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Best books for Key Stage 2

The best books for Key Stage 2 (ages 7–11): graphic novels and series that get children reading, class novels, world myths, and stories worth discussing.

14 booksAges 5–14Last reviewed June 2026

Key Stage 2 spans Years 3 to 6, and a class library needs range: books for the child still building stamina and the one devouring a novel a week.

This is our best-of for the whole of KS2, balanced across funny graphic novels and series that get children reading, class novels worth reading aloud together, world myths for the topics, and stories with the emotional and moral weight to discuss and write about. One book per series, so there is breadth to explore.

  1. Dog Man

    by Dav Pilkey · Graphic Novels · ages 6–10

    Dog Man is a half-dog, half-police-officer superhero created by accident, and one of the best-selling children's series in history. Brilliantly designed for reluctant readers: fast, funny, full of interactive flip-o-rama pages, and so packed with action that even the least bookish child will demand the next one.

  2. Hilo: Rise of the Cat

    by Judd Winick · Graphic Novels · ages 7–11

    A Polly-focused magical school spin within the main Hilo sequence, starring Hilo's warrior-cat friend at Wombatton Academy of Better Magic. Great for readers who like Hilo's humour but want a more fantasy-school flavour.

  3. Amulet: The Stonekeeper

    by Kazu Kibuishi · Graphic Novels · ages 8–12

    A landmark middle-grade fantasy graphic novel with cinematic artwork, high peril and a gripping portal-world setup. One of the strongest gateway series for readers moving from funny comics into deeper fantasy adventure.

  4. The Lost Words

    by Robert Macfarlane · Non-Fiction · ages 6–12

    A book of spells to summon back the nature words quietly removed from the Oxford Junior Dictionary, otter, acorn, bluebell, newt. Robert Macfarlane's incantatory language and Jackie Morris's breathtaking watercolours make this as much a work of art as a children's book.

  5. Pax

    by Sara Pennypacker · Chapter Books · ages 9–13

    A moving illustrated middle-grade novel about a boy and his fox trying to find their way back to each other during wartime. Beautiful and powerful, but parent-calibrate for animal peril, grief and war-related emotional intensity.

  6. The Girl Who Drank the Moon

    by Kelly Barnhill · Chapter Books · ages 9–13

    A richly imagined Newbery Medal-winning fantasy with lyrical storytelling, big emotional stakes, and a beautifully strange found-family centre. It is magical and rewarding, but denser and more intense than lighter middle-grade fantasy.

  7. The Crossover

    by Kwame Alexander · Chapter Books · ages 10–14

    A Newbery Medal-winning verse novel that turns basketball, brotherhood, and family heartbreak into something fast, musical, and emotionally powerful. It is one of the strongest gateway books for sporty reluctant readers.

  8. The Arrival

    by Shaun Tan · Graphic Novels · ages 9–14

    A landmark wordless graphic novel about migration, separation and finding your way in a strange new world.

  9. El Deafo

    by Cece Bell · Graphic Novels · ages 8–12

    A funny, generous and hugely important graphic memoir about growing up deaf and finding confidence. Essential for middle-grade graphic-novel shelves and one of the best empathy-building comics for children.

  10. Fantastic Mr Fox

    by Roald Dahl · Illustrated Chapter Books · ages 6–9

    A short, sharp Dahl animal adventure about a clever fox outwitting three horrible farmers. It is one of the best younger Dahl entry points: funny, fast, memorable and much less emotionally harsh than many of the longer novels.

  11. Leo and the Gorgon's Curse

    by Joe Todd-Stanton · Picture Books · ages 6–10

    A Greek-myth adventure full of monsters, godly heroes and visual grandeur. A strong choice for children who like Percy Jackson-style ingredients but still need a beautifully illustrated, picture-book-length format.

  12. The Hobbit

    by J. R. R. Tolkien · Chapter Books · ages 9–13

    A foundational fantasy adventure and one of the great read-aloud classics. It is more approachable and playful than The Lord of the Rings, but still includes trolls, goblins, spiders, dragon peril, battle and deaths.

  13. Milo Imagines the World

    by Matt de la Pena · Picture Books · ages 5–9

    A thoughtful, emotionally sophisticated picture book about a boy drawing stories about strangers on the subway while travelling to visit his incarcerated mother. Powerful, empathetic and best for supported reading.

  14. The Lone Husky

    by Hannah Gold · Chapter Books · ages 8–11

    A return to April Wood's Arctic world, this time built around a lonely husky, a dog-sled race and trust earned under pressure. Strong for readers who loved The Last Bear and want a faster, race-shaped adventure.

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