Suggested reading for Year 7 & Year 8: Spring Term

A Shiver of Snow and Sky

Author: Lisa Lueddecke
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 11-14
Reading age: 11+

When the lights in the sky turn red, the inhabitants of Skane know that the Goddess is warning them of great danger ahead. An atmospheric and thrilling quest that is packed with adventure and magic.

Invictus

Author: Ryan Graudin
Publisher: Orion
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 11+

Born out of time, Far McCarthy has always planned to be a time traveller, but his hopes are dashed when a computer appears to malfunction. However, it turns out to have been no malfunction, but a plot – one which will involve him, and everyone he loves.

Illegal

Author: Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and Illustrator: Giovanni Rigano
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 10-16
Reading age: 10+

Illegal tells the story of Ebo, a 12-year-old boy who flees grinding poverty, zero opportunities and a drunken uncle in his small village in Africa. An absolute must-read, this graphic novel is thought-provoking, profound, sensitive and totally gripping.

Things A Bright Girl Can Do

Author: Sally Nicholls
Publisher: Andersen Press
Interest age: 12-17
Reading age: 12+

Offering a historical snapshot of a society in turmoil, this comprehensive coming-of-age novel is a thought-provoking and highly engaging story of love, life and hope, with strong themes of feminism, social class and the First World War.

Geis 2: A Game Without Rules

Author: Alexis Deacon
Publisher: Nobrow
Interest age: 12-18
Reading age: 10+

In this sequel to Geis: A Matter of Life and Death, Alexis Deacon creates a darker, perilous fairytale, in which his characters have to be wily to escape and win. An original, edgy and haunting graphic novel, which will appeal to adventure and fantasy fans.

Prisoner of Ice and Snow

Author: Ruth Lauren
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Interest age: 10-13
Reading age: 10+

Valor’s privileged family is brought to its knees when her sister, Sacha, is imprisoned in an ice fortress for stealing a valuable music box from the royal household. Ideal winter reading.

The Beast is an Animal

Author: Peternelle van Arsdale
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 11-15
Reading age: 11+

When unimaginable tragedy strikes her village, Alys is only seven years old, yet she can’t stop thinking that she is somehow to blame. An epic story of triumph over adversity in the style of traditional folk tales.

The Power of Dark

Author: Robin Jarvis
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 11-15
Reading age: 10+

Set in Whitby, allegedly the most haunted place in Britain, this is a creepy, tense and multi-layered gothic horror story. It might be wise to set aside a whole weekend before starting this book as, once begun, it’s almost impossible to put down.

A Jigsaw of Fire and Stars

Author: Yaba Badoe
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 12+

Real and supernatural threats mingle as a girl saved from a shipwreck tries to find justice for her dead parents. Romance and magic combine with a powerful setting and subject to make a unique, enjoyable read for teens.

The Red Ribbon

Author: Lucy Adlington
Publisher: Hotkey
Interest age: 12-16
Reading age: 12+

It’s Ella’s job in the camp, where everyone must either work or be killed, to make beautiful clothes for the wives of Nazi officers and female guards. The Red Ribbon is a moving story of friendship, kindness and heroism under impossible circumstances.

The Mystery of Me

Author: Karen McCombie
Publisher: Barrington Stoke

A touching story about identity and how something horrific, like an accident, can actually be life-changing in a positive way.

A Change Is Gonna Come

Author: Various
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 12-15
Reading age: 12+

This must-have anthology featuring stories and poems from 12 black, Asian and minority ethnic authors deals with the subject of change with wit, emotion and moments that will make you stop in your tracks.

Suggested reading for Year 7 and Year 8: Spring Term