KS3 ENGLISH YEAR 9 SUGGESTED READING LIST

KS3 English Suggested Reading List

As well as your normal studies in English, try to read as much as possible. Not only is this
entertaining and relaxing but it can also help you to develop both your reading and writing skills to
help you progress on your course.

Below are some suggested books and authors for you to try. Try to read from the different genres
and try books you wouldn’t normally. If you have a library near to you visit that too and chat to the
librarians as I am sure they recommend many more to you as well.

Please note that some of these books are aimed at Young Adults (such as 14+ or 16+ in some cases.)
Parents / observers of the course are recommended to check the suitability of the books.

Fantasy / Science Fiction

Author Book Description

Neil Gaiman Coraline Coraline finds a secret door which leads to
another world.
Terry Pratchet Discworld Series This starts with the Color of Magic but can be
read as stand alones – ‘Mort’ is also a good
one to try.
J R R Tolkien Lord of the Rings Classic fantasy saga.
Patrick Ness The Knife of Never Letting A fast-paced dystopian adventure set in
Go Prentisstown.
Robin Hobb Farseer Trilogy This starts with the ‘Assassin’s Apprentice’ all
set in a fantasy world.
Leigh Bardugo Six of Crows Kaz (alongside some of the deadliest outcasts
in the city) plans a heist.
Amie Kaufman / Illuminae Set in 2575 and told through a dossier of
Jay Kristoff documents, emails and reports.
Ernest Cline Ready Player One Set in the year 2045 and includes virtual
reality.
Amanda Hocking Switched The first in a fantasy trilogy.
Rick Yancey The 5th Wave Sci-fi action / adventure about Earth’s last
survivors.
Maggie Stiefvater The Raven Boys The first book in the popular ‘Raven Boys’
series.
Marissa Meyer Cinder A futuristic retelling of Cinderella’s story.
Holly Black The Cruel Prince Set in a court of Faeries.
Stephanie Garber Caraval The Caraval is a yearly performance where
the audience takes part as well.
Sarah J Maas A Court of Thrones and Set in a magical kingdom, Feyre is arrested for
Roses the murder of a faerie.
Jay Kristoff Nevernight A fledging killer joins a school of assassins.
Sara Holland Everless Set in the Kingdom Sempera where time is
currency.

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KS3 ENGLISH YEAR 9 SUGGESTED READING LIST

Historical Reads

Author Book Description

Ruta Sepetys Salt to the Sea Set in World War Two – the story of two
refugees.
Philip Pullman Ruby in the Smoke Set in Victorian England, this is part
adventure, thriller and a mystery story. The
first in a trilogy.

Horror / Thriller

Author Book Description

Marcus Sedgwick Revolver
Charlie Higson The Enemy The first in a series – zombie Horror for teens.
Kevin Brooks Black Rabbit Summer A girl goes missing and a friend is accused of
the murder.
Roxanne St Claire They All Fall Down Contemporary thriller set in a high school.
C L Taylor The Treatment Drew’s brother is sent to a residential reform
school but it has many dark secrets.
Teri Terry Slated Kyla’s memory has been erased and she has
been told she was a terrorist.
Megan Abbott You Will Know Me This author has written many YA thrillers.
This one is about a murder in a close-knit
community.
Lois Duncan I know what you did Last An accident which changes the lives of a
Summer group of friends forever.

Contemporary / Teen Issues

Author Book Description

Rainbow Rowell Fangirl A coming of age tale of fan fiction, family and
first love.

Sarah Dessen Along for the Ride Teen issues and romances – she has written
many books.
Sandhya Moon When Dimple Met Rishi About arranged marriages and love
Angie Thomas The Hate you Give About the fatal shooting by a police offer.
Issues of class and poverty.
Nicola Yoon Everything, Everything About a girl with a rare disease and is unable
to leave the house.
Alice Oseman Solitaire A story about friendship, love and growing
up.
Phyllida Shrimpton Sunflowers in February A funny yet sad story about death.
Ceceila Ahern Flawed A perfect young woman breaks the law and
could be imprisoned.
Stephen Chbosky The Perks of Being a Written in the form of letters from a high-
Wallflower school boy (please note this includes themes
such as drugs)
John Green The Fault is in our Stars A heart-breaking book about illness.

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KS3 ENGLISH YEAR 9 SUGGESTED READING LIST

Classics / Challenging Reads

Author Book Description

Yann Martel Life of Pi A fantasy adventure about a boy who is
stranded on a boat with a Bengal Tiger.
Jane Austen Emma Emma is content in her life and sees no need
for love or marriage.
Harper Lee To Kill a Mockingbird A story of childhood and racial inequality.
William Golding Lord of the Flies A group of British boys are stranded on an
inhabited island.
Daphne Du Rebecca A new wife marries a widower but the
Maurier mystery of his first wife causes tension.
Wilkie Collins Woman in White Classic gothic horror.
Charles Dickens Bleak House A tale of courts which helped spur a
movement which culminated in legal reforms
in 1870’s. A lengthy read!
Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre Jane, an orphan, is hired to look after Mr
Rochester’s ward.
John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men Two outsiders try to find work – an emotional
read.
HG Wells War of the Worlds Science fiction based on a Martian attack on
Earth.
Jules Verne Around the World in eighty Phileas Fogg rashly bets hid companions that
days. he can travel around the globe in just 80 days.
S E Hinton The Outsiders Two rival gangs are pitted against each
other’s – The ‘Socs’ and the ‘Greasers’

Useful websites
The above list should give you a starting point if you are stuck for something to read but below are
some links to websites which will help you find many more books to read:
 http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/home/index.php (each year they have a list of the
best books each year which are up for a prestigious award – you could read the list and then
see if your favourite wins. Many schools do this in the UK and often there is a mix of
different books to enjoy)
 http://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/children (recommendations, competitions etc.)
 http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/ (lots of reviews and recommendations)
 http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site (new reviews and news stories on the
book awards)