The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge is now underway, with this year’s theme: Read to the Beat! This year we see ourselves delve into the world of reading and music as we become immersed in the rhythm, rhyme and vibrancy that both deliver. Let’s not forget that last year, musician and globally acclaimed singer-songwriter Taylor Swift referred to herself as “an English teacher” when announcing her engagement. As one of the world’s most successful musicians, Swift exemplifies how a love of language can shape, inspire and elevate creative expression.
A top favourite on this year’s Reading Challenge has to be Carnival Queen by Donette Williams-Harry. The book follows a young girl preparing for her first carnival parade. Through rhythmic prose and vivid illustrations, it captures her anticipation and the collaborative process of costume-making with family and neighbours. The narrative emphasises imagination, teamwork, and cultural identity, offering an accessible introduction to one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated traditions.
For those looking for a nostalgic summer memory, singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae, best known for her hit Put Your Records On , has reimagined the song as a picture book of the same name, beautifully illustrated by Nikki Farquharson. The book brings the song’s uplifting spirit to life through vibrant illustrations, encouraging young readers to embrace confidence, celebrate their individuality and find joy in being themselves.
The Paper Piano written by Rachel Ip and illustrated by Evie Barrow, tells the moving story of a young refugee girl who discovers hope, connection and a sense of belonging through music and creativity. With lyrical storytelling and evocative illustrations, the book gently explores themes of displacement, resilience and empathy.
Often when we hear the name Liz Pichon, we immediately think of Tom Gates. This summer, however, she is inviting readers to meet a whole new cast of characters in Meet the Mubbles, the first title in a funny and vibrant new full-colour graphic novel series.
Welcome to the Isle of Smile, home to the colourful and fun-loving Mubbles – Bash, Dash, Cheery and the rest of the gang. Life on the island is full of surprises, especially when the mysterious Uncertain Curtain reveals something unexpected each day. Adding a modern, interactive twist, readers can scan the QR code included in the book to unlock a dedicated online world packed with extra content, including songs, arts and crafts activities, and exclusive Mubbles adventures.
Readers looking to explore verse will find plenty to enjoy in Joshua Seigal’s I Tell Myself I’m Awesome , a collection of humorous, thoughtful and uplifting poems that encourage confidence, emotional awareness and creativity.
From school playgrounds to social media feeds, K-pop has become a global phenomenon, and Luan Goldie taps into this craze Skylar and the K-Pop Head Teacher. This is a humorous and heart-warming novel set in a school turned upside down by the arrival of an unexpected new head teacher with a passion for all things K-pop. Blending friendship, fun and contemporary pop culture, the story is sure to resonate with young readers.
The hit TV show ‘The Piano’ has captured hearts across the nation, showcasing the powerful stories and emotions that music can unlock. Helen Rutter, the acclaimed author of The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh, brings that same warmth and emotional depth to her latest novel, The Piano at the Station .
This heartfelt story explores grief, creativity and the connections that bring communities together. Known for tackling complex emotions with compassion and accessibility, Rutter once again creates relatable characters and an uplifting narrative that will resonate with readers in UKS2 and KS3.
If there’s ever a description designed to spark excitement and nostalgia for your next read, this is it – Lottie Brooks meets Back to the Future. Winner of Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month (June 2026), Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller follows 13-year-old Lily, who wakes up in a different historical era every New Year’s Eve.
From Ancient Rome to the Victorian era and the 1920s, Lily has no idea where she’ll end up next. The twist? Her family, friends, crush and school nemesis always appear too but only Lily remembers her real life in the 21st century, while everyone else believes they truly belong in that time period.
For a change of pace, The Super Sunny Murder Club, edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens and illustrated by Harry Woodgate, brings together a sizzling collection of summer-themed sleuthing stories from 13 brilliant children’s and young adult authors. As the title suggests, each mystery is set during the summer or features seasonal elements, with inventive plotlines ranging from a sunflower-stealing thief to a “Berry Juicy Murder” that will keep readers hooked.
With its fast-paced, bite-sized stories, this anthology is perfect for readers who enjoy shorter reads over more extended novels during the holidays.
Big Words by Luke Palmer is a short, accessible novel for readers aged 11–14. It follows Sam, who sees himself as the natural leader of his friendship group and believes that being “big” means being tough, fearless and always getting his own way. When he convinces his friends to take part in a risky stunt on a local wasteland known as Kiln, events quickly spiral out of control.
This gripping, fast-paced story explores friendship, responsibility and the consequences of poor choices, ultimately showing that true strength comes from honesty and self-awareness rather than being the loudest or toughest in the room
With ongoing discussion around a social media ban, Endgame by Melinda Salisbury feels particularly timely. The novel concludes a trilogy that includes Echostar, AdelAIDE and The Foundation, all of which explore the risks and misuse of AI and emerging technologies.
In Endgame, we return to a world a year after the closure of the Ash Tree Foundation, a supposed support centre for teenagers struggling with technology addiction. In reality, it was a front for a far more sinister augmented reality scheme, orchestrated by the obsessive tech baron Dagmar Nilsson.
Like A Brother by Nathanael Lessore follows Owais, a confident and well-liked teenager who is used to life running smoothly. His world is turned upside down when his estranged cousin Abass comes to stay for the summer. Abass is volatile, unpredictable and often finds himself in trouble, and the two boys initially struggle to get along.
As the summer unfolds, however, Owais begins to see beyond Abass’s behaviour and understand the difficult experiences that have shaped him. Funny, warm and emotionally powerful, this is a story about family, conflict and connection, showing how learning someone else’s story can transform your own.
To complete our summer line-up, this final title stands out as a brilliant choice, offering readers the opportunity to build real-world skills while enjoying an engaging and accessible read.
The Ultimate Guide to Money: Your Mission to Turn Pocket Money into Pots of Money by Emmanuel Asuquo is a practical, engaging non-fiction guide designed to help children build confidence in understanding money, from saving and spending to making informed financial decisions.
Written by financial adviser and broadcaster Emmanuel Asuquo, it takes readers on a step-by-step journey through the world of money, breaking down key concepts in a clear, accessible and relatable way.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading and our recommended reads inspire you to read one of these texts this Summer and don’t forget to sign up to the Summer Reading Challenge.
One Education customers can receive 30% off books from our partners Peters. Just visit www.peters.co.uk/oneeducation to find out more and to purchase using our money off code.
Our specialists can support you to review your existing book stock, ensuring the texts your pupils and students have access to are up to date and truly representative of them and the wider world. For more information about how we can support you and your reading offer, please contact our Literacy Team Leader, Laura Buczko at laura.buczko@oneeducation.co.uk.
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