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Best books for Lower Key Stage 2

Books for Lower KS2 (Years 3–4, ages 7–9): graphic novels and funny series for stamina, first novels and world myths, and picture books to discuss.

12 booksAges 5–12Last reviewed June 2026

Lower Key Stage 2, Years 3 and 4, is where reading stamina is built or lost. The books that do it are not always the longest: graphic novels and funny series keep momentum, while first novels, myths and richer picture books offer somewhere to go deeper.

This list balances the two, with world myths for the history topics, nature writing for the curious, and plenty to infer, discuss and write about. One book per series, so there is range to browse.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  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. 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.

  5. Leo and the Gorgon's Curse

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

    A gorgeous gateway into Greek myth for the Ancient Greece topic.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Bunny vs Monkey and the Human Invasion

    by Jamie Smart · Graphic Novels · ages 6–10

    A second helping of forest mayhem, with humans, helliphants and rocket-powered nonsense added to the Bunny vs Monkey formula. It is ideal for readers who want the jokes to come fast and the panels to stay busy.

  9. The Tea Dragon Tapestry

    by K. O'Neill · Graphic Novels · ages 8–12

    A tender conclusion about purpose, grief, care and choosing your path. Still very gentle, but more emotionally layered than the first two Tea Dragon books.

  10. 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.

  11. Varmints

    by Helen Ward · Picture Books · ages 6–10

    A sombre, visually striking environmental fable about a peaceful natural world overwhelmed by noise, industry and loss. Best for older picture-book readers and classrooms exploring conservation, industrialisation and hope after damage.

  12. 5 Worlds: The Amber Anthem

    by Mark Siegel · Graphic Novels · ages 8–12

    A darker, high-stakes fourth volume with assassination attempts, fading illness and a major identity shift. Best for readers already committed to the series and ready for the saga to intensify.

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