Suggested reading for Years 5 & 6: Spring term

Here are some of our favourite books that are perfect for pupils in Year 5 and 6 to read during the Spring term.

  • Test Trouble

    by Serena Patel, illustrated by Louise Forshaw 

    2024 5 to 14 years 

    • Chapter books
    • Funny
    • Dyslexia

    Arun hates tests, so when his teacher sets a timed maths test, he does everything he can to get out of it. This light-hearted chapter book explores the importance of resilience and is ideal for reluctant readers.

  • Animagicals: Mia’s Tiger

    by Paula Harrison, illustrated by Erwin Madrid 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books
    • Fantasy
    • Mystery
    • Diversity and inclusion

    When Mia discovers that she can change into animal form, she attends Wild Haven boarding school in the enchanted land of Animagia to hone her animagical skills. This exciting, magical adventure centres around kindness, friendship, and animal welfare. 

  • A Poem for Every Question

    by Brian Bilston, illustrated by Joe Berger 

    2025 7 to 11 years 

    • Funny
    • Non-fiction
    • Poetry and rhyme

    100 funny and thought-provoking questions are explored through playful poetry and characterful illustrations in this superb non-fiction book.

  • Medusa Gorgon’s Bad Hair Day

    by Bethany Walker, illustrated by Katie Abey 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Diaries and journals
    • Funny
    • Myths and legends

    When Medusa angers the goddess Athena, she’s sent to the 21st century to retrieve a shield. Now she has to go to secondary school! A funny diary filled with doodles, based on Greek mythology, for fans of the Loki series. 

  • Become a Genius in a Year

    by Mike Rampton, illustrated by Gareth Williams 

    2025 5 to 14 years 

    • Funny
    • Non-fiction

    Supercharge your brain with an incredible fact for every day of the year. With fun illustrations and fascinating information, this is a really engaging non-fiction text. 

  • Time Keys: Hunt For the Golden Scarab

    by M G Leonard, illustrated by Manuel Sumberac 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Coming-of-age
    • Science fiction
    • Thriller

    This gripping, thrill-packed, time slip adventure whisks readers away to Egypt, both ancient and modern, and is full of fascinating historical detail lived in the first person.  

  • Monkey King and the World of Myths: The Monster and the Maze

    by Maple Lam 

    2024 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Funny
    • Graphic novels
    • Myths and legends

    Sun Wukong, legendary monkey king and warrior, faces an ancient evil which threatens the world. Join him on a wild and comical adventure as he battles the monsters of ancient Greece. 

  • Escape from the Child Snatchers

    by Sufiya Ahmed 

    2026 9 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Chapter books
    • Historical
    • Mystery
    • Diversity and inclusion

    It is 1865 and Humza’s big brother Dani has been missing for two years. Humza and his best friend Ranj make the four-month journey from India to England by ship, determined to find him. A gripping historical tale, set among the treacherous streets of Victorian London. 

  • Stitch Head: the graphic novel

    by Guy Bass, illustrated by Pete Williamson 

    2024 9 to 14 years 

    • Funny
    • Graphic novels

    Stitch Head is surrounded by terrible creatures, both inside and outside Castle Grotteskew. And he must protect the monsters… A terrific graphic novel full of action and atmosphere. 

  • We Are All Animals

    by Ben Hoare and Christopher Lloyd, illustrated by Mark Ruffle 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    This fascinating book reminds us that we humans have many things in common with animals; we have far more in common than we have separating us.

  • Nate Yu’s Blast from the Past

    by Maisie Chan 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Coming-of-age
    • Ghost story

    Nate Yu Riley is adopted, and knows how loved he is. As he’s Chinese and his mums aren’t, they have tried to connect him with his heritage, but he’s just not interested – until the day he sees the ghost for the first time. 

  • Dance of Resistance

    by Catherine Johnson, illustrated by Katie Hickey 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Around the world
    • Chapter books
    • Historical
    • Non-fiction
    • Dyslexia

    This accessible narrative non-fiction book tells the true story of dancer, actress and war hero Josephine Baker. She was born into a life of poverty and segregation in America in 1906 before eventually becoming one of the biggest Black stars of the time.

  • Fright Club: Let’s Boo This!

    by Sibéal Pounder, illustrated by George Ermos 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books
    • Funny
    • Horror
    • Mystery

    When Joe’s beloved gran dies, he discovers she was an agent for Fright Club, the human branch of an underworld alliance which investigates supernatural crimes. Fast-paced and funny, this revoltingly gory adventure is perfect for the Halloween season. 

  • History’s Most Epic Fails!

    by Athena Kugblenu, illustrated by Nicole Miles 

    2025 9 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Chapter books
    • Funny
    • Historical
    • Non-fiction

    This entertaining non-fiction book showcases some of the most spectacular failures throughout history. A fun, informative and accessible read. 

  • Blitzers

    by Alastair Chisholm, illustrated by Francesca Ficorelli 

    2025 9 to 11 years 

    • Science fiction
    • Thriller
    • Dyslexia

    As an advanced AI game becomes increasingly violent, one boy’s experience uncovers a devastating secret and reveals an extraordinary abuse of corporate power. 

  • Diagnosis Detectives: Tummy Trouble

    by Ben Elcomb, illustrated by Terri Po 

    2026 9 to 11 years 

    • Non-fiction

    Join the Diagnosis Detectives on a tour of the human body as they try to find and destroy viruses and bacteria. Brilliantly illustrated and highly informative.