Key Stage 3
Year 8 reading list
28 books. The novels, plays and poetry most often taught in secondary English in this year.
Core
16 books
The books most schools teach in this year. A good place to start.
Noughts & CrossesMalorie Blackman
Stone ColdRobert Swindells
The OutsidersS. E. Hinton
The GiverLois Lowry
FaceBenjamin Zephaniah
HeroesRobert Cormier
Chinese CinderellaAdeline Yen Mah
I Am Malala (Young Readers Edition)Malala Yousafzai
The Hunger GamesSuzanne Collins
Maggot MoonSally Gardner
The Garbage KingElizabeth Laird
RefugeeAlan Gratz
StormbreakerAnthony Horowitz
I Am DavidAnne Holm
The WaveTodd Strasser
BuddyNigel Hinton
Stretch
9 books
A step up in length or difficulty, for a confident reader.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TimeMark Haddon
Coram BoyJamila Gavin
Mortal EnginesPhilip Reeve
The Hound of the BaskervillesArthur Conan Doyle
Romeo and JulietWilliam Shakespeare
Twelfth NightWilliam Shakespeare
The Other Side of TruthBeverley Naidoo
The Ruby in the SmokePhilip Pullman
Uncle Montague's Tales of TerrorChris Priestley
Challenge
3 books
Demanding books for a strong reader who wants a real challenge.