Read our UWC reading list articles and more
Browse ArticlesThese 185 books are from the official UWCSEA Grade 2 to 12 Core Collections, including the IBDP recommended reading list. Use the filters to find books by genre, English difficulty level (CEFR), or grade.
Not sure which books match your child's level? Take our free 30-minute English assessment.
185 books
The Inquisitor's Tale
Adam Gidwitz
Set in 1242 France, three children with miraculous powers flee persecution and save sacred texts. A Newbery Honor winner told like a medieval Canterbury Tales.
Holes
Louis Sachar
Stanley Yelnats is sent to a desert detention camp where boys dig holes all day. Three timelines interweave in this Newbery Medal winner about justice, friendship, and fate.
New Kid
Jerry Craft
Jordan Banks navigates being one of the few kids of color at a prestigious private school. A Newbery Medal-winning graphic novel about identity and belonging.
The Radium Girls
Kate Moore
The true story of young women poisoned by radium paint in early 20th-century America. Their fight for justice changed labor laws forever.
The Blackbird Girls
Anne Blankman
After the Chernobyl disaster, two Ukrainian girls flee to Leningrad and uncover secrets spanning two generations of prejudice and resilience.
Ghost Boys
Jewell Parker Rhodes
Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by police. As a ghost, he meets other ghost boys whose stories echo across American history.
The Giver
Lois Lowry
In a seemingly perfect community without pain or choice, Jonas discovers his utopia is built on a terrible lie. A Newbery Medal cornerstone.
A Short Hopeful Guide to Climate Change
Oisin McGann
A straightforward illustrated guide to climate change that empowers young readers with what they can actually do about it.
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Maryam Master
Twelve-year-old Rumi's Iranian family runs a museum gift shop facing closure. A warm debut about migration, family, and finding your place.
Hatchet
Gary Paulsen
Thirteen-year-old Brian survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness armed only with a hatchet. A raw, classic survival story.
Eels
Glyn Young
A young eel enthusiast discovers mysterious eels hold secrets connected to a larger ecological crisis. Natural science meets coming-of-age.
Doll Bones
Holly Black
Three friends discover a bone china doll that may contain real human bones. A Newbery Honor journey about growing up and imagination.
Amari and the Night Brothers
B.B. Alston
Amari discovers her missing brother was part of a secret supernatural agency. A blockbuster fantasy debut called 'Men in Black meets Harry Potter.'
Refugee
Alan Gratz
Three children flee danger in three eras - Nazi Germany 1939, Cuba 1994, Syria 2015. Their stories interweave toward a devastating, hopeful conclusion.
The Bletchley Riddle
Ruta Sepetys & Steve Sheinkin
A young girl stumbles into WWII Britain's top-secret codebreaking headquarters. A spy thriller by two award-winning authors.
No Fixed Address
Susin Nielsen
Twelve-year-old Felix and his mom live in a van while he dreams of competing on a TV quiz show. Heartbreaking and hilarious.
The Apple Tart of Hope
Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
When Oscar disappears, only his neighbor Meg refuses to give up hope. A lyrical novel about depression, friendship, and small things that keep us going.
Legend
Marie Lu
In a dark future LA, the Republic's most wanted criminal and its brightest prodigy collide. A high-octane dystopian thriller with dual perspectives.
Half Brother
Kenneth Oppel
When Ben's parents bring home a baby chimpanzee for a language experiment, Ben becomes its older brother. Based on real 1970s primate experiments.
Little Monarchs
Jonathan Case
In a post-apocalyptic world where sunlight is deadly, a girl and her guardian follow monarch butterflies across America. A gorgeous graphic novel.
Orchards
Holly Thompson
After her Japanese-American classmate's suicide, Kana is sent to her family's mikan orchards in Japan. A verse novel about guilt, cultural identity, and healing.
Free Lunch
Rex Ogle
A raw memoir of growing up on free school lunches. Honest about poverty, shame, and a boy's fight to keep his dignity.
I Must Betray You
Ruta Sepetys
In 1989 communist Romania, Cristian is forced to spy on his family for the secret police. A thriller about surveillance, courage, and revolution.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams
Earth is demolished for a hyperspace bypass. Arthur Dent hitchhikes across the galaxy. The pinnacle of sci-fi comedy.
The Bodyguard Unit
Cristy Burne
True story of Edith Garrud and the suffragettes who learned jiu-jitsu to fight for women's voting rights in early 20th century Britain.
The Everest Files
Matt Dickinson
A teen journalist uncovers dark secrets on an Everest expedition. Gripping high-altitude adventure thriller.
Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard
In a world divided by blood color, Mare discovers she has impossible powers. A fantasy epic of power, betrayal, and revolution.
Never Fall Down
Patricia McCormick
True story of Arn Chorn-Pond surviving the Khmer Rouge genocide through music. A devastating historical novel.
The Inheritance Games
Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Avery inherits billions from a stranger, but the dead man's grandsons want answers. A puzzle-filled mystery thriller.
Almond
Won-Pyung Sohn
Yunjae has alexithymia -- he cannot feel emotions. A Korean novel about learning to connect with others.
The Princess Bride
William Goldman
The classic tale of Westley and Buttercup -- adventure, romance, and wit in perfect balance.
Challenger Deep
Neal Shusterman
Caden's mind splits between reality and a fantastical sea voyage. A National Book Award winner about schizophrenia.
We Were Liars
E. Lockhart
A wealthy family, a private island, and a summer Cadence can't remember. Devastating twist ending.
When the Ground Is Hard
Malla Nunn
In 1960s Swaziland, two girls from different social classes form an unlikely friendship.
Dragon Hoops
Gene Luen Yang
A graphic novel memoir blending basketball, race, and identity in an Oakland high school. NYT bestseller.
The Lemon Tree
Sandy Tolan
True story of an Israeli and a Palestinian connected by the same house and lemon tree.
Maybe He Just Likes You
Barbara Dee
Mila deals with boys who won't stop touching her. A novel about boundaries, courage, and standing up for yourself.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
TJ Klune
A caseworker is sent to inspect an orphanage of magical children and discovers the meaning of family. Warm, healing fantasy.
In the Wild Light
Jeff Zentner
Cash's best friend discovers a project that could change medicine, but leaving Appalachia means leaving everything behind.
The Knife of Never Letting Go
Patrick Ness
In a world where everyone can hear each other's thoughts, Todd discovers a spot of silence. Dystopian sci-fi classic.
The Night Raven
Johan Rundberg
A gripping mystery set in the Moonwind world as a young detective tracks dark secrets.
Runt
Craig Silvey
Annie and her rescue dog Runt must win a dog show to save their farm. Warm, funny, and full of heart.
Wilderlore: The Accidental Apprentice
Amanda Foody
A boy accidentally bonds with a magical beast and must save the wilderness. An imaginative fantasy adventure.
Lessons from Our Ancestors
Raksha Dave
Ancient wisdom from cultures around the world, beautifully illustrated. Connecting past to present.
Finn Jones Was Here
Simon James Green
Finn navigates friendship, family, and figuring out who he is. A warm, funny coming-of-age novel.
Unstoppable Us
Yuval Noah Harari
The Sapiens author explains how humans conquered the world, written for young readers.
The Fourteenth Goldfish
Jennifer L. Holm
Ellie's grandfather discovers the secret to eternal youth and shows up as a teenager. Fun science-meets-growing-up story.
Heart of a Samurai
Margi Preus
Based on the true story of Manjiro, a Japanese boy shipwrecked and taken to America in 1841. Newbery Honor.
El Deafo
Cece Bell
A Newbery Honor graphic memoir about growing up deaf and finding your superpower.
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
Dusti Bowling
Aven was born without arms. At her new school, she discovers friendship and a mystery.
Evie and Rhino
Neridah McMullin
A girl and a one-horned rhino find strength in each other. Gentle and moving.
City of Ghosts
Victoria Schwab
Cassidy can pull back the Veil between the living and the dead. A spooky Edinburgh adventure.
The Good Thieves
Katherine Rundell
Vita assembles a crew of pickpockets and acrobats in 1920s New York to reclaim her grandfather's home.
Prisoners of Geography
Tim Marshall
Why the world works the way it does, explained through 12 simple maps. Geopolitics for young readers.
The Honest Truth
Dan Gemeinhart
Mark is dying and decides to run away to climb Mount Rainier with his dog. A moving story of courage and friendship.
City of Ember
Jeanne DuPrau
In an underground city running out of light, two kids race to find a way out. Classic dystopian adventure.
Max in the House of Spies
Adam Gidwitz
A boy hides in a WWII Berlin house that may be sheltering spies. Tense historical adventure.
When Stars Are Scattered
Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed
True story of two Somali brothers growing up in a refugee camp, told as a graphic novel. National Book Award finalist.
Out of My Mind
Sharon M. Draper
Melody has cerebral palsy and is the smartest kid in school, but no one knows it. A novel about the power of being seen.
Howl's Moving Castle
Diana Wynne Jones
Sophie is cursed into an old woman and moves into the wizard Howl's magical walking castle. Classic fantasy masterpiece.
How to Eat in Space
Marco Tepper
Fun facts about eating in space. A great non-fiction starter for young readers.
Mercy Watson to the Rescue
Kate DiCamillo
A toast-loving pig has hilarious adventures. Classic humor from a Newbery-winning author.
Sporty Kids: Basketball
Felice Arena
Kids discover the joy of sports. Short, fun sports stories.
Little Olympians: Zeus God of Thunder
A.I. Newton
Greek myths retold for young readers. Zeus and his thunderbolt adventures.
Franny K. Stein: Mad Scientist
Jim Benton
A young mad scientist tries to fit in at school. Funny and quirky chapter book.
Surfing in the Dark
Matt Formston
True story of a blind surfer who chases waves. About courage and determination.
Sona Sharma: Looking After Planet Earth
Chitra Soundar
Sona learns to care for the environment in India. A warm eco-story.
Flipflop
M. Loewen
A boy learns how recycled flip-flops help save the ocean.
Daisy Dreamer and the Totally True Imaginary Friend
Holly Anna
Daisy's imaginary friend might actually be real. An imaginative, heartwarming story.
Aven Green: Sleuthing Machine
Dusti Bowling
Young detective Aven solves neighborhood mysteries. Fun intro to kids' mystery.
The Alien Next Door: The New Kid
A.I. Newton
An alien kid tries to blend in at a new school. Fun sci-fi chapter book.
Free Kid to Good Home
Hiroshi Ito
A hilarious Japanese story about a kid who puts himself up for adoption.
The Very Best Doughnut
Randa Abdel-Fattah
A heartwarming story about sharing and community.
Sherlock Bones and the Case of the Crown Jewels
Tim Collins
A dog detective solves cases in London. Humorous animal mystery.
Pugly Solves a Crime
Pamela Butchart
A pug detective with a nose for trouble. Funny pet mystery.
Dinosaurs Before Dark
Mary Pope Osborne
Magic Tree House series opener - time travel to the dinosaur era. Classic kids' fantasy adventure.
The Magnificent Makers: How to Test a Friendship
Theanne Griffith
Science adventures that test friendship. Perfect blend of STEM and storytelling.
The Wolf Suit
Sid Sharp
A child uses imagination to feel brave. A story about overcoming fears.
Bad Kitty Gets a Bath
Nick Bruel
Bad Kitty does NOT want a bath. Hilarious chaos ensues. NYT bestselling series.
Dragon Masters: Rise of the Earth Dragon
Tracey West
A boy discovers he can connect with a dragon. Scholastic bestselling fantasy series.
The Naughtiest Unicorn and the School Disco
Pip Bird
A mischievous unicorn causes school disco mayhem. Non-stop laughs.
Ivy + Bean
Annie Barrows
Two very different girls become unlikely best friends. Classic friendship chapter book series.
The Last Firehawk: The Ember Stone
Katrina Charman
A young owl and friends search for a magical ember stone. Scholastic fantasy adventure series.
Stick & Fetch Investigate: The Wrong End of the Stick
Philip Ardagh
A stick insect and dog detective duo solve cases. Humorous animal mystery.
Wigglesbottom Primary: The Classroom Cat
Pamela Butchart
Chaos when a cat joins the classroom. Hilarious school story.
A to Z Mysteries: Detective Camp
Ron Roy
Kids solve mysteries at detective camp. Classic children's mystery series.
The One and Only Ivan
Katherine Applegate
A gorilla performing in a mall dreams of a better life. Newbery Medal winner.
Ninja Kid
Anh Do
A nerdy kid wakes up with ninja powers. Hilarious illustrated chapter book series.
Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Scarlet
Arthur Conan Doyle
The classic detective story retold for young readers. Holmes' very first case.
Weirdo
Anh Do
Being weird is the new cool. Laugh-out-loud school comedy.
The Secret of the Magic Pearl
various
An underwater adventure to find a magical pearl. Imaginative fantasy story.
Galaxy Jack: Hello Nebulon!
various
Space adventures with a young galactic explorer. Fun sci-fi chapter book.
Rex: Dinosaur in Disguise
Elys Dolan
A dinosaur tries to blend in at school. What could go wrong? Hilarious illustrated story.
Oliver's Great Big Universe
Jorge Cham
Oliver navigates the big feelings of being small in a huge universe. Warm growing-up story.
Secrets of Singapore: Changi Airport
various
Discover the secrets behind Singapore's famous Changi Airport. Local non-fiction.
The Boy Who Grew Dragons
Andy Shepherd
A boy discovers dragon fruit that grows real dragons. Fun fantasy adventure.
Dragon Storm: Kings and Treasures
Alastair Chisholm
More adventures with dragon riders in the land of Draconis.
The Secret Explorers and the Rainforest Rangers
SJ King
Kids explore and protect the rainforest. Science meets adventure.
Lola Levine Is Not Mean!
Monica Brown
Lola loves soccer and writing, but some kids think she's mean. A story about misunderstanding and friendship.
The Underdogs: Catch a Cat Burglar
Kate & Jol Temple
A team of dog detectives catches criminals. Funny animal mystery.
Brain Freeze
Tom Fletcher
A magical snow globe causes chaos in a small town. Imaginative and funny.
Game Day!
Patty Mills
NBA star Patty Mills' story of sports and determination. Inspiring sports read.
Too Small Tola
Atinuke
Tola may be small but she's mighty. Warm stories from Lagos, Nigeria.
Rescuing Titanic
Flora Delargy
The true story of bravery during the Titanic disaster, told for young readers.
Zanzibar
Catharina Valckx
A quirky adventure on the island of Zanzibar.
Marvellous Mammals
Debby Ng & Darel Seow
Amazing facts about mammals from A to Z. By Singapore authors.
Real Pigeons Fight Crime
Andrew McDonald
Pigeons are secretly crime-fighting superheroes. Seriously. Non-stop laughs.
Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test
Christina Soontornvat
A girl discovers her magical abilities on a mysterious island. Exciting fantasy adventure.
Rosie Revere and the Raucous Riveters
Andrea Beaty
Rosie the engineer helps a group of riveters solve problems. Perfect STEM storytelling.
Daisy and the Trouble with Space
Kes Gray
Daisy's school trip to the planetarium goes hilariously wrong. Light, fun school story.
Inside Out & Back Again
Thanhha Lai
A Vietnamese girl's journey to America as a refugee. Newbery Honor verse novel.
Foxlight
Katya Balen
A lyrical story about a girl, a fox, and finding light after loss.
The Boy at the Back of the Class
Onjali Q. Rauf
A refugee boy joins a school and his classmates hatch a plan to help him. Warm school story.
Kid Normal
Greg James & Chris Smith
The only kid without superpowers at a school for heroes. Hilarious adventure.
Space Case
Stuart Gibbs
Moon Base Alpha's first murder mystery. Sci-fi meets whodunit.
Bronze and Sunflower
Cao Wenxuan
A city girl and a mute boy form a deep bond in rural China. Award-winning Chinese literature.
Because of Winn-Dixie
Kate DiCamillo
A girl and a scruffy dog bring a small town together. Newbery Honor.
The Bubble Boy
Stewart Foster
A boy who lives in a hospital bubble dreams of the outside world. Deeply moving.
Wolf Girl: Into the Wild
Anh Do
A girl survives in the wilderness with a pack of dingoes. Thrilling survival adventure.
The Last Musketeer
Stuart Gibbs
A boy travels back in time to 17th century France to join the Musketeers.
The 13-Storey Treehouse
Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
An insane treehouse with a bowling alley, shark tank, and more. Non-stop laughs.
Belly Up
Stuart Gibbs
A hippo dies at FunJungle zoo and a kid suspects foul play. Zoo mystery.
Spaceboy
David Walliams
A boy crash-lands on Earth during the Space Race era. Hilarious space adventure.
Operation Frog Effect
Sarah Scheerger
A class project about kindness creates unexpected ripple effects.
Brother's Keeper
Julie Lee
Two siblings flee North Korea during the Korean War. Tense historical fiction.
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe
Carlos Hernandez
Sal can pull things from other dimensions. Chaos and hilarity follow.
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
Chris Grabenstein
Kids trapped in a high-tech library must solve puzzles to escape.
Pax
Sara Pennypacker
A boy and his fox are separated by war. A powerful story of love and loyalty.
The Tale of Despereaux
Kate DiCamillo
A brave little mouse, a princess, and a quest. Newbery Medal winner.
The Many Meanings of Meilan
Andrea Wang
Meilan moves from Boston to her Chinese grandmother's town and navigates identity.
Kensy and Max: Disappearing Act
Jacqueline Harvey
Twin spies on their first mission. Action-packed adventure.
The World's Worst Children
David Walliams
Deliciously naughty stories about the world's most badly behaved kids.
Keeper of the Lost Cities
Shannon Messenger
Sophie discovers she's an elf with special abilities. Epic fantasy series opener.
The Lost Whale
Hannah Gold
A boy connects with a whale in the wild and fights to protect it.
Billionaire Boy
David Walliams
The richest boy in the world discovers money can't buy friends. Funny and warm.
Wonder
R.J. Palacio
Auggie was born with facial differences. His first year at school changes everyone. A modern classic.
The Letter with the Golden Stamp
Onjali Q. Rauf
A heartwarming story about kindness and connection across borders.
When the Sea Turned to Silver
Grace Lin
A girl journeys through Chinese mythology to save her grandmother. Newbery Honor.
Murder Most Unladylike
Robin Stevens
Two schoolgirls start a detective agency and investigate a real murder at their 1930s boarding school.
The Mona Lisa Vanishes
Nicholas Day
The true story of the most famous art theft in history. Gripping non-fiction.
Rover's Story
Jasmine Warga
A Mars rover develops feelings and a sense of purpose. Heartwarming sci-fi.
Flunked
Jen Calonita
Fairy Tale Reform School -- where villains learn to be good. Fun and imaginative.
We Are Wolves
Katrina Nannestad
Three children survive alone in a WWII forest after losing their mother. Powerful historical fiction.
Other Words for Home
Jasmine Warga
Jude and her mother flee Syria to America. A verse novel about finding belonging.
What Elephants Know
Eric Dinerstein
A boy raised by elephants in Nepal must fight to protect the jungle he calls home.
The Wild Robot
Peter Brown
Robot Roz is stranded on a wild island and must learn to survive among animals. Newbery Honor.
Maizy Chen's Last Chance
Lisa Yee
Maizy visits her Chinese grandmother's restaurant and uncovers family secrets. National Book Award finalist.
The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks
Katie Kirby
Lottie's diary of social disasters. Hilarious illustrated journal format.
The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell
Chris Colfer
Twins fall into a book of fairy tales and must find their way home. Epic fantasy adventure.
City Spies
James Ponti
Five kids recruited as spies by MI6. Fast-paced international thriller.
The War That Saved My Life
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Ada escapes her abusive mother during the WWII London evacuation and discovers freedom. Newbery Honor.
October October
Katya Balen
October lives wild in the woods with her dad until an accident changes everything. Carnegie Medal.
Spy School
Stuart Gibbs
Ben is recruited to spy school but discovers a mole inside. Funny and suspenseful.
Stuntboy in the Meantime
Jason Reynolds
Portico lives in a building full of quirky neighbors and secretly believes he's a superhero.
Allies
Alan Gratz
Multiple perspectives from D-Day, 1944. Intense WWII historical fiction.
Born Behind Bars
Padma Venkatraman
A boy born in an Indian prison must survive on the outside for the first time.
Because of Mr. Terupt
Rob Buyea
Seven kids' lives change when a new teacher arrives. Then something terrible happens.
The Final Year
Matt Goodfellow
A boy's final year of primary school amid family struggles. Raw and honest.
Masterminds
Gordon Korman
Kids in a perfect town discover their whole lives are a lie. Thrilling conspiracy.
New From Here
Kelly Yang
A Chinese-American family navigates COVID-era discrimination. Based on Kelly Yang's real experiences.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou's landmark autobiography of her childhood in rural Arkansas through racism, trauma, and the discovery of her own voice. One of the most important memoirs in American literature.
West with the Night
Beryl Markham
Beryl Markham grew up in Kenya, trained racehorses, and became the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic east to west. A memoir that reads like a novel.
Stay True
Hua Hsu
Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir about friendship, identity, and loss. Hua Hsu writes about his best friend Ken, murdered in a carjacking in 1998.
Persepolis
Marjane Satrapi
Marjane Satrapi's graphic memoir of growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Funny, heartbreaking, and politically sharp — told in black-and-white panels.
Shoe Dog
Phil Knight
The founder of Nike tells the story of building one of the world's most iconic brands from a $50 loan. Part business memoir, part coming-of-age story.
Babel
R.F. Kuang
Robin is brought from Canton to Oxford to study translation and discovers the British Empire runs on magic powered by gaps between languages. Fantasy and devastating critique of colonialism.
The White Tiger
Aravind Adiga
Balram writes a letter to the Chinese Premier explaining how he murdered his employer and became an entrepreneur. Man Booker Prize winner — darkly comic and savage.
Demon Copperhead
Barbara Kingsolver
A modern retelling of David Copperfield set in opioid-ravaged Appalachia. Pulitzer Prize winner — funny, furious, and heartbreaking.
Girl, Woman, Other
Bernardine Evaristo
Twelve characters — mostly Black British women — whose lives intersect across decades. Joint Booker Prize winner with a form that breaks every rule.
Accountable
Dashka Slater
True story of a racist social media account at a California high school and the teenagers who exposed it. Essential reading on digital ethics and accountability.
Piranesi
Susanna Clarke
Piranesi lives in a House with infinite halls full of statues and tides. He suspects his world is not what it seems. A philosophical novel about knowledge, wonder, and invisible prisons.
The Ministry of Time
Kaliane Bradley
The British government develops time travel and brings historical figures to the present. A civil servant helps a Victorian explorer adjust to modern life. Love story, spy thriller, and meditation on empire.
Little Eyes
Samanta Schweblin
In a near-future world, people buy networked toy animals. A cute premise becomes a deeply unsettling exploration of surveillance, intimacy, and control.
The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories
Ken Liu
Ken Liu's debut collection spans sci-fi, fantasy, and historical fiction. The title story won the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards simultaneously.
Harvest
Manjula Padmanabhan
In a dystopian future, a family sells organ rights to a wealthy Western buyer. A play about globalisation and bodily autonomy — written in 1997, more relevant every year.
The Culture Map
Erin Meyer
How do you give feedback to a Dutch vs Japanese colleague? Erin Meyer maps cultural differences across eight dimensions. Essential for students entering international environments.
Doughnut Economics
Kate Raworth
Kate Raworth argues economics should aim for a sweet spot between human needs and planetary boundaries — shaped like a doughnut. Influenced policymakers worldwide.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Rebecca Skloot
Henrietta Lacks' cancer cells were taken without consent and became one of medicine's most important tools. Her family didn't know for decades. A book about race, science, and ethics.
The Price of Life
Jenny Kleeman
What is a human life worth? Jenny Kleeman investigates industries that price existence — from life insurance algorithms to organ markets to the business of death.
Love Triangle
Matt Parker
Matt Parker proves trigonometry is everywhere — in music, architecture, GPS, even guitar shapes. A joyful book proving maths is far more interesting than textbooks suggest.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Milan Kundera
Four characters navigate love, politics, and philosophy in the shadow of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. One of the great European novels of the 20th century.
Call Me by Your Name
Andre Aciman
Elio, seventeen, falls in love with Oliver, a graduate student staying at his family's Italian villa for the summer. A novel about desire, identity, and the memory of a single season.
Boy Swallows Universe
Trent Dalton
Eli grows up in 1980s Brisbane with a heroin-dealing stepfather, a mother in prison, and a mute brother who writes messages in the air. One of the best Australian novels in decades.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Neil Gaiman
A man returns to his childhood home and remembers three women who might be goddesses and the terrifying events of his seventh year. A dark fairy tale about memory and childhood.
The Wind Knows My Name
Isabel Allende
Two displacement stories across eighty years: a Jewish boy in 1938 Vienna and a Salvadoran girl at the US-Mexico border in 2019. War, music, and migration woven into enduring love.
Not sure which books match your child's English level?
Our free assessment identifies their exact CEFR level—from A1 to C1—in just 30 minutes.
Take the Free Assessment