School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 21

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-21/

Part 1
Book post

• Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial by Kieran Larwood
• Galápagos Islands by Karen Romano Young, illustrated by Amy Grimes
• You Got This! by Rachael Davis
• Natterjack Toad Can't Believe It! by Sean Taylor
• The Big Day by Rachel Plummer and Forrest Burdett
• Bertha and Blink: Rumble in the Jungle by Nicola Colton
• How to be a Genius Kid by Jim Smith
• The Last Dragon by Polly Ho-Yen
• Nora and the Map of Mayhem by Joseph Elliott
• Sar Wylda and the Legendary Goldbreaker by Jake R. Wilson
• Kofi and the Secret Radio Station by Jeffrey Boakye
• We Have Everything We Need to Start Again by Koleka Putuma

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in July 2024

• The Dog Who Danced on the Moon by John Boyne
• Delta and the Lost City by Anna Fargher
• The Whisperling Twins by Hayley Hoskins
• The Love Dare by Abiola Bello
• The Seal on the Beach by Mara Bergman
• Back of the Net by Eve Ainsworth
• Lifesize Ocean Animals by Sophy Henn
• Three Cheers for the River School by Sabine Adeyinka
• The Boy and the Octopus by Caryl Lewis
• Wigglesbottom Primary: The Pirate Cat by Pamela Butchart
• Secret FACTopia! by Paige Towler
• Myths of China by Xiaobing Wang
• The Others by Sarah Merrett
• The Virtue Season by L.M. Nathan
• The Boy Who Painted The World by Tom McLaughlin
• The Darkness Within Us by  Tricia Levenseller
• Break to You by Neal Shusterman
• Hike It by Iron Tazz
• Fallout by Lesley Parr
• The Wild Life of Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Animals by Mike Barfield
• Warriors Graphic Novel by Erin Hunter
• The Dinosaur that Pooped a Superhero by Tom Fletcher
• Bea's Bad Day by Tom Percival
• Roman Boy by Tony Bradman
• The Fun We Had by Charissa Coulthard
• A Wild Walk to School by Rebecca Cobb
• Chemistry for Beginners by Kristie Pickersgill
• Taylor Blake Is a Legend by Laura Jane Williams
• Little Guides to Nature: Hello Fossils and Shells by Nina Chakrabarti
• It Came from the Trees by Ally Russell
• In Time by Marina Ruiz

July 2024 books of the month

• Fiction:  The Virtue Season by L.M. Nathan
• Nonfiction:  Lifesize Ocean Animals by Sophy Henn
• Picture book:  Move, Mr Mountain! by Francesca Sanna

Part 2
Politics and election books for children and teens - our rundown

New book pitches: There Was an Old Woman Who Followed a Spy! by Tommy Furmato; Luna and Helio The Eclipse by Gina Keulemans; Insects, Bugs and Rock and Roll by Alex Brooks; I Can Be An Astronaut by Dr Katy Chisenga-Phillipps

Part 3
2024 election and literacy: what are the main parties promising?

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwsl .

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 20

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-20/

Part 1
Book post

• Beti and the Little Round House by Atinuke
• The Teenage Guide to Digital Wellbeing by Tanya Goodin
• Old Oak and the Wild Flowers by Elena Mannion and Erin Brown
• Where’s Mog? by Judith Kerr
• Supersaurus: Total Tricera-Flop! by Angela Woolfe and Mark Chambers
• Holey Moley by Bethan Clarke
• Bad United: Just for Kicks by Louise Forshaw
• Max Magic 3 by Stephen Mulhern and Tom Easton
• The Beast of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron
• Knowing the Score by Ros Roberts
• Your Time Is Up by Sarah Naughton
• Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in June 2024

• The Last Dragon by  Polly Ho-Yen
• Bobby Bains Plays a Blinder by  Bali Rai
• The Big Day by Rachel Plummer
• The River Spirit by  Lucy Strange
• The Mercury In Me by Rachael Fernandes
• Kofi and the Secret Radio Station by Jeffrey Boakye
• Apocalypse Cow by O.R. Sorrel
• The Big Ask by  Simon James Green
• Everybody Travels by Kristin Roskifte
• Time Runs Like A River by Emma Carlisle
• The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk by Anne Booth
• Nora and the Map of Mayhem by Joseph Elliott
• Ajay and the Treasure of Thar by Varsha Shah
• A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner
• A Ship in the Dark by Yarrow Townsend
• Welcome to AI by Matthieu Dugal
• Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield
• Cosima Unfortunate Foils a Fraud by Laura Noakes
• The Double Life of Ted Amos by Simon James Green
• We Have Everything We Need To Start Again by Koleka Putuma
• Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
• Transcendent by Patrick Gallagher
• Mayowa and the Sea of Words by Chibundu Onuzo
• Sleep Like Death by  Kalynn Bayron
• Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi
• A Case of High Stakes by  Sophie Cleverly
• Human Body by Isabel Thomas
• The Nine Night Mystery by Sharna Jackson
• The Tall Man by Mary Cathleen Brown
• Make Art or Die Trying by Stuart Semple

June 2024 books of the month

• Fiction:  Dungeon Runners: Hero Trial by Kieran Larwood
• Nonfiction:  Galápagos Islands by Karen Romano Young, illustrated by Amy Grimes
• Picture book:  You Got This! by Rachael Davis

Part 2
Crime fiction for teens - our rundown

New book pitches: There Was an Old Woman Who Followed a Spy! by Tommy Furmato; Luna and Helio The Eclipse by Gina Keulemans; Insects, Bugs and Rock and Roll by Alex Brooks; I Can Be An Astronaut by Dr Katy Chisenga-Phillipps

Part 3
Drop Everything And Read (DEAR). Ideas and strategies for schools. 

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwsl .

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 19

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-19/

Part 1
Book post

• Serena and the Little Blue Dog by Rosemary Clunie
• Moving Up: How to Ace Secondary School by Christian Foley
• Champ by Payam Ebrahimi and Reza Dalvand
• Pink Trucks by Sam Clarke
• Heavy Metal Badger by Duncan Beedie
• It Takes Guts: How Your Body Turns Food Into Fuel (and Poop) by Jennifer Gardy
• Podkin and the Singing Spear by Kieran Larwood
• Nature's Fascinating Friendships by Kerry Hyndman and Mike Hills
• Bigg School: Double Drama by Lisa Williamson
• When the Wild Calls by Nicola Penfold
• Robin Hood: Ballots, Blasts & Betrayal by Robert Muchamore
• The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in May 2024

• Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
• Dead Happy by Josh Silver
• The Beast of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron
• Bird Boy by Catherine Bruton
• Knowing the Score by Ros Roberts
• Desi Girl Speaking by A. S. Hussain
• Tom Gates: Book of Everything by Liz Pichon
• Angel of Grasmere by Tom Palmer
• Fly by David Lindo and Sara Boccaccini Meadows
• Adnan by Mark Arrigo, Steven Chatterton and Diala Brisly
• The Truth About Shaming by Beth Ashley
• Good Night, Good Beach by Joy Cowley and Hilary Jean Tapper
• Colossal Words for Kids by Colette Hiller and Tor Freeman
• Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond and Lwillys Tafur. So good, so good, so good
• Old Oak and the Wild Flowers by Elena Mannion and Erin Brown
• Nature Is an Artist by Jennifer Lavallee
• We Are Family by Oliver Sykes
• He, She, They, Us: Queer Poems by Charlie Castelletti
• All the Hidden Monsters by Amie Jordan
• Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald
• Grey by Laura Dockrill and Lauren Child
• The Wrong Shoes by Tom Percival
• On Poetry Street by Brian Moses and Mark Elvins
• The Grimmelings by Rachael King
• Finding Alfie  by Michael Morpurgo and Michael Foreman
• Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons by Abi Elphinstone
• If My Words Had Wings by Danielle Jawando
• 365 things to make and do by Fiona Watt
• Big Gorilla: A Book of Opposites by Anthony Browne
• North and the Only One by Vashti Hardy
• Wild East by Ashley Hickson-Lovence

May 2024 books of the month

• Fiction:  Beti and the Little Round House by Atinuke
• Nonfiction:  The Teenage Guide to Digital Wellbeing by Tanya Goodin
• Picture book:  Old Oak and the Wild Flowers by Elena Mannion and Erin Brown

Part 2
KS2 SATs revision books - our rundown

New book pitches: There was an Old Woman who Followed a Spy! by Tommy Furmato; Luna and Helio The Eclipse by Gina Keulemans; Insects, Bugs and Rock and Roll by Alex Brooks; I Can Be An Astronaut by Dr Katy Chisenga-Phillipps

Part 3
Advice for adults looking for great children's books

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwsl .

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 18

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-18/

Part 1
Book post

• Gigantosaurus – I Love Giganto by Cyber Group Studios
• I Really, Really Need a Poo by Karl Newson and Duncan Beedie
• Sammy and the Extra-Hot Chilli Powder by Charlie P. Brooks
• Bronte Tempestra and the Lightning Steeds by Bex Hogan
• Frank the Unicorn Alpaca by Gavin Puckett, illustrated by India Joseph
• Blue’s Planet: Australia by Lucy McRobert
• The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert
• ASAP by Axie Oh
• A Cure Ever After by Angharad Walker
• Measuring Me by Nicola Kent
• The Crayons Love Our Planet by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
• Credo by Luke Staton

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in March 2024

• The Girl Who Dreamed in Magic by Maria Kuzniar
• The Magician Next Door by Rachel Chivers Khoo
• Bad Panda: Mites, Camera, Action! By Swapna Haddow
• A Drop of Golden Sun by Kate Saunders
• Future Hopes by Lauren James
• The Secret Life of Bugs by Moira Butterfield
• The Magnificent Book of Butterflies and Moths by Barbara Taylor
•  The Prisoner of Bhopal by Tim Walker
• Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back by Isabella Tree
• The Girl Who Wasn't There by Jacqueline Wilson
• The Secret of the Moonshard by Struan Murray
• Uprising by Jennifer Nielsen
• Big Ideas from Literature by The School of Life
• East Asian Folktales, Myths and Legends by Eva Wong Nava
• I Do Not Eat Children by Marcus Cutler
• Ancient Myths Collection Jean Menzies and Matt Ralphs
• Thank You by Jarvis
• Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Abike-Iyimide
• Ancient Greeks by Clive Gifford
• Aya and the Star Chaser by Radiya Hafiza
• The Untameables by Clare Pollard
• A Poetic A-Z of Awesome Animals! By Emilie Lauren Jones
• How to Teach Grown-Ups About Climate Change by Patricia Daniels
• Extreme Weather for Kids by Matthew Cappucci
• Poetry Comics by Grant Snider
• The Whisperwicks by Jordan Lees
• Smile by Lauren Child
• We Are the Wibbly! By Sarah Tagholm
• The Vanquishers: Secret of the Reaping by Kalynn Bayron
• A Mind Full of Murder by Derek Landy
• Fireborn: Starling and the Cavern of Light by Aisling Fowler

March 2024 books of the month

• Fiction:  Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Abike-Iyimide
• Nonfiction:  How to Teach Grown-Ups About Climate Change by Patricia Daniels
• Picture book:  Elki is Not My Dog by Elena Arevalo Melville

Part 2
STEM and science fiction books for children. 

New book pitches: There was an Old Woman who Followed a Spy! by Tommy Furmato; Luna and Helio The Eclipse by Gina Keulemans; Insects, Bugs and Rock and Roll by Alex Brooks; I Can Be An Astronaut by Dr Katy Chisenga-Phillipps

Part 3
BookTok - a blessing or a curse?

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwsl .

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 17

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-17/

Part 1
Book post

• Meet the Wildlings by Gwen Millward
• The Best You by Nima Patel
• I Love You to the Moon and Back: All Year Long by Amelia Hepworth
• Nikhil and Jay by Chitra Soundar
• The Shape of Rainbows by Neal Zetter
• Diamond Jack: Your Magic Or Your Life by Anna Rainbow
• The Floating Witch Mystery by Nicki Thornton
• Winner Takes Gold by Eloise Smith
• Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain by Jess French
• How Do Meerkats Order Pizza by Brooke Barker
• Love is in the Little Things by Stella J Jones and Jane Massey
• Signed Sealed Dead by Cynthia Murphy

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in February 2024

• Bronte Tempestra and the Lightning Steeds by Bex Hogan
• Habitats by Hannah Pang and Isobel Lundie
• Peng and Spanners by Steve Webb
• Red Sky at Night; Poet's Delight by Alex Wharton
• The Time Travellers: Adventure Calling by Sufiya Ahmed
• Feather by M. G. Leonard
• The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts by Alex Bell
• Mo's Best Friend: A Stone-Age Story by Bridget Marzo
• On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop
• It's Time to Hush and Say Good Night by Chitra Soundar
• Paper Dragons by Siobhan McDermott
• Yomi and the Power of the Yumboes by Davina Tijani
• A Cure Ever After by Angharad Walker
• Queerbook by Malcolm MacKenzie
• Blue's Planet: Australia by Lucy McRobert
• Most Haunted Theatres by Yvette Fielding
• Goddess Crown by Shade Lapite
• Soren's Seventh Song by Dave Eggers
• Measuring Me by Nicola Kent
• Dim Sum Palace by X Fang
• The Crayons Love our Planet by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
• The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert
• Little Chick by Petr Horacek
• Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery by Laura Ellen Anderson
• National Trust: Blossom Origami by Nick Robinson
• Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek
• Miss Cat by Jean-Luc Fromental and Joelle Jolivet
• Supertato: Eviltato vs Superpea by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet
• Finding Hope by Nicola Baker

February 2024 books of the month

• Fiction:  A Cure Ever After by Angharad Walker
• Nonfiction:  Measuring Me by Nicola Kent
• Picture book:  The Crayons Love Our Planet by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers

Part 2
LGBT books for children (https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/books-for-topics/lgbtqia-themed-books-for-primary-school-aged-children/)and LGBT books for teens (https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/books-for-topics/lgbtqia-fiction-for-secondary-aged-children-and-teens-aged-11/)

New book pitches: There was an Old Woman who Followed a Spy! by Tommy Furmato; Cable Goes Camping by Lorna Chantelle Scott

Part 3
Why school libraries are so important to children's learning. 

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwsl .

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 16

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://bit.ly/3vfteDn .

Part 1
Book post

• Glassborn by Peter Bunzl
• Amazing Octopus by Michael Stavaric and Michele Ganser
• Do You Remember? by Sydney Smith
• Fate of the Argosi by Sebastien de Castell
• Rise Up and Sing! by Andrea Warner and Louise Reimer
• The Undying of Obedience Wellrest by Nicholas Bowling
• The Girl Who Became a Fish by Polly Ho-Yen
• Growing Up Powerful Journal by Nona Willis Aronowitz
• My Nature Trail! by Rachel Lawston and Paul Lawston
• Evolution by Sarah Darwin & Eva Maria Sadowski
• Not So Little Red Riding Hood by Michael Rosen
• Sala, Mountain Warrior by Wakanyi Hoffman and Onyinye Iwu

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in January 2024

• Winner Takes Gold by Eloise Smith
• Signed Sealed Dead by Cynthia Murphy
• Meet the Wildlings by Gwen Millward
• Rainbowsaurus by Steve Antony
• Stitch by Padraig Kenny
• My Brother Plato by George Myerson
• That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams
• Find Peace in a Poem by Little Tiger
• Roman Soldiers by Tegen Evans
• Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang & LeUyen Pham
• The Shape of Rainbows by Neal Zetter and Will Hughes
• Time Travelling with a Tortoise by Ross Welford
• Northern Soul by Phil Earle
• Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain
• The Code of Life by Flying Eye Books
• A Cruel Twist of Fate by H. F. Askwith
• The War of the Heavenly Horses by Roland Chambers
• The Troublemakers by Tamzin Merchant
• The Girl Who Sang by Estelle Nadel and Sammy Savos
• The Floating Witch Mystery by Nicki Thornton
• Diamond Jack: Your Magic or Your Life by Anna Rainbow
• Dictionary of Dinosaurs by Dieter Braun
• Destroy the Day by Brigid Kemmerer
• How Do Meerkats Order Pizza? By Brooke Barker
• The Minute Minders by Mary Murphy
• The Best You by Nima Patel & Cally Johnson-Isaacs
• The O.D.D. Squad by Stuart Heritage & Vincent Batignole
• A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
• Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain by Jess French
• The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
• Love Is by Sarah Maycock

January 2024 books of the month

• Fiction: Beastlands: Race to Frostfall Mountain by Jess French
• Nonfiction: How Do Meerkats Order Pizza by Brooke Barker
• Picture book: Love is in the Little Things by Stella J Jones and Jane Massey

Part 2
Children's books and books for children - a growing disconnect. 

New book pitches: There was an Old Woman who Followed a Spy! by Tommy Furmato; Luna and Helio The Eclipse by Gina Keulemans; Insects, Bugs and Rock and Roll by Alex Brooks; I Can Be An Astronaut by Dr Katy Chisenga-Phillipps

Part 3
Great gift books - https://bit.ly/4aCoc46 .

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://bit.ly/3TFkwsl .

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 15

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-15 

Part 1
Book post

•  Britannica's Encyclopedia Infographica
• I Loved You In Another Life by David Arnold
• The Star Whale by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Petr Horáček
• Ancient Love Stories by Emily Hauser, illustrated by Sander Berg
• Storm Dragon by Dianne Hofmeyr and Carol Thompson
• Scarygirl: The Origin Story by Nathan Jurevicius
• Bigg School: Best Friends Forever by Lisa Williamson, illustrated by Jess Bradley
• The Memory Thieves by Dhonielle Clayton
• The Taming of the Cat by Helen Cooper
• Imagine a Garden: Stories of Courage Changing the World by Rina Singh and Hoda Hadadi
• The Wolf Twins by Ewa Jozefkowicz
• The Most Famous Rhinoceros by Dianne Hofmeyr and Simona Mulazzani

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in October 2023

• The Observologist by Giselle Clarkson
• Treacle Town by Brian Conaghan.
• Legendary Creatures by Adam Auerbach
• Welcome to the Mysteryverse by Clive Gifford
• How to Chat Chicken by Dr Nick Crumpton
• The Wild by Yuval Zommer
• The Dress in the Window by Robert Tregoning
• A Happy Place by Britta Teckentrup
• Green by Alex Gino
• I Loved You In Another Life by David Arnold
• Where Magic Grows by Onjali Q. Rauf
• The Earthshot Prize by Colin Butfield and Jonnie Hughes
• SCRAP by Guy Bass
• Man-Man and the Tree of Memories by Yaba Badoe
• The Ogre Who Wasn't by Michael Morpurgo
• Begin Again by Oliver Jeffers
• The Nutcracker: And the Mouse King's Christmas Shenanigans by Alex T. Smith
• Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld
• The Great Storm Whale by Benji Davies
• Red is Home by Emma Bettridge
• Bigg School: Best Friends Forever by Lisa Williamson
• Super Space Weekend by Gaelle Almeras
• The Big Dreaming by Michael Rosen
• Bad Hair Day by John Phillips
• Up and Down by Tracey Turner and Jane Burnard
• If You'll Have Me by Eunnie
• Juniper's Christmas by Eoin Colfer
• Brave Little Bear by Steve Small
• Oscar's Lion by Adam Baron
• Rise Up and Sing! by Andrea Warner
• The Panda's Child Jackie Morris and Cathy Fisher

October 2023 books of the month

• Fiction:  | I Loved You In Another Life by David Arnold
• Nonfiction:  | Britannica’s Encyclopedia Infographica
• Picture book:  | The Star Whale by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Petr Horáček

Part 2
How to use Lego to encourage reading skills

New book pitches: Phone Me When You're Home! by Wendy Garvey; Luna and Helio The Eclipse by Gina Keulemans; Insects, Bugs and Rock and Roll by Alex Brooks, illustrated by Hannah Worsley; I Can Be An Astronaut by Dr Katy Chisenga-Phillipps

Part 3
Christmas-themed books - our Christmas topic book list

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 14

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-14

Part 1
Book post

•  The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow and Joe Todd-Stanton
• All Bodies Are Wonderful by Beth Cox, illustrated by Samantha Meredith
• Butterfly Wings: A Hopeful Story About Climate Anxiety by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude
• A Bird Day by Eva Lindstroem
• Bing: Sparkle Magic
• The Odd One Out by Britta Teckentrup
• Mrs Owl's Forest School by Seb Braun
• Fodo Dodo Goes Fishing by Edouard Manceau
• River Rescue: A Peanut, Butter & Crackers Story by Paige Braddock
• Monster Stink by Anna Brooke, illustrated by Owen Lindsay
• Her Majesty's League of Remarkable Young Ladies by Alison D. Stegert
• Prey Zone: The Serpent's Lair by Wilbur Smith and Keith Chapman

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in September 2023

• More Peas Please! By Tom McLaughlin
• All Bodies Are Wonderful by Beth Cox
• Finding Wonder by Lauren St John
• The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow
• By the Sea: Life Along the Coast by Judith Homoki
• The Shade Tree by Suzy Lee
• Nikhil and Jay: Off to India by Chitra Soundar
• Ivy Newt and the Time Thief by Derek Keilty and Magda Brol
• I Want a Dog by Jon Agee
• Where Can We Go?: A Tale of Four Bears by Dai Yun
• Channel Fear by Lisa Richardson
• The 169-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
• Prey Zone: The Serpent's Lair by Wilbur Smith
• Five Little Ghosts by Lily Murray
• Ben Rothery's Weird and Wonderful Animals by Ben Rothery
• Who Let the Words Out? by Joshua Seigal
• The Changing Man by Tomi Oyemakinde
• Nightshade Revenge by Anthony Horowitz
• Evolution by Sarah Darwin
• An Atlas of Afterlives by Emily Hawkins
• Bompa's Insect Expedition by David Suzuki
• You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne
• Butterfly Wings by Samuel Larochelle
• Michael Morpurgo's Tales from Shakespeare by Michael Morpurgo
• Oh Maya Gods! By Maz Evans
• Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
• Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans by Isi Hendrix
• Imagine a Garden by Rina Singh
• Foxlight by Katya Balen
• Skrimsli by Nicola Davies

September 2023 books of the month

• Fiction:  | The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow and Joe Todd-Stanton
• Nonfiction:  | All Bodies Are Wonderful by Beth Cox, illustrated by Samantha Meredith
• Picture book:  | Butterfly Wings: A Hopeful Story About Climate Anxiety by Samuel Larochelle and Eve Patenaude

Part 2
How to organise an effective quiet reading time

New book pitches: Phone Me When You're Home! by Wendy Garvey, On My Back Paws by Anna Skoyles, Luna and Helio The Eclipse by Gina Keulemans, Why, Oh Why, Am I a Crocodile? by Alex Brooks

Part 3
Halloween - our Halloween book list for children and teens

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 13

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-13 

Part 1
Book post

•  The Last Tiger by Petr Horáček
• Against the Odds: The Incredible Struggles of 20 Great Adventurers by Alastair Humphreys, illustrated by Pola Mai
• Nowhere Island by Tania Unsworth
• Superquesters: The Case of the Great Energy Robbery by Lisa Moss and Dr Thomas Bernard
• Bob vs the Trousers of Doom by Andy Jones
• Undercover Alien by N.S. Blackman
• Mia and the Traitor of Nubis by Janelle McCurdy
• The Reluctant Vampire Queen Bites Back by Jo Simmons
• The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle
• Carnival of the Spider by Kieran Larwood
• There are Reptiles Everywhere by Camilla De la Bedoyere and  Britta Teckentrup
• Secret Sister by Sophie McKenzie

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in August 2023

• British Museum: The Plot Against the Emperor by Andy Seed
• Shine by Sarah Asuquo
• Finding Phoebe by Gavin Extence
• The Escape by Ximo Abadia
• The Parade: A Counting Story from 1 to 100! By Joanna McInerney
• Nowhere Island by Tania Unsworth
• The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle
• The After School Crime Club by Hayley Webster
• Worrybot by Simon Packham
• A Dinosaur's Day by Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia
• Ghost Orchid by Fiona Lumbers
• Monster Stink by Anna Brooke
• Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight by Maria Motunrayo Adebisi
• Calvin and the Sugar-Apples by Ines F. Oliveira
• Ten-Word Tiny Tales by Joseph Coelho
• The Spectacular Science of Space by Rob Colson
• Rock-a-Bye Rumpus by Julia Donaldson
• How To Say No by Michelle Elman
• Mysteries at Sea: Peril on the Atlantic by A.M. Howell
• The Magic of Forests by Vicky Woodgate
• Why Don't Things Fall Up? by Alom Shaha
• Curious Words for Clever Kids by Sarah Craiggs
• Leif the Unlucky Viking: Saga of the Shooting Star by Gary Northfield
• Mia and the Traitor of Nubis by Janelle McCurdy
• The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron
• Norah's Ark by Victoria Williamson
• The Book of Time by Clive Gifford
• Geomancer by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
• Be You! By Karl Newson
• Read, Scream, Repeat by Jennifer Killick
• What's the Big Idea? By Tracey Turner

August 2023 books of the month

• Fiction:  | Nowhere Island by Tania Unsworth
• Nonfiction:  | Against the Odds by Alastair Humphreys, illustrated by Pola Mai
• Picture book:  | The Last Tiger by Petr Horáček
  
  

Part 2
Our thoughts on the DfE's reading framework updates

New book pitches: Katy on Broadway by Ella English, Phone Me When You're Home! by Wendy Garvey, On My Back Paws by Anna Skoyles

Part 3
Transitioning to KS2 - our year 3 book choices. 

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 12

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-12 

Part 1
Book post

•  Our Rights edited by Jake Hope
• Afterward, Everything was Different by Jairo Buitrago, illustrated by Rafael Yockteng
• What Are You Feeling? by The School of Life
• Stuckie Duckie Balloon by HarperCollins Children's Books
• What's That, Jack? by Cédric Ramadier, illustrated by Vincent Bourgeau
• How the Weather Works by Christiane Dorion and Beverley Young
• Dave Pigeon (Kittens!) by Swapna Haddow, illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
• A Head Full of Magic by Sarah Morrell
• Sing If You Can't Dance by Alexia Casale
• Overemotional by David Fenne
• The Girl Who Grew Wings by Anna Waterworth
• What Will I Discover? By Tanya Lloyd Ky, illustrated by Rachel Qiuqi

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in July 2023

• The Teen Witches' Guide to Tarot
• Calling the Whales by Jasbinder Bilan
• I Am Wriggly by Michael Rosen
• Busy Little Fingers: Art by Eva Wong Nava
• The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera
• Crow by Nicola Skinner
• Dave Pigeon (Kittens!) by Swapna Haddow
• Murder on a School Night by Kate Weston
• One Chance Dance by Efua Traore
• Henri and the Machine by Isabelle Marinov
• Sweet Skies by Robin Scott-Elliot
• Animal Homes: Rainforest by Natasha Durley
• Robin Hood 7: Prisons, Parties & Powerboats by Robert Muchamore
• The Housetrap by Emma Read
• Against the Odds by Alastair Humphreys
• The Wonder Brothers by Frank Cottrell Boyce
• The Exiled by Sarah Daniels
• Animal Homes: Ocean by Natasha Durley
• The Bedtime Boat by Sital Gorasia Chapman
• Lil' Muffin Drops the Mic by Romesh Ranganathan
• Up in the Canopy by James Aldred
• All That's Left to Say by Emery Lord
• Balam and Lluvia's House by Julio Serrano Echeverria
• The Bomb by Didier Alcante
• Bath Time! By Sandra Boynton
• The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen
• One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus
• League of Thieves by Sarah Crofton
• Alex Neptune, Monster Avenger: Book 3
• A Little Book of the Orchestra by Mary Auld
• Bum or Face by Kari Lavelle

July 2023 books of the month

• Fiction:  | Our Rights! edited by Jake Hope
• Nonfiction:  | What Are You Feeling? by The School of Life
• Picture book:  | Afterward, Everything was Different by Jairo Buitrago & Rafael Yockteng

Part 2
How children's book series can kickstart reading for pleasure.
See our review of How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell.

New book pitches: Katy on Broadway by Ella English, Movie Night with the Wizziwigs by Saxon North-Cornell, On My Back Paws by Anna Skoyles

Part 3
A dive into our list of book series for children and teens

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 11

For transcripts, resources, show notes and contact details, see https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-11 

Part 1
Book post

•  The Wall Between Us by Dan Smith 
•  Rivers by Simon Chapman
•  I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon 
•  The Bear who had Nothing to Wear by Jeanne Willis and Brian Fitzgerald 
•  Sharks! Sharks! Sharks! by Susan Martineau 
•  The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde, illustrated by Ritva Voutila 
•  Max Magic by Stephen Mulhern & Tom Easton 
•  Indiana Bones and the Invisible City by Harry Heape
•  Last Girl In by Cheryl Diane Parkinson 
•  Call of the Titanic by Lindsay Galvin 
•  Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure by Sai Pathmanathan
•  Veggies! by Ayako Watanabe

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in June 2023

• The Teen Witches' Guide to Tarot
• Luna and the Treasure of Tlaloc by Joe Todd-Stanton
• Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Ruling the World by Louie Stowell
• Nightjar by Katya Balen
• Star Cat: A Turnip in Time! By James Turner
• Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle
• Bad Influence by Tamsin Winter
• Just Like Everyone Else by Sarah Hagger-Holt
• Art Makes People Powerful by Bob and Roberta Smith
• Rosie Raja: Mission to Cairo by Sufiya Ahmed
• Grounded by Aisha Saeed
• How to Survive The Future by Larry Hayes
• Bridget Vanderpuff and the Baked Escape by Martin Stewart
• Julia Donaldson's Book of Names by Julia Donaldson
• Bite Risk by S.J. Wills
• Stone Age Beasts by Ben Lerwill
• Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer by Jeffrey Boakye
• Call of the Titanic by Lindsay Galvin
• Everybody's Equal by Patricia Hegarty
• You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
• SH!T BAG by Xena Knox
• The Day the Hiccups Took Over by Jo Simmons
• Pizza Pete and the Perilous Potions by Carrie Sellon
• The Greatest Treasure Hunt by James Patterson
• My Family and Other Romans by Marie Basting
• Timelines of Nature by DK
• Indiana Bones and the Invisible City by Harry Heape
• The Dream Book by Bia Melo
• Gender Identity for Kids by Andy Passchier

June 2023 books of the month

• Fiction: The Wall Between Us by Dan Smith
• Nonfiction: Rivers by Simon Chapman
• Picture book: I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon

Part 2
The transition from picture books to short chapter books in Year 2. https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks1-school-pupils/suggested-reading-list-year-2-pupils-ks1-age-6-7/

New book pitches: Katy on Broadway by Ella English, Movie Night with the Wizziwigs by Saxon North-Cornell, The 4th Dimension by Dr. Joseph J. Pamelia

Part 3
A look at our new list of adventure books for children and teens. 

Credits and licensing
3rd party sounds are licensed. Audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 10

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-10 

Part 1
Book post

• Away With Words by Sophie Cameron
• Are We There Yet? by Sven Völker
• Glow by Noelia González
• Rubbish? by Linda Newbery & Katie Rewse
• Postman Pig and His Busy Neighbours by Richard Scarry
• Let's Go! Hospital by Catherine Ard and Ben Whitehouse
• Forwards Always by Matthew Hodson
• Growing Up Powerful by Nona Willis Aronowitz  and Caribay Marquina
• Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
• How Far We've Come by Joyce Efia Harmer
• Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts by William Hussey
• Chews Your Own Tasty Adventure by Sai Pathmanathan 

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in May 2023

• Nooo! Not the Dentist! By Stephanie Blake
• Aaron Slater and the Sneaky Snake by Andrea Beaty
• Straight Expectations by Calum McSwiggan
• How to Build a Racing Car by Fran Scott
• You Are a Story by Laura Dockrill
• Wild by Ele Fountain
• Jodie by Hilary McKay
• Away With Words by Sophie Cameron
• An Anthology Of Aesop's Animal Fables by Helen Ward
• Glow by Noelia Gonzalez
• Philosophy for Everyone by Clive Gifford
• No Place for Monsters: School of Phantoms by Kory Merritt
• Holey Moley by Bethan Clarke
• Weird Sea by Sophie Burrows
• Surprisingly Sarah by Terri Libenson
• Where the Light Goes by Sara Barnard
• Willodeen by Katherine Applegate
• The Invitation by Stacey May Fowles
• The Isles of the Gods by Amie Kaufman
• The Lesbiana's Guide To Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
• Time to Shine at the River School by Sabine Adeyinka
• The Thief of Farrowfell by Ravena Guron
• More Peas Please! By Tom McLaughlin
• Cosima Unfortunate Steals A Star by Laura Noakes
• Manolo & the Unicorn by Jackie Azua Kramer & Jonah Kramer
• In Your Orbit by Lise Villadsen
• Rivers by Simon Chapman
• Rory's Room of Rectangles by Ian Eagleton
• Broken Hearts & Zombie Parts by William Hussey
• Marvellous Maps by Simon Kuestenmacher
• There's a Hippo in my Toilet! By Sam Taplin

May 2023 books of the month

• Fiction: Away With Words by Sophie Cameron
• Nonfiction: Glow by Noelia González
• Picture book: Are We There Yet? by Sven Völker

Part 2
How to halt the summer slide by encouraging students to read. See summer reading can energise your students

New book pitches: Katy on Broadway by Ella English, Movie Night with the Wizziwigs by Saxon North-Cornell, The 4th Dimension by Dr. Joseph J. Pamelia

Part 3
Picks for Pride Month including titles from our books for year 11 and books for year 10 lists

Credits and licensing

• All 3rd party sounds are licensed. See our audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 9

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-9 

Part 1
Book post

• Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch by Derek Keilty and Magda Broll
• I Heard a Bird by Rob Ramsden
• Small Stanley's Big List of Scary Stuff by Angie Morgan
• A Child Like You by Na'ima B. Robert
• Ajay and the Jaipur Moon by Varsha Shah
• Day and Night by Lela Nargi
• Be Happy! by Emma Dodd & Maddy Bard
• Squishy McFluff's Camping Adventure! by Pip Jones
• The Not-So Uniform Life of Holly-Mei by Christina Matula
• Circus Maximus: Rider of the Storm by Annelise Gray
• Finding Floss by Cara Matheson
• Noodle the Doodle Wins the Day by Jonathan Meres

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in April 2023

• Hilda: Night of the Trolls by Luke Pearson
• This Is Not My Home by Eugenia Yoh & Vivienne Chang
• Nic Blake and the Remarkables by Angie Thomas
• Twenty Questions by Mac Barnett
• Love, the Earth by Frances Stickley
• The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker
• Yellowstone by Catherine Ard
• Na Willa and the House in the Alley by Reda Gaudiamo
• The Dark and Dangerous Gifts of Delores Mackenzie by Yvonne Banham
• The Crown by Emily Kapff
• Day and Night by Lela Nargi
• The Treasure Hunters by Lisa Thompson
• The Smidgens United by David O'Connell
• Let's Play Murder by Kesia Lupo
• Skandar and the Phantom Rider by A.F. Steadman
• What is War? By Sheddad Kaid-Salah Ferron
• Big Tree by Brian Selznick
• Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu
• Animal FACTopia! by Julie Beer
• The Children of Croke Park by Michael Foley
• School Trip by Jerry Craft
• Automotive by Matt Ralphs
• Louise Bourgeois Made Giant Spiders and Wasn't Sorry by Fausto Gilberti
• The Big Book of Nature Art by Yuval Zommer
• How Far We've Come by Joyce Efia Harmer
• The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei by Christina Matula
• Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
• Bridges by Marc Majewski
• How to Write a Poem by Kwame Alexander
• Global by Eoin Colfer & Andrew Donkin

April 2023 books of the month

• Fiction: Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
• Nonfiction: The Big Book of Nature Art by Yuval Zommer
• Picture book: The Crown by Emily Kapff

Part 2
Chat GPT and AI: a blessing or a curse for teachers and schools? We examine whether Chat GPT will be useful for the teaching of English and reading in schools. 

New book pitches: My Magical Bearded Friend by Chris Husband; Dumb Orphans by Allan Low

Part 3
Summer 2023 new children's books. 

Credits and licensing

• All 3rd party sounds are licensed. See our audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 8

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-8 

Part 1
Book post

• Art and Joy Best Friends Forever by Danielle Krysa
• The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon
• Engineers Making a Difference
• Kind Crocodile by Leo Timmers by Dr. Shini Somara
• I say Oh, You say No by John Kane
• The Fixer of Broken Things by Julia Patton
• The Bear and the Wildcat by Kazumi Yumoto and Komako Sakai
• Prehistoric Beasts by Dean Lomax and Mike Love
• Tourmaline and the Island of Elsewhere by Ruth Lauren
• Dandy the Highway Lion by Stephanie Sorrell
• Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher
• Ellie Pillai is (Almost) in Love by Christine Pillainayagam

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in March 2023

• Boy Like Me by Simon James Green
• Ravencave by Marcus Sedgwick
• What the World Doesn't See by Mel Darbon
• Circus Maximus: Rider of the Storm by Annelise Gray
• Tourmaline and the Island of Elsewhere by Ruth Lauren
• Big Nate: Nailed It! by Lincoln Peirce
• Prehistoric Beasts by Dean Lomax
• Sheets by Brenna Thummler
• The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon
• Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai
• Dragonracers by Peter Bunzl
• Maggie Blue and the White Crow by Anna Goodall
• Being you: Poems of Positivity by Daniel Thompson
• The Truth Detective by Tim Harford
• The Other Edie Trimmer by Jacqueline Wilson
• The Handbook of Forgotten Skills by Natalie Crowley & Elaine Baptiste
• Stanley's Secret by John Sullivan
• The Nowhere Thief by Alice M. Ross
• The Knowing by Ani DiFranco
• Dick the Delightful Duck by Kaye Umansky
• The Autistic Guide to Adventure by Allie Mason
• Habitats of the World by DK
• Wild Song by Candy Gourlay
• Faruq and the Wiri Wiri by Sophia Payne
• Engineers Making a Difference by Dr. Shini Somara
• Ellie Pillai is (Almost) in Love by Christine Pillainayagam
• Dog Man 11 by Dav Pilkey
• Courage Out Loud: 25 Poems of Power by Joseph Coelho
• Hell Breaks Loose by Derek Landy
• Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher
• Football Rules the World by Simon Mugford

March 2023 books of the month

• Fiction: The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon
• Nonfiction: Engineers Making a Difference: by Dr. Shini Somara
• Picture book: Kind Crocodile by Leo Timmers

Part 2
How the cost of living crisis is impacting children's reading and book sales

New book pitches: The Bumper Book of Double Learning by Helen J Bailey; My Magical Bearded Friend by Chris Husband; Dumb Orphans by Allan Low; & a monologue by Rebecca Smith for the Cheltenham Festivals

Part 3
Poetry for 7-11-year-olds

Credits and licensing

• All 3rd party sounds are licensed. See our audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 7

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-7 

Part 1
Book post

• Our Planet by Matt Whyman and Richard Jones
• Faruq and the Wiri Wiri by Sophie Payne
• Vita and the Gladiator by Ally Sherrick
• Tell Me About series by Emily Dodd
• Blanksy the Street Cat by Gavin Puckett
• BOB vs The Selfie Zombies by Andy Jones
• You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud
• Don't be Silly by Padmacandra
• Corey's Rock by Sita Brahmachari
• The Emerald Forest by Catherine Ward
• Paper World: Human Body by Gail Armstrong
• Two Terrible Vikings: Feast with the King by Francesca Simon

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in February 2023

• Promise Boys by Nick Brooks
• Unspoken by Kwame Alexander & Dare Coulter
• Out of the Blue by Robert Tregoning & Stef Murphy
• Teddy's Midnight Adventure by Yoko Mori
• Don't Be Silly by Padmacandra
• Two Terrible Vikings Feast with the King by Francesca Simon
• Xanthe & the Ruby Crown by Jasbinder Bilan
• Lizzy and the Cloud by Eric Fan & Terry Fan
• Lost by Mariajo Ilustrajo
• Glitter Boy by Ian Eagleton
• You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud
• Cherry Moon by Zaro Weil
• Vita & the Gladiator by Ally Sherrick
• The Monkey Who Fell From The Future by Ross Welford
• The Emerald Forest by Catherine Ward & Karin Littlewood
• Corey's Rock by Sita Brahmachari
• Fighting in a World on Fire by Andreas Malm
• The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell
• Tell Me About: The Human Body by Emily Dodd
• Blanksy the Street Cat by Gavin Puckett
• Paper World: Human Body by Gail Armstrong
• A Passing On of Shells: 50 Fifty-Word Poems by Simon Lamb & Chris Riddell
• Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers
• The Versatile Reptile by Nicola Davies & Abbie Cameron
• Rugby Rookie by Gerard Siggins
• Now Let Me Fly by Ronald Wimberly & Brahm Revel
• SuperQuesters: The Case of the Missing Memory

February 2023 books of the month

• Fiction: You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud
• Nonfiction: Paper World: Human Body by Gail Armstrong
• Picture book: The Emerald Forest by Catherine Ward

Part 2
Why it's not a good idea to use reading records

New book pitches: The Bumper Book of Double Learning by Helen J Bailey; My Magical Bearded Friend by Chris Husband; Dumb Orphans by Allan Low; The PhilosoCats by Judith Millecker.

Part 3
6th form books - our rundown of great titles for this age group. 

Credits and licensing

• All 3rd party sounds are licensed. See our audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 6

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-6 

Part 1
Book post

•  Nine Liars by Maureen Johnson 
•  Fighting in a World on Fire by Andreas Malm 
•  Floof by Heidi McKinnon 
•  Questions and Answers About Money by Lara Bryan 
•  Game Over Girl by Naomi Gibson 
•  Influential by Amara Sage 
•  Monster Bogey by Anna Brooke 
•  Xanthe & the Ruby Crown by Jasbinder Bilan 
•  Little Explorers: Maths & Science by Ruth Symons 
•  The Rescue of Ravenwood by Natasha Farrant 
•  This Book Kills by Ravena Guron
•  Wild Oak by C.C. Harrington 

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in January 2023

• Different Kinds of Freedom: A Romani Story by Richard O'Neill
• Look Inside Volcanoes and Earthquakes by Emily Bone
• Around the World Vegan Cookbook by Niki Webster
• Granny and Bean by Karen Hesse
• Lifesize Deadly Animals by Sophy Henn
• Barry Loser: Action Hero! By Jim Smith
• Shine Like the Stars by Anna Wilson
• Frankenstein: A Retelling by Tanya Landman
• Blackbeard's Treasure by Iszi Lawrence
• The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
• All The World's A Stage by Sarah Walden
• There's a Beast in the Basement! by Pamela Butchart
• Game Over Girl by Naomi Gibson
• Wildoak by C. C. Harrington
• The Magic of Endings by Tom Avery
• The Storm Swimmer by Clare Weze
• A Ticket to Kalamazoo!: Zippy Poems To Read Out Loud by James Carter
• My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder
• Selfies With Komodos: Poems by Brian Moses & Ed Boxall
• I Am Not Going to Read Any Words Today by Dr Seuss
• Failosophy for Teens Elizabeth Day
• I Am Happy by Michael Rosen
• Monster Bogey by Anna Brooke
• Word Trouble by Vyara Boyadjieva
• Blue by Sarah Christou
• MONSTER! THIRSTY! DRINK! by Sean Taylor
• Swirls and Squiggles
• The Boy Who Didn't Want to Die by Peter Lantos
• Little Explorers: Science
• Wished by Lissa Evans
• 100 Things to Know About Architecture by Louise O'Brien

January 2023 books of the month

• Fiction: The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
• Nonfiction: All The World’s A Stage by Sarah Walden
• Picture book: Lifesize Deadly Animals by Sophy Henn

Part 2
Year 1 books - our rundown of great titles for this age group. 

New book pitches: Lao and Chen: Master your Art by Bráulio Pitra; The Silly Adventures of Twighead Larson by John Dredge; The Bumper Book of Double Learning by Helen J Bailey; My Magical Bearded Friend by Chris Husband; The PhilosoCats by Judith Millecker; Cable the Crow by Lorna Chantelle Scott

Part 3
Why we shouldn't ban books. 

Credits and licensing

• All 3rd party sounds are licensed. See our audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 5

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-5 

Part 1
Book post

• The Burpee Bears: A Christmas Adventure by Joe Wicks
• Scattered Showers by Rainbow Rowell
• Snail Trail by Ziggy Hanaor
• A Cat Called Waverley by Debi Gliori
• Duck's Backyard by Ulrich Hub
• Dear Grandpa by Kate Simpson
• I Hear you, Ocean by Kallie George
• Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max
• Epic Animal Journeys by Ed J Brown
• The Girl Who Became a Tree by Joseph Coelho
• Kind by Jess McGeachin
• When Poems Fall From The Sky by Zaro Weil

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in November 2022

• Journeys in Creative Telling Tales by Rudi Haig
• Luminous by Julia Kuo
• The Red Red Dragon by Lynne Reid Banks
• Paradise Sands by Levi Pinfold
• Explorers at Stardust City by Alex Bell
• The Girl of Ink & Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
• Where Björn Belongs by Samuel Langley-Swain
• Terry's Crew by Terry Crew & Cory Thomas
• Once Upon a Hillside by Angela McAllister
• Captain Underpants Double Crunchy Book o'Fun by Dav Pilkey
• I'm (Almost) Never Bored (I'm Not Very) by Anna Milbourne
• Supertato: Presents Jack and the Beanstalk by Sue Hendra
• Snail Trail by Ziggy Hanaor
• One and Everything by Sam Winston
• Balloon to the Moon by Becky Davies
• Tasting Light by A. R. Capetta
• Murder at Snowfall by Fleur Hitchcock
• The Moon by Dr. Sanlyn Buxner
• Night Train to the Stars by Kenji Miyazawa
• Secrets of a Christmas Elf by Ben Miller
• Fury of The Vikings by Dominic Sandbrook
• Epic Animal Journeys by Ed J Brown
• Roar! I’m a Dinosaur by Merrilll Rainey
• If You Were a City by Kyo Maclear
• Official Minecraft Redstone Handbook
• The Real Dada Mother Goose by Jon Scieszka
• Wearing My Mother's Heart by Sophia Thakur
• You Are a Champion Action Planner by Marcus Rashford
• Self-Portrait with Nothing by Aimee Pokwatka
• Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

November 2022 books of the month

• Fiction:   Once Upon a Hillside by Angela McAllister
• Nonfiction:  Nomads: Life on the Move by Kinchoi Lam
• Picture book: GOTCHA! by Clotilde Perrin

Part 2
Great Christmas book presents - our rundown

New book pitches: The Art Family by Sue Truslet; Lao and Chen: Master your Art by Bráulio Pitra; The Silly Adventures of Twighead Larson by John Dredge

Part 3
How to make GCSE set texts accessible. (See: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/reading-lists-for-ks4-school-pupils/graphic-novel-versions-of-gcse-english-texts/)

Credits and licensing

• All 3rd party sounds are licensed. See our audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 4

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-4 

Part one
Book post

• No Home for a Ghost by Jess Rose
• The Perfect Present by Petr Horáček
• The Best Bear Tracker by John Condon
• Together We Can by Ned Hartley
• The Faber Book of Bedtime Stories by Sarah McIntyre
• Meanwhile Back On Earth by Oliver Jeffers
• Big Ideas from History by The School Of Life
• The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage
• The Museum of Odd Body Leftovers by Rachel Poliquin
• We Disagree About This Tree by Ross Collins
• The Terracotta Horse by Scott Lauder and David Ross
• The Ultimate Guide to Growing Dragons by Andy Shepherd and Sara Ogilvie

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in October 2022

• The Lucky Bottle by Chris Wormell
• The Haunted Hills by Berlie Doherty
• Tyger by SF Said
• Aliens by Joalda Morancy
• My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee
• The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish by Chloe Savage
• Wild Animals of the World by Dieter Braun
• The Boy Who Lost His Spark by Maggie O'Farrell
• The Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph Coelho
• Freestyle by Gale Galligan
• Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel
• Children of the Stone City by Beverley Naidoo
• The Midnight Panther by Poonam Mistry
• The Other Ones by Fran Har
• Activist by Louisa Reid
• Africana by Kim Chakanetsa
• The Three Hares: The Terracotta Horse by Scott Lauder and David Ross
• Creature by Shaun Tan
• Nomads: Life on the Move by Kinchoi Lam
• Big Ideas from History by The School of Life
• Together We Can by Ned Hartley
• Meanwhile Back on Earth Oliver Jeffers
• We Disagree About This Tree by Ross Collins
• India, Incredible India by Jasbinder Bilan
• History's BIGGEST Show-offs by Andy Seed
• Basher Games: Chess by Simon Basher
• The Ever-changing Earth by Grahame Baker-Smith
• The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera
• S.T.E.A.L.T.H.: Ice Breaker by Jason Rohan
• Escape from Chernobyl by Andy Marino
• Sherlock Bones and the Curse of the Pharaoh’s Mask by Tim Collins

October 2022 books of the month

• Fiction:   The Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph Coelho
• Nonfiction:  2023 Nature Month-By-Month by Anna Wilson
• Picture book: Goldilocks and the Three Crocodiles by Michael Rosen

Part two
Promoting your new children's and YA book to schools. Our tips. 

New book pitch: The Art Family by Sue Truslet

Part three
Children's favourite books, and how these differ from the teacher-recommended books for KS1 and books for KS2.

Credits and licensing

• All 3rd party sounds are licensed. See our audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 3

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-3 

Part one.
Book post:

• Human Kindness: True Stories of Compassion and Generosity that Changed the World by John Francis
• Iceberg by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
• Everything Sustainable Energy by National Geographic Kids
• Whisper on the Wind by Claire Saxby, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
• Bad Panda: The Cake Escape by Swapna Haddow
• Gross Factopia by Paige Towler
• Found by Sam Usher
• Secrets of the Dead: Mummies and Other Human Remains From Around the World by Matt Ralphs
• Big Questions about the Universe by Alice James and Alex Frith
• Lionel Poops by Éric Veillé
• Old Oak and Little Acorn by Elena Mannion
• The Last Storyteller by Donna Barba Higuera
• The Cats Who Wanted More by Katie Sahota and Naomi Tipping
• The Spell Tailors by James Nicol
• Granny Pip grows fruit by Deborah Chancellor and Julia Groves

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in September 2022:

• Alex Neptune, Dragon Thief by David Owen
• How To Survive Anywhere by Ben Lerwill
• Big Questions about the Universe by Alice James & Alex Frith
• Iceberg by Claire Saxby
• The Last Storyteller by Donna Barba Higuera
• Stories of Peace and Kindness For a Better World by Elizabeth Laird
• Granny Pip Grows Fruit by Deborah Chancellor and Julia Groves
• Gross FACTopia! By Paige Towler
• Eco Girl by Ken Wilson-Max
• Human Kindness by John Francis
• The Curse of the Tomb Robbers by Andy Seed
• Stone by Finbar Hawkins
• Everything Sustainable Energy by National Geographic Kids
• The Spell Tailors by James Nicol
• Found by Sam Usher
• Unraveller by Frances Hardinge
• The Treekeepers by Kieran Larwood
• No Place for Monsters by Kory Merritt
• Tom Gates 19 Random Acts of Fun by Liz Pichon
• And Everything Will Be Glad to See You by Ella Risbridger
• Everything Human Body by National Geographic Kids
• The Cats Who Wanted More by Katie Sahota
• Secrets of the Dead by Matt Ralphs
• Which Way to Anywhere by Cressida Cowell
• The Elemental Detectives by Patrice Lawrence
• The Baddies by Julia Donaldson
• Joyful, Joyful by Dapo Adeola
• Old Oak and Little Acorn by Elena Mannion.
• Dogs of the Deadlands by Anthony McGowan
• The Collectors by Philip Pullman

September 2022 books of the month:

• Fiction: Stone by Finbar Hawkins
• Nonfiction: Gross Factopia by Paige Towler
• Picture book: Found by Sam Usher

Part two.
Time travelling to a world of second-hand books. In this episode, we feature children's historical fiction writer, Rosemary Sutcliff.

Part three.
Do you think children's reading declines in KS3 and KS4? With a social media poll.

Credits and licensing.

• All sound effects and background music clips are correctly licensed for use on this podcast. See our licensing audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 2

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-2 

Part one.
Book post:

• Stone by Finbar Hawkins 
• Who's Hiding by Satoru Onishi 
• The Curse of the Tomb Robbers by Andy Seed 
• Stories of Peace and Kindness For a Better World by Elizabeth Laird 
• The Worlds We Leave Behind by A.F. Harrold illustrated by Levi Pinfold 
• The Little Match Girl Strikes Back by Emma Carroll
• My Rhinoceros by Jon Agee
• The Tale of Truthwater Lake by Emma Carroll
• No Place For Monsters by Kory Merritt 
• Unraveller by Frances Hardinge 
• The TreeKeepers by Kieran Larwood 
• Shu Lin's Grandpa by Matt Goodfellow and Yu Rong 
• The Island by Armin Greder

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA books to buy in August 2022:

• It's Tough to be Tiny by Kim Woolcock
• Rapunzella, Or, Don't Touch My Hair by Ella McLeod
• Egyptian Myths by Jean Menzies
• Ella and the Waves by Britta Teckentrup
• All the Pieces of Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
• World of Weird: A Creepy Compendium of True Stories by Tom Adams
• Paper Boat, Paper Bird by David Almond
• The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom by Susie Bower
• Ergo by Alexis Deacon
• The Last Whale by Chris Vick
• The Accidental Stowaway by Judith Eagle
• The Girl Who Rowed the Ocean by Alastair Humphreys
• Giant Island by Jane Yolen
• The Worlds We Leave Behind by A.F. Harrold.
• Our Tower by Joseph Coelho
• Which Bum's Mum's? by Jonny Leighton.
• Medicine: A Magnificently Illustrated History by Briony Hudson
• The Blue-Footed Booby by Rob Biddulph
• The Cartoons That Saved The World by Tom Ellen
• Vi Spy: The Girl with the Golden Gran by Maz Evans
• Resist!: One Girl's Fight Back Against the Nazis by Tom Palmer
• To Catch A Cloud by Elena de Roo
• Passionate about Penguins by Owen Davey
• Bad Panda: The Cake Escape by Swapna Haddow
• How Many Ways Can You Cook An Egg? By Lizzie Mabbott Berlin
• Britannica's Word of the Day by Patrick and Rennee Kelly
• Waking the Witch by Rachel Burge.
• Lift-the-flap Strongest, Cleverest, Deadliest… by Darran Stobbart and Lan Cook
• Rosie Raja: Churchill's Spy by Sufiya Ahmed
• Powered by Plants by Clive Gifford
• The Beastly Bunch by Leisa Stewart-Sharpe

August 2022 books of the month:

• Fiction: Resist by Tom Palmer
• Nonfiction: Britannica's Word of the Day by Patrick and Rennee Kelly & Sue Macy
• Picture book: Ella and the Waves by Britta Teckentrup

Part two.
Time travelling to a world of second-hand books. In this episode, we feature children's science fiction writer, Nicholas Fisk.

Part three.
Should school classrooms feature wall displays? (And how this impacts reading for pleasure). With a social media poll.

Credits and licensing.

• All sound effects and background music clips are correctly licensed for use on this podcast. See our licensing audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

School Reading List podcast hosted by Tom Tolkien

Season 1: Episode 1

For transcripts, links to all the books featured, resources, show notes and contact details, click here: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/podcasts/series-1-episode-1 

Part one.
Book post:

• Noodle the Doodle Wins the Day by Jonathan Meres
• The Whale Watchers by Dougie Poynter
• A Darkness at the Door by Intisar Khanani
• The Silver Chain by Jion Sheibani
• Queen of the Classroom by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton
• Orla and the Wild Hunt by Anna Hoghton
• Carnival of the Hunted by Kieran Larwood
• Birdsong by Katya Balen
• Sunflower Sisters by Monika Singh Gangotra and Michaela Dias-Hayes
• Hetty and the Battle of the Books by Anna James
• Picture Perfect by Serena Patel
• Oxygen Mask by Jason Reynolds

Rundown - top 30 children's and YA book to buy in July 2022:

• Bad Things Happen Here by Rebecca Barrow
• Wild Summer: Life in the Heat by Sean Taylor
• The Friendly Mammoth by Anna Terreros-Martin
• Once Upon a Fever by Angharad Walker
• Rewilding: Bringing Wildlife Back Where It Belongs by David A. Steen
• Carnival of the Hunted by Kieran Larwood
• Birdsong by Katya Balen
• Never Forget You by Jamila Gavin
• The Misunderstandings of Charity Brown by Elizabeth Laird
• The Roar by Eoin McLaughlin
• Orla and the Wild Hunt by Anna Hoghton
• Queen of the Classroom by Derrick Barnes
• Tag, You're Dead by Kathryn Foxfield
• 21% Monster by P.J. Canning
• The Mermaid Call by Alex Cotter
• Small! By Hannah Moffatt
• The World's Wildest Places: And the People Protecting Them by Lily Dyu
• Small Town Pride by Phil Stamper
• The Fire Cats of London by Anna Fargher
• The Day No One Woke Up by Polly Ho-Yen
• Billy and the Pirates by Nadia Shireen
• Lifesize Baby Animals by Sophy Henn
• British Museum: So You Think You've Got It Bad?  by Chae Strathie
• A Gangster Stole My Trunks by Tom Vaughan
• Ali Cross: The Secret Detective by James Patterson
• Can You Feel the Noise? By Stewart Foster
• Artists: Inspiring Stories of the World's Most Creative Minds by DK
• Happy Times! By Michael Foreman
• Hetty and the Battle of the Books by Anna James 
• Lands of Belonging: A History of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Britain by Donna and Vikesh Amey Bhatt.
• Outside Chance by Anthony Kessel
• It's Tough to be Tiny by Kim Woolcock

July 2022 books of the month:

• Fiction: Oxygen Mask by Jason Reynolds
• Nonfiction: A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis 
• Picture book: Five Bears by Catherine Rayner

Part two.
Time traveling to a world of second hand books. In this episode we feature children's adventure author Willard Price.

Part three.
When is a quote not a quote? A journey through the strange corridors of social media.

Credits and licensing.

• All sound effects and background music clips are correctly licensed for use on this podcast. See our licensing audit: https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/category/podcasts/#podcast-credits

Support the Show.

A trailer for the School Reading List children's and YA literature podcast, presented by Tom Tolkien.

The School Reading List recommends new and classic children's and YA books to teachers, parents, librarians and schools.

Podcast notes and credits. 

For more details, and book recommendations for 3-18-year-olds, see our website: School Reading List 

Support the Show.