Whether your secret agent is ready to devour all the books they can get their hands on this summer holiday, or you’re looking for a book to read with your child to help nurture a love for reading as you work your way through the earlier stages of Easyread, take a look at our compilation of the most popular books for summer 2016. And what’s really great is that they’re just as popular amongst girls and boys! Suitable for pre-teens and teens.
The World’s Worst Children by David Walliams
The latest instalment from the ever-funny and mischievous writer, Mr David Walliams himself. The World’s Worst Children is “a collection of ten short stories about five beastly boys and five gruesome girls.
Meet TV super-fan, Sofia Sofa, so stuck to the sofa that she’s turning into one; Dribbling Drew, a boy whose drool gets him into trouble; and Blubbering Bertha, a girl who bawls and tells terrible tales. Plus expect an appearance from everyone’s favourite character: Raj!”
(We haven’t come across Raj yet. If any of our secret agents would like to fill us in…!)
It sounds like there’ll be some Veruca Salt-worthy characters in there!
The reviews for The World’s Worst Children are as amazing as the accolades for Walliams’s other works. With the likes of Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy being among the top reading choices for when our secret agents finish the programme, we have no doubt that they’re going to love this one too.
The BFG by Roald Dahl
From one mischievous author to the original mischief conjurer himself: Roald Dahl. With the new BFG film set to hit cinemas soon in the UK, this classic has found itself back in the children’s book charts. If your reader hasn’t yet had the pleasure of discovering a world of Snozzcumbers, Dream Jars and pretty scary man-eating giants, then the BFG is a must-read this summer.
Tom Gates Super Good Skills Almost (Tom Gates 10) by Liz Pichon
The latest instalment in the Tom Gates series sees Tom, Delia and the whole Gates family going on holiday (a topical book for their summer reading list!) Doodling seems to be the only thing that will get Tom through a holiday on the most boring campsite ever.
The print version of the book comes complete with pages for your reader’s very own doodles. Perfect for budding artists.
Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
As always, the Harry Potter series remain at the top of the children’s books chart. And if they haven’t had a chance to get into the 7-part series, now’s as good a time as any to lose themselves in the magical wizarding world of Hogwarts. And just in time for the publication of the play!
The Parent Agency by David Baddiel
We hadn’t heard of this series until now, but The Parent Agency and Baddiel’s other works seem to be pretty popular on the big book-selling sites.
“The Parent Agency is an epic wish-fulfilment adventure for every child – and for the child in everyone.
Barry said, a third time, “I wish I had better parents!” And then suddenly the entire room started to shake…
Barry Bennett hates being called Barry. In fact it’s number 2 on the list of things he blames his parents for, along with 1) ‘being boring’ and 3) ‘always being tired’.
But there is a world, not far from this one, where parents don’t have children. That’s far too random for something so big and important. In this world, children are allowed to choose their parents.
For Barry Bennett, this world seems like a dream come true. Only things turn out to be not quite that simple…”
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
There are currently 10 books in the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, so plenty to keep them engrossed over the summer break. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid stars “middle-school weakling, Greg Heffley”, as he navigates his way from middle-school to high school. Featuring school days, parties and teen crushes. Life encounters that every kid can relate to.
Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
The Percy Jackson series are inspired by Greek mythology, and Rick Riordan’s desire to create a series for his son, who has ADHD and struggles with reading. Percy Jackson is a demigod in the series, and uses his powers to save the world against the likes of the King of the Titans, the cyclops Polyphemus and a band of skeletons.
A great choice for lovers of history and Greek tales!
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If you have any more titles to add to our compilation, do let us know.
Happy reading, secret agents!
– Maddie
Hi Maddie,
I would like to recommend “El Deafo” by Cece Bell. My older daughter got this book as a gift and loved it. Recently Sasha picked it up and started reading it independently. It’s great for Easyread users as there are lots of nonsense words in it which forces them to decode rather than guess. It’s written in comic book style so there are lots and lots of colourful pictures. I highly recommend it.
Thanks so much for the recommendation Joanne! I’ll be sure to share it with other parents. Maddie