The ultimate summer reading list for KS2 (7 to 11) and KS3 (11-14) students

1st July 2025 by Anita Naik

If you're worried about a long summer of children on devices and concerned about how to encourage your child to read, look no further. Here's our ultimate summer reading list to inspire even the most reluctant of readers.

Why summer reading boosts skills:

For children aged 7 to 14, summer reading is a powerful tool for preventing learning loss while fostering a lifelong love of reading and books. However, while research shows that students who don't read over the holidays can lose up to 2-3 months of academic progress, this finding is specific to the US. That said, not reading all summer does have a slight knock-on effect across all subjects.

Regular reading by comparison strengthens vocabulary and comprehension, and also improves critical thinking. The latter two skills are crucial for KS2, SATs, and GCSE preparation, as well as a range of subjects beyond humanities, including Maths and Physics. Reading during the holidays also helps spark the imagination, reduce screen time, and enables kids to build empathy and creativity in a way that structured lessons often can't.

Why reading is more than an academic skill:

For children and adults alike, becoming an avid reader strengthens cognitive abilities, including memory, focus, and analytical thinking. Studies also show that regular readers have larger vocabularies, better problem-solving skills, and even higher professional achievement.

Beyond academics, reading fosters interpersonal skills, exposing your child to diverse perspectives, cultures, and ideas. In a fast-paced digital world, this helps readers develop the ability to think critically, resist misinformation, and communicate effectively, giving them a competitive edge in school, work, and life.

How reading benefits every stage of life:

Young readers have also been found to perform better in standardised tests and essay writing, giving them an early academic advantage. This is down to the fact that regular reading throughout the year improves comprehension by actively engaging the brain in decoding, analysing, and helping a person get meaning from a text.

Adults who read regularly experience lower stress levels, improved mental agility, and even delayed cognitive decline in later years. Professionally, strong readers adapt faster, learn new skills more easily, and often excel in leadership roles. Perhaps most importantly, reading cultivates curiosity and resilience, turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

If your child struggles with reading:

If your child is struggling with comprehension, tutors can play a transformational role in helping them understand both what they are reading.

Tutors can also provide personalised, structured, and engaging support. As a parent, you can help by making time to read together or listen to audiobooks and then discuss the subject matter.

8 ways to encourage summer reading:

1. Start by letting your kids choose books based on their interests, whether it's fantasy, sports, or graphic novels.

2. Set up a family "reading hour" where everyone enjoys a book together.

3. For reluctant readers, consider audiobooks or read-alouds as a family to make stories more interactive. The key is to keep it light and enjoyable, so reading feels like a treat rather than a chore.

4. If your child struggles with comprehension or fluency, short, daily reading sessions are more effective than marathon study sessions.

5. When reading together, ask open-ended questions, such as "What do you think will happen next?" to spark a discussion.

6. Pair books with related activities, such as cooking a meal from a story's setting or watching the film adaptation, as this can deepen their connection to the reading experience.

7. If they're preparing for exams, mix leisure reading with light, curriculum-based texts to maintain skills.

8. If they hit a slump? A visit to the library or a session with a tutor can help reignite their enthusiasm before the start of the new school year.