KS3 ENGLISH YEAR 8 SUGGESTED READING LIST

KS3 English Suggested Reading List

As well as your normal studies in English, try to read as much as possible. Not only is this
entertaining and relaxing but it can also help you to develop both your reading and writing skills to
help you progress on your course.

Below are some suggested books and authors for you to try. Try to read from the different genres
and try books you wouldn’t normally. If you have a library near to you visit that too and chat to the
librarians as I am sure they recommend many more to you as well.

Once you have read a book, you may want to either keep a log of each book you have read and write
a short review or you could complete a page in your ‘Discover Reading’ booklet as there are many
activities in there as well.

Most of all – enjoy reading!

Action and Adventure

Author Book Description

James Dashner Maze Runner A mix of adventure and fantasy.
Andy McNab Drop Zone The first in a series – a mixture of a thriller
and an adventure.
Ally Kennen Beast Stephen is keeping a secret… he’s been taking
care of a beast.
Gary Paulsen Hatchet Brian survives a plane crash and must make
his way with nothing but a hatchet.
Harry Mazer The Last Mission Jack, 15, becomes a pilot in WW11
Jennifer A Nielsen A Night Divided A family divided by the Berlin Wall (also
Historical fiction)

Fantasy

Author Book Description

Cornelia Funke Dragon Rider The tale of Firedrake, a silver dragon and his
sidekick Sorrel.
Neil Gaiman The Graveyard Book The main character (Bod) is raised by ghosts,
werewolves and other cemetery inhabitants.
Garth Nix Sabriel The first in a series – Sabriel’s father goes
missing and she must enter the Old Kingdom
to find him.
Suzanne Collins Hunger Games Set in a post-apocalyptic America; the first in
the famous trilogy.
Robert Swindells Hydra Mysterious circles start to appear in the
cornfields of Cansfield Farm.
Douglas Adams A Hitchhikers Guide to the Seconds before Earth is demolished, Arthur
Galaxy Dent is rescued by a friend.
William Nicholson The Wind Singer The first in a trilogy – full of adventure,
suspense and warmth.
Terry Pratchett Nation Mau is the last surviving member of nation
and alone on a deserted island. Or so he
thinks.

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KS3 ENGLISH YEAR 8 SUGGESTED READING LIST

Gemma Malley The Declaration A dystopian world set in the year 2140 where
it is illegal to be young.
Phillip Pullman Northern Lights / Golden The first in a trilogy. Lyra sets off to find her
Compass friends Roger.
Christopher Paolini Eragon The first in a series about a boy and his
dragon.
Sally Gardiner Maggot Moon Set in an alternate 1950’s in Britain combining
conspiracy theory and dystopia.
Derek Landy Skulduggery Pleasant Skulduggery maybe dead but he is also a
mage who could save the world from an
ancient evil.
Joseph Delaney The Spook’s Apprentice The first in a terrifying series about a young
boy training to be an exorcist.

Historical Reads

Author Book Description

Joan Lingard Across the Barricades Describes the tensions in Belfast between the
Protestants and Catholics
Celia Rees Witch child The story of persecution during the time of
the Witch finder trials.
Markus Zusak The Book Thief Set during World War 2 in Germany and
about a young girl called Liesel.
Tanya Landman I am Apache A young woman seeks to avenge her
brother’s death by becoming an Apache
Warrior.
Laura Hillenbrand Unbroken (YA adaptation) Based on the true story of an Olympic runner
who became a WW11 pilot.

Horror / Thriller

Author Book Description

James Dashner Maze Runner A mix of adventure and fantasy.
Sophie McKenzie Blood Ties Theo discovers the father he thought had
died is still alive and id determined to find
him.
Marcus Sedgwick Swordhand is Singing A story of woodcutters, a father and son and
some vampires.
Anne Fine The Devil Walks A thriller about a dark family history.
Anne Cassidy Looking for JJ A 10 year old girl kills her best friend and is
convicted of manslaughter. She’s is released
7 years later with a new identity.
Matt Haig The Radleys A family with a secret (concerning vampires)

Emotional Reads

Author Book Description

R J Palacio Wonder A tale of a boy born with a rare facial
disfigurement.
Robert Swindells Stone Cold Link is 16 and homeless on the street of
London. Part thriller as well.

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KS3 ENGLISH YEAR 8 SUGGESTED READING LIST

Meg Roscoff How I live Now A tale of war and families.

Catherine Forde Tug of War A story set in 2012 about terrorism
Malorie Blackman Noughts and Crosses A thought provoking book about racism and
prejudice.
Paula Rawsthorne The truth about Celia Frost Celia has a rare blood disorder but after she is
the victim of a knife attack, she realises her
life has been based on a lie.
Benjamin Face Martin is in an accident which leaves his face
Zephaniah completely disfigured.
Mark Hadddon The Curious Incident of the An insight into a teenager with Asperger’s.
Dog in the Night Time
Malorie Blackman Noughts and Crosses Callum is a Nought but his best friend Sephy is
a Cross – the daughter of a powerful
politician.

Classics

Author Book Description

Charles Dickens Great Expectations The tale of Pip, an orphan boy, a convict and a
strange mysterious.
Lewis Carroll Alice Adventures in A classic tale with many hidden meanings and
Wonderland strange characters.
Laurie Lee Cider with Rosie A memoir of growing up in a remote
Cotswold village.
Robert Louis The Strange Case of Dr A kind scientist (Dr Jekyll) who at night turns
Stevenson Jekyll and Mr Hyde into the evil Mr Hyde.
Arthur Conan The Hound of the The tale of an ancient curse and the
Doyle Baskervilles supernatural.
Daniel Defoe Robinson Crusoe A slave trader is shipwrecked on a desert
island.
Johann David Wyss Swiss Family Robinson A family are shipwrecked on a deserted
island.
Richard Adams Watership Down Young rabbit Fiver is convinced they are in
danger but no one will listen to him.
(emotional read as well)

Useful websites

The above list should give you a starting point if you are stuck for something to read but below are
some links to websites which will help you find many more books to read:
 http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/home/index.php (each year they have a list of the
best books each year which are up for a prestigious award – you could read the list and then
see if your favourite wins. Many schools do this in the UK and often there is a mix of
different books to enjoy)
 http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/children (recommendations, competitions etc.)
 http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/ (lots of reviews and recommendations)
 http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site (new reviews and news stories on the
book awards)