Fostering a love of reading at primary school is so essential for development. This is a really exciting time in children’s reading journey and Barrington Stoke is here to help you through it.
However, finding suitable books to keep your class motivated can be tricky. We know that some pupils can struggle to make the leap between simply decoding texts and fully comprehending, and ultimately enjoying a book. They might lack the vocabulary they need and longer books can seem overwhelming.
Let us help!
Here are seven diverse, accessible, and colourful fiction books for 7 year olds from our Little Gems range to engage children and support them on their reading journey. Set them for reading homework, read them aloud in class, or stock up your school library for everyone to access.
All books have a dyslexia-friendly layout, typeface and paperstock so that even more readers can enjoy them, as well as a chapter sample available by following the link for each book.
Grandpa Was an Astronaut
by Jonathan Meres, illustrated by Hannah Coulson
Sherman loves the moon and he loves his grandpa even more – who has actually been to the moon!
Grandpa was an astronaut and has a chunk of moon rock on his mantlepiece. Playing space games with Grandpa is one of Sherman’s most favourite things ever so he’s thrilled to hear that’s exactly what a visit to Grandpa will involve.
Nellie Choc-Ice, Penguin Explorer
by Jeremy Strong, illustrated by Jamie Smith
Little Nellie Choc-Ice is the greatest penguin explorer there has ever been!
But one day she gets trapped on an iceberg that breaks away and floats off into the ocean. And that’s when Nellie’s adventures really begin!
Continue Nellie’s adventure in Big Trouble for Nellie Choc-Ice and Nellie Choc-Ice and the Plastic Island.
Mariella, Queen of the Skies
by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Katy Halford
Super-smart Mariella loves nothing more than inventing, but bedtime keeps getting in the way of all her brilliant ideas.
There’s only one thing for it – Mariella has to build a rocket-powered flying suit to zap her round the world faster than the setting sun! If anyone can invent such a thing, it’s Mariella.
But without sleep, will Mariella’s brilliant ideas just disappear?
Grandpa Bert and the Ghost Snatchers
by Malorie Blackman, illustrated by Melanie Demmer
Grandpa Bert is a ghost, and he’s travelled all the way from Barbados squished inside Grandma Gertie’s handbag!
Even worse, they’re being followed, and Grandpa Bert could be in very grave danger.
Can Anna and Kasper stop the Ghost Snatchers before it’s too late?
The First Third Wish
story and illustrations by Ian Beck
When a newly – qualified fairy loses the third wish of three she must deliver to a woodcutter, young Dickon finds it. There is no limit to the number of times a lost wish may be used, and soon there are sparkly cats and magic lemonade bottles all over the place!
Can fairy Cobweb find the wish and put a stop to Dickon’s magic?
Superdad's Day Off
by Phil Earle, illustrated by Steve May
Stanley is a normal little boy, whose dad just happens to be the greatest superhero on the planet. Six days a week, Dad saves the world from disasters, aliens, and bad guys. Friday is his day off and he always spends it with Stan.
But one Friday, Dad and Stan meet a series of people desperately in need of Dad’s help!
Molly Rogers to the Rescue
by Cornelia Funke, illustrated by Kasia Matyjaszek
Watch out, pirates! Better not stay … Molly Rogers is on her way!
Captain Firebeard is destroying beautiful Monkey Skull Island in the search for lost treasure. But he didn’t count on brave pirate Molly coming to the rescue. Molly may be small, but she’s also smart and fierce, so can she outwit the pirate captain and his crew?