Resources
Latest opportunities from our adult publisher partners - author visits, free sets of books and POS packs!
If you have a reading group with adults or work in library – we have some fantastic opportunities for you! We have free virtual event, 100s of books for reading groups and other opportunities. If you would like some display and activity packs then visit our shop. We also have lots of reading group opportunities on our noticeboard. Download the attachment for more information.
Latest opportunities from our publisher partners for schools and libraries - including Greta Thunberg event and pack!
If you have a reading group with children or work in a school or library – we have some fantastic opportunities for you! If you would like some display and activity packs then visit our shop. We also have hundreds of fantastic digital packs and resources including booklists on our Chatterbooks resources page. Download the attachment for more information about all of these packs and you will also find out about hundreds of books up-for-grabs for reading groups with children and young...
'Am I Made of Stardust?' Learning Resources
Explore the themes of space travel and curiosity with these learning resources for Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock’s ‘Am I Made of Stardust?’ Suitable for ages 9-11 (Year 4 to Year 6)
'Wolfbane' Teacher Resources
Explore the themes of Michelle Paver’s ‘Wolfbane’ through activities and discussion in this Teachers’ Pack. About the Book The grand finale to the prize-winning adventure series that’s changed the lives of millions of readers. Breathtaking world-building on an epic scale. Pure escapism at its best. It is early spring, a turbulent, perilous time of sudden storms, frozen river fractures and drifting ice. Fleeing from a demon intent on devouring his souls, Wolf is swept out to Sea far from the...
Horror Heights competition - win a name in the book and a virtual visit!
‘A great read. Slimey delicious fun from start to finish!’ – Jonathan Ross Welcome to Horror Heights: can the children who live here conceal the strange goings on behind closed doors? GOOSEBUMPS for a new generation, by award-winning comedian and CITV presenter, Bec Hill. The first book in the ghoulish new series, THE SLIME, follows a young girl whose failed slime experiment suddenly comes alive! The second book in the series, NOW LIVESCREAMING, follows a child who swaps lives with his...
The Reading Agency’s November booklist for Adults – Debuts
November marks National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo (as it’s more commonly known). We want to celebrate some of our favourite debut authors of 2022. From edge-of-your-seat thrillers to thought-provoking explorations of culture and belonging, there’s something for everyone! Dive in today and don’t forget to tell us what you thought of any of the books on the list by tagging us on social media using #booklist and tagging @readingagency!
Don't Ask the Dragon by Lemn Sissay - Activity Sheets
Don’t Ask the Dragon by Lemn Sissay is the story of a story of a little boy called Alem who goes on an adventure. It’s his birthday, but who knows where he can go to celebrate it? Maybe the bear, the fox, the treefrog or the bulldog know? But don’t ask the dragon… or he will EAT you! Download these activity sheets and colouring sheet to support children’s reading of Don’t Ask The Dragon.
The Reading Agency’s November booklist for Children and Young People – Debuts
November marks National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo (as it’s more commonly known). We want to celebrate some of our favourite debut authors of 2022. From humorous tales of belonging and acceptance to sensational love stories (and everything in between!), there’s something for everyone. Dive in today and don’t forget to tell us what you thought of any of the books on the list by tagging us on social media using #booklist and tagging @readingagency!
What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks - activity sheets
Unwrap a brand new adventure from everyone’s favourite crime-fighting ladybird! We’re celebrating What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas, a brand new title in the bestselling What the Ladybird Heard series by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. In a big old house, the ladybird is visiting her friend the spider for the festive season. But those two bad men, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, are up to no good again. They have a devious plan – to steal the children’s Christmas presents from their stockings!...
The Last Storyteller by Donna Barba Higuera - digital pack
An unforgettable journey through the stars, to the very heart of what makes us human. The incredible Newbery Medal-winning novel from Donna Barba Higuera. “Gripping in its twists and turns, and moving in its themes – truly a beautiful cuento.”- NEW YORK TIMES Había una vez… There lived a girl named Petra Peña, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita. But Petra’s world is ending. Earth will soon be destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their...
Joseph Coelho - Rhymetime and Storytime digital pack
Blow a kiss, catch a kiss when we are apart. Blow a kiss, catch a kiss put it in your heart. From Eye Caterpillars to The Journey Game, and from Dancing Families to Dreamtime, Blow a Kiss, Catch a Kiss is beautifully illustrated collection of 44 fun and heart-warming poems from award-winning children’s poet Joseph Coelho, designed to be shared together. ‘The idea behind the book was to create a series of modern baby action poems. As much as I’m a fan of ‘ring a ring o roses’ and ‘the wheels...
The Reading Agency’s October booklist for Children and Young People – Poetry
Celebrate National Poetry Day on 6 October and share the magic of poetry. Take inspiration this autumn with some of the best poetry writing and who knows, maybe you’ll become inspired to write your own poem. Tell us what you thought of any of the books on the list by tagging us on social media using #booklist and tagging @readingagency!
October 2022 Children's and Young People booklist - Brilliant books by Black authors and illustrators
As October is Black History Month, we have created a booklist of 125 brilliant books created by Black authors and illustrators. There is something for everyone with fantastic poetry, graphic novels, fiction and non-fiction titles. You can join in with the conversation online using #BrilliantBooksBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook.
Critical Role: Vox Machina Kith and Kin Reading Guide
Explore the past of Critical Role’s daring half-elf twins, Vex’ahlia and Vax’ildan, in this original prequel novel to their adventures with Vox Machina. This reading group guide will help discussion, activity and further reading, inspired by this book.
Key Player: Room to Dream by Kelly Yang - Teaching Notes
’Mia is the compassionate, action-driven heroine today’s readers deserve’ Publishers Weekly MIA TANG IS PLAYING TO WIN! The Women’s World Cup is coming to California, and everyone has football fever ― especially Mia! But when her PE teacher gives her a C, Mia has to pull up her grade by scoring interviews with the championship teams. It’s not so easy when… 1. The two teams are hunkered down in secret hotels in Pasadena and not taking any media requests. 2. Mr Yao is back at the motel― as a...
Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli - reading guide
Stunningly honest and bursting with wit, Someday Maybe is the story of grief and resilience that you won’t be able to stop talking about. Eve is left heartbroken by her husband’s unexpected death, but everyone around her – her friends, her boisterous British-Nigerian family, her toxic mother-in-law – seems to be pushing her to move on. Unable to face the future, Eve begins looking back, delving through the history of her marriage in an attempt to understand where it went wrong. So begins an...
Bring Your Toy to School Day (12 October) - digital pack
Hachette Children’s Group have created an exciting resource pack to help you celebrate Bring Your Toy to School Day on 12 October. The downloadable digital pack includes: - Bring Your Toy to School Day instruction sheet for teachers - Downloadable poster to advertise Bring Your Toy to School Day - Downloadable activity sheets - Downloadable The Christmas Pig bookmarks The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and...
Oh No, George! - special poster for Libraries Week
Our friends at Walker Books want to help you celebrate Libraries Week with a special themed poster featuring illustrations from Oh No, George! It’s hard work being good all the time – and it’s especially hard for a dog like George! Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Oh No, George! is a laugh-out-loud, visual romp from the acclaimed author-illustrator, Chris Haughton. We would love to see you enjoying the pack and celebrating Libraries Week using #LibrariesWeek and tagging WalkerBooksUK and...
Game Changer: A Rocky of the Rovers Novel by Tom Palmer - Activity Pack
Kick-off your reading with Roy of the Rovers, and his sister, Rocky Race! Roy of the Rovers is the action-packed football series that spans both illustrated fiction titles and graphic novels across sixteen exciting books! Roy and his sister Rocky are ordinary teenagers, but with big dreams for playing for their local team, The Melchester Rovers! But making the cut is the first hurdle to the top, as the footballing siblings have to deal with a whole heap of problems both on the pitch and off...
Treacle Walker Reading Group Guide - The Booker Prize 2022
A Reading Guide to ‘Treacle Walker’ by Alan Garner, shortlisted for The Booker Prize 2022. Includes information about the book, the author, what the Booker judges said and questions and discussion points.
The Trees Reading Group Guide - The Booker Prize 2022
A Reading Guide to ‘The Trees’ by Percival Everett, shortlisted for The Booker Prize 2022. Includes information about the book, the author, what the Booker judges said and questions and discussion points.
Small Things Like These Reading Group Guide - The Booker Prize 2022
A Reading Guide to ‘Small Things Like These’ by Claire Keegan, shortlisted for The Booker Prize 2022. Includes information about the book, the author, what the Booker judges said and questions and discussion points.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida Reading Group Guide - The Booker Prize 2022
A Reading Guide to ‘The Seven Moons of Maali Almedia’ by Shehan Karunatilaka, shortlisted for The Booker Prize 2022. Includes information about the book, the author, what the Booker judges said and questions and discussion points.
Oh William! Reading Group Guide - The Booker Prize 2022
A Reading Guide to ‘Oh William!’ by Elizabeth Strout, shortlisted for The Booker Prize 2022. Includes information about the book, the author, what the Booker judges said and questions and discussion points.
Glory Reading Group Guide - The Booker Prize 2022
A Reading Guide to ‘Glory’ by NoViolet Bulawayo, shortlisted for The Booker Prize 2022. Includes information about the book, the author, what the Booker judges said and questions and discussion points.
Ember Shadows and the Fates of Mount Never - author videos and teaching resources
In a land trapped by fate, only courage can re-write the future. In the magical village of Everspring, everyone receives a fate card before their twelfth birthday, sent down from the mysterious Mount Never. It tells them their purpose, their profession and how old they’ll be when they die. Nearly 12-year-old Ember Shadows has always believed she is destined for great things. But when her fate card arrives, it’s blank. What does that mean? Then, worse still, her sister’s card decrees she will...
Children's Yearbook 2022
To celebrate National Reading Group Day 2022, we asked our Chatterbooks group leaders to recommend the books that their participants have enjoyed over the past year, and we loved hearing what made them giggle and be inspired! With nature, dark fairy tales and the baddest panda at the zoo, these books are perfect to get children reading.
Icebreaker questions
You’ve read your book and come together with your group to discuss it, but where do you begin? Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to talk about first, so these handy questions will help to break the ice and get the conversation flowing. Looking to start a reading group? You can also download our How to start a reading group guide, and a social media guide to show how you can share your reading with others online.
Yearbook 2022 booklist
The results are in! To celebrate National Reading Group Day, we asked you for your recommendations for our 2022 Yearbook – the books that have made your group laugh, cry debate and more over the past year. We loved reading your recommendations and had a hard time selecting which books to put on our list. We hope that you enjoy them!
How to start a reading group
Interested in joining a reading group or starting one of your own? Download our quick guide to getting started. You can also download icebreaker questions to help get your discussion started, and a social media guide to show how you can share your reading with others online.
