book review year 3

• Primary Hub
• Art & Design
• Design & Technology
• Health & Wellbeing
• Secondary Hub
• Citizenship
• Primary CPD
• Secondary CPD
• Book Awards
• All Products
• Primary Products
• Secondary Products
• School Trips
• Trip Directory
• Trips by Subject
• Trips by Type
• Trips by Region
• Submit a Trip Venue

Trending stories

Top results

• Book Review Templates Ks1 Ks2

Book review template – Free printable resources for KS1 & KS2

Think Fantastic Mr Fox is, well, fantastic? Wish Gangsta Granny could be retired? Help children express their views on fiction and non-fiction alike with these book review templates, worksheets and resources…

A book review is a great way for children to learn to communicate their thoughts and ideas about books they read. These book review template resources will help make students’ reviews the best they can possibly be.

You shouldn’t require children to write a book review every time they finish a book (this can be seen as punishing them for reading ). However, these templates will make it easy for children to write their review in a succinct and structured way.

Why not keep the book reviews in your classroom reading corner or library to help children choose a book based on their peers’ recommendations?

Free book review templates

How to write a book review, alternatives to writing book reviews.

Writing book reviews enables pupils to offer opinions based on first-hand experiences. This free download, most suitable for KS1, contains three separate book review templates to choose from.

Use these free ‘My Favourite Book’ review worksheets to encourage children to talk about and recommend their favourite book to others. At the same time they’ll be improving their language and writing skills.

With this adaptable resource you can choose how many worksheets you use. Use only the first page to create a brief overview of a book. Alternatively, extend the activity by looking at character descriptions and developing higher-order thinking.

Book review templates from Plazoom

Create a love of reading in your school by using this set of fantastic free book review templates from literacy resources website Plazoom.

There are three templates in all – suitable for KS1, LKS2 and UKS2. Use them to create a class or school collection of book reviews. This will encourage discussion about book choices and help pupils develop a love of reading.

Also included is a ‘Fantastic Reads!’ bookmark. Students can write on these and place them inside books on display in your classroom or school library. This will highlight books to pupils that are recommended by their peers and create a real buzz around reading in your school.

Reading comprehension worksheet pack

These reading comprehension worksheets from Oxford University Press help pupils to track the plot of whatever book they’re reading and take note of new vocabulary. They can also note down characters’ emotions, attributes and relationships.

Use the free worksheets to:

• create a ‘fact file’ of a book’s characters
• write a book review
• chart conflict in a story
• plus lots more

Five-word review

This five-word format is perfect for KS1 but you can also use it to encourage book cover creativity in KS2. 

One-page template

One for younger students, this nifty one-page review template asks children to fill in the key information, recap the plot and talk about what they liked and disliked. They can tick whether the reading difficulty was too easy, hard or just right.

Plus, they can draw the main character and say whether they would recommend the book to others.

Book report framework

On the other end of the scale, this seven-page PDF framework helps children go into greater detail with their review. It asks about things like setting, tone, who the protagonist is, and personal things like why the child chose this book.

It also asks questions like ‘How did the story make you feel?’. Would children read other books by this author?

For a handy and concise list of things to consider when writing a book review, check out this BookTrust post . In it, author Luisa Plaja offers her top tips for how to write a brilliant review of the latest book you read – whether you liked it or not.

• Offer more opportunities for peer-to-peer recommendations , including book talk sessions. These should be child-led and allow for spontaneous recommendations.
• Help your class to create their own book trailers – these are short, animated adverts designed to encourage people to read a certain book.
• Write book reviews but give them a purpose by publishing them in your school newsletter , or similar.
• Try filming each other giving book reviews and share them with other classes in school.
• Make a ‘Book Talk’ wall in your classroom and add pictures of authors, ‘wow’ words and reviews so that anyone who’s stuck for what to read next can easily find some ideas.

Sign up to our newsletter

You'll also receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Which sectors are you interested in?

Early Years

Thank you for signing up to our emails!

You might also be interested in...

Why join Teachwire?

Get what you need to become a better teacher with unlimited access to exclusive free classroom resources and expert CPD downloads.

Exclusive classroom resource downloads

Free worksheets and lesson plans

CPD downloads, written by experts

Resource packs to supercharge your planning

Special web-only magazine editions

Educational podcasts & resources

Access to free literacy webinars

Newsletters and offers

Create free account

By signing up you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Already have an account? Log in here

Thanks, you're almost there

To help us show you teaching resources, downloads and more you’ll love, complete your profile below.

Welcome to Teachwire!

Set up your account.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Commodi nulla quos inventore beatae tenetur.

I would like to receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Log in to Teachwire

Not registered with Teachwire? Sign up for free

Reset Password

Remembered your password? Login here

• International
• Schools directory
• Resources Jobs Schools directory News Search

Book review template

Subject: English

Age range: 5-7

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

24 June 2016

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

Creative Commons "Sharealike"

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

Lovely resource, though the 'for boys' 'for girls' in the interests is outdated. Easy to edit however.

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

claires2301

Fab differentiated and clear resource, thanks for sharing!

katiesmith91

Lovely differentiated book reviews. Thank you! I love forward to giving these to my children to review the books they have been reading.

MissLTeacher

Amazing differentiated resource, thank you for sharing! Perfect for use tomorrow for World Book Day.

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource:

Book Review Writing Examples

Examples: learn from the efforts of others.

Learning how to write strong reviews takes time and not a little effort. Reading the reviews others have done can help you get a feel for the flow and flavor of reviews.

If I Never Forever Endeavor Review by Hayden, age 4, Southeast Michigan Mensa

This book was about a bird who didn't yet know how to fly.

The bird has to decide if it will try to fly, but it was not sure if it wants to. The bird thought, "If I never forever endeavor" then I won't ever learn. On one wing, he worries he might fail and on the other wing he thinks of how he may succeed. He worries that if he tries, he may get lost in the world. That makes him want to stay in his nest where he's safe.

I think this book would help other children to learn that trying new things can be scary, but sometimes when we try, we can find things that make us happy too. And this book will help others know that mistakes are okay and part of learning.

My favorite part is that the bird tried and learned that she could fly. I also liked that I read this book because it gave me a chance to talk to mom about making mistakes and how I don't like making them. Then I learned they are good and part of learning.

Boys and girls who are 3 to 8 years old would like this book because it teaches about trying a new thing and how it's important to get past being scared so you can learn new things.

I give the book 5 stars since I think it's important for other children to learn about courage.

Flesh & Blood So Cheap Review by Umar B., age 8, Central New Jersy Mensa

I liked this book. People who are interested in national disasters and US history as well as immigration will most probably be interested in reading this book.

Readers can gain knowledge of what it was like to work in New York City in the early 1900s. One of the things that was especially interesting was that there were no safety laws at work. Also, there was a big contrast between the rich and the poor. Some people may not like this book because it is very depressing, but it is an important event in history to remember.

This book was very well written. It has black and white photos along with descriptions of the photos. These photos give us a better idea of what people's lives were like. This book is suitable for 9-20 year olds.

I give this book 5 stars.

Galaxy Zach: Journey to Juno Review by Young Mensan Connor C., age 6, Boston Mensa

Journey To Juno is the second book of the Galaxy Zack series. It is just as good as the first one. It's awesome!

Zack joins the Sprockets Academy Explorers Club at school. They fly on a special trip to Juno, a new planet no one has ever visited. Zack gets paired up with Seth, the class bully, and that's dreadful but Zack is excited when he finds a huge galaxy gemmite. A gemmite that large had not been found in 100 years! Kids will love this book!

Boys and girls will both like it. It's an easy chapter book with pictures on every page. I love the illustrations. I think ages 6-8 would like this but younger kids would like the story being read to them.

My favorite parts are the galactic blast game (it is similar to baseball except there are robots playing), recess at Zack's school where everything is 3-D holographic images, the rainbow river in a crystal cave on Juno, and the galaxy gemmite that Zack finds on Juno. I also loved when a life-size holographic image of his Earth friend appears in Zack's room because he calls him on a hyperphone. I give this book one hundred stars! There is a "to be continued" at the end so you have to read the next book see what's in store. I can't wait to find out what happens!!!

I Capture the Castle Review by Lauren W., age 17, Mensa in Georgia

Dodie Smith's novel I Capture the Castle is a journey through the mind of a young writer as she attempts to chronicle her daily life. Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain has recently learned to speed-write, and she decides to work on her writing skills by describing the actions and conversations of those around her.

Cassandra lives in a fourteenth-century English castle with an interesting cast of characters: her beautiful older sister, Rose; her rather unsociable author father and his second wife, artist-model Topaz; Stephen, the garden boy; a cat and a bull terrier; and sometimes her brother Thomas when he is home from school. One fateful day they make the acquaintance of the Cotton family, including the two sons, and a web of tangled relationships ensues.

While I definitely recommend this book to other readers, I would recommend it to older teenagers, mainly because it will resonate better with them. The writing is tame enough that younger teens could also read it, but most of the characters are adults or on the verge of adulthood. Older readers would take the most from it since they can not only relate, but they may also better pick up on and appreciate Cassandra's sometimes subtle humor.

Over the course of the novel, Cassandra undergoes a definite transformation from child to mature young adult, even though it's only over the course of several months. I love that I could see into her mindset and read exactly what she was feeling when she thought out situations. Her thoughts flowed well and moved the book along very quickly.

Cassandra's narrative voice is wonderful. She is serious at times, but also very witty, which makes for an engaging read. It feels absolutely real, as though I'm reading someone's actual journal. Sometimes I forget that I am reading a story and not a real-life account. Her emotions and the dialogue are so genuine, and they are spot-on for a seventeen-year-old girl in her situation.

Cassandra has many wonderful insights on life, on topics ranging from writing to faith to matters of the heart. I personally have had some of the same thoughts as Cassandra, except Ms. Smith was able to put them into words.

Capture the Castle should be essential reading for aspiring writers, those looking for historical fiction or romance, or anyone who loves reading amazing classic books. Dodie Smith is an exceptional writer, and I Capture the Castle is a book that will never become obsolete.

Frankenstein's Cat Review by Zander H., age 12, Mid-America Mensa

I appreciated Frankenstein's Cat for its fascinating explanation about the often baffling subject of bioengineering and its sister sciences. Emily Anthes explains the many sides of today's modern technology, such as gene modification, cloning, pharmaceutical products (from the farm), prosthesis, animal tag and tracking and gene cryogenics. This book provides a well-rounded summary of these complicated sciences without being boring or simply factual. Her real world examples take us on a journey from the farm, to the pet store and then from the pharmacy to the frozen arc.

Have you ever wondered if the neighborhood cat is spying on you? Read about Operation Acoustic Kitty and find out if this feline fantasy fiction or fact. Do you think bugs are creepy? What about a zombified cyborg beetle? Is Fido so special that you want two of him? Money can buy you an almost exact copy of your pooch BUT don't expect the same personality. Emily Anthes makes you crave more information. She makes you want to know the future of Earth's flora and fauna, as well as humanity itself.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who desires a guide to the future of biological science and technology. Frankenstein's Cat is best read by the light of a glow-in-the-dark fish, while cuddling your favorite cloned dog and drinking a glass of genetically modified milk.

About Marsupials Review by Connor C., age 6, Boston Mensa

About Marsupials is the title so the book is about...marsupials, of course. It's non-fiction. I really think everyone would like the book. I think someone who likes animals would especially like to read it.

The glossary of facts in the back of About Marsupials is the most useful part. I thought the most interesting parts were that some marsupials have their pouch at their back legs and one marsupial, the Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, is very small but can jump 13 feet wide!

Kids in the 4-8 age range would like this book. Even though it's not a story book, 4 year olds would like the few words on each page and they would love the beautiful pictures. But older kids would like it because of all the facts in the back of the book. There's a lot of information for each animal. I think boys and girls (and parents) would enjoy reading it. This book is very interesting. I give it 4 stars.

Mapping the World Review by Umar A., age 10, Central New Jersey Mensa

Every day, people around the world use maps. Whether it is an airplane pilot or businessman, housewife or museum group, maps have always and will continue to provide useful information for all.

Mapping the World talks about the uses of maps, as well as how to differentiate between the type of map projection and type of map.

In this series, we travel to the past and learn about historical mapmakers, from Claudius Ptolemy (who stated the idea that the Earth is at the center of the universe) to Gerardus Mercator (who created one of the most widely used map projections) and more. This series goes into tremendous detail on the cartographer's life and maps. We then journey to the present era to learn about map projections and the diverse types of maps used today. You might ask, "What is the difference between the two? They sound the same to me." No map projection is perfect, because you cannot really flatten a sphere into a rectangle. An uncolored projection could be used in many ways. We could use it for population concentration, highways, land elevation, and so many other things!

For example, we could make a topographic map of the U.S., which shows land elevation. We could make it a colorful map that shows the amount of pollution in different areas, or it could be a population map, or it could even be a map that shows the 50 states, their capitals and borders! Our last step in this amazing excursion is the near future, where we see some hypothetical solutions as to what maps will be used for. Currently, we are working on better virtual map technology.

Now, scientists have been able to put maps on phones. Back in the early 1900s, people had to lug a lot of maps around to find your way from place to place, or just keep asking for directions. Now, all the information is on a phone or global positioning system (GPS). It is amazing how much maps have changed technology and the world in this century.

The Mapping the World 8-book set goes into amazing levels of detail. It is a long read, but it gives an immense range and amount of information that you would not find in any other book or series on maps. The flowing way the chapters and books are organized makes it easy to link passages from different books in this series together. Mapping the World is a treasure box, filled with the seeds of cartography. Collect and plant them, and you soon will have the fruits of cartography, beneficial to those who want to be cartographers. Use this series to the utmost, then the fruits of mapping will be sweet for all who endeavor to succeed in cartography.

This series of lessons was designed to meet the needs of gifted children for extension beyond the standard curriculum with the greatest ease of use for the educator. The lessons may be given to the students for individual self-guided work, or they may be taught in a classroom or a home-school setting. Assessment strategies and rubrics are included at the end of each section. The rubrics often include a column for "scholar points," which are invitations for students to extend their efforts beyond that which is required, incorporating creativity or higher level technical skills.

For Year 1 to Year 6:

• Spelling Games *

For some year groups:

• English * Year 3
• Spanish Vocabulary *
• French Vocabulary *

*First two weeks free

Year 3 Authors and Letters (and Biographies and Book Reviews)

Summer 2 - weeks 5 and 6.

How to Write a Book Review: The Ultimate Guide

WHAT IS A BOOK REVIEW?

Traditionally, book reviews are evaluations of a recently published book in any genre. Usually, around the 500 to 700-word mark, they briefly describe a text’s main elements while appraising the work’s strengths and weaknesses. Published book reviews can appear in newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. They provide the reader with an overview of the book itself and indicate whether or not the reviewer would recommend the book to the reader.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A BOOK REVIEW?

There was a time when book reviews were a regular appearance in every quality newspaper and many periodicals. They were essential elements in whether or not a book would sell well. A review from a heavyweight critic could often be the deciding factor in whether a book became a bestseller or a damp squib. In the last few decades, however, the book review’s influence has waned considerably, with many potential book buyers preferring to consult customer reviews on Amazon, or sites like Goodreads, before buying. As a result, book review’s appearance in newspapers, journals, and digital media has become less frequent.

WHY BOTHER TEACHING STUDENTS TO WRITE BOOK REVIEWS AT ALL?

Even in the heyday of the book review’s influence, few students who learned the craft of writing a book review became literary critics! The real value of crafting a well-written book review for a student does not lie in their ability to impact book sales. Understanding how to produce a well-written book review helps students to:

●     Engage critically with a text

●     Critically evaluate a text

●     Respond personally to a range of different writing genres

●     Improve their own reading, writing, and thinking skills.

Not to Be Confused with a Book Report!

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BOOK REVIEW AND A BOOK REPORT?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there are clear differences in both the purpose and the format of the two genres. Generally speaking, book reports aim to give a more detailed outline of what occurs in a book. A book report on a work of fiction will tend to give a comprehensive account of the characters, major plot lines, and themes in the book. Book reports are usually written around the K-12 age range, while book reviews tend not to be undertaken by those at the younger end of this age range due to the need for the higher-level critical skills required in writing them. At their highest expression, book reviews are written at the college level and by professional critics.

Learn how to write a book review step by step with our complete guide for students and teachers by familiarizing yourself with the structure and features.

BOOK REVIEW STRUCTURE

ANALYZE Evaluate the book with a critical mind.

THOROUGHNESS The whole is greater than the sum of all its parts. Review the book as a WHOLE.

COMPARE Where appropriate compare to similar texts and genres.

THUMBS UP OR DOWN? You are going to have to inevitably recommend or reject this book to potential readers.

BE CONSISTENT Take a stance and stick with it throughout your review.

FEATURES OF A BOOK REVIEW

PAST TENSE You are writing about a book you have already read.

EMOTIVE LANGUAGE Whatever your stance or opinion be passionate about it. Your audience will thank you for it.

VOICE Both active and passive voice are used in recounts.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF TEXTS

⭐ Make  MOVIES A MEANINGFUL PART OF YOUR CURRICULUM  with this engaging collection of tasks and tools your students will love. ⭐ All the hard work is done for you with  NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.

This collection of  21 INDEPENDENT TASKS  and  GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS  takes students beyond the hype, special effects and trailers to look at visual literacy from several perspectives offering DEEP LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES by watching a  SERIES, DOCUMENTARY, FILM, and even  VIDEO GAMES.

ELEMENTS OF A BOOK REVIEW

As with any of the writing genres we teach our students, a book review can be helpfully explained in terms of criteria. While there is much to the ‘art’ of writing, there is also, thankfully, a lot of the nuts and bolts that can be listed too. Have students consider the following elements before writing:

●     Title: Often, the title of the book review will correspond to the title of the text itself, but there may also be some examination of the title’s relevance. How does it fit into the purpose of the work as a whole? Does it convey a message or reveal larger themes explored within the work?

●     Author: Within the book review, there may be some discussion of who the author is and what they have written before, especially if it relates to the current work being reviewed. There may be some mention of the author’s style and what they are best known for. If the author has received any awards or prizes, this may also be mentioned within the body of the review.

●     Genre: A book review will identify the genre that the book belongs to, whether fiction or nonfiction, poetry, romance, science-fiction, history etc. The genre will likely tie in, too with who the intended audience for the book is and what the overall purpose of the work is.

●     Book Jacket / Cover: Often, a book’s cover will contain artwork that is worthy of comment. It may contain interesting details related to the text that contribute to, or detract from, the work as a whole.

●     Structure: The book’s structure will often be heavily informed by its genre. Have students examine how the book is organized before writing their review. Does it contain a preface from a guest editor, for example? Is it written in sections or chapters? Does it have a table of contents, index, glossary etc.? While all these details may not make it into the review itself, looking at how the book is structured may reveal some interesting aspects.

●     Publisher and Price: A book review will usually contain details of who publishes the book and its cost. A review will often provide details of where the book is available too.

BOOK REVIEW KEY ELEMENTS

As students read and engage with the work they will review, they will develop a sense of the shape their review will take. This will begin with the summary. Encourage students to take notes during the reading of the work that will help them in writing the summary that will form an essential part of their review. Aspects of the book they may wish to take notes on in a work of fiction may include:

●     Characters: Who are the main characters? What are their motivations? Are they convincingly drawn? Or are they empathetic characters?

●     Themes: What are the main themes of the work? Are there recurring motifs in the work? Is the exploration of the themes deep or surface only?

●     Style: What are the key aspects of the writer’s style? How does it fit into the wider literary world?

●     Plot: What is the story’s main catalyst? What happens in the rising action? What are the story’s subplots? 

A book review will generally begin with a short summary of the work itself. However, it is important not to give too much away, remind students – no spoilers, please! For nonfiction works, this may be a summary of the main arguments of the work, again, without giving too much detail away. In a work of fiction, a book review will often summarise up to the rising action of the piece without going beyond to reveal too much!

The summary should also provide some orientation for the reader. Given the nature of the purpose of a review, it is important that students’ consider their intended audience in the writing of their review. Readers will most likely not have read the book in question and will require some orientation. This is often achieved through introductions to the main characters, themes, primary arguments etc. This will help the reader to gauge whether or not the book is of interest to them.

Once your student has summarized the work, it is time to ‘review’ in earnest. At this point, the student should begin to detail their own opinion of the book. To do this well they should:

i. Make It Personal

Often when teaching essay writing we will talk to our students about the importance of climbing up and down the ladder of abstraction. Just as it is helpful to explore large, more abstract concepts in an essay by bringing it down to Earth, in a book review, it is important that students can relate the characters, themes, ideas etc to their own lives.

Book reviews are meant to be subjective. They are opinion pieces, and opinions grow out of our experiences of life. Encourage students to link the work they are writing about to their own personal life within the body of the review. By making this personal connection to the work, students contextualize their opinions for the readers and help them to understand whether the book will be of interest to them or not in the process.

ii. Make It Universal

Just as it is important to climb down the ladder of abstraction to show how the work relates to individual life, it is important to climb upwards on the ladder too. Students should endeavor to show how the ideas explored in the book relate to the wider world. The may be in the form of the universality of the underlying themes in a work of fiction or, for example, the international implications for arguments expressed in a work of nonfiction.

iii. Support Opinions with Evidence

A book review is a subjective piece of writing by its very nature. However, just because it is subjective does not mean that opinions do not need to be justified. Make sure students understand how to back up their opinions with various forms of evidence, for example, quotations, statistics, and the use of primary and secondary sources.

EDIT AND REVISE YOUR BOOK REVIEW

As with any writing genre, encourage students to polish things up with review and revision at the end. Encourage them to proofread and check for accurate spelling throughout, with particular attention to the author’s name, character names, publisher etc. 

It is good practice too for students to double-check their use of evidence. Are statements supported? Are the statistics used correctly? Are the quotations from the text accurate? Mistakes such as these uncorrected can do great damage to the value of a book review as they can undermine the reader’s confidence in the writer’s judgement.

The discipline of writing book reviews offers students opportunities to develop their writing skills and exercise their critical faculties. Book reviews can be valuable standalone activities or serve as a part of a series of activities engaging with a central text. They can also serve as an effective springboard into later discussion work based on the ideas and issues explored in a particular book. Though the book review does not hold the sway it once did in the mind’s of the reading public, it still serves as an effective teaching tool in our classrooms today.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BOOK REVIEW GRAPHIC ORGANIZER (TEMPLATE)

101 DIGITAL & PRINT GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR ALL CURRICULUM AREAS

Introduce your students to 21st-century learning with this GROWING BUNDLE OF 101 EDITABLE & PRINTABLE GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS. ✌ NO PREP REQUIRED!!! ✌ Go paperless, and let your students express their knowledge and creativity through the power of technology and collaboration inside and outside the classroom with ease.

Whilst you don’t have to have a 1:1 or BYOD classroom to benefit from this bundle, it has been purpose-built to deliver through platforms such as ✔ GOOGLE CLASSROOM, ✔ OFFICE 365, ✔ or any CLOUD-BASED LEARNING PLATFORM.

Book and Movie review writing examples (Student Writing Samples)

Below are a collection of student writing samples of book reviews.  Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail.  Please take a moment to both read the movie or book review in detail but also the teacher and student guides which highlight some of the key elements of writing a text review

Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of book review writing.

We would recommend reading the example either a year above and below, as well as the grade you are currently working with to gain a broader appreciation of this text type .

BOOK REVIEW VIDEO TUTORIALS

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO BOOK REVIEWS

Transactional Writing

How to write a text response

How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay

How to Write Excellent Expository Essays

School Reading List

Recommended reading books for primary & secondary aged children in the UK

Home » Reading lists for KS2 school pupils » Year 3 recommended reading list for children aged 7-8

Year 3 recommended reading list for children aged 7-8

Books for Year 3 . The following list, compiled by highly experienced and qualified teachers and librarians with extensive understanding of children’s literature, includes over 40 short chapter books as well as more advanced picture book titles. The broad selection of books on our Year 3 reading list below has been tested by students and educators to ensure that they will appeal to children aged 7-8.

This diverse selection caters to different ability levels in this age group and includes books for both hesitant and independent readers. All of our hand-picked lists include books that will appeal to a wide range of interests and scenarios, such as classroom reading corners, school libraries, book clubs, learning at home, reading buddies and newly independent readers. This list of Year 3 books is reviewed termly and includes stories by Lara Hawthorne, John Steptoe, Liz Flanagan, Roald Dahl, Zanib Mian, Dick King-Smith, Derek Keilty, Jon Scieszka, Andy Shepherd, Helen Cresswell and many more.

Books for Year 3 – our recommendations

Wildsmith: into the dark forest by liz flanagan, illustrated by joe todd-stanton.

When war forces Rowan and her mother to escape their city home and seek refuge in the Dark Forest, little can she imagine the incredible new life with her Grandpa and his white wolf Arlo that will follow. Can she help to save baby dragons from dangerous poachers? With magic, excitement, adventure and a page-turning plot, this engrossing adventure will spark every child’s imagination.

Kate on the Case by Hannah Peck

Kate, a wannabe journalist, and her mouse companion Rupert set out to find out who is behind a sequence of bizarre happenings aboard a train. Can they find the thief before the train reaches the Arctic? This fast-paced, illustrated chapter book is suitable for independent readers or to group-read and discuss. It will also encourage children who are interested in writing and finding things out. Previously featured as a fiction book of the month.

Big Tree by Brian Selznick

Every page oozes awe and wonder in this illustrated hardback full of pictures and thought-provoking bursts of text. Louise and Merwin are two sycamore seeds searching for a new safe place. Their epic journey of adventure is a quest through Earth’s history, science and culture. This fast-paced, accessible and award-winning stunner is perfect for children interested in the natural world and how to change the world.

The Boy Who Grew Dragons by Andy Shepherd

A funny, heart-warming and captivating adventure about a boy whose dragon fruit from the tree in his garden begins hatching. He soon finds that caring for a small dragon is no easy task. And then more and more dragon fruits start to hatch… It’s perfect to read to your child or use as a Year 3 class reader.

Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian

Omar is a boy with a vivid imagination, but he also worries about school, bullies and what his parents think of him. With ingenious ideas and creative thinking, he manages to make the best of every situation. According to the publisher’s blurb, you will laugh so loud that ‘snot will come out of your nose’. Just saying that might be enough to ensure your year 3 children will want to read it.

The Nothing to See Here Hotel by Steven Butler

Young Frankie, and his family who run a hotel, are plunged into frantic action when they find out a particularly awkward guest is coming to stay. Nothing is quite good enough for the goblin prince Grogbah in this laugh-out-loud and magical page-turner that’s perfect for independent readers in year 3.

Angel on the Roof by Shirley Hughes

When a young boy called Lewis looks out of his window at Christmas, hoping someone will see him, he notices a strange feather floating from the sky. When he looks up he sees an angel on the roof who takes him on an incredible and heart-warming adventure. A timeless, magical and enchanting story that’s perfect to read at the end of the autumn term.

You’re a Bad Man, Mr Gum! by Andy Stanton

Mr Gum is a delightfully nasty character who hates children, lives with a cantankerous fairy and maintains a perfect garden. The madcap, unlikely and achingly funny adventures will grab young readers’ attention. With short chapters, colourful descriptions and memorable language, this text is ideal for reluctant readers. Perfect for group reading, this is an excellent text to help year three pupils develop reading confidence.

Football Crazy by Tony Bradman

When a football legend arrives to coach Danny’s team, he and his friends Jamil and Lewis imagine record scorelines, endless winning streaks and football heaven. But the new coach doesn’t turn out to be exactly what they hoped for…

The Accidental Prime Minister by Tom McLaughlin

When schoolboy Joe’s video about how he would make the world a better place goes viral, he becomes very popular and very famous and ends up being – Prime Minister! Follow Joe’s funny journey in which he makes buses banana-shaped, cats have hats and trains have swimming pools. A great chapter book for more confident 7-year-old readers.

Flyntlock Bones – The Eye of Mogdrod by Derek Keilty

In the second Flyntlock Bones pirate escapade, the Black Hound’s crew faces dangerous northern pirates and a cat monster called Mogdrod in a fast-paced dialogue-driven illustrated adventure. With Norse-sounding characters such as Grethel and Egfart, and evocative locations such as Bog Island, Mugger’s Marsh and Lake Squelch, this is bound to be a hit with pupils in lower KS2.

This Bee is not Afraid of Me edited by Fran Long and Isabel Galleymore

This anthology of more than 40 poems suitable for KS2 children explores a myriad of different insects and how and where they live. Ants, beetles, butterflies, moths and ladybirds are featured. Cafe Six is a highlight – a perfect impetus for teaching poetry in lower KS2 – if you can stomach the edible creepy crawlies. For schools teaching minibeasts, or classes with access to outside space or a Forest School, this collection of poems will be a useful resource for cross-curricular topic teaching.

Small Worlds: Earth by Lara Hawthorne and Camilla De La Bedoyere

This spectacularly realised illustrated non-fiction guide to the micro-world of undergrowth, meadows, foliage, forest floors, caves and more, features eye-catching graphics and precise natural history and ecological observations. The language is refreshingly not dumbed down and there are over 70 card flaps with information on the creatures displayed. Lifting them reveals what they get up to and how they interact with the ecosystem. This book would make a wonderful present for a KS2 child interested in the natural world. Also in the series is Small Worlds: Water .

King Kong by Anthony Browne

The classic tale of the giant ape who falls in love with the beautiful Ann Darrow but finds himself locked up and held in captivity. When he escapes, chaos ensues in New York. This large-format book for year 3 pupils includes lots of stunning illustrations and will appeal to both able and reluctant readers in year three. There are lots of opportunities to ask questions and check whether readers can predict what might happen next. It is also ideal to read with your child at home.

Beast Quest by Adam Blade

A fast-paced and exciting series of books that are ideal for 7-year-old readers in lower KS2. Set in a fantasy land with dragons, wizards, good vs evil and strong heroes and heroines, these stories feature lots of twists and turns and will appeal to reluctant readers and they are a good starting point for encouraging children to read classic myths and legends in year 3.

Leon and the Place Between by Angela McAllister and Grahame Baker-Smith

Perfect for group reading and ideas for creative writing, this lavishly illustrated picture book for older readers will stretch the creativity and language of year 3 readers. Leon finds out what happens to the rabbit which appears from a hat and where the magician’s assistant disappears – but can he find his way back from the ‘place between’?

The Abominables by Eva Ibbotson

A funny take on the abominable snowman legend. A boy and a girl hatch a plan to save a family of yetis from hunters, by hiding them in a bridal suite and a giant freezer lorry. A real page-turner with numerous twists, turns and cliffhangers, this is the perfect classroom year 3 book to read aloud.

Adventure | Funny

Ice Palace by Robert Swindells

An extremely fast-paced adventure that won’t leave the reader bored for a second. When the evil King of Winter kidnaps his younger brother, Ivan sets out on an epic and dangerous quest to get him back. A useful story for modelling action in creative writing. Ice Palace is a popular year thee class reading book, and ideal to spark creative writing ideas and character hot seating discussion.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale by John Steptoe

A thoughtful picture book retelling of an African folk tale, set to dazzling illustrations. When the king decides to pick a new wife, Mufaro’s two daughters behave in very different ways – one unreasonable and aggressive, and the other with kindness and humility. A classic moral tale that is useful to discuss with year 3 pupils.

Folk tale | Diverse

Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne

A clever book that looks at the same story from different perspectives, this picture book is ideal to provoke discussion and debate. There are few words and complex, vibrant illustrations with lots of talking points, making it ideal for less confident 7 and 8-year-old readers.

The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney

The hilarious adventures of Humphrey the Hamster, told by Humphrey and including Og the Frog and the bully Mean Martin Bean. This is a fun and engaging class reader for seven-year-olds that is particularly well-suited to mixed-ability classes.

Harry the poisonous centipede by Lynne Reid Banks

Harry is a centipede who likes to eat things that wriggle and crackle. At the start of the story, he’s shy, but increasingly he becomes braver. Will his bravery get the better of him and lead him into danger? A good text for group reading to help challenge less able seven-year-olds, and one of a series of enjoyable year 3 books.

StoryWorlds: A Moment in Time: A Perpetual Picture Atlas by Thomas Hegbrook

A picture book with few words, this book will appeal to imaginative but reluctant readers. This book explores one single moment in time across many strikingly different locations and situations so the reader can compare what is happening in the world all at the same time. The book folds out to allow a child to read any part without having to start at the beginning or reach the end.

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

A clever picture book that will appeal to both reluctant and more able readers. Examining thought-provoking and complex themes of bullying and loneliness, this text is ideal for PSHE lessons and Y3 book group discussions.

Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown

When a pinboard falls on top of Stanley he is left completely flattened. Sent to America in an envelope will he be able to unflatten himself? A good story for dyslexic readers and an ideal book for year 3 pupils.

The Secret World of Polly Flint by Helen Cresswell

The imaginative story of Polly Flint who can see things other children cannot, including a village and its inhabitants which disappeared long ago. The rich language and ghostly atmospheric settings are ideal for teachers to model and help children develop and explore their own creative writing.

Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl

The timeless story of Mr Fox and how he cunningly outwits the nasty farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean. This is a fun, and engaging text for seven-year-olds that is well-suited for helping develop inference and prediction skills. It’s also a good choice to read with your year three-aged child or use for guided reading with small groups where greater depth children can discuss and ask questions about the vivid and unforgettable characters.

The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl

When Lucy gets upset she uses her “Magic Finger” and points it at the person who has upset her. Real magic turns her teacher into a cat and Lucy swears never to use her finger again. Until… An ideal book for class reading in year three.

Willa and Old Miss Annie by Berlie Doherty

When she moves with her parents to a new home, Willa thinks she’ll never have friends again. That is until she meets Old Miss Annie, a lonely goat, a forgotten pony, and an orphaned fox. This is an ideal text for seven-year-olds who are interested in animals.

My Naughty Little Sister by Dorothy Edwards

A story about possibly the naughtiest little sister in the world. She digs up the garden, eats all of the trifle, doesn’t like Father Christmas and causes chaos all around her. This is an anarchic and fun book for year three children to read over the holiday period.

The Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine

Ellie is shocked to find out her pet cat is a killer. Tuffy brings home a dead bird, then a mouse, and then more victims. Can Ellie stop him? A very funny story. A must-read chapter book for seven-year-olds and a great introduction to Anne Fine’s short chapter novels.

The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame

A boy finds a dragon in a cave and he believes it is harmless and friendly, but how can he convince the frightened villagers and, St. George, the famous dragon killer? A great fun storybook to read around the class in year 3.

The Charlie Moon Collection by Shirley Hughes

Charlie manages to get himself into all sorts of trouble. His seaside summer trip turns into a missing jewellery mystery with burglars. A ripping yarn for seven-year-olds, this is a perfect text for taking on holiday.

All Because of Jackson by Dick King-Smith

Jackson is an odd rabbit. He stands most days watching ships sail by and he longs to be on one of those ships. One day he boards one of the ships and sets out on an adventure. A modern classic, and a great introduction for seven-year-olds to the extensive canon of Dick King-Smith children’s books.

The Orchard Book of First Greek Myths by Saviour Pirotta

A perfect illustrated primer of Greek Myths. This book includes Theseus and the Minotaur, Odysseus, Pandora, King Midas and more. The year 3 book of myths is a perfect age-appropriate introduction to these classic stories, and also serves as a useful impetus for creative writing.

Winnie-the-Pooh Collection by A. A. Milne

Classic stories about perhaps the world’s most famous fictional bear. Including what happens when Pooh goes visiting and Piglet meets a Heffalump, the story of when Eeyore loses his tail and Pooh finds one, and many others.

Mrs Pepperpot Stories by Alf Proysen

Mrs Pepperpot has a secret – she can shrink to the size of a pepperpot – and when she does she can talk to animals. This imaginative text can provide a good starting point for creative writing, particularly when looking at settings and character descriptions with younger children.

The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark by Jill Tomlinson

A young owl, called Plop, is afraid of the dark – something which makes his life more than a little difficult. An ideal text for less able and reluctant readers – and a good choice for focused year 3 book groups.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Fearless Pippi Longstocking is scared of nothing. She’ll wrestle a circus strongman, dance the polka with burglars, and tug a bull’s tail! A great story to help challenge stereotypes, this is a highly recommended book for year 3 children to read aloud.

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

If you thought you knew the story of the Three Little Pigs, think again! This is the real story, told by the Wolf himself. A great year 3 book option to encourage children’s thinking skills and help children to develop more interesting plots, twists and cliffhangers in their creative writing.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night by Janet Ahlberg

A young boy has been kidnapped by thieves. He stays alive by telling them incredible stories while planning his escape from a cave. An atmospheric book for reading at home with your year 3 child or for exploring fears and anxiety in PSHE lessons, this is a book to treasure.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

A clever and emotive story about a boy who takes too much from a tree that gives too much. With sparse language and clever wordplay, this is a good text to explore in lower KS2 literacy lessons. Very useful for discussing the concepts of giving and sharing, this is an ideal book to use in PSHE with Year 3.

Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

A tale of love and belonging. Max – eight – decides to dress up as a wolf, and enters a world of wild things in which he becomes the ruler. A good year 3 book choice to inspire imaginative writing.

Oxford Primary Dictionary by Susan Rennie

Ideal for children new to Key Stage 2, this dictionary includes 608 pages packed with age-appropriate definitions. It also features children’s book settings and character quotes, cross-curricular words and plenty of practical help with learning dictionary skills. At the back of the book are links to internet-based and downloadable curriculum activities on the publisher’s website that teachers and parents will find useful.

Click the buttons below to purchase all of the books in this Year 3 book list, as well as class sets of any of these books and many more, from Bookshop.org UK. Or buy the 20 most popular titles from this list from Amazon – ideal for gifts or your classroom library.

Buy from UK.Bookshop.Org Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Disclosure: If you buy books using the buttons above: we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops; as an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.

Books for year 3 video

Below is a video featuring all our Year 3 book choices in a quick-to-view five-minute-long movie which can be used in CPD training, class assemblies, parent/teacher meetings, and shared for online learning or social and professional networks.

How many Year 3 books have you read?

Here’s a free background wallpaper of our recommended year 3 books list to use on your classroom computer.

Schools & teachers: please respect copyright and don’t copy our Year 3 book list. If you find our book recommendations useful, please consider sharing on social media or linking to this page instead. Thanks .

Books for Year 3 – what titles to recommend to children

In year 3, most children begin the school year aged seven and turn eight before the beginning of the next school year the following September.

Year three is the start of Key Stage 2 , which might also be known as juniors in some primary schools, or ‘prep’ in some independent schools. This is the start of the final four years of primary education. In year 3 pupils will be introduced to more discrete academic subjects which might be taught by subject specialists, for example in music or PE.

What books should children be reading in year 3?

Most children will be reading a mixture of short chapter books, more detailed and thought-provoking picture books, and a range of non-fiction and reference. Teachers will often introduce poetry anthologies and playscripts in year three literacy lessons. By the end of year three, most pupils will have moved away from structured reading schemes, although some will still benefit from the support and repetition these books can provide.

How to pick books for year 3 children

Many children at this age are more likely to read a book if they have chosen it themselves. Exposing children to reading material and encouraging them to explore books is often a good strategy to maintain reading motivation. A well-curated Year 3 reading list will prove beneficial. Libraries, both at school and at home, bookshops, book tokens, children’s literature events, book signings, book fairs at school and talking about which books you liked to read as a child are all good places to start.

What level or reading age are children in year 3?

Most children should be looking at books banded by publishers for ‘7-9-year-olds’. While some children might be able to decode the text in stories written for older children, the subject matter and themes might not be appropriate for empathy or understanding. At the beginning of KS2, children should be exploring which books interest them, by choosing books independently and developing a love of literature. Helpful and encouraging reading suggestions, and exposing children to new material which they can pick from is often more effective than dictating which books must be read.

How can I help my 7-year-old child to improve their reading?

A daily routine of reading at home during term time and the holidays is essential for seven and eight-year-old children. 15-20 minutes spent reading with your child, or to your child, or listening to your child read will pay huge dividends in the long term. Some children respond well to a structure and timetable for reading, but for others, a set block of time might not be productive. Try to take advantage of reading opportunities as they arise. This might be reading a leaflet, letter or children’s magazine , it could be reading and explaining a sign or notice or a recipe, or it might be helping read a bedtime story to a younger sibling. When you listen to your child read, ask them questions about what has happened, how they feel about the story and characters, and what they think will happen next.

It’s best to encourage your child to read for pleasure and help them find books that interest them. Try to avoid logging the exact time spent reading, or how many pages have been read each day – reading logs and journals can be demoralizing for children, particularly if they find reading a challenge. Instead try to focus on finding new and exciting authors, and texts about subjects they find interesting or which can be explored further by visiting places, researching online, or engaging in hobbies or activities.

What do children learn about in Year 3?

Many pupils will study the Stone Age, the ancient worlds of the Romans , Ancient Greeks and Egyptians ; and in science, minibeasts, rocks, earthquakes & volcanoes , light, sound, healthy eating and the human body are often taught as topics in lessons. Children will begin to plan and build projects in design and create artwork using different techniques and media. In maths, they will be introduced to geometry and data, including different shapes, areas and perimeters, collecting data and creating simple graphs and charts. Developing personalised Year 3 booklists that explore these topics can help boost your child’s confidence and learning at school.

Can a 7-year-old read Harry Potter?

This is a very popular question! While some seven and eight-year-olds may well be able to read the words aloud, most children in year 3 will find comprehending the characters and storyline too challenging. We think Harry Potter is better suited for children aged 9+.

Click for more children’s reading book recommendations – Picture books to read before you are 5 years old |  Reception books | Year 1 books | Year 2 books | Year 3 books (this page) | Year 4 books | Year 5 books | Year 6 books | Topic books | KS3 books

For less challenging year 3 books, see our books for Year 2 reading list , and for even more books for seven-year-olds see this list .

For more challenging reading material, try our books for Year 4 reading list .

About Tom Tolkien

Further Reading

• Children's authors featured on the School Reading List
• Children's Literature Blogs
• The Head That Wears A Crown edited by Rachel Piercey…
• Book fairs, schemes and offers for children, schools…
• Brilliant Brainz Magazine
• The Pearl in the Ice by Cathryn Constable

Follow the School Reading List

Keep up to date with our latest social media posts about reading, children's books and literacy.

This booklist was last updated on March 28th, 2024 and first published in 2013 .

© 2024 School Reading List. All Rights Reserved | As an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases | Policies and Terms of Use

book review year 3

All Formats

Resource types, all resource types.

• Rating Count
• Price (Ascending)
• Price (Descending)
• Most Recent

Book review year 3

Opinion Writing: Opinions, Debates, Book Reviews (A Year of Writing Unit 3 )

French 2 Review Book (use at end of year 2 or beginning of year 3 )

Science Test Prep 5th Grade Flip Book - Test Prep Science Vocabulary Review

• Google Apps™

Year 4 Maths Revision: Book 1

Year Three Maths Revision Bundle

Year Three Maths Revision Book 2

Year One Maths Revision Book 3

Year Three Maths Revision Book 3

3rd Grade End of the Year Activities, Reading Review , Math Review , Memory Book

Year Three Maths Revision: Book 4

I'm Australian Too Book Study - Year 3 and Year 4

Year 4 Maths Revision Book 3

6th grade Math STAAR Review Book

Editing Passages Using Book Reviews BUNDLE Full Year of 100 Passages

Third Grade Memory Book - Fun End of Year Keepsake Activity Last Week of School

Pig the Elf by Aaron Blabey - Christmas Book Study for Year 3 , 4 and 5

Second Grade Memory Book - Fun End of Year Keepsake Activity Last Week of School

Grammar Review CAPITALIZING BOOK TITLES 3rd Grade BOOM CARDS

• Internet Activities

Summer is Here- Summer Review Books !

First Grade Memory Book - Fun End of Year Keepsake Activity Last Week of School

FACS, FCS Preschool Nutrition 3 to 5 years PowerPoint & Notes Child Development

BUNDLE | New Year Goals | New Year Resolutions | Winter Break | Flip book

Chinese Lunar New Year Emergent Reader Book - 3 Variations

ABC WORLD HISTORY choice BOOK - End of year , final, review , End-of- year project

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think

Advertisement

Supported by

Book Review

A tale of four troubled and talented sisters, told with irish flair.

There’s more than blarney in Caoilinn Hughes’s riotous, ambitiously structured new novel.

  By S. Kirk Walsh

When a Family’s Dysfunction Mirrors a Nation’s

“Crooked Seeds,” by Karen Jennings, is set in a drought-stricken South Africa where its fraught history is ever-present.

  By Wadzanai Mhute

Salman Rushdie Reflects on His Stabbing in a New Memoir

“Knife” is an account of the writer’s brush with death in 2022, and the long recovery that followed.

  By Dwight Garner

Three Daughters, Three New Memoirs About Mothers

Genevieve Kingston, Susan Lieu and Kao Kalia Yang explore the complicated lives of the women who raised them.

  By Kim Hubbard

For Caleb Carr, Salvation Arrived on Little Cat’s Feet

As he struggled with writing and illness, the “Alienist” author found comfort in the feline companions he recalls in a new memoir, “My Beloved Monster.”

  By Alexandra Jacobs

Let Us Help You Find Your Next Book

Reading picks from Book Review editors, guaranteed to suit any mood.

  By The New York Times Books Staff

17 Works of Nonfiction Coming This Spring

Memoirs from Brittney Griner and Salman Rushdie, a look at pioneering Black ballerinas, a new historical account from Erik Larson — and plenty more.

  By Cody Delistraty

27 Works of Fiction Coming This Spring

Stories by Amor Towles, a sequel to Colm Toibin’s “Brooklyn,” a new thriller by Tana French and more.

  By Kate Dwyer

Best-Seller Lists: April 21, 2024

All the lists: print, e-books, fiction, nonfiction, children’s books and more.

Books of The Times

Savages! Innocents! Sages! What Do We Really Know About Early Humans?

In “The Invention of Prehistory,” the historian Stefanos Geroulanos argues that many of our theories about our remote ancestors tell us more about us than them.

  By Jennifer Szalai

Delmore Schwartz’s Poems Are Like Salt Flicked on the World

A new omnibus compiles the poet’s books and unpublished work, including his two-part autobiographical masterpiece, “Genesis.”

She Lied, Cheated and Stole. Then She Wrote a Book About It.

In her buzzy memoir, “Sociopath,” Patric Gagne shows herself more committed to revel in her naughtiness than to demystify the condition.

A Gender Theorist Who Just Wants Everyone to Get Along

Judith Butler’s new book, “Who’s Afraid of Gender?,” tries to turn down the heat on an inflamed argument.

A Warhol Superstar, but Never a Star

Cynthia Carr’s compassionate biography chronicles the brief, poignant life of the transgender actress Candy Darling, whose “very existence was radical.”

4 Books to Make You Fall in Love With Poetry

Greg Cowles, the poetry editor of The New York Times Book Review, recommends four books that are perfect for National Poetry Month.

By Greg Cowles, Karen Hanley and Claire Hogan

Book Bans Continue to Surge in Public Schools

More books were removed during the first half of this academic year than in the entire previous one.

By Alexandra Alter

Parenting in a Pandemic, and Other Tales of Woe

Gillian Linden’s slim debut novel, “Negative Space,” explores the being and nothingness of modern motherhood.

By Lynn Steger Strong

These Gay Novels Offer a ‘More Interesting Conversation’ About Faith

Recent books by Allen Bratton, Daniel Lefferts and Garrard Conley depict gay Christian characters not usually seen in queer literature.

By Joshua Barone

Politics Are Always Personal. In This Novel They’re Ruinous.

“The Spoiled Heart,” by Sunjeev Sahota, contrasts race and class struggles in the story of a man’s downfall.

By Caoilinn Hughes

Can You Find the 15 Book Titles Hidden in This Text?

This month’s Title Search puzzle challenges you to uncover novels written for middle-grade readers.

By J. D. Biersdorfer

The Sex Lives and War Deaths of Soldier Poets

In “Muse of Fire,” Michael Korda depicts the lives and passions of the soldier poets whose verse provided a view into the carnage of World War I.

By Alice Winn

He Was Blinded in One Eye, but Salman Rushdie’s Vision Is Undiminished

The author’s new memoir, “Knife,” addresses the attack that maimed him in 2022, and pays tribute to the wife who saw him through. “I wanted to write a book which was about both love and hatred — one overcoming the other,” he says.

By Sarah Lyall

2 Books About Other People’s Money

A tax manifesto by Edmund Wilson and a money-themed story collection.

New York’s Hottest Club Is a Literary Event

These days, readings in the city can require tickets and be just as hard to get into as a trendy restaurant.

By Kate Dwyer

Wardini Book Review: Interesting Facts About Space – Emily Austin (Atlantic Books, $36.99)

Share this article

Emily Austin, author of the hit book Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead, has released a new book, Interesting Facts About Space.

Enid is falling apart a bit. She has a nice apartment and a good job at the Space Agency working with material she knows and loves. She has a good friend in her colleague. She dates a lot and has recently been hanging out with her step-sisters.

But Enid is a master of self-sabotage. If she likes a date, she texts them that it’s not working out, trying to hang on to the good times before they go sour.

Her phobia of bald men has spiralled so much that she has to climb in and out of her apartment window to avoid the new neighbour across the hall.

She’s convinced someone enters her apartment when she’s not there and that she’s being followed. She thinks she’s going mad.

Enid’s life takes an unexpected turn when circumstances force her to confront the enigma of her past. This mystery becomes the pivot of the plot, but it’s Enid’s complex personality that truly captivates the reader.

Though tumultuous, her thoughts are portrayed with clarity and a touch of humour. Her hearing impairment leads to amusing misunderstandings and thrilling jump scares. Despite her endearing qualities, Enid struggles to accept the love and adoration she deserves.

As the story of Enid’s childhood and teen years plays out, we come to understand how she operates almost simultaneously as she figures it out for herself.

Enid is on a journey of self-knowledge that is deeply uncomfortable for her and fascinating for us. Her distress and disorder are heart-breaking; her phone calls to her mother citing interesting facts about space, calming to both of them, are captivating and funny.

Interesting Facts About Space is all at once comforting and thrilling. The people around Enid are complicated and lovely, and the mystery of her paranoia is fascinating and endearing. Emily Austin is an author who observes the world and its inhabitants closely. I love her writing.

Latest from Napier Courier

Hawke’s Bay Airport marks 60th anniversary

Hawke's Bay Airport's call to all shutterbugs for 60th-birthday photo comp.

Taradale Pottery Group reflects on love and support after Cyclone Gabrielle

Have your say in Napier City Council's Three-Year Plan

Creative Arts Napier announces more April artists

Kids missing school to feed families