Age 11+ Videos & Resources

BOOK: The Letter with the Golden Stamp by Onjali Q. Rauf

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring the role of carers, community connections and helping each other, the power of the postal service, overcoming fear and suspicion, and more.

RESOURCES MADE BY: Hachette

BOOK: Daughter of Auschwitz: The Girl Who Lived to Tell her Story by Tova Friedman

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring themes of the Holocaust, WWII, Identity, Family and Memoirs

RESOURCES MADE BY: SHAPES for Schools

BOOK: ‘Girl on the Fly’ by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Book club questions, board games and activities, exploring themes of rituals, how people move, family, seeing the future, nicknames, special days and more

BOOK: ‘The Final Year’ by Matt Goodfellow

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 10+

PERFECT FOR: Students aged 10+, a powerful story told in verse, lots of poetry links, exploring feelings, analysing the impact of language, play scripts, role-play and drama, joining a brave boy as he battles his demons and faces the trials and tribulations of his final school year

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Skellig’ by David Almond

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 10+

PERFECT FOR: A magical and mysterious story that explores family, friendship, and what it means to stand out and belong; a perfect springboard into classic poetry; Greek Mythology; exploring themes of hope and healing; and more.

NOTE: This scheme of work can be used for paperback editions (PB) and the hardback edition illustrated by Tom de Freston (HB).

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Dogs of the Deadlands’ by Anthony McGowan

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 10+

PERFECT FOR: Chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions, writing opportunities and cross-curricular activities

RESOURCES MADE BY: Rock The Boat

BOOK: ‘The Thing About Lemons’ by Tasha Harrison

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Book club questions

RESOURCES MADE BY: UCLan

BOOK: ‘Skulduggery Pleasant’ by Derek Landy

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 10+

PERFECT FOR: Students aged 10+; a thrilling, ghostly story full of magic and mayhem; diary writing; spooky poetry; writing horror stories; drama and role-play; writing magical spells; joining a brave girl and a wisecracking skeleton as they battle the forces of evil!

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Wild Song’ by Candy Gourlay

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 13+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring themes of tolerance, acceptance, and discrimination; the notion of choice and the impact choices have on yourself and others; creating empathy; the historical impact of exploration and more.

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Tyger’ by SF Said

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Students aged 9+; a thrilling historical adventure full of magic and heart; role-play and drama; poetry; tiger art; music and soundscapes; Islam and Muslim culture; joining two children and an enchanting, mystical tyger as they battle evil forces and unite their home.

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Casting Queen’ by Perdita & Honor Cargill

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities, perfect for comedy writing, scriptwriting, collaboration, using text messages and emails to tell a story, drama, speaking and listening objectives, writing with dyslexia and more

RESOURCE MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Rebound’ by Kwame Alexander

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities, perfect for different styles of poetry, telling stories in verse, learning about rhyme and rhythm, reluctant readers, the 1980s, American history, PSHE topics relating to loss, bereavment and self-esteem, and more

RESOURCE MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘The Aftewards’ by A.F. Harrold and Emily Gravett

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities, perfect for a simple, poetic, eloquently-told tale with powerful and hard-hitting themes; an exploration of what it means to grieve someone you love; lyrical language; beautiful illustrations; and a VERY mysterious cat…

Please note: there are sensitive themes in this story. It is advised that you read it before sharing with your class.

RESOURCE MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘The Valentines’ by Holly Smale

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 13+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring the pros and cons of being famous, family bonds, considering points of view and shifting perspective, script writing, characterisation, finding ideas, research and studying the use of comedy.

RESOURCE MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Heartstopper’ by Alice Oseman

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Discussion questions and suggested activities on themes such as LGBTQ+ history month, pride, equality and diversity, different relationships and how they’re presented, eating disorders, mental health and wellbeing

RESOURCES MADE BY: SHAPES for schools

BOOK: ‘Nothing Ever Happens Here’ by Sarah Hagger-Holt

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities, perfect for exploring relationships and character connections; considering different points of view; researching issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ community; themes of love, family, change, acceptance, gender and sexuality.

*Please note, there are sensitive themes in this story. It is advised that you read it before sharing it with your class.

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘The Missing’ by Michael Rosen

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities, including learning about a moving, heartbreaking and hopeful exploration of the impact of war on families, analysing newspaper articles, history research into WWII, and learning about the Holocaust

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Vampirates’ by Justin Somper

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 10+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities, including diary writing, newspaper articles, composing stormy seascapes, exploring starry artwork, comparing and contrasting texts, exciting dual narratives, learning about rising sea levels, enjoying a perilous journey with a set of brave, curious, quick-thinking twins

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘The Time I Got Kidnapped’ by Tom Mitchell

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities including exploring character relationships and connections, discussing themes of friendship, difference, courage and self belief, and a thrilling superhero-filled adventure across America

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘This Wonderful Thing’ by Adam Baron

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Musical Truth’ by Jeffrey Boakye

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Noughts & Crosses’ by Malorie Blackman

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Coming Up For Air’ by Lou Abercrombie

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12 +

PERFECT FOR: Cross-curricular activities, reading logs, essay questions and more

RESOURCES MADE BY: Little Tiger Group

BOOK: ‘Dreams From My Father’ by Barack Obama

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Chapter-by-chapter talking points

RESOURCES MADE BY: Walker Books

BOOK: ‘Sisters of the Lost Marsh’ by Lucy Strange

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions, writing opportunities and cross-curricular opportunities

RESOURCES MADE BY: SHAPES for schools

BOOK: ‘Encounters’ by Jason Wallace

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Discussion questions for ages 12+

BOOK: ‘All American Boys’ by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 13+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring themes of dualism, stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination, and more

RESOURCES MADE BY: Faber

BOOK: ‘The Notorious Scarlett & Browne’ by Jonathan Stroud

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Chapter-by-chapter talking points

RESOURCES MADE BY: Walker Books

BOOK: ‘The Burning Swift’ by Joseph Elliott

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Chapter-by-chapter discussion questions

RESOURCES MADE BY: Walker Books

BOOK: ‘We Are All Made Of Molecules’ by Susan Nielsen

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Discussion questions for ages 12+

BOOK: ‘Things A Bright Girl Can Do’ by Sally Nicholls

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Discussion questions for ages 12+

BOOK: ‘The Asparagus Bunch’ by Jessica Scott-Whyte

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Discussion questions and post-reading activities

RESOURCES MADE BY: Welbeck Publishing

BOOK: ‘The Shark and the Scar’ by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Extracts, discussion questions and extra activities around themes of relationships, memories, the impact of scars, sharks, recovery, mental health and more

RESOURCES MADE BY: Hachette

BOOK: ‘The Worlds We Leave Behind’ by A.F. Harrold

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Reading group questions, discussing key themes of the book (friendship, responsibility, loneliness, ways of thinking, imagination, storytelling, illustration), and an illustration challenge

BOOK: ‘The Ship of Doom’ by M.A. Bennett

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Discussion questions and extra activities

RESOURCES MADE BY: Welbeck Publishing

BOOK: ‘Ace of Spades’ by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 14+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring themes of marginalised groups, privilege, secrets and happy endings

RESOURCES CREATED BY: SHAPES for Schools

BOOK: ‘GIRL (in real life)’ by Tamsin Winter

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Building reading, writing and speaking & listening skills, as well as encouraging students to reflect on the double-edged power of social media

RESOURCE MADE BY: Usborne

BOOK: ‘The Yearbook’ by Holly Bourne

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 14+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring themes of finding your voice, familial abuse, falling in love, bullying and more

RESOURCES CREATED BY: SHAPES for Schools

BOOK: ‘The Truths We Hold: Young Readers Edition’ by Kamala Harris

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Reading group / book group guide

REOURCE MADE BY: Vintage Publishing

BOOK: ‘The Outlaws of Scarlett and Browne’ by Jonathan Stroud

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

RESOURCES MADE BY: The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE). These resources have been made to provide schools with ideas to develop comprehension and cross-curricular activities around this text. CLPE provide a wide range free teaching resources for primary schools. Please visit www.clpe.org.uk to find out more.

BOOK: ‘Bone Music’ by David Almond

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Discussion questions based on the book

RESOURCES CREATED BY: Hachette

Note: This book covers some sensitive issues. It is advised that teachers/parents/carers read the book before sharing with students.

BOOK: ‘Robin Hood’ by Robert Muchamore

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring themes such as modernising folklore, corruption, survival in the forest and being an outlaw

RESOURCE MADE BY: SHAPES for schools

BOOK: ‘Alex Rider’ by Anthony Horowitz

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 9+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities that include designing and advertising gadgets, exploring settings and maps, non-chronological reports, drama and role-play, diary writing and more

RESOURCES MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Concrete Rose’ by Angie Thomas

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 14+

PERFECT FOR: Discussing narrative style, reality vs fiction, black manhood, unhappy balance, what is in a name, loyalty, and microcosms and universality.

RESOURCES MADE BY: The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE). These resources have been made to provide schools with ideas to develop comprehension and cross-curricular activities around this text. CLPE provide a wide range free teaching resources for primary schools. Please visit www.clpe.org.uk to find out more.

BOOK: ‘Talking To Alaska’ by Anna Woltz

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 11+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring themes such as identity, difference and uniqueness, fear and bravery, disability and invisible disabilities, bullying and more.

BOOK: ‘Concrete Rose’ by Angie Thomas

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 14+

PERFECT FOR: Exploring themes of drug and alcohol education, sex and relationships, euro-centricity of the American public school curriculum and chapter-by-chapter questions.

RESOURCES MADE BY: The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE). These resources have been made to provide schools with ideas to develop comprehension and cross-curricular activities around this text. CLPE provide a wide range free teaching resources for primary schools. Please visit www.clpe.org.uk to find out more.

BOOK: ‘No Fixed Address’ by Susan Nielsen

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Discussion questions for ages 12+

BOOK: ‘Out Of Shadows’ by Jason Wallace

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 12+

PERFECT FOR: Discussion questions for ages 12+ on this multi-award-winning book

BOOK: ‘I Have Lost My Way’ by Gayle Forman

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 13+

PERFECT FOR: Curriculum objectives, comprehension questions and extra activities, perfect for exploring relationships and character connections, considering points of view and shifting perspective, the impact of technology, converging storylines and themes of love, loss, betrayal, isolation and unity. Activities include: writing in role, creative thinking, comparison charts, drama and role-play, poetry, presentations and more…

RESOURCE MADE BY: Authorfy

BOOK: ‘Jelly’ by Jo Cotterill

SUITABLE FOR: Ages 10+

PERFECT FOR: Chapter-by-chapter comprehension questions, writing tasks, PSHE discussion topics and cross-curricular opportunities

RESOURCES MADE BY: Jo Cotterill

A powerful new collection of contemporary poems for teenagers from Matt Goodfellow, winner of the CLiPPA 2024 and author of Let’s Chase Stars Together and The Final Year.

The true story of one girl’s fight for survival against the unspeakable terror of Auschwitz – an important and sensitive retelling.

For ages 14+. An empowering and uplifting collection of poems from groundbreaking and award-winning poet Koleka Putuma, about figuring out who you are and embracing it. With words to affirm, this is the ideal companion to hold your hand while you navigate all the big questions, discoveries and transitions of young adulthood.

All Kam wants to do is focus on winning big with her relay team (and best girlfriends)! But to fly down the race track she’s going to need to learn what truly makes her soar.

A powerful and lyrical story about finding your place in the world and the people that matter within it.

Life in the Swamplands is tough for twelve-year-old orphan Adia. Her aunt and uncle believe she is an ogbanje, a demon-possessed child thought to bring misfortune. And when Adia manifests mysterious powers, accidentally destroying her village, she starts to think they might be right.

The bestselling story about love, loss and hope that launched David Almond as one of the best children’s writers of today. Winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Children’s Book of the Year Award, this unforgettable book now has captivating illustrations by Tom de Freston to celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary.

In a world where anyone can create life-destroying curses, only one person has the power to unravel them.

Sel Archer lives in a normal town with normal residents, except for one night a month . . . When the full moon comes out, almost all of the adults turn into werewolves, and it’s up to the young people to protect themselves from danger.

Asha has spent her life on an island community built on the principle of truth. But she discovers she has been lied to about something huge – a secret sister called Willow.

Shireen Malik is still reeling from the breakup with her ex-girlfriend, Chris, when she receives news that she’s been accepted as a contestant on a new televised baking competition show. This is Shireen’s dream come true! Because winning will not only mean prize money, but it will also bring some much-needed attention to You Drive Me Glazy, her parents’ beloved donut shop.

Ori Reynolds has just made the biggest mistake of her life. One that’s resulted in:



1) losing all but one of her friends,



2) feeling like the World’s Most Terrible Person,



and



3) having all her fun summer plans cancelled.

An empowering story about finding your identity and the courage to fight for it.

Take a peek into the diary of Panth (never enquire as to her given name), a young woman knocking on the gilded door of adult life and high society. But kicking up one’s heels at the Café de Paris does not come easily . . .

Life is fraught for fourteen-year-old, zodiac-obsessed Cat. First there’s a minor bus-meets-girl accident, then there’s a boy-next-door suitor who can’t take a hint, but the most desperate disaster of all is Cat’s crush on the stunning and poetic Alison Bridgewater.

Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: detective, sorcerer, warrior. Oh yeah. And dead. Stephanie’s uncle Gordon is a writer of horror fiction. But when he dies and leaves her his estate, Stephanie learns that while he may have written horror, it certainly wasn’t fiction.

Italy, 1703. As the war with Mevolent rages on, the Dead Men are dispatched to a walled town in the Tuscan hills – not to assassinate the Lord of the Dark Sorcerers, but to save him.

The year is 1904. Luki has lived a tribal life in the mountains of the Philippines. Now she’s growing up, she is expected to become a wife and a mother, but Luki isn’t ready to give up her dream to become a warrior.

Adam has found something incredible in a rubbish dump in London. A mysterious, mythical, magical animal. A TYGER. And the tyger is in danger.

The epic conclusion to the critically acclaimed Shadow Skye series, a rich fantasy adventure trilogy set in a mythical Scotland.

Voted as one of the UK’s best-loved books, Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses is a seminal piece of YA fiction; a true modern classic.

Jacob finds himself on the road-trip of a lifetime with an unwitting partner in crime. Will he make it to LA in time – and in one piece? A funny, filmic, page-turning adventure, ideal for readers aged 11+.

The book that introduced teen super-spy Alex Rider to millions of enthralled fans, Stormbreaker is an unstoppable juggernaut of high-octane thrills, action set-pieces and wire-taut narrative tension.

From the New York Times-bestselling author Kwame Alexander, ‘Rebound’ is a stunning coming-of-age novel in verse about basketball, family and staying true to yourself. ‘Rebound’ is the prequel to ‘The Crossover’.