{"id":24339,"date":"2026-07-21T10:13:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T08:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/?p=24339"},"modified":"2026-10-21T09:35:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T07:35:52","slug":"best-books-to-read-in-english-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/best-books-to-read-in-english-this-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"The best books to read in English this summer: recommendations by age"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Which books in English could your child read during the holidays?<\/strong> Whether they are just beginning to read or already enjoy novels, summer is a wonderful opportunity to discover new stories and keep using the language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key is to choose books that suit their reading ability and, above all, their interests. A book that sparks curiosity will always be a better choice than one read out of obligation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Dallington School<\/a><\/strong>, we have put together a selection of books in English for different age groups, from early readers to teenagers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Group<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Which books in English do we recommend for children aged 5 to 7?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At this age, picture books, rhymes and stories with repetitive patterns help children develop comprehension and confidence in reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Gruffalo \u2013 Julia Donaldson<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A story full of humour, rhyme and unforgettable characters. Its repetitive language helps children anticipate words and enjoy reading aloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt \u2013 Michael Rosen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A perfect adventure to read as a family. Its rhythm and repetition invite children to join in with the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cat in the Hat \u2013 Dr. Seuss<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fun read that plays with English sounds and rhymes. Particularly suitable for children who are beginning to read independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our tip:<\/strong> at this age, reading together for ten minutes can be more beneficial than trying to finish an entire book. There is no need to translate every word: illustrations and context also help children understand the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Which books in English can children aged 8 to 10 read?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At this stage, many children begin to enjoy their first novels and book series. Series are particularly useful because they help readers become familiar with characters and writing styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Magic Tree House \u2013 Mary Pope Osborne<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jack and Annie travel to different times and places through a magical tree house. A series that combines adventure, history and discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fantastic Mr Fox \u2013 Roald Dahl<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A short, clever story full of Roald Dahl\u2019s characteristic humour. An excellent introduction to his novels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matilda \u2013 Roald Dahl<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the British author\u2019s best-known books, featuring an extraordinary girl who discovers the power of books and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diary of a Wimpy Kid \u2013 Jeff Kinney<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Its combination of text, illustrations and everyday humour makes it a good choice for children who are not yet drawn to traditional novels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our tip:<\/strong> if your child finds a series they love, let them read several books in a row. Becoming familiar with the vocabulary and characters can help build fluency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which books in English do we recommend for students aged 11 to 13?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During the first years of Secondary School<\/a><\/strong>, students can begin exploring more complex stories, with characters who introduce new dilemmas and perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wonder \u2013 R. J. Palacio<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A novel about empathy, friendship and accepting differences. Its themes connect particularly well with values we promote at Dallington, such as Kindness and Respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief \u2013 Rick Riordan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adventure, Greek mythology and plenty of humour in a story that often captivates readers who enjoy fantasy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harry Potter and the Philosopher\u2019s Stone \u2013 J. K. Rowling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The beginning of one of the most popular series in children\u2019s and young adult literature, with a world that encourages readers to keep turning the pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holes \u2013 Louis Sachar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An original novel combining mystery, humour and adventure, with a plot that invites readers to make connections and discover how the different stories fit together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our tip:<\/strong> at this age, it is important to let young people have a say in choosing their books. Fantasy, humour, mystery and graphic novels can all be excellent gateways into reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what about teenagers aged 14 to 16?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Students in Key Stage 4 can enjoy novels with greater narrative depth and themes that encourage reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animal Farm \u2013 George Orwell<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A short allegorical novel that encourages reflection on power, society and the manipulation of language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time \u2013 Mark Haddon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A story told from a distinctive perspective, combining mystery, humour and a very particular way of seeing the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hunger Games \u2013 Suzanne Collins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A fast-paced novel that raises questions about society, power and individual choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These books may be particularly appealing to students who already have a good level of reading comprehension in English. Choices should always reflect their maturity and preferences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What if your child is not yet confident reading in English?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not all children of the same age have the same reading ability, and that is completely normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a book feels too difficult, it is better to choose something more accessible than to turn reading into a source of frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatives include comics, graphic novels, graded readers and audiobooks accompanied by the written text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A useful rule of thumb:<\/strong> if your child constantly has to stop to look up words and loses track of the story, it may be better to start with an easier book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much time should children spend reading in English during the summer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no single number of minutes that works for every child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a starting point, setting aside 10 to 20 minutes a day can help establish a routine, provided the reading is age-appropriate and enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also perfectly fine to alternate between books in English and Spanish, listen to audiobooks or reread favourite stories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aim is not to complete a reading list, but to keep an interest in books alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Secondary School reading guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Dallington School, we want our students to discover the pleasure of reading and develop a positive relationship with books, beyond the set texts they study during the school year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is why we have a reading guide in English for Secondary School<\/strong>, organised by Key Stage, bringing together recommendations for different ages and reading levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From classics of British literature to contemporary novels, the guide helps each student find stories that match their interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"QR<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scan the QR code or open the guide here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our best advice for summer reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best book is not always the most difficult, the longest or the one that appears on a recommended reading list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is the one that makes a child want to turn the next page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Dallington, we believe that nurturing curiosity and a love of learning is just as important as developing academic skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And reading is no different: what matters is not how much children read, but that they want to keep reading.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Which books in English could your child read during the holidays? Whether they are just beginning to read or already enjoy novels, summer is a wonderful opportunity to discover new stories and keep using the language. The key is to choose books that suit their reading ability and, above all, their interests. A book that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24342,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[85],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24339"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24383,"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24339\/revisions\/24383"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24342"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dallingtonschool.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}