Prep School Reading Lists
At The Lyceum, we believe that a child who loves reading has a key that unlocks every subject. Our Prep School reading lists bring together recommended books for primary school children, carefully chosen to inspire, challenge and delight readers from Year 1 to Year 6.
Each of our year group reading lists mixes much-loved classics with brilliant contemporary authors, fiction with non-fiction, and stories with poetry. The books are chosen to spark a lifelong love of reading while developing the skills children need to succeed: a rich vocabulary, strong comprehension, critical thinking and the confidence to tackle new and challenging texts.
Below, you can browse our recommendations for each year group, find out why we’ve chosen them and see how reading develops as children move through our Prep School. Whether you’re a Lyceum parent looking for your child’s next great read, or a family exploring independent schools in London, we hope you’ll find plenty to enjoy. These lists are a starting point, not a rulebook. The best book for any child is the one they can’t wait to pick up again.
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Reading at The Lyceum School
Reading is woven into every part of life at The Lyceum. Even our four Houses are named after great British writers: Shakespeare, Dickens, Eliot and Austen. Our approach centres on:
- Reading for pleasure. We want children to choose to read, not just because they have to. Class stories, library time and author celebrations such as World Book Day keep books at the heart of school life.
- Vocabulary development. Rich, varied texts introduce new words in context, which children then use in their own speaking and writing.
- Comprehension. Through class, group and one-to-one reading, pupils learn to retrieve information, infer meaning and explain their thinking.
- Confidence. Each child has a reading diary, so parents and teachers can share progress and celebrate every milestone.
- Classic and contemporary authors. Our lists pair timeless stories with exciting modern writing from a wide range of voices and cultures.
- Reading across the curriculum. Books link to class topics in History, Geography, Science and STEAM, so reading deepens learning in every subject.
Our well-stocked library is a hub of this activity. Paired reading sessions bring older and younger pupils together, and Year 6 pupils act as reading buddies for younger children.
Reading Progression Throughout Prep School
Reading develops in clear stages as children move through the school:
- Independence. In Year 1, children decode with growing confidence using phonics. By Year 6, they choose, read and reflect on longer books with very little support.
- Vocabulary. Pupils move from everyday words to subject-specific and literary language, including figurative language and words from older texts.
- Critical thinking. Children progress from “what happened?” to “why did the author do that?” and “do I agree?”
- Discussion. Talk about books grows from sharing favourite moments to debating characters’ choices and comparing themes across texts.
- Analytical skills. Older pupils learn to explore structure, language and viewpoint, and to back up their ideas with evidence from the text.
- Senior school readiness. By Year 6, pupils are ready for the reading demands of 11+ assessments and senior school English.
Year 1 Reading List
In Year 1, children are building on the phonics foundations laid in Reception. Our Year 1 reading list focuses on books with strong rhythm, rhyme and repetition that support phonics and decoding, alongside stories to share aloud that grow early comprehension and confidence.
- The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Its predictable rhyme lets new readers anticipate words and join in.
- Oi Frog! by Kes Gray and Jim Field. Playful rhyming that makes phonics practice feel like a game.
- Owl Babies by Martin Waddell and Patrick Benson. A gentle story with repeated phrases that helps children talk about feelings.
- Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne. A simple, vivid story set in Kenya that invites children to predict what happens next.
- The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr. A classic to read together, full of opportunities to discuss and retell.
- Elmer by David McKee. A joyful celebration of being different, perfect for early discussion.
- Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel. Short chapters that give growing readers their first taste of a “chapter book”.
- Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy by Lynley Dodd. Rhythmic, repetitive text that builds reading fluency and fun.
Year 2 Reading List
Our Year 2 books help children move from learning to read towards reading to learn. These titles strengthen fluency, broaden vocabulary and encourage independent reading of short chapter books, while keeping enjoyment at the centre.
- The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson. A warm, funny first chapter book (and a favourite at a school whose emblem is an owl).
- Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl. Short chapters, a gripping plot and plenty of delicious vocabulary.
- The Hodgeheg by Dick King-Smith. A comic adventure that builds stamina for longer reading.
- Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown. An imaginative premise that sparks creative writing and discussion.
- Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball by Laura Ellen Anderson. A lively, highly illustrated series that turns reluctant readers into enthusiasts.
- Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts. A rhyming story about perseverance that links beautifully to STEAM.
- Dogger by Shirley Hughes. A tender classic that invites children to explore characters’ feelings.
- The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain and Yuval Zommer. A fold-out non-fiction journey underground that feeds young scientists’ curiosity.
Year 3 Reading List
As children enter Key Stage 2, our Year 3 reading list introduces increasingly varied fiction, non-fiction and poetry. These books encourage curiosity and deeper comprehension, and several connect directly to class topics.
- The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. A modern fable with rich, poetic language to savour and discuss.
- Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. A classic about friendship and loss that develops empathy and inference.
- The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy. A funny boarding-school adventure that builds reading stamina.
- You’re a Bad Man, Mr Gum! by Andy Stanton. Anarchic, wordplay-packed comedy for readers who love to laugh.
- Stone Age Boy by Satoshi Kitamura. A picture book with real depth that supports learning about prehistory.
- The Firework-Maker’s Daughter by Philip Pullman. An adventure about courage and determination, told with vivid imagery.
- Please Mrs Butler by Allan Ahlberg. Much-loved classroom poems that are perfect for reading aloud and performing.
- Rotten Romans (Horrible Histories) by Terry Deary. Fact-packed non-fiction that makes history irresistible.
Year 4 Reading List
Our Year 4 recommendations expand pupils’ vocabulary, sharpen their discussion skills and introduce them to a wider range of genres, including fantasy, myth, poetry and biography.
- The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. A gateway to classic fantasy with memorable characters to debate.
- The Butterfly Lion by Michael Morpurgo. A moving story within a story that shows how narratives can be structured.
- The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. A thought-provoking modern adventure about nature, technology and belonging.
- Varjak Paw by S.F. Said. An action-packed tale of a cat’s courage that is great for exploring character development.
- Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian. A hilarious, heartfelt story about family, faith and friendship.
- Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre. An inventive, illustrated adventure with wonderful wordplay.
- The Orchard Book of Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean. Retellings that introduce the myths behind many famous stories.
- Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World by Kate Pankhurst. Engaging biographies that spark research and discussion.
Year 5 Reading List
Our Year 5 reading list is carefully balanced across classic fiction, modern fiction, historical fiction, poetry and non-fiction. These books encourage analytical thinking, invite pupils to compare themes and styles, and inspire wider independent reading.
- The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (classic fiction). Rich description and changing characters to analyse.
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (classic fiction). A quest story that builds stamina for longer, more complex texts.
- Wonder by R.J. Palacio (modern fiction). Multiple narrators show how viewpoint shapes a story.
- Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo (modern fiction). A survival story rich in themes of trust and friendship.
- Street Child by Berlie Doherty (historical fiction). Based on a true story from Victorian London, just a few miles from our school.
- The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes (poetry). A dramatic narrative poem, ideal for exploring rhythm, imagery and performance.
- Black and British: A Short, Essential History by David Olusoga (non-fiction). An accessible, eye-opening history that encourages critical questioning.
- Hidden Figures: Young Readers’ Edition by Margot Lee Shetterly (non-fiction). The true story of the mathematicians behind NASA’s space race.
Year 6 Reading List
Our books for Year 6 are more challenging texts, chosen to prepare pupils for senior school. They encourage inference, critical thinking, mature discussion and independent analysis, the skills that 11+ assessments and senior school English will ask of them.
- Holes by Louis Sachar. An intricately plotted novel that rewards careful reading and inference.
- Skellig by David Almond. A haunting, layered story that invites mature discussion of big ideas.
- Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. An ambitious fantasy that stretches vocabulary and sustained reading.
- Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian. A powerful Second World War story that deepens historical understanding and empathy.
- The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf. A contemporary story about kindness and refugees that prompts thoughtful debate.
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. An accessible first taste of Victorian prose from the writer who gives his name to one of our Houses.
- Pig-Heart Boy by Malorie Blackman. A gripping story that raises questions about science, ethics and friendship.
- The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris (poetry). Spell-like poems that celebrate language and the natural world.
- I Am Malala: Young Readers’ Edition by Malala Yousafzai with Patricia McCormick (non-fiction). An inspiring memoir about education and courage.
Preparing for Senior School
By the time they leave us at 11, Lyceum pupils are confident, capable readers, and their reading lives play a big part in their success. In 2025–26, our Year 6 pupils received 47 offers from 24 senior schools, including academic scholarships. Reading throughout Prep School helps them build:
- Confidence with challenging texts. They are ready to approach unfamiliar extracts in 11+ comprehension papers calmly.
- A wider vocabulary. They can understand demanding texts and express their own ideas precisely.
- Independent study skills. They can read for research, take notes and learn beyond the classroom.
- Analytical thinking. They can explain how writers create effect and support their views with evidence.
- Resilience as readers. They persevere with a difficult book and have the curiosity to try new genres.
Find out more about our leavers’ destinations, or get in touch with our admissions team.
Why Reading Matters Across the Curriculum
Strong readers are strong learners in every subject. In English, reading shapes pupils’ own writing. In History and Geography, it brings the past and distant places to life. In Science and STEAM, pupils read to research, follow instructions and understand new ideas. In Mathematics, careful reading helps pupils unpick word problems. In Languages, a love of words carries over into Spanish and Latin, and in Art, picture books and artists’ stories inspire children’s own creative work. Find out more about our Prep School curriculum.
