ZPD. Pupils in Sophie Anderson and Onjali Q. Raúf. However, in general primary schools consistently showed a much higher these new books were no more difficult than older ones. APC (79% to 82%) than pupils in secondary schools Regarding High-Achieving Children (books read by pupils (70% to 73%) – they were reading books with greater who scored at or above the 75th percentile on the Star comprehension, and these primary figures were better Reading test), these readers largely read the same books than those for last year. In the first year of secondary as older pupils with average reading ability – Kinney, school APC fell sharply. Remember this is despite Rowling, Walliams and Dahl. However, high-achieving secondary pupils reading books that were only as easy secondary children still read well below their actual age. as those the primary school pupils were reading. Regarding Struggling Children (books read by pupils Now considering “What Kids Are Reading”, from 2020 who scored at or below the 25th percentile on the Star to the whole of 2021 there was little change in favourite Reading test), in Years 5-7 these children were reading authors, except Julia Donaldson became much more well above the difficulty level expected – almost at their popular, and Kinney, Walliams and Dahl remained chronological age. However, APC was very low, and 6 | Executive Summary | What Kids Are Reading

many books were not read to the 85% criterion. Beyond Australia/New Zealand had more children in more this into Years 8 and 9, the books read were much less schools. Chosen authors were in some cases similar difficult in relation to chronological age, but the APC to the UK (except for Roderick Hunt and David Walliams), was still low. So, accuracy of reading did not appear but (especially in primary) other authors such as Aaron to be directly related to book difficulty. Blabey, Nick Bland, Anh Do and Andy Griffiths featured quite heavily. Overall, Australia/New Zealand had very In non-fiction book reading there was even stronger similar difficulty level of books (ATOS) and quality of evidence than in previous years of a football theme, reading comprehension (APC) to the UK, except for which may have been male-oriented, but almost no a minor dip of reading comprehension in the 9-12- other books for other interests. Secondary non-fiction year group. books were not read or understood as carefully as the fiction books. In Canada, Grades K-2 were again completely unlike the UK, with Aaron Blabey, Nick Bland and Dr Seuss Pupils have the opportunity to vote for Favourite Books, featuring. For Grades 3-5 Jeff Kinney dominated, but which were generally quite different from the regular Ahn Do was also popular. Kinney also dominated Grades book authors: Rick Riordan, J. K. Rowling, Christopher 6-8, with J. K. Rowling also popular. In Grades 9-12, Paolini, Erin Hunter, Sarah J. Maas, Chris Colfer, Philip the picture was similar with J. K. Rowling even stronger. Pullman and Cressida Cowell featured. In the primary In K-2, Canadian pupils read easier books than UK pupils years, children were reading very difficult books with but understood them better. In Grades 3-5 and 6-8, a high degree of success – it is wonderful what reading Canadian pupils read books equivalent in difficulty to motivating books does for children. There was a marked UK pupils but tended to understand then better. In Grades difference in Year 7 – the difficulty of favoured books 9-12, Canadian pupils were reading harder books than was at chronological age, and in ensuing years the pupils in the UK yet at higher levels of comprehension difficulty of books declined sharply. This is the same quality. picture as last year. It seems that transfer to secondary school has a striking effect even on highly motivated Then we looked at ten countries where English was readers. Jeff Kinney and David Walliams are not present not the first language but a second or other language, in either list. and AR was being used by pupils learning English and practising by reading books in English. This year a The top myON titles are quite different from those in the number of countries showed a considerable leap forward regular book lists, and those in the Favourite lists. For the in book difficulty, which was generally not accompanied whole year, Shelley Swanson Sateren had the top book by any fall in comprehension quality. Malaysia did and two others. Jake Maddox was the most frequent particularly well, and was now above Hong Kong in author with seven books. Michael Dahl had three books. performance. China, Qatar and the UAE also showed Analysis of Regional Variation in Reading Habits big gains in book difficulty. Iraq and Mexico fared showed that the striking slump in difficulty at transfer much less well. In between were a number of countries to secondary school was very marked in all regions, who showed a big improvement on one factor but not including the Republic of Ireland. Secondly, there were necessarily on the other. again striking differences in reading teaching at primary A number of recommendations were made, for lockdown level between Northern Ireland and the Republic of periods and for the whole year. Ireland. In the Republic there was much emphasis on reading hard books in lower primary, which was managed with high levels of comprehension. In Northern Ireland, levels of difficulty were much lower. However, by the time of secondary education these differences seemed to have been levelled out. Thirdly, Wales did badly compared to the other four regions, although it had showed improvement this year. Its level of difficulty stayed lower for longer, and its APC was often uncomfortably low as well, particularly at primary school level. Foreword | What Kids Are Reading | 7

Foreword

The extraordinary events of the past year have transformed the world as we know it, leaving no aspect of our daily lives untouched, including how we buy and read books. Book sales rocketed during and after lockdown, one of the few leisure pursuits other than streaming that didn’t require a mask or social distancing.

And many young people benefited too. This report, based on data from Renaissance Learning’s Accelerated Reader programme and research from the National Literacy Trust, shows that young people’s enjoyment Piers Torday of reading improved during lockdown. Children said they had more time Author to enjoy reading, and that reading improved their mental health during this Piers Torday began his career in theatre difficult time. Many children also took on more challenging texts than they and then television as a producer and might have otherwise attempted, having the freedom and space to do so. writer. His first book for children,The Last Wild, was shortlisted for the Waterstones But of course, the pandemic also exposed and exacerbated existing Children’s Book Award and nominated inequalities, with those children who didn’t have access to written for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. His second materials or screens at home excluded from this surge in reading, book, The Dark Wild, won the Guardian with schools, libraries and bookshops closed to many. In these cases, Children’s Fiction Prize. There May Be A reading for pleasure and literacy fell behind. Castle was a People’s Book Award finalist and a Times Children’s Book of the Year. This report also contains revealing insights, such as the growth of reading The Lost Magician was a Book of the Year on screens and devices for children, and how children viewed reading as in six national newspapers and won the Teach Primary Book Award. The follow up, a weekday activity, or that more girls enjoyed reading during lockdown The Frozen Sea, was published in 2019 and than boys. was an iPaper Children’s Book of the Year. A prequel to The Last Wild Trilogy, The Wild As an author, my main takeaway from this report – the only one of its Before, will publish in August 2021. Piers kind, conducted during a once in a lifetime event – is that despite multiple has also completed an unfinished novel challenges, competitors and distractions, books, and the opportunities for by his late father Paul (author of Salmon escape, entertainment and reflection they offer, remain a vital source of Fishing in the Yemen and The Death of an pleasure and growth for young people in Britain today. Owl) and adapted The Box of Delights and A Christmas Carol for the stage. Which is why it is all the more important that every child has an opportunity to enjoy, learn and develop from books. We must give every child access to texts in as many forms as possible, from graphic novel Photo credit: James Betts to eBook. As the refrain over and over in the research shows, we must also allow them time, to read at their own pace, without constant pressure to analyse or deconstruct what they have read.

Let’s learn from both the lockdown and this excellent report. And, as children head back into schools, remember that – left to their own devices – they still often pick up a book. 8 | Welcome | What Kids Are Reading

Welcome 2021 sees the This report has always been unique, offering an unrivalled insight into both the reading habits and preferences of ever-growing numbers of students 35th anniversary“ from more and more schools across the UK and beyond. However, this year’s edition – the 13th – is truly unlike any of its predecessors in that it of the creation of encompasses the first year of the pandemic. Accelerated Reader Thanks to data from Star Reading, myON and of course Accelerated Reader, along with attitudinal research from the National Literacy Trust, we have been able to examine the effect of the first lockdown on student reading – with some surprising results! Some things, though, remain reassuringly the same. Along with the associated awards, it remains a celebration of books and reading.

You may not be aware that 2021 also sees the 35th anniversary of the creation of Accelerated Reader, and it is gratifying to hear so many stories of the positive effect it continues to have on students of all ages and abilities – some of which are highlighted in the report. John Moore Director – UK Finally, I would like to thank the report author, Professor Keith Topping, Renaissance Learning and all of the contributors – especially Dr Christina Clark and Irene Picton for sharing insights from the NLT’s Annual Literacy Survey. Introduction | What Kids Are Reading | 9

Introduction School Spotlight

The title of this report is “What and How Kids Are Reading”, as in previous Grove Primary School years. However, this year we have added “in Pandemic Times” to the title, and in the text we provide parallel analysis of how and why kids were reading from September to April before the first pandemic lockdown from April to July, and also how and why they were reading during the lockdown itself, which shows some interesting similarities and differences. At Grove Primary School The first part is devoted to further analysis of whether pupils who approximately“ 60% of our implement AR better (in terms of higher Average Percent Correct on quizzes) have higher pre/post outcome scores on the norm-referenced pupils have English as an Star Reading test than do pupils with lower APC scores. This indicates additional language, so to what extent quality of implementation of AR is the key to better reading Accelerated Reader and achievement. We also include a number of other analyses which are of interest regarding implementation. Star Reading have been

As last year, this year we sustain and deepen our analysis of attitudes key to engaging pupils in to reading, with work completed by the National Literacy Trust. What books that are the right happened during the lockdown – did attitudes to reading improve or level for them. Our pupils deteriorate? really enjoy taking part in The second part reports the books most read by pupils in each year, in some cases divided into boys and girls so readers can see what the the quizzes and exploring gender differences were. It describes popularity of authors and lists new new books to read. This entrant books which were not available the previous year. It goes on to report most read books for high ability readers and for low ability readers. has helped them develop It investigates non-fiction reading as a matter of special interest. their comprehension Then it explores “favourite” books – those voted for after reading as the skills as well as their most interesting. Regional variations in book choice are then discussed. reading fluency. Additionally, we sustain and deepen our analysis of books read with myON – a digital platform that enables students to read an enhanced digital book of their choice anywhere and then, if they wish, take the AR I would recommended quiz if one is available. This should prove particularly interesting in a time of pandemic, when many children have not been able to attend school Accelerated Reader and regularly or at all, but myON has given them the capability of reading with Star Reading to other accountability at home. It will be interesting to see whether the difficulty of books read is any different with such online reading. schools because the instant data is so useful Accelerated Reader is used in about 100 countries around the world. Consequently, we also sustain and deepen our analysis of the most for our teacher planning. popular books in countries other than the UK and the USA. Are these the same or different to the UK and USA, and are they different for readers with English as a first language and English a second or other language? Christine Ivory Assistant Headteacher at Grove Primary School in Wolverhampton, England 10 | Introduction | What Kids Are Reading

Overall Findings

In 2021 we report that Accelerated Reader was used in 5,603 schools in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (5% more than last year). This increase from last year is smaller than usual, and reflects the fact that schools have been preoccupied with lockdown and avoiding new initiatives which were not forced upon them. Over 38,000 reading practice quizzes were available. This report summarises the efforts of 1,146,353 pupils (1% more than last year) who read 19,662,147 books (17% less than last 5,603 year) and took their quizzes between August 1, 2019 and July 31, 2020 in Schools schools (see Table 1 in the Appendix). Thus, although more schools were involved than last year, the number of pupils involved was only slightly more, and they tended to read distinctly fewer books (a lockdown effect). Many pupils did not enter their gender, but of those that did, 463,583 (49%) were female and 480,957 (51%) were male. Primary schools (601,869 pupils, 53%) used AR slightly more than secondary schools (544,484). As last year, the largest number of quizzes per year was taken by Year 3 pupils (3,626,562 – down by 12%) and Year 4 was also high on this factor (3,540,413 – also down by 12%).

During the lockdown period, by contrast, AR was used in 4,902 schools 1,146,353 in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (this suggests that a minority of Students schools suspended use of AR during this period). There were just 290,936 pupils (25% compared to the whole year) who managed to sustain their use of AR, and read 2,190,739 books (suggesting 8 books per student as compared to 17 books for the whole year). However, length of books is related to their difficulty. Indeed, we find that for the whole year ATOS was 3.6 and was APC 0.75, whereas during lockdown ATOS was 4.1 and APC 0.81. Thus, during lockdown the much smaller number of pupils were reading fewer books but they tended to be considerably more difficult and were read with much better comprehension (see Table 2 in the Appendix).

Table 3 (in the Appendix) indicates pupils quizzing by year and region, 19,662,147 showing that the largest number of AR-using pupils is unsurprisingly Books Read in England. However, Northern Ireland has the highest proportion of AR-using pupils in relation to the size of the school population (21%), & Quizzed followed by England (14%). This means that in Northern Ireland more than one in five pupils is using AR. Remember also that these figures are low estimates as not all pupils indicated which region they were in. After this, Scotland and Wales are about equal with 6%, while the Republic of Ireland returns a proportion of only 3%.

231,821,393,528 Words Read Part A: How Kids Are Reading | What Kids Are Reading | 11

How Kids Are Reading

Part This section of the report looks at data from Renaissance Star Reading and Renaissance Accelerated Reader to examine the quality A of reading comprehension 12 | Part A Section 1: Implementation Quality and Effectiveness | What Kids Are Reading

Section One: Implementation Quality and Effectiveness

The most effective indicator of quality of implementation Figure 1: All Students: APC by Reading Score Quartile Group and indeed of quality of reading comprehension is Average Percent Correct (APC) – the extent to which pupils score highly on book quizzes. Renaissance recommends that Yr 12 pupils score at 85% or higher if they are to really benefit from the programme.

Star Reading generates outcome scores for individuals: Yr 11 The Scaled Score (from 1 to 1400) and the Percentile Rank (the percentage of scores that fall at or below a certain observation). Tables 4 and 5 in the Appendix give the Yr 10 average on these measures for all students who had both a Star Reading score and AR data.

Yr 9 Regarding lockdown, Table 4 gives the Autumn data for all students assessed in the Autumn, while Table 5 gives the Autumn data for all students assessed at both Autumn and Spring. The Spring assessment was completed by many Yr 8 fewer students owing to the lockdown. In both Table 4 and Table 5, Years 11 to 12 show very small numbers using AR and the low scores on all three measures suggest these do Yr 7 not fit the pattern and are anomalous. The previous Years 1-10 do however show a very clear pattern on all measures.

For those students assessed only in the Autumn, AR Yr 6 pupils start above average, then steadily increase to peak at the 54th percentile in Year 9 (Year 10 showing some regression to starting levels) (Table 4 in the Appendix). Yr 5

For the much smaller number of students who were assessed during lockdown, their Autumn scores are given Yr 4 in Table 5 (in the Appendix). There is a similar pattern to Table 4 with AR pupils starting above average, but the Percentile Ranks start higher and increase from there, peaking at the 65th percentile in Year 8, again with some Yr 3 regression in Year 10. This suggests that the much lower number of students assessed during lockdown tended to score higher than all pupils over the whole year. Yr 2

For the remainder of this section of the analysis, students’ Star Reading scores are divided into quartiles: Percentile Yr 1 1-24, Percentile 25-49, Percentile 50-74, and Percentile 75 to 100 (percentiles are a score at or below which a given percentage fall of the distribution falls). The four 0 20 40 60 80 100 groups are used to give an indication of the relationship of Average Percent Correct (%) other factors to the reading performance of the students. Autumn PR 1-24 Autumn PR 25-49 Autumn PR 50-74 Autumn PR 75-99 Part A Section 1: Implementation Quality and Effectiveness | What Kids Are Reading | 13

Figure 1 shows the relationship for each year between and the middle ERT scores associated with the middle the quartiles of students in relation to their Star Reading reading scores. More reading time in school leads to scores and their APC on quizzes (Tables 4 and 5 in the higher reading attainment. Implementation quality does Appendix gives more detail). In almost all years there indeed make a big difference! is a consistent pattern whereby the lowest APC scores are associated with the lowest reading scores, the Figure 2: All Students, ERT by Reading Score Quartile highest with the highest reading scores, and the middle APC scores associated with the middle reading scores. Year 12 has small numbers and the data are somewhat Yr 12 unreliable. Obviously, implementation quality makes a big difference!

Yr 11 Engaged Reading Time Another indication of implementation quality is given by Engaged Reading Time (ERT). ERT is derived from Accelerated Reader points. For each Reading Practice Yr 10 Quiz taken by a student, Accelerated Reader points are calculated based on the length and difficulty of the book and the students’ performance (i.e., number of items Yr 9 correct) on the quiz. These points are then used to calculate an estimate of ERT, thus: Yr 8

AR points earned = 10 + ATOS Book level Yr 7 ( 10 ( × words in book Yr 6 ( 10 (

Yr 5 Then, Engaged Reading Time (minutes) = Yr 4 (AR points earned) × (minutes per point value)

school days Yr 3

If ERT is low, we might expect less growth in attainment; Yr 2 if it is high, we would expect more. Investigating quartiles of student reading scores and relating them to ERT, we find that ERT is in almost every year highly related to reading performance (Figure 2). Year 12 featured small Yr 1 numbers of students and is somewhat unreliable. 0 5 10 15 20 25 A pattern emerges which is very similar to that for APCs (Table 6 in the Appendix gives more detail). The lowest Engaged Reading Time (minutes) ERT scores are associated with the lowest reading Autumn PR 1-24 Autumn PR 25-49 scores, the highest with the highest reading scores, Autumn PR 50-74 Autumn PR 75-99 14 | Part A Section 1: Implementation Quality and Effectiveness | What Kids Are Reading

Engaged Reading Time and Cumulative Quizzes Passed Words Read When it comes to Quizzes Passed, a similar pattern If we graph the cumulative number of words read by to APC and ERT exists in the lower years, up to Year 4 ERT, we see further evidence of the impact of time spent (see Figure 4). Above this the pattern becomes more reading – the more time is allocated to reading, the unstable, with more quizzes passed by lower ability greater is the number of words read. Figure 3 shows readers. This is because at earlier ages many children the difference between 15 minutes of ERT, 15-29 minutes are reading relatively short books, but as students of ERT and ERT of 30+ minutes. However, the amount become older the more able students tend to read of ERT given to AR this year was reduced owing to the longer books while the less able students are still effect of lockdown closures. (Table 7 in the Appendix reading shorter books. gives more detail, including showing that especially in the upper years there was generally little time given to reading).

Figure 3: Cumulative Number of Words Read, By ERT

14000000 11932886 12000000

10000000

8000000

6000000 Number of words Number of 4000000 4144030

2000000 743007

0 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 6 Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 9 Yr 10

ERT <15 minutes ERT 15-29 minutes ERT 30+ minutes

Figure 4: All Students: Quizzes Passed by Reading Score Quartile

40

35

30

25

20

15 Number of quizzes passed quizzes Number of 10

5

0 Yr 12 Yr 11 Yr 10 Yr 9 Yr 8 Yr 7 Yr 6 Yr 5 Yr 4 Yr 3 Yr 2 Yr 1

Autumn PR 1-24 Autumn PR 25-49 Autumn PR 50-74 Autumn PR 75-99 Part A Section 1: Implementation Quality and Effectiveness | What Kids Are Reading | 15

Zone of Proximal Development Figure 5: Percent of Quizzes Taken That Are Above/Within/ Below A Student’s ZPD

Turning now to the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): 0 33% 64% this is the difficulty level of a text which has just enough challenge to promote reading growth in pupils. If reading Yr 1 58% 33% is done at a level below the ZPD, little or no growth in attainment in likely to occur, although the pupil is likely Yr 2 59% 33% to score highly on the quiz. Similarly, if reading is done Yr 3 59% 30% at a level above the ZPD, in theory the text will be too hard and no growth in achievement will occur. The range Yr 4 60% 27% of numerical values for each pupil in each year is derived from the norm-referenced Star Reading test. Given the Yr 5 63% 22% ZPD for each child, we can establish how many books were read that were below the ZPD and how many were Yr 6 65% 18% above it (and of course how many were within it). Figure 5 Yr 7 68% 10% shows the pattern.

Yr 8 It is evident that there is an increasing tendency to read 67% 7% books which are below ZPD as pupils progress into and Yr 9 66% 7% through secondary school, coupled with a decline in the tendency to read books above the ZPD. Paradoxically, Yr 10 67% 9% secondary pupils read more books within their ZPD, but this is because they do not read so many above Yr 11 65% 14% their ZPD. Yr 12 64% 19% Considering the APC of books read below, at or above the ZPD, we find as follows (Figure 6): Yr 13 63% 13%

All Books read below ZPD were read more accurately, Years 62% 22% while books read within ZPD were read less accurately 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 but still generally within the recommended rate of 85%. Percentage of quizzes taken (%) Even books above ZPD were generally read at the 85% rate, especially in the younger Years. Below ZPD Within ZPD Above ZPD

Figure 6: APC of Quizzes Taken That Are Above/Within/Below A Student’s ZPD

100

80

60

40

Average Percent Correct (%) Percent Average 20

0 Yr 0 Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 6 Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 9 Yr 10 Yr 11 Yr 12 Yr 13 All Years

Below ZPD Within ZPD Above ZPD 16 | Part A Section 1: Implementation Quality and Effectiveness | What Kids Are Reading

Summary School Spotlight Overall, then, the pattern is very clear. For all readers, high levels of implementation in terms of APC and ERT are associated with high St. Comgall’s Primary School levels of reading achievement throughout the year, while low levels of implementation are associated with low levels of achievement. ERT in terms of minutes allocated to reading showed a very strong relationship with number of words read. Much of this was also true for struggling readers. Books read tended to be read with accuracy The pandemic has if below ZPD, with less accuracy if within ZPD, and with even less created challenges for accuracy if above ZPD. However, much of this reading was still beyond “ the 85% rate. This is an improvement from last year. The notion of ZPD all teachers and we’ve is a useful one in investigating implementation quality. Quizzes Passed had to adapt with new are more variable, because the factor of book difficulty influences ways of delivering remote the results. lessons. Running sessions virtually has still meant it’s been wonderful to explore different genres and types of texts with pupils over the past year.

myON provides child friendly versions of the classics such as Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol, and it makes them accessible for all pupils. My class has thoroughly enjoyed reading these together and many of them have a real appetite now for Victorian literature.

Catherine Magee Teacher, School Improvement Leader and Member of the Senior Leadership Team at St. Comgall’s Primary School in Northern Ireland Part A Section 2: Children and Young People's Reading Enjoyment During the First Lockdown | What Kids Are Reading | 17

Section Two: Children and Young People’s Reading Enjoyment During the First Lockdown

Written by Christina Clark, Head of Research at the National Literacy Trust, and Irene Picton, Research Manager at the National Literacy Trust.

The National Literacy Trust began asking children However, the increase in reading enjoyment during and young people about their reading habits in 2005. lockdown was not equal across all groups. In particular, Acknowledging the importance of yearly trend data, we weren’t seeing this marked improvement in reading we established our Annual Literacy Survey in 2010, which enjoyment in boys. While a similar percentage of boys tracks UK children and young people’s reading and writing and girls said at the beginning of the year that they enjoy enjoyment, attitudes and behaviours year-on-year. reading, lockdown had a particular impact on the reading enjoyment of girls, with more girls than boys saying Our data collected from over 58,000 pupils aged 9 to 18 during lockdown that they enjoy reading (see Figure 9). at the beginning of 2020 highlighted a worrying trend in This suggests that lockdown has magnified the reading that it showed that less than half (47.3%) of participating enjoyment gap between boys and girls, increasing it from children and young people said that they enjoy reading. a 2.3 percentage point difference at the beginning of 2020 In fact, in 2020 we recorded the lowest percentage of self- to an 11.5 percentage point difference during lockdown. reported reading enjoyment since 2005, when we began asking the question in our surveys (see Figure 7). As with gender, lockdown exacerbated the gap between younger and older pupils. For example, the gap between Ordinarily, this would have led to a call for the sector to those aged 8 to 11 and those aged 11 to 14 increased rally and help improve this sad state of affairs. However, from 13.2 percentage points to 15 percentage points. shortly after this survey closed came the first wave of school closures in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and our subsequent survey began to tell a different story; Figure 8: Enjoying Reading Either Very Much or Quite A Lot Before one of increased reading engagement during this first and During Lockdown 2020 Spring lockdown. Through the voices of over 4,000 children and young people surveyed in May and June 2020, our data Before 47.8% showed that levels of reading enjoyment improved during lockdown the Spring lockdown, with 55.9% of children and young During 55.9% people saying that they enjoyed reading either very much lockdown (24.2%) or quite a lot (31.7%) at that time (see Figure 8).

Figure 7: Percentage of Children and Young People Aged 9 To 18 Who Enjoy Reading Either Very Much or Quite A Lot From 2005 To Early 2020

2005 51.4% 2007 50.6% 2009 50.6% 2010 49.1% 2011 50.2% 2012 50.3% 2013 53.3% 2014 54.4% 2015 54.8% 2016 58.6% 2017/18 56.6% 2019 53.0% 2020 47.8% 18 | Part A Section 2: Children and Young People's Reading Enjoyment During the First Lockdown | What Kids Are Reading

Figure 9: Enjoying Reading Either Very Much or Quite A Lot in Early 2020 and During Lockdown by Gender and Age Group

69.4% 62.6% 60.2% 58.5% 54.4% 54.5% 56.0% 46.6% 48.7% 48.9% 45.3% 42.3%

Boys Girls Aged 8 to 11 Aged 11 to 14 Aged 14 to 16 Aged 16 to 18

Gender Age group

Pre lockdown 2020 Lockdown 2020

Why more children enjoy reading during “I have had more free time during quarantine, lockdown so I have been reading more and have unearthed, once again, my love for reading.” We asked children to share their thoughts on whether they enjoy reading more or less than before school closures, For many children and young people, the increased and why they felt that might be. Responses indicated autonomy around reading choices, along with the that the lockdown helped many children to discover, or opportunity to read for its own sake was given as a key re-discover, themselves as readers, and further provided reason for increased reading enjoyment: insight into the conditions that best create, or support, “I am more able to choose what I want to read… reading enjoyment. For example, having time to read was without any pressure from having to analyse… given as a reason for increased reading enjoyment by the and write lots of essays…” greatest number of respondents. “At home I can be myself and read, write and listen Indeed, comments suggest that many children and young to what I want and need to. By myself and not people found that, even if they had not enjoyed reading get interrupted” before the lockdown, having more time to read enabled them to feel more immersed in a story and enjoy reading Others, however, missed the scaffolding offered at by their more as a result: teachers and through social learning with peers at school:

“Now that I’m at home I have more free time… “When I was at school, my teacher… helped… before we started home-schooling, I didn’t read but when you are at home your parents are very often but now I have found that working and sometimes they do not even know I love reading again.” how to [do] the things we do.”

“I have had more time to focus on reading “I find it more enjoyable in class where I can and really engage with a book.” discuss what others …think about certain pieces of an extract and can help each other to further Many children and young people described a change understand things we may struggle with in behaviour or attitude associated directly with the when we don’t fully get it.” conditions of lockdown prompting them to try, or go back to, reading: Another reason why children and young people might have turned to reading during lockdown relates to their mental “I think before I read… because I was made to. wellbeing. 3 in 5 (59.3%) children and young people told us When the coronavirus came, sometimes I was during lockdown that reading makes them feel better, and bored, and I started to read. Now I read because I 3 in 10 (31.6%) said that reading helps them when they like to read.” feel sad because they cannot see their family and friends. Part A Section 2: Children and Young People's Reading Enjoyment During the First Lockdown | What Kids Are Reading | 19

Importantly in such a time, half of children and young people What were children and young people reading (50.2%) agreed that reading encourages them to dream during the first lockdown? about the future. As children and young people’s comments What are the types of material that children and young showed, reading has, for many, offered a refuge in this people were reading during lockdown? Two in five children difficult time, providing a valuable source of calm, escapism and young people said that they read more fiction books, and relaxation: with 1 in 4 also saying that they read more fiction on screen “I like reading because it calms me down (see Figure 10). Nearly 3 in 10 also said that they read more about this pandemic.” non-fiction books in print with 1 in 5 saying that they read more non-fiction on screen. A significant percentage of “…it is more important than ever to read books and children also read more news articles, song lyrics and go into fictional worlds because we can’t really go poems on screen than before. outside and do much in real life at the moment.” The increase in formats being read on screen chimes with Another prominent theme emerging from children and children and young people’s comments, some of which young people’s reflections on their reading experiences highlight technology as supporting their reading: under lockdown is inequality in access to books at home. Overall, book ownership was high, with 90.9% of children and “I downloaded a virtual library app young people telling us that they have their own books at with audiobooks.” home. For these children and young people, school closures “Sometimes I have to read to my cousin on FaceTime allowed them an opportunity to read or re-read at their leisure: because he suffers from dyslexia.” “I am now fortunately able to read most books “I love reading however I have read most of the I have bought at home – finishing and enjoying books I own already and now I am using reading the stories one by one :)” apps and spend pretty much all day reading.” However, other children and young people described a lack “I have got into reading things online such as of access to books due to school and public library closures, Webtoons, stories made by others.” and the impact this had on their opportunities to read and their reading enjoyment: As shown in Figure 10, nearly 7 in 10 children and young people said that they had read more fiction either on paper or “I used to get books from the school library and on-screen during lockdown. Figure 11 shows that adventure now I just read anything at home which is making reading more like a chore and less for enjoyment.” stories were by far the most popular fiction genre being read by children and young people during lockdown, followed by “I honestly am finding it very difficult to read since funny books. Other genres mentioned by children and young I don’t have reading books. I wish the libraries people not included in the list included horror, crime, mystery, would open so I could stay on top of my reading and action, romance, science fiction, dystopia, mythology and vocab skills since I desperately need to improve.” fan fiction.

Figure 10: Materials Read More During Lockdown In 2020 By Type and Medium

41.3% Fiction books or short stories 26.9% 31.8% 28.9% Non-fiction books 21.1% 49.9% 16.8% Magazines 14.4% 68.8% 16.1% Comics or graphic novels 18.2% 65.7% 13.6% News articles 47.6% 38.8% 11.4% Song lyrics 51.8% 36.8% 11.0% Poems 20.5% 68.5%

Yes, I read more of this on paper Yes, I read more of this on screen No, I haven’t read this more than before 20 | Part A Section 2: Children and Young People's Reading Enjoyment During the First Lockdown | What Kids Are Reading

Figure 11: Types of Fiction Genres Read During Lockdown

Adventure 64.9%

Funny books 47.8%

Realistic stories 40.6%

Magical/fantasy 39.9%

Other 28.1%

Historical stories 22.3%

Classic books 21.1%

Another positive aspect of having more time to read during newly re-discovered love of reading, it is essential that lockdown was children’s joy in discovering new books, we create the conditions that children tell us support them. authors or series they enjoyed. Indeed, when asked whether This includes, at the most basic level, the time and space they were more likely to read new books or turn to ones to read, and access to books and stories, whether in print they had read before, almost 1 in 2 (46.3%) said that they or digital format. had read new books, and 1 in 7 (14.1%) said that they had read the same books again. 2 in 5 (39.6%) had read both.

Overall, listening to children’s experiences of reading during lockdown provides valuable insight into the opportunities we now have to engage, or re-engage, children with reading for enjoyment. If we are to support and sustain children’s Reflections on Reading 1/3 | What Kids Are Reading | 21

Reflections on Reading

Books have been my haven ever since I can remember. I grew up in Pakistan in a family that always struggled financially. My parents loved to read, but they never had enough money to buy books. New books were a luxury few people in the developing world can afford, even now. Those shiny covers, that new book smell… all of it was a dream I never even dared to dream as a child.

But one thing I learned was that books don’t have to be brand new to be wonderful. If you wanted to read stories, you didn’t need the latest one Saadia Faruqi just published. Stories are as ancient as time itself, told through so many Author different mediums, including books. I always loved the feel of a book in Saadia Faruqi is a Pakistani American my hands, even if the cover was tattered or the pages yellowed with age. author, essayist and interfaith activist. She writes the children’s early reader series So over the years, I found ways to feed my addiction through used “Yasmin” published by Capstone and other books. My father had a small library of old books he’d collected over the books for children, including middle grade years, ancient tomes about mythology and philosophy, classic novels, novels “A Place At The Table” (HMH/Clarion even textbooks from his college days. I devoured them all. There was a 2020) co-written with Laura Shovan, and library in my high school, which I frequented more than the classrooms “A Thousand Questions” (Harper Collins themselves, much to my teacher’s annoyance. That’s where I read all the 2020). She has also written “Brick Walls: Tales of Hope & Courage from Pakistan” Nancy Drews and Hardy Boys I could find. There was a big British Council a short story collection for adults and teens. library in the city which my mother would take me to when she had a Saadia is editor-in-chief of Blue Minaret, meeting there. That’s where I discovered the reference section and fell in a magazine for Muslim art, poetry and love with encyclopedias. And there were incredible used-book stalls lining prose, and was featured in Oprah Magazine the markets in Karachi, where my father would take me to choose my in 2017 as a woman making a difference in favorites. That’s where I found Agatha Christie and Archie comics. her community. She resides in Houston, TX with her husband and children. Reading is an adventure, whether it’s through used books or new, non- fiction or fiction. A child who’s reading something is making powerful connections in their brain that not only employs their imagination but also fires up their creativity. Reading lets them soar through the limits of their physical lives and reach for the stars. Any child who’s reading for fun, choosing their own books, and deciding their own mental adventures, is going to develop a life-long creative spirit. They’re going to see the value of storytelling and cherish the stories of their own culture, as well as others. They’re going to see reading as a doorway to something bigger and better than themselves. And it will be wonderful.

Photo credit: QZB Photography 22 | Part B: What Kids Are Reading | What Kids Are Reading

What Kids Are Reading

Part This section of the report examines data from Renaissance Accelerated Reader and myON to identify the books read by all students throughout B the 2019-20 school year. Part B Section 1: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often | What Kids Are Reading | 23

Section 1: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often

Overall Picture that if the older readers challenged themselves more, This report summarises the efforts of 1,146,353 pupils better reading outcomes could be anticipated. Against (1% more than last year) who read 19,662,147 books this has to be set the tendency for AR to move out of (17% less than last year) and took their quizzes between the mainstream in the later years of secondary school, August 1, 2019 and July 31, 2020 in 5,604 schools generally being used as an intervention resource. (see Table 1 in the Appendix). Thus, although more As in previous years, boys were again slightly more schools were involved than last year, the number of likely to feature than girls (480,957 cf. 463,583; 201,813 pupils involved was only slightly more, and they tended gender unknown) (Table 1). Average Percent Correct to read distinctly fewer books (again, a lockdown effect). (APC) on quizzes taken was in every year lower than As last year, the largest number of quizzes per year was that recommended by the software manufacturers taken by Year 3 pupils (3,626,562 – down by 12%) and (but see below). Pupils in primary schools consistently Year 4 was also high on this factor (3,540,413 – also showed a much higher APC (77% to 82% – average down by 12%). It seems as if much of the increase in 79%) than pupils in secondary schools (70% to 74% pupil numbers this year has come from primary schools. – average 72%) – they were reading books with Despite the lockdowns, during the year the number of greater comprehension. In the first year of secondary schools involved increased and the number of pupils school APC fell sharply and plateaued throughout the increased (see Table 1), although the number of quizzes secondary school, much as last year. The effectiveness taken and therefore passed declined across both with which pupils are taking quizzes again seems primary and secondary schools. Consequently, the worrying: 19,662,147 were taken but only 16,311,270 Total Words Read also declined, as did the Average passed (83%), although this is slightly higher than last Number of Words Read (except in Years 1-2 and year. Pupils read a total of 231,821,393,528 words, Years 12-13). Encouragingly, the difficulty of books considerably less than last year (85%), after increases (Average Book Level) read held up remarkably well, in previous years. This is nonetheless impressive. as did the Average Percent Correct. The average total words read also declined from 240,599 last year to 202,317 this year (a similar Pupils steadily read more books each year in the first decrease of 85%). three years, reaching a peak in Year 3 at 30 books, as compared to 37 last year, reflecting the finding that We also have data specifically for the first lockdown pupils read fewer books this year. After this the number period of April–July when schools UK-wide were of books read per year steadily declined. As older pupils effectively closed to most students (see Table 2), read longer and harder books, this would be expected which align with the surveys conducted by the National to a large extent. A similar trajectory is shown by the Literacy Trust towards the beginning and end of this average number of quizzes passed. period. The number of schools involved during the first lockdown fell to 4,902 (87%). However, the number Average book difficulty rose as pupils became older, of pupils involved from each school fell much more but not in proportion to the rate at which pupils should strikingly, down to 290,936 (25%). Additionally, the be improving in reading. As in many previous years, number of Quizzes taken fell even more, to 2,190,739 book difficulty rose steeply through the primary school, (11%), and Average Quizzes Taken and Average Quizzes then plateaued and eventually declined after that. Passed likewise showed a large decline. However, Total Thus, although difficulty level rises sharply each year Words Read and Average Words Read did not decline in primary school, it does not rise at all in the first so much (to 20%), suggesting overall the children were years of secondary school (Years 7-8). It declines in reading longer books. Closer inspection showed that Years 10-13, when children read somewhat more books, Average Words Read increased in Years 1-3 and but at an easy level. There is still considerable room 9-13, but declined in Years 4-9. This pattern, bridging the for improvement here. Throughout secondary school primary–secondary divide as it does, is rather difficult to pupils are still reading books at the same level of explain. difficulty than upper primary pupils. It is still the case 24 | Part B Section 1: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often | What Kids Are Reading

ATOS went up from 3.6 pre-lockdown to 4.1 during Books Kids Are Reading Most Often: By Year lockdown. APC likewise went up from 75% pre-lockdown Readers will notice that the gender-specific books are to 81% during lockdown. Further, the difficulty of books somewhat different from the general rankings – this is read showed an increase in all Years. Additionally, the partially because of a number of “gender unassigned” APC was substantially increased for almost every Year. pupils. Thus, those children who were reading, generally were reading harder and longer books with more accuracy. Year 1 Perhaps this suggests that only the more highly Compared to previous years, in the whole of Year motivated and/or more able pupils were continuing 1 Roderick Hunt showed something of a decline to to use AR, but we have no evidence to support this 12 books (from 17), and Julia Donaldson increased theory. Interestingly, the gender balance was reversed considerably to six books (see Table 8 in the Appendix). during lockdown – girls now predominated (129,986 vs. Donaldson’s The Gruffalo was the most popular book 113,239). for both boys and girls, and The Gruffalo’s Child was The Regional summary table (Table 3 in the Appendix) also highly placed for both genders. Michael Rosen again unsurprisingly shows that the majority of pupils also remained popular. using AR were in England, with a high proportion in Concerning difficulty (ATOS), the average was 1.8, an relation to population in Northern Ireland, and lesser increase from last year. Pupils were generally reading numbers consecutively in Scotland and Wales (some over one and a half years above their chronological pupils failed to indicate their region when taking the age or natural reading ability. APC had also increased test, so numbers here are lower than in the previous from last year to 0.92 (from 0.90), so despite the books summary table). The Republic of Ireland had the tending to be harder they were being read with more smallest numbers, and were also small in relation accuracy. The APC was high even on many books of to population. high readability for this Year. Overall, these pupils were Total pupils for whom region was known showed a reading these books very successfully, beyond the slight decline from 2020 to 1,116,555 (99%), but within recommendations of the software producers. this Years 3-6 actually increased. Within the Regions, During lockdown, however (Table 9), average ATOS rose this was also true for England, and Years 4-6 increased. to 2.8 for both boys and girls, while APC also rose to Northern Ireland was similar, and Years 4-5 increased. 0.96 for both boys and girls. Thus, the children who were Scotland actually had slightly more pupils participating, still reading accountably during lockdown showed an with Years 4-7 increasing. Wales showed more of a increase of a further year, and were reading at over two decline (to 94%), and only one Year had improved (Year 4). and a half years above their chronological age or natural The Republic of Ireland showed a large increase (24% reading ability, but still maintaining exceptionally high more), and Years 3-10 all showed increases. Thus, standards of comprehension. Julia Donaldson remained numbers of participating pupils varied in increase extremely popular, while Roderick Hunt had declined to between regions, the Republic of Ireland showing the two books. largest gain and Wales showing the largest decrease.

We can now ask what books children in each year read most often overall, while simultaneously considering the difficulty level of those books and differences in reading habits between the genders. We will also consider the For the past six years differences between overall reading behaviour and the Julia Donaldson and behaviour of those pupils who continued accountable Axel Scheffler’s classic reading during lockdown. children’s book has topped the charts among girls and boys in Year 2 Part B Section 1: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often | What Kids Are Reading | 25

Year 3 Year 3 was again dominated by Julia Donaldson, with Year 4 was dominated by seven books in the top 20. Top place for both boys and Roald Dahl, who took the girls was a competition between The Gruffalo’s Child top four places overall and Dahl’s The Magic Finger. Roald Dahl had five books with The Twits, George’s (as in previous years) and Francesca Simon had three Marvelous Medicine, books (much as in previous years). Roderick Hunt had The Magic Finger and no books (see Table 12). Fantastic Mr Fox There were few differences between boys and girls. The decline in numbers of pupils quizzing in this year does not seem to have brought about any change in Year 2 preferences. The difficulty level was high for both boys In Year 2, The Gruffalo is again uniformly top for both and girls at 3.2 (UK years 4.2), much as in previous boys and girls (as in the past six years), but now it is years. Children were reading books over a year above accompanied in second place (for both boys and girls) their actual Year level. Overall APC was 0.90, similar for by The Gruffalo’s Child. Donaldson’s other books show boys and girls and similar to previous years. substantial increases and she now dominates the upper During lockdown, however (Table 13), the overall ATOS echelons of the list. Michael J. Rosen’s We’re Going on was 4.1 and the overall APC 0.92. As in the previous a Bear Hunt, Judith Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea, year, there were increases in both, and children were Martin Waddell’s Owl Babies, Jill Murphy’s Peace at Last reading books over two years above their actual Year and Roald Dahl’s The Magic Finger were all popular. level. Boys and girls had very similar ATOS levels (3.3, Roderick Hunt had five books lower in the overall top 20. 3.2) and APC levels (0.90). The books read during Overall Average ATOS was 2.6 (considerably higher lockdown changed considerably. Donaldson was pushed than last year – 2.3) (Table 10). However, there was down the list and Dahl came to the fore. Walliams books considerable divergence between boys and girls – boys’ were popular and J. K. Rowling appeared. ATOS was 2.4 and girls’ ATOS was 2.7, indicating girls were reading harder books. However, girls’ APC was Year 4 0.92 while that for boys was 0.91, showing that girls also Year 4 was dominated by Roald Dahl, who took the top comprehended their harder books better. This is much four places overall (The Twits, George’s Marvellous the same pattern as last year. Thus, boys were reading Medicine, The Magic Finger and Fantastic Mr Fox) and on average well over a year above their chronological had two further books in the top 20, much as in previous age, while girls were reading a year and a half above years. Below this, Jeff Kinney had seven Diary of a their chronological age. Average overall APC was 0.91, Wimpy Kid books (three less than in previous years) and much as last year. Again, the APC was high even on David Walliams had six (two more than last year) (see some books of high readability for this Year. Table 14). Again, there was much agreement between boys and girls about the top books. During lockdown, however (Table 11), overall ATOS was 3.3 and overall APC 0.94. Boys were reading Average difficulty level ATOS was 4.6, with boys 4.8 slightly harder books (ATOS 3.3 cf. girls at 3.1), but and girls 4.3. This was a small decline for both boys comprehension was similar (boys 0.94, girls 0.95). and girls, surprising given the results from Years 1-3. This was again considerably higher than during the Boys were reading at over a year and a half above their whole year, indicating boys and girls were reading on chronological age and girls nearly a year and a half average over two years above their chronological age. above their chronological age. This marked gender Julia Donaldson was the most popular author, followed difference was again particularly striking, as last year. by several Roald Dahl books. There was no sign of the Overall average APC was 0.90 – similar for boys and relatively easy books of Roderick Hunt. girls, satisfactorily high and the same as last year, but in the boys’ case achieved on harder books. 26 | Part B Section 1: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often | What Kids Are Reading

During lockdown, however (Table 15), average ATOS Year 6 rose to 4.9 with APC also rising to 0.92. The differential In Year 6, Kinney (14 books) and Walliams (six books) between boys and girls was exactly the same as the again dominate, and again Walliams seems to be more overall figure – ATOS 4.8 cf. 4.3, and APC 0.90 cf. popular with girls. Otherwise, boys and girls were still 0.91. Thus, overall children were reading almost two generally reading the same books (table 18). years above their chronological age, but with as good comprehension as before lockdown. The priority of Year 6 pupils show much the same average difficulty authors changed somewhat, with David Walliams as last year, the overall average being 5.2, similar for becoming much more popular, Jeff Kinney remaining boys and girls. Pupils in this year were reading very popular with boys, Roald Dahl declining in the list and slightly above their chronological age. This is the last J. K. Rowling appearing for both boys and girls. year at which pupils are reading at or above their natural age level. Likewise, both boys and girls still have high Year 5 average percent correct (0.92). Overall, Jeff Kinney (13 books, more than last year) During lockdown, however (Table 19), the average and David Walliams (five books, less than last year) ATOS overall was 5.5, indicating children were reading dominate the Year 5 table, although with girls Walliams somewhat harder books. However, APC was the same at books were slightly more popular and Kinney books 0.92. Thus, children were reading books half a year above slightly less popular. New books by Walliams (The Beast their actual chronological age, but reading them with the of Buckingham Palace, The World’s Worst Teachers) and same accuracy. Boys had an ATOS of 5.2, while girls had Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball) appear in an ATOS of 5.0. Both had an APC of 0.92. Again, priorities the chart for the first time (Table 16). in authors changed somewhat – Walliams became more The overall difficulty level was 5.1 for both boys and popular and J. K. Rowling much more popular, while girls, much as in previous years (equivalent to 6.1 in Kinney declined, although less for boys. the UK). Pupils were still reading a year above their chronological age. APC was sustained at 0.92, much Year 7 as last year, with boys and girls similar. Year 7 is the first secondary year (except in Scotland).

During lockdown (Table 17), the overall ATOS rose only Year 7 is again dominated by Kinney (12 books) and slightly to 5.2, and the overall APC rose slightly to 0.93. Walliams (five books), although a few other books by Boys read slightly harder books than girls (5.1 cf. 4.8), but R. J. Palacio, Rowling and Dahl creep into the list. APC was similar for both groups (0.92). Again, the priority Again, there is a tendency for boys to prefer Kinney of books changed somewhat. Walliams became more (boys 14, girls 5) while girls prefer Walliams (boys popular and Kinney less popular, while J. K. Rowling 3, girls 8). Gangsta Granny by David Walliams is the moved up the list with more books. Jeff Kinney’s books top book overall (as in previous years). R. J. Palacio’s remained more popular with boys. Wonder sustains its place in the list for both boys and girls. Dahl and J. K. Rowling also feature (Table 20).

Average APC has stayed much the same as last year at 0.88. The difficulty of books has also stayed much the same as last year at 5.2 (6.2 in UK terms), still suggesting these pupils were reading at almost a year Jeff Kinney’s book series below their chronological age. Three books had an APC Diary of a Wimpy Kid is of less than the recommended 85% (much as last year). most popular among It is interesting that in primary schools no book was children from Years 5-8. below the 85% criterion, while in secondary schools In Years 9-12, ten of his immediately there are three books below that level. books are in the boys’ list but none in the girls’ list Part B Section 1: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often | What Kids Are Reading | 27

During lockdown, however (Table 21), the overall ATOS was 5.5, suggesting children were reading somewhat During lockdown, harder books, and the APC was 0.90, suggesting these Year 7 children were harder books were read with greater comprehension. reading harder books with However, these children were still reading at half a year greater comprehension. below their chronological age. Boys had an ATOS of 5.3 and APC of 0.88, girls an ATOS of 5.1 and APC of 0.87. R. J. Palacio’s Wonder Again, changes in the priority of authors were evident. sustains its place in the J. K. Rowling had moved even further up the list to the list for both boys and girls. top, while Walliams was also more popular, and Kinney declined, although less so for boys.

Year 8 Year 8 is the second secondary year (first year in Years 9-11 Scotland). As numbers of pupils are smaller for Years 9-11, these years have been combined. Walliams (4 books) and Kinney (10 books) still have most books, but more alternative choices creep into John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men remains very popular the list (Table 22). Choices by boys and girls begin to with both boys and girls, being top of the list for both diverge more markedly at this age. Boys have 14 Jeff (as in previous years). An Inspector Calls by J. B. Priestley Kinney books (one more than last year), while David is also popular with both boys and girls (as last year, Walliams has three. Girls show more variation, with eight being second in the list for both). George Orwell’s Walliams books and five Kinney books). R. J. Palacio Animal Farm has moved up to be third for both boys and J. K. Rowling appear for both boys and girls. and girls. Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games has reappeared for both boys and girls. Beyond this, Kinney For overall average ATOS, the figure was 5.2, much as still has seven books and Walliams three. Jeff Kinney last year. Thus, pupils were reading almost two years has ten books in the boys’ list, but none in the girls’ list below their chronological ages. Overall average APC (just as last year). J. K. Rowling appears for both boys was 0.87 for both boys and girls (as last year). Again, and girls (although more so for girls) (Table 24). three books were below the 85% criterion, much as last year. ATOS was 5.3 for both boys and girls, much as last year. Thus, on average overall, these pupils were reading at During lockdown, however (Table 23), the overall least three years below their chronological age. APC ATOS was 5.6, considerably higher, and APC was 0.90, was 0.87 for both boys and girls, again much as last indicating these harder books were read with better year. Four books did not meet the 85% criterion (much comprehension. Thus, pupils were reading only a year and as last year). a half below their chronological age. Boys’ ATOS was 5.3 and APC 0.88, while girls’ ATOS was 5.1 and APC 0.86. During lockdown, however (Table 25), overall ATOS was Priority of authors again shifted – Rowling became even 6.0, considerably increased, while APC also increased more popular, followed by Walliams, while Kinney again to 0.91, indicating these much harder books were read declined, although less so for boys. with considerably better comprehension. Nonetheless these children were still reading three years below their chronological age. Boys’ ATOS was 5.3 and APC 0.88, while girls’ ATOS was 5.1 and APC 0.86. Some smaller changes were evident in book choices. Steinbeck still topped the list, but J. K. Rowling was a significant presence after that, pushing Orwell, Priestley, and others downwards. Suzanne Collins and Karen M. McManus still featured. 28 | Part B Section 2: Popularity of Authors | What Kids Are Reading

Section Two: Popularity of Authors

Overall Popularity of Authors Both primary and secondary Favourite Authors show an Considering those authors mentioned more than once increase in popularity during lockdown: for J. K. Rowling in the Overall Top 20 in each year group, we find they and to some extent for David Walliams, coupled with a aggregate as follows (see Table 26 in the Appendix). decline for Jeff Kinney. Roderick Hunt, Julia Donaldson, From 2020 to the whole of 2021 there was little change Francesca Simon, Judith Kerr, Michael Rosen, Dr. Seuss in favourite authors, except Julia Donaldson became and Martin Waddell are all purely primary authors, while much more popular, not least because she produced a Jeff Kinney, David Walliams and Roald Dahl are both large number of new books. Kinney, Walliams and Dahl primary and secondary. remained popular. J. K. Rowling appeared in the 2021 overall list. Jill Murphy was a new entrant this year. Popularity of Authors 2021 Whole Year – Top 5

However, between the whole of 2021 and the lockdown -6 Jeff Kinney period of 2021, there were some marked changes. 58 David Walliams became even more popular, and Julia Donaldson increased her popularity during this period. 31 = David Walliams J. K. Rowling made a very substantial re-appearance with 36 mentions, while Roald Dahl sustained his Julia Donaldson popularity during lockdown. Suzanne Collins showed 24 +10 an increase in popularity. However, Jeff Kinney declined in popularity and Roderick Hunt almost disappeared -5 Roderick Hunt altogether, a startling change from previous years when 18 he had 23 mentions. Karen M. McManus and George Orwell were new entrants during lockdown. 14 = Roald Dahl The Primary table of Most Popular Authors (see Table 27 in the Appendix) is again headed by Jeff Kinney, but Key: Total number of mentions Julia Donaldson has risen substantially to second place, 15 -1 after which come Walliams, Hunt, Dahl, Simon, Kerr +1 More/less mentions than last year and Rosen as in 2020. However, in lockdown, Walliams = Same number of mentions as last year emerges as the most popular, with Donaldson again in second place, but Kinney relegated to third place. Dahl sustains his position in fourth. Roderick Hunt Popularity of Authors 2021 Lockdown – Top 5 declines from 18 books to two.

The Secondary table of Most Popular Authors (see Table 1st David Walliams 28 In the Appendix) is again headed by Jeff Kinney, followed by David Walliams. J. K. Rowling advances nd to third. Beyond this the list is much the same, with 2 J. K. Rowling Dahl, Palacio, Boyne, Collins and Steinbeck appearing. In lockdown, however, J. K. Rowling is top by some rd Julia Donaldson distance, followed by Kinney (with fewer mentions), 3 Walliams (with more mentions), Collins (with more mentions) and new entrant McManus with three 4th Jeff Kinney mentions. Roald Dahl and R. J. Palacio declined in popularity. One W. Shakespeare was also a new entrant. 5th Roald Dahl Part B Section 3: Highest New Entrants | What Kids Are Reading | 29

Section Three: Highest New Entrants

In these tables we include data for Years 1-2 and Years Year 3 9-11. The books featured here include a large number Again, Dav Pilkey had three new books in this list, while of new books just published, but they may also include David Walliams and Liz Pichon had two, Julia Donaldson books which appeared some time ago but never made one and Jeff Kinney one (Table 31). Average ATOS was it into our lists until now. 3.7, higher than last year. These pupils were reading at over a year and a half above their chronological age. Year 1 APC had also risen from last year, to 0.91. Only one book The list features two books each by new authors: did not reach the 85% criterion, the same as last year. Christianne Jones, Sue Hendra, Claire Freedman, Connie Colwell Miller and Katie Dale (Table 29). Julia Donaldson also appears with a new book. Average ATOS was 2.0, a slight increase on last year. Thus, difficulty of these books was two years above the chronological age of the Reading new books is not pupils. Average APC was 0.95, a considerable increase necessarily a good strategy over last year. These pupils were reading more difficult “ books but also making many fewer comprehension if the aim is to increase mistakes on the associated quiz. reading achievement – but Year 2 reading favourite books is. Dav Pilkey had three new books in this list, while David Walliams had two and new entrant Sue Hendra had two also. Julia Donaldson had one new book (Table 30). Average ATOS was 2.9 (higher than last year) Year 4 and average APC was 0.93 (higher than last year, but Kinney and Walliams maintain their position at the top of showing better comprehension on harder books). The this year with new books (Walliams has two and Kinney difficulty of these books was about two years above the one). Dav Pilkey has three books and Liz Pichon has two children’s chronological age. One book was not read to (Table 32). Average ATOS was 4.0, a little lower than last the 85% accuracy criterion – better than last year, despite year. APC stayed high at 0.91. These pupils were reading the increased difficulty of the books. at a year above their chronological age. One book was below the 85% criterion.

Year 5 Yet again, the new books from Walliams (two) and Kinney (one) were top, while Dav Pilkey had three and Dav Pilkey’s World Book Liz Pichon two (Table 33). Average ATOS was 4.0, Day book Dog Man: Three considerably reduced from the previous year and the Stories in One was in the same as Year 4. So, these children were reading books charts for Years 2-5 at a level of difficulty less than six months above their chronological age. APC was 0.91, very similar to last year. Two books were below the 85% criterion, the same as than last year. 30 | Part B Section 3: Highest New Entrants | What Kids Are Reading

Year 6 Years 9-11 Yet again, the new books from Walliams (two) and Yet again, the new books from Walliams (two) and Kinney Kinney (one) were in the top four places, with Liz Pichon (one) were top (Table 31), although one Walliams book separating them (and also having another book in had slipped down the list (Table 37). Matt Oldfield had the list) (Table 34). Dav Pilkey and Robin Stevens had three books. Otherwise, no author had more than one two books each. The average ATOS was 4.6, exactly as book in the list, indicating even more variation. Average last year, indicating these children were reading almost ATOS was 5.0, slightly higher than last year, indicating six months below their chronological age. APC was up these children were reading at a level of difficulty over slightly at 0.94, a high level of accuracy but on these three years below their chronological age. APC was 0.89, relatively easy books. However, no book fell below the less than last year. Disturbingly, five books fell below the 85% criterion. 85% criterion, far more than last year.

Year 7 Top 5 Most Popular New Entrants Yet again, the new books from Walliams (two) and Kinney (one) were top (Table 35), together with two from st David Walliams Liz Pichon. There were also two from Robin Stevens. 1 Average ATOS was 4.5, indicating a marked decrease in difficulty from the previous year. Children were reading at st Dav Pilkey about one year and a half years below their chronological 1 age. APC had increased, however, to 0.93, which might nd be expected with easier books. One book fell below the 2 Liz Pichon 85% criterion. rd Year 8 3 Jeff Kinney Yet again, the new books from Walliams (two) and Kinney (one) were top. Liz Pichon and Matt Oldfield had 4th Andy Griffiths two books each (Table 36). Average ATOS was 4.6, lower than the previous year, and much the same as Years 6 th Rachel Renee Russell and 7, but of course the children were one year older. 5 Thus, they were reading at almost two and a half years behind their chronological age. APC was 0.92, similar to th David Baddiel the previous year. Two books fell below the 85% criterion. 5 5th Matt Oldfield

Liz Pichon’s books have seen a rise in popularity through primary and secondary schools Part B Section 3: Highest New Entrants | What Kids Are Reading | 31

Summary School Spotlight From Year 3 right through to Years 9-11, the new books from Walliams and Kinney were top, in one order or another. This is rather depressing, Fearnhill School especially as these authors figure very little in the Favourite Books category (see below). However, below this there was more variation, with Dav Pilkey, Liz Pichon, Sue Hendra, Robin Stevens and Matt Oldfield being names that teachers should be looking out for – and perhaps ordering their new books for the school library. Other authors who appear only once in a single table but do so in several tables will also be Over the past year our found in Table 38 in the Appendix: Most Popular High Entrants 2020. pupils have“ enjoyed using The difficulty of the new books was in each year similar to that of Accelerated Reader to the established lists. Thus, in general reading new books does not help manage their reading lead to an increase in difficulty. This finding is of interest when we journey and improve their compare it to the outcomes for Favourite Books (see later) where the difficulty level is much higher and the accuracy rates still high, stamina to get to the end especially in the primary school. This suggests that reading new books of every book. We have is not necessarily a good strategy if the aim is to increase reading encouraged all our pupils achievement – but reading favourite books is. to read both fiction and Two other features are of note. Books by Walliams and Kinney are read by very young children, when their difficulty presents a real challenge. non-fiction. There are so Unfortunately, they continue to be read up until very advanced ages, many benefits to both - from when their difficulty is no longer at all appropriate. Secondly, there is developing empathy to little correlation between a book’s difficulty and the comprehension with which it is read. Hard books are often read with high levels of expanding their imagination comprehension at all ages. through to introducing them to new topics.

It is reassuring for our teaching staff to know that pupils are reading books that are at the appropriate level for them. This has really helped us to develop a reading culture in the school that celebrates the joy of reading.

Roshan Hunt Head of Library at Fearnhill School in Hertfordshire, England 32 | Part B Section 4: Books High Achieving Kids Read Most Often | What Kids Are Reading

Section Four: Books High-Achieving Kids Read Most Often

Books High-Achieving Kids Read Most Often Year 5 by Year Jeff Kinney has 14 books in the list (an increase from In this section we consider the books read by high 13 last year), and dominates much of the list. However, achieving readers – defined as books read by pupils David Walliams is top, and has a further three books in who scored at or above the 75th percentile on the the list. This popularity is perhaps slightly unfortunate, Star Reading test. As in previous years, numbers in since the ATOS for most of the Kinney and Walliams the lowest and the highest years were insufficient, so books is below the average for this table. It would be Years 1-2 and 10-13 are excluded. The books preferred good if these books were more popular with younger by the most able readers were of interest. Did they show pupils and less popular with these pupils. J. K. Rowling a different pattern from regular readers, and how did the has two books (one less than last year), and as these children sustain a high difficulty level, especially in the books are of high difficulty this is to be welcomed later years? (Table 41). The average ATOS difficulty equivalent is 5.3, slightly lower than last year (UK years 6.3), indicating Year 3 these pupils were reading well over a year above their As in previous years this list was dominated by Roald actual Year (although their ability was about two years Dahl, with Dahl holding the first six positions and having above). The APC figures are high; each book was well a further two books in the list. David Walliams with five above 85% and the average was 0.93 (the same as books is the next most listed author. Julia Donaldson last year). has three books while Jeff Kinney has only two, a marked reduction from last year (Table 39). The average ATOS Year 6 difficulty was 4.3, slightly lower than last year. Pupils The list continues to be dominated by Kinney and were reading over two years above their chronological age. Walliams, their new books occupying the first two places. Nonetheless, the Average Percent Correct was 0.92 for Kinney is especially dominant (with 13 mentions in all books, the same as last year. These young children the list). Walliams has three books (only two last year). manage to read these books with high comprehension. J. K. Rowling has four mentions, one less than last year (Table 42). In Year 6 we see only a little increase in Year 4 difficulty; the pupils in this year are reading at only the Kinney sustains his position as the most dominant ATOS 5.5 level, slightly less than last year. This is six author, having 11 books, one less than last year. months above their chronological age. APC remains Walliams has five books (just as last year). Dahl has high at 0.93 (just as last year), no book falling below three books, one more than last year. J. K. Rowling the 85% criterion. sustains her re-appearance with one book (Table 40). The average ATOS difficulty equivalent was 5.1, slightly Year 7 lower than last year. These pupils were reading two years J. K. Rowling tops the list and has five books in it. above their chronological age. APC was 0.93, similar to Jeff Kinney has eleven books in the list, just as last year. last year. Walliams has reduced to two books (three last year) (Table 43). The average ATOS has increased slightly from last year to 5.6, but still indicating that these pupils who are able to read at least two years above their age are actually reading six months below their age. APC was 0.90 (the same as last year), still satisfactorily high. Two books Roald Dahl’s dominance continues fell below the 85% criterion, a reduction from last year. in the early years, especially Year 3 where his books occupy the top six positions. Part B Section 4: Books High Achieving Kids Read Most Often | What Kids Are Reading | 33

Year 8 Summary Suzanne Collins retains the number one position, with one Jeff Kinney easily tops the books read by high achieving other book in the list (as last year). J. K. Rowling has six readers list with 55 mentions, slightly fewer than last books, one more than last year. Kinney has four books, year. J. K. Rowling remains in second place, now with 25 fewer than last year. Walliams has two books (Table 44). mentions, two more than last year. David Walliams is in The difficulty of books read was 5.7, an improvement on third place with 21 mentions, an increase from last year. the year before. These pupils were reading almost a year Fourth is Roald Dahl with 11 mentions, a decrease from last and a half below their actual Year (although their ability was year. Suzanne Collins comes next with four mentions – the at least two years above). APC remained at 0.89, as in the same as last year. Julia Donaldson has three mentions. previous year. Two books had an APC below 85%, a reduction from the previous year. Book difficulty has decreased slightly in the primary sector, but increased slightly in the secondary sector. Year 9 While younger children read well above their chronological Of Mice and Men remains top, but its readability is quite age, older children (even those with high reading ability) low. At number two is Orwell’s Animal Farm, with notably read well below it. APC in general was adequate and high readability. Suzanne Collins comes next (with a further had remained at the same level as in the previous year – book in the list). J. K. Rowling sustains her resurgence with although this is perhaps not surprising when the difficulty seven books, two more than last year (Table 45). In Year 9, of books is still low compared to chronological age, as was ATOS has increased from last year to 5.8 (UK 6.8). Pupils the case in the upper years. It was only in the secondary were reading more than two years below their chronological years that books not meeting the 85% criterion appeared. age, when their ability was to read two years above it. APC average was 0.90 (slightly down from last year), and two books were below the 85% criterion (one more than last year). 34 | Reflections on Reading 2/3 | What Kids Are Reading

Reflections on Reading

Growing up, I didn’t read much. I read the best of the best – Roald Dahl – and a few Ladybird books, which had TV tie-ins, but not much else. That is unless you include the annual Panini football sticker album and teletext (for hours on end) for football scores. By the age of 12, I was completely off reading. Our English class reading book pushed me over the edge. Never had I been so bored by a piece of text and the experience booted me away from reading. You may have heard of it: a book entitled ‘The Hobbit’.

You see, I was one of those kids who was being discussed during last year’s ‘What Kids Are Reading’ panel. The topic of why kids lose interest Sav Akyüz Illustrator in reading, and how we can get them reading more, was being explored. It was interesting to observe a room full of avid readers scratching their Sav is an acclaimed storyboard artist heads about how to solve a problem they never experienced themselves. and children’s book illustrator of picture For a moment, I felt very shy and embarrassed, the odd one out, because books. With over 15 years of storyboard I was one of those kids. artistry behind him, Sav has been asked to sketch many things by TV advertising I was raised in North London in the 1980s. My parents were Turkish executives. Things that excite (sports, cars, immigrants, from a small village by the Black Sea, who arrived in the UK a combination of the two) and those that, in the mid-seventies. My dad worked all day while my mum took care of perhaps, don’t quite hold such glamorous appeal (such as roasted vegetables!). things at home with four children. As a child, I had better things to do than read. There wasn’t much that could pull me away from a bit of football, But it hasn’t all been Porsches and a quick game of snooker, tennis against a wall or riding my bike. potatoes — Sav has also served time as a visual effects artist on numerous feature As the discussion circulated the room, I thought about my teen years, my films; enjoyed an unforgettable term at the lack of reading and how I got back into books. I made a simple connection legendary ‘Jim Henson’s Creature Shop’; – my hobbies. At the time, aged 15, I was very much into movies and sweated as a cloth layer-upper for famous Brit brands Burberry and Aquascutum; and, drawing. I had a friend who was an incredibly talented artist and he perhaps most proudly of all, peddled 99 introduced me to the world of graphic novels. These books were like Flakes and Funny Feet as a wannabe ‘Mr illustrated movies so they immediately piqued my interest. I was hooked Whippy’ stationed outside the Tate Britain. and well and truly back into books. I had never seen books like these He lives in London. before and didn’t know they could exist. Dark stories with mind bending themes and powerful characters. And that was before I found Manga.

The key was discovering books, stories and images that appealed directly to my interests. It took an older friend, someone more experienced than I, to enlighten me, and that is what I answered when I was asked for my opinion during the panel.

So here’s a thought – if we, as caregivers, friends or just responsible adults want the children around us to read more, we have to put the effort in to be attentive and identify a child’s interests to provide them with books Photo credit: that relate directly to those interests – be it computer games, comedy, Sav Akyüz imaginary worlds or fashion. As adults, we take it for granted that we know there are books on every topic imaginable, both fiction and non-fiction. But many children do not know. We must help them connect with books that stimulate their interests, help them improve their knowledge and/or ability and get them turning (or scrolling, teletext style) pages.

It’s amazing to think that picking up those graphic novels, thirty years ago, not only inspired me but actually defined my career path. The power of books, eh – who woulda thunk it? Part B Section 5: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often | What Kids Are Reading | 35

Section Five: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often

Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often Year 7 by Year This Year is of course the first secondary year in England, In this section we consider the books read by struggling Wales and Northern Ireland. The list is dominated by readers – defined as books read by pupils who scored Kinney, Walliams and Dahl. Jeff Kinney again did well at or below the 25th percentile on the Star Reading test. with ten books (as last year). Walliams was next with four As in the previous year, numbers in the lowest and the books (one fewer than last year). Roald Dahl had three highest years were insufficient, so Years 1-4 and 10-13 books (as last year) (Table 48). The average difficulty are excluded. The books preferred by struggling readers was ATOS 4.9 (UK 5.9), a slight decrease from last year. were of interest. Did they show a different pattern from This suggests these pupils were reading at a level one year regular readers, and how did these children sustain below their chronological age, which is a little higher than interest, especially in the later years? one might expect. It may be that teachers and librarians are responding to the call to encourage raising the difficulty Year 5 level of books. The average APC was 0.84, slightly higher The table is again dominated by Simon, Dahl and than last year, but below the 85% criterion. Eight individual Donaldson. Francesca Simon had six books in this list, books were under the 85% criterion (compared to nine last down from nine last year, while Julia Donaldson had year). It seems that reading harder books has had an effect five (an improvement) and Roald Dahl four (the same). on quality of understanding. Many of these books were also chosen by readers of average ability at a lower age level (Table 46). ATOS Year 8 difficulty averaged 3.3, a slight improvement on the This list is again dominated by Kinney, with Walliams and previous year. Average APC was 0.86 (again a slight Dahl some way behind. Jeff Kinney had ten books, one improvement). Pupils were reading about six months fewer than last year. David Walliams was top and had below their chronological age, whereas in fact they would four books altogether (just as last year). Roald Dahl had be expected to be much lower than this. Five books did two books, as last year. Many of these books also feature not reach the 85% criterion, again a slight improvement. in average reader lists for younger and more able pupils The high difficulty of books may partially account for the (Table 49). Difficulty has been sustained at 5.1 (UK 6.1), high number not read to the 85% criterion. as last year. Thus, these pupils were reading two years behind their chronological age, which is more or less what Year 6 one might expect. However, this was at something of a This list is dominated by Kinney, Dahl and Walliams. cost – APC was only 0.83 (slightly lower than last year) – In Year 6 Jeff Kinney had ten books (just as last year), and below the 85% criterion level. Nine books did not reach and was the dominant force. Roald Dahl had five books the 85% criterion (one more than last year). Nonetheless, (one more than last year). David Walliams had four books the relationship between book difficulty and APC is not (one more than last year). This pattern reflects the a straightforward one – there is no obvious correlation choices of younger children with better reading ability between them in this list. Some books of high difficulty (Table 47). ATOS difficulty level averaged 4.8 (U.K. 5.8), have been read with comprehension. a slight increase on last year. These pupils were reading almost at their chronological age, much higher than one would expect. Average APC was 0.88 (slightly improved on last year). Four books fell below the 85% criterion (one more than last year). 36 | Part B Section 5: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often | What Kids Are Reading

Year 9 School Spotlight This list is again dominated by Kinney, with Walliams and Dahl some way behind. Jeff Kinney had ten books (whereas he had eight last year – an Manor Leas Junior Academy improvement). David Walliams had three books (as last year). Roald Dahl has two books (as last year). There was a little more variation in this list than in previous years, however. Many of these books appear for average readers at a lower age level (Table 50). Difficulty averaged 5.1 (UK 6.1), slightly more than last year. Pupils were reading three years below their actual age, which was one year further behind what might have been Over the past year we have expected. APC was 0.85, slightly higher than last year. Eight books were seen our pupils“ accessing below the 85% criterion (just as last year). myON and reading online Summary from home which has In Years 5-7 these children were reading well above the difficulty level been really encouraging. expected – either almost at their chronological age or at worst one year behind it. However, APC was very low, and many books were not read to During lockdown this year the 85% criterion, particularly in the higher ages. Beyond this into Years 8 our children have spent and 9, the books read were much less difficult in relation to chronological thousands of hours reading age, but the APC was still low (0.83, 0.85). So, accuracy of reading did not appear to be directly related to book difficulty. online and have finished nearly 12,000 books just on The relationship between book difficulty and APC is not a straightforward one – while some easier books are read with higher comprehension, myON alone. others are not. Some quite hard books are read with comprehension by this group of delayed readers. This should lead teachers to investigate It has been brilliant to see patterns of motivation which bring about this phenomenon. the reading habits of pupils flourish despite school closures. Many of our pupils used the additional time at home to read. Using myON and Accelerated Reader means we have access to a range of data that enables our teaching staff to have a good grasp on how our pupils were doing – despite the challenges of remote learning during school closures.

Chelsea Sandbrook Assistant Head Teacher at Manor Leas Junior Academy, Lincoln, England Part B Section 6: Most Read Non-fiction Books | What Kids Are Reading | 37

Section Six: Most Read Non-Fiction Books

Most Read Non-Fiction Books by Year Year 5 Almost all the books in these lists are fiction – Yet again Roald Dahl again topped the list with Boy: Tales storybooks. Children like fiction, but they also like of Childhood. This book has high readability but was read non-fiction. We know that boys in particular are with high comprehension. Catherine Chambers had three interested in non-fiction. So why is it that so many books, while Mary Colson, Matt Oldfield and Thomas fiction books are chosen? Is it something to do with Kingsley Troupe all had two. All the rest were by different the reading preferences of school teachers and authors (Table 53). Average ATOS decreased a little to librarians, who might tend to encourage pupils to 4.1 (UK 5.1), down from 4.3 last year, so these pupils read fiction but not non-fiction? This is likely to result were reading books just a little above their natural ability. in higher performance by girls, who are known to Average APC was 0.89 (up from last year). Only one book favour fiction. Is this a gendered preference, so that the was below the 85% criterion, a considerable improvement predominantly female primary school teachers and the on last year. There seemed no correlation between difficulty half of secondary school teachers who are female prefer and APC – some very difficult books were read with fiction and are unconsciously promoting fiction at the accuracy, and vice versa. expense of non-fiction and thereby disadvantaging boys? A contentious point. Of course, Accelerated Reader is Year 6 neutral on this matter, as it offers quizzes on a great The same Roald Dahl book was again top, and Dahl many non-fiction books. had another book in the list. However, Matt Oldfield made a much more substantial showing that last year Year 3 (three books), increasing to seven football books. The top book was by Chloe Rhodes, who had one other Thomas Kingsley Troupe also performed well, with four book in the list. Claire Llewellyn had three books and books. Whereas last year topics were very mixed, this year Mick Gowar two books. This was much as last year. there was much more of an emphasis on football. It seems Otherwise, every author was different. Many were that this feature, formerly found only in secondary schools, old favourites from last year. Half of the books were is beginning to creep down into primary schools. Of course, nature books (Table 51). ATOS was 2.6 (UK 3.6), slightly we cannot assume that all readers of these books are boys, decreased from last year, indicating these pupils were as women’s football has gained considerable prominence reading books almost a year above their chronological in recent years (Table 54). ATOS showed a marked decline age. The average APC was 0.88 (slightly increased from to 4.9 (from 5.5 last year) (UK equivalent 5.9). Thus, pupils last year). Five books were below the 85% criterion, one were reading at their age level. Average APC was 0.86 (the more than last year. same as last year). Six books were below the 85% criterion, two more than last year. Year 4 Mary Colson, a relative newcomer, was top and had another book in the list. Chloe Rhodes and Catherine Chambers also had two books in this list. Otherwise, all authors were different. Again, nature themes were most common. There was little sense of book titles being Thomas Kingsley Troupe’s likely to be favoured by boys or girls (Table 52). Difficulty mythological books are a was 3.3 (UK 4.3), slightly lower than last year, indicating popular choice for children that the difficulty of these books was slightly above with from Years 4-6 the pupils’ natural reading ability. Average APC was 0.89, slightly higher than last year. This year none of these books were below the 85% criterion, an improvement on last year. 38 | Part B Section 6: Most Read Non-fiction Books | What Kids Are Reading

Year 7 Year 9 Year 7 is the first secondary year. Roald Dahl’sBoy: Tales As for Year 8, football again dominated – Matt Oldfield had of Childhood is still on top. Otherwise, no less than 14 of eight books, Tom Oldfield three, Johnny Zucker two, Roy the books were about football – eight by Matt Oldfield, Apps one, Paul May one and Andy Smith one, totalling 16. four by Tom Oldfield, and two by Roy Apps. The Oldfields Roald Dahl was still in the list with Boy: Tales of Childhood, have taken over from Roy Apps. Does this show a male but there were few books not about football. Matt Oldfield orientation, or is women’s football sufficiently advanced has considerably increased while Johnny Zucker and Roy for this to be perceived as gender-neutral? As noted Apps have decreased. Again, we have to ask if this reflects above, this tendency was formerly a purely secondary male preference, or not (Table 57). Average ATOS was 5.2 phenomenon, but now it has crept down into primary also. (UK 6.2), slightly up from last year. These pupils were Raina Telgemeier also had two books, offering some light reading at three years below their ability. Average APC relief from football (see Table 55). The average ATOS was was 0.82, reduced from last year. Last year 11 books 4.8 (UK 5.8) (up considerably from last year) – indicating were below the 85% criterion, but this year it was 16, pupils were reading slightly more than one year below their a considerable worsening. natural ability. APC was 0.83 (markedly down from last year, perhaps because the books were harder, and now the Summary average is below the 85% criterion). Last year six books Years 3 to 6 were reading at a level of difficulty from at their were below the 85% criterion; this year the figure was 13. chronological age level to a year above their chronological These are not encouraging results when these books are age, although the comprehension (average APC) was not so easy for the pupils. very good and several books were not read to the 85% criterion much as last year. In Year 7 (secondary level) Year 8 everything changed. The difficulty of books plateaued, so Roald Dahl has been dislodged from the top of this list every year the children were reading books a further year to second place. Otherwise, there is a torrent of football behind their chronological age. Comprehension became books – nine from Matt Oldfield, four from Tom Oldfield, even worse despite the easiness of the books, and very three from Roy Apps, one from Paul May and one from large numbers were not read to the APC 85% criterion. Andy Smith. Only one book other than Dahl was not about There was even stronger evidence than in previous years of football. This football orientation has greatly increased a football theme, which may have been male-oriented, but even from last year, when it was already high (Table 56). almost no other books for other interests. It seems that in ATOS was 5.2 (UK 6.2) (substantially higher than the secondary non-fiction books were not read or understood year before). Year 8 shows many similarities to Year 7. as carefully as the fiction books. Thus, these pupils were reading at two years behind their chronological age. Average APC was at 0.83 (lower than last year, and below the 85% criterion). Last year six books fell below the 85% criterion, but this year 14 books did so, a massive worsening.

Matt Oldfield’s football- themed books dominate the secondary school charts Part B Section 7: Voting for Favourite Books | What Kids Are Reading | 39

Section Seven: Voting for Favourite Books

Favourite Books by Year pupils were reading at a level over two years above Children complete quizzes on books to assess their their chronological age. Were they reading these books understanding, but can also vote for books in terms accurately? Average APC was 0.90 (slightly down from of whether they enjoyed the book or not. Of course, last year). Three books fell below the 85% criterion, degree of understanding is not the same as personal compared to one last year. Nonetheless, overall the preference, and the two measures should not be answer is “yes”. confused. The voting system enables pupils to select During lockdown, J. K. Rowling had two books, as did one of four ratings of a book: One of the best books Andy Griffiths (Table 59). Average ATOS was 2.8 (UK 3.8), I have ever read; A very good book; An OK book and considerably above the whole year figure, indicating the Not a good book. pupils were reading at a level almost three years above These four ratings are used to generate an Average Book their chronological age. Despite this, average APC was Rating, which is then weighted taking into account issues also above the whole year’s figure at 0.94, so reading such as a minimum number of votes, the overall number comprehension was of high quality. of votes cast for a particular book, and the context of Year 2 ratings in that particular Year. Year 2 numbers responding were again quite low, The voting system based on a 4-star rating so results again should not be taken as reliable. J. K. Rowling had four books in this list, all of very high One of the best books I have ever read readability, and all read with adequate comprehension. Enid Blyton had three books in the list, two more than A very good book last year, so clearly her star is ascending again. Andy Griffiths also had two books in this list. As with Year 1, An OK book all but one of these books had not appeared in the list before, emerging from relative obscurity. The authors Not a good book were again very diverse (Table 60). The average ATOS rating was 4.0 (UK 5.0), a slight increase from last year. However, these children were reading books three years Year 1 above their chronological age. Average APC was 0.90 Numbers of pupils responding in this Year are low, so the (as last year). Only one book fell below the 85% criterion findings are scattered and results may not be reliable. (compared to four last year). None of these books was in this list last year. Three of them were newly published and the rest had shot in from During lockdown (Table 61), J. K. Rowling dominated very distant positions, much as last year. The top book the top places with three books, while Enid Blyton had was Milo’s Moustache by Katie McDougall. The authors five books lower down. Blyton is becoming increasingly were very diverse. Interestingly, J. K. Rowling has one popular. Liz Pichon had two books. The average ATOS book in the list of very high readability, but that was read was 4.6 (UK 5.6), indicating children were reading at with adequate comprehension (APC 0.86, above the 85% three and a half years above their chronological age. criterion). Given the amount of change from year to year Average APC was 0.92, so these books were being at this level, teachers and librarians have a major task in read with good comprehension. terms of their time and the funds available in updating book resources. It indicates that librarians need very up-to-date information about children’s preferences if they are to be able to respond to child motivations (Table 58). Average ATOS was 2.2 (UK equivalent 3.2), a considerable increase from last year, indicating the 40 | Part B Section 7: Voting for Favourite Books | What Kids Are Reading

Year 3 Year 5 This Year the numbers are larger and the data Christopher Paolini was top, with one more book in the considerably more reliable. Rick Riordan had the top list, something of a resurgence for him. J. K. Rowling and book and three others, a major improvement for him Rick Riordan have three books each, although this is a over last year. J. K. Rowling had four highly placed major decline for Riordan. Chris Colfer had four books in books in the list. Cressida Cowell had three books and lower places (one more than last year). Sophie Cleverley Tom Fletcher had two (Table 62). Otherwise, the authors had two books (Table 66). Nine of these books appeared were quite varied. Only four of these books had been in last year’s table, more than last year. The average in this list last year. The average ATOS rating was 5.0, ATOS rating was 5.6, the same as last year (UK Years a considerable decline of half a year from last year’s figure 6.6). These books were a year and a half harder than (UK Years 6.0). These books were three years harder than the children’s chronological age. Average APC was the chronological age of the pupils. Average APC was 0.94 (as last year). No book fell below the 85% criterion 0.91, the same as last year. Two books fell below the (as last year). 85% criterion (as compared to none last year). During lockdown, J. K. Rowling occupied the top three During lockdown, J. K. Rowling took the top five places places and Rick Riordan the next three places. Sophie with her high readability books. Enid Blyton and Rachel Cleverly had four books lower down. Soman Chainani Renée Russell had three books each, Rick Riordan and had two books (Table 67) Average ATOS was 5.5, similar Jacqueline Wilson two each (Table 63). Average ATOS to the whole year figure. Average APC 0.95, only slightly was 5.4, somewhat above the figure for the whole year, higher than the whole year figure. No book fell below the while average APC was 0.94, considerably above the 85% criterion. figure for the whole year. Year 6 Year 4 J. K. Rowling is top of the list, but this is the only book Chris Colfer was top and had another book in the list. she has in the list. Rick Riordan had five books below this J. K. Rowling again had a big presence with three books (when he had none last year). Soman Chainani had three, highly placed (but this was many fewer than last year). Christopher Paolini two (of very high readability), and Erin Rick Riordan had six books (one more than last year), Hunter two (Table 68). The average ATOS rating was 5.6, in lower positions. Cressida Cowell and Philip Pullman a small reduction from last year (UK Years 6.6). These both had two high readability books in the list. Twelve pupils were reading half a year above their actual age. of the books were new to the list, a higher proportion Average APC was 0.94, the same as last year. No book than last year (Table 64). The average ATOS rating was fell below the 85% criterion (as last year). 5.6, slightly less than last year (UK Years 6.6). These pupils were reading two and a half years above their During lockdown, Derek Landy took the top place and chronological age. Average APC was 0.92 (slightly higher had three other books in the list. Rick Riordan also had than last year). Two books fell below the 85% criterion, four books, lower down. James Dashner and Soman compared to none last year. Chainani both had two (Table 69). Average ATOS was 5.1, considerably less than the figure for the whole year. During lockdown, Rick Riordan had the top book and Average APC was 0.95, similar to the figure for the three more. J. K. Rowling had three books lower down, whole year. and Enid Blyton had three yet lower down again. Cressida Cowell and Chris Colfer had two each. Tolkien earned a mention (Table 65). The average ATOS was 5.6, the same as for the whole year. Average APC 0.95, higher than for the whole year. So far, no books have fallen below the 85% criterion. Part B Section 7: Voting for Favourite Books | What Kids Are Reading | 41

Year 7 Rick Riordan, Christopher Paolini, Philip Pullman and Tui T. Sutherland had two books each (Table 70). It is wonderful After dominating the list last year with nine books, Erin Hunter is now reduced to two. Only six books what“ reading had appeared in the list in the previous year. The average ATOS rating was 5.7, a decrease from last year motiving books (UK Years 6.7). In the first year of secondary school, does for children. these pupils were reading books which were slightly below their chronological age level. The decline in difficulty continued. Average APC was 0.92 (the same as last year) and one book fell below the 85% criterion Years 9-11 (none last year). Cassandra Clare was top of the list and had a further three books in it (although less than her six books last During lockdown, Christopher Paolini did well with three year). However, the list was dominated by Sarah J. Maas books, while Rick Riordan, Soman Chainani and Michael with eight books (just as last year). Philip Pullman also Grant all had two (Table 71). The Average ATOS was 5.6, had two books (Table 74). Eleven of these books were very similar to that for the whole year, while the average in this list last year. The average ATOS rating was 5.9, APC was 0.94, somewhat higher than that for the an increase on last year (UK Years 6.9), and only slightly whole year. above the difficulty recorded by Year 8 pupils. These books were three years easier than chronological age. Year 8 The average APC was 0.94 (as last year). One of these Christopher Paolini took the top three places with books was below the 85% criterion (none last year). his high readability books. Erin Hunter also showed substantially with four books, as last year. Rick Riordan During lockdown, Rick Riordan had the top book and one had two books, as last year (Table 72). J. R. R. Tolkien other, while Sarah J. Maas had four books lower down made an appearance. The average ATOS rating was 5.7 (Table 75). Cassandra Clare had three, and Ally Carter (a slight increase from last year) (UK Years 6.7). These and Stephenie Meyer two each. Average ATOS was books were almost a year and a half less difficult than 5.2, considerably below that for the whole year, while chronological age. Average APC was 0.93 (slightly less Average APC was 0.95, slightly above that for the whole than last year). No book fell below the 85% criterion year. No books were below the 85% criterion. Clearly, (as last year). comprehension quality was sustained at a high level.

During lockdown, Cassandra Clare took the top three places and had two other books in the list. Taran Matharu and Suzanne Collins both also had two books (Table 73). Average ATOS was 5.7 (the same as for the whole year) and Average APC was 0.94 (slightly higher than for the whole year). Just one book was below the Cassandra Clare’s fantasy 85% criterion, the first example of this during lockdown. novels appear in the favourite lists for children in Years 8-11 42 | Part B Section 7: Voting for Favourite Books | What Kids Are Reading

Summary During lockdown, Years 1-3 showed levels of book difficulty well above those for the whole year, together Overall, Rick Riordan had most mentions (20), compared with high levels of quality of reading comprehension, to 17 last year. J. K. Rowling came second with 16 books possibly because in these years only the highest (18 last year). Then came Christopher Paolini with nine motivated and most competent readers were continuing books (a considerable increase from last year), closely to participate (although we have no evidence for this). followed by Erin Hunter and Sarah J. Maas (both with For the remainder of primary school, the lockdown eight books, a considerable reduction for Maas). Then figures were similar to those for the whole year, and come Chris Colfer and Philip Pullman, both with six books, quality of reading comprehension also tended to be followed by Cressida Cowell with five books. Cassandra similar. In the early years of secondary school, book Clare has four books, followed by Soman Chainani and difficulty was again similar to that for the whole year, and Enid Blyton, both with three books. Strikingly, neither reading comprehension quality was similar. In Years 9-11, Jeff Kinney nor David Walliams appears. Why are children book difficulty declined below the level of the whole year, reading books in the regular quiz lists they do not prefer? although quality of reading comprehension remined high Possibly because they only know their favourites after (as one might expect on these easy books). the book has been read. But this does not explain pupils returning to read endless Jeff Kinney books, presumably on the basis that they “like the author”.

In the primary years, children were reading very difficult Top 5 Favourite books during the first lockdown books with a high degree of success – it is wonderful what in Primary Schools reading motivating books does for children. In Years 1-6 children were reading favourite books at far above their st Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban chronological ability, but generally still maintaining a high 1 J. K. Rowling rate of success in terms of high APC. nd Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire 2 J. K. Rowling There was a marked difference in Year 7 (the year of secondary transfer). At this point the difficulty of favoured rd Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows books was no longer well above chronological age, but 3 J. K. Rowling at chronological age, and in ensuing years the difficulty th Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets of books declined sharply. In Year 8 books were 1.5 years 4 J. K. Rowling behind chronological age and in Years 9-11 almost three Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince years behind. This is the same picture as last year. th 5 J. K. Rowling It seems that transfer to secondary school has a striking effect even on highly motivated readers. There is some good in Secondary Schools news, however, in that comprehension has stayed high. st One of Us Is Lying We should bear in mind that the reading age needed to read 1 Karen M. McManus The Times is 12.7 years, so if Year 10 pupils were reading Catching Fire The Times, they would still be reading 3.3 years below their nd 2 Suzanne Collins proper reading level. On the other hand, the purpose of AR is not to offer relaxed reading as from a newspaper, but 3rd Mockingjay to offer accountable reading and accelerate pupils’ growth Suzanne Collins in reading. th The Blood of Olympus 4 Rick Riordan

th Class A 5 Robert Muchamore Part B Section 7: Voting for Favourite Books | What Kids Are Reading | 43

Favourite Books in Primary and In Secondary (Table 78), Rick Riordan took the first two Secondary Schools places (much as last year), and Philip Pullman third place with one other book in the list. Christopher Paolini We can now look at the most popular titles overall in also had two books in the list, as last year. Ernest Cline terms of their being voted for as favourite books within had one book of high readability – other authors are the age ranges of Primary and Secondary schools well below this, underlying how secondary pupils under- (Tables 76, 77, 78, 79). challenge themselves. In Primary (Table 76), J. K. Rowling is in the top four During lockdown (Table 79), the newcomer Karen M. places with her difficult books, although she was in McManus came top, with Suzanne Collins in second and the top seven places last year. The number of readings third place. Rick Riordan still had two books in this list, has reduced, as might be expected given that children and Derek Landy had two also. have read fewer books during this problematic year. Rick Riordan has shown a surge in popularity and is in During lockdown, Years 1 – 3 showed levels of book the next four places, with a further book lower down. difficulty well above those for the whole year, together Tom Fletcher completes the list. Jeff Kinney and David with high levels of quality of reading comprehension, Walliams are not present. possibly because in these years only the highest motivated and most competent readers were continuing During lockdown (Table 77), J. K. Rowling had the to participate (although we have no evidence for this). top five places, and Rick Riordan three lower down. For the remainder of primary school, the lockdown Enid Blyton and Pamela Butchart completed the list. figures were similar to those for the whole year, and The presence of Enid Blyton in the list of favourite books quality of reading comprehension also tended to be in primary schools is a source of some wonder, but similar. In the early years of secondary school, book clearly children like the stories. difficulty was again similar to that for the whole year, and reading comprehension quality was similar. In Years 9-11, book difficulty declined below the level of the whole year, although quality of reading comprehension remined high (as one might expect on these easy books). 44 | Part B Section 8: Regional Variation in Reading Habits | What Kids Are Reading

Section Eight: Regional Variation in Reading Habits

Regional Variation in Book Choices by Year reading Jeff Kinney and Dav Pilkey books (with a higher As last year, we report on Regional Variations for level of readability) (Table 82). As last year, the Republic England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the of Ireland again stormed away with an ATOS of 4.3 (UK Republic of Ireland. However, we only report Year 1 for equivalent 5.3), although considerably reduced from the England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, where the previous year. Irish children were reading at almost two numbers are high enough to give some confidence to the and a half years above their chronological age. England findings. From Year 2 all countries are included. and Scotland came next, reading at about a year above chronological age. Book difficulty in Wales was lower but Year 1 still above chronological age, while in Northern Ireland book In Year 1 in all three countries Roderick Hunt had difficulty had collapsed and children were reading a year been pushed down the lists by Julia Donaldson and behind their actual age. Quality of reading comprehension other authors (and in the Republic of Ireland, also by (APC) was similar across all countries. Francesca Simon), so he is no longer the main author. Year 4 Scotland shows more variety than England, and the Republic shows even more (Table 80 in the Appendix). Roald Dahl dominated in England, Scotland, Northern Difficulty levels were high, suggesting English, Scottish Ireland and Wales, followed by Kinney and Walliams. and Irish children were reading nearly at or at two years However, this was not true of Ireland, where Jeff Kinney above their chronological age (average ATOS 1.8, 1.9 was much more prominent. Wales showed greater diversity respectively). Quality of Reading Comprehension in both of book choice, hanging on to some Roderick Hunt books countries was good and similar (Average APC 0.91-0.92). (Table 83). Scotland had one book below the 85% criterion, the other Scotland and Ireland were similar in difficulty of books read countries none. (ATOS 4.9-5.1), indicating children reading at two years Year 2 ahead of their chronological age, with Ireland particularly good on reading comprehension. England lagged a little The Gruffalo (Julia Donaldson) did well in all regions, way behind (4.7). Northern Ireland lagged behind, but had as did the Gruffalo’s Child. England, Scotland and increased from last year and children were still reading a Northern Ireland were keen on Julia Donaldson, while year ahead of their chronological age. Wales was worst, Ireland tended to like Francesca Simon (Table 81). but the children were still reading at their chronological Book difficulty was highest in Scotland, followed by age. However, quality of reading comprehension (APC) was England, the Republic of Ireland, Wales and Northern showing evidence of decline in Wales. Ireland. Northern Ireland is characterised by low levels of difficulty at the beginning but the children more than Year 5 catch up later. Scottish children were reading almost Ireland, England and Scotland read many books by Kinney two years ahead of their chronological age, English and Walliams, while Northern Ireland and Wales still children a year and a half ahead, and even Northern had more interest in Dahl. This was much as it was last Ireland were reading more than half a year ahead of their year (Table 84). England, Scotland and Ireland now had chronological age. Quality of reading comprehension the same level of difficulty (5.0-5.2; UK equivalent 6.1), (APC) was similar in all countries, although somewhat indicating children were reading slightly over a year above lower in Wales. This is a similar but somewhat improved their chronological age, just as last year. Northern Ireland picture to last year. was not far behind (ATOS 4.8), but again Wales did poorly, Year 3 although there was considerable improvement from the year before and Welsh children were reading slightly above Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo and Roald Dahl’s The their chronological age. Quality of reading comprehension Magic Finger did well in all five regions. A mix of Dahl and remained high in England, Scotland and Ireland, and was Julia Donaldson was common to England, Scotland and recovering in Wales. Northern Ireland. However, Wales still read a lot of Roderick Hunt books (of low readability), while Ireland had begun Part B Section 8: Regional Variation in Reading Habits | What Kids Are Reading | 45

Year 6 Years 9-11 David Walliams and Jeff Kinney were the favourite choice Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck was top in England, in all regions, much as last year. However, Wales was Wales and Northern Ireland. England also liked Orwell’s still attached to Roald Dahl books (Table 85). England, Animal Farm and even Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland now Carol. Jeff Kinney and David Walliams were still popular showed very similar levels of book difficulty, with children in all regions. J. K. Rowling made more of an appearance. reading more or less at their chronological age. However, Otherwise, there was more variety in this chart than in Wales had dipped behind the level. Standards of reading previous Years (Table 88). England showed a slight rise comprehension (APC) were good across all countries. in difficulty level, but other regions (Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland) stayed on the plateau, meaning Year 7 children were now reading at least three years behind their This is the first year of secondary school, except in chronological age. In Wales, the difficulty level had risen Scotland, so we could expect interesting differences. substantially to 5.5, but this still left children reading a long However, just as last year again Jeff Kinney and David way behind their chronological age. Despite the low levels Walliams were the most popular authors in all regions. of difficulty, comprehension quality had declined even Roald Dahl has now virtually disappeared, except in Wales. further (0.85-0.89). R. J. Palacio’s book Wonder seemed popular in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, while Northern Ireland Summary continued to love the book Under the Hawthorn Tree by Three main features stand out from the foregoing. Marita Conlon-McKenna (Table 86). Difficulty was much the same across all five regions (5.1-5.3, UK equivalent 6.2). Firstly, the striking slump in difficulty at transfer to This is about a year behind chronological age. Fortunately, secondary school is very marked in all regions, including the Wales had sustained its catch-up on difficulty. Northern Republic of Ireland. Book difficulty plateaus after secondary Ireland and the Republic of Ireland showed good levels on transfer. The fact that pupils in Scotland are still in primary comprehension quality, but in other regions this was more school does not protect them from this slump. In Year disappointing. The fact that Scottish pupils were still in 6 pupils are reading at their chronological age. In Year 7 primary school did not seem to have protected them from pupils are suddenly a year behind their chronological age, this decline. This is much the same as last year. in Year 8 two years behind, and in Years 9-11 at least three years behind. Year 8 Secondly, there are striking differences in reading teaching Jeff Kinney and David Walliams remained the most popular at primary level between Northern Ireland and the Republic authors across all regions, but many other authors also of Ireland. In the Republic there is much emphasis on featured (Table 87). R. J. Palacio’s Wonder again did well. reading hard books in lower primary, which the children A couple of Dahl books reappeared and J. K. Rowling put seem to manage with high levels of comprehension. In in an appearance. ATOS difficulty was again much the Northern Ireland, levels of difficulty at this stage are much same across all five regions (5.1-5.2, UK equivalent 6.1). lower. However, by the time secondary education comes Thus, difficulty continued to plateau (as it had done since around (or even upper primary), these differences seem to Year 6), meaning that as each chronological year passed, have been levelled out and children are reading material at the children fell a further year behind in their reading. pretty much the same level of difficulty. Comprehension quality was the same in all regions, but lower again at 0.87, just as last year. Thirdly, Wales does badly in comparison to the other four regions, although it has shown improvements during the last year. Its level of difficulty stays lower for longer, and its APC is often uncomfortably low as well, particularly at primary school level. Primary teachers in Wales are in need of in-service training to encourage them to encourage their children to be more proactive. 46 | Reflections on Reading 3/3 | What Kids Are Reading

Reflections on Reading

One of the first chapter books I remember falling in love with wasThe Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann. I instantly fell in love with the characters and was invested in their plight from the very first chapter. My primary school library had a bookclub scheme where you could pay a small amount each week until you had enough money saved up to buy a new book. I saved for months and then bought every subsequent book in the Farthing Wood series and devoured them all. As I grew older, I discovered slightly darker fantasy, including The Deptford Mice trilogy by Robin Jarvis, Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series, and His Dark Materials by Joseph Elliott Author Philip Pullman. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than getting lost in another world, where an author’s creativity sparks the limits of your own Originally from Bristol, Joseph studied imagination. That’s where magic truly happens. English Literature and Drama at the University of Manchester, before doing an My love of reading undoubtedly inspired me to become an author myself, MA in performance at Central School of and I’m sure there are echoes of all of my favourite books in my own Speech and Drama. work. Although I had the ambition to write a novel from a very early age For the last twelve years, he has worked (about as far back as I can remember), I didn’t truly believe it was possible as an actor, predominantly in comedy and until I was well into my twenties. I was working as an actor and a teaching children’s television. He is best known for assistant when I broke my foot playing football. The break was a bad one; playing pirate ‘Cook’ in the BAFTA-winning CBeebies series, Swashbuckle, for which I was on and off crutches for a couple of years, and bound to my sofa for he also writes many of the scripts. long periods of time. Rather than mope, I decided it was the opportunity In 2020, he co-created, wrote and starred I’d always wanted to start taking my writing more seriously. At the time, in Big Fat Like, a comedy sketch show I wasn’t really thinking that the novel might get published one day, and I commissioned by the BBC, which parodies certainly wasn’t doing it for the money. I wrote because I enjoyed doing the bizarre world of YouTube. He is also it, and was excited by the world I’d created. I loved my characters, and part of the writing team for The Amelia wanted to find out what happened to them next. The fact that, thanks Gething Complex and CBBC’s Class to my publishers, I’m now able to share The Good Hawk with people all Dismissed. around the world, really is a dream come true. His award-winning debut novel, The Good Hawk, was released in 2020, followed by Although it’s been many years since I was a child, I still enjoy reading the sequel, The Broken Raven, in 2021. Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, and I’m delighted to see it go from His poetry has been featured in Popshot strength to strength. There are so many incredible, original and engaging Magazine, and his short story, Bag For Life, was published in The Book of Hopes, which children’s books that have been published in the last year alone – Blood was shortlisted for Waterstones’ Book of Moon by Lucy Cuthew, Wranglestone by Darren Charlton, And The Stars the Year as well as Children’s Book of the Were Burning Brightly by Danielle Jawando, and The Outlaws Scarlet and Year at the 2021 British Book Awards.

Browne by Jonathan Stroud to name just a few – and I continue to be When not writing or acting, Joseph loves inspired by each and every one of them. painting, snorkelling and playing board games. He is a firm believer that houmous goes well with everything.

Photo credit: joseph-elliott.net Part B Section 9: myON and Other Countries | What Kids Are Reading | 47

Section Nine: myON and Other Countries

Top 20 Books Read with myON None of these authors appear on the regular book myON is a student-centred, personalised literacy list (except for Michael Dahl), and these authors are platform that offers unlimited access to thousands quite different to the authors from last year (which of enhanced digital books, many of which have also is unsurprising as there are now many more books been quizzed for Accelerated Reader. Students can call available on myON). Partially this is due to the much up books, decide which they want to read, read them, smaller number of titles available on myON at the complete the AR quiz on them on them, and even do moment, but it may be that reading digitally encourages the Star Reading test (which of course can be done children to read completely new books and authors. multiply as it is item-banked). At the moment students can access over 6,000 digital books, with audio support and other literacy tools. The number of books is growing every week. myON is available 24/7 online and offline, Shelley Swanson Sateren’s and so can support reading at home as well as school, book series Adventures or any other place the pupil happens to be. at Hound Hotel is a firm favourite on myON myON was introduced in the UK in March 2019 so the numbers of students yielding data overall is small at the moment but growing rapidly. Consequently, we have not attempted to give details for each Year separately at this In terms of difficulty, books marked NULL for ATOS were stage, or give separate lists for boys and girls. However, very easy books for kindergarten children. For the whole in editions of this guide in future years, we expect to be year, average ATOS was 3.5. This is comparable to the able to do this. average ATOS for all regular books in the UK, which was 3.6.

In Table 89 in the Appendix, it is clear that the top titles For the lockdown period, average ATOS was also 3.5. are quite different from those in the regular book lists, However, the average ATOS for regular books during and those in the Favourite lists. For the whole year, the lockdown period was 4.1, so there is some evidence Shelley Swanson Sateren had the top book and two here that myON reading during lockdown was at a lower others. Jake Maddox was the most frequent author difficulty level than for regular books. with seven books. Michael Dahl had three books. Turning to the increase in books and frequency of use The authors for the lockdown period (Table 90) were not of myON, we see (Figure 12) that from 2019 to 2020 the very different, but more focused on these three authors. number of hours spent reading myON increased from Shelley Swanson Sateren had the top book again 4,704 hours to 513,968 hours (an increase of 109 times). (Fearless Freddie again) and another three books. This is related to the increase in the number of books on Jake Maddox now had 12 books. Michael Dahl had the myON system (which rose from 101 in 2019 to 8172 reduced to two books. in 2020) and the increased availability of digital reading.

Figure 12: Use of myON: 2019 and 2020

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0 100K 200K 300K 400K 500K Hours 48 | Part B Section 9: myON and Other Countries | What Kids Are Reading

The number of hours of myON reading during lockdown Figure 13: Location of myON Reading 2020 was 192,716 hours, an increase over what would be expected within this period (which would have been Before School 1% 128,492 hours). The 192,716 hours as a proportion of the whole year represented 37% of the whole year’s reading, Weekend instead of the 25% we might have expected in normal 11% circumstances (129,492 hours). Thus, during lockdown, students were reading more on myON than during the whole year – actually one and a half times more. After School During School 32% 56% So, when do students use the myON electronic reader? From Figure 13 we see that the majority of reading time is within school (287,822 hours, 56%), 164,470 hours (32%) is after school, and only 56,536 hours (11%) are at the weekend, with 1%, 5,140 hours before school. So, it appears that 226,146 hours (44%) are out of school time, with 287,822 hours (56%) in school time (total reading time 513,968 hours). This reflects the extent to which myON is extending the reading behaviour of students beyond school.

Looking at Figure 14, we see that most reading with myON during the whole year was done Monday through Thursday, with a decline on Friday and quite low levels on Saturday and Sunday. This seems to suggest that many students regard weekends as times when they engage in other pursuits than reading.

Figure 14: myON Reading by Day of The Week 2020

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0 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Part B Section 10: AR in Countries Other Than the UK and USA | What Kids Are Reading | 49

Section Ten: AR in Countries Other Than the UK and USA

A: In Countries Where English Is the In year group 6-8 in Australia/New Zealand, Jeff Kinney First Language was by far the most popular author, with 13 books in the This sub-section will investigate patterns of reading in top 20. R. J. Palacio’s Wonder also did well here, as in Australia/New Zealand and Canada. It will do this by the UK (Table 94). J. K. Rowling made four appearances. examining the overall top 20 books in the Year or Grade David Walliams did not appear, as he does in the UK. groupings K-2, 3.5, 6.8, and 9-12. First Australia and Average ATOS was 4.4 (compared to the UK 4.3) and New Zealand will be examined, and then Canada. Average APC was 0.76 (UK 0.75). Thus, Australia/New Zealand were reading books of similar difficult to the Australia and New Zealand UK and with a similar level of reading comprehension. Overall, Australia and New Zealand had 57,551 In year group 9-12 in Australia/New Zealand, Suzanne participating children in 365 schools (357 in Australia Collins was top and had one other book in the list, and eight in New Zealand) (compared to 46,687 sustaining her performance of last year. J. K. Rowling pupils in 267 schools in Australia last year) (Table 91). has six books (an increase) and Jeff Kinney four In Australia/New Zealand, this represents about 21% (a decrease) (Table 95). However, there were also more children in about 34% more schools, so the authors here relatively unfamiliar in the UK: Tristan additional schools must tend to be smaller or initially Bancks, Andy Mulligan, John Marsden, and Lois Lowry. be using AR with smaller groups of children. Average ATOS was 4.0 (almost the same as the UK, 3.9), In Australia and New Zealand, the K-2 group shows but the Average APC was 0.69 (somewhat less than the few similarities to books read in the UK (although UK’s 0.72). Julia Donaldson and Roald Dahl feature), but books by Summary Dr Seuss are much more frequent and authors not read that much in the UK are Aaron Blabey (seven books) and Overall, Australia/New Zealand had very similar Nick Bland (two books) (see Table 92 in the Appendix). difficulty level of books (ATOS) and quality of reading Wombat Stew by Marcia K. Vaughan is clearly a local comprehension (APC) to the UK, except for a minor speciality. There is no sign of Roderick Hunt. Average dip of reading comprehension in the 9-12-year group. ATOS was 2.4 (showing an increase from 2.2) and This represents considerable improvement for them average APC was .80 (these figures are based on all in the primary school years, although secondary school books, not just the top 20). This compares to the UK was similar to the UK last year. this year at ATOS 2.3 and APC 0.81. So Australian and Canada New Zealand K-2 pupils read at about the same level of reading difficulty as the UK and show similar levels This year Canada had 33,087 students from 141 schools, of reading comprehension (APC). This represents an which was a reduction in both schools (93%) and improvement over last year. students (82%) from the year before (40,397 students in 152 schools) (Table 96). Again, the figures that follow The Year 3-5 group in Australia/New Zealand in the top are based on all books rather than the top 20. 20 read ten books by Jeff Kinney and only one by Roald Dahl (Table 93). There were five books by Anh Do in this Years K-2 in Canada are completely unlike the UK, Eric list which do not appear in the UK, and two books by Carle (although he was top), Julia Donaldson and Roald Andy Griffiths. Average ATOS was 3.6 (cf. the UK at 3.4), Dahl being the only points of similarity (one book each) while Average APC was 0.80 (cf. the UK at 0.78). Thus, (Table 97). Aaron Blabey was the most popular author in this year grouping, pupils in Australia/New Zealand with seven books. Dr Seuss had three books and Nick were reading at a slightly higher level of difficulty than Bland had two. Average ATOS was 1.7 (cf. the UK 2.3), the UK, while also having a slightly higher level of but the Average APC was 0.85 (cf. the UK 0.81). Thus, comprehension quality. Canadian K-2 pupils were reading easier books than UK students, but managing a higher level of comprehension on these easier books. 50 | Part B Section 10: AR in Countries Other Than the UK and USA | What Kids Are Reading

For the Years 3-5 age group in Canada, the top 20 list is B: In Countries Where English Is Not the dominated by Jeff Kinney with ten books, including the First Language top book. Ahn Do has five books. Andy Griffiths has two For countries where English is not the first language, books. Dav Pilkey has dwindled to one book after having pupils are reading books in English in order to develop six in last year’s list (Table 98). Average ATOS was 3.4 their English reading skills as a second or additional (cf. the UK 3.4) and Average APC was 0.82 (while the language. This clearly is not the same as for children in UK’s was 0.78). Thus, Canadian pupils were reading countries where English is spoken as the first language books of equivalent difficulty to pupils in the UK, while (like Australia and Canada), so it is much more difficult showing better comprehension quality on them. to make sensible comparisons. Particularly in China and Korea, the reading is often done in connection Table 99 for Years 6-8 is again dominated by Jeff Kinney with private tutoring or “cramming” establishments (who had 13 books, three more than last year). R. J. Palacio’s which operate after school and/or at the weekend, so Wonder is the top book. J. K. Rowling had three books in the comparisons are even more complicated. In these other list, one more than last year. Average ATOS was 4.4 (cf. the countries, numbers of pupil are quite low at the moment, UK 4.3) and Average APC was 0.83 (cf. the UK 0.75). Thus, so all year/grade groups have been combined. In the Canadian pupils were reading books of equivalent difficulty future we are more likely to be able to disentangle the to pupils in the UK, but they were showing high rates of Years/Grades. For comparison purposes, in the UK data reading comprehension on these books. was available on 1,146,353 pupils in 5,604 schools with In Canada for Years 9-12, J. K. Rowling has six books, an average ATOS of 3.6 and an average APC of 0.75. one more than last year (see Table 100). Suzanne Collins China had the top book and one other in the list. Jeff Kinney had four books. Names unfamiliar to the UK are Tristan In China data were available on 4859 pupils, a Bancks, Andy Mulligan, John Marsden and Lois Lowry. considerable increase on last year. The average Average ATOS was 5.1 (cf. the UK 3.9) and average ATOS was 4.9, a large increase on last year, and now APC was .84 (the UK was again lower at .72). Thus, much higher than the UK, but the average APC was despite the UK’s equivalence in the lower years and even 0.72 (lower than the UK) (Table 101 in the Appendix). superiority in K-2, at Years 9-12 Canadian pupils were Thus, ESL pupils in China read harder books than UK again reading much harder books at a markedly higher school pupils but did not understand them as well, level of comprehension accuracy. This represented an as one might expect. ESL pupils in China read much improvement even over the previous year. the same books as pupils in the UK, but with different priorities among them. Among the high readability books, Summary J. K. Rowling has five books in the list, including the top In K-2, Canadian pupils read easier books than UK two books. Roald Dahl has eight books and Jeff Kinney pupils but understood them better. In Years 3-5 and three. Kinney does not dominate to the same extent and 6-8, Canadian pupils read books equivalent in difficulty David Walliams is nowhere to be found. One wonders to UK pupils but tended to understand then better. about the cultural appropriateness of these books. In Years 9-12, Canadian pupils were reading harder Egypt books than pupils in the UK yet at higher levels of comprehension quality. This perhaps suggests that while In Egypt data were available on 4,199 pupils (Table 102), in later secondary in the UK only weaker readers are slightly fewer than last year. The average ATOS was still engaged with AR, in Canada pupils with all levels of again 3.9 (higher than the UK’s 3.6), and the average reading ability are still engaged with AR. APC was 0.75 (a considerable improvement and now similar to the UK). Egypt showed much more variation in difficulty than the UK, from three easy Roderick Hunt books (a reduction from last year) through to the difficultHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. Roald Dahl had three books (including the top book) and Jeff Kinney two. Part B Section 10: AR in Countries Other Than the UK and USA | What Kids Are Reading | 51

Hong Kong Northern Mariana Islands In Hong Kong data were available on 1,593 pupils, The Northern Mariana Islands are 14 islands in the north- a reduction to 88% (Table 103). The average ATOS was west Pacific Ocean near to Guam. The total population again 5.3 (much higher than the UK) and the average is about 53,000. In the Northern Mariana Islands data APC was 0.81 (increased and higher than the UK). were available on 4756 pupils (about 1% more than last Hong Kong has some similarity to the UK, with a number year). This is an extraordinarily high proportion of the of difficult books, four of which are by J. K. Rowling school population (Table 107). The average ATOS was and of high readability. Jeff Kinney has five books (an 4.2 (similar to last year and higher than the UK) and the increase), Roald Dahl has two books and Lois Lowry two. average APC was 0.74 (about the same as the UK). Hong Kong’s high performance is probably due to having The Northern Mariana Islands show an interestingly more very hard books than some other countries. different pattern of choice. There are nine books by Jeff Kinney (one more than last year), much as in the UK. Iraq Beyond this, however, choices are very varied and show In Iraq data were available on 5,247 pupils, 25% higher little connection to what is popular in the UK. The Kinney than last year (Table 104). The average ATOS was 2.3 books seem to be the hardest in this list, which suggests (considerably reduced from last year and lower than it is lacking in even harder books. the UK) and the average APC was 0.69 (increased somewhat, but still much lower than the UK). Books Qatar chosen in Iraq were most unusual, and characterised In Qatar data were available on 3,108 pupils, 23% more by all being by different authors (apart from four by than last year (Table 108). The average ATOS was 4.8 Susan Hill) and mostly being easy. Not a single one (substantially increased and now much higher than the appears in the regular lists for UK pupils. The highest UK) but the average APC was 0.76 (slightly reduced to ATOS was 3.6 for The Art Lesson by Tomie De Paola. a similar level with the UK). Qatar pupils choose books largely in line with UK pupil choices. Jeff Kinney has Malaysia eleven books (considerably increased from last year) and In Malaysia data were available on 2,777 pupils, an Roald Dahl three. David Walliams has disappeared again. increase of 28% (Table 105). The average ATOS was 5.6 (much higher than last year and much higher than Spain the UK) and the average APC was 0.78 (somewhat In Spain data were available on 3,324 pupils (4% more higher than the UK). Pupils in Malaysia choose books than last year) (Table 109). The average ATOS was 3.5 very similar to the UK. Kinney had 11 books (as last (similar to the UK) and the average APC was 0.79 (higher year) J. K. Rowling had five hard books (more than last than the UK). Both figures were much as last year. year) and Dahl had two (as last year). Walliams made an Pupils in Spain preferred a large number of easy books by appearance with one book. There are no very easy books Roderick Hunt (twelve of his books were selected, as last in this list. year). Jeff Kinney had two books (a reduction) and David Walliams two. Again, J. K. Rowling provided the only real Mexico difficulty, with two books, one of which was top of the list. In Mexico data were available on 2,706 pupils (only 89% of the previous year) (Table 106). The average ATOS was United Arab Emirates 2.7 (considerably reduced from last year and much lower In the UAE data were available on 24,589 pupils (23% than the UK) and the average APC was 0.72 (nonetheless more than last year) (Table 110). The average ATOS was somewhat lower than the UK). Pupils in Mexico choose 5.4 (a considerable increase from last year and much four Jeff Kinney books (many less than the nine last higher than the UK) but the average APC was 0.74 (much year), but also choose four very easy books by Tedd the same as the UK). Pupils in the UAE showed a similar Arnold (as compared to eight last year), who does not pattern of choice to pupils in the UK. Jeff Kinney had appear in the UK (although he looks like Mexico’s answer 13 books (as last year). Roald Dahl had two books, but to Roderick Hunt). Hans Wilhelm had five books. The top again, J. K. Rowling provided the only real difficulty, with book was by Celia C. Perez. three books (up from one last year). 52 | Part B Section 10: AR in Countries Other Than the UK and USA | What Kids Are Reading

Summary Nonetheless, especially given the overall picture of There are relatively small numbers of pupils yielding data increased student numbers, the figures are generally in some of these countries, and of course we cannot be highly satisfactory. sure that the pupils are in any way comparable, either In some but not all countries, the pattern of book choice with groups in other countries or with the UK. It may also was similar to the UK, with Kinney, Rowling, Hunt and be that small pupil numbers suggest pupils come from Dahl popular. Hong Kong and Malaysia had more hard a small number of school or tutorial centres, which may books than any other country and consequently did best not of course be typical of schools in that country. in performance. Julia Donaldson and Francesca Simon This year a number of countries show a considerable were not at all popular in these “other” countries, as they leap forward in book difficulty, which was generally were in the UK. Nonetheless, within these overall similar not accompanied by any fall in comprehension quality. choices there often lurked considerable variation from Malaysia did particularly well, and is now above Hong the UK. Kong in performance. China, Qatar and the UAE also showed big gains in book difficulty. Countries now above Then there were countries partly in line with the UK. the UK for reading comprehension included Malaysia, The Northern Mariana Islands were partly in line with Hong Kong and Spain. Countries lower than the UK for the UK but outside this showed very varied choices. APC included China, Iraq and Mexico. Iraq and Mexico Mexico chose many Kinney books, but also some very were also low on book difficulty. various choices. Spain chose very many easy Roderick Hunt books. Egypt also chose many easy Hunt books, but Thus, Malaysia and Hong Kong did well, while Iraq also some very hard books. Some countries were however and Mexico fared much less well. In between were a quite far removed from the UK. The most unusual was number of countries who showed a big improvement Iraq, where pupils chose a great variety of books which on one factor but not necessarily on the other. did not appear in the UK lists and which were all very easy. Overall Summary | What Kids Are Reading | 53

Overall Summary Older pupils in This year this report discusses reading choices, effects and attitudes over the whole year, but also during the first “ pandemic lockdown from April to July. Accelerated Reader secondary school use continues to grow and it is now used in about 100 countries worldwide and in 5,603 schools in the UK and were still reading the Republic of Ireland where over 38,000 reading practice quizzes are available. This is an increase of 5% over 2020. the difficulty of Despite the pandemic, this year well over one million pupils (1,146,353) (1% more than last year) read 19,662,147 books books as upper (17% less than last year). Thus, although more schools were involved than last year, the number of pupils involved was only slightly more, and they tended to read distinctly primary pupils fewer books. Slightly more males than females featured. Primary schools used AR slightly more than secondary schools. As last year, the largest number of quizzes per year was taken by Year 3 pupils and Year 4 was also high on this factor. In almost all Years there is a consistent pattern whereby the lowest APC scores were associated with the lowest During the lockdown period, AR was used in 4,902 schools, reading scores, the highest with the highest reading but there were only 25% of pupils compared to the whole scores, and the middle APC scores associated with the year, who read fewer books but longer books of greater middle reading scores. difficulty and with greater comprehension. Girls were now more active than boys. The lowest Engaged Reading Time scores were associated with the lowest reading scores, the highest with the The Regional summary table showed that largest highest reading scores, and the middle ERT scores number of AR using pupils was unsurprisingly in England. associated with the middle reading scores. More reading However, Northern Ireland had the highest proportion time in school led to higher reading attainment. The more of AR using pupils in relation to the size of the school time was allocated to reading, the greater was the number population (21%), followed by England (14%). This means of words read. that in Northern Ireland more than one in five pupils was using AR. There was an increasing tendency to read books which were below the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) Considering the relationship between AR and tested as pupils progressed into and through secondary school, reading performance, for those students assessed only coupled with a decline in the tendency to read books in the Autumn, AR pupils started above average, then above the ZPD. steadily increased to peak at the 54th percentile in Year 9 (i.e., above average). For the much smaller number Pupils steadily read more books each year in the first three of students who were assessed during lockdown, there was years, reaching a peak in Year 3 at a mean of 25.5 books a similar pattern, but the Percentile Ranks started higher (37 last year). After this the number of books read per year and increased from there, peaking at the 65th percentile steadily declined. As older pupils read longer and harder in Year 8. This suggests that the much lower number of books, this would be expected to a large extent. students assessed during lockdown tended to score higher than all pupils over the whole year. Average book difficulty (ATOS) rose as pupils got older in the primary school, but plateaued in the secondary school. Older pupils in secondary school were still reading the same difficulty of books as upper primary pupils (Figure 15). 54 | Overall Summary | What Kids Are Reading

Figure 15: Actual and Expected ATOS over Years

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Quality of comprehension (APC) rose in the primary Many children and young people found that having school, but plateaued and eventually declined in the more time to read enabled them to enjoy reading secondary school (see Figure 16). Average Percent more. Lockdown itself sometimes prompted a change Correct (APC) on quizzes taken was in every year lower in attitude. Another reason children might have turned than that recommended by the software manufacturers. to reading was to further their mental wellbeing. Three Pupils in primary schools consistently showed a much in five (59.3%) told us that reading makes them feel higher APC (79% to 82%) than pupils in secondary better during lockdown, and 32% said that reading schools (70% to 73%) – they were reading books with helped them when they felt sad because they could not greater comprehension, and these primary figures see their family and friends. Half the respondents said were better than those for last year. In the first year of that reading had offered a refuge in this difficult time, secondary school APC fell sharply. Remember this is providing a valuable source of calm, escapism despite secondary pupils reading books that were only and relaxation. as easy as those the primary school pupils were reading. Some children described a lack of access to books due The National Literacy Trust’s (NLT) Annual Literacy to school and public library closures, and this of course Survey began in 2010, tracking children’s reading denied them access to the benefits described above. enjoyment and attitudes. At the beginning of 2020, the There was evidence of more reading on screen, and NLT collected data from 58,000 pupils aged 9 to 18. reading of news articles, song lyrics and poems, but pupils with no access to screens were again deprived. In 2020 less than half (47.3%) of participating children and young people said that they enjoyed reading, Now considering “What Kids Are Reading”, from 2020 to continuing the decline from a peak of 59% in 2016. The the whole of 2021 there was little change in favourite NLT then surveyed 4,000 children and young people authors, except Julia Donaldson became much more in May and June 2020 during the first lockdown, and popular, and Kinney, Walliams and Dahl remained levels of reading enjoyment had improved, with 55.9% popular. J. K. Rowling re-appeared in the 2021 overall of children and young people saying that they enjoyed list, Jill Murphy was a new entrant, and Roderick Hunt reading either very much (24.2%) or quite a lot (31.7%) – declined in popularity. nearly a return to 2016 levels. However, more girls than boys said during lockdown that they enjoyed reading. Overall Summary | What Kids Are Reading | 55

Figure 16: Mean APC Over Years

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However, during lockdown, David Walliams and Julia especially as these authors figure very little in the Donaldson became even more popular. J. K. Rowling Favourite Books category. Then came Jacqueline made a very substantial re-appearance with 36 Wilson, Julia Donaldson and Francesca Simon, again mentions, while Roald Dahl sustained his popularity. well-known names. After that there was more variety: Suzanne Collins showed an increase in popularity. Dav Pilkey, Jim Smith, Sally Brash, Russell Hunter, However, Jeff Kinney declined in popularity and David Baddiel, Andy Griffiths, Sophie Anderson and Roderick Hunt almost disappeared altogether. Onjali Q. Raúf. However, in general these new books were no more difficult that older ones. The overall Primary table of Most Popular Authors is again headed by Jeff Kinney, but Julia Donaldson has Two other features are of note. Books by Walliams risen to second place, after which come Walliams, Hunt, and Kinney are read by very young children, when their Dahl, Simon, Kerr and Rosen as in 2020. However, in difficulty presents a real challenge. Unfortunately, they lockdown, Walliams emerges as the most popular, with continue to be read up until very advanced ages, when Donaldson again in second place, but Kinney relegated their difficulty is no longer at all appropriate. Secondly, to third place. Dahl sustains his position in fourth. there is little correlation between a book’s difficulty and the comprehension with which it is read. Hard books are The Secondary table of Most Popular Authors is again often read with high levels of comprehension at all ages. headed by Jeff Kinney, followed by David Walliams. J. K. Rowling advances to third. Beyond this the list is We then considered Books High-Achieving Kids Read much the same, with Dahl, Palacio, Boyne, Collins and Most Often – defining High-Achieving as books read Steinbeck appearing. In lockdown, however, Rowling is by pupils who scored at or above the 75th percentile top by some distance, followed by Kinney (with fewer on the Star Reading Test. These readers largely read mentions), Walliams (with more mentions), Collins the same books as older pupils with average reading (with more mentions) and new entrant McManus with ability – Kinney, J. K. Rowling, David Walliams and three mentions. Roald Dahl. However, high-achieving secondary children still read well below their actual age. New Entrants are books that had not been in our tables before – so that teachers can have an idea of what is coming up to inform their book ordering. The new books from Walliams and Kinney were top; rather depressing, 56 | Overall Summary | What Kids Are Reading

We then considered the Books Struggling Kids Read Most Often – defining Struggling as books read by pupils who scored at or below the 25th percentile on the Star In primary Years, Reading Test. In Years 5-7 these children were reading well above the difficulty level expected – almost at their “ chronological age. However, APC was very low, and children were many books were not read to the 85% criterion. Beyond this into Years 8 and 9, the books read were much less reading very difficult in relation to chronological age, but the APC was still low. So, accuracy of reading did not appear to be directly related to book difficulty. difficult books

In non-fiction book reading there waseven stronger evidence than in previous years of a football theme, with a high which may have been male-oriented, but almost no other books for other interests. Secondary non-fiction degree of success books were not read or understood as carefully as the fiction books.

After completing a quiz, pupils have the opportunity to In Northern Ireland, levels of difficulty were much lower. vote for favourite books. The favourite authors were However, by the time of secondary education these generally quite different from the regular book authors: differences seemed to have been levelled out. Thirdly, Rick Riordan, J. K. Rowling, Christopher Paolini, Erin Wales did badly compared to the other four regions, Hunter, Sarah Maas, Chris Colfer, Philip Pullman and although it had showed improvement this year. Its level Cressida Cowell. In primary Years, children were reading of difficulty stayed lower for longer, and its APC was very difficult books with a high degree of success – it often uncomfortably low as well, particularly at primary is wonderful what reading motivating books does for school level. Primary teachers in Wales were in need of children. There was a marked difference in Year 7 – the in-service training to encourage them to encourage their difficulty of favoured books was at chronological age, children to be more proactive. and in ensuing years the difficulty of books declined sharply. This is the same picture as last year. It seems myON is a student-centred, personalised literacy that transfer to secondary school has a striking effect platform that offers unlimited access to thousands of even on highly motivated readers. Jeff Kinney and David enhanced digital books, many of which have also been Walliams are not present in either list. During lockdown, quizzed for Accelerated Reader. At the moment students Years 1-3 showed levels of book difficulty well above can access over 6,000 digital books, with audio support those for the whole year, together with high levels of and other literacy tools, and the number of books is quality of reading comprehension. For the remainder growing every week. myON is available 24/7 online and of primary school and into secondary school, the offline, and so can support reading at home as well as lockdown figures were similar to those for the whole school, or any other place the pupil happens to be. The year, and quality of reading comprehension also tended top myON titles are quite different from those in the to be similar. regular book lists, and those in the Favourite lists. For the whole year, Shelley Swanson Sateren had the top book Analysis of Regional Variation in Reading Habits leads and two others. Jake Maddox was the most frequent to three main conclusions. Firstly, the striking slump author with seven books. Michael Dahl had three books. in difficulty at transfer to secondary school was very The authors for the lockdown period were similar, but marked in all regions, including the Republic of Ireland. more focused on these three authors. For the whole year, Secondly, there were again striking differences in reading average book difficulty was 3.5 (cf. the average for all teaching at primary level between Northern Ireland and regular books – 3.6). For the lockdown period, average the Republic of Ireland. In the Republic there was much difficulty was also 3.5, but the average for regular books emphasis on reading hard books in lower primary, which during the lockdown period was 4.1, so myON reading was managed with high levels of comprehension. during lockdown was easier than for regular books. Overall Summary | What Kids Are Reading | 57

From 2019 to 2020 myON reading increased by 105 times In Years 3-5 and 6-8, Canadian pupils read books equivalent (reflecting increased availability of devices and increased in difficulty to UK pupils but tended to understand then number of books). During lockdown, the number of myON better. In Years 9-12, Canadian pupils were reading hours increased compared to the whole year. myON was harder books than pupils in the UK yet at higher levels of used out of school time 44% and in school time by 56%. comprehension quality. This possibly suggests that while Thus, almost half the reading was done out of school. in later secondary in the UK only weaker readers are still However, most myON reading was done Monday through engaged with AR, in Canada pupils with all levels of reading Thursday, with a decline on Friday and quite low levels ability are still engaged with AR. on Saturday and Sunday. This seems to suggest that many students regard weekends as times when they Then we looked at ten countries where English was not engage in other pursuits than reading. the first language but a Second or Other Language, and AR was being used by pupils learning English and practising In considering countries other than the UK and Ireland by reading books in English. There were relatively small (and of course the USA), we looked first at countries where numbers of pupils yielding data in some of these countries, English is the first language (Australia/New Zealand and and of course we cannot be sure that the pupils are in any Canada). Compared to last year, Australia/New Zealand way comparable to the UK. had 21% more children in about 34% more schools. Chosen authors were in some cases similar to the UK This year a number of countries show a considerable (except for Roderick Hunt and David Walliams), but leap forward in book difficulty, which was generally not (especially in primary) other authors such as Aaron Blabey, accompanied by any fall in comprehension quality. Nick Bland, Anh Do and Andy Griffiths featured quite heavily. Malaysia did particularly well, and is now above Hong Kong Overall, Australia/New Zealand had very similar difficulty in performance. China, Qatar and the UAE also showed big level of books (ATOS) and quality of reading comprehension gains in book difficulty. Iraq and Mexico fared much less (APC) to the UK, except for a minor dip of reading well. In between were a number of countries who showed comprehension in the 9-12-year group. a big improvement on one factor but not necessarily on the other. In some but not all countries, the pattern of book In Canada, Years K-2 were again completely unlike the UK, choice was similar to the UK, with Kinney, Rowling, Hunt with Aaron Blabey, Nick Bland and Dr Seuss featuring. and Dahl popular. Then there were countries partly in line For Years 3-5 Jeff Kinney dominated, but Ahn Do was also with the UK (e.g., Northern Mariana Island, Mexico, Spain, popular. Kinney also dominated Years 6-8, with Rowling also Egypt). Some countries were however quite far removed popular. In Years 9-12, the picture was similar with Rowling from the UK, e.g., Iraq, where pupils chose a great variety even stronger. In K-2, Canadian pupils read easier books of books which did not appear in the UK lists and which than UK pupils but understood them better. were all very easy.

This year“ a number of countries show a considerable leap forward in book difficulty

58 | Recommendations | What Kids Are Reading

Recommendations Lockdown

1. As 25% of pupils managed to carry on using AR 8. During lockdown some high readability authors during lockdown, schools should explore ways in became more popular, together with other books which more pupils could carry on in this way. more likely to be read for relaxation. Schools should help students be clear about their purposes 2. Pupils who carry on reading during lockdown tend for reading, and encourage them to entertain a to read longer books of greater difficulty with variety of purposes. greater comprehension, but schools need to work at managing book choices so that this continues 9. Favourite Authors were of much higher readability when more pupils are using AR during lockdown. than regular books during lockdown (as during the whole year), and school should promote the 3. Girls have tended to do better during lockdown, Favourite Authors list as a suggestion of what other and girls have also tended to have more positive pupils find most interesting, especially in upper attitudes to reading during lockdown, so schools primary and secondary. should be aware of this and seek to energise boys in particular. 10. The myON electronic reader offers 6,000 books which can be read anywhere, with more added 4. During lockdown attitudes to reading improved every month. We see that almost half of reading because pupils said they had more time. Schools with myON is outside school and more reading was should seriously consider allocating more time done with myON during lockdown. myON offers a to reading in school and out of school during valuable resource for use during lockdown. lockdown. 11. Schools might encourage pupils to use myON 5. Pupils feel reading improves their mental well- at all times of the week, rather than just during being, providing a valuable source of calm, weekdays. escapism and relaxation. Schools should tell pupils that this may be so, and encourage any pupils at 12. myON reading was mainly done at the same risk to try reading. level of difficulty during lockdown, but with so many books of so many levels of difficulty readily 6. There was evidence of more reading on screen, and available, schools should encourage pupils to try reading of news articles, song lyrics and poems. more difficult books. Schools should have a clear policy on this which is communicated to pupils. 7. Some children lack access to books and to screens due to disadvantage and school and public library closures, and schools should seek to ameliorate this problem by allowing books to go home, arranging drop-off and collection of books, and providing screens (e.g., the myON reader is a very inexpensive device for this purpose). Recommendations | What Kids Are Reading | 59

Whole Year

1. Northern Ireland had the highest proportion of AR 7. High-achieving secondary children still read well using pupils in relation to the size of the school below their actual age, and this should be made population (at least one in five pupils). Schools clear to them, with encouragement to attack more should consider what in Northern Ireland is difficult books. creating this high level of take-up and see if they can replicate it locally. 8. Struggling Children tend to read quite difficult books (for them) in primary but with poor reading 2. We see that AR use is associated with higher comprehension. They might be better off reading tested reading performance. Schools should make easier books more carefully, and this should be clear to pupils that more reading practice at an explained to them. However, accuracy of reading appropriate level of difficulty improves their reading was not directly related to book difficulty, so performance, which consequent effects on later counselling for improved reading comprehension life. should take account of this. 3. Higher quality of reading comprehension (APC) 9. Non-fiction book reading in secondary was even was associated with higher tested reading more dominated by football books, and even performance. Schools should repeatedly make allowing for women’s football having become more clear to pupils that care in comprehension when popular in recent years, this seems likely to be reading pays dividends not just in AR but also in evidence of male domination. This question could life. be explored in discussion with pupils. 4. More Engaged Reading Time is associated with 10. Secondary non-fiction books were not read or higher tested reading performance. Schools should understood as carefully as the fiction books, so consider making more time available in school schools should make clear (especially to boys) for reading, but also encourage reading outside of that if they think they are reading non-fiction books school by loaning out books and using electronic carefully, they are wrong. devices such as myON. 11. Voting for Favourite Books led to choices quite 5. Book difficulty plateaued in the secondary school different from the regular book authors, including (while improving in the primary school). Secondary Rick Riordan, J K Rowling, Christopher Paolini, Erin schools need to continue to make efforts to Hunter, Sarah Maas, Chris Colfer, Philip Pullman and encourage pupils to read harder books. Secondary Cressida Cowell. Jeff Kinney and David Walliams pupils were reading books that were only as easy were not present. The lists of favourite books need as those the primary school pupils were reading, to be made available to children, who should be and this should be made clear to them (perhaps as encouraged to make their own recommendations a source of embarrassment). for favourite books to their classmates, giving reasons for their choices and indicating the 6. Regarding New Entrants, lesser-known authors readability level of the book such as Dav Pilkey, Jim Smith, Sally Brash, Russell Hunter, David Baddiel, Andy Griffiths, Sophie 12. In the primary years, children were reading very Anderson and Onjali Q. Raúf should be promoted difficult favourite books with a high degree of by schools. However, in general these new books success. There was a marked difference in the first were no more difficult that older ones. secondary year, where the difficulty of favoured books was at chronological age, and in ensuing years the difficulty declined sharply. Secondary schools need to encourage choice of more difficult books. 60 | Recommendations | What Kids Are Reading

13. Analysis of Regional Variation in Reading Habits 16. In Canada, in Years 9-12, Canadian pupils were showed that the striking slump in difficulty at reading harder books than pupils in the UK yet at transfer to secondary school was very marked in higher levels of comprehension quality. Schools all regions. This needs addressing by schools in all might seek to replicate this effect in other regions. countries. 14. The differences between Northern Ireland and the 17. Looking at countries where English was not the Republic of Ireland are striking, but it is not clear first language, a number of countries showed a if improving either weak sector would lead to an considerable leap forward in book difficulty, which overall improvement in performance. This could be was generally not accompanied by any fall in experimented with by curious schools. comprehension quality. If this is possible in some countries, it might be possible in the countries with 15. Wales did badly compared to the other four lower performance, or low performance in one regions, although it showed improvement this factor but not the other. year. More information and in-service training for schools in Wales seems to be needed. About the Report and Data | What Kids Are Reading | 61

subsequent reading instruction, guide individual pupils About the Report and Data and motivate children to continue reading. AR is thus an accurate and efficient continuous progress-monitoring How it Works system that monitors both quantity and quality of Traditional methods to account for and manage book individual book-reading. reading (reading logs, journals, parent reports of their The book difficulty level is determined by the ATOS child’s reading, oral and written book reports) take much formula. This is marked on the book, so pupils can make teacher time to moderate and are not reliable as they are sure that they are choosing books that are not too easy essentially subjective. or too hard – challenging without causing frustration. Accelerated Reader (AR) is currently used in thousands ATOS uses four factors to determine readability: average of UK schools. It was designed to make the job of sentence length, average word length, word difficulty level managing book reading easier and more reliable whilst and the total number of words in the book. The entire also motivating pupils to read more books for pleasure. book is scanned and the formula applied to the whole Pupils read books of their individual choice and then take book – not a small sample of text as with other formulae. AR computer quizzes to check if they have understood ATOS can be applied to all publications. In order to relate what they have read. In the UK over 38,000 quizzes are the ATOS levels to the British system, ‘1’ would have to be currently available and approximately 2,500 are developed added to bring the difficulty level up to English, Welsh and and added each year. There are quizzes on most of the Northern Irish Years and ‘2’ added to bring it up to Scottish books children are likely to want to read, both fiction P years. The interpretation takes this into account. and non-fiction, from the most popular books such as the Harry Potter series to classics such as Pride and To illustrate this point, ATOS was applied to about 30 Prejudice. In addition to the reading practice quizzes, text samples from some common UK publications. there are vocabulary practice quizzes that test a child’s Interestingly these common periodicals were not as understanding of particular words, and also literacy skills different in terms of their average readability as might quizzes that analyse 24 different areas of higher order have been expected, but the range of readability of items thinking skills. within each one was considerable. An exception was Hello magazine, which had many text samples within AR keeps track of all aspects of pupil book reading – for a narrow range of readability, as if its policy was to example, titles of the books, book readability levels and constrain readability deliberately. The Economist had quiz scores. AR gives immediate feedback on each quiz consistently high readability text. The differences in size to the children and to teachers, administrators and of text sample were also interesting – the Sun had some parents. It also does this for all quizzes combined. shorter but also some longer pieces while Hello texts were This formative feedback helps teachers shape even more varied.

Publication Reading Age Range Based on Word Count

The Economist 13.6 12.0 – 15.2 500 – 2,000 words The Times 12.7 11.0 – 15.1 500 – 800 words The Daily Mail 12.0 9.1 – 14.2 450 – 700 words The Sun 11.5 9.7 – 13.3 350 – 1,000 words Hello Magazine 11.4 9.5 – 13.3 250 – 2,000 words 62 | About the Report and Data | What Kids Are Reading

More About Accelerated Reader More About Accelerated Reader Accelerated Reader (AR) is a personalised practice and Renaissance Learning’s online book-searching tool, AR daily progress-monitoring system that helps teachers BookFinder (www.arbookfind.co.uk), which is publicly accurately and efficiently monitor pupil progress in quality available to all who have a love of reading, makes book (comprehension), quantity and difficulty of books read. selection easy for pupils (as well as teachers, parents and Introduced in 1986, Accelerated Reader has become one librarians) by providing descriptions about each book for of the most popular educational software programs in the which an AR quiz is available as well as having specialised world. While AR has become increasingly sophisticated search tools so pupils can, for example, identify award- over the years, its basic three-step approach has not winning books or match particular interests in other areas. changed: First, a pupil reads a book either at school or at home. Next, the pupil takes a computerised quiz of 5, AR Book Guide can be used by teachers to create 10, or 20 questions depending on the length of the book. recommended reading lists. This allows pupil choice, Then, the pupil and teacher receive immediate feedback but with guided assistance from the teacher via specially with reports detailing books read, number of words read, assigned keycodes, to enable pupils to access a set list book reading level and level of comprehension (percent of books from within AR BookFinder. correct on the quiz). Currently there are almost 41,000 AR reading practice, literacy skills and vocabulary practice quizzes available, so pupils can read and take a quiz for the majority of the popular books available in their school or public libraries. AR also includes quizzes to assess vocabulary and literacy skills along with voice quizzes for struggling or emergent readers.

Accelerated Reader Bookfinder

While it is true that Accelerated Reader helps teachers

Literacy Skills Quiz by efficiently managing all the details of pupil reading practice, for pupils it fosters the vital connection between pupils and books: that love of reading that it is so critical to pupils’ development. Research-based AR Best Practices recommend not only that pupils read books at appropriate levels of challenge and interest but also be given choice in what they read. It is likely that pupils will frequently be assigned books to read as part of the core curriculum at their school but it should be just as likely that pupils are able to choose to read books about topics, characters, locations and so forth that are of interest to them. Once pupils learn to read, having choice over what they read is motivational, not to mention essential, so that they learn to love to read. Reading Practice Quiz About the Report and Data | What Kids Are Reading | 63

Accelerated Reader Best Practices The ATOS Book Readability Level AR is used by thousands of teachers in the UK because Accelerated Reader uses the ATOS readability formula it saves time, motivates pupils to read and is more to measure the text difficulty of each book for which a reliable and accurate than traditional methods of tracking quiz is available. The ATOS readability level helps pupils, pupil book reading. AR Best Practices are research- teachers and parents with the book selection process. based recommendations that educators learn through Using ATOS, pupils can find books to read within their Renaissance Learning professional development services reading achievement range – books that are neither too to ensure that teachers make the most of the wealth of easy nor too hard that will challenge them without causing data AR provides. This may require changes in teacher, frustration or loss of motivation. ATOS uses four factors classroom and even school practices. More time for in- to measure a book’s readability level: average sentence school reading, establishing individualised target setting length, average word length in number of letters, word and careful monitoring of pupil reading comprehension difficulty level and total number of words in the book. are often required. Renaissance Learning recommends To calculate a book’s ATOS score, the entire book is 30 minutes of daily independent reading practice for scanned into a computer. The readability level is based primary schools and 20 minutes of daily independent on the full book rather than a 100-word sample sometimes reading practice for secondary schools. used to measure readability by makers of other formulas.

Renaissance Learning strongly recommends AR Best Practices to ensure fidelity of implementation so that pupils benefit from reading practice to the greatest extent possible. Extensive research has shown it is not just the quantity of reading or time spent reading that helps pupils read well and become well read. It is also the quality or how carefully – with what level of comprehension – they read. The more carefully pupils read the more they comprehend and the more their reading practice leads to improved reading achievement.

The research base for AR is large and diverse and has been positively reviewed by groups such as the Florida Center for Reading Research and the California Learning Resource Network. To date, more than 150 research studies and independent reviews have been published Home Connect™ is one of the features of Accelerated Reader that allows parents and guardians to monitor what their children are on AR, including an independent report by the Specialist reading and quizzing in school. Schools and Academies Trust in the UK and over 70 UK school case studies, with at least 20 articles appearing in peer-reviewed journals. 64 | About the Authors | What Kids Are Reading

About the Authors

Keith Topping Keith Topping is Professor of Educational and Social Research at Dundee University, and researches all over the world. He has 400 published works (books, chapters, peer reviewed journal papers and distance learning packages), with translations into 14 languages. Prior to entering Higher Education, he worked for a number of Local Education Authorities and for Social Services and Health. Keith’s own main research focus is Peer Learning (including peer tutoring, cooperative learning and peer assessment) in core skills and across subject boundaries, in all sectors and contexts of education/lifelong learning. He also has interests in computer aided assessment.

Further details at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_James_Topping

Dr Christina Clark Head of Research National Literacy Trust

Irene Picton Research Manager National Literacy Trust

Further details at https://literacytrust.org.uk/about-us/staff/ Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 65

Appendices Part This Appendix contains all of the data tables and C charts referred to in the main body of the report. 66 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 1: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often: Overall Summary...... 68 Table 2: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often During First Lockdown: Overall Summary...... 69 Table 3: Pupils Quizzing by Year and Region...... 70 Table 4: Student Numbers, Mean Scaled Score and Percentile Rank by Year, Autumn Assessed Students...... 71 Table 5: Student Numbers, Mean Scaled Score and Percentile Rank by Year, Autumn and Spring Assessed Students...... 72 Table 6: Quizzes Taken and Passed, APC and ERT for All Students of All Quartiles...... 73 Table 7: Cumulative Words Read and ERT...... 75 Table 8: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year .1...... 76 Table 9: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 1 During First Lockdown...... 77 Table 10: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 2...... 78 Table 11: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 2 During First Lockdown...... 79 Table 12: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 3...... 80 Table 13: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 3 During First Lockdown...... 81 Table 14: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 4...... 82 Table 15: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 4 During First Lockdown...... 83 Table 16: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 5...... 84 Table 17: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 5 During First Lockdown...... 85 Table 18: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 6...... 86 Table 19: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 6 During First Lockdown...... 87 Table 20: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 7...... 88 Table 21: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 7 During First Lockdown...... 89 Table 22: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 8...... 90 Table 23: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 8 During First Lockdown...... 91 Table 24: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Years 9-11...... 92 Table 25: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 9-11 During First Lockdown...... 93 Table 26: Most Popular Authors Overall: 2020, 2021 and 2021 Lockdown ...... 94 Table 27: Most Popular Authors Primary: 2021 ...... 95 Table 28: Most Popular Authors Secondary: 2021 ...... 95 Table 29: Highest New Entrants: Year 1 ...... 96 Table 30: Highest New Entrants: Year 2 ...... 97 Table 31: Highest New Entrants: Year 3 ...... 98 Table 32: Highest New Entrants: Year 4 ...... 99 Table 33: Highest New Entrants: Year 5 ...... 100 Table 34: Highest New Entrants: Year 6 ...... 101 Table 35: Highest New Entrants: Year 7 ...... 102 Table 36: Highest New Entrants: Year 8 ...... 103 Table 37: Highest New Entrants: Years 9-11 ...... 104 Table 38: Overall Most Popular New Entrants 2020 and 2021 ...... 105 Table 39: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 3 ...... 106 Table 40: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 4 ...... 107 Table 41: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 5 ...... 108 Table 42: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 6...... 109 Table 43: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 7 ...... 110 Table 44: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 8...... 111 Table 45: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 9...... 112 Table 46: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 5...... 113 Table 47: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 6...... 114 Table 48: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 7...... 115 Table 49: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 8...... 116 Table 50: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 9...... 117 Table 51: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year .3 ...... 118 Table 52: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year .4 ...... 119 Table 53: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year .5 ...... 120 Table 54: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year .6 ...... 121 Table 55: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year .7 ...... 122 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 67

Table 56: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year 8...... 123 Table 57: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year 9...... 124 Table 58: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 1 ...... 125 Table 59: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 1 ...... 126 Table 60: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 2 ...... 127 Table 61: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 2 ...... 128 Table 62: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 3 ...... 129 Table 63: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 3 ...... 130 Table 64: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 4 ...... 131 Table 65: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 4 ...... 132 Table 66: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 5 ...... 133 Table 67: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 5 ...... 134 Table 68: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 6 ...... 135 Table 69: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 6 ...... 136 Table 70: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 7 ...... 137 Table 71: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 7 ...... 138 Table 72: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 8 ...... 139 Table 73: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 8 ...... 140 Table 74: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 9-11 ...... 141 Table 75: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Years 9-11 ...... 142 Table 76: Favourite Books within Primary Schools ...... 143 Table 77: Favourite Books within Primary Schools During First Lockdown ...... 144 Table 78: Favourite Books within Secondary Schools ...... 145 Table 78: Favourite Books within Secondary Schools ...... 146 Table 80: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 1 ...... 147 Table 81: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 2 ...... 148 Table 82: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 3 ...... 149 Table 83: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 4 ...... 151 Table 84: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 5 ...... 153 Table 85: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 6 ...... 155 Table 86: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 7 ...... 157 Table 87: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 8 ...... 159 Table 88: Variation in Reading by Region: Years 9-11 ...... 161 Table 89: Top 20 books read with myON ...... 163 Table 90: Top 20 books read with myON During First Lockdown ...... 164 Table 91: Summary Data for Australia and New Zealand Years 1-12 ...... 165 Table 92: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Australia and New Zealand: Years K-2 ...... 166 Table 93: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Australia and New Zealand: Years 3-5 ...... 167 Table 94: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Australia and New Zealand: Years 6-8 ...... 168 Table 95: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Australia and New Zealand: Years 9-12 ...... 169 Table 96: Summary Data for Canada Years 1-12 ...... 170 Table 97: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Canada: Years K-2 ...... 171 Table 98: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Canada: Year 3-5 ...... 172 Table 99: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Canada: Year 6-8 ...... 173 Table 100: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Canada: Years 9-12 ...... 174 Table 101: Most Popular Books in China ...... 175 Table 102: Most Popular Books in Egypt ...... 176 Table 103: Most Popular Books in Hong Kong ...... 177 Table 104: Most Popular Books in Iraq ...... 178 Table 105: Most Popular Books in Malaysia ...... 179 Table 106: Most Popular Books in Mexico ...... 180 Table 107: Most Popular Books in the Northern Mariana Islands...... 181 Table 108: Most Popular Books in Qatar...... 182 Table 109: Most Popular Books in Spain...... 183 Table 110: Most Popular Books in the United Arab Emirates...... 184 68 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 1: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often: Overall Summary

Year Pupils Total Quizzes Average Total Quizzes Average Average Total Words Read Average Average Percent Taken Quizzes Passed Quizzes Book Total Correct Taken Passed Level Words on Quizzes Taken (ATOS) Read

1 10,723 258,982 24.2 236,947 22.1 2.1 231,280,039 21,574 82%

2 50,840 1,458,255 28.7 1,275,335 25.1 2.5 2,139,644,680 42,088 79%

3 119,233 3,626,562 30.4 3,036,194 25.5 3 11,165,143,242 93,643 77%

4 134,962 3,540,413 26.2 3,011,694 22.3 3.4 22,044,385,949 163,338 78%

5 144,844 3,161,310 21.8 2,708,289 18.7 3.8 34,845,770,102 240,574 79%

6 141,267 2,438,864 17.3 2,105,317 14.9 4.2 41,383,605,143 292,954 79%

7 260,581 2,905,597 11.2 2,231,409 8.6 4.3 63,638,440,082 244,315 73%

8 201,499 1,718,730 8.5 1,294,374 6.4 4.5 42,566,335,716 211,321 72%

9 69,898 479,881 6.9 355,496 5.1 4.5 12,287,111,590 176,121 72%

10 9,304 52,619 5.7 40,162 4.3 4.4 1,273,321,139 138,479 72%

11 2,277 11,857 5.2 8,816 3.9 3.5 115,625,920 52,966 70%

12 454 3,867 8.5 3,005 6.6 3.5 43,087,464 94,906 70%

13 471 5,210 11.1 4,232 9 3.7 87,642,462 186,077 74%

Total 1,146,353 19,662,147 16,311,270 231,821,393,528 202,317

Schools 5,603 Average ATOS 3.6 Average APC 0.75 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 69

Table 2: Books Kids Are Reading Most Often During First Lockdown: Overall Summary

Year Pupils Total Quizzes Average Total Quizzes Average Average Total Words Read Average Average Percent Taken Quizzes Passed Quizzes Book Total Correct Taken Passed Level Words on Quizzes Taken (ATOS) Read

1 5,368 86,088 16 81,591 15.2 2.5 140,038,698 26,288 87%

2 17,084 246,536 14.4 231,281 13.5 3 992,965,450 58,450 86%

3 36,953 432,506 11.7 399,670 10.8 3.5 3,964,242,518 108,035 84%

4 41,720 386,996 9.3 357,656 8.6 3.9 6,207,416,038 150,075 84%

5 44,668 335,496 7.5 309,878 6.9 4.2 8,108,323,055 183,201 85%

6 41,621 247,029 5.9 227,586 5.5 4.4 7,562,530,320 183,183 84%

7 56,291 270,728 4.8 230,254 4.1 4.8 11,914,101,782 216,702 79%

8 35,640 140,619 3.9 118,358 3.3 4.9 6,987,424,915 201,355 79%

9 10,019 36,912 3.7 30,866 3.1 4.9 1,707,450,183 177,194 78%

10 1,319 6,315 4.8 5,425 4.1 4.7 207,050,921 173,119 80%

11 110 587 5.3 449 4.1 3.6 10,910,423 125,407 72%

12 58 319 5.5 253 4.4 4.4 8,141,590 169,616 69%

13 85 608 7.2 530 6.2 4.6 25,764,488 330,313 80%

Total 290,936 2,190,739 1,993,797 47,836,360,381 166,886

Schools 4,902 Average ATOS 4.1 Average APC 0.81 70 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 3: Pupils Quizzing by Year and Region

Year Total Pupils England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Republic of Ireland

1 10,294 9,578 47 544 125 810

2 48,428 44,972 723 2,265 468 1,824

3 114,244 103,182 4,709 5,195 1,158 3,449

4 129,460 109,233 11,840 6,887 1,500 4,323

5 139,398 115,499 14,624 7,673 1,602 4,747

6 136,070 112,063 14,469 7,885 1,653 4,394

7 257,377 228,908 11,545 9,006 7,918 4,275

8 199,810 182,156 6,301 5,136 6,217 3,392

9 69,275 60,582 4,101 1,620 2,972 1,583

10 9,162 7,059 1,673 375 55 426

11 2,185 2041 30 90 24 61

12 408 347 17 43 1 23

13 444 386 47 3 8 6

Total 1,116,555 976,006 70,126 46,722 23,701 29,313

%A 100 86 5.5 4.5 2 2

%B 14 21 6 6 3

Not all participants indicated their region %A = as proportion of total pupils using AR in all regions %B = as proportion of the school pupil population for that region Schoolchild population: England (2021) 7,170,000; Northern Ireland (2019-2020) 328,757; Scotland (2020) 792,300; Wales (2020) 391,656; Republic of Ireland (2019) 939,166. Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 71

Table 4: Student Numbers, Mean Scaled Score and Percentile Rank by Year, Autumn Assessed Students

Year Number of Students Mean Scaled Score - Autumn Mean Percentile Rank - Autumn

Year 1 3,407 120 55

Year 2 36,059 174 51

Year 3 103,769 259 51

Year 4 118,862 358 52

Year 5 128,953 453 52

Year 6 125,341 553 52

Year 7 236,621 628 53

Year 8 176,399 715 54

Year 9 59,399 758 54

Year 10 6,752 762 51

Year 11 1,404 623 35

Year 12 277 428 20 72 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 5: Student Numbers, Mean Scaled Score and Percentile Rank by Year, Autumn and Spring Assessed Students

Year Students Mean Scaled Score - Autumn Mean Percentile Rank - Autumn

1 387 124 54

2 1,752 198 57

3 4,719 287 57

4 6,083 390 58

5 7,134 497 59

6 7,645 601 59

7 16,788 717 63

8 12,058 824 65

9 4,244 867 64

10 372 860 60

11 13 638 37

12 4 247 4 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 73

Table 6: Quizzes Taken and Passed, APC and ERT for All Students of All Quartiles

Students with Fall Percentile Rank between 1 and 24

Year Students Quizzes Taken Quizzes Passed APC ERT

1 676 28 25 0.768218 8.819574309

2 8,592 27 21 0.720374 7.140280074

3 24,773 29 21 0.693111 7.204603957

4 25,766 27 20 0.70153 6.904631586

5 26,947 24 18 0.701197 6.944544227

6 26,362 19 15 0.705175 7.086419601

7 46,540 12 8 0.631056 4.154361816

8 32,361 9 5 0.618971 3.296757567

9 11,419 8 5 0.627118 2.980892161

10 1,676 7 5 0.650355 2.337117443

11 649 7 5 0.656507 1.720794015

12 193 11 8 0.652834 2.578479613

Students with Fall Percentile Rank between 25 and 49

Year Students Quizzes Taken Quizzes Passed APC ERT

1 767 33 30 0.805848 10.48691

2 8,218 31 27 0.780087 8.561907

3 21,624 32 26 0.747041 8.484307

4 25,246 27 22 0.75447 8.345109

5 29,011 22 18 0.763687 9.182959

6 27,765 17 14 0.767868 9.888614

7 49,926 10 7 0.681745 5.982968

8 37,593 8 5 0.67698 4.918933

9 12,775 6 4 0.678036 4.212844

10 1,269 4 3 0.675958 3.66142

11 272 3 2 0.689248 1.931191

12 39 7 6 0.730846 4.146032 74 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Students with Fall Percentile Rank between 50 and 74

Year Students Quizzes Taken Quizzes Passed APC ERT

1 794 37 34 0.834693 11.82252

2 8,749 34 30 0.813794 9.413679

3 26,627 33 28 0.783887 9.842232

4 32,444 27 23 0.796322 10.99016

5 36,096 21 18 0.807893 13.12821

6 34,844 16 14 0.815574 13.08005

7 69,663 10 7 0.737079 8.857325

8 50,338 7 6 0.732757 7.049568

9 17,000 6 4 0.729331 6.012831

10 1,752 4 3 0.728327 5.409466

11 249 3 2 0.704156 2.354493

12 31 3 2 0.696129 3.097985

Students with Fall Percentile Rank between 75 and 99

Year Students Quizzes Taken Quizzes Passed APC ERT

1 1,170 38 36 0.867993 13.27485

2 10,500 37 34 0.853451 12.81369

3 30,745 33 30 0.837886 15.7748

4 35,406 27 25 0.85071 19.36461

5 36,899 22 21 0.861902 22.00749

6 36,370 18 17 0.870608 21.67963

7 70,492 12 11 0.813994 15.95821

8 56,107 9 7 0.810607 11.61425

9 18,205 7 6 0.810991 9.14482

10 2,055 5 4 0.817882 8.155294

11 234 2 2 0.804258 3.226485

12 14 4 4 0.914785 4.115511 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 75

Table 7: Cumulative Words Read and ERT

Low ERT (<15 minutes) Average ERT (15-29 minutes) High ERT (30+ minutes)

Average Average Average Cumulative Cumulative Cumulative Year Students Words Students Words Students Words Words Words Words Read Read Read

2 28,150 20,332 20,332 4,739 98,723 98,723 1,379 467,492 467,492

3 78,685 38,870 59,202 13,505 186,270 284,993 5,595 814,504 1,281,996

4 86,700 61,272 120,474 16,310 291,399 576,392 9,330 1,071,333 2,353,329

5 88,471 85,767 206,241 18,986 387,691 964,083 12,882 1,268,599 3,621,928

6 83,199 111,102 317,343 18,374 473,387 1,437,470 12,732 1,439,515 5,061,443

7 166,484 105,600 422,943 19,719 591,480 2,028,950 13,861 1,723,518 6,784,961

8 128,253 112,176 535,119 12,177 675,010 2,703,960 6,479 1,746,593 8,531,554

9 43,480 108,526 643,645 3,444 702,833 3,406,793 1,381 1,674,364 10,205,918

10 4,586 99,362 743,007 331 737,237 4,144,030 110 1,726,968 11,932,886 76 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Books Kids Are Reading Most Often: 20 Most Read Titles for Boys and Girls in Years 1-11: Tables 8-25

Table 8: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 1

Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

The Gruffalo The Gruffalo The Gruffalo 1 2 3 2 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.3

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt The Gruffalo’s Child We’re Going on a Bear Hunt 2 5 31 4 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3

The Gruffalo’s Child We’re Going on a Bear Hunt The Gruffalo’s Child 3 34 12 58 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.5

Monkey Puzzle Monkey Puzzle The Magic Key 4 58 57 5 Julia Donaldson, 1.8 Julia Donaldson,1.8 Roderick Hunt, 1.3

Village in the Snow The Dragon Tree Village in the Snow 5 1 10 1 Roderick Hunt, 1.5 Roderick Hunt, 1.2 Roderick Hunt, 1.5

The Dragon Tree Village in the Snow Monkey Puzzle 6 8 1 48 Roderick Hunt, 1.2 Roderick Hunt, 1.5 Julia Donaldson, 1.8

The Secret Room Stick Man The Secret Room 7 9 132 9 Roderick Hunt, 1.1 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Roderick Hunt, 1.1

Pirate Adventure Pirate Adventure A Squash and a Squeeze 8 12 7 76 Roderick Hunt, 1.4 Roderick Hunt, 1.4 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

The Magic Key The Secret Room Room on the Broom 9 4 11 223 Roderick Hunt, 1.3 Roderick Hunt, 1.1 Julia Donaldson, 3.7

Room on the Broom Land of the Dinosaurs Castle Adventure 10 185 4 3 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Roderick Hunt, 2.0 Roderick Hunt, 1.5

Stick Man Castle Adventure Gran 11 124 2 6 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Roderick Hunt, 1.5 Roderick Hunt, 1.4

Castle Adventure Room on the Broom Peace at Last 12 3 220 11 Roderick Hunt, 1.5 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Jill Murphy, 1.9

A Monster Mistake The Magic Key The Play 13 24 5 15 Roderick Hunt, 1.6 Roderick Hunt, 1.3 Roderick Hunt, 1.0

Husky Adventure Husky Adventure A Monster Mistake 14 27 23 32 Roderick Hunt, 1.6 Roderick Hunt, 1.6 Roderick Hunt, 1.6

A Squash and a Squeeze A Monster Mistake Pirate Adventure 15 110 22 17 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Roderick Hunt, 1.6 Roderick Hunt, 1.4

Hungry Floppy Gran The New House 16 21 9 18 Roderick Hunt, 1.6 Roderick Hunt, 1.4 Roderick Hunt, 0.9

Peace at Last Kipper and the Giant The Dragon Tree 17 18 6 10 Jill Murphy, 1.9 Roderick Hunt, 2.0 Roderick Hunt, 1.2

Gran Zog Stick Man 18 7 271 114 Roderick Hunt, 1.4 Julia Donaldson, 3.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

Looking After Gran The Snake and the Drake The Storm 19 26 38 23 Roderick Hunt, 1.4 Julia Donaldson, 1.3 Roderick Hunt, 1.0

The Play Dragon Danger Hungry Floppy 20 17 49 25 Roderick Hunt, 1.0 Roderick Hunt, 1.0 Roderick Hunt, 1.6

Average ATOS 1.8 Average APC 0.92 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 77

Table 9: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 1 During First Lockdown

Book Title, Book Title, Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS Author, ATOS Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

The Gruffalo The Gruffalo The Gruffalo 1 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.3

The Gruffalo’s Child The Gruffalo’s Child Room on the Broom 2 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 3.7

Room on the Broom Stick Man The Gruffalo’s Child 3 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.5

The Snail and the Whale Room on the Broom A Squash and a Squeeze 4 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

Stick Man The Snail and the Whale The Snail and the Whale 5 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 4.0

A Squash and a Squeeze Zog Stick Man 6 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 3.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

The Smartest Giant in Town The Smartest Giant in Town The Tiger Who Came to Tea 7 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Judith Kerr, 3.2

Monkey Puzzle Monkey Puzzle The Smartest Giant in Town 8 Julia Donaldson, 1.8 Julia Donaldson, 1.8 Julia Donaldson, 3.4

Zog Superworm Monkey Puzzle 9 Julia Donaldson, 3.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.6 Julia Donaldson, 1.8

The Tiger Who Came to Tea A Squash and a Squeeze Zog 10 Judith Kerr, 3.2 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 3.3

Superworm The Highway Rat What the Ladybird Heard 11 Julia Donaldson, 2.6 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

What the Ladybird Heard Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book Superworm 12 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Julia Donaldson, 2.6

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book The Tiger Who Came to Tea We’re Going on a Bear Hunt 13 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Judith Kerr, 3.2 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3

The Highway Rat The Very Hungry Caterpillar Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book 14 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Eric Carle, 2.9 Julia Donaldson, 3.4

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Tiddler: The Story-telling Fish The Highway Rat 15 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.2 Julia Donaldson, 4.0

The Very Hungry Caterpillar What the Ladybird Heard Tiddler: The Story-telling Fish 16 Eric Carle, 2.9 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.2

Tiddler: The Story-telling Fish We’re Going on a Bear Hunt The Frog Prince 17 Julia Donaldson, 2.2 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3 Pippa Goodhart, 2.5

A Monster Mistake A Monster Mistake The Very Hungry Caterpillar 18 Roderick Hunt, 1.6 Roderick Hunt, 1.6 Eric Carle, 2.9

The Frog Prince Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth A Monster Mistake 19 Pippa Goodhart, 2.5 Jarvis, 3.1 Roderick Hunt, 1.6

Key Trouble Aliens Love Underpants Sugarlump and the Unicorn 20 Roderick Hunt, 2.3 Claire Freedman, 2.9 Julia Donaldson, 3.2

Average ATOS 2.8 Average APC 0.96 78 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 10: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 2

Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

The Gruffalo The Gruffalo The Gruffalo 1 1 1 1 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.3

The Gruffalo’s Child The Gruffalo’s Child The Gruffalo’s Child 2 2 2 3 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 2.5

A Squash and a Squeeze Stick Man A Squash and a Squeeze 3 5 11 6 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Red Planet The Tiger Who Came to Tea 4 7 6 5 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3 Roderick Hunt, 2.4 Judith Kerr, 3.2

Stick Man Room on the Broom We’re Going on a Bear Hunt 5 16 37 8 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3

Room on the Broom A Squash and a Squeeze Room on the Broom 6 17 19 11 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 3.7

The Tiger Who Came to Tea Monkey Puzzle Owl Babies 7 9 60 2 Judith Kerr, 3.2 Julia Donaldson, 1.8 Martin Waddell, 2.4

Owl Babies The Smartest Giant in Town Stick Man 8 3 10 18 Martin Waddell, 2.4 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

The Smartest Giant in Town We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Peace at Last 9 4 12 7 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3 Jill Murphy, 1.9

Monkey Puzzle Land of the Dinosaurs The Smartest Giant in Town 10 37 3 4 Julia Donaldson, 1.8 Roderick Hunt, 2.0 Julia Donaldson, 3.4

Peace at Last The Magic Finger Monkey Puzzle 11 6 18 48 Jill Murphy, 1.9 Roald Dahl, 3.1 Julia Donaldson, 1.8

The Magic Finger Robin Hood The Magic Finger 12 14 4 12 Roald Dahl, 3.1 Roderick Hunt, 2.2 Roald Dahl, 3.1

Robin Hood Owl Babies What the Ladybird Heard 13 8 5 37 Roderick Hunt, 2.2 Martin Waddell, 2.4 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

Red Planet Peace at Last The Very Hungry Caterpillar 14 13 13 14 Roderick Hunt, 2.4 Jill Murphy, 1.9 Eric Carle, 2.9

The Snail and the Whale The Tiger Who Came to Tea Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy 15 93 27 17 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Judith Kerr, 3.2 Lynley Dodd, 3.3

Land of the Dinosaurs Lost in the Jungle Robin Hood 16 12 9 9 Roderick Hunt, 2.0 Roderick Hunt, 2.3 Roderick Hunt, 2.2

Don’t Be Horrid, Henry! (Early Don’t Be Horrid, Henry! (Early Five Minutes’ Peace 17 10 Reader) 7 Reader) 16 Jill Murphy, 2.4 Francesca Simon, 2.3 Francesca Simon, 2.3

Lost in the Jungle The Outing The Snail and the Whale 18 11 14 96 Roderick Hunt, 2.3 Roderick Hunt, 2.0 Julia Donaldson, 4.0

What the Ladybird Heard Village in the Snow The Outing 19 72 16 19 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Roderick Hunt, 1.5 Roderick Hunt, 2.0

The Outing The Cat in the Hat Don’t Be Horrid, Henry! (Early Reader) 20 18 28 10 Roderick Hunt, 2.0 Dr. Seuss, 2.1 Francesca Simon, 2.3

Average ATOS 2.6 Average APC 0.91 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 79

Table 11: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 2 During First Lockdown

Book Title, Book Title, Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS Author, ATOS Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Room on the Broom The Gruffalo Room on the Broom 1 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Julia Donaldson, 3.7

The Gruffalo Room on the Broom The Gruffalo 2 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Julia Donaldson, 2.3

The Gruffalo’s Child The Gruffalo’s Child The Gruffalo’s Child 3 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 2.5

The Snail and the Whale The Snail and the Whale The Smartest Giant in Town 4 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 3.4

Stick Man Stick Man The Snail and the Whale 5 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 4.0

The Smartest Giant in Town The Smartest Giant in Town Stick Man 6 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

A Squash and a Squeeze A Squash and a Squeeze A Squash and a Squeeze 7 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

The Twits Zog The Tiger Who Came to Tea 8 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Julia Donaldson, 3.3 Judith Kerr, 3.2

Monkey Puzzle Superworm What the Ladybird Heard 9 Julia Donaldson, 1.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.6 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book Monkey Puzzle Monkey Puzzle 10 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Julia Donaldson, 1.8 Julia Donaldson, 1.8

Zog Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book The Twits 11 Julia Donaldson, 3.3 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Fantastic Mr Fox The Twits George’s Marvellous Medicine 12 Roald Dahl, 4.1 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Roald Dahl, 4.0

The Tiger Who Came to Tea Fantastic Mr Fox Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book 13 Judith Kerr, 3.2 Roald Dahl, 4.1 Julia Donaldson, 3.4

Superworm The Magic Finger Fantastic Mr Fox 14 Julia Donaldson, 2.6 Roald Dahl, 3.1 Roald Dahl, 4.1

What the Ladybird Heard The Highway Rat Zog 15 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 3.3

George’s Marvellous Medicine George’s Marvellous Medicine Superworm 16 Roald Dahl, 4.0 Roald Dahl, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 2.6

The Magic Finger The Tiger Who Came to Tea The Magic Finger 17 Roald Dahl, 3.1 Judith Kerr, 3.2 Roald Dahl, 3.1

The Highway Rat What the Ladybird Heard Tiddler: The Story-telling Fish 18 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.2

Tiddler: The Story-telling Fish Tiddler: The Story-telling Fish The Singing Mermaid 19 Julia Donaldson, 2.2 Julia Donaldson, 2.2 Julia Donaldson, 4.1

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Charlie and the Chocolate Factory We’re Going on a Bear Hunt 20 Roald Dahl, 4.8 Roald Dahl, 4.8 Michael J. Rosen, 1.3

Average ATOS 3.3 Average APC 0.94 80 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 12: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 3

Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

The Gruffalo The Gruffalo The Magic Finger 1 2 1 1 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Roald Dahl, 3.1

The Magic Finger The Magic Finger The Gruffalo 2 1 2 2 Roald Dahl, 3.1 Roald Dahl, 3.1 Julia Donaldson, 2.3

The Gruffalo’s Child The Gruffalo’s Child Room on the Broom 3 7 6 4 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 3.7

The Twits Fantastic Mr Fox The Gruffalo’s Child 4 4 5 9 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Roald Dahl, 4.1 Julia Donaldson, 2.5

Room on the Broom The Twits The Twits 5 5 4 5 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Fantastic Mr Fox George’s Marvellous Medicine George’s Marvellous Medicine 6 6 7 8 Roald Dahl, 4.1 Roald Dahl, 4.0 Roald Dahl, 4.0

Don’t Be Horrid, Henry! (Early George’s Marvellous Medicine Don’t Be Horrid, Henry! (Early Reader) 7 8 3 3 Reader) Roald Dahl, 4.0 Francesca Simon, 2.3 Francesca Simon, 2.3

Don’t Be Horrid, Henry! (Early Room on the Broom The Tiger Who Came to Tea 8 3 Reader) 8 6 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Judith Kerr, 3.2 Francesca Simon, 2.3

The Smartest Giant in Town Stick Man Fantastic Mr Fox 9 9 10 10 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Roald Dahl, 4.1

Stick Man The Smartest Giant in Town The Smartest Giant in Town 10 12 9 7 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Julia Donaldson, 3.4

A Squash and a Squeeze A Squash and a Squeeze Stick Man 11 13 14 15 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

The Tiger Who Came to Tea The Snail and the Whale A Squash and a Squeeze 12 10 31 11 Judith Kerr, 3.2 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Horrid Henry’s Holiday (Early Reader) 13 15 Dairy 11 12 Dairy Francesca Simon, 2.8 Lynley Dodd, 3.3 Lynley Dodd, 3.3

The Snail and the Whale Aliens Love Underpants Owl Babies 14 27 24 16 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Claire Freedman, 2.9 Martin Waddell, 2.4

Horrid Henry’s Holiday (Early The Tiger Who Came to Tea The Snail and the Whale 15 11 Reader) 26 24 Judith Kerr, 3.2 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Francesca Simon, 2.8

Owl Babies Zog The Cat in the Hat 16 18 43 18 Martin Waddell, 2.4 Julia Donaldson, 3.3 Dr. Seuss, 2.1

Horrid Henry’s Birthday Party (Early Esio Trot Esio Trot 17 19 12 Reader) 20 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Francesca Simon, 2.8

The Cat in the Hat Esio Trot Funnybones 18 17 27 17 Dr. Seuss, 2.1 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Janet Ahlberg, 3.6

Horrid Henry’s Birthday Party (Early Horrid Henry’s Holiday (Early Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 19 14 Reader) 39 14 Reader) Roald Dahl, 4.8 Francesca Simon, 2.8 Francesca Simon, 2.8

Horrid Henry’s Birthday Party Funnybones The Cat in the Hat 20 16 15 13 (Early Reader) Janet Ahlberg, 3.6 Dr. Seuss, 2.1 Francesca Simon, 2.8

Average ATOS 3.2 Average APC 0.90 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 81

Table 13: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 3 During First Lockdown

Book Title, Book Title, Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS Author, ATOS Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

The Twits Fantastic Mr Fox The Twits 1 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Roald Dahl, 4.1 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Fantastic Mr Fox Slime Fantastic Mr Fox 2 Roald Dahl, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.0 Roald Dahl, 4.1

George’s Marvellous Medicine The Twits George’s Marvellous Medicine 3 Roald Dahl, 4.0 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Roald Dahl, 4.0

Slime George’s Marvellous Medicine Room on the Broom 4 David Walliams, 4.0 Roald Dahl, 4.0 Julia Donaldson, 3.7

Gangsta Granny Gangsta Granny Slime 5 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.0

The Magic Finger Billionaire Boy The Magic Finger 6 Roald Dahl, 3.1 David Walliams, 4.1 Roald Dahl, 3.1

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Gruffalo Gangsta Granny 7 Roald Dahl, 4.8 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 David Walliams, 4.9

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone The Beast of Buckingham Palace Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 8 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 David Walliams, 4.3 Roald Dahl, 4.8

The Gruffalo Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 9 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Roald Dahl, 4.8 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Room on the Broom The Magic Finger Esio Trot 10 Julia Donaldson, 3.7 Roald Dahl, 3.1 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Midnight Gang 11 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.4

Esio Trot Bad Dad The Gruffalo 12 Roald Dahl, 4.4 David Walliams, 4.2 Julia Donaldson, 2.3

The Midnight Gang The Snail and the Whale Kitchen Disco 13 David Walliams, 4.4 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 Clare Foges, 3.2

The Snail and the Whale Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone The Snail and the Whale 14 Julia Donaldson, 4.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 Julia Donaldson, 4.0

The Beast of Buckingham Palace Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Matilda 15 David Walliams, 4.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Roald Dahl, 5.0

Bad Dad Esio Trot Billionaire Boy 16 David Walliams, 4.2 Roald Dahl, 4.4 David Walliams, 4.1

Mr. Stink The Midnight Gang Mr. Stink 17 David Walliams, 4.7 David Walliams, 4.4 David Walliams, 4.7

The Gruffalo’s Child The Gruffalo’s Child The Gruffalo’s Child 18 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 2.5 Julia Donaldson, 2.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Mr. Stink The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me 19 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.7 Roald Dahl, 4.7

Kitchen Disco The Smartest Giant in Town The Worst Witch 20 Clare Foges, 3.2 Julia Donaldson, 3.4 Jill Murphy, 5.4

Average ATOS 4.1 Average APC 0.92 82 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 14: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 4

Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

The Twits Fantastic Mr Fox The Twits 1 1 1 1 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Roald Dahl, 4.1 Roald Dahl, 4.4

George’s Marvellous Medicine Diary of a Wimpy Kid George’s Marvellous Medicine 2 2 2 2 Roald Dahl, 4.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Roald Dahl, 4.0

The Magic Finger The Twits The Magic Finger 3 3 4 3 Roald Dahl, 3.1 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Roald Dahl, 3.1

Fantastic Mr Fox George’s Marvellous Medicine Fantastic Mr Fox 4 4 3 5 Roald Dahl, 4.1 Roald Dahl, 4.0 Roald Dahl, 4.1

Gangsta Granny Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Gangsta Granny 5 5 5 4 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Beast of Buckingham Palace Esio Trot 6 6 NULL 6 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.3 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Billionaire Boy The Magic Finger Billionaire Boy 7 8 7 7 David Walliams, 4.1 Roald Dahl, 3.1 David Walliams, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Billionaire Boy The Boy in the Dress 8 7 Rules 11 8 David Walliams, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

The Beast of Buckingham Palace Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 9 NULL NULL 14 David Walliams, 4.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Charlie and the Chocolate Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Demon Dentist 10 14 Factory 6 10 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.8 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Mr. Stink 11 9 17 16 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Esio Trot Diary of a Wimpy Kid 12 10 9 Straw 9 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

The Gruffalo Gangsta Granny Ratburger 13 26 10 13 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 5.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever The Midnight Gang 14 11 Straw 16 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.8 David Walliams, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

The Boy in the Dress Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School The Gruffalo 15 13 13 24 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Julia Donaldson, 2.3

Demon Dentist Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Room on the Broom 16 19 15 18 David Walliams, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Julia Donaldson, 3.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul The Beast of Buckingham Palace 17 12 Truth 12 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Mr. Stink Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 18 28 14 12 David Walliams, 4.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The The Gruffalo The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me 19 29 Getaway 22 23 Julia Donaldson, 2.3 Roald Dahl, 4.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Fing 20 18 23 17 Jeff Kinney, 5.8 Roald Dahl, 4.8 David Walliams, 4.2

Average ATOS 4.6 Average APC 0.90 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 83

Table 15: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 4 During First Lockdown

Book Title, Book Title, Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS Author, ATOS Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Slime Slime Slime 1 David Walliams, 4.0 David Walliams, 4.0 David Walliams, 4.0

The Beast of Buckingham Palace The Beast of Buckingham Palace Gangsta Granny 2 David Walliams, 4.3 David Walliams, 4.3 David Walliams, 4.9

Gangsta Granny Billionaire Boy Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 3 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.1 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Billionaire Boy Gangsta Granny The Midnight Gang 4 David Walliams, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.4

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Bad Dad The Beast of Buckingham Palace 5 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 David Walliams, 4.2 David Walliams, 4.3

The Twits Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules The Twits 6 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Roald Dahl, 4.4

The Midnight Gang Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Billionaire Boy 7 David Walliams, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.1

Bad Dad Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Mr. Stink 8 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.7

Mr. Stink Diary of a Wimpy Kid Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 9 David Walliams, 4.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets The Twits The Boy in the Dress 10 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 Roald Dahl, 4.4 David Walliams, 4.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Awful Auntie 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 David Walliams, 5.0

George’s Marvellous Medicine Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days George’s Marvellous Medicine 12 Roald Dahl, 4.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Roald Dahl, 4.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Ratburger 13 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 5.0

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Fantastic Mr Fox Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 14 Roald Dahl, 4.8 Roald Dahl, 4.1 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Fantastic Mr Fox The Midnight Gang Bad Dad 15 Roald Dahl, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.4 David Walliams, 4.2

Demon Dentist Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw The World’s Worst Teachers 16 David Walliams, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.3

Ratburger Mr. Stink Demon Dentist 17 David Walliams, 5.0 David Walliams, 4.7 David Walliams, 4.8

The Boy in the Dress Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Fing 18 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Fantastic Mr Fox 19 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Roald Dahl, 4.8 Roald Dahl, 4.1

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban George’s Marvellous Medicine Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 20 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 Roald Dahl, 4.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Average ATOS 4.9 Average APC 0.92 84 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 16: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 5

Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

The Beast of Buckingham Palace Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Gangsta Granny 1 NULL NULL 1 David Walliams, 4.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Beast of Buckingham Palace The Beast of Buckingham Palace 2 2 NULL NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.3 David Walliams, 4.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Diary of a Wimpy Kid Billionaire Boy 3 3 Rules 2 2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Gangsta Granny Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4 4 3 3 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days The Twits 5 NULL Ball 4 4 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway The World’s Worst Teachers 6 5 8 2676 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.3

Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 7 8 5 5 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 8 6 Straw 9 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth The Boy in the Dress 9 7 Truth 7 6 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Mr. Stink 10 14 Getaway 6 13 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Demon Dentist 11 10 10 15 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.8

The Twits Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 12 16 11 14 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Gangsta Granny Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth 13 12 15 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.8 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third The Midnight Gang 14 9 Haul 12 Wheel 10 David Walliams, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Billionaire Boy Ratburger 15 11 14 8 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.1 David Walliams, 5.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever 16 15 Wheel 13 18 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

The World’s Worst Teachers Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown George’s Marvellous Medicine 17 2831 1 23 David Walliams, 4.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Roald Dahl, 4.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double The Twits Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 18 17 Down 17 16 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The Boy in the Dress Fantastic Mr Fox Fing 19 18 20 12 David Walliams, 4.2 Roald Dahl, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.2

George’s Marvellous Medicine The World’s Worst Teachers Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 20 24 2989 21 Roald Dahl, 4.0 David Walliams, 4.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Average ATOS 5.1 Average APC 0.92 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 85

Table 17: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 5 During First Lockdown

Book Title, Book Title, Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS Author, ATOS Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Slime Slime Slime 1 David Walliams, 4.0 David Walliams, 4.0 David Walliams, 4.0

The Beast of Buckingham Palace The Beast of Buckingham Palace The Beast of Buckingham Palace 2 David Walliams, 4.3 David Walliams, 4.3 David Walliams, 4.3

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Gangsta Granny Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Gangsta Granny 4 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.9

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown The Midnight Gang 5 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.4

Billionaire Boy Billionaire Boy Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 6 David Walliams, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.1 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

The Midnight Gang Gangsta Granny Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 7 David Walliams, 4.4 David Walliams, 4.9 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Billionaire Boy 8 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 David Walliams, 4.1

Bad Dad Bad Dad Mr. Stink 9 David Walliams, 4.2 David Walliams, 4.2 David Walliams, 4.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 10 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Mr. Stink Diary of a Wimpy Kid Awful Auntie 11 David Walliams, 4.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 5.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway The Midnight Gang Demon Dentist 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.4 David Walliams, 4.8

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Bad Dad 13 J.K. Rowling, 6.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.2

Demon Dentist Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules The World’s Worst Teachers 14 David Walliams, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Ratburger 15 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 5.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Fing 16 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 David Walliams, 4.2

Ratburger Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Diary of a Wimpy Kid 17 David Walliams, 5.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth The Boy in the Dress 18 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.2

Awful Auntie Demon Dentist Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 19 David Walliams, 5.0 David Walliams, 4.8 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 20 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Average ATOS 5.2 Average APC 0.93 86 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 18: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 6

Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking The Beast of Buckingham Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 1 NULL NULL Ball NULL Palace Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.3

The Beast of Buckingham Palace The Beast of Buckingham Palace The World’s Worst Teachers 2 NULL NULL 3240 David Walliams, 4.3 David Walliams, 4.3 David Walliams, 4.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Diary of a Wimpy Kid Gangsta Granny 3 3 2 3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Gangsta Granny 4 7 5 Getaway NULL Ball David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules The Boy in the Dress 5 4 3 Rules 9 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

The World’s Worst Teachers Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Diary of a Wimpy Kid 6 4310 6 4 David Walliams, 4.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Billionaire Boy 7 5 9 Straw 10 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Ratburger 8 8 7 Truth 5 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 5.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 9 6 8 6 Rules Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 10 10 10 Haul 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Mr. Stink 11 13 11 19 Jeff Kinney, 5.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Fing 12 12 12 Fever 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 13 9 13 Wheel 8 Truth Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Billionaire Boy Demon Dentist 14 15 1 Meltdown 17 David Walliams, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck 15 11 14 Down 16 Fever Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Gangsta Granny 16 14 15 23 Getaway Jeff Kinney, 5.6 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 17 16 16 24 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Harry Potter and the The Boy in the Dress The World’s Worst Teachers 18 18 4304 22 Philosopher’s Stone David Walliams, 4.2 David Walliams, 4.3 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Harry Potter and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Awful Auntie 19 1 20 Philosopher’s Stone 21 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 5.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Ratburger Ratburger 20 17 18 18 Straw David Walliams, 5.0 David Walliams, 5.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Average ATOS 5.2 Average APC 0.92 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 87

Table 19: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 6 During First Lockdown

Book Title, Book Title, Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS Author, ATOS Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Slime Slime Slime 1 David Walliams, 4.0 David Walliams, 4.0 David Walliams, 4.0

The Beast of Buckingham Palace The Beast of Buckingham Palace The Beast of Buckingham Palace 2 David Walliams, 4.3 David Walliams, 4.3 David Walliams, 4.3

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 4 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 5 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Billionaire Boy Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 6 J.K. Rowling, 6.8 David Walliams, 4.1 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Gangsta Granny Gangsta Granny 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.9

Gangsta Granny Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 8 David Walliams, 4.9 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 9 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Boy in the Dress 10 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.2

The Midnight Gang Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway The Midnight Gang 11 David Walliams, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.4

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Demon Dentist 12 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.8 David Walliams, 4.8

Bad Dad Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Billionaire Boy 13 David Walliams, 4.2 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 David Walliams, 4.1

Demon Dentist Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Ratburger 14 David Walliams, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 5.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days The World’s Worst Teachers 15 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.3

Ratburger Bad Dad Bad Dad 16 David Walliams, 5.0 David Walliams, 4.2 David Walliams, 4.2

The World’s Worst Teachers Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 17 David Walliams, 4.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Fing 18 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows The Midnight Gang Mr. Stink 19 J.K. Rowling, 6.9 David Walliams, 4.4 David Walliams, 4.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Demon Dentist Wonder 20 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.8 R.J. Palacio, 4.8

Average ATOS 5.5 Average APC 0.92 88 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 20: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 7

Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Gangsta Granny Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Gangsta Granny 1 1 1 1 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Wonder 2 2 Getaway 2 2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 R.J. Palacio, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Gangsta Granny The Boy in the Dress 3 4 6 3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.2

Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Billionaire Boy 4 5 4 5 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Mr. Stink 5 6 Rules 3 4 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Wonder Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 6 3 5 10 Stone R.J. Palacio, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Ratburger 7 9 7 6 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 5.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball The Midnight Gang 8 7 Haul NULL 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 9 8 Meltdown 12 11 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The Boy in the Dress Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Diary of a Wimpy Kid 10 10 8 9 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Harry Potter and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 11 22 Philosopher’s Stone 10 8 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Roald Dahl, 4.8 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Demon Dentist 12 14 Straw 9 14 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Mr. Stink Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth 13 12 11 19 Secrets David Walliams, 4.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down Awful Auntie 14 NULL Ball 13 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 5.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever The Twits 15 11 14 13 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Jeff Kinney, 5.8 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Ratburger Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 16 17 15 15 David Walliams, 5.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 17 13 21 Stone 17 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 John Boyne, 5.8 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Wonder 18 15 Truth 16 28 Azkaban R.J. Palacio, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Charlie and the Chocolate The Boy in the Dress Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 19 16 Factory 17 18 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 20 19 Fever 18 16 Roald Dahl, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.8

Average ATOS 5.2 Average APC 0.88 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 89

Table 21: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 7 During First Lockdown

Book Title, Book Title, Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS Author, ATOS Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 1 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets The Beast of Buckingham Palace Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 2 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 David Walliams, 4.3 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Gangsta Granny Slime Gangsta Granny 3 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.0 David Walliams, 4.9

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 4 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

The Beast of Buckingham Palace Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 5 David Walliams, 4.3 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Gangsta Granny The Beast of Buckingham Palace 6 J.K. Rowling, 6.8 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.3

Slime Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Slime 7 David Walliams, 4.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.0

Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules The Hunger Games 8 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Boy in the Dress 9 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.2

The Boy in the Dress Billionaire Boy Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 10 David Walliams, 4.2 David Walliams, 4.1 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Billionaire Boy 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.8 David Walliams, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Wonder 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 R.J. Palacio, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw The Midnight Gang 13 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.4

The Hunger Games Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 14 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

The Midnight Gang Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Mr. Stink 15 David Walliams, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.7

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 16 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Ratburger 17 J.K. Rowling, 6.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 5.0

Mr. Stink Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Awful Auntie 18 David Walliams, 4.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 David Walliams, 5.0

Ratburger Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Catching Fire 19 David Walliams, 5.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

Wonder Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 20 R.J. Palacio, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Average ATOS 5.5 Average APC 0.90 90 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 22: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 8

Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Gangsta Granny Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Gangsta Granny 1 1 2 1 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Wonder 2 5 Getaway NULL 2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 R.J. Palacio, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Of Mice and Men Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Hunger Games 3 3 3 8 John Steinbeck, 4.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Of Mice and Men The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 4 7 6 3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 John Steinbeck, 4.5 John Boyne, 5.8

The Boy in the Striped Gangsta Granny The Boy in the Dress 5 4 Pyjamas 5 4 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.2 John Boyne, 5.8

Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Of Mice and Men 6 9 4 6 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 John Steinbeck, 4.5

The Hunger Games Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Mr. Stink 7 14 8 5 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Billionaire Boy 8 NULL Wrecking Ball 7 9 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Wonder Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 9 6 1 11 R.J. Palacio, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 10 8 Rules 9 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Roald Dahl, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

The Boy in the Dress Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 11 13 10 14 David Walliams, 4.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Billionaire Boy Ratburger 12 11 Days 13 10 David Walliams, 4.1 David Walliams, 5.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Harry Potter and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Private Peaceful 13 24 Philosopher’s Stone 11 16 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Michael Morpurgo, 5.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Diary of a Wimpy Kid 14 10 Long Haul 12 18 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The The Hunger Games Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 15 17 Last Straw 19 19 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Charlie and the Chocolate Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 16 12 Factory 16 Wheel 25 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 Roald Dahl, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Mr. Stink Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down The Midnight Gang 17 15 14 13 David Walliams, 4.7 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 David Walliams, 4.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas The Twits 18 16 School 17 12 John Boyne, 5.8 Roald Dahl, 4.4 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 19 2 Meltdown 15 17 Jeff Kinney, 5.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Awful Auntie 20 19 Luck 18 20 Roald Dahl, 4.8 David Walliams, 5.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Average ATOS 5.2 Average APC 0.87 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 91

Table 23: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 8 During First Lockdown

Book Title, Book Title, Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS Author, ATOS Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 1 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 2 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire The Beast of Buckingham Palace The Hunger Games 4 J.K. Rowling, 6.8 David Walliams, 4.3 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

The Hunger Games Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 5 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 J.K. Rowling, 6.8 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Gangsta Granny Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball One of Us Is Lying 6 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Karen M. McManus, 5.1

The Beast of Buckingham Palace Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules One of Us Is Next 7 David Walliams, 4.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Karen M. McManus, 5.0

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Gangsta Granny Gangsta Granny 8 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 David Walliams, 4.9 David Walliams, 4.9

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Animal Farm Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 9 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 George Orwell, 7.3 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows The Hunger Games Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 10 J.K. Rowling, 6.9 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 11 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

One of Us Is Lying Diary of a Wimpy Kid Catching Fire 12 Karen M. McManus, 5.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

The Boy in the Dress Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince The Boy in the Dress 13 David Walliams, 4.2 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 David Walliams, 4.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Slime Mr. Stink 14 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.0 David Walliams, 4.7

Catching Fire Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder 15 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 J.K. Rowling, 6.9 Holly Jackson, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Billionaire Boy Billionaire Boy 16 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 David Walliams, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.1

Mr. Stink Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix The Beast of Buckingham Palace 17 David Walliams, 4.7 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 David Walliams, 4.3

Animal Farm Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 18 George Orwell, 7.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Jenny Han, 4.2

Slime Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Wonder 19 David Walliams, 4.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 R.J. Palacio, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Stormbreaker The Midnight Gang 20 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Anthony Horowitz, 5.1 David Walliams, 4.4

Average ATOS 5.6 Average APC 0.90 92 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 24: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Years 9-11

Prior Book Title, Prior Book Title Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS Ranking Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men 1 1 1 1 John Steinbeck, 4.5 John Steinbeck, 4.5 John Steinbeck, 4.5

An Inspector Calls An Inspector Calls An Inspector Calls 2 2 2 2 J.B. Priestley, 5.0 J.B. Priestley, 5.0 J.B. Priestley, 5.0

Animal Farm Animal Farm The Hunger Games 3 9 6 7 George Orwell, 7.3 George Orwell, 7.3 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

The Hunger Games Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Animal Farm 4 6 NULL 13 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 George Orwell, 7.3

Gangsta Granny Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Gangsta Granny 5 7 4 8 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 David Walliams, 4.9

Harry Potter and the The Hunger Games To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 6 11 Philosopher’s Stone 9 4 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 Jenny Han, 4.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid One of Us Is Lying 7 8 Getaway 5 16 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Karen M. McManus, 5.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Charlie and the Chocolate Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 8 10 Factory 7 11 Stone Jeff Kinney, 5.2 Roald Dahl, 4.8 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Blood Brothers Gangsta Granny Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 9 23 8 9 Willy Russell, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.9 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Harry Potter and the Chamber Harry Potter and the Chamber of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown 10 15 of Secrets 3 15 Secrets Jeff Kinney, 5.5 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone The Boy in the Dress 11 12 19 17 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 David Walliams, 4.2

The Boy in the Striped Billionaire Boy The Fault in Our Stars 12 3 Pyjamas 17 5 David Walliams, 4.1 John Green, 5.5 John Boyne, 5.8

Billionaire Boy Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Wonder 13 16 11 3 David Walliams, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 R.J. Palacio, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Blood Brothers 14 NULL Wrecking Ball 14 25 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Willy Russell, 4.1 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The Boy in the Dress Blood Brothers Mr. Stink 15 19 26 18 David Walliams, 4.2 Willy Russell, 4.1 David Walliams, 4.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Noughts and Crosses 16 14 Rules 15 23 Jeff Kinney, 5.4 Malorie Blackman, 4.0 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 17 4 Meltdown 13 6 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 John Boyne, 5.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Harry Potter and the Prisoner Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Five Feet Apart 18 22 of Azkaban 23 9345 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 Rachael Lippincott, 5.1 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Divergent 19 17 Days 16 22 Jeff Kinney, 5.6 Veronica Roth, 4.8 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Hate U Give 20 29 Last Straw 10 10 Roald Dahl, 4.8 Angie Thomas, 3.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Average ATOS 5.3 Average APC 0.87 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 93

Table 25: 20 Most Read Titles and Book Difficulty for Boys and Girls Year 9-11 During First Lockdown

Book Title, Book Title, Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS Author, ATOS Author, ATOS

Overall Boys Girls

Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men Of Mice and Men 1 John Steinbeck, 4.5 John Steinbeck, 4.5 John Steinbeck, 4.5

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Animal Farm Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 2 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 George Orwell, 7.3 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone One of Us Is Next 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.0 Karen M. McManus, 5.0

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 4 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Animal Farm Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban One of Us Is Lying 5 George Orwell, 7.3 J.K. Rowling, 6.7 Karen M. McManus, 5.1

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire An Inspector Calls 6 J.K. Rowling, 6.8 J.K. Rowling, 6.8 J.B. Priestley, 5.0

An Inspector Calls An Inspector Calls Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 7 J.B. Priestley, 5.0 J.B. Priestley, 5.0 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

The Hunger Games Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix The Hunger Games 8 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 9 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

One of Us Is Lying Macbeth Animal Farm 10 Karen M. McManus, 5.1 William Shakespeare, 10.9 George Orwell, 7.3

One of Us Is Next Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Five Feet Apart 11 Karen M. McManus, 5.0 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 Rachael Lippincott, 5.1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows The Beast of Buckingham Palace To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before 12 J.K. Rowling, 6.9 David Walliams, 4.3 Jenny Han, 4.2

Gangsta Granny Diary of a Wimpy Kid Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 13 David Walliams, 4.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

The Beast of Buckingham Palace The Hunger Games The Fault in Our Stars 14 David Walliams, 4.3 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 John Green, 5.5

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Noughts and Crosses 15 J.K. Rowling, 7.2 J.K. Rowling, 6.9 Malorie Blackman, 4.0

Macbeth Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder 16 William Shakespeare, 10.9 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Holly Jackson, 5.4

Divergent Billionaire Boy Divergent 17 Veronica Roth, 4.8 David Walliams, 4.1 Veronica Roth, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 18 Jeff Kinney, 5.5 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

The Maze Runner To Kill a Mockingbird Gangsta Granny 19 James Dashner, 5.3 Harper Lee, 5.6 David Walliams, 4.9

Catching Fire Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Macbeth 20 Suzanne Collins, 5.3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2 William Shakespeare, 10.9

Average ATOS 6.0 Average APC 0.91 94 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Most Popular Authors

Table 26: Most Popular Authors Overall: 2020, 2021 and 2021 Lockdown

Rank 2020 Author 2021 Author 2021 Lockdown Author

1 Jeff Kinney (64) Jeff Kinney (58) David Walliams (49)

2 David Walliams (31) David Walliams (31) J. K. Rowling (36)

3 Julia Donaldson (24) Julia Donaldson (32)

4 Roderick Hunt (23) Roderick Hunt (18) Jeff Kinney (23)

5 Roald Dahl (16) Roald Dahl (16) Roald Dahl (16)

6 Julia Donaldson (14)

J. K. Rowling (6)

7 Francesca Simon (5) Francesca Simon (4)

Judith Kerr (3)

8= R. J. Palacio (3) R. J. Palacio (2)

9= John Boyne (2)

9= Suzanne Collins (2) Suzanne Collins (2) Suzanne Collins (5)

9= Judith Kerr (2) Karen McManus (3)

9= Michael Rosen (2) Michael Rosen (2)

9= J. K. Rowling (2)

9= Dr. Seuss (2)

9= John Steinbeck (2) John Steinbeck (2)

9= Martin Waddell (2) Martin Waddell (2)

9= Jill Murphy (2) Roderick Hunt (2)

9= George Orwell (2)

Number of mentions in brackets. Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 95

Table 27: Most Popular Authors Primary: 2021

Rank 2020 Author 2021 Author 2021 Lockdown Author

1 Jeff Kinney (36) Jeff Kinney (30) David Walliams (33)

2 Julia Donaldson (24) Julia Donaldson (32)

3 David Walliams (17) David Walliams (19) Jeff Kinney (17)

4 Roderick Hunt (23) Roderick Hunt (18)

5 Roald Dahl (13) Roald Dahl (14) Roald Dahl (15)

6 Julia Donaldson (14) J. K. Rowling (15)

7 Francesca Simon (5) Francesca Simon (4)

8 Judith Kerr (2) Judith Kerr (3)

9= Michael Rosen (2) Michael Rosen (2)

9= Dr. Seuss (2) Roderick Hunt (2)

9= Martin Waddell (2) Martin Waddell (2)

Jill Murphy (2)

Number of mentions in brackets.

Table 28: Most Popular Authors Secondary: 2021

Rank 2020 Author 2021 Author 2022 Lockdown Author

1 Jeff Kinney (28) Jeff Kinney (28) J. K. Rowling (21)

2 David Walliams (14) David Walliams (12) Jeff Kinney (19)

3 J. K. Rowling (5) David Walliams (16)

4= Roald Dahl (3) Roald Dahl (2)

4= R. J. Palacio (3) R. J. Palacio (2)

5= John Boyne (2) John Boyne (2)

5= Suzanne Collins (2) Suzanne Collins (2) Suzanne Collins (5)

5= J. K. Rowling (2)

5= John Steinbeck (2) John Steinbeck (2)

6= Mark Haddon (1) Karen McManus (3)

6= Andrew Mathews (1)

6= George Orwell (1) George Orwell (1) George Orwell (2)

7= J. B. Priestley (1) J. B. Priestley (1) J. B. Priestley (1)

7= W. Shakespeare (1)

7= Roald Dahl (1)

7= R. J. Palacio (1) 96 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 29: Highest New Entrants: Year 1

Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS

Maybe When I’m Bigger (myON edition) 1 Christianne Jones, 1.8

The Smeds and the Smoos 2 Julia Donaldson, 4.1

Go Wash Up: Keeping Clean 3 Amanda Doering Tourville, 2.5

Monster Knows Table Manners 4 Connie Colwell Miller, 1.7

The Cave 5 Rob Hodgson, 2.1

Supertato: Books Are Rubbish! 6 Sue Hendra, 2.7

Gordon’s Great Escape 7 Sue Hendra, 2.3

A Crown for Lion 8 A.H. Benjamin, 1.4

Monsters Love Underpants 9 Claire Freedman, 2.9

Little Spook 10 Penny Dolan, 1.8

Camping Trip 11 Christianne C. Jones, 1.3

Dog at School 12 Katie Dale, 1.5

Monster Knows Excuse Me 13 Connie Colwell Miller, 1.6

Oi Puppies! 14 Number of mentions in brackets. Kes Gray, 2.3

Funny Footprints 15 Katie Dale, 1.7

Aliens Love Dinopants 16 Claire Freedman, 2.4

Dino Hunt: A Robot and Rico Story 17 Anastasia Suen, 1.8

Party of Three: A Book About Triangles 18 Christianne C. Jones, 2.3

I Win! 19 Alison Hawes, 0.9

Robot Gets it Wrong 20 Elizabeth Dale, 1.5

Average ATOS 2.0 Average APC 0.95 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 97

Table 30: Highest New Entrants: Year 2

Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS

Slime 1 David Walliams, 4.0

Go Wash Up: Keeping Clean 2 Amanda Doering Tourville, 2.5

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 3 David Walliams, 4.3

The Smeds and the Smoos 4 Julia Donaldson, 4.1

The Cave 5 Rob Hodgson, 2.1

Dog Man: Fetch-22 6 Dav Pilkey, 2.7

Deep, Deeper, Deepest: Animals That Go to Great Depths 7 Michael Dahl, 2.5

Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls 8 Dav Pilkey, 2.5

Dog Man: Three Stories in One (World Book Day 2020) 9 Dav Pilkey, 2.6

Monsters Love Underpants 10 Claire Freedman, 2.9

The 117-Storey Treehouse 11 Andy Griffiths, 3.4

The Truth About Unicorns 12 Molly Blaisdell, 3.8

Dino Hunt: A Robot and Rico Story 13 Anastasia Suen, 1.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 14 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Gordon’s Great Escape 15 Sue Hendra, 2.3

Being Respectful: A Book About Respectfulness 16 Mary Small, 2.3

Supertato: Books Are Rubbish! 17 Sue Hendra, 2.7

Tide Pool Trouble 18 Michelle Lord, 2.0

Camping Trip 19 Christianne C. Jones, 1.3

The Tallest Snowman 20 Marcie Aboff, 2.7

Average ATOS 2.9 Average APC 0.93 98 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 31: Highest New Entrants: Year 3

Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 1 David Walliams, 4.3

Slime 2 David Walliams, 4.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 3 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The 117-Storey Treehouse 4 Andy Griffiths, 3.4

Dog Man: Fetch-22 5 Dav Pilkey, 2.7

Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls 6 Dav Pilkey, 2.5

Spectacular School Trip (Really...) 7 Liz Pichon, 3.4

Go Wash Up: Keeping Clean 8 Amanda Doering Tourville, 2.5

Dog Man: Three Stories in One (World Book Day 2020) 9 Dav Pilkey, 2.6

The Truth About Unicorns 10 Molly Blaisdell, 3.8

The Boy Who Grew Dragons 11 Andy Shepherd, 5.5

The Nothing to See Here Hotel 12 Steven Butler, 5.3

Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too) 13 Liz Pichon, 3.6

The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch 14 Tom Fletcher, 5.1

Deep, Deeper, Deepest: Animals That Go to Great Depths 15 Michael Dahl, 2.5

The Cave 16 Rob Hodgson, 2.1

Being Respectful: A Book About Respectfulness 17 Mary Small, 2.3

The Smeds and the Smoos 18 Julia Donaldson, 4.1

Amelia Fang and the Bookworm Gang 19 Laura Ellen Anderson, 4.4

The Taylor Turbochaser 20 David Baddiel, 3.9

Average ATOS 3.7 Average APC 0.91 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 99

Table 32: Highest New Entrants: Year 4

Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 1 David Walliams, 4.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Slime 3 David Walliams, 4.0

Spectacular School Trip (Really...) 4 Liz Pichon, 3.4

The 117-Storey Treehouse 5 Andy Griffiths, 3.4

Dog Man: Fetch-22 6 Dav Pilkey, 2.7

Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls 7 Dav Pilkey, 2.5

Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too) 8 Liz Pichon, 3.6

Dog Man: Three Stories in One (World Book Day 2020) 9 Dav Pilkey, 2.6

The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch 10 Tom Fletcher, 5.1

Go Wash Up: Keeping Clean 11 Amanda Doering Tourville, 2.5

The Taylor Turbochaser 12 David Baddiel, 3.9

The Truth About Unicorns 13 Molly Blaisdell, 3.8

The Nothing to See Here Hotel 14 Steven Butler, 5.3

Spectacular Superstar 15 Rachel Renee Russell, 5.1

The Boy Who Grew Dragons 16 Andy Shepherd, 5.5

The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times 17 Cressida Cowell, 6.6

Your Life as a Cabin Attendant on the Titanic 18 Jessica Gunderson, 3.8

The Land of Roar 19 Jenny McLachlan, 4.8

Being Respectful: A Book About Respectfulness 20 Mary Small, 2.3

Average ATOS 4.0 Average APC 0.91 100 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 33: Highest New Entrants: Year 5

Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 1 David Walliams, 4.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 2 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Slime 3 David Walliams, 4.0

Spectacular School Trip (Really...) 4 Liz Pichon, 3.4

The 117-Storey Treehouse 5 Andy Griffiths, 3.4

Dog Man: Fetch-22 6 Dav Pilkey, 2.7

Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls 7 Dav Pilkey, 2.5

The Taylor Turbochaser 8 David Baddiel, 3.9

Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too) 9 Liz Pichon, 3.6

Spectacular Superstar 10 Rachel Renee Russell, 5.1

The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch 11 Tom Fletcher, 5.1

The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times 12 Cressida Cowell, 6.6

Dog Man: Three Stories in One (World Book Day 2020) 13 Dav Pilkey, 2.6

The Nothing to See Here Hotel 14 Steven Butler, 5.3

Chameleon Cage Match! 15 Donald Lemke, 3.0

Go Wash Up: Keeping Clean 16 Amanda Doering Tourville, 2.5

We Are the Beaker Girls 17 Jacqueline Wilson, 4.4

The Land of Roar 18 Jenny McLachlan, 4.8

Your Life as a Cabin Attendant on the Titanic 19 Jessica Gunderson,3.8

The Truth About Unicorns 20 Molly Blaisdell, 3.8

Average ATOS 4.0 Average APC 0.91 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 101

Table 34: Highest New Entrants: Year 6

Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 1 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 2 David Walliams, 4.3

Spectacular School Trip (Really...) 3 Liz Pichon, 3.4

Slime 4 David Walliams, 4.0

The Taylor Turbochaser 5 David Baddiel, 3.9

The 117-Storey Treehouse 6 Andy Griffiths, 3.4

Spectacular Superstar 7 Rachel Renee Russell, 5.1

Dog Man: Fetch-22 8 Dav Pilkey, 2.7

Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too) 9 Liz Pichon, 3.6

Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls 10 Dav Pilkey, 2.5

The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch 11 Tom Fletcher, 5.1

We Are the Beaker Girls 12 Jacqueline Wilson, 4.4

The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times 13 Cressida Cowell, 6.6

Top Marks for Murder 14 Robin Stevens, 5.6

The Star Outside My Window 15 Onjali Q. Raúf, 5.3

The Nothing to See Here Hotel 16 Steven Butler, 5.3

Can You See Me? 17 Libby Scott, 5.6

The Girl Who Speaks Bear 18 Sophie Anderson, 5.2

The Case of the Drowned Pearl 19 Robin Stevens, 5.2

The Day We Met the Queen 20 Onjali Q. Raúf, 5.5

Average ATOS 4.6 Average APC 0.94 102 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 35: Highest New Entrants: Year 7

Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 1 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 2 David Walliams, 4.3

Spectacular School Trip (Really...) 3 Liz Pichon, 3.4

Slime 4 David Walliams, 4.0

Top Marks for Murder 5 Robin Stevens, 5.6

The Taylor Turbochaser 6 David Baddiel, 3.9

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder 7 Holly Jackson, 5.4

Spectacular Superstar 8 Rachel Renee Russell, 5.1

We Are the Beaker Girls 9 Jacqueline Wilson, 4.4

Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too) 10 Liz Pichon, 3.6

D-Day Dog 11 Tom Palmer, 4.2

The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times 12 Cressida Cowell, 6.6

One of Us Is Next 13 Karen M. McManus, 5.0

Dog Man: Fetch-22 14 Dav Pilkey, 2.7

Can You See Me? 15 Libby Scott, 5.6

Not My Fault 16 Cath Howe, 3.8

The Case of the Drowned Pearl 17 Robin Stevens, 5.2

The 117-Storey Treehouse 18 Andy Griffiths, 3.4

Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls 19 Dav Pilkey, 2.5

De Bruyne: From the Playground to the Pitch 20 Matt Oldfield, 5.4

Average ATOS 4.5 Average APC 0.93 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 103

Table 36: Highest New Entrants: Year 8

Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 1 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 2 David Walliams, 4.3

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder 3 Holly Jackson, 5.4

Spectacular School Trip (Really...) 4 Liz Pichon, 3.4

One of Us Is Next 5 Karen M. McManus, 5.0

Top Marks for Murder 6 Robin Stevens, 5.6

The Tattooist of Auschwitz 7 Heather Morris, 5.1

This Lie Will Kill You 8 Chelsea Pitcher, 5.1

Slime 9 David Walliams, 4.0

The Taylor Turbochaser 10 David Baddiel, 3.9

Crossfire 11 Malorie Blackman, 4.8

Spectacular Superstar 12 Rachel Renee Russell, 5.1

De Bruyne: From the Playground to the Pitch 13 Matt Oldfield, 5.4

Can You See Me? 14 Libby Scott, 5.6

Bedlam 15 Derek Landy, 4.6

We Are the Beaker Girls 16 Jacqueline Wilson, 4.4

Mega Make and Do (and Stories Too) 17 Liz Pichon, 3.6

Guts 18 Raina Telgemeier, 2.6

Not My Fault 19 Cath Howe, 3.8

De Gea: From the Playground to the Pitch 20 Matt Oldfield, 5.1

Average ATOS 4.6 Average APC 0.92 104 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 37: Highest New Entrants: Years 9-11

Book Title, Rank Author, ATOS

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 1 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 2 David Walliams, 4.3

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder 3 Holly Jackson, 5.4

The Tattooist of Auschwitz 4 Heather Morris, 5.1

This Lie Will Kill You 5 Chelsea Pitcher, 5.1

One of Us Is Next 6 Karen M. McManus, 5.0

Spectacular School Trip (Really...) 7 Liz Pichon, 3.4

Top Marks for Murder 8 Robin Stevens, 5.6

The Sign of Four (Unabridged) 9 Arthur Conan Doyle, 6.7

Midnight Sun 10 Trish Cook, 4.6

David Bowie 11 Isabel Sánchez Vegara, 4.8

Crossfire 12 Malorie Blackman, 4.8

De Bruyne: From the Playground to the Pitch 13 Matt Oldfield, 5.4

Slime 14 David Walliams, 4.0

Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Fourth Closet 15 Scott Cawthon, 5.7

De Gea: From the Playground to the Pitch 16 Matt Oldfield, 5.1

Spectacular Superstar 17 Rachel Renee Russell, 5.1

Bedlam 18 Derek Landy, 4.6

Modric: From the Playground to the Pitch 19 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

Can You See Me? 20 Libby Scott, 5.6

Average ATOS 5.0 Average APC 0.89 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 105

Table 38: Overall Most Popular New Entrants 2020 and 2021

Rank 2020 Author 2021 Author

1= Jeff Kinney (20) David Walliams (16)

1= Dav Pilkey (16)

2 Liz Pichon (13)

3 David Walliams (16) Jeff Kinney (8)

4 Andy Griffiths (7)

5= Jacqueline Wilson (11) Rachel Renee Russell (6)

5= Julia Donaldson (11) David Baddiel (6)

5= Dav Pilkey (10) Matt Oldfield (6)

6= Francesca Simon (8) Robin Stevens (5)

6= Liz Pichon (7) Amanda Doering Tourville (5)

7= Rachel Renee Russell (6) Jacqueline Wilson (4)

7= Jim Smith (6) Cressida Cowell (4)

7= David Baddiel (5) Tom Fletcher (4)

7= Andy Griffiths (5) Steven Butler (4)

7= Christianne C Jones (4)

7= Sue Hendra (4)

8 Sophie Anderson (4)

9 Onjali Q. Raúf (4)

Number of mentions in brackets. 106 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Books High-Achieving Kids Read Most Often: Top 20 Titles in Years 3 – 9: Tables 39-45

Table 39: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 3

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Twits 1 1 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Fantastic Mr Fox 2 2 Roald Dahl, 4.1

George’s Marvellous Medicine 3 3 Roald Dahl, 4.0

The Magic Finger 4 5 Roald Dahl, 3.1

Esio Trot 5 4 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 6 6 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Room on the Broom 7 13 Julia Donaldson, 3.7

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me 8 7 Roald Dahl, 4.7

Gangsta Granny 9 10 David Walliams, 4.9

Billionaire Boy 10 8 David Walliams, 4.1

The Snail and the Whale 11 28 Julia Donaldson, 4.0

The Enormous Crocodile 12 9 Roald Dahl, 4.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 13 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

The Smartest Giant in Town 14 45 Julia Donaldson, 3.4

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 15 23 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

The Boy in the Dress 16 15 David Walliams, 4.2

The Midnight Gang 17 17 David Walliams, 4.4

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 18 NULL David Walliams, 4.3

Funnybones 19 31 Janet Ahlberg, 3.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 20 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Average ATOS 4.3 Average APC 0.92 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 107

Table 40 High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 4

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 1 NULL David Walliams, 4.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 1 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 3 2 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

The Twits 4 7 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Gangsta Granny 5 6 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 6 3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Billionaire Boy 7 11 David Walliams, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 8 5 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth 9 4 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

George’s Marvellous Medicine 10 19 Roald Dahl, 4.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever 11 8 Jeff Kinney, 5.8

Demon Dentist 12 16 David Walliams, 4.8

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 13 18 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck 14 9 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Fantastic Mr Fox 15 27 Roald Dahl, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 16 15 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 17 20 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 18 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Mr. Stink 19 26 David Walliams, 4.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 20 13 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Average ATOS 5.1 Average APC 0.93 108 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 41: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 5

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 1 NULL David Walliams, 4.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 2 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 4 4 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 5 5 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 6 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth 7 6 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever 8 8 Jeff Kinney, 5.8

The World’s Worst Teachers 9 876 David Walliams, 4.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck 10 10 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 11 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 12 13 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel 13 9 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 14 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 15 15 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Gangsta Granny 16 14 David Walliams, 4.9

Billionaire Boy 17 19 David Walliams, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down 18 18 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 19 17 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown 20 1 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Average ATOS 5.3 Average APC 0.93 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 109

Table 42: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 6

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Beast of Buckingham Palace 1 NULL David Walliams, 4.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 2 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The World’s Worst Teachers 3 1864 David Walliams, 4.3

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 4 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 5 4 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 6 5 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 7 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 8 6 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 9 8 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever 10 10 Jeff Kinney, 5.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 11 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth 12 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 13 9 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 14 15 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 15 13 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel 16 14 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Gangsta Granny 17 22 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck 18 16 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown 19 1 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 20 17 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Average ATOS 5.5 Average APC 0.93 110 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 43: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 7

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 1 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Gangsta Granny 2 2 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 3 4 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 4 6 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 5 5 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Wonder 6 1 R.J. Palacio, 4.8

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 7 9 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 8 8 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 9 13 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Billionaire Boy 10 10 David Walliams, 4.1

The Hunger Games 11 14 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown 12 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 13 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 14 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 15 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 16 15 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 17 30 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 18 17 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck 19 16 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth 20 18 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Average ATOS 5.6 Average APC 0.90 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 111

Table 44: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 8

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Hunger Games 1 1 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 2 4 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 3 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Gangsta Granny 4 8 David Walliams, 4.9

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 5 5 John Boyne, 5.8

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 6 9 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Of Mice and Men 7 7 John Steinbeck, 4.5

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 8 10 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Wonder 9 6 R.J. Palacio, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 10 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Catching Fire 11 13 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

Animal Farm 12 32 George Orwell, 7.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 13 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 14 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Billionaire Boy 15 15 David Walliams, 4.1

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 16 17 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Private Peaceful 17 16 Michael Morpurgo, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 18 14 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

One of Us Is Lying 19 44 Karen M. McManus, 5.1

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 20 30 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

Average ATOS 5.7 Average APC 0.89 112 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 45: High-Achieving Top 20 Preferences: Year 9

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Of Mice and Men 1 1 John Steinbeck, 4.5

Animal Farm 2 4 George Orwell, 7.3

The Hunger Games 3 3 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 4 5 J.K. Rowling, 6.0

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 5 6 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 6 8 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

One of Us Is Lying 7 14 Karen M. McManus, 5.1

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 8 11 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

An Inspector Calls 9 2 J.B. Priestley, 5.0

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 10 7 John Boyne, 5.8

The Maze Runner 11 13 James Dashner, 5.3

Catching Fire 12 17 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 13 21 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 14 18 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Noughts and Crosses 15 30 Malorie Blackman, 4.0

Divergent 16 24 Veronica Roth, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 17 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 18 22 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

The Fault in Our Stars 19 10 John Green, 5.5

Gangsta Granny 20 23 David Walliams, 4.9

Average ATOS 5.8 Average APC 0.90 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 113

Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Top 20 Titles in Years 5 – 9: Tables 46-50

Table 46: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 5

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Magic Finger 1 1 Roald Dahl, 3.1

Don’t Be Horrid, Henry! (Early Reader) 2 2 Francesca Simon, 2.3

The Gruffalo 3 3 Julia Donaldson, 2.3

The Gruffalo’s Child 4 8 Julia Donaldson, 2.5

The Twits 5 6 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Horrid Henry’s Holiday (Early Reader) 6 5 Francesca Simon, 2.8

Gangsta Granny 7 16 David Walliams, 4.9

George’s Marvellous Medicine 8 12 Roald Dahl, 4.0

The Tiger Who Came to Tea 9 18 Judith Kerr, 3.2

Stick Man 10 23 Julia Donaldson, 2.8

Horrid Henry’s Birthday Party (Early Reader) 11 4 Francesca Simon, 2.8

Fantastic Mr Fox 12 15 Roald Dahl, 4.1

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy 13 21 Lynley Dodd, 3.3

Horrid Henry Gets Rich Quick (Early Reader) 14 10 Francesca Simon, 2.9

Horrid Henry’s Car Journey (Early Reader) 15 7 Francesca Simon, 2.6

The Smartest Giant in Town 16 11 Julia Donaldson, 3.4

Billionaire Boy 17 35 David Walliams, 4.1

Horrid Henry Meets the Queen 18 20 Francesca Simon, 3.2

Horrid Henry and the Secret Club 19 9 Francesca Simon, 3.2

Room on the Broom 20 13 Julia Donaldson, 3.7

Average ATOS 3.3 Average APC 0.86 114 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 47: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 6

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Magic Finger 1 1 Roald Dahl, 3.1

Gangsta Granny 2 4 David Walliams, 4.9

The Twits 3 3 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 4 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 5 6 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Billionaire Boy 6 5 David Walliams, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 7 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 8 9 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 9 13 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

George’s Marvellous Medicine 10 10 Roald Dahl, 4.0

The Boy in the Dress 11 7 David Walliams, 4.2

Fantastic Mr Fox 12 8 Roald Dahl, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 13 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 14 14 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 15 18 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Esio Trot 16 21 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth 17 17 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Ratburger 18 23 David Walliams, 5.0

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever 19 24 Jeff Kinney, 5.8

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates 20 15 Liz Pichon, 4.0

Average ATOS 4.8 Average APC 0.88 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 115

Table 48: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 7

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Gangsta Granny 1 1 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 2 2 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Billionaire Boy 3 4 David Walliams, 4.1

The Boy in the Dress 4 5 David Walliams, 4.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 5 3 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

The Twits 6 8 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 7 9 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 8 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 9 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown 10 10 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Mr. Stink 11 14 David Walliams, 4.7

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 12 13 Roald Dahl, 4.8

The Magic Finger 13 19 Roald Dahl, 3.1

Wonder 14 6 R.J. Palacio, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 15 16 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 16 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth 17 17 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates 18 21 Liz Pichon, 4.0

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 19 18 John Boyne, 5.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck 20 15 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Average ATOS 4.9 Average APC 0.84 116 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 49: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 8

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Gangsta Granny 1 1 David Walliams, 4.9

Of Mice and Men 2 2 John Steinbeck, 4.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 3 3 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 4 6 John Boyne, 5.8

The Boy in the Dress 5 7 David Walliams, 4.2

Billionaire Boy 6 12 David Walliams, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 7 5 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 8 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 9 8 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 10 14 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 11 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 12 13 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

The Twits 13 10 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 14 9 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown 15 4 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Mr. Stink 16 16 David Walliams, 4.7

Wonder 17 19 R.J. Palacio, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck 18 15 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 19 18 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Private Peaceful 20 22 Michael Morpurgo, 5.2

Average ATOS 5.1 Average APC 0.83 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 117

Table 50: Books Struggling Readers Read Most Often: Year 9

Prior Book Title, Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Of Mice and Men 1 1 John Steinbeck, 4.5

An Inspector Calls 2 2 J.B. Priestley, 5.0

Gangsta Granny 3 10 David Walliams, 4.9

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway 4 3 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Blood Brothers 5 21 Willy Russell, 4.1

The Boy in the Dress 6 14 David Walliams, 4.2

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 7 6 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules 8 11 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid 9 7 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

The Twits 10 9 Roald Dahl, 4.4

Billionaire Boy 11 15 David Walliams, 4.1

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 12 22 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 13 12 Jeff Kinney, 5.4

Animal Farm 14 51 George Orwell, 7.3

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown 15 5 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School 16 13 Jeff Kinney, 5.6

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days 17 16 Jeff Kinney, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth 18 23 Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Romeo and Juliet 19 8 Andrew Matthews, 5.2

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball 20 NULL Jeff Kinney, 5.5

Average ATOS 5.1 Average APC 0.85 118 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Most Read Non-fiction Books: Top 20 Titles in Years 3 – 9: Tables 51-57

Table 51: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year 3

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

When Animals Invade 1 2 Chloe Rhodes, 2.4

Dragon Hunter 2 3 Claire Llewellyn, 2.7

A Visit to the Farm 3 1 Michael Morpurgo, 2.8

Rubbish! 4 8 Chloe Rhodes, 2.6

Things That Sting 5 6 Brian Birchall, 3.4

Looking After the Ocean 6 61 Jay Dale, 2.0

Finding Things 7 5 John Malam, 3.1

Big Cats 8 50 Sharnika Blacker, 2.0

Animal Magic 9 10 Mick Gowar, 1.9

Puppy School Newsletter 10 25 Kelly Gaffney, 1.8

Body Invaders 11 4 Jane Penrose, 2.3

Owls 12 19 Anne Giulieri, 1.6

Cool Buildings 13 7 Mick Gowar, 3.4

Letter to Sam 14 18 Jay Dale, 1.8

Kings of the Mountains 15 449 Rebecca Rissman, 3.4

On the Wing 16 14 Claire Llewellyn, 2.1

Atlantic Adventure 17 11 Michael Perham, 3.2

The Water Cycle 18 13 Steve Parker, 2.9

Castles 19 22 Maggie Freeman, 3.3

Dinosaur Safari 20 40 Claire Llewellyn, 2.9

Average ATOS 2.6 Average APC 0.88 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 119

Table 52: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year 4

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Truth About Dogs: What Dogs Do When You’re Not Looking 1 204 Mary Colson, 2.4

Things That Sting 2 2 Brian Birchall, 3.4

A Visit to the Farm 3 8 Michael Morpurgo, 2.8

Kings of the Mountains 4 454 Rebecca Rissman, 3.4

The Truth About Hamsters: What Hamsters Do When You’re Not Looking 5 311 Mary Colson, 2.5

When Animals Invade 6 4 Chloe Rhodes, 2.4

Rubbish! 7 9 Chloe Rhodes, 2.6

Animals in War 8 1 Jillian Powell, 2.9

Finding Things 9 11 John Malam, 3.1

Dragon Hunter 10 5 Claire Llewellyn, 2.7

Boy: Tales of Childhood 11 6 Roald Dahl, 6.0

Cool Buildings 12 7 Mick Gowar, 3.4

The Emperor’s Egg 13 3 Martin Jenkins, 4.1

Bigfoot 14 72 Catherine Chambers, 3.1

Atlantic Adventure 15 24 Michael Perham, 3.2

The Loch Ness Monster 16 80 Catherine Chambers, 3.2

The Legend of Atlantis 17 2953 Thomas Kingsley Troupe, 4.1

Wolves 18 162 Jill Atkins, 2.6

What If There Were No Bees? A Book About the Grassland Ecosystem 19 4656 Suzanne Slade, 4.5

Think of an Eel 20 16 Karen Wallace, 3.5

Average ATOS 3.3 Average APC 0.89 120 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 53: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year 5

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Boy: Tales of Childhood 1 1 Roald Dahl, 6.0

The Loch Ness Monster 2 273 Catherine Chambers, 3.2

Bigfoot 3 171 Catherine Chambers, 3.1

Ronaldo: From the Playground to the Pitch 4 29 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

Count Dracula 5 360 Catherine Chambers, 3.3

Messi: From the Playground to the Pitch 6 87 Matt Oldfield, 5.2

The Truth About Dogs: What Dogs Do When You’re Not Looking 7 412 Mary Colson, 2.4

The Legend of Bigfoot 8 3030 Thomas Kingsley Troupe, 3.4

The Truth About Hamsters: What Hamsters Do When You’re Not Looking 9 451 Mary Colson, 2.5

Wolves 10 228 Jill Atkins, 2.6

The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: How Greg Heffley Went Hollywood 11 3 Jeff Kinney, 6.5

The Emperor’s Egg 12 4 Martin Jenkins, 4.1

Kings of the Mountains 13 716 Rebecca Rissman, 3.4

Things That Sting 14 10 Brian Birchall, 3.4

Kane: From the Playground to the Pitch 15 16 Matt Oldfield, 5.0

Going Solo 16 5 Roald Dahl, 6.1

The Legend of the Bermuda Triangle 17 2955 Thomas Kingsley Troupe, 4.0

Animals in War 18 2 Jillian Powell, 2.9

Safe Behind a Mask 19 7 Mick Gowar, 4.6

The Legend of Atlantis 20 3949 Thomas Kingsley Troupe, 4.1

Average ATOS 4.1 Average APC 0.89 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 121

Table 54: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year 6

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Boy: Tales of Childhood 1 1 Roald Dahl, 6.0

The Legend of Bigfoot 2 1958 Thomas Kingsley Troupe, 3.4

The Legend of the Bermuda Triangle 3 3067 Thomas Kingsley Troupe, 4.0

Ronaldo: From the Playground to the Pitch 4 5 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

Messi: From the Playground to the Pitch 5 16 Matt Oldfield, 5.2

The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: How Greg Heffley Went Hollywood 6 2 Jeff Kinney, 6.5

Going Solo 7 3 Roald Dahl, 6.1

Kane: From the Playground to the Pitch 8 4 Matt Oldfield, 5.0

The Sinking of the Titanic 9 412 Matt Doeden, 3.8

Neymar: From the Playground to the Pitch 10 NULL Matt Oldfield, 5.2

The Legend of Atlantis 11 4166 Thomas Kingsley Troupe, 4.1

Mbappe: From the Playground to the Pitch 12 4086 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

Safe Behind a Mask 13 9 Mick Gowar, 4.6

What Happened to the Dinosaurs? 14 20 Jon Hughes, 5.5

Salah: From the Playground to the Pitch 15 555 Matt Oldfield, 5.5

Kings of the Wild 16 11 Jonathan Scott, 5.2

Sergio Agüero: The Little Genius/Agüero: From the Playground to the Pitch 17 133 Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Weird Little Monsters 18 35 Nic Bishop, 4.7

Smile 19 58 Raina Telgemeier, 2.6

The Legend of UFOs 20 3145 Thomas Kingsley Troupe, 4.2

Average ATOS 4.9 Average APC 0.86 122 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 55: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year 7

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Boy: Tales of Childhood 1 1 Roald Dahl, 6.0

Ronaldo: From the Playground to the Pitch 2 6 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

Messi: From the Playground to the Pitch 3 13 Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Kane: From the Playground to the Pitch 4 5 Matt Oldfield, 5.0

Neymar: From the Playground to the Pitch 5 NULL Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Smile 6 8 Raina Telgemeier, 2.6

Gareth Bale: The Boy Who Became a Galáctico/Bale: From the Playground to the Pitch 7 11 Tom Oldfield, 5.7

Sisters 8 16 Raina Telgemeier, 2.4

Raheem Sterling: Young Lion/Sterling: From the Playground to the Pitch 9 36 Tom Oldfield, 5.7

Sergio Agüero: The Little Genius/Agüero: From the Playground to the Pitch 10 35 Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Leo Messi 11 2 Roy Apps, 4.5

Salah: From the Playground to the Pitch 12 327 Matt Oldfield, 5.5

The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary: How Greg Heffley Went Hollywood 13 14 Jeff Kinney, 6.5

Mbappe: From the Playground to the Pitch 14 2596 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

World’s Fastest 15 4 Anne Rooney, 1.8

Wayne Rooney 16 3 Roy Apps, 4.3

Luis Suarez: El Pistolero/Suarez: From the Playground to the Pitch 17 40 Tom Oldfield, 5.0

Goalkeepers 18 7 Jonny Zucker, 4.5

Paul Pogba: Pogboom / Pogba: From the Playground to the Pitch 19 51 Matt Oldfield, 5.5

Eden Hazard: The Boy in Blue/Hazard: From the Playground to the Pitch 20 27 Tom Oldfield, 5.6

Average ATOS 4.8 Average APC 0.83 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 123

Table 56: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year 8

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Ronaldo: From the Playground to the Pitch 1 5 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

Boy: Tales of Childhood 2 1 Roald Dahl, 6.0

Kane: From the Playground to the Pitch 3 6 Matt Oldfield, 5.0

Messi: From the Playground to the Pitch 4 10 Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Neymar: From the Playground to the Pitch 5 NULL Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Gareth Bale: The Boy Who Became a Galáctico/Bale: From the Playground to the Pitch 6 7 Tom Oldfield, 5.7

Leo Messi 7 3 Roy Apps, 4.5

Raheem Sterling: Young Lion/Sterling: From the Playground to the Pitch 8 27 Tom Oldfield, 5.7

Sergio Agüero: The Little Genius/Agüero: From the Playground to the Pitch 9 30 Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Football 10 2 Paul May, 3.8

Paul Pogba: Pogboom/Pogba: From the Playground to the Pitch 11 44 Matt Oldfield, 5.5

Salah: From the Playground to the Pitch 12 262 Matt Oldfield, 5.5

Eden Hazard: The Boy in Blue/Hazard: From the Playground to the Pitch 13 20 Tom Oldfield, 5.6

Mbappe: From the Playground to the Pitch 14 1583 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

Body Art 15 9 Alison Hawes, 4.2

Wayne Rooney 16 4 Roy Apps, 4.3

Luis Suarez: El Pistolero/Suarez: From the Playground to the Pitch 17 45 Tom Oldfield, 5.0

Lukaku: From the Playground to the Pitch 18 51 Matt Oldfield, 4.9

Football 19 12 Andy Smith, 6.6

Jessica Ennis/Jessica Ennis-Hill 20 11 Roy Apps, 4.5

Average ATOS 5.2 Average APC 0.83 124 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 57: Non-fiction Books Read Most Often: Year 9

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Ronaldo: From the Playground to the Pitch 1 10 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

Messi: From the Playground to the Pitch 2 18 Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Kane: From the Playground to the Pitch 3 13 Matt Oldfield, 5.0

Football 4 2 Paul May, 3.8

Goalkeepers 5 1 Jonny Zucker, 4.5

Raheem Sterling: Young Lion/Sterling: From the Playground to the Pitch 6 52 Tom Oldfield, 5.7

Neymar: From the Playground to the Pitch 7 NULL Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Paul Pogba: Pogboom/Pogba: From the Playground to the Pitch 8 55 Matt Oldfield, 5.5

Gareth Bale: The Boy Who Became a Galáctico/Bale: From the Playground to the Pitch 9 14 Tom Oldfield, 5.7

Boy: Tales of Childhood 10 11 Roald Dahl, 6.0

Sergio Agüero: The Little Genius/Agüero: From the Playground to the Pitch 11 36 Matt Oldfield, 5.2

Football 12 5 Andy Smith, 6.6

Mbappe: From the Playground to the Pitch 13 3116 Matt Oldfield, 5.3

Sharks 14 71 John Townsend, 4.4

Leo Messi 15 3 Roy Apps, 4.5

Goal Scorers 16 4 Jonny Zucker, 4.7

Salah: From the Playground to the Pitch 17 710 Matt Oldfield, 5.5

Fighter Planes 18 30 Cavan Scott, 4.8

Movie Monsters 19 7 Danny Pearson, 4.5

Eden Hazard: The Boy in Blue/Hazard: From the Playground to the Pitch 20 19 Tom Oldfield, 5.6

Average ATOS 5.2 Average APC 0.82 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 125

Voting for Favourite Books: Top 20 Titles in Years 3 – 11; Tables 58-75

Table 58: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 1

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Milo’s Moustache 1 1492 Katie McDougall, 1.3

The Yellow Canary 2 1735 Tessa Krailing, 1.3

Letter to Sam 3 1338 Jay Dale, 1.8

Grandma’s Glasses 4 325 Nicola Moon, 0.9

Nature Detectives 5 1797 Pippa Goodhart, 1.5

Shh! We Have a Plan 6 470 Chris Haughton, 0.8

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 7 NULL J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Rollerblades 8 2134 John Talbot et al., 1.5

Let’s Go Shopping 9 2600 Betty Moon, 1.6

Felix and the Kitten 10 369 Maeve Friel, 1.1

Big Cats 11 288 Sharnika Blacker, 2

The Big Red Bus 12 1475 Alison Hawes, 0.7

Horrid Henry’s Homework (Early Reader) 13 3911 Francesca Simon, 3.3

Ben’s Dad 14 721 Beverley Randell, 0.9

Captain Underpants and the Invasion...Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space 15 NULL Dav Pilkey, 4.4

Dogs and Their Puppies 16 NULL Linda Tagliaferro, 1.4

Sinbad and the Monkeys 17 944 Martin Waddell, 2

The BFG 18 713 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Bug in a Rug 19 990 Russell Punter, 1.2

The 13-Storey Treehouse 20 39 Andy Griffiths, 3.9

Average ATOS 2.2 Average APC 0.90 126 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 59: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 1

Book Title Rank Author, ATOS

Last in Line 1 Jill L. Donahue, 2.1

The 13-Storey Treehouse 2 Andy Griffiths, 3.9

The BFG 3 Roald Dahl, 4.8

Dino Hunt: A Robot and Rico Story 4 Anastasia Suen, 1.8

The Princesses’ Lucky Day 5 Shirley Raye Redmond, 1.3

Gangsta Granny 6 David Walliams, 4.9

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 7 J.K. Rowling, 6

Henry Helps with Laundry 8 Beth Bracken, 1.5

The Cat That Disappeared 9 Lori Mortensen, 1.9

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 10 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Rocky and Daisy Go Home 11 Melinda Melton Crow, 2.3

Do Salamanders Spit? A Book About How Animals Protect Themselves 12 Michael Dahl, 3

Oi Puppies! 13 Kes Gray, 2.3

The 39-Storey Treehouse 14 Andy Griffiths, 3.7

The Ravenous Beast 15 Niamh Sharkey, 2.1

Who’s in the Loo? 16 Jeanne Willis, 2

The Red Man and the Green Man 17 Julia Donaldson, 1.5

Bug in a Rug 18 Russell Punter, 1.2

Tuckerbean at the Cinema 19 Jill Kalz, 1.6

Days of the Week 20 Terri Dougherty, 1.4

Average ATOS 2.8 Average APC 0.94 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 127

Table 60: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 2

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 1 775 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Penguins Can’t Fly! 2 5488 Richard Byrne, 2.5

Royal Rodent Rescue 3 526 John Sazaklis, 3.1

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 4 16 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild 5 479 Dav Pilkey, 2.6

The 78-Storey Treehouse 6 237 Andy Griffiths, 3.5

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 7 35 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

The 117-Storey Treehouse 8 NULL Andy Griffiths, 3.4

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 9 60 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Three Cheers, Secret Seven 10 6303 Enid Blyton, 4.4

Yes! No. (Maybe...) 11 295 Liz Pichon, 3.8

Za-za’s Baby Brother 12 1961 Lucy Cousins, 1.5

Five on a Treasure Island 13 52 Enid Blyton, 4.6

Mummy Fairy and Me 14 5834 Sophie Kinsella, 3.6

Sweetness and Lies 15 768 Karen McCombie, 3.4

Five Go Adventuring Again 16 134 Enid Blyton, 4.5

Reptiles 17 5791 Angela Royston, 4.3

Tusks 18 NULL Jane Clarke, 1.9

The Guardian’s Challenge (Early Reader) 19 6068 Orchard Book Editors, 3.7

Bear’s New Friend 20 2425 Karma Wilson, 1.9

Average ATOS 4.0 Average APC 0.90 128 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 61: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 2

Book Title Rank Author, ATOS

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 1 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild 3 Dav Pilkey, 2.6

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 4 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

The 104-Storey Treehouse 5 Andy Griffiths, 3.4

Five on a Treasure Island 6 Enid Blyton, 4.6

Mummy Fairy and Me 7 Sophie Kinsella, 3.6

The Hen Who Wouldn’t Give Up 8 Jill Tomlinson, 4.4

Kid Normal 9 Greg James, 6.2

Five Go Adventuring Again 10 Enid Blyton, 4.5

Sleepovers 11 Jacqueline Wilson, 4.2

Five Run Away Together 12 Enid Blyton, 4.5

What Monster? 13 Liz Pichon, 3.9

Yes! No. (Maybe...) 14 Liz Pichon, 3.8

The Last Noo-Noo 15 Jill Murphy, 3.7

Eleanor the Snow White Fairy 16 Daisy Meadows, 4.6

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 17 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Three Cheers, Secret Seven 18 Enid Blyton, 4.4

Five Go to Smuggler’s Top 19 Enid Blyton, 4.6

Oi Puppies! 20 Kes Gray, 2.3

Average ATOS 4.6 Average APC 0.92 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 129

Table 62: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 3

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Lost Hero 1 473 Rick Riordan, 4.5

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 3 143 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

The Christmasaurus 4 5 Tom Fletcher, 5.8

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 5 8 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch 6 NULL Tom Fletcher, 5.1

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief 7 197 Rick Riordan, 4.5

Birthday Drama! 8 15 Rachel Renee Russell, 4.7

The Explorer 9 217 Katherine Rundell, 4.5

In the Fifth at Malory Towers 10 284 Enid Blyton, 4.8

Go Away, Dot! 11 NULL Katie Woolley, 0.7

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child 12 241 J.K. Rowling, 3.9

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth 13 243 Rick Riordan, 4.1

The Lucky Snow Leopard 14 308 Amelia Cobb, 4.6

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian 15 23 Rick Riordan, 4.3

Kane: From the Playground to the Pitch 16 1280 Matt Oldfield, 5

The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic 17 31 Cressida Cowell, 6.8

How to Seize a Dragon’s Jewel 18 244 Cressida Cowell, 6.5

The Tail of Emily Windsnap 19 388 Liz Kessler, 3.8

The Wizards of Once: Knock Three Times 20 NULL Cressida Cowell, 6.6

Average ATOS 5.0 Average APC 0.91 130 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 63: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 3

Book Title Rank Author, ATOS

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 1 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince 4 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 5 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

The Sleepy Snowy Owl 6 Amelia Cobb, 5

The Sixth Form at St Clare’s 7 Enid Blyton, 5.5

Five Run Away Together 8 Enid Blyton, 4.5

Little Stars 9 Jacqueline Wilson, 5.3

Queenie 10 Jacqueline Wilson, 4.9

My Head Teacher Is a Vampire Rat! 11 Pamela Butchart, 5.3

A Pinch of Magic 12 Michelle Harrison, 4.9

The Lost Hero 13 Rick Riordan, 4.5

Frenemies Forever 14 Rachel Renée Russell, 4.9

There’s a Yeti in the Playground! 15 Pamela Butchart, 5.3

Dear Dork 16 Rachel Renée Russell, 4.5

Amelia Fang and the Unicorn Lords 17 Laura Ellen Anderson, 4.6

Birthday Drama! 18 Rachel Renee Russell, 4.7

Five Have a Wonderful Time 19 Enid Blyton, 4.7

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian 20 Rick Riordan, 4.3

Average ATOS 5.4 Average APC 0.94 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 131

Table 64: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 4

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

The Land of Stories: Worlds Collide 1 66 Chris Colfer, 6.1

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2 5 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 3 6 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 4 9 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

The Wizards of Once 5 124 Cressida Cowell, 6.5

Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse 6 123 Rick Riordan, 4.1

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian 7 133 Rick Riordan, 4.3

How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury 8 137 Cressida Cowell, 6.9

The Hobbit, or, There and Back Again 9 192 J.R.R. Tolkien, 6.6

Northern Lights/The Golden Compass 10 259 Philip Pullman, 6.2

The Wild Robot 11 1075 Peter Brown, 5.1

The Lost Hero 12 12 Rick Riordan, 4.5

The Son of Neptune 13 13 Rick Riordan, 4.7

The Lost Twin 14 24 Sophie Cleverly, 4.9

The Mark of Athena 15 15 Rick Riordan, 4.8

The House of Hades 16 18 Rick Riordan, 4.8

Scorpia Rising 17 16 Anthony Horowitz, 5.6

Five Have Plenty of Fun 18 297 Enid Blyton, 4.6

The Subtle Knife 19 1416 Philip Pullman, 6.2

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell 20 21 Chris Colfer, 5

Average ATOS 5.6 Average APC 0.92 132 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 65: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 4

Book Title Rank Author, ATOS

The House of Hades 1 Rick Riordan, 4.8

The Last Kids on Earth and the Nightmare King 2 Max Brallier, 4.3

The Red Pyramid 3 Rick Riordan, 4.5

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 4 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 5 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 6 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning 7 Chris Colfer, 5.8

Third Year at Malory Towers 8 Enid Blyton, 4.5

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian 9 Rick Riordan, 4.3

The Wizards of Once 10 Cressida Cowell, 6.5

The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic 11 Cressida Cowell, 6.8

The Land of Stories: Worlds Collide 12 Chris Colfer, 6.1

Summer Term at Malory Towers 13 Enid Blyton, 6.3

Secrets at Malory Towers 14 Enid Blyton, 6.6

Sapphire Battersea 15 Jacqueline Wilson, 5.3

The Naughtiest Girl Is a Monitor 16 Enid Blyton, 4.7

The Two Towers 17 J.R.R. Tolkien, 6.3

The Lost Hero 18 Rick Riordan, 4.5

The Bolds 19 Julian Clary, 5.1

Crocodile Tears 20 Anthony Horowitz, 5.4

Average ATOS 5.6 Average APC 0.95 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 133

Table 66: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 5

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Inheritance 1 303 Christopher Paolini, 7.5

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 2 1 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 3 48 J.K. Rowling, 7.2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 4 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

The Mark of Athena 5 6 Rick Riordan, 4.8

The House of Hades 6 7 Rick Riordan, 4.8

The Blood of Olympus 7 8 Rick Riordan, 5.2

The Lost Twin 8 131 Sophie Cleverly, 4.9

Never Say Die 9 9 Anthony Horowitz, 5.4

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell 10 12 Chris Colfer, 5

The Dance in the Dark 11 206 Sophie Cleverly, 4.5

The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns 12 14 Chris Colfer, 5.3

The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning 13 164 Chris Colfer, 5.8

Dark Days 14 145 Derek Landy, 5.0

The Land of Stories: Beyond the Kingdoms 15 180 Chris Colfer, 5.3

The Hero Pup 16 163 Megan Rix, 5.1

Take Your Last Breath 17 143 Lauren Child, 6.2

The Last Secret 18 NULL Sophie Cleverly, 4.7

Eragon 19 153 Christopher Paolini, 5.6

Rising Storm 20 20 Erin Hunter, 6.1

Average ATOS 5.6 Average APC 0.94 134 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 67: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 5

Rank Book Title Author, ATOS

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 1 J.K. Rowling, 6.7

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 2 J.K. Rowling, 6.8

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 3 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

The Son of Neptune 4 Rick Riordan, 4.7

The Mark of Athena 5 Rick Riordan, 4.8

The Blood of Olympus 6 Rick Riordan, 5.2

Five Get into Trouble 7 Enid Blyton, 4.4

The Lost Twin 8 Sophie Cleverly, 4.9

Never Say Die 9 Anthony Horowitz, 5.4

The Last Ever After 10 Soman Chainani, 6.2

How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury 11 Cressida Cowell, 6.9

The Whispers in the Walls 12 Sophie Cleverly, 4.6

The Dance in the Dark 13 Sophie Cleverly, 4.5

Hurricane Gold 14 Charlie Higson, 5.1

A Crystal of Time 15 Soman Chainani, 5.6

Battle of the Beetles 16 M.G. Leonard, 5.1

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell 17 Chris Colfer, 5

The Lights Under the Lake 18 Sophie Cleverly, 4.7

Inheritance 19 Christopher Paolini, 7.5

Blink and You Die 20 Lauren Child, 5.7

Average ATOS 5.5 Average APC 0.95 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 135

Table 68: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 6

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 28 J.K. Rowling, 6.9

The Lost Hero 2 50 Rick Riordan, 4.5

The Mark of Athena 3 55 Rick Riordan, 4.8

Young Samurai: The Ring of Sky 4 484 Chris Bradford, 6.7

The House of Hades 5 56 Rick Riordan, 4.8

The Blood of Olympus 6 61 Rick Riordan, 5.2

Eragon 7 87 Christopher Paolini, 5.6

Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow 8 143 Jessica Townsend, 6

The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning 9 1 Chris Colfer, 5.8

The Outlaw Varjak Paw 10 546 S.F. Said, 4

The Tyrant’s Tomb 11 NULL Rick Riordan, 5.5

A Dangerous Path 12 169 Erin Hunter, 5.9

Pegasus and the New Olympians 13 299 Kate O’Hearn, 4.5

Midnight 14 170 Erin Hunter, 6

Brisingr 15 3 Christopher Paolini, 7.8

A World Without Princes 16 124 Soman Chainani, 5.7

Bedlam 17 NULL Derek Landy, 4.6

Wildspark: A Ghost Machine Adventure 18 NULL Vashti Hardy, 5.6

The Last Ever After 19 6 Soman Chainani, 6.2

A Crystal of Time 20 NULL Soman Chainani, 5.6

Average ATOS 5.6 Average APC 0.94 136 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 69: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 6

Book Title Rank Author, ATOS

Resurrection 1 Derek Landy, 4.7

The Lost Hero 2 Rick Riordan, 4.5

The Maze Runner 3 James Dashner, 5.3

The House of Hades 4 Rick Riordan, 4.8

Quests for Glory 5 Soman Chainani, 5.8

The Scorch Trials 6 James Dashner, 5

The Girl Who Walked on Air 7 Emma Carroll, 3.8

Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead 8 Rick Riordan, 5.1

Kingdom of the Wicked 9 Derek Landy, 4.4

Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception 10 Eoin Colfer, 5.7

The Tyrant’s Tomb 11 Rick Riordan, 5.5

The School for Good and Evil 12 Soman Chainani, 5.2

Death Bringer 13 Derek Landy, 4.3

The Outlaw Varjak Paw 14 S.F. Said, 4

The Dying of the Light 15 Derek Landy, 4.7

Eldest 16 Christopher Paolini, 7

Bedlam 17 Derek Landy, 4.6

Feather and Fang 18 Ali Sparkes, 5.2

No Ballet Shoes in Syria 19 Catherine Bruton, 5.5

The General 20 Robert Muchamore, 7.1

Average ATOS 5.1 Average APC 0.95 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 137

Table 70: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 7

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Jurassic Park 1 49 Michael Crichton, 7.3

The Lost Heir 2 221 Tui T. Sutherland, 5

The Beasts of Grimheart 3 NULL Kieran Larwood, 5.6

The Hidden Kingdom 4 673 Tui T. Sutherland, 5.1

Queen of Shadows 5 586 Sarah J. Maas, 6.0

The House of Hades 6 74 Rick Riordan, 4.8

The Blood of Olympus 7 1 Rick Riordan, 5.2

The Amber Spyglass 8 112 Philip Pullman, 6.7

Eragon 9 88 Christopher Paolini, 5.6

Into the Wild 10 4 Erin Hunter, 5.6

Forest of Secrets 11 5 Erin Hunter, 5.8

Last Stand of Dead Men 12 96 Derek Landy, 4.6

The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage 13 141 Philip Pullman, 5.4

Frozen Charlotte 14 83 Alex Bell, 5.3

Eldest 15 103 Christopher Paolini, 7

Rising Storm 16 7 Erin Hunter, 6.1

The Dying of the Light 17 6 Derek Landy, 4.7

Ready Player One 18 3 Ernest Cline, 6.7

Breaking Dawn 19 12 Stephenie Meyer, 4.8

The Novice 20 119 Taran Matharu, 6.5

Average ATOS 5.7 Average APC 0.92 138 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 71: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 7

Book Title Rank Author, ATOS

Blink and You Die 1 Lauren Child, 5.7

Ready Player One 2 Ernest Cline, 6.7

Brisingr 3 Christopher Paolini, 7.8

Inheritance 4 Christopher Paolini, 7.5

Library of Souls: The Third Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children 5 Ransom Riggs, 5.6

The Blood of Olympus 6 Rick Riordan, 5.2

Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Silver Eyes (Scholastic Inc.) 7 Scott Cawthon, 5.6

Class A 8 Robert Muchamore, 5.0

The Beasts of Grimheart 9 Kieran Larwood, 5.6

The School for Good and Evil 10 Soman Chainani, 5.2

Mortal Coil 11 Derek Landy, 4.7

The Tyrant’s Tomb 12 Rick Riordan, 5.5

Last Stand of Dead Men 13 Derek Landy, 4.6

The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage 14 Philip Pullman, 5.4

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell 15 Chris Colfer, 5

A Crystal of Time 16 Soman Chainani, 5.6

Light: A Gone Novel 17 Michael Grant, 4.6

Eldest 18 Christopher Paolini, 7

The Hidden Kingdom 19 Tui T. Sutherland, 5.1

Fear: A Gone Novel 20 Michael Grant, 4.3

Average ATOS 5.6 Average APC 0.94 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 139

Table 72: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 8

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

Eldest 1 190 Christopher Paolini, 7

Brisingr 2 37 Christopher Paolini, 7.8

Inheritance 3 38 Christopher Paolini, 7.5

The Battlemage 4 2 Taran Matharu, 6.7

Clockwork Princess 5 40 Cassandra Clare, 6.1

The Assassin’s Blade 6 51 Sarah J. Maas, 6.1

The Sun Trail 7 311 Erin Hunter, 5.4

Bluestar’s Prophecy 8 NULL Erin Hunter, 4.5

The Return of the King 9 64 J.R.R. Tolkien, 6.2

Heartstopper Volume 1 10 NULL Alice Oseman, 2.5

Abhorsen 11 199 Garth Nix, 6.6

Dark River 12 82 Erin Hunter, 4.3

A Game of Thrones 13 46 George R.R. Martin, 5.5

The Hate U Give 14 110 Angie Thomas, 3.9

Long Shadows 15 97 Erin Hunter, 5.3

The House of Hades 16 126 Rick Riordan, 4.8

The Blood of Olympus 17 13 Rick Riordan, 5.2

The Amber Spyglass 18 183 Philip Pullman, 6.7

Frozen Charlotte 19 9 Alex Bell, 5.3

Meltdown 20 2323 Andy McNab, 5.9

Average ATOS 5.7 Average APC 0.93 140 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 73: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Year 8

Book Title Rank Author, ATOS

Clockwork Princess 1 Cassandra Clare, 6.1

Lady Midnight 2 Cassandra Clare, 5.3

City of Heavenly Fire 3 Cassandra Clare, 5.8

In the Afterlight 4 Alexandra Bracken, 5.9

Perfect 5 Cecelia Ahern, 5.2

Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead 6 Rick Riordan, 5.1

The Novice 7 Taran Matharu, 6.5

Take Your Last Breath 8 Lauren Child, 6.2

Scorched Earth 9 Robert Muchamore, 6.8

Clockwork Prince 10 Cassandra Clare, 5.7

Clockwork Angel 11 Cassandra Clare, 5.6

One of Us Is Lying 12 Karen M. McManus, 5.1

Catching Fire 13 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

The Two Towers 14 J.R.R. Tolkien, 6.3

Mockingjay 15 Suzanne Collins, 5.3

The Sight 16 Erin Hunter, 4.9

Empire of Storms 17 Sarah J. Maas, 6.2

The Inquisition 18 Taran Matharu, 6.7

Children of Virtue and Vengeance 19 Tomi Adeyemi, 4.8

The Vampire’s Assistant 20 Darren Shan, 4.2

Average ATOS 5.7 Average APC 0.94 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 141

Table 74: Voting on Favourite Books: Year 9-11

Prior Book Title Rank Ranking Author, ATOS

City of Heavenly Fire 1 11 Cassandra Clare, 5.8

Oblivion 2 101 Anthony Horowitz, 5.3

Empire of Storms 3 3 Sarah J. Maas, 6.2

Kingdom of Ash 4 6 Sarah J Maas, 5.5

Inheritance 5 26 Christopher Paolini, 7.5

A Court of Wings and Ruin 6 5 Sarah J. Maas, 5.5

Throne of Glass 7 8 Sarah J. Maas, 5.7

The Blood of Olympus 8 67 Rick Riordan, 5.2

The Amber Spyglass 9 295 Philip Pullman, 6.7

Scythe 10 111 Neal Shusterman, 6.5

City of Lost Souls 11 10 Cassandra Clare, 5.1

A Court of Thorns and Roses 12 74 Sarah J. Maas, 6.1

Crown of Midnight 13 2 Sarah J. Maas, 6.1

Fire and Ice 14 362 Erin Hunter, 5.4

A Court of Mist and Fury 15 15 Sarah J. Maas, 5.9

Heir of Fire 16 14 Sarah J. Maas, 6.4

The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage 17 47 Philip Pullman, 5.4

Clockwork Prince 18 12 Cassandra Clare, 5.7

Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Silver Eyes (Scholastic Inc.) 19 21 Scott Cawthon, 5.6

Clockwork Princess 20 13 Cassandra Clare, 6.1

Average ATOS 5.9 Average APC 0.94 142 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 75: Voting on Favourite Books During First Lockdown: Years 9-11

Book Title Rank Author, ATOS

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian 1 Rick Riordan, 4.3

The Scorch Trials 2 James Dashner, 5.0

City of Heavenly Fire 3 Cassandra Clare, 5.8

The Recruit 4 Robert Muchamore, 4.5

A Court of Mist and Fury 5 Sarah J. Maas, 5.9

Double Cross 6 Malorie Blackman, 4.4

City of Glass 7 Cassandra Clare, 5.3

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder 8 Holly Jackson, 5.4

Queen of Shadows 9 Sarah J. Maas, 6.0

Kingdom of Ash 10 Sarah J Maas, 5.5

New Moon 11 Stephenie Meyer, 4.7

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth 12 Rick Riordan, 4.1

A Court of Thorns and Roses 13 Sarah J. Maas, 6.1

Ready Player One 14 Ernest Cline, 6.7

Point Blanc 15 Anthony Horowitz, 4.8

City of Bones 16 Cassandra Clare, 5.0

Everything, Everything 17 Nicola Yoon, 4.4

Only the Good Spy Young 18 Ally Carter, 5.0

I’d Tell You I Love You, but Then I’d Have to Kill You 19 Ally Carter, 5.9

Breaking Dawn 20 Stephenie Meyer, 4.8

Average ATOS 5.2 Average APC 0.95 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 143

Table 76: Favourite Books within Primary Schools

Book Rank Author Number of Times Voted For (Position last year in brackets if in list)

1 Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban (1) J. K. Rowling 8,738

2 Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows (6) J. K. Rowling 4,824

3 Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire (3) J. K. Rowling 3,515

4 Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix (5) J. K. Rowling 3,148

5 The Mark of Athena Rick Riordan 1,138

6 The House of Hades Rick Riordan 1,048

7 The Lost Hero Rick Riordan 912

8 The Blood of Olympus Rick Riordan 792

9 The Christmasaurus Tom Fletcher 749

10 Percy Jackson & the Last Olympian Rick Riordan 585 144 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 77: Favourite Books within Primary Schools During First Lockdown

Book Rank Author Number of Times Voted For

1 Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban J. K. Rowling 3,531

2 Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire J. K. Rowling 3,093

3 Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows J. K. Rowling 1,766

4 Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets J. K. Rowling 1, 107

5 Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince J. K. Rowling 350

6 Percy Jackson & the Last Olympian Rick Riordan 260

7 Third Year at Malory Towers Enid Blyton 248

8 The Lost Hero Rick Riordan 240

9 My Headteacher is a Vampire Rat! Pamela Butchart 180

10 The Son of Neptune Rick Riordan 171 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 145

Table 78: Favourite Books within Secondary Schools

Book Number of Rank Author (Position last year in brackets if in list) Times Voted For

1 The House of Hades Rick Riordan 1,611

2 The Blood of Olympus (1) Rick Riordan 1,495

3 The Amber Spyglass Philip Pullman 1,131

4 The Hate U Give Angie Thomas 1,074

5 Frozen Charlotte (3) Alex Bell 914

6 Ready Player One (2) Ernest Cline 695

7 Eldest Christopher Paolini 617

8 The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage Philip Pulman 497

9 Eragon Christopher Paolini 491

10 Into the Wild (10) Erin Hunter 467 146 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 79: Favourite Books within Secondary Schools During First Lockdown

Book Number of Rank Author Times Voted For

1 One of Us Is Lying Karen M. McManus 480

2 Catching Fire Suzanne Collins 473

3 Mockingjay Suzanne Collins 311

4 The Blood of Olympus Rick Riordan 250

5 Class A Robert Muchamore 176

6 The School for Good and Evil Soman Chainani 125

7 Mortal Coil Derek Landy 122

8 The Tyrant’s Tomb Rick Riordan 113

9 The Last Stand of Dead Men Derek Landy 98

10 The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage Philip Pulman 91 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 147

Regional Variation in Reading Habits: Top 20 Titles in Years 1 – 11: Tables 80-88

Table 80: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 1

England Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Republic of Ireland

Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author

Julia Julia Private Michael 1 The Gruffalo The Gruffalo Donaldson Donaldson Peaceful Morpurgo

We’re Going Michael J. The Gruffalo’s Julia 2 on a Bear Wonder R.J. Palacio Rosen Child Donaldson Hunt

The Tiddler: The Julia Julia Julia 3 Gruffalo’s Story-telling The Gruffalo Donaldson Donaldson Donaldson Child Fish

Monkey Julia Marta The Upside- Julia 4 The King Cat Puzzle Donaldson Altes Down Browns Donaldson

Village in the Roderick We’re Going on Michael J. Roderick 5 Hungry Floppy Snow Hunt a Bear Hunt Rosen Hunt

The Secret Roderick Julia The Snake Julia 6 Monkey Puzzle Room Hunt Donaldson and the Drake Donaldson

The Dragon Roderick Green Eggs Looking After Roderick 7 Dr. Seuss Tree Hunt and Ham Gran Hunt

The Very Pirate Roderick The Treasure Roderick 8 Hungry Eric Carle Adventure Hunt Chest Hunt Caterpillar

The Magic Roderick Roderick Julia 9 Red Planet Sue Kangaroo Key Hunt Hunt Donaldson

Castle Roderick A Monster Roderick The Gruffalo’s Julia 10 Adventure Hunt Mistake Hunt Child Donaldson

Room on the Julia Room on the Julia Husky Roderick 11 Broom Donaldson Broom Donaldson Adventure Hunt

Husky Roderick What the Julia Julia 12 Tara’s Party Adventure Hunt Ladybird Heard Donaldson Donaldson

A Monster Roderick Roderick Splash and Julia 13 By the Stream Mistake Hunt Hunt Squelch Donaldson

Julia Julia Julia 14 Stick Man Superworm No Milk Today Donaldson Donaldson Donaldson

Roderick Viking Roderick Julia 15 Gran Tadpoles Hunt Adventure Hunt Donaldson

A Squash Julia Roderick Julia 16 and a Superdog Spike Says Donaldson Hunt Donaldson Squeeze

Hungry Roderick Roderick Jack and the Julia 17 Robin Hood Floppy Hunt Hunt Giants Donaldson

Roderick Husky Roderick Roderick 18 The Play Trapped! Hunt Adventure Hunt Hunt

Peace at Roderick The Roderick 19 Jill Murphy House for Sale Last Hunt Spaceship Hunt

Queen Looking Roderick Survival Roderick Julia 20 Anneena’s After Gran Hunt Adventure Hunt Donaldson Feast

Average ATOS and APC (2020 in brackets): England ATOS 1.8 (1.6), APC 0.92 (0.90) Scotland ATOS 2.1, APC 0.91 Republic of Ireland ATOS 1.9 (1.9), APC 0.91 (0.91) 148 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 81: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 2

England Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Republic of Ireland

Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author

We’re Going Don’t Be Julia Julia Julia Michael J. Francesca 1 The Gruffalo The Gruffalo The Gruffalo on a Bear Horrid, Henry! Donaldson Donaldson Donaldson Rosen Simon Hunt (Early Reader)

The The Julia The Gruffalo’s Julia Julia The Julia Julia 2 Gruffalo’s Gruffalo’s The Gruffalo Donaldson Child Donaldson Donaldson Gruffalo Donaldson Donaldson Child Child

Horrid Henry A Squash What the A Squash Julia Julia Julia Kipper’s Roderick Gets Rich Francesca 3 and a Ladybird and a Donaldson Donaldson Donaldson Birthday Hunt Quick (Early Simon Squeeze Heard Squeeze Reader)

We’re Going Horrid Henry’s Michael J. Julia Julia Roderick Francesca 4 on a Bear Stick Man Stick Man Spots! Holiday (Early Rosen Donaldson Donaldson Hunt Simon Hunt Reader)

Room on the Julia Monkey Julia Roderick Colin The Gruffalo’s Julia 5 The Storm Suddenly! Broom Donaldson Puzzle Donaldson Hunt McNaughton Child Donaldson

Julia The Magic Dragon Roderick Christmas Roderick The Magic 6 Stick Man Roald Dahl Roald Dahl Donaldson Finger Danger Hunt Adventure Hunt Finger

The Tiger We’re Going The Michael J. Christmas Roderick Julia The Laughing Roderick 7 Who Came Judith Kerr on a Bear Gruffalo’s Rosen Adventure Hunt Donaldson Princess Hunt to Tea Hunt Child

Don’t Be Horrid Henry’s Martin Francesca Roderick Roderick Francesca 8 Owl Babies Horrid, Henry! Gran Gran Nits (Early Waddell Simon Hunt Hunt Simon (Early Reader) Reader)

The Smartest Julia Room on the Julia Roderick Kiss Good A Fright in the Roderick 9 Missing! Amy Hest Giant in Donaldson Broom Donaldson Hunt Night, Sam Night Hunt Town

Peace at The Tiger Who The Roderick The Dragon Roderick A Squash and Julia 10 Jill Murphy Judith Kerr Last Came to Tea Snowman Hunt Tree Hunt a Squeeze Donaldson

Monkey Julia The Smartest Julia The Red Roderick To the The Cat in the 11 Jay Dale Dr. Seuss Puzzle Donaldson Giant in Town Donaldson Coat Hunt Moon Hat

Moody What the Roderick Martin Julia Peace at Margaret Francesca 12 Robin Hood Owl Babies Ladybird Jill Murphy Hunt Waddell Donaldson Last Casts a Spell Simon Heard (Early Reader)

The Magic Julia Husky Roderick Roderick Roderick 13 Roald Dahl Zog Red Planet Gran Finger Donaldson Adventure Hunt Hunt Hunt

Charlie Cook’s A Nature Roderick Julia By the Roderick Louise Green Eggs 14 Red Planet Favourite Walk on the Dr. Seuss Hunt Donaldson Stream Hunt Spilsbury and Ham Book Beach

The Snail George’s Julia The Moon Roderick The Great Roderick Looking After Roderick 15 and the Marvellous Roald Dahl Donaldson Jet Hunt Race Hunt Gran Hunt Whale Medicine

Tiddler: The A Squash Land of the Roderick Julia Village in Roderick Julia Julia 16 Story-telling and a Stick Man Dinosaurs Hunt Donaldson the Snow Hunt Donaldson Donaldson Fish Squeeze

Don’t Be Horrid, Francesca Roderick The Dragon Roderick Roderick Please, Mr. Steve 17 Green Island Robin Hood Henry! (Early Simon Hunt Tree Hunt Hunt Panda Antony Reader)

What’s the Lost in the Roderick The Broken Roderick By the Roderick Room on the Julia 18 Time, Mr. Debi Gliori Jungle Hunt Roof Hunt Stream Hunt Broom Donaldson Wolf?

Roderick The Snail and Julia Roderick Room on Julia Dragon Roderick 19 The Outing Red Planet Hunt the Whale Donaldson Hunt the Broom Donaldson Danger Hunt

The The Very Monkey Julia Smartest Julia Christmas Roderick 20 Hungry Eric Carle The Twits Roald Dahl Puzzle Donaldson Giant in Donaldson Adventure Hunt Caterpillar Town

Average ATOS and APC (2020 in brackets): Northern Ireland ATOS 1.7 (1.3), APC 0.92 (0.92) England ATOS 2.6 (2.5), APC 0.91 (0.90) Wales ATOS 2.0, APC 0.89 Scotland ATOS 2.9 (2.5), APC 0.91 (0.89) Republic of Ireland ATOS 2.3 (2.5), APC 0.91 (0.90) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 149

Table 82: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 3

England Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Republic of Ireland

Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author

Julia Julia The Julia Julia 1 The Gruffalo The Gruffalo The Gruffalo The Twits Roald Dahl Donaldson Donaldson Gruffalo Donaldson Donaldson

The Diary of a The Magic The Magic The Magic Smartest Julia 2 Roald Dahl Roald Dahl Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Finger Finger Finger Giant in Donaldson Rodrick Rules Town

The The Julia Julia Christmas Roderick Julia 3 Gruffalo’s The Twits Roald Dahl Gruffalo’s The Gruffalo Donaldson Donaldson Adventure Hunt Donaldson Child Child

George’s Fantastic Castle Roderick The Magic 4 The Twits Roald Dahl Marvellous Roald Dahl Roald Dahl Roald Dahl Mr Fox Adventure Hunt Finger Medicine

Don’t Be A Squash Diary of a Room on the Julia Francesca Room on Julia Julia 5 Horrid, Henry! and a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Broom Donaldson Simon the Broom Donaldson Donaldson (Early Reader) Squeeze Wrecking Ball

Don’t Be Horrid, Diary of a Fantastic Mr Julia Francesca The Treasure Roderick 6 Roald Dahl Stick Man Henry! Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Fox Donaldson Simon Chest Hunt (Early The Getaway Reader)

George’s The Don’t Be The Gruffalo’s Julia Julia Francesca 7 Marvellous Roald Dahl The Twits Roald Dahl Gruffalo’s Horrid, Henry! Child Donaldson Donaldson Simon Medicine Child (Early Reader)

Don’t Be Diary of a The Very Horrid, Francesca Fantastic Mr Julia Wimpy Kid: 8 Roald Dahl Stick Man Hungry Eric Carle Jeff Kinney Henry! (Early Simon Fox Donaldson The Last Caterpillar Reader) Straw

A Squash The Smartest Julia The Tiger Who Julia The Roderick Gangsta David 9 Judith Kerr and a Giant in Town Donaldson Came to Tea Donaldson Kidnappers Hunt Granny Walliams Squeeze

The Diary of a Julia Green Eggs Smartest Julia Five Minutes’ 10 Stick Man Dr. Seuss Jill Murphy Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Donaldson and Ham Giant in Donaldson Peace Dog Days Town

A Squash Diary of a Julia Julia Roderick Land of the Roderick 11 and a Monkey Puzzle Red Planet Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Donaldson Donaldson Hunt Dinosaurs Hunt Squeeze The Long Haul

The Tiger We’re The Snail Room on the Julia Michael J. Julia Diary of a 12 Who Came Judith Kerr Going on a and the Jeff Kinney Broom Donaldson Rosen Donaldson Wimpy Kid to Tea Bear Hunt Whale

Hairy Maclary from Lynley The Smartest Julia The Lost Roderick Chinese Roderick Dog Man 13 Dav Pilkey Donaldson’s Dodd Giant in Town Donaldson Key Hunt Adventure Hunt Unleashed Dairy

Horrid Don’t Be Horrid Henry’s Henry’s Dog Man: A The Snail and Julia Francesca Francesca Horrid, Francesca 14 Birthday Party Birthday Tale of Two Dav Pilkey the Whale Donaldson Simon Simon Henry! (Early Simon (Early Reader) Party (Early Kitties Reader) Reader)

Horrid Henry’s George’s The Tiger Francesca A Squash and Julia David 15 Holiday Marvellous Roald Dahl Who Came Judith Kerr Billionaire Boy Simon a Squeeze Donaldson Walliams (Early Medicine to Tea Reader)

Horrid Henry The Very We’re Going What the Julia Michael J. Gets Rich Francesca 16 Esio Trot Roald Dahl Hungry Eric Carle on a Bear Ladybird Heard Donaldson Rosen Quick (Early Simon Caterpillar Hunt Reader)

The Cat in The Day the Drew Julia Roman Roderick 17 Dr. Seuss Zog Dog Man Dav Pilkey the Hat Crayons Quit Daywalt Donaldson Adventure Hunt

Horrid Henry’s The Snail Diary of a Martin Francesca Julia Anita 18 Owl Babies Holiday (Early and the Rainbows Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Waddell Simon Donaldson Loughrey Northern Ireland ATOS 1.7 (1.3), APC 0.92 (0.92) Reader) Whale Cabin Fever Wales ATOS 2.0, APC 0.89 Republic of Ireland ATOS 2.3 (2.5), APC 0.91 (0.90) 150 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Diary of a Janet Julia Roderick Roderick 19 Funnybones Zog The Outing The Outing Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Ahlberg Donaldson Hunt Hunt The Ugly Truth

Horrid Henry’s Diary of a Francesca Martin Lost in the Roderick Room on the Julia 20 Birthday Owl Babies Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Simon Waddell Jungle Hunt Broom Donaldson Party (Early The Meltdown Reader)

Average ATOS and APC (2020 in brackets): England ATOS 3.2 (3.2), APC 0.90 (0.90) Scotland ATOS 3.0 (3.2), APC 0.91 (0.89) Northern Ireland ATOS 1.0 (2.7), APC 0.92 (0.89) Wales ATOS 2.5 (2.6), APC 0.90 (0.88) Republic of Ireland ATOS 4.3 (4.8), APC 0.91 (0.92) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 151

Table 83: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 4

England Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Republic of Ireland

Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author

Diary of a Roald Fantastic Mr Roald The Magic 1 The Twits The Twits Roald Dahl Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Dahl Fox Dahl Finger Wrecking Ball

George’s George’s Diary of a Roald Roald The Magic Aliens Love Claire 2 Marvellous Marvellous Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Dahl Dahl Finger Underpants Freedman Medicine Medicine The Getaway

Hairy Diary of a Fantastic Mr Roald Roald Fantastic Mr Maclary from Lynley 3 The Twits Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Fox Dahl Dahl Fox Donaldson’s Dodd Dog Days Dairy

The Magic Roald Diary of a Jeff Julia Fantastic Mr David 4 The Gruffalo Roald Dahl Billionaire Boy Finger Dahl Wimpy Kid Kinney Donaldson Fox Walliams

The George’s Diary of a Jeff David Smartest Julia Gangsta David 5 Gangsta Granny Marvellous Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid Kinney Walliams Giant in Donaldson Granny Walliams Medicine Town

The Gangsta David The Magic Roald Julia Julia Diary of a 6 Gruffalo’s The Gruffalo Jeff Kinney Granny Walliams Finger Dahl Donaldson Donaldson Wimpy Kid Child

Diary of a The Beast of Billionaire David Jeff Gangsta David Village in the Roderick David 7 Wimpy Kid: Dog Buckingham Boy Walliams Kinney Granny Walliams Snow Hunt Walliams Days Palace

Don’t Be The Beast of Diary of a The Diary of a David Jeff Horrid, Francesca Julia 8 Buckingham Wimpy Kid: Gruffalo’s Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Walliams Kinney Henry! (Early Simon Donaldson Palace Rodrick Rules Child Rodrick Rules Reader)

Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff David Lost in the Roderick 9 Billionaire Boy Esio Trot Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Rodrick Kinney Walliams Jungle Hunt The Meltdown Rules

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff Room on the Julia The Treasure Roderick 10 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: The Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Broom Donaldson Chest Hunt Dog Days Last Straw Hard Luck

Charlie Charlie and Diary of a and the Roald Roald Julia Roderick 11 the Chocolate Stick Man Red Planet Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Chocolate Dahl Dahl Donaldson Hunt Factory The Last Straw Factory

Charlie Diary of a George’s Diary of a Roald Jeff and the 12 Esio Trot Wimpy Kid: Old Roald Dahl Marvellous Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Dahl Kinney Chocolate School Medicine The Long Haul Factory

Diary of a Diary of a Demon David Jeff Billionaire David A Fright in Roderick 13 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Dentist Walliams Kinney Boy Walliams the Night Hunt Wrecking Ball Old School

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Jeff Diary of a Green Eggs 14 Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Dr. Seuss Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Last Kinney Kinney Wimpy Kid and Ham Getaway The Ugly Truth Straw

Diary of Horrid Henry Diary of a The Beast of The Boy in David David a Wimpy and the Francesca Wimpy Kid: 15 Buckingham Jeff Kinney Jeff Kinney the Dress Walliams Walliams Kid: The Football Simon The Third Palace Getaway Fiend Wheel

Diary of a The The Boss Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Jeff Smartest Julia Dog of 16 Wimpy Kid: Rita Ray Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Ugly Kinney Kinney Giant in Donaldson Blossom Cabin Fever Cabin Fever Truth Town Street

Diary of a Diary of a David Jeff Wimpy Kid: A Monster Roderick The Boy in the David 17 Mr. Stink Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Walliams Kinney Wrecking Mistake Hunt Dress Walliams Ugly Truth Ball 152 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Roald Wimpy Kid: 18 Wimpy Kid: Esio Trot Jeff Kinney The Twits Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Dahl Rodrick Cabin Fever Double Down Rules

Three Blind Diary of a A Squash Mice Team Jeff David Julia Paul 19 Wimpy Kid: Demon Dentist and a Up with the The Twits Roald Dahl Kinney Walliams Donaldson Harrison Hard Luck Squeeze Three Little Pigs

The Brilliant Diary of a Jeff David Room on the Julia Fantastic Mr 20 World of Tom Liz Pichon Wimpy Kid: The Mr. Stink Roald Dahl Kinney Walliams Broom Donaldson Fox Gates Long Haul

Average ATOS and APC (2020 in brackets): England ATOS 4.7 (4.9), APC 0.90 (0.90) Scotland ATOS 4.9 (4.8), APC 0.91 (0.91) Northern Ireland ATOS 4.0 (3.4), APC 0.90 (0.89) Wales ATOS 2.9 (3.1), APC 0.89 (0.88) Republic of Ireland ATOS 5.1 (5.1), APC 0.93 (0.93) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 153

Table 84: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 5

England Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Republic of Ireland

Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author

Diary of a The Beast of Diary of a David Diary of a Jeff Wimpy Kid: Fantastic Mr 1 Buckingham Jeff Kinney Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Walliams Wimpy Kid Kinney Wrecking Fox Palace Wrecking Ball Ball

Diary of a The Beast of Diary of a Jeff Jeff Gangsta David David David 2 Wimpy Kid: Mr. Stink Buckingham Wimpy Kid Kinney Kinney Granny Walliams Walliams Walliams Rodrick Rules Palace

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Jeff 3 Wimpy Kid: Dog The Twits Roald Dahl The Twits Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Rodrick Kinney Kinney Days Rodrick Rules Rules

Diary of a Diary of a George’s Diary of a Jeff Jeff Kensuke’s Michael 4 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: The Marvellous Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Kingdom Morpurgo Dog Days Last Straw Medicine The Ugly Truth

Diary of a Diary of a The Brilliant Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Jeff Billionaire David 5 Wimpy Kid: World of Liz Pichon Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wrecking Kinney Kinney Boy Walliams Cabin Fever Tom Gates Dog Days Ball

Diary of a Diary of a Gangsta David Jeff Fantastic Mr The Magic 6 Wimpy Kid: Roald Dahl Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Granny Walliams Kinney Fox Finger Wrecking Ball The Getaway

Diary of a The Beast of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff David The Magic Twelfth Andrew 7 Buckingham Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Last Kinney Walliams Finger Night Matthews Palace The Last Straw Straw

Diary of a Horrid Henry Diary of a The Beast of Wimpy Kid: Jeff Jeff David and the Francesca Diary of a 8 Wimpy Kid: Buckingham Jeff Kinney The Ugly Kinney Kinney Walliams Football Simon Wimpy Kid Hard Luck Palace Truth Fiend

James and Diary of a Billionaire David David Diary of a 9 Billionaire Boy Jeff Kinney the Giant Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Boy Walliams Walliams Wimpy Kid Peach Old School

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Can’t You Diary of a Jeff Jeff Wimpy Kid: Martin 10 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Sleep, Little Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Rodrick Waddell Old School Ugly Truth Bear? The Meltdown Rules

Diary of a Diary of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Roald a Wimpy Andrew 11 The Twits Jeff Kinney Macbeth Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Long Kinney Dahl Kid: The Matthews Cabin Fever Haul Getaway

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff Martin 12 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: The Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Farmer Duck Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Waddell The Getaway Getaway Dog Days The Long Haul

Diary of a Hairy Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff Wimpy Kid: Maclary from Lynley Wimpy Kid: 13 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney The Last Donaldson’s Dodd The Third Cabin Fever Third Wheel Straw Dairy Wheel

Charlie Diary of a Diary of a George’s Diary of a Jeff Roald and the Wimpy Kid: 14 Wimpy Kid: Marvellous Roald Dahl Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Dahl Chocolate The Long Hard Luck Medicine Hard Luck Factory Haul

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff David 15 Gangsta Granny Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Third Kinney Walliams Old School Hard Luck Double Down Wheel

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Roald Jeff Gangsta David 16 The Twits Wimpy Kid: The Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Dahl Kinney Granny Walliams Long Haul Cabin Fever Old School

The World’s Diary of a The George’s David Jeff David David 17 Worst Wimpy Kid: Old Midnight Marvellous Roald Dahl Billionaire Boy Walliams Kinney Walliams Walliams Teachers School Gang Medicine 154 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Diary of a Horrid Diary of a Jeff The World’s David Wimpy Kid: Henry and Francesca The Boy in the David 18 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Worst Teachers Walliams The Ugly the Bogey Simon Dress Walliams Double Down Truth Babysitter

Diary of a The Boy in David Fantastic Mr Roald Gangsta David David 19 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Ratburger the Dress Walliams Fox Dahl Granny Walliams Walliams Hard Luck

Diary of Diary of a Diary of a The World’s a Wimpy Jeff Jeff The Boy in David David 20 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Worst Kid: The Kinney Kinney the Dress Walliams Walliams Double Down Cabin Fever Teachers Meltdown

Average ATOS and APC (2020 in brackets): England ATOS 5.1 (5.1), APC 0.92 (0.91) Scotland ATOS 5.0 (5.1), APC 0.91 (0.92) Northern Ireland ATOS 4.8 (4.9), APC 0.92 (0.91) Wales ATOS 4.3 (3.9), APC 0.89 (0.90) Republic of Ireland ATOS 5.2 (5.1), APC 0.93 (0.91) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 155

Table 85: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 6

England Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Republic of Ireland

Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author

Diary of a The Beast of Diary of a Diary of a David Jeff Wimpy Kid: 1 Buckingham Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Twits Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Walliams Kinney Wrecking Palace Wrecking Ball Wrecking Ball Ball

Diary of a Diary of a The Beast of The Beast of Jeff Diary of a Jeff David Wimpy Kid: Jeff David 2 Wimpy Kid: Buckingham Buckingham Kinney Wimpy Kid Kinney Walliams The Long Kinney Walliams Wrecking Ball Palace Palace Haul

Diary of a The Beast of Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff David Wimpy Kid: Jeff 3 Buckingham Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid Kinney Walliams Rodrick Kinney Palace Old School Dog Days Rules

The World’s Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a David Jeff Jeff 4 Worst Wimpy Kid: Dog Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Walliams Kinney Kinney Teachers Days Dog Days Dog Days Rodrick Rules

Diary of a Diary of a Gangsta David Jeff Diary of a Diary of a Jeff 5 Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Granny Walliams Kinney Wimpy Kid Wimpy Kid Kinney Last Straw The Getaway

Diary of a Diary of Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Jeff a Wimpy Jeff Wimpy Kid: 6 Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Rodrick Kinney Kinney Kid: The Kinney The Third Ugly Truth Cabin Fever Rules Getaway Wheel

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff Gangsta David Fantastic Mr 7 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Granny Walliams Fox The Getaway Rodrick Rules The Ugly Truth

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a The World’s Jeff Jeff David Wimpy Kid: Jeff Diary of a 8 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: The Worst Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Walliams The Ugly Kinney Wimpy Kid Dog Days Getaway Teachers Truth

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Jeff Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Wimpy Kid: 9 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Jeff Kinney The Ugly Kinney Kinney The Ugly The Last Kinney The Last Cabin Fever Truth Truth Straw Straw

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff David Jeff 10 Billionaire Boy Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Last Kinney Walliams Kinney Old School Rodrick Rules Old School Straw

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff Wimpy Kid: Gangsta David 11 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney The Last Granny Walliams Cabin Fever Long Haul Hard Luck Straw

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a The Beast of Diary of a Jeff Jeff David 12 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Old Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Buckingham Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Walliams Old School School Hard Luck Palace The Long Haul

Diary of a The Giraffe Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff David Billionaire David 13 Gangsta Granny and the Pelly Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Long Kinney Walliams Boy Walliams and Me Cabin Fever Haul

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff The Boy in David 14 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney the Dress Walliams Hard Luck Hard Luck Cabin Fever The Meltdown

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Billionaire David Jeff Wimpy Kid: Jeff R.J. 15 Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Wonder Boy Walliams Kinney The Third Kinney Palacio Third Wheel Wrecking Ball Wheel

Diary of a Diary of a The Wimpy Kid: Jeff R.J. Wimpy Kid: David 16 Wonder Jeff Kinney Fisherman Eric Fein Billionaire Boy The Third Kinney Palacio The Long Walliams and the Genie Wheel Haul 156 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Diary of The Boy in David The World’s David a Wimpy David Gangsta David 17 Jeff Kinney Billionaire Boy the Dress Walliams Worst Teachers Walliams Kid: The Walliams Granny Walliams Meltdown

Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff David The Magic Louis 18 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Ratburger Roald Dahl Holes Kinney Kinney Walliams Finger Sachar Double Down Double Down

Diary of Diary of Diary of a Diary of a a Wimpy Jeff Jeff a Wimpy David 19 Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Fing Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kid: The Kinney Kinney Kid: Double Walliams Meltdown Double Down Meltdown Down

Harry Potter Harry Potter David David Demon David and the J.K. and the J.K. 20 Ratburger Ratburger Walliams Walliams Dentist Walliams Philosopher’s Rowling Philosopher’s Rowling Stone Stone

Average ATOS and APC (2020 in brackets): England ATOS 5.2 (5.1), APC 0.92 (0.92) Scotland ATOS 5.2 (5.1), APC 0.92 (0.91) Northern Ireland ATOS 5.2 (5.1), APC 0.93 (0.93) Wales ATOS 4.8 (5.0), APC 0.93 (0.93) Republic of Ireland ATOS 5.3 (5.2), APC 0.92 (0.92) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 157

Table 86: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 7

England Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Republic of Ireland

Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author

Under the Marita Diary of a Gangsta David David Gangsta David 1 Gangsta Granny Hawthorn Conlon- Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Granny Walliams Walliams Granny Walliams Tree McKenna Wrecking Ball

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Diary of a Jeff Wimpy Kid: Diary of a Jeff 2 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Wimpy Kid Kinney Wrecking Wimpy Kid Kinney The Getaway The Getaway Ball

Diary of a The Beast of Charlie and The Boy in Diary of a Jeff Jeff David John 3 Wimpy Kid: Buckingham the Chocolate Roald Dahl the Striped Wimpy Kid Kinney Kinney Walliams Boyne Wrecking Ball Palace Factory Pyjamas

Diary of a The World’s Billionaire David Jeff David David R.J. 4 Wimpy Kid: Worst Billionaire Boy Wonder Boy Walliams Kinney Walliams Walliams Palacio Rodrick Rules Teachers

Diary of Diary of a R.J. Jeff a Wimpy Diary of a 5 Wonder Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney The Twits Roald Dahl Jeff Kinney Palacio Kinney Kid: The Wimpy Kid Getaway Getaway

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Louis The Boy in David 6 Wimpy Kid: Holes Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Sachar the Dress Walliams Rodrick Rules Dog Days Old School

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff Wimpy Kid: Jeff Gangsta David 7 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Kinney Kinney Rodrick Kinney Granny Walliams Dog Days Long Haul Rodrick Rules Rules

Diary of a Harry Potter Diary of a The Beast of Wimpy Kid: Jeff and the J.K. Gangsta David Jeff David 8 Wimpy Kid: Buckingham The Long Kinney Philosopher’s Rowling Granny Walliams Kinney Walliams The Getaway Palace Haul Stone

The Beast of Diary of a The Boy in David David Diary of a David 9 Buckingham Jeff Kinney Mr. Stink Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney the Dress Walliams Walliams Wimpy Kid Walliams Palace The Meltdown

Diary of Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a a Wimpy Jeff Jeff Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Wimpy Kid: 10 Wimpy Kid: Dog Jeff Kinney Jeff Kinney Kid: The Kinney Kinney The Last The Last Kinney The Last Days Meltdown Straw Straw Straw

Harry Potter Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a and the J.K. Jeff Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff 11 Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Philosopher’s Rowling Kinney The Ugly The Long Kinney Ugly Truth The Ugly Truth Stone Truth Haul

The Boy in Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a David John Jeff 12 Mr. Stink the Striped Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Walliams Boyne Kinney Pyjamas Cabin Fever Dog Days The Long Haul

Diary of a Diary of Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Jeff a Wimpy Jeff 13 Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Last Kinney Kinney Kid: The Kinney Last Straw Old School Rodrick Rules Straw Meltdown

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff David David 14 Wimpy Kid: Billionaire Boy Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Ratburger Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Walliams Walliams Old School Hard Luck Double Down

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a David David Wimpy Kid: Jeff 15 Ratburger Ratburger Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Walliams Walliams The Long Kinney Hard Luck Cabin Fever Haul

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff The Midnight David 16 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Gang Walliams Hard Luck Hard Luck Old School Hard Luck

Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff R.J. Billionaire David Wimpy Kid: Jeff David 17 Wonder Billionaire Boy The Ugly Kinney Palacio Boy Walliams The Ugly Kinney Walliams Truth Truth 158 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Harry Potter Charlie and Diary of a Roald The World’s David David and the J.K. 18 the Chocolate Fing Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Dahl Worst Teachers Walliams Walliams Philosopher’s Rowling Factory Dog Days Stone

Diary of a Diary of Diary of a Marita Jeff The Boy in the David Wimpy Kid: a Wimpy Jeff Under the 19 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Conlon- Kinney Dress Walliams The Third Kid: The Kinney Hawthorn Tree Cabin Fever McKenna Wheel Meltdown

Diary of Diary of a Harry Potter Diary of a The Midnight David Jeff a Wimpy Wimpy Kid: Jeff and the J.K. 20 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Gang Walliams Kinney Kid: Double The Third Kinney Philosopher’s Rowling Double Down Down Wheel Stone

Average ATOS and APC (2020 in brackets): England ATOS 5.1 (5.2), APC 0.87 (0.88) Scotland ATOS 5.1 (5.1), APC 0.89(0.88) Northern Ireland ATOS 5.2 (5.2), APC 0.93 (0.92) Wales ATOS 5.1 (5.1), APC 0.88 (0.88) Republic of Ireland ATOS 5.3 (5.1), APC 0.91 (0.91) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 159

Table 87: Variation in Reading by Region: Year 8

England Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Republic of Ireland

Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author

The Boy in The Boy in Gangsta David John Gangsta David John R.J. 1 the Striped the Striped Wonder Granny Walliams Boyne Granny Walliams Boyne Palacio Pyjamas Pyjamas

Harry Potter Diary of a Of Mice and John and the J.K. Gangsta David Morris 2 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Once Men Steinbeck Philosopher’s Rowling Granny Walliams Gleitzman The Getaway Stone

Diary of a Diary of a Jeff R.J. Diary of a 3 Wimpy Kid: Wonder Wonder R.J. Palacio Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Palacio Wimpy Kid The Getaway The Getaway

Diary of a The Boy in The Hunger Suzanne David Diary of a John 4 Gangsta Granny Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney the Striped Games Collins Walliams Wimpy Kid Boyne Rodrick Rules Pyjamas

Harry Potter Diary of a Charlie and Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff and the 5 Wimpy Kid: J.K. Rowling the Chocolate Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid Kinney Kinney Philosopher’s Rodrick Rules Factory Wrecking Ball Stone

Diary of The Boy in Diary of a Diary of a John Jeff a Wimpy Diary of a 6 the Striped Wimpy Kid: The Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Jeff Kinney Boyne Kinney Kid: The Wimpy Kid Pyjamas Getaway Dog Days Meltdown

Harry Potter Billionaire David The Hunger Suzanne Billionaire David and the J.K. 7 The Twits Roald Dahl Boy Walliams Games Collins Boy Walliams Philosopher’s Rowling Stone

Diary of a Harry Potter Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Diary of a Jeff Wimpy Kid: and the J.K. 8 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Wimpy Kid Kinney The Long Philosopher’s Rowling Wrecking Ball Dog Days Haul Stone

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a R.J. Jeff Wimpy Kid: 9 Wonder Wimpy Kid: The Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Palacio Kinney The Last Long Haul Wrecking Ball Rodrick Rules Straw

Harry Potter Diary of a Diary of a Jeff and the J.K. Billionaire David After Gillian 10 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Chamber of Rowling Boy Walliams Tomorrow Cross Rodrick Rules Dog Days Secrets

Diary of a The Boy in David Jeff David Nicola Gangsta David 11 Wimpy Kid: Dog Mr. Stink The Promise the Dress Walliams Kinney Walliams Davies Granny Walliams Days

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff R.J. 12 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: The Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wonder Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Palacio Dog Days Last Straw Rodrick Rules Hard Luck

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Jeff Jeff David 13 Wimpy Kid: Ratburger Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Long Kinney Kinney Walliams Hard Luck Wrecking Ball Cabin Fever Haul

Harry Potter Charlie and Private Michael Roald The Boy in David and the J.K. 14 The Twits the Chocolate Roald Dahl Peaceful Morpurgo Dahl the Dress Walliams Chamber of Rowling Factory Secrets

Harry Potter Diary of a and the J.K. David Boy: Tales of 15 Billionaire Boy Roald Dahl Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Girl, Stolen April Henry Philosopher’s Rowling Walliams Childhood Old School Stone

Harry Potter Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Jeff and the Wimpy Kid: 16 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: J.K. Rowling Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Kinney Kinney Chamber of The Long Old School Wrecking Ball The Meltdown Secrets Haul 160 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a The Amazing Wimpy Kid: Jeff Michael The Boy in David Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: 17 Story of Jeff Kinney Jeff Kinney The Last Kinney Morpurgo the Dress Walliams The Ugly The Third Adolphus Tips Straw Truth Wheel

Harry Potter Charlie and David Roald The Midnight David and the J.K. Sophie 18 Mr. Stink the Chocolate Girl, Missing Walliams Dahl Gang Walliams Chamber of Rowling Mckenzie Factory Secrets

Dogs in Diary of a Charlie and Diary of a Space: The Roald Jeff Wimpy Kid: Vix David 19 the Chocolate Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Amazing True Billionaire Boy Dahl Kinney The Last Southgate Walliams Factory Cabin Fever Story of Belka Straw and Strelka

Diary of Diary of a Diary of a a Wimpy Jeff Jeff Demon David Wimpy Kid: The Hunger Suzanne 20 Wimpy Kid: Old Jeff Kinney Kid: The Kinney Kinney Dentist Walliams The Third Games Collins School Meltdown Wheel

Average ATOS and APC (2020 in brackets): England ATOS 5.1 (5.1), APC 0.86 (0.87) Scotland ATOS 5.3 (5.2), APC 0.86 (0.87) Northern Ireland ATOS 5.2 (5.0), APC 0.88 (0.87) Wales ATOS 5.1 (5.1), APC 0.88 (0.87) Republic of Ireland ATOS 5.2 (5.1), APC 0.89 (0.87) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 161

Table 88: Variation in Reading by Region: Years 9-11

England Scotland Northern Ireland Wales Republic of Ireland

Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author Book Title Author

The Boy in Of Mice and John Nigel Of Mice and John Of Mice and John 1 Buddy the Striped John Boyne Men Steinbeck Hinton Men Steinbeck Men Steinbeck Pyjamas

An Inspector J.B. An Inspector J.B. Gangsta David The Hunger Suzanne Morris 2 Once Calls Priestley Calls Priestley Granny Walliams Games Collins Gleitzman

George Of Mice and John Private Michael Robert R.J. 3 Animal Farm Stone Cold Wonder Orwell Men Steinbeck Peaceful Morpurgo Swindells Palacio

Harry Potter Diary of a The Hunger Suzanne The Boy in the David and the J.K. 4 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney The Outsiders S.E. Hinton Games Collins Dress Walliams Philosopher’s Rowling The Getaway Stone

Charlie and Charlie and Blood Willy Roald Billionaire David Andy 5 the Chocolate the Chocolate Roald Dahl Trash Brothers Russell Dahl Boy Walliams Mulligan Factory Factory

Harry Potter Diary of a Diary of a Gangsta David Gangsta David and the J.K. 6 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Granny Walliams Granny Walliams Chamber of Rowling Wrecking Ball Double Down Secrets

Harry Potter Harry Potter Diary of a and the J.K. and the J.K. The Boy in David George 7 Animal Farm Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Philosopher’s Rowling Philosopher’s Rowling the Dress Walliams Orwell Rodrick Rules Stone Stone

Harry Potter Harry Potter The The Boy in and the J.K. The Hunger Suzanne and the Margery John 8 J.K. Rowling Velveteen the Striped Chamber of Rowling Games Collins Philosopher’s Williams Boyne Rabbit Pyjamas Secrets Stone

Charlie and Charlie and Roald Louis The Selfish Oscar Robert 9 the Chocolate Holes the Chocolate Roald Dahl Stone Cold Dahl Sachar Giant Wilde Swindells Factory Factory

Diary of a Diary of a My Sister Jeff Jeff Diary of a Annabel Gangsta David 10 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Lives on the Kinney Kinney Wimpy Kid Pitcher Granny Walliams The Getaway Rodrick Rules Mantelpiece

Harry Potter Harry Potter Diary of a Jeff and the J.K. The Hunger Suzanne and the J.K. Face in the 11 Paul Blum Wimpy Kid Kinney Chamber of Rowling Games Collins Order of the Rowling Crowd Secrets Phoenix

Harry Potter A Christmas Charles David Demon David The Boy in David and the J.K. 12 Carol Billionaire Boy Dickens Walliams Dentist Walliams the Dress Walliams Philosopher’s Rowling (Unabridged) Stone

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Harry Potter Jeff Jeff J.K. The Fault in 13 Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney and the John Green Kinney Kinney Rowling Our Stars Wrecking Ball Dog Days Dog Days Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Billionaire David Jeff and the 14 Wimpy Kid: The J.K. Rowling Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Boy Walliams Kinney Chamber of Ugly Truth The Getaway Dog Days Secrets

Harry Potter Diary of a Romeo and Andrew R.J. and the J.K. Diary of a 15 Wonder Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Jeff Kinney Juliet Matthews Palacio Prisoner of Rowling Wimpy Kid Old School Azkaban

Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Jeff Freak the Rodman Wimpy Kid: David Wimpy Kid: 16 Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Mr. Stink Jeff Kinney Kinney Mighty Philbrick The Long Walliams The Last Rodrick Rules Haul Straw

Diary of Harry Potter Diary of a a Wimpy Jeff Jeff David and the J.K. 17 Wimpy Kid: Old Mr. Stink The Twits Roald Dahl Kid: The Kinney Kinney Walliams Chamber of Rowling School Meltdown Secrets 162 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Diary of The Boy in The Boy in David John a Wimpy Blood Willy To Kill a 18 the Striped Jeff Kinney Harper Lee the Dress Walliams Boyne Kid: The Brothers Russell Mockingbird Pyjamas Meltdown

Harry Potter Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a Diary of a and the J.K. Jeff 19 Wimpy Kid: The Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Wimpy Kid: Jeff Kinney Prisoner of Rowling Kinney Long Haul Rodrick Rules Rodrick Rules The Ugly Truth Azkaban

The Boy in John Diary of a Jeff David Diary of a Roddy 20 the Striped Ratburger Jeff Kinney Wilderness Boyne Wimpy Kid Kinney Walliams Wimpy Kid Doyle Pyjamas

Average ATOS and APC (2020 in brackets): England ATOS 5.4 (5.4), APC 0.87 (0.86) Scotland ATOS 5.2 (5.2), APC 0.87 (0.87) Northern Ireland ATOS 5.2 (5.2), APC 0.88 (0.85) Wales ATOS 5.5 (4.5), APC 0.89 (0.87) Republic of Ireland ATOS 5.0 (5.0), APC 0.85 (0.87) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 163

Table 89: Top 20 books read with myON

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Fearless Freddie Swanson Sateren, Shelley NULL

2 Sugar Hero Dahl, Michael 2

3 Windsurfing Winner Maddox, Jake 3.5

4 Second Shot Maddox, Jake; Anderson, Josh 4.9

5 The Evil Echo Dahl, Michael 2.2

6 Growling Gracie Swanson Sateren, Shelley NULL

7 Ballet Bullies Maddox, Jake 3.6

8 Homesick Herbie Swanson Sateren, Shelley NULL

9 The Marshmallow Mermaid Dahl, Michael 2.1

10 Ninja-rella: A Graphic Novel Comeau, Joey 3

11 The Green Queen of Mean Dahl, Michael NULL

12 Volleyball Victory Maddox, Jake 4.3

13 S n o w W h i t e a n d t h e S e v e n R o b o t s : A G r a p h i c N o v e l Simonson, Louise 3.2

14 Karate Countdown Maddox, Jake 3.1

15 Y o u r L i f e a s a C a b i n A t t e n d a n t o n t h e T i t a n i c Gunderson, Jessica 3.8

16 V i c t o r y V a u l t Maddox, Jake NULL

17 T h e L e g e n d o f t h e Z o m b i e Troupe, Thomas Kingsley 4

18 C y c l i n g C h a m p i o n Maddox, Jake 4.2

19 W h e n V o l c a n o e s E r u p t ! Yomtov, Nel 5.6

20 S l e e p i n g B e a u t y Peters, Stephanie True 2.7

Books marked NULL for ATOS were very easy books for kindergarten children Mean ATOS excluding these = 3.5 164 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 90: Top 20 books read with myON During First Lockdown

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Fearless Freddie Swanson Sateren, Shelley NULL

2 G r o w l i n g G r a c i e Swanson Sateren, Shelley NULL

3 W i n d s u r fi n g W i n n e r Maddox, Jake 3.5

4 H o m e s i c k H e r b i e Swanson Sateren, Shelley NULL

5 S e c o n d S h o t Maddox, Jake; Anderson, Josh 4.9

6 Ballet Bullies Maddox, Jake 3.6

7 K a r a t e C o u n t d o w n Maddox, Jake 3.1

8 V i c t o r y V a u l t Maddox, Jake NULL

9 C y c l i n g C h a m p i o n Maddox, Jake 4.2

10 V o l l e y b a l l V i c t o r Maddox, Jake 4.3

11 G o l d M e d a l S w i m Maddox, Jake 3.6

12 S n o w W h i t e a n d t h e S e v e n R o b o t s : A G r a p h i c N o v e l Simonson, Louise 3.2

13 K a r t C r a s h Maddox, Jake 3.4

14 Y o u r L i f e a s a C a b i n A t t e n d a n t o n t h e T i t a n i c Gunderson, Jessica 3.8

15 M u d b a l l M o l l y Swanson Sateren, Shelley NULL

16 F o o t b a l l S h a k e - U p Maddox, Jake NULL

17 D r i v e t o t h e H o o p Maddox, Jake 3.7

18 S t r i k e r A s s i s t Maddox, Jake NULL

19 T h e M a r s h m a l l o w M e r m a i d Dahl, Michael 2.1

20 T h e E v i l E c h o Dahl, Michael 2.2

Books marked NULL for ATOS were very easy books for kindergarten children Mean ATOS excluding these = 3.5 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 165

Table 91: Summary Data for Australia and New Zealand Years 1-12

Average Year Total Students Total Quizzes Taken Total Quizzes Passed Total Words Read Average APC ATOS

1 281 8,127 7,189 8,402,345 81% 2.0

2 1,863 57,997 50,379 144,171,649 78% 2.7

3 6,333 217,568 187,049 1,281,697,396 79% 3.2

4 8,317 227,044 195,143 2,606,364,126 80% 3.5

5 9,482 210,137 181,412 4,070,159,440 80% 4.0

6 8,725 145,030 124,983 3,868,917,887 81% 4.3

7 9,312 91,338 71,145 2,315,497,995 74% 4.4

8 8,108 50,313 39,223 1,508,654,911 74% 4.4

9 3,585 19,266 15,111 578,440,115 72% 4.5

10 1,222 7,477 6,036 228,900,841 73% 4.2

11 289 2,636 2,129 29,914,056 66% 4.1

12 34 154 106 998,420 66% 3.1

Total 57,551 1,037,087 879,905 16,642,119,181

Data from 57,551 students at 365 schools: 357 in Australia and 8 in New Zealand Average ATOS 3.7 Average APC 0.75 166 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 92: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Australia and New Zealand: Years K-2

Group Years K-2

Number Rank Book Title Author ATOS APC of Students

1 107 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eric Carle 2.9 91%

2 101 Pig the Pug Aaron Blabey 1.7 94%

3 99 The Cat in the Hat Dr. Seuss 2.1 91%

4 97 Green Eggs and Ham Dr. Seuss 1.5 90%

5 84 The Gruffalo Julia Donaldson 2.3 95%

6 80 Pig the Fibber Aaron Blabey 2 93%

7 72 Pig the Winner Aaron Blabey 2.3 91%

8 70 Hop on Pop Dr. Seuss 1.5 92%

9 68 Pig the Grub Aaron Blabey 2.4 95%

10 66 The Very Itchy Bear Nick Bland 2.1 93%

11 64 The Very Cranky Bear Nick Bland 2.9 92%

12 61 Wombat Stew Marcia K. Vaughan 2.9 90%

13 60 Pig the Elf Aaron Blabey 2.1 94%

14 60 Who Sank the Boat? Pamela Allen 2.4 94%

15 58 The Bad Butterfly Sally Rippin 2.9 96%

16 57 Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas Aaron Blabey 1.1 97%

17 57 Hairy Maclary’s Bone Lynley Dodd 2.5 85%

18 56 Thelma the Unicorn Aaron Blabey 2.4 94%

19 55 George’s Marvellous Medicine Roald Dahl 4 88%

20 54 WeirDo Anh Do 3.4 92%

Previous year in brackets Average ATOS = 2.4 (2.2) Average APC = 0.92 (0.90) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 167

Table 93: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Australia and New Zealand: Years 3-5

Group Years 3-5

Number Rank Book Title Author ATOS APC of Students

1 1,593 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2 89%

2 1,586 The 13-Storey Treehouse Andy Griffiths 3.9 93%

3 1,527 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2 93%

4 1,525 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2 90%

5 1,523 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4 93%

6 1,523 WeirDo 2: Even Weirder! Anh Do 3.2 92%

7 1,522 WeirDo Anh Do 3.4 89%

8 1,417 The Twits Roald Dahl 4.4 93%

9 1,413 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Jeff Kinney 5.5 91%

10 1,398 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Jeff Kinney 5.4 92%

11 1,389 The 26-Storey Treehouse Andy Griffiths 4.4 91%

12 1,377 WeirDo 5: Totally Weird! Anh Do 3.1 91%

13 1,374 Dog Man Dav Pilkey 2.6 92%

14 1,299 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Jeff Kinney 5.5 94%

15 1,292 The Bad Guys Aaron Blabey 2.4 90%

16 1,269 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5 93%

17 1,257 WeirDo 6: Crazy Weird! Anh Do 2.9 90%

18 1,256 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Jeff Kinney 5.8 88%

19 1,254 WeirDo 3: Extra Weird! Anh Do 2.9 91%

20 1,249 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Jeff Kinney 5.5 92%

Previous year in brackets Average ATOS = 4.4 (4.5) Average APC = 0.91 (0.92) 168 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 94: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Australia and New Zealand: Years 6-8

Group Years 6-8

Number Rank Book Title Author ATOS APC of Students

1 1,604 Wonder R.J. Palacio 4.8 83%

2 1,479 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4 93%

3 1,410 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2 89%

4 1,387 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6 85%

5 1,336 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Jeff Kinney 5.5 91%

6 1,307 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2 90%

7 1,232 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2 92%

8 1,222 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7 85%

9 1,196 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5 92%

10 1,107 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban J.K. Rowling 6.7 89%

11 1,102 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Jeff Kinney 5.4 93%

12 1,084 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Jeff Kinney 5.5 94%

13 1,066 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Jeff Kinney 5.5 93%

14 1,041 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Jeff Kinney 5.4 93%

15 1,035 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Jeff Kinney 5.6 91%

16 1,030 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire J.K. Rowling 6.8 94%

17 1,024 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Jeff Kinney 5.6 94%

18 1,004 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Jeff Kinney 5.8 88%

19 998 The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins 5.3 91%

20 909 Holes Louis Sachar 4.6 81%

Previous year in brackets Average ATOS = 5.6 (5.3) Average APC = 0.90 (0.89) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 169

Table 95: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Australia and New Zealand: Years 9-12

Group Years 9-12

Number Rank Book Title Author ATOS APC of Students

1 279 The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins 5.3 88%

2 250 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6 84%

3 199 The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas John Boyne 5.8 92%

4 171 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7 85%

5 162 Wonder R.J. Palacio 4.8 81%

6 140 Two Wolves Tristan Bancks 4.4 90%

7 139 Trash Andy Mulligan 5.1 88%

8 138 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban J.K. Rowling 6.7 89%

9 136 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2 86%

10 133 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire J.K. Rowling 6.8 95%

11 120 Tomorrow, When the War Began John Marsden 6.3 84%

12 115 The Giver Lois Lowry 5.7 88%

13 109 Catching Fire Suzanne Collins 5.3 89%

14 108 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2 86%

15 107 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4 92%

16 101 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows J.K. Rowling 6.9 91%

17 97 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix J.K. Rowling 7.2 91%

18 97 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2 89%

19 96 Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief Rick Riordan 4.5 89%

20 94 Holes Louis Sachar 4.6 81%

Previous year in brackets Average ATOS = 5.7 (5.3) Average APC = 0.88 (0.88) 170 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 96: Summary Data for Canada Years 1-12

Total Quizzes Average Year Total Students Total Quizzes Taken Total Words Read Average APC Passed ATOS

K 56 860 841 NULL NULL 1.3

1 1,110 39,953 37,244 20,400,998 85% 1.7

2 2,816 153,267 138,439 96,276,676 84% 2.2

3 4,115 184,651 160,357 522,441,400 82% 3.0

4 4,622 155,471 136,728 1,106,904,349 82% 3.5

5 4,832 133,418 116,632 1,698,069,332 83% 3.8

6 4,379 90,371 78,172 1,528,065,370 83% 4.1

7 3,471 49,514 42,357 1,270,638,858 83% 4.3

8 2,760 25,894 22,210 994,797,987 82% 4.9

9 2,520 11,514 10,058 354,811,809 84% 4.9

10 1,809 6,085 5,063 325,704,848 82% 5.1

11 337 1,353 1,175 97,213,848 84% 5.3

12 260 1,206 1,065 68,357,652 84% 5.2

Total 33,087 853,557 750,341 8, 083,687,637

Data from 33,087 students at 141 schools Overall Average APC 0.83 Overall Average ATOS 3.8 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 171

Table 97: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Canada: Years K-2

Group Years K-2

Number Rank Book Title Author ATOS APC of Students

1 389 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Mo Willems 0.9 94%

2 331 Green Eggs and Ham Dr. Seuss 1.5 96%

3 318 Hi! Fly Guy Tedd Arnold 1.5 94%

4 312 Pete the Cat: A Pet for Pete James Dean 1.7 96%

5 282 Pete the Cat: Too Cool for School Kimberly Dean 1.3 97%

6 277 Pete the Cat: Pete at the Beach James Dean 1.3 93%

7 273 Happy Pig Day! Mo Willems 0.7 87%

8 265 Pete the Cat: Pete’s Big Lunch James Dean 1.2 96%

9 255 My Friend Is Sad Mo Willems 0.7 94%

10 254 I’m a Frog! Mo Willems 1.1 96%

11 248 Biscuit Goes to School Alyssa Satin Capucilli 0.9 95%

12 247 Let’s Go for a Drive! Mo Willems 1 98%

13 246 There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy Tedd Arnold 1.6 92%

14 239 A Big Guy Took My Ball! Mo Willems 1 97%

15 225 Shoo, Fly Guy! Tedd Arnold 1.7 91%

16 215 Buzz Boy and Fly Guy Tedd Arnold 1.3 94%

17 212 Hooray for Fly Guy! Tedd Arnold 1.6 93%

18 210 My New Friend Is So Fun! Mo Willems 1.1 97%

19 210 Andrew’s Loose Tooth Robert N. Munsch 2.8 96%

20 208 If You Give a Pig a Pancake Laura Numeroff 2.5 95%

Previous year in brackets Average ATOS = 1.4 (1.3) Average APC = 0.95 (0.93) 172 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 98: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Canada: Year 3-5

Group Years 3-5

Number Rank Book Title Author ATOS APC of Students

1 1,293 Dog Man: For Whom the Ball Rolls Dav Pilkey 2.5 90%

2 1,172 Guts Raina Telgemeier 2.6 93%

3 1,093 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Jeff Kinney 5.5 92%

4 1,036 Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas Dav Pilkey 2.6 90%

5 1,006 Dog Man Dav Pilkey 2.6 92%

6 994 Dog Man Unleashed Dav Pilkey 2.5 87%

7 988 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2 90%

8 979 Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild Dav Pilkey 2.6 89%

9 951 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2 90%

10 939 Sisters Raina Telgemeier 2.4 85%

11 909 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Jeff Kinney 5.4 92%

12 900 Dog Man and Cat Kid Dav Pilkey 2.6 90%

13 899 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4 92%

14 899 Smile Raina Telgemeier 2.6 90%

15 896 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5 92%

16 894 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2 93%

17 880 Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties Dav Pilkey 2.3 91%

18 864 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Jeff Kinney 5.6 94%

19 862 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Jeff Kinney 5.4 94%

20 807 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Jeff Kinney 5.6 90%

Average ATOS = 4.0 (4.4) Average APC = 0.91 (0.91) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 173

Table 99: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Canada: Year 6-8

Group Year 6-8

Number Rank Book Title Author ATOS APC of Students

1 923 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Jeff Kinney 5.5 93%

2 855 Guts Raina Telgemeier 2.6 93%

3 741 Wonder R.J. Palacio 4.8 83%

4 651 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5 91%

5 642 The Breadwinner Deborah Ellis 4.5 92%

6 641 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4 91%

7 623 Hatchet Gary Paulsen 5.7 89%

8 593 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2 89%

9 573 The Outsiders S.E. Hinton 4.7 83%

10 510 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2 88%

11 501 The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins 5.3 92%

12 500 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6 87%

13 496 The Lightning Thief Rick Riordan 4.7 92%

14 492 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7 86%

15 488 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2 91%

16 465 Sisters Raina Telgemeier 2.4 85%

17 460 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Jeff Kinney 5.4 93%

18 457 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Jeff Kinney 5.6 93%

19 447 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Jeff Kinney 5.5 92%

20 447 Smile Raina Telgemeier 2.6 91%

Average ATOS = 4.9 (5.4) Average APC = 0.90 (0.90) 174 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 100: Most Popular Books by Age Grouping in Canada: Years 9-12

Group Years 9-12

Number Rank Book Title Author ATOS APC of Students

1 229 Touching Spirit Bear Ben Mikaelsen 5.3 89%

2 122 The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins 5.3 87%

3 106 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire J.K. Rowling 6.8 94%

4 105 To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Jenny Han 4.2 85%

5 97 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7 87%

6 95 Speak Laurie Halse Anderson 4.5 88%

7 91 The Maze Runner James Dashner 5.3 92%

8 90 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6 89%

9 85 The Hate U Give Angie Thomas 3.9 92%

10 80 Divergent Veronica Roth 4.8 91%

11 79 The Taming of the Shrew William Shakespeare 8.8 91%

12 75 P.S. I Still Love You Jenny Han 4.3 93%

13 74 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix J.K. Rowling 7.2 94%

14 71 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban J.K. Rowling 6.7 90%

15 65 The Fault in Our Stars John Green 5.5 87%

16 61 The Lightning Thief Rick Riordan 4.7 91%

17 59 Lord of the Flies William Golding 5 86%

18 58 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5 94%

19 58 Catching Fire Suzanne Collins 5.3 87%

20 57 Insurgent Veronica Roth 5 90%

Average ATOS = 5.5 (5.8) Average APC = 0.90 (0.89) Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 175

Table 101: Most Popular Books in China

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7

2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6

3 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl 4.8

4 Holes Louis Sachar 4.6

5 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2

6 Matilda Roald Dahl 5

7 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows J.K. Rowling 6.9

8 Wonder R.J. Palacio 4.8

9 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban J.K. Rowling 6.7

10 The BFG Roald Dahl 4.8

11 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire J.K. Rowling 6.8

12 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2

13 The Magic Finger Roald Dahl 3.1

14 Esio Trot Roald Dahl 4.4

15 Earth Quinn M. Arnold 1.3

16 The Twits Roald Dahl 4.4

17 George’s Marvellous Medicine Roald Dahl 4

18 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Jeff Kinney 5.4

19 Fantastic Mr Fox Roald Dahl 4.1

20 Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief Rick Riordan 4.5

Students 4,859 Average ATOS 4.9 Average APC 0.72 176 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 102: Most Popular Books in Egypt

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl 4.8

2 Wonder R.J. Palacio 4.8

3 Batter Splatter! Ruth Morgan 2.2

4 The Samosa Thief Narinder Dhami 2.4

5 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7

6 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4

7 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6

8 Matilda Roald Dahl 5

9 What Was It Like? Roderick Hunt 2.6

10 Gangsta Granny David Walliams 4.9

11 The Mole Who Was Scared of the Dark Susan Gates 2.3

12 Rory’s Lost His Voice Malachy Doyle 2.3

13 Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief Rick Riordan 4.5

14 The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins 5.3

15 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Jeff Kinney 5.5

16 Green Island Roderick Hunt 2.8

17 The Twits Roald Dahl 4.4

18 The Pot of Gold Julia Donaldson 2.3

19 Sam Sorts It Out Gillian Cross 2.2

20 Flood! Roderick Hunt 2.4

Students 4,199 Average ATOS 3.9 Average APC 0.75 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 177

Table 103: Most Popular Books in Hong Kong

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Holes Louis Sachar 4.6

2 Island of the Blue Dolphins Scott O’Dell 5.4

3 Wonder R.J. Palacio 4.8

4 Number the Stars Lois Lowry 4.5

5 The Breadwinner Deborah Ellis 4.5

6 Matilda Roald Dahl 5

7 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl 4.8

8 Maniac Magee Jerry Spinelli 4.7

9 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7

10 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6

11 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4

12 Skellig David Almond 3.5

13 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5

14 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2

15 Lord of the Flies William Golding 5

16 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban J.K. Rowling 6.7

17 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows J.K. Rowling 6.9

18 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2

19 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Jeff Kinney 5.8

20 The Giver Lois Lowry 5.7

Students 1,593 Average ATOS 5.3 Average APC 0.81 178 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 104: Most Popular Books in Iraq

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Cinderella Melissa Lagonegro 1.7

2 Dirk Nowitzki Dan Osier 1.7

3 The Snowy Day Ezra Jack Keats 2.5

4 Marley: The Dog Who Cried Woof Susan Hill 1.5

5 Messy Dog Susan Hill 1.5

6 Snow Dog Marley Susan Hill 1.8

7 Pinkalicious: Pinkie Promise Victoria Kann 1.9

8 Clifford Goes to the Doctor Norman Bridwell 1.8

9 Bedtime Mouse Sandol Stoddard 2.7

10 Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia Peggy Parish 1.9

11 Zack’s Alligator and the First Snow Shirley Mozelle 1.8

12 Babies in the Bayou Jim Arnosky 2.5

13 Bunny Party Rosemary Wells 2.8

14 Not a Peep! Susan Hill 1.8

15 Addie’s Bad Day Joan Robins 1.8

16 The Art Lesson Tomie De Paola 3.6

17 Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity Mo Willems 2.4

18 The Bones of Fred McFee Eve Bunting 3.1

19 Class Two at the Zoo Julia Jarman 3

20 Beverly Billingsly Takes the Cake Alexander Stadler 3.5

Students 5,247 Average ATOS 2.3 Average APC 69% Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 179

Table 105: Most Popular Books in Malaysia

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6

2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7

3 Matilda Roald Dahl 5

4 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2

5 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban J.K. Rowling 6.7

6 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4

7 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl 4.8

8 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire J.K. Rowling 6.8

9 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2

10 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2

11 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows J.K. Rowling 6.9

12 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Jeff Kinney 5.4

13 Billionaire Boy David Walliams 4.1

14 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5

15 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Jeff Kinney 5.5

16 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Jeff Kinney 5.6

17 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Jeff Kinney 5.6

18 Private Peaceful Michael Morpurgo 5.2

19 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Jeff Kinney 5.8

20 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Jeff Kinney 5.5

Students 2,777 Average ATOS 5.6 Average APC 78% 180 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 106: Most Popular Books in Mexico

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 The First Rule of Punk Celia C. Perez 4.5

2 I Love School! Hans Wilhelm 0.6

3 Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl! Tedd Arnold 1.4

4 Hi! Fly Guy Tedd Arnold 1.5

5 The Little Prince Antoine de Saint-Exupery 5

6 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2

7 Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties Dav Pilkey 2.3

8 Buzz Boy and Fly Guy Tedd Arnold 1.3

9 Ride, Fly Guy, Ride! Tedd Arnold 2

10 I Love Colors! Hans Wilhelm 0.9

11 Dog Man Dav Pilkey 2.6

12 Super Fly Guy Tedd Arnold 1.7

13 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Jeff Kinney 5.6

14 No New Pets! Hans Wilhelm 0.8

15 Happy Birthday, Gus! Jacklyn Williams 2.9

16 No Kisses, Please! Hans Wilhelm 0.4

17 I Hate Bullies! Hans Wilhelm 0.3

18 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Jeff Kinney 5.4

19 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Jeff Kinney 5.6

20 Wolves Laura Marsh 3.3

Students 2,411 Average ATOS 2.7 Average APC 0.72 Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 181

Table 107: Most Popular Books in the Northern Mariana Islands

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 A Fine, Fine School Sharon Creech 3.3

2 The Trial of Cardigan Jones Tim Egan 3.4

3 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2

4 Bat Loves the Night Nicola Davies 3.4

5 The Color of My Words Lynn Joseph 5.1

6 Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type Doreen Cronin 2.3

7 Wonder R.J. Palacio 4.8

8 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Jeff Kinney 5.5

9 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2

10 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2

11 A Big Guy Took My Ball! Mo Willems 1

12 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4

13 Pop’s Bridge Eve Bunting 3.4

14 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Jeff Kinney 5.8

15 Kamishibai Man Allen Say 3.3

16 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down Jeff Kinney 5.5

17 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Jeff Kinney 5.6

18 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5

19 What Do Illustrators Do? Eileen Christelow 3.7

20 Hi! Fly Guy Tedd Arnold 1.5

Students 4,756 Average ATOS 4.2 Average APC 74% 182 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 108: Most Popular Books in Qatar

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Holes Louis Sachar 4.6

2 The Horse and the Bell Beverley Randell 3.2

3 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2

4 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2

5 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5

6 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Jeff Kinney 5.6

7 The Twits Roald Dahl 4.4

8 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4

9 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl 4.8

10 The Boss Dog of Blossom Street Rita Ray 3

11 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6

12 Matilda Roald Dahl 5

13 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2

14 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Jeff Kinney 5.4

15 Dexter’s Dinosaurs Michaela Morgan 2.6

16 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Jeff Kinney 5.6

17 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Jeff Kinney 5.8

18 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down Jeff Kinney 5.5

19 Sam Sorts It Out Gillian Cross 2.2

20 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Jeff Kinney 5.5

Students 3,108 Average ATOS 4.8 Average APC 76% Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading | 183

Table 109: Most Popular Books in Spain

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6

2 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2

3 The Rainbow Machine Roderick Hunt 2.6

4 The Magic Finger Roald Dahl 3.1

5 The Kidnappers Roderick Hunt 2.4

6 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2

7 A Day in London Roderick Hunt 2.7

8 The Flying Carpet Roderick Hunt 2.6

9 Billionaire Boy David Walliams 4.1

10 The Litter Queen Roderick Hunt 3

11 Victorian Adventure Roderick Hunt 2.4

12 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7

13 Superdog Roderick Hunt 2.5

14 Egyptian Adventure Roderick Hunt 2.6

15 The 13-Storey Treehouse Andy Griffiths 3.9

16 Roman Adventure Roderick Hunt 2.6

17 Mr. Stink David Walliams 4.7

18 Viking Adventure Roderick Hunt 2.5

19 The Shiny Key Roderick Hunt 2.1

20 Christmas Adventure Roderick Hunt 2.1

Students 3,324 Average ATOS 3.5 Average APC 79% 184 | Part C: Appendices | What Kids Are Reading

Table 110: Most Popular Books in the United Arab Emirates

Rank Title Author ATOS

1 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jeff Kinney 5.2

2 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway Jeff Kinney 5.4

3 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules Jeff Kinney 5.2

4 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone J.K. Rowling 6

5 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Roald Dahl 4.8

6 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Meltdown Jeff Kinney 5.5

7 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days Jeff Kinney 5.2

8 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Wrecking Ball Jeff Kinney 5.5

9 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Jeff Kinney 5.4

10 Matilda Roald Dahl 5

11 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J.K. Rowling 6.7

12 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Hard Luck Jeff Kinney 5.5

13 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever Jeff Kinney 5.8

14 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School Jeff Kinney 5.6

15 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw Jeff Kinney 5.4

16 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth Jeff Kinney 5.5

17 Wonder R.J. Palacio 4.8

18 Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel Jeff Kinney 5.6

19 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban J.K. Rowling 6.7

20 Billionaire Boy David Walliams 4.1

Students 24,589 Average ATOS 5.4 Average APC 74% What are they, and how can they help educators? Judi Paul, a voracious reader and passionate To help prioritise learning, especially in light of educator, was well versed in teaching challenges posed by the pandemic, the most critical strategies but was searching for a way Focus Skills in our learning progressions are available for Maths and English here: www.renlearn.co.uk/focus- to spark a love of reading in her children. skills/. Find books to model Focus Skills with tools like Then inspiration struck at her kitchen table. www.arbookfind.com/ or www.myon.com/. 1984

Judi realised her kids needed motivation, so she began to curate a list of classic novels and write multiple-choice questions for each one. She focused on the main ideas and themes throughout each book to ensure her kids were reading them cover to cover and understanding what they read.

1986

Domain: Analysis and Comparison As reading enthusiasm grew in her home, word spread to a local school and Focus Skill: Integrate information on a topic from the quizzes were tried in the classroom. several nonfiction texts to develop a base of Judi’s husband Terry quickly transformed the knowledge on a subject. quizzes into software, and Accelerated Reader and the company now known as Renaissance were born.

Today

NF NF

The Undefeated Martin’s Claudette Accelerated Reader has evolved into Kwame Dream Day Colvin: Twice Alexander Kitty Kelley Toward Justice a sophisticated, research-based (2.6, LG) (5.7, LG, 970L) Phillip Hoose programme that equips teachers (6.8, MG, 1000L) with unparalleled insight and actionable data on independent reading practice. Share your thoughts with us about this report: [email protected] 020 7184 4000 www.renlearn.co.uk

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