KS4, Suggested Reading List: Spring Term
Below are a range of fictional books selected to suit all readings abilities at Hurstmere School. It is recommended that your child reads for 30 minutes a day to support with developing their reading skills. Please note, it is the responsibility of the parent to determine the suitability of a text for their child. It is worth being mindful of your child’s reading ability vs the appropriate content and themes within the book.
Science fiction
|
Author |
Title |
Plot Summary |
Reading Age / Interest Age |
|
Kazuo Ishiguro |
Never Let me Go |
A dystopian science fiction novel which looks what happens when scientific experimentation does not consider moral implications. Mix in love and friendship and you have the recipe for an addictive read. |
13+/ 15+ |
|
Cormac McCarthy
|
The Road |
A post-apocalyptic novel which follows a father and son through burnt America. Bleak, depressing and utterly devoid of hope. The sun never shines, humanity is near extinction and cannibalism becomes the norm. |
14+ / 15+ |
Funny books
|
Author |
Title |
Plot Summary |
Reading Age / Interest Age |
|
Susin Nielsen
|
We Are All Made Of Molecules |
A girl tries to be popular, but how can she when her dad is gay |
12+/ 12+ |
|
M.T Anderson |
Burger Wuss |
Anthony has never been able to stand up for himself, that is until he finds his girlfriend in someone else’s arms. Revenge and fast food. Will he prove he is not a wuss? |
14+ / 14+ |
|
Joe Dunthorne |
Submarine |
Oliver Tate is 15. He is convinced that his father is depressed and that his mother is having an affair. He is obsessed with losing his virginity before his next birthday |
15+ /15+ |
Horrors and Thrillers
|
Author |
Title |
Plot Summary |
Reading Age / Interest Age |
|
Henry James |
The Turn Of The Screw |
A young governess goes to a house to look after two young children. She soon becomes obsessed that something is stalking the children |
13+/ 14+ |
|
Iain Banks |
The Wasp Factory |
A cult classic! A child psychopath who determines how he will murder people based on how his wasps die. This book is not for the faint hearted. |
14+ / 16+ |
|
Ellen Raskin |
The Westing Game |
Sam Westing selects 16 strangers to attend the reading of his will. No-one knows why they have been selected, let alone the selection of a potential murderer. Solve the mystery to become a millionaire. |
8+ / 13+ |
Action and adventure
|
Author |
Title |
Plot Summary |
Reading Age / Interest Age |
|
Jenifer A Nielsen
|
A Night Divided |
Gerta finds her family divided between East and West Berlin. Her mother and one of her brothers live on the Soviet side. Her Dad and another brother are trapped in a tunnel under the wall. The consequences are deadly. |
8+/ 13+ |
|
Joe Ducie |
The Rig |
Drake has made a career of breaking out of prisons, but his capture and placing in a juvenile detention centre in the middle of the artic circle lead him to discovering the secrets of The Rig.. |
10+/ 10+ |
|
Ellen Raskin |
The Westing Game |
Sam Westing selects 16 strangers to attend the reading of his will. No-one knows why they have been selected, let alone the selection of a potential murderer. Solve the mystery to become a millionaire. |
8+/ 13+ |
|
Wilkie Collins |
The Moonstone |
One of the first English Detective novels and considered to be one of the finest detective novels ever written. |
15+ / 16+ |
Classics
|
Author |
Title |
Plot Summary |
Reading Age / Interest Age |
|
Mary Shelley
|
Frankenstein |
A mad scientist and a ‘monster’. Knowledge, nature, monstrosity and secrecy are at the heart of this book. |
14+/ 14+ |
|
Harper Lee |
To Kill A Mockingbird |
A young girls coming of age story which looks at the consequences of racism and prejudice. |
14+/ 16+ |
|
Ray Bradbury |
Fahrenheit 451 |
A future world where TV dominates and books are banned. Firefighters start fires rather than put them out |
15+/ 15+ |
|
Daniel Keys |
Flowers For Algernon |
Charlie is considered to be mentally disabled. All he wants in life is to be a genius. Can you change the hand you are dealt with? |
13+ / 15+ |
You can find links to further suggested reading at https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/