2025/2026

Reading challenge

Fuel curiosity, build stamina, and explore a wider range of books with our annual Reading Challenge.

As part of our ongoing work to support children, we run Reading Challenges. They are designed to encourage reading for pleasure, as well as developing reading stamina and increasing reading diversity.

Dates: 1st September 2025 → 30th April 2026

  1. Who can join: Anyone! Students, families, and teachers are welcome.

  2. What to do: Choose a book that fits one of the 40 challenge prompts below. Read it. Then report your read to the Student Council President.

  3. Scoring: Each completed prompt can earn you up to 10 points. Always choose age-appropriate books.

  1. Arts-themed (for example music, dance, drama, art).

  2. Title starting with the letter ‘E’.

  3. Chapters have titles.

  4. Set in a school.

  5. Author is not from the UK.

  6. Author is from a UK nation that isn’t England.

  7. A book based on a real person.

  8. Set in Yorkshire.

  9. A character with superhuman ability.

  10. Translated into English or written in a language other than English.

  11. Recommended by a member of staff.

  12. A book that has an alternate title.

  13. Related to the word ‘gold’.

  14. Author with an X, Y, or Z in their name.

  15. A wealthy character (fiction) or figure (non-fiction).

  16. A main character (fiction) or figure (non-fiction) who experiences poverty.

  17. Has an Author’s Note.

  18. Award-winning book from England.

  19. Over 400 pages long.

  20. Has a blue cover.

  21. Technology themed.

  22. An author’s photo on the book cover.

  23. Set in a rural area.

  24. A book with photographs inside.

  25. An anthology.

  26. A book cover with illustrated people/

  27. A job title in the title.

  28. Author’s surname starts with the same letter as your surname.

  29. Character or author shares your first name.

  30. Has a film adaption.

  31. Book with a king or queen.

  32. Book set in the woods or mountains.

  33. Book you’d recommend to your grandma.

  34. Book with a possessive noun in the title (‘s).

  35. Book of poetry.

  36. Book that might make you cry.

  37. Book with a one-word title.

  38. Book published in the 20th century.

  39. Book published in 2025.

  40. Book your mum loves.

  41. A graphic novel.

Suggested Year 2 Reading List

Suggested Year 6 Reading List

Suggested Year 8 Reading List

Tips & Suggestions

  • Look for books that mix genres (fiction + biography, etc.).

  • Use your local library or international online libraries if you can’t access all titles.

  • Discuss your readings with peers or mentors — it helps deepen understanding.

  • Try to spread the reading over the months — don’t rush.

    Our Champions (Winners / Highlights)

    Recognising some standout participants so far:

Annie

36. Sophie’s Lucky by Dick King Smith

38. The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy