Some books have a reputation for being difficult, old-fashioned or something you only read because a teacher tells you to. But many of the texts studied in Year 6 and at secondary school are genuinely brilliant stories, full of adventure, mystery, humour and big ideas that still resonate with young readers today.
The trick is finding the right book at the right time – and remembering that you don't always have to read the full original version to enjoy a classic.
Take The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Often enjoyed in primary school, it offers magical adventures, memorable characters and plenty to discuss about courage, loyalty and good versus evil. It's a great bridge between children's fiction and more complex storytelling.
Then there's A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, frequently studied in secondary English. It's a ghost story with a cracking plot, an unforgettable central character and a powerful message about kindness, poverty and social responsibility. You don't need to understand every Victorian expression to enjoy Scrooge's transformation.
Shakespeare might sound intimidating, but Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet are packed with ambition, jealousy, love, rivalry and disastrous decisions. Read an accessible retelling first, watch a performance, or listen to an audiobook before tackling the original language. Suddenly, Shakespeare becomes much less frightening.
John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a brilliant example of a relatively short book with enormous emotional impact. Its story of friendship, loneliness, dreams and hardship is accessible in length but rich in themes. It's commonly studied at secondary level, particularly in GCSE English Literature, although it isn't a compulsory text for every school or exam board.
Other worthwhile reads include Animal Farm by George Orwell, a short, gripping story about power and corruption, and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne, which can prompt important discussions about prejudice and history. The latter is best approached with adult guidance because of its Holocaust setting and historical inaccuracies.
Abridged versions, graphic novels and modern retellings can be fantastic starting points. They help readers get to grips with the plot before exploring the original text. One great example of this is Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy: A modern retelling of Little Women by Ray Terciero and Bre Indigo. Audiobooks can also make challenging language more approachable. Both Stephen Fry and Matt Lucas spectacularly narrate versions of Great Expectations available on platforms like Audible.
For dyslexic readers, look for dyslexia-friendly editions with clear fonts, generous spacing, cream or tinted paper, and uncluttered layouts. Publishers such as Barrington Stoke specialise in accessible books, while some classics are available in dyslexia-friendly formats. Features vary by edition, so check before buying.
In England, the Year 5–6 national curriculum encourages pupils to read a wide range of fiction, including books from our literary heritage. At secondary level, pupils study a range of challenging literature, and GCSE English Literature requires a Shakespeare play, a 19th-century novel, modern texts and poetry. Schools and exam boards choose the specific texts, so not every classic is compulsory.
The takeaway? Don't save brilliant books for exams. These stories deserve to be read for pleasure, too.