1. art and entertainment
2. books and literature

YEAR 8 RECOMMENDED READING LIST 2015
KEY
AR = Accelerated Reader
= I enjoy reading.
= I find longer words and some books difficult.
= I find reading difficult and it stops me from reading.
ACTION AND ADVENTURE
Michael Grant
BZRK Series
Futuristic nano technology is used as a weapon in this superb
thriller from the author of Gone series.
Anthony Horowitz
Power of Five Series
AR
Tremendous combination of thriller, adventure and fantasy when a
troubled teen is sent to a town, where things are not what they
seem.
Marcus Sedgwick
Revolver
Gripping psychological thriller set in Alaska in 1910.
Jim Eldridge
The Invisible Assassin
Journalist Jake Wells has stumbled upon the ancient and secret
order of the Malichea. Jake faces the fight of his life to escape
a terrifying web of intrigue, danger and murder.
Chris Ryan
Outbreak
AR
A mine full of valuable ore, thousands of dead bats and a terrible
sickness in a small village. A gripping action packed thriller.
1
Ross MacKenzie
Zac and the Dream Pirates
Zac can't sleep. And neither can anyone else. A bunch of bad
dreams keeps robbing the whole wide-awake world of rest, and one
night as the clock strikes twelve, Zac is torn from his own not-sosweet slumber to be tossed-and-turned into a strange, surreal
realm.
Amanda Mitchison
Mission Telemark
The year is 1942. Four fluent Norwegian speaking teens are
recruited by a senior officer in the British Army to complete a
secret mission. Chance of survival: Minimal.
Paul Dowswell
Polar Adventure
A gripping collection of true stories of exploration and danger
over the icy wastelands of Antarctica and the Arctic.
Ros Asquith
Trixie Tempest and the Ghost of St Aubergine’s
The trials and tribulations of growing up, told with hilarious, fastmoving humour. Join Trixie and her friends and foes, in this riproaring, rollicking, tumultuous and Very Extremely funny novel.
Louis Nowra
Into that Forest
Two girls survive a terrible flood in the Tasmanian bush and are
rescued by a pair of Tasmanian tigers who raise them in the wild.
Their story will both shock and captivate readers as it explores
the animal instincts that lie beneath our civilized veneer.
FANTASY
Cassandra Clare
Mortal Instruments Series
AR
Thumping tale of medieval warriors forcing demons back to their
own dimension in modern day New York.
David Eddings
Belgariad Series
AR
Wonder series of five books about a farm boy who is prophesied
to become a powerful leader and warrior. A wonderful series.
2
Becca Fitzpatrick
Hush Hush Series
AR
One of the best supernatural romance novels around. A sacred
oath, a fallen angel, a forbidden love….
Michelle Paver
Wolf Brother Series
AR
An exciting series charting the lives and adventures of early man,
their lives, fears, adventures, superstitions and battles.
Great
stuff.
Philip Pullman
His Dark Materials Trilogy
AR
Staggering dark fantasy trilogy in which Lyra fights for survival in
a godless world. A brilliant series worthy of its exalted status.
GIRL TALK
Sophie Bennet
The Look
Edwina is scouted by a model agency, at the same time her older
sister is diagnosed with cancer. Cute and moving a great read.
Louise Rennison
Georgina Nicholson Series
AR
Hilarious diary series about the accident prone Georgina, her
quest for a boyfriend, school life and friendships. Very funny.
Sophie Bennett
You Don’t Know Me
AR
What happens if you betray your best friend on TV in front of
millions? The whole world lines up to judge you. Best friends in a
band, singing together. Right up to the finals of Killer Act when
the judges tell them one of them must go. Suddenly their
friendship is put to the ultimate test.
Holly Smale
Geek Girl Series
AR
When supporting a friend geeky Harriet stumbles into the world
of modelling. Harriet is a really entertaining character in this
story.
3
Jean Ure
Family Fan Club
AR
A humorous, poignant and heart-warming story of four girls and
their exasperating parents.
Karen McCombie
Tattoos, Tell-tales and Terrible, Terrible Twins
Blood is thicker than water, right? That's what Ally's always been
told, and it's true she wouldn't change a thing about her family.
Then Dad's long-lost brother Joe comes to stay - bringing along
his meddling wife and evil, pet-torturing twins.
Carol Midgley
My Family and Other Freaks
Laugh out loud funny, this book is the perfect pick me up for
those days you can't face getting out of bed. Humorous in all the
right places.
TEEN LIFE
Mary Hopper
Megan Trilogy
AR
Great trilogy about teenage pregnancy and being a young, single
parent mum. You’ll be rooting for Megan in no time.
R. J. Palacio
Wonder
Dark, funny and touching story of a boy born with an unspecified
facial deformity. Destined for classic status, it’s that good.
MODERN CLASSICS
Maya Angelou
I know why the caged bird sings.
Classic autobiography of a young black girl struggling against
brutal American race discrimination in the 1930’s
Kathryn Erskine
Mockingbird
AR
Caitlin has Asperger’s syndrome which her brother helps her deal
with. But tragedy strikes when he is killed in a random shooting.
4
Mark Haddon
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
Cult classic which tells the story of an autistic boy trying to figure
out who killed his neighbour’s dog. Essential reading.
Meg Rosoff
How I Live Now
AR
Odd and dreamy novel set in the back drop of an undisclosed war
with an American girl stranded with her English in-laws.
CLASSICS
Louisa M Alcott
Little Women
AR
First in the series of classic novels of 4 sisters growing up in
1860’s America written from the point of view of Jo, who would
dearly like to become a writer.
Charlotte Bronte
Jane Eyre
AR
Jane falls in love with her rich employer; only to find out he has a
dark secret…. Classic stuff that has thrilled generations.
George Orwell
Animal Farm
AR
Stunning political parody, set in a farm yard with the animals
playing the parts of people.
R. L. Stevenson
Treasure Island
Timeless sea adventure and the search for lost treasure.
HG Wells
The Time Machine
AR
Science fiction novel about time travel and the possible
consequences.
HG Wells
War of the Worlds
AR
The Martians invade earth in this timeless science fiction novel.
5
John Wyndam
Day of the Triffids
AR
Gripping novel about paranoia and the earth being invaded by
seemingly invincible plants. A very good science fiction thriller.
DEALING WITH DEATH
Suzanna LaFleur
Love, Aubrey
Heartbreaking story of a girl who, having survived the car
accident that killed her father and little sister, is abandoned by
her mother.
Patrick Ness
More Than This
The life or perhaps afterlife, of a teen trapped in a crumbling
abandoned world in which his family has left him for dead.
Annabel Pitcher
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
AR
Amazing study of loss as a family fails to recover from their loss
of a daughter in a suicide bomb attack and their relocation to the
North of England.
Jodi Picoult
My Sisters Keeper
AR
Examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good
person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a
child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of
another?
Jay Asher
Thirteen Reasons Why
AR
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay
Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and
desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.
Alice Sebold
The Lovely Bones
AR
The Lovely Bones is the story of a family devastated by a
gruesome murder -- a murder recounted by the teenage victim.
Alice Sebold takes this difficult material and delivers a compelling
6
and accomplished exploration of a fractured family's need for
peace and closure.
John Green
The Fault in Our Stars
AR
The story is narrated by a sixteen-year-old cancer patient named
Hazel Grace Lancaster, who is forced by her parents to attend a
support group where she subsequently meets and falls in love with
the seventeen-year-old Augustus Waters, an ex-basketball player
and amputee.
FEEL THE FEAR: REMEMBER TO CLOSE YOUR BEDROOM WINDOW
Malorie Blackman
Stuff of Nightmares
AR
Frightening and scary novel which centers on the small, irrational
fears that affect us all whilst we’re having nightmares.
Sally Green
Half Bad
Great mix of fantasy and horror as a boy struggles for survival in
a hidden society of witches. Promises to be a major new series.
Bali Rai
Web of Darkness
When the incredibly attractive Benedict befriends Lily online, she
is thrilled. But is Benedict the kind, charming person that he
seemed to be initially? Lily soon realises that now, with half our
lives spent online, you can be found - even if you try to hide . .
Berlie Doherty
The Company Of Ghosts
A beautiful, haunting ghost story from a Carnegie awardwinning writer of young adult fiction.
Dan Wells
Mr Monster
No one in Clayton is safe unless John can vanquish two nightmarish
adversaries: the unknown demon he must hunt and the inner demon
he can never escape.
7
Anne Fine
The Devil Walks
Raised in secrecy by a mother everyone thinks has gone mad,
Daniel's only link to his past is the intricately built model of the
family home. The menace builds throughout in this deliciously
creepy Gothic tale.
Jackson Pearce
Sisters Red
Told by the sisters in alternating chapters, this well-written highaction adventure grabs readers and never let’s go... A satisfying
read with a fantastic cover.
MONSTERS, VAMPIRES, DEMONS AND BOOKS THAT GO
BUMP IN THE NIGHT
Malorie Blackman
Trust Me
Jayna begins to see changes in her boyfriend. Pale and withdrawn,
he won’t go out at night and wants her to join him.
Marcus Sedgwick
My Swordhand is Singing
AR
Chilling vampire tale set in 17th century Europe, inspired by the
original Transylvanian vampire folk tales.
Darren Shan
Cirque du Freak Series
AR
Brilliant twelve book vampire series as ‘Darren Shan’ gets bitten
by a vampire spider and battles the undead.
Tim Collins
Adventures of a Wimpy Werewolf
Luke Thorpe is a 15-year-old wimp. Excellent at maths and awful
at sport. Yet, mysterious and uncontrollable changes in his
behaviour and appearance are threatening to rocket him out of
obscurity. Join Luke on a journey of discovery, embarrassing
mishaps and hilarity as he gets to the bottom of his werewolf
roots.
8
David Grimstone
Undead Ed and the Howling Moon
Forget everything you've ever seen or heard about werewolves,
zombies and vampires because Ed Bagley's going to tell you the
single most important fact you'll ever learn: BEING UNDEAD
SUCKS ... especially if you're a kid.
Andrew Newbound
Demon Strike
Demon Strike is filled with fabulous comic characters, including
psychic ghost-busting 12-year-old adventurers Allanah Mallara and
Wortley Flint, together with rookie A.N.G.E.L police-officers, Flhi
Swift and troopers, Yell and Gloom – and some unspeakably
villainous demons from the dark-side.
Pete Johnson
Ghost Trouble
When Daniel and his friends make up a ghost story about a
terrifying dog what begins as a story turns into a nightmare… A
spine tingling tale about a boy haunted by the monstrous creature
he created in his own imagination.
SPORTING STORIES
Barry Hutchinson
David Beckham Academy Series
Conceived by the David Beckham Academy, this series is designed
to encourage football-mad boys - and girls - to get stuck in to
reading.
Michaela Morgan
Respect
The amazing story of Walter Tull, the first UK black pro
footballer and officer in World War One.
Jonny Zucker
Striker Boy Kicks out
Nat has grown up travelling around the world with his Dad. He's
played football everywhere they've lived and honed his skills on
the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Now they are settling back at home
in England. Then at a 'community' day at his favorite football team,
Hatton Rovers, Nat's talent is spotted by the club's scout
9
YOU’RE HAVING A LAUGH: FUNNY READS
F. Cottrell-Boyce
Millions
AR
Britain is about to join the euro, two boys find 250k and have ten
days to spend it before it becomes obsolete. Brilliant comedy
thriller.
F. Cottrell-Boyce
Cosmic
AR
Funny read about a 12 year old who is really big for his age. Longlegged Liam makes a giant leap for boy-kind by competing with a
group of adults for the chance to go into space. Is Liam the best
boy for the job?
Louis Sacher
The Cardturner
AR
Alton helps his blind uncle play cards and gets more than he
bargained for. Both fresh and original. You might even learn to
play bridge.
Sue Townsend
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole
Classic series of diaries featuring 13 year old Adrian and his
obsession with the lovely Pandora.
Meg Rosoff
Moose Baby
AR
Jess and Nick knew parenthood would be tough – and that was
before they had a moose. Sensitive and funny look at teen
parenthood.
Jim Benton
Dear Dumb Diary Series
AR
The book is about a middle school girl who has to deal with popular
kids, nerds, and her best friend, Isabell! During the book she
explores how hard it is to live her life with so many people getting
in her way.
Ellie Irving
The Mute Button
How do you make yourself heard in the midst of chaos? Anthony
Button loves his big family, but their noise can drive him crazy.
10
With the arrival of a brand-new older brother, it’s worse than
ever! So Ant starts a silent protest to try and get everyone’s
attention. But now he’s pressed the mute button, will he ever find
his voice again?
F. R. Hitchcock
Shrunk
Tom is not enjoying life in Bywater-on-Sea. As if Grandma's weird
meals and Mum and Dad's embarrassing antics weren't bad enough,
at his new school he's not got any friends. But when Tom wishes on
a meteorite that falls in the Bywater-by-Sea Model Village, he
discovers he has gained a strange new power - the ability to shrink
things.
Jonathan Meres
The World of Norm Series
AR
Plagued by pesky younger brothers, kept awake by his snoring dad
and frequently blamed for things that aren't his fault, Norm is a
typical put-upon teenager who knows all too well that everything is
REALLY UNFAIR!
THE FUTURE LOOKS DARK
Malorie Blackman
Noble Conflict
AR
Are the guardians really a peacekeeping force? The meaning of
‘terrorist’ is grippingly explored in this futuristic thriller.
Allie Condie
Matched Series
AR
Teenagers are forced to marry the perfect ‘match’ in this dark
thriller in which their lives are controlled by the Elders.
Michael Grant
Gone Series
AR
In these super-fast paced and exhilarating novels all adults
disappear into thin air and the children have to battle to survive
on their own.
11
Charlie Higson
The Enemy Series
AR
The sickness turns all adults into zombie flesh eating monsters. A
group of children try to escape London in this super exciting
series.
Gemma Malley
The Declaration Trilogy
Drugs allow people to live for 100s of years and having children is
banned. Dark and original science fiction fable.
Gemma Malley
The Killables Series
AR
The K’s have been marked for death in this dystopian chiller set
after a nuclear war and the survivors are ruled by an evil tyrant.
Patrick Ness
The Knife of Never Letting Go Series
AR
In a town populated only by men, everyone has the ability to hear
each other’s thoughts. Highly original and gripping thriller.
Scott Westerfield
Uglies Quartet
AR
In the future plastic surgery is taken to the extreme. Those who
reject the process are known as ‘Uglies’ and are cast out of
civilised society.
THRILLERS AND MYSTERY
Malorie Blackman
Noughts and Crosses Series
AR
In an alternative future racism is tackled in a society which has
only two types of people: ‘Noughts and Crosses’. Top quality series
Martyn Bedford
Flip
Tom wakes up one morning and discovers he is in the body of
someone called Philip. Great psychological and twisty thriller.
Sharon Jones
Dead Jealous Series
Superb teen thriller. Has a great blend of twists, mysteries and
possibly the paranormal. Great start to a new series.
12
Patrick Ness
A Monster Calls
AR
Conor has incredibly vivid nightmares that seem to be real.
Maggie Stiefvater
Shiver Trilogy
Grace is fascinated with the wolves behind her house… little does
she know the connection with her friend Sam.
SCIENCE FICTION
James Dashner
Maze Runner Series
AR
Great futuristic thriller about a group of boys trapped in a stone
maze that hides the horrors which lurk outside.
Melissa Landers
Alienated
Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is
going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.
Piccatus Lore
The Rise of Nine Series
Nine aliens hide on earth. Three of them have been killed. John
is number four on the hit list. Much better than the film version.
Elizabeth Norris
Unravelling
Sixteen-year-old Janelle Tenner is used to having a lot of
responsibility. She balances working as a lifeguard in San Diego
with an intense academic schedule. When she discovers a strange
clock that seems to be counting down to the earth's destruction,
Janelle learns she has twenty-four days to figure out how to stop
the clock and save the planet.
WAR AND CONFLICT
John Boyne
The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas
AR
One of the saddest books I’ve ever read. Set around the time
of the holocaust. Saying anything else will give it away. Read it!
13
Michael Morpurgo
Private Peaceful
AR
Brilliant World War I trench novel about conscientious
objectors.
Frances Zusak
The Book Thief
AR
Death takes an interest in a little orphaned girl in Nazi
Germany. Mesmerizing and compassionate.
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