Why are we encouraging reading?
Studies show that the amount of reading a student does outside of school positively impacts their outcomes. Moreover, reading is clinically recognised as a way to help the mind relax, it can help people to feel happier, and it has benefits for understanding the world and other cultures, too.
At TAHS, we encourage our students to read widely, and read often. However, it can prove challenging to find appropriate reading material for students in Years 9-11.
What books do you recommend?
To support parents in facilitating reading, we have provided a set of year group based fiction reading lists from the charity LoveReading4Kids. Use these as a starting point for exploring the kind of stories that your young person may wish to read. There is also an additional list for those students who find reading challenging: these books are specially selected to have a high interest value, but more accessible style. They are particularly suitable for students with dyslexia or who have a lower reading age.
My young person doesn’t like fiction… what else is out there?
There is a good range of non-fiction out there for teenagers, although it’s harder to find than fiction.
- Search by category / topic area at https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/series/Nonfiction%20%E2%80%94%20Young%20Adult – from adventure to zoology and everything in between.
- Goodreads has an extensive list, with the advantage of often having sample pages: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/teen-nonfiction
- Heath books offers many books at a discount: https://www.heathbooks.co.uk/shop/secondary/non-fiction/
Do graphic novels count?
Absolutely! Graphic novels are a recognised genre with their own conventions… and some really engaging reads. Equally loved by those who struggle with reading and those who just want their reading a little more illustrated, there are some great starting points at http://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/secondary-ks3-ks4-reading-lists/graphic-novels-for-young-adults-aged-12-16-in-ks3-ks4/.
What about something a little… shorter?
There are a number of good ways to encourage reading without having to buy a book or visit the library.
If you’re looking for topical and contemporary, have a look at one of the two young people’s newspapers here, which are aimed at KS3 students.
- The Week Junior: https://theweekjunior.co.uk/
- First News: https://www.firstnews.co.uk/
There is also a monthly periodical, Aquila, which has a specific focus each month and is again aimed at KS3 students:
- Aquila: www.aquila.co.uk
More KS3 special interest examples can be found below:
- The Week Junior Science and Nature: https://sciencenature.theweekjunior.co.uk/
- The Phoenix – designed to foster a love of reading, writing and drawing: https://thephoenixcomic.co.uk/
- ComicScene – all about comics and graphic novels: https://comicscene.org/
- Film Stories Junior – all about films, reviews, and the technicalities of film production: https://store.filmstories.co.uk/collections/film-junior
KS4 and KS5 students may appreciate some of these more ‘grown up’ publications, many of which have online editions and/or are available in supermarkets:
- National Geographic – modern geography, science, and natural history: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
- BBC History: https://www.historyextra.com/
- BBC Wildlife: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/
- Oyla – focusing on STEM and real world applications of science lessons: https://oyla.uk/
- Teen Breathe – a wellbeing focused magazine: https://www.teenbreathe.co.uk/
- The Week – the grown up version, covering topical news and special interest stories: https://theweek.com/uk
- New Scientist – perfect for A Level scientists: https://www.newscientist.com/
- Positive News – looking at world events with a positive spin: https://www.positive.news/
Finally, do audiobooks or podcasts count?
Yes, they absolutely do. As well has having exactly the same effect on the brain as reading physical books*, they have the added benefit of allowing your eyes to rest, thereby encouraging better sleep. Moreover, they are an ideal way to experience new vocabulary, as a good quality audiobook or podcast will be read fluently and expressively, which also enhances comprehension.
Audible has a good range of suitable audiobooks: https://www.audible.co.uk/cat/Teen-Young-Adult-Audiobooks/19377559031, as does Amazon. You can also search for specific texts and look for an audio version.