17 Books Set in Year 6
The final year of primary school is often described as being a major turning point in children’s education. Year six pupils become the leaders and role-models for their primary school, but they also look ahead to the next year, where they will encounter new challenges and adventures as secondary students.
Understandably, this year can bring up a lot of emotions and questions for children, and books can be an excellent way to address and understand these feelings. We have collated some of our favourite, contemporary books which are set in this important school year.
Some are light-hearted and fun, whereas others delve deeper into the social anxieties which can be thrown up during this transitional period in children’s lives. We hope that they can reassure, celebrate and spark discussions for all those who read them.
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The Final Year
Author: Matt Goodfellow Illustrator: Joe Todd-Stanton
Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When he falls out with his best friend and then his little brother is rushed into hospital, Nate’s world is turned upside-down. This incredibly powerful novel, written entirely in free verse and accompanied by thoughtful illustrations, is an emotional read.
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Nina Peanut is Amazing
Author: Sarah Bowie
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Nina Peanut is a hilarious, aspiring content creator. When one of her videos goes viral, she must learn how to cope with the challenges of fame, friendship and self-confidence.
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How to Shine at Primary School
Author: Kit Brown Illustrator: Allison Steinfeld
Publisher: Wren and Rook
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 9+Teacher, BBC Bitesize presenter and TikTok star Kit Brown shares his top tips on how to shine at primary school in this sensitive and inspiring non-fiction book.
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Moving on Up
Author: Rosie Jones Illustrator: Hayley Wells
Publisher: Wren & Rook
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Written by comedian Rosie Jones, this superb book about growing up explores a range of topics that will resonate with readers as they transition from childhood to their teenage years.
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Glitter Boy
Author: Ian Eagleton
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+James is being bullied at school, while dealing with grief and normal Year 6 worries. Can James find the sparkle in his life again? Brilliantly deals with bullying, friendship issues and working out who you are.
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Bird Boy
Author: Catherine Bruton
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-12
Reading age: 10+Recently orphaned Will is sent to stay with an uncle he doesn’t know in a remote, mountainous valley. By caring for an injured osprey, he slowly comes to terms with his grief and learns to trust again.
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The Insiders
Author: Cath Howe
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8-9This poignant novel about the complexities of friendship dynamics is perceptive, insightful and sensitively written, with touches of humour. The chapters are narrated in turn by Callie, Ted and Billy, which will help readers to develop empathy, as they are able to explore different viewpoints and understand that people’s circumstances can dramatically affect…
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Wonder
Author: R J Palacio
Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+August ('Auggie') Pullman can't help but stand out - he was born with a severe facial deformity. Written in the first person, Wonder follows Auggie as he experiences more than the usual ups-and-downs of friendships, family and school.
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Emmy Levels Up
Author: Helen Harvey
Publisher: Oxford
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Emmy lives some of the best bits of her life online and in her own head. A hard-hitting yet empowering story of bullying, friendship and finding the confidence and courage to be yourself.
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How to be More Hedgehog
Author: Anne-Marie Conway Illustrator: Danielle Dey
Publisher: Uclan Publishing
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Lily has a stammer and when a video of her practising a school presentation is posted online, she feels humiliated. She wants to hide away but knows that she must face her fears if she is to find her own voice. This heart-warming novel incorporates themes of friendship, bullying and the environment.
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You are a Champion
Author: Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka
Publisher: Macmillan
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+England footballer Marcus Rashford shares tips and advice that he's learned on his journey from being a football-mad kid in Manchester to a sports megastar and political activist, as well as how to handle issues of confidence and anxiety.
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My Name is Sunshine Simpson
Author: G. M. Linton
Publisher: Usborne
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+What is special about Sunshine Simpson? She needs to find something to say about herself for a school assembly – but what? A delight of a book, exploring grief, friendship dynamics and finding your voice in a friendly, relatable manner.
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A Kind of Spark
Author: Elle McNicoll
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+When 11 year old Addie, who is autistic, learns about the 16th century women who were persecuted for witchcraft, she starts to lobby for a local memorial in her small Scottish village. With the help of a new girl at school, she fights valiantly against injustice and oppression.
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Small!
Author: Hannah Moffatt
Publisher: Everything With Words
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Harvey Small is a nice boy – but he’s been expelled from pretty much every school he’s gone to, and after a particularly bad incident (OK, so he might have set fire to the headteacher’s trousers…) his Mum decides the only solution is to send him off to Madame Bogbrush’s School for Gifted Giants. The only problem? Harvey isn’t a giant. He’s a small boy. On st…
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We Are Family
Author: Oliver Sykes Illustrator: Ian Morris
Publisher: Otter-Barry
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 7+A narrative set of poems which convey the highs and lows of the authors real experience growing up in a large family raised by a single father.
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High-Rise Mystery
Author: Sharna Jackson
Publisher: Knights Of
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+High-Rise Mystery is the perfect ‘whodunnit’. As the two girls sift through red herrings and reveal a series of tower block secrets, short snappy sentences and sparkling dialogue will keep readers turning the pages. A mystery as hot as the summer heatwave in which it’s set!
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Mayowa and the Sea of Words
Author: Chibundu Onuzo
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 9+When Mayowa learns how to channel the emotions stored in books, she must decide how to use her power in a difficult political situation concerning refugees.
