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Find out moreIn this list you'll find a selection of titles specifically written to help dyslexic readers. The age range above (7-9 years) represents the interest age, whilst the reading age for each title is detailed within each title page and ranges from age 5-8.
Together with Barrington Stoke, the leader in the field of dyslexia-friendly books and the leading charity Dyslexia Action our aim here at LoveReading4Schools is to help children crack the reading code.
Buy all the books on this list now from Browns Books For Students. Click the add to basket button to get started.
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | Blue Peter Book Award winner Vashti Hardy joins the excellent Barrington Stoke list with this new book and concisely delivers an exciting sci-fi adventure in just 100 pages. 13-year-old Grace is frustrated that as the youngest member of her family she’s not allowed to run solo missions for their magical warden operation, which protects the people of Moreland. So when the alarm bell rings and she’s the only one in the office, she answers the call anyway, jumping into their transporter with her companion, clockwork raven Watson, and climbing out into what turns out to be some treacherous goings on. Will Grace need rescuing by her family, or will it be the other way round? It’s a great bit of adventure, with recognisable characters and family relationships and a vividly drawn other-world. More please!
September 2020 Book of the Month | Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | If you like your adventures good and creepy, you’re going to love The Invasion of the Crooked Oak. Crooked Oak is a peaceful kind of place, but it seems something is up with the town’s grown-ups – they’ve stopped eating, are avoiding the light, and generally behaving really strangely. When teenagers Pete, Krish and Nancy try to work out what’s going on, they find the trail leads to the fracking site on the town’s edge. The tension ratchets up nicely as the three realise they’ve got one chance to save their parents and themselves. The environmental theme feels very topical and author Dan Smith knows just how to keep his readers on the edge of their seats. Published by dyslexia specialists Barrington Stoke, this is accessible to readers of all abilities and completely gripping.
August 2020 Book of the Month | Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | Laura Dockrill packs a really big story into this compact little book and though she tackles some big issues too, she keeps them specific to her set of characters, so that even quite young readers will understand. Sequin’s mum is a dressmaker, sewing gowns and fabulous outfits for the stars. She never takes any credit though, preferring to stay in the background and in fact, she’s literally hiding herself away in the family’s flat at the top of a tower block. When Sequin does a school presentation about her mum, no-one believes her. It makes Sequin angry with her mum, but then a terrible danger threatens them and they both have to face their real fears. It’s a story that readers will absolutely love, with a twist that they’ll want to return to again and again. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
May 2020 Non-Fiction Book of the Month | Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | It’s exactly fifty years since the infamous Apollo 13 space mission took off for the moon. For any young person who doesn’t know what happened – and indeed for those that do too – David Long’s retelling will keep them on the edge of their seats, awed by the challenges of space travel, and by the ingenuity and determination of those who work in it. Survival in Space describes with just the right level of detail, how a broken electrical wire led to the explosion that left astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise stranded 200,000 miles from home, and how they and the team on earth worked to engineer their eventual successful return. In Barrington Stoke style, this is accessible to all readers, including those with dyslexia, but is without any trace of simplification. David Long has a great track record in non-fiction and this will be another firm favourite. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | Tony Bradman’s gripping novella about a (bad) day in the life of a boy caring for his mum is truly touching, and especially great for reluctant readers – the concise, considered storytelling holds attention, and the short chapters are perfect for encouraging readers to keep going, or take a break, as they require. Jayden’s Mum hasn’t been herself since losing her job at the supermarket. “Maybe Mum would do the washing today,” he wonders before school one morning. “They really needed some shopping as well – the fridge was almost empty.” With Mum still in bed, Jayden gets little sister Madison ready for school, all the while worrying about what they’ll do when there’s no money at all, what they’ll eat for dinner now the cupboards are bare. Things get even worse at school when his best friend tells him to “go away...We’re not friends anymore.” Meanwhile, Jayden’s new supply teacher isn’t having a good day either: “She’d wanted to teach kids, but she had also wanted to make a difference to their lives. Yet things had changed, and over the last few years she had seemed to spend all her time filling out forms... And that made her feel cross and sad.” And now she’s here in Jayden’s school feeling lost, wondering whether she should be a teacher at all. Seeing Jayden look so sad pains her heart and then, when his sadness turns to anger and erupts like an angry volcano, Miss Wilson helps him see light at the end of his dark tunnel. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
February 2020 Book of the Month | Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | This little story sparkles with magic and fun. It starts on Hallowe’en when friends Jessie and Ali find something very unexpected in their treat bucket – a little kitten. What’s even more surprising, the kitten is magic and can talk. They take the perfectly named Magicat home and all sorts of adventures follow – sheds are turned into treehouses, pancakes are cooked (almost) and the bully next door is put in his place. It’s all made even more exciting because Magicat isn’t quite as expert at the magic thing as he’d have you believe and some of the spells go delightfully wrong. Purrfect for newly confident readers as well as for those who are reluctant or dyslexic. Let’s hope there are more adventures to come for Magicat and his friends. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | Nothing is what it seems in Alex Bell’s spritely, spooky novella that sees a girl figure out the sinister secrets of a toy factory. An atmosphere of underlying mystery is keenly evoked from the off: “The children of Cherryville all knew the factory was an evil place. Something awful had happened inside five years ago. It was something kids still whispered about in the playground and used to frighten each other at sleepovers.” And in the way of all creepy rumours, “None of the children in the town knew the truth for sure. They just knew that they should stay away from that factory.” Unfortunately for Tess, she and her younger siblings are forced to work in the factory when its reopening ominously coincides with her family’s farm falling on hard times. With its eccentric Willy Wonka-esque owner mysteriously only employing under twelve-year-olds, what else can they do? Inside the factory, it’s not long before all manner of terrifying events unfold, and all creepy fingers point to the teddy bears being behind them. Though short in length, this is big in impact: how’s this for an evocative description: “And the smell of damp gave way to the scent of goblin, which was something like black pepper and toffee apples mixed up together”? The story sprints to tense end, with a final twist in the tale that would give Roald Dahl a run for his money. And, being published by Barrington Stoke, it’s written and designed with reluctant and dyslexic readers in mind. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2021 | July 2019 Book of the Month | Characteristically, Gill Lewis skilfully conjures a vivid sense of landscape and wildlife in a story starring a character driven by her love of wild things and determination to achieve justice for them. Bobbie lives on a sheep farm in the Scottish Highlands with her parents and strong-willed, somewhat eccentric grandma. In a shocking opening chapter, Granny’s little dog dies suddenly and horribly, poisoned by bait intended to kill a magnificent young golden eagle. Bobbie and her granny know that the local landlord’s gamekeeper is responsible, and that he’s a threat to all birds of prey in the area. Can they prove it, and protect the eagle? Readers will be gripped by the story and quickly come to understand Bobbie’s love for the eagle and her passion to stand up for it and all wild birds. It’s a terrific story, told with real impact, one for all animal lovers. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2021 | Shortlisted for the Children's Book Award 2020 | Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2020, Best Story category | July 2019 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month July 2019 | A beautifully told, deeply moving story about how a boy finds a special way of remembering his soldier father. When Owen’s father dies fighting in Syria he finds himself caring for his mum who isn’t coping well. School becomes a struggle as he doesn’t want to tell anyone but he finds comfort and refuge in the local memorial garden when there is a crumbing statue as a memorial to those who died in the First World War. When the council decide to remodel the garden and remove the statue Owen knows that he must take dramatic action. And fast. Luckily, he gets the chance to write a poem for the opening of his school’s new library. Owen’s poem captures the importance of remembering while his presentation of it and the effect it has on the council brings him resolution. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+ Lisa Thompson, said of her Blue Peter nomination: “To have a book nominated for an award is wonderful, but to have a book in the final three of the Blue Peter Book Award is an absolute honour! I was an avid Blue Peter viewer as a child, and I am so delighted to see Owen and the Soldier included in the short list. It's so exciting!”
Interest Age 5-8 | Everyone knows that footballers are super-superstitious and when things suddenly start going wrong for the Saints, they decide their team is under a curse. The question is, what can they do to lift it? Stanley is the only one of them who really understands that lucky strips and garlic down their socks won’t get them winning again – only confidence and determination will do that. It’s up to him to change the team’s outlook. The action flows, both on the pitch and in the dressing room, and the story feels as real and authentic as a pair of muddy football boots. Steve May’s illustrations are bang on and in Barrington Stoke style, this is accessible even to reluctant or dyslexic readers. A winner!
May 2018 Book of the Month | Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8 | Alan Gibbons can pack a great deal of story and power into a short extent and that’s certainly the case with this book. It stars a group of young footballers, two of whom – the most talented – are refugees, only recently invited to play with West Team Celtic. Our main character, Sam, is happy to accept them into the squad but a boy called Jordan resents anyone who is better than him, and does his best to keep them out of the team. The drama of the matches is broken up and balanced via short chapters explaining who refugees are, where they come from, and why – something that makes the book much more than just a sports adventure. For the the final scene, everything comes together and there’s a wonderful demonstration of sport’s ability to unite us all, and even, occasionally, to work miracles. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
There’s all the fun of the circus in Alexander McCall Smith’s new series, and a satisfying bit of junior sleuthing. Young Billy, Fern and Joe are performers in their family circus, but there’s a bit of Sherlock Holmes about them too: as their friend Mr Birdcage points out, they’re clever, and they like helping people. So when they notice a sad boy in the audience and find out his granny has gone missing, they set about finding her, using some of their circus skills in the process. Readers will be delighted to know that the circus’s troupe of dog stars play a part as well. It’s a lovely story and as ever filled with the all-embracing sense of kindness and integrity that is characteristic of McCall Smith’s writing.
April 2019 Book of the Month | Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | It’s hard to resist any book that starts with toads dropping from the sky and that’s just one of the delights of this story. The toads provide the backdrop to a thoroughly enjoyable tale of friendship, inter-school horticultural rivalry and the fall and rise of an umbrella emporium. Patrice Lawrence makes sure the storylines leap along nicely and her central characters Leo and Rosa feel like old friends even by chapter two. Becka Moor’s illustrations – of toads and human characters alike – are more than lively enough to match the narrative. A fun, original adventure that will keep everyone hoppy.
March 2019 Book of the Month | Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | Guy Bass comes out all guns blazing in his latest comic adventure which features some typically wonderful characters – I particularly like Tad Tipsy the bartender and Precious Little the gold prospector. Centre stage is sheriff’s daughter Laura Norder and her arch enemy Duncan Disorderly, motto ‘No rules!’. In a spontaneous gesture he comes to regret, Laura’s dad makes her sheriff, but absolute power is no good for anyone and Laura’s obsession with imposing strict rules quickly makes her very unpopular with the townspeople of Butts Canyon. It’s very funny indeed, but there are lessons for us all and a sly bit of political satire too. Yee haw!
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 7 Shona loves words and discovering new ones, so she’s fascinated by the professor on TV talking about her campaign to protect dying languages. Shona’s teacher is a language-lover too and encourages the class to create a language nest. The class fills up with words from the different languages the children speak and there’s a special surprise guest at their World Language Day celebration. A story that takes real pleasure in words and language, this is a lively and entertaining read. Shona, her friends and family are fun to be with and every reader will pick up words they didn’t know to add to their own language nest. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 7+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ The magical healing power of stories lies at the heart of this touching book. Mia feels trapped in the wrong story. She wants to leave the foster home and get back to her own home and her mum. Mia knows that wishes don’t really come true but when Cherry Green arrives at the foster home her cheerful outlook brings new optimism to Mia and Billy and Juno and even troublesome Kyle. Cherry Green helps all the children by introducing them to the stories in which they can play big parts and, in doing so, find out some important truths about themselves. ~ Julia Eccleshare Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
How do see off the school bully? Sick of being picked on and called ‘chicken’ the narrator of this story thinks up a dare to show up Darren Bishop, the school bully. A farm boy himself he is quite at home with the big bully Olly and he dares Darren to come up close too. When Darren Bishop flees from the field his bullying days are over but there’s a twist in the tale…Is anyone really safe from the bully? A gripping story with a surprising ending.
Interest Age 5-8 | When a tiny dragon escapes from the pages of the story he has been reading, Patrick can hardly believe his eyes. But when a White Knight on a charger follows, Patrick soon finds himself playing a very big part in the story! Award-winning Cornelia Funke brilliantly lifts a story off the page and turns it into a ‘real’ adventure.
The story of a young footballer from Africa who achieves his dream of winning a place at one of the top UK clubs, this short novel is both a satisfying story of hard work, dedication and talent, plus all-important family support, leading to success, but inspires too by the inclusion of pages of information about the real-life heroes of African football, from Roger Milla to Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba. Written to be super-readable, it is action and fact-filled both, a skilful piece of storytelling that will catch the imagination of all young football fans and give them lots to talk about. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of super-readable short fiction by some of the very best children’s authors and illustrators in the UK. Each title has a host of unique accessibility features to offer cracking reads to more children including reluctant and struggling readers and those with dyslexia or visual stress. Here at Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting the best of their new and backlist titles to recommend to you. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7 Clever telling keeps this story spooky and surprising. Chapter one and Robbie and Gareth are local celebrities being interviewed by local TV. But why? A story of ghostly goings on in the local woods, bravery plus a bit of playground humiliation is revealed leading up to a surprise twist in the tale as we learn just what was making those creepy night-time howling noises and why the boys are in the spotlight. Part of Barrington Stoke’s 4U2Read series, this has been edited to a reading age of seven, but the boys’ adventure makes for really satisfying reading for children aged 8 to 12, and they are a very likeable, believable couple of rascals. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ This new story from Jean Ure, though seemingly simple and straightforward, is typically full of insight into children’s friendships and lives. Like lots of children, Lily longs for a dog but now that she and her mum are living in a fifth floor flat it’s just not possible. Lily can’t accept this, blames her mum (they used to live with her gran until her mum had a falling out with her) and generally behaves in a very stroppy way. A meeting with an old lady and her dog in the park changes things, and Lily’s new friendship helps her cope with her anger, and gives her space to calm down. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7 | Set in Liverpool during World War II, Alan Gibbon’s novel is a compelling drama. It packs a real emotional punch despite its short extent, which is Barrington Stoke style, part of their method of removing the obstacles that can put off struggling or dyslexic readers. Jimmy, Molly and their parents live with his nan, but she’s never approved of their dad, and holds him responsible when their mum is killed in a bomb blast. Things get bleaker when Dad’s ship is torpedoed. The book gives a real sense of the lives of city kids during wartime, and Gibbon’s staccato style - nan ‘had a face like a hawk and a taste for Guinness.’ - suits the format very well. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
Interest Age 5-8 A swashbuckling adventure from TV star Tony Robinson. Ben is a pirate at heart who is not at all happy when he discovers on his first day at school that there are no walk-the-plank and cutlass classes. That is until Ben's class mate, short John Silver arrives. These two boys get up to all sorts of skulduggery and before long the school finds they have a mutiny on their hands. With plenty of full-colour illustrations throughout, limited text on every page with clear short sentences throughout. About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7+ Prity is newly arrived in England and new to her school in Tottenham. She has learnt English at school in India but, even though she speaks the same language as her classmates, she can’t always understand enough to join in the games! Everything is so different. All Prity wants is for someone to explain things to her! Gradually, and helped by her class mates, spirited Prity soon learns to fit in and to have fun. And just when she’s settled – the family are about to move again! Best-selling Mary Hoffman, author of Amazing Grace, brings the experience of a newcomer in the classroom vividly to life. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7+ The best-selling author of The Demon Headmaster tells a thrilling and funny story about the taming of a wild horse. Mozart’s Banana is a horse who is a daft as his name. Even Sammy Foster who thinks he is top boy at everything can’t manage to stay on the horse. But then Alice Brett turns up. She is determined to ride Mozart’s Bottom. Alice takes a long cool look at Mozart’s Banana. And she gets the librarian to get her some special books about horses. Will she dare ride such a dangerous horse – and will she be able to? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
Shortlisted for the Little Rebels Book Award 2015 Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7+ A beautiful story which captures the dreams and hopes of Nadine, newly arrived in the UK from Goma and still traumatised by the terrors of the war from which her family has fled. And by the absence of her father who is still trapped in their home country. Nadine is confused by almost everything at school. In particular, she hates it when a teacher shouts as it reminds her of the terrifying shouts of the rebel soldiers who may still be holding her father prisoner. Nadine only finds peace when she is shown a picture of Goma on the computer. Looking at it she can dream of her father and their life before they fled. But will Nadine ever be reunited with the father she so longs for? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
Interest Age 5-8 Who’s to blame when things go wrong? Dogs Norman and Ringo realise that they are the Blamehounds when they get told off for everything from farts to an unexpected splat of peach juice. But then they come up with a plan! Soon the Blamehounds along with other dogs are making a small fortune through a few backhanders just by taking the blame humans want to avoid. Ross Collins captures the joke perfectly in words and pictures. About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
Interest Age 7-12 Reading Age 7+ Award-winning Anne Fine always writes brilliantly about annoying family members. Ian’s Uncle Ron has a habit of just turning up on the doorstep with a big suitcase. No one knows how long he will stay but while he’s in the house he talks a lot to his spirit friends from ‘the other side’. Ian’s Mum and Dad don’t have many ideas about how to get rid of him so now it is Ian’s turn to find a solution. His newly arrived neighbour Hetty is the perfect accomplice for a cunning plan which sees Uncle Ron leaving for more quickly than had been expected. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+
Interest Age 5-7+ A brilliant footballing story from award winning Geraldine McCaughrean. Chichico is scouted for a try out at Santos Brazil. The only problem is that he doesn’t have any boots! His friends Davi and Anna find a pair to ‘borrow’ but then Chichico has a new problem – he can’t play in boots! How all is resolved to a joyful resolution makes this is a delight. About the Little Gems series: Little Gems are in a gorgeous new chunky format, with high-spec production including coloured endpapers and jacketed flaps with activities. Additional features include high quality cream paper, Barrington Stoke font and illustrations on every page. They are perfect for 5-8's. These quality stories promote good reading practice for all newly independent readers.
Interest Age 7+ Reading Age 8+ Based on a phonic approach to finding spellings, this schools edition of the best-selling Dictionary of Perfect Spelling gives a fresh way of finding words for those who find matching letters and sounds hard. Users can find words by applying a phonic attack which will lead them to the correct spelling and to irregular plurals, word endings and any word derivatives. For all those who struggle with a regular dictionary, this is an invaluable approach that will unlock ways of improving all written work.
A brand new 4u2read edition celebrating the 20th anniversary of this touching tale by Michael Morpurgo. Dilly's life was great until he found the wart growing on his knee. When lying doesn't work out and George the wart is revealed to the world, poor Dilly becomes one easy target. Can a little bit of magic help Dilly get his life back on track? Beautifully crafted story from a multi award- winning and bestselling author. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 7+
