Here are some useful websites and resources to help you choose books for yourself or for people of all ages, talk to others about books or get some ideas to motivate others to read. You might also like to ask in your local or school library for recommendations. In 2007 the NLT and lovereading4schools.com surveyed over 1,300 adults to recommend reads for reluctant readers. Download the lists (Word):
Key stage 1 (5 to 7-year-olds)
Key stage 2 (7 to 11-year-olds)
Key stage 3
(11 to 14-year-olds)
If you are looking specifically for book ideas for 0 to 5-year-olds, download Suffolk schools library service booklist for under fives (pdf)
For the 2008 National Year of Reading, Piczo.com have set up a dedicated mini-site for children aged 13 to 18 to discuss books and reading. Visit www.readup.piczo.com Although this site is uncensored, a record of individual computers used to contribute is monitored and Piczo take online security extremely seriously. So much so that they have advised Government on best practice relating to online security around children. The NLT is not responsible for the content of external websites.
You can find useful information relating to this subject elsewhere on the NLT site, visit:
Reading Is Fundamental, UK resources - recommended reads for KS1 and KS3, plus lots of other book-related resources.
Children's literature resources
Specialist children's bookshops and publishers
http://askchris.essexcc.gov.uk
Essex libraries Ask Chris website with recommended reads for both young people and adults.
www.channel4.com/bookbox
Bookbox is a Channel 4 website that aims to put children in touch with authors and their books. The site features over 30 of the most popular authors, poets and illustrators.
www.booktrusted.co.uk
Booktrust website which contains book information for children, including recommended reads - www.booktrusted.co.uk/bestbookguide/index.php4, features, interviews, and sections on authors, illustrators and teachers' resources.
www.cool-reads.co.uk
The Cool Reads website has hundreds of reading recommendations from young people aged 10-15.
www.encompassculture.com
enCompassCulture is the British Council's worldwide books and reading group webiste. It has full details of over 10,000 books for all age ranges with seperate children, teens and adult sections.
www.kidsreview.org.uk
The Kidsreview website is for children to write book reviews for other children to read. It is updated every month and is designed to encourage children aged 6 to 14 to justify their opinions and hone critical skills. It includes a top 10.
www.lovereading.co.uk/newgen
Lovereading have developed the new gen area of their website specifically aimed at young adult and teen readers.
Teens can create their own wishlists on the site.
www.readingmatters.co.uk
The Reading Matters website is about books and ideas for children and teenagers. It has an interactive Bookchooser or randon Lucky dip option to help you choose what to read.
www.readup.piczo.com
The National Year of Reading social networking site for teenagers.
www.readingzone.com
The Readingzone website hosts general children’s book information for children and parents who have no access to specialist children’s booksellers or librarians, as well as a subscription-based support facility for teachers.
www.spinebreakers.co.uk
Spinebreakers is an online book community run and used by teenagers aged 13 to 18 and hosted by Penguin. The teenage editorial team work with professionals to produce multimedia content, including alternative book endings and book jackets, author interviews, podcasts, and blogs.
www.storiesfromtheweb.org
The Stories from the web website has been developed in partnership by Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol Library Services and UKOLN (UK Ofice for Library and Information Networking). It provides information on library clubs, stories, a gallery for visitors and a chance to email authors.
www.teenreads.com
The Teen Reads website has interviews, books and information aimed at teenagers.
www.writebuzzschools.com
Writebuzz Schools is a self-contained website for under 16s which has been developed to encourage, and inspire young writers, and to provide a resource for young readers.
http://www.barringtonstoke.co.uk/
4u2read.OK is a series of books for reluctant readers age 8 to 12 with a reading age below 8 years, published by Barrington Stoke.
www.achuka.co.uk
An independent website for anyone interested in recommended children's literature, including reviews.
www.arbookfind.co.uk/UserType.aspx
Accelerated Reader Book Finder is a free online tool from Renaissance Learning. You can search as a pupil, parent, teacher or librarian.
http://askchris.essexcc.gov.uk
Essex libraries Ask Chris website with recommended reads for both young people and adults.
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/parents/work/primary/literacy/reading_help.shtml
The BBC education site aimed at parents who want to support their children's reading and writing. It provides lots of activities to try and gives information about what children should be learning at school and how parents can support this at home.
The Best Book Guide for Children and Young Adults Guide produced annually by Booktrust, featuring a selection of the best new paperback fiction for all ages, from babies to teenagers, across a variety of writing styles and subjects. £5. Contact: 020 8516 2977. Website: www.booktrust.org.uk.
The Big Book List for Hungry Minds, compiled by Rachel V. Langton. Includes classic and recent books aimed mostly at primary-aged children. There is also a separate list for babies and young children. Short commentaries accompany most entries, which are divided into themes. £5.50 for primary list, £3.50 for early years list or £7.50 for both. Contact Rachel Langton on 020 8742 1623.
www.booktrusted.co.uk
Booktrust website which contains book information for children, including recommended reads - www.booktrusted.co.uk/bestbookguide/index.php4, features, interviews, and sections on authors, illustrators and teachers' resources. It also hosts www.booktrusted.co.uk/bookmark/ offering advice, information and ‘sign-posting’ on the subject of reading difficulties, learning disabilities and books relevant to different impairments or disability issues.
www.bookheads.com
Booktrust website for teenagers which includes recommendations, reading group diaries and competitions.
Book Ahead
Book Ahead is an initiative by the DCSF in England, which aims to get enjoyable books into the hands of young children aged 0-7. You can access the booklist online at www.bookahead.org.uk/
www.londonlibraries.org/servlets/llr/bookwithaview
A Book with a View is a campaign by London Libraries. Staff have picked 50 books celebrating buildings and wide open spaces to appeal to young adults. It includes football grounds, islands, seascapes and graveyards, amongst others.
Books for Boys by Richard Hammond
Richard Hammond, from the BBC's Top Gear, has teamed up with Dorling Kindersley books to write a selection of books specifically aimed at boys, as well as recommend other books that boys might enjoy. Visit www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/html/features/booksforboys/index.html
http://books.guardian.co.uk/
Books Unlimited is the Guardian's children's books website providing information and reviews on classic and new children's books to help parents to develop their children's reading choices.
www.bookswelove.co.uk
Books we love provides parents with ideas on books to read to
their children aged 0-7. It includes up-to-date information on all of the UK children's book awards, as well as providing details and reviews of children's books.
www.braw.org.uk
The Books, reading and writing website is hosted by the Network for the Scottish Children's Book and is completely devoted to Scottish children's books, authors and illustrators resident in Scotland and an online bookclub.
British Literature For Young People: a Bibliography 1990 - 2000, selected by Julia Eccleshare, The Guardian children's book editor, is a list of the best books of the decade with details of children's book prizes and magazines promoting children's literature. £4.99. Contact: British Council on 020 7389 3170 or visit www.britishcouncil.org/publications.
Carnegie and Kate Greenaway awards. Shortlists for these annual awards are debated by thousands of children across the UK who 'shadow' the judging process. For more information visit www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk
The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education Updates their Core booklists for primary schools every two years. It also publishes Simply the Best Books for Children. Visit www.clpe.co.uk/publications.
www.childliteracy.com
The Child literacy website, created and maintained by teacher and author Nicola Morgan, provides information, advice and resources for parents to help the development of their children's pre-reading skills and literacy development.
www.childrenslaureate.org
The Children's Laureate website provides information about children's laureates past and present. It also has competitions and reviews on children's literature generally.
www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/index.html
The Children's literature web guide is a Canadian website which has a vast range of information for children, parents and teachers, including links with the Children's Book Council - an American organisation that provides a wealth of information about children's literature and book publishing.
Cracking good picture books. NATE publication that lists 30 picture book titles for Reception to Year 2, and ideas for classroom talk and writing activities that relate to each. Cost £15.95 (£14.95 for NATE members). Contact: National Association for the Teaching of English, 80 Broadfield Road, Sheffield S8 0XJ. Tel: 0114 255 5419. Website: www.nate.org.uk.
EAL learners - suggested books
for primary pupils
www.encompassculture.com
enCompassCulture is the British Council's worldwide books and reading group webiste. It has full details of over 10,000 books for all age ranges with seperate children, teens and adult sections.
www.fcbg.org.uk
The Federation of Children's Book Groups website has lots of useful information about books that children enjoy reading.
Got Kids? Get Reading!
This book collection contains adult and children's titles,
tried and tested with parents or carers who are not confident
readers. The children's books are suitable for children
from 0-7.
www.greatbookstoreadaloud.co.uk
(70 Tried and Tested) Great Books to Read Aloud is a complete guide to all the best books to read aloud to children aged 0-11. The guide also features reading tips from experts and recommendations from celebrity parents. (Also available in paperback priced at £1.)
www.justonemorebook.com/
Just one more book! is a Canadian based website that offers thrice-weekly podcasts celebrating literacy and children's books, plus interviews with authors
www.lovereading4kids.co.uk
The Lovereading4kids website
has a series of book lists for age 0 - 12+ with reviews
and downloadable extracts so readers can try before
they buy. In 2007 the NLT and lovereading4schools surveyed over 1,300 adults to recommend reads for reluctant readers in key stages 1,2 and 3. The top recommendations are:
Top five books for 7+:
Flat Stanley, Jeff Brown
Unbearable , Paul Jennings
Horrid Henry, Francesca Simon
Captain Underpants, Dav Pilkey
Fantastic Mr Fox, Roald Dahl
Top five books for 9+:
Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
Goodnight Mr Tom, Michelle Magorian
Flour Babies, Anne Fine
Thirteen Unpredictable Tales, Paul Jennings
Millions, Frank Boyce
Top five books for 11+:
Holes, Louis Sacher
Alex Rider books, Anthony Horowitz
Cherub series, Robert Muchamore
Mortal Engines quartet, Philip Reeve
Young Bond series, Charlie Higson
Top three books for 14+:
Northern Lights, Philip Pullman
Gathering Light, Jennifer Donnelly
Noughts and Crosses, Malorie Blackman
http://magicpencil.britishcouncil.org/
Magic Pencil is a British Council touring exhibition on children's book illustration, including Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, John Burningham, Lauren Child and Michael Foreman. The website provides access to the teaching resource material that has been developed.
www.marvinmonster.com
Marvin Monster is an American website including fun printable pages, worksheets and other interesting information.
www.mrsmad.com
The Mrs Mad website reviews and rates children's books.
Radical Reading An information leaflet and book list to encourage 11-15 year olds to read with confidence. Those making bulk orders receive a free book and a resource pack of ideas to help teachers and librarians make the most of the suggestions. Website: www.scottishbooktrust.com.
www.readathon.org
The Readathon website supports the children's national sponsored reading initiative.
Reading Journey. Resource produced by ContinYou to support its Book It! reading clubs. It lists books that have proved popular with reading club members, grouped by different interests so that readers can follow a 'journey' from one genre to another. Contact: ContinYou, 17 Old Ford Road, London E2 9PL. Tel: 020 8709 9900. Website: www.readingclub.org.uk.
www.readingzone.com
The Readingzone website hosts general children’s book information for children and parents who have no access to specialist children’s booksellers or librarians, as well as a subscription-based support facility for teachers.
Reads you need in your school library. This collection of reviews was produced by the schools library service for Leicestershire and Leicester City, to help teachers and librarians to choose books for their school. It covers fiction for children aged three to 16 and published in 2003, with reviews arranged by key stage and indexed by title. Cost £5.95. Contact Library Services for Education on 0116 267 8000 or download an order form from www.leics.gov.uk/libraries.
www.rif.org
Website of the original American Reading Is Fundamental programme on which the RIF, UK initiative is based.
www.readtogether.co.uk/GreatBooks/
The Read Together website has good read recommendation lists for ages 0-11+ from Scotland's Home
Reading Initiative.
Roots Reading, annotated book-list produced by Tower Hamlets Libraries for Black History Month 2004. Roots Reading is a collection of titles which all reflect aspects of the Black experience in history. It is primarily an annotated list of mainly fiction titles for children and teenagers, but also contains adults titles designed to tempt older students. To order a copy contact the Children's Library Service on 020 7247 9510 or email: childrenslibrary@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Rough Guide to Children's Books 5-11 and Under 5.
Website: www.roughguides.com/
School Library Association's Riveting Reads series has suggested books that will encourage pupils to read widely and independently for
enjoyment. They are grouped under themes and have been recommended by pupils in
the relevant age group. Website: www.sla.org.uk/riveting-reads.php
www.scottishbooktrust.com
A Scottish Booktrust website containing
children's book reviews grouped by ages: 0-4yrs,
5-8yrs, 9-11yrs, 11+ and young adult.
www.slainte.org.uk
The Scottish Writers website, linked to the Scottish Writers project, provides a forum for young readers and Scottish professional writers to exchange literary ideas. Includes online writers-in-residence, games, competitions, a chance to share opinions on books, biographical details for authors and practical story writing advice.
www.storiesfromtheweb.org
The Stories from the web website has been developed in partnership by Birmingham, Leeds and Bristol Library Services and UKOLN (UK Ofice for Library and Information Networking). It provides information on library clubs, stories, a gallery for visitors and a chance to email authors.
www.ltscotland.org.uk/storybook/
Storybook Web is an online production (launched March 2002) from Learning and Teaching Scotland, in partnership with Lomond Productions. It contains activities for children aged 5-8 years that are based on popular children's stories by Scottish authors. The authors also feature in video and audio clips, reading excerpts from their stories and answering questions about their work.
www.ukchildrensbooks.co.uk
UK Children's Books is a useful online directory of authors, illustrators, publishers and other organisations involved in children's books and reading promotion.
The Ultimate Book Guide, edited by Daniel Hahn and Leonie Flynn. Published by A&C Black, this guide lists over 600 books for children aged eight to 12. Reviews were written by children's authors, editors and children, and each includes brief plot details and recommendations for further reading. £12.99. ISBN 0 7136 6718 4. Website: www.ultimatebookguide.com.
Who next? A guide to children's authors, edited by Nora Irvin. A guide designed to help parents, teachers and librarians to guide children in their reading choices. It lists over 430 writers of children's fiction, divided into three age categories, and each entry suggests others who write in a similar way. Cost £13.99 (second edition published 2003). Contact: Library and Information Statistics Unit, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU. Tel: 01509 223071. Email: lisu@lboro.ac.uk
www.wordpool.co.uk
The Word Pool is a children's books website for anyone interested in children's books. It gives personal profiles for a range of authors along with their bibliographies, reading lists and reviews, titles and tips for reluctant readers, and information and advice for aspiring writers.
www.bbc.co.uk/education/wordsandpictures
Words and Pictures is a BBC Education site that is packed with games and activities to boost the reading confidence of primary age pupils. Games can be played online or printed out for later use.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
Words of Wonder is a Scottish Book Trust
Series of four leaflets from Scottish Book Trust, covering age ranges 0-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 8-11, to help parents to choose books for their children. Cost £1 for 10, £1.75 for 20, £2.50 for 30 or £3.50 for 50.
www.worldbookday.com
Recommended reads from the World Book Day website.
The Fathers Day card has
great suggestions of reads for dads to enjoy with
their kids and on their own. The card has been produced
by Tom Palmer with the support of Jane Mathieson,
Time to Read coordinator. Download
the card as a pdf  |
http://askchris.essexcc.gov.uk
Essex libraries Ask Chris site with recommended
reads for both young people and adults
www.bbc.co.uk/arts/pageturners
A BBC webiste with
information and reviews, plus the chance to chat
books on the forum.
www.hi-read.org.uk
Highland libraries website which offers recommendations and reviews.
www.scottishbooktrust.com
Scottish Booktrust website with book reviews for adults.
www.whatareyouuptotonight.com
Website for readers aged 16 to 24, developed by Opening
the Book and the East Midlands Reader and Library
Development project.
www.whichbook.net
Challenge Whichbook to find the right book for you.
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