Books for topics KS2 – Literacy experts’ recommended reads
Take the hassle out of sourcing inspiring KS2 books for topics with these hand-picked gems from children’s literacy experts…
KS2 books for topics – what and why?
A book topic refers to a structured unit of work based around a specific book. It typically includes cross-curricular activities that use the book as a central theme to teach literacy, comprehension and other subjects such as science, history, PSHE or art.
In KS2, books for topics help children engage with literature in a meaningful way. They encourage discussion, creative writing, role-play, research and other interactive learning strategies.
For example, a book topic on Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill might involve:
- Writing persuasive letters to join the expedition
- Learning about the geography and science of Antarctica
- Exploring resilience and leadership through PSHE
As National Literacy Trust primary adviser and literacy expert Judy Clark puts it, “I’m a huge fan of a storybook curriculum, where one quality book sparks a wealth of ideas and inspiration.
“Children are caught up in the world of the story, experiencing the themes and characters in a deep, memorable and meaningful way, never to be forgotten.”
Book topics in KS2 are a great way to make reading immersive, engaging and meaningful. Many primary schools use them as part of a thematic or cross-curricular approach. This aligns with initiatives like:
- Talk for Writing (Pie Corbett)
- The Power of Reading (CLPE)
- Literacy Tree
These approaches emphasise using quality literature to develop deep engagement with texts.
What does the research say?
CLPE’s Power of Reading research found that a book-based approach improves reading and writing engagement, as well as reading attainment. Schools using this approach saw children make an additional six months of progress in reading and writing.
KS2 books for topics – recommended by experts
Ashley Booth’s KS2 book topic recommendations
Ashley Booth is a Year 6 teacher and phase, maths and reading lead. He is passionate about improving reading. Follow him on X at @MrBoothY6.
The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson
What? Steeped in traditional Russian folklore with the author’s own unique twist, this story focuses on the traditional tale of Baba Yaga – guider of the dead through the gate to the next world.
When Baba disappears, her granddaughter Marinka has to figure out on her own whether she is truly suited for such a destiny.
Why? There are endless possibilities in terms of things you can do to link learning to this extraordinary debut. This includes finding out about other cultures and researching fascinating Russian folklore.
Download KS2 books for topic ideas for The House with Chicken Legs.
Who Let the Gods Out? by Maz Evans
What? Schoolboy Elliot Hooper is harbouring a secret – his mother is very sick. He fears telling anyone in case someone separates the two of them.
What Elliot isn’t expecting is that rebellious constellation Virgo will come crashing into his cowshed. Virgo has disobeyed the orders of the Zodiac Council and snuck to Earth to give Ambrosia to the mysterious Prisoner 42.
Together, Elliot and Virgo manage to release the death daemon Thanatos into the world. Can they make things right with the help of the Gods?
Why? Maz Evans has nailed writing for kids, while sticking in enough above-board humour to get teachers giggling away too.
The story is fast-paced, moving and wonderfully thought out. There is little sweeter than the laughter of children, and this book is better than most for eliciting such a wonderful reaction.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for Who Let the Gods Out?
The Island at the End of Everything by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
What? Culion is an island for lepers. Despite this, life is peaceful and the inhabitants go about their day-to-day business with little fuss.
That is, until government representative Mr Zamora turns up to announce a new government initiative that will tear the island apart. Those with leprosy (the ‘Touched’) are to be segregated from those without (the ‘Untouched’).
Can former inhabitant Amihan get back to Culion and be reunited with her family, before it’s too late?
Why? Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s stunning second novel is a beautifully written, heartbreaking yet heartfelt novel. It’s bound to have your class captivated from the first few words. It’s a perfect piece for some brilliant PSHE and science links.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for The Island at the End of Everything.
Kick by Mitch Johnson
What? Kick focuses around young boy Budi who lives in Jakarta, Indonesia with his family. They’re very poor, so instead of going to school, Budi has to work at the local factory making football boots in order to get by.
Budi escapes his harsh reality by playing football with his best friends and dreaming of one day playing for Real Madrid.
However, one day a poorly placed kick lands Budi in trouble. Now he owes local gangster The Dragon a favour – one that could turn Budi’s life upside down, or worse, get him killed.
Why? Johnson has created a very special book here. He starkly portrays poverty, child labour and crime, while maintaining an undertone of humour, hope and bravery.
It’s both uplifting and hard-hitting, making it a truly special book for Upper KS2 classrooms (particularly Y6).
The opportunities for learning and discussion are vast. This book will have even the most reluctant reader in your class – boy or girl – hooked from the beginning.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for Kick.
Carey Fluker Hunt’s KS2 book topic recommendations
Carey Fluker Hunt is a creative learning consultant, writer and former teacher. She’s worked with children’s books for more than 30 years. She is a founder member of Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children’s Books, where she was creative projects manager for many years.
October October by Katya Balen
What? When Dad has an accident, 11-year-old October must leave her beloved off-grid forest home to live in the city with a mother she barely knows.
Why? October’s year of devastating change is narrated first-person in this stylishly readable stream-of-consciousness account.
She cares about her environment in a way that feels personal, immediate, and nail-bitingly important. And she makes us care, too.
Intriguing topics such as mudlarking and rewilding sit alongside questions about our relationship to the natural world.
As we’re drawn into her tale of owls and scavenging and the power of imagination, we share her discovery that wildness is everywhere and there are many ways of being free.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for October October.
Migrants by Issa Watanabe
What? A hauntingly beautiful picturebook about a challenging journey through a dark landscape.
Why? Peruvian artist Issa Watanabe addresses troubling contemporary issues by placing them somewhere timeless, far beyond our world.
There’s a sense of dreamlike dislocation throughout. Much is left unshown. The wordless format allows readers to process ideas at their own pace and according to their own experiences.
Our instinct to protect can be strong. However, many children welcome opportunities to talk about things that matter, and may do so with unexpected insight and maturity.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for Migrants.
Flotsam by David Wiesner
What? A boy finds a camera washed in by the tide. The pictures it contains give him a glimpse into an amazing story world beneath the waves, as well as a record of all the children who’ve had the camera before him, linked together in an unending chain that stretches back in time and right across the world.
Why? This wordless, imaginative and exuberantly detailed picture book is a joy to share with children at KS2.
Its playful sophistication conveys a complexity of ideas that linger in the mind long after the book has been closed, encouraging discussion and inspiring all kinds of responses.
With panels of varying sizes that subtly shift the tension, pace and mood, as well as stunningly beautiful doublepage spreads, this book has all the advantages of a graphic novel and picture book combined and makes a wonderful starting point for activities.
Themes include imaginative undersea worlds; invented creatures; light and cameras; microscopes and collections of natural specimens; floating and sinking; biodegradability and rubbish; geography and ocean currents; historical timelines and community cohesion.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for Flotsam.
Journey by Aaron Becker
What? A lonely girl draws a door on her bedroom wall and steps into another world. Aided by her magic crayon she travels through this strange, new place. Shifting landscapes give way to a remarkable city where there’s a villain to confront, and the girl needs all her courage and resourcefulness in order to survive.
Why? In this glorious – and completely wordless – picture book, the timeless appeal of Aaron Becker’s story is more than matched by his illustrations, which crackle with so much expressive energy that readers barely notice the absence of text.
With so much to look at and think about, this is a book that can be read on many levels. Taken as a whole, the illustrations provide a rich and memorable reading experience that will inspire much in the way of thinking and talking, and make a wonderful starting point for creative projects of all kinds.
Download KS2 books for topic ideas for Journey.
A River by Marc Martin
From her bedroom high above the city, a girl sits looking at a river. It stretches away in both directions and she imagines herself swept along it “in a silver boat towards the horizon”.
Subsequent spreads show her boat following the river through different locations, from car-jammed city flyovers and smoke-filled factories to patchwork fields and waterfalls.
Information mixes with dreamscape as the river takes her through jungles, past mangroves and out into the open sea.
Why? Part exploration of the power of imagination and part introduction to habitats and the water cycle, this appealing picture book offers gloriously immersive, densely coloured artwork with a sophisticated edge.
Martin’s pared-back text leads us through each landscape, framing the reader’s observations but leaving plenty of room for thinking, questioning and responding.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for A River.
Town is by the Sea by Joanna Schwartz and Sydney Smith
What? This book shows a day in the life of a boy living in a 1950s coastal mining town. Right from the very first spread we’re drawn into the heart of our young narrator’s family.
Father is off to join the other miners on their way to work while the boy spends his day roaming the clifftops, running errands for his mother and playing with friends.
Observant readers will spot more than we’re being told. There’s a problem in the mine: will Father come home?
Why? This lovely, light-filled picturebook has hidden depths and is well worth reading and exploring with your class. It’s a gem of a book and disarmingly accessible.
Children don’t need to know it’s set in the 1950s or understand coalmining to enjoy it, but once they tune into the book’s emotional landscape they’ll start to read it in a different way.
Town is by the Sea offers an unusually rich experience: one that is multi-layered and can be appreciated on many levels, making it an ideal starting point for creative activities.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for Town is by the Sea.
Johanna Howard and Jonathan Rooke’s KS2 book topic recommendations
Johanna Howard is LKS2 lead at Weeke Primary in Winchester and Jonathan Rooke is a senior lecturer in education at the University of Winchester.
Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll
What? The second world war turns schoolgirl Olive’s life in London inside out. Her father is shot down over France, her glamorous older sister, Sukie, goes missing during an air raid, and Olive is evacuated with her younger brother, Cliff, to Devon.
The book revolves around Olive’s persistent efforts to solve the mystery of why her sister has disappeared and piece together the clues to find her.
Why? The crisp prose and pacey plot make this novel a joy to read. The setting lends atmosphere and plenty of scope for exciting adventures.
Historical accuracy and fine details mean Letters from the Lighthouse slips effortlessly into Second World War topics while at the same time providing space for children to think and talk together about deep themes such as hope, loss, separation, prejudice, truth, forgiveness, bereavement, love and kindness.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for Letters from the Lighthouse.
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf
What? A mysterious new boy arrives in the classroom. Who is he? Where has he come from? ‘P’ befriends this stranger and listens to his story of escape from Syria, his dangerous trek across Europe and his longing to be reunited with his family.
Why? The Boy at the Back of the Class will deeply move children. It covers themes of prejudice, difference and courage, all explored in ways which will lead children to ask questions, while enabling them to understand the content in an age-appropriate manner.
It will aid you in exploring what are usually considered ‘difficult’ topics in a way which still feels comfortable.
Written from the convincing perspective of a nine-year-old, pupils will relate to the ‘adult’ concepts and will be encouraged to consider the views of others, promoting empathy and compassion.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for The Boy at the Back of the Class.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
What? Taken from their mother and father as babies, gorillas Ivan and his twin sister Tag are put in a crate and shipped across the Atlantic to live with an unscrupulous circus manager in the United States.
After bringing him up like a human child, Ivan is put to work in a circus in a shopping mall as a curiosity. When Ruby, a new young elephant, is brought to the circus his life changes.
Honouring a promise made on the deathbed of his elderly elephant friend, he sets out to ensure Ruby has a better life and can live in freedom in a zoo. But how?
Why? Author Katherine Applegate was moved when she saw reports about the real Ivan on TV. Her story gently unfolds, drawing the young reader in with short chapters, economic, stripped-back literary language and fully rounded characters. .
The relationships are compassionate and complicated and leave plenty of room for children to explore emotions and empathise. It is moving and enables children to explore together the complexity of being human, to ask questions and to be inspired.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for The One and Only Ivan.
Clare Pearson’s KS2 book topic recommendations
Clare Pearson is headteacher at Summerbank Primary in Stoke. Previously, she was the Primary Advisory English Teacher for Stoke-on-Trent.
Skellig by David Almond
What? In David Almond’s award-winning book Skellig, we, along with the main character Michael, slowly uncover an extraordinary secret that will change his life forever.
Leading with the ominous line ‘I found him in the garage on a Sunday afternoon’, Almond then retreats into mundane details of Michael moving to a new home along with his parents and baby sister.
However, just in case we start to relax, we learn that ‘Doctor Death’ – so called because of his grey face and black spotted hands – has been called to the house…
Why? From the moment we enter the story, the author illustrates perfectly his skill in keeping his audience on tenterhooks.
A careful balance between normality and the unknown is maintained throughout. Dealing with themes of friendship, healing and a belief in the impossible, the book presents an excellent opportunity to stretch upper KS2 pupils in their responses.
Skellig is also a great choice for those looking to explore the wider curriculum, offering links to science and the arts.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for Skellig.
The Amazing Tale of Ali Pasha by Michael Foreman
What? Based on a true story, the tale of heroic tortoise Ali Pasha is revealed through flashbacks and journal entries that chart his journey from the battlefield of Gallipoli to a small village in Suffolk.
Why? Interspersed with evocative illustrations and exploring themes of heroism, friendship and triumph over adversity, the text is the perfect introduction to World War I history for children – not to mention an engaging story for readers of any age.
Depending on the themes you choose to develop, it can be the basis of a powerful book topic for both lower and upper Key Stage 2.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for The Amazing Tale of Ali Pasha.
Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill
What? Shackleton’s Journey by William Grill is a perfect introduction to the many seemingly insurmountable challenges that were undertaken on Shackleton’s famous expedition.
Why? While the themes of great courage and endurance take centre stage in this retelling, Grill also mirrors Shackleton in his appreciation of how building resilience is not simply about being strong in body, but also about strength of character.
In turn, Grill focuses on the domestic life of the crew as well as the more typically thrilling aspects.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for Shackleton’s Journey.
The Land of Neverbelieve by Norman Messenger
What? Part journal, part naturalist’s report, this fascinating book takes the reader on a journey into Messenger’s imagined world – an island he discovers whilst pottering at sea in his boat.
Spellbound by the plants, creatures, people and landscape, he painstakingly catalogues his amazing adventure, wary of the island’s ability to produce legs and walk off on a whim to settle in a new location.
Why? This book has an almost magical ability to intrigue and astonish children and adults alike through its carefully crafted words and delightful illustrations.
Possessing a richness of language that will challenge children throughout Key Stage 2, and a breadth that promotes plenty of opportunity for cross-curricular work, this text makes an excellent focus for a book topic.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for The Land of Neverbelieve.
Judy Clark’s KS2 book topic recommendations
Judy Clark is primary adviser at the National Literacy Trust. She is also an English ITE lecturer, and Talk4writing adviser, together with Pie Corbett.
Where My Wellies Take Me by Clare and Michael Morpurgo
What? This book takes the form of a child’s scrapbook created by Pippa – a young girl whose wellie-clad adventures create the narrative frame for the poems contained within.
We journey with Pippa throughout a whole day’s walk in the countryside. Following her illustrated map, we are introduced to her favourite poems at every turn, bringing her discoveries, thoughts and reflections to life.
Why? Where My Wellies Take Me is a truly memorable treasure that every single child should have the privilege to experience as part of their primary literacy education. Yes, it really is that special.
The scrapbook is a lavish and stunning work of art in itself. Maps, sketch work, pull-out pages and tracing papers enhance and punctuate the story, taking us and our wellies into Pippa’s world. As an inspiration and model for pupils’ own scrapbooks and journals, it’s unsurpassed.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for Where My Wellies Take Me.
A Child of Books by Sam Winston and Oliver Jeffers
What? This story follows a confident little girl, our child of books, as she leads her friend on a journey through a world of stories. Along the way we are taken on a homage to children’s literature, as a myriad of genres are revealed across each spread, brought alive by typographic landscapes ingeniously created with the language of those classics.
By the end of the book, the girl’s friend – a more timid reader perhaps – grows in confidence and stature as he discovers that this world of stories is also his world.
Why? This book is an invitation to explore the purpose of reading and its place in our identity. Its message is clear – everyone should have the chance to be a child of books.
This title provides the perfect opportunity for teachers, KS2 pupils and parents to pause and take stock of our reading.
A week away from the curriculum spent exploring this treasure of a book is a chance to ground your teaching of reading in its true purpose, while instilling lasting and vitally important messages in pupils and parents.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for A Child of Books.
This Morning I Met a Whale by Michael Morpurgo
What? This Morning I Met a Whale by Michael Morpurgo is a touching story about a young boy named Michael who encounters a stranded whale in the River Thames.
Through the whale’s telepathic communication, Michael learns about the dangers of pollution and climate change, inspiring him to spread an important environmental message.
Why? I was truly moved as I read the story of Michael. By the time I’d reached the author’s note at the end I was desperate to find a class to share it with.
Not only does the book contain a story within a story, but Morpurgo shares the secret of his inspiration: a quite remarkable and touching true story.
The opportunities it provides to explore with children not only environmental issues but also the wider question of their role and voice in society is one that’s too good to miss.
Download KS2 books for topics ideas for This Morning I Met a Whale.
How to choose suitable KS2 books for topics
When choosing a suitable book for a KS2 book topic, you need to consider several factors to ensure it is engaging, appropriate and effective for learning. Here are the key aspects to consider:
Writing style & language development
- Does the book use high-quality vocabulary that enhances children’s word knowledge?
- Can it be used to model excellent writing (eg descriptive language, sentence structures, different text types)?
- Does it provide opportunities for writing inspiration (eg diary entries, letters, reports, creative narratives)?
Cross-curricular potential
- Can the book be linked to other subjects like history, geography, science or PSHE?
- Does it help embed key knowledge or stimulate inquiry?
Age-appropriateness & reading level
- Is the language and content suitable for KS2?
- Does it provide an appropriate reading challenge without being too difficult?
- Will it engage reluctant readers while still stretching advanced ones?
Engagement & enjoyment
- Is the book captivating and likely to excite curiosity?
- Does it have rich characters, engaging plots and thought-provoking themes?
- Will it inspire discussion, creativity and deep thinking?
Diversity & representation
- Does the book offer diverse perspectives, including different cultures, backgrounds and experiences?
- Are characters and themes inclusive, allowing children to see themselves in the story?
- Does it challenge stereotypes and promote empathy?
Practical considerations
- Is it readily available in class sets or accessible formats?
- Is there teacher support, such as lesson plans, resources or linked activities?
- Will it fit within the timeframe of a half-term or term-long topic?
