One More BookFind a book

Key stages

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.

    £9.992 shops

  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.

    £8.952 shops

  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.

    £10.992 shops

  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.

    £5.494 shops

  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.

    See price1 shop

  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.

    £19.003 shops

  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.

    £7.492 shops

  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.

    £6.994 shops

  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.

    See price1 shop

  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.

    £8.542 shops

  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.

    £7.992 shops

  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.

    £11.992 shops

Explore by theme

More reading lists

See all reading lists →

More ways to wander the room

BrowseThe whole library, with filtersFormat, age, theme, length — narrow it down your way.ShelvesEvery curated shelfAll our hand-built collections in one place.SearchLook for something specificTitle, author, series or a theme you have in mind.