11+ Exam Recommended Reading: The Best Books & Resources to Build Strong Readers
Why Reading Matters for the 11+ Exam
Preparing for the 11+ exam requires far more than just practising past papers. Strong, confident readers consistently outperform because reading comprehension underpins every section of the 11+ English exam. Most 11+ exams use unseen passages, but our handy guide explores 11+ recommended reading books that reflect the vocabulary, sentence structure and themes that commonly appear in comprehension tasks. Whether you’re looking to start early home-prep or searching for targeted support from a tutor, this article brings together trusted, exam-relevant suggestions to help your child succeed.
Reading Practice Helps By:
Building a strong foundation in vocabulary, inference and comprehension skills
Exposing students to a range of texts early (Classic/ Modern, Fiction/ Non-Fiction)
Enhancing creative writing and spelling, punctuation and grammar ability
Looking for more personalised reading recommendations? Working with one of U2’s Oxbridge-educated / expert tutors can provide your child with a bespoke support plan, including enrichment reading, enabling the best chance at 11+ success.
Learn more about U2 Tuition’s 11+ Programme HERE.
11 Plus Reading Lists
Early Preparation (Years 3-4)
For Year 3 and 4 pupils, early 11+ preparation should centre on stories that encourage inference, discussion and enjoyment. The aim is to make reading fun while gently introducing richer vocabulary and older language without overwhelming young readers. At this stage, developing the ability to follow a narrative, recall key details and talk about what they have read helps build confident, thoughtful readers who are well prepared for more challenging texts later on.
Here are some suggestions for children in Years 3-4:
The Iron Man - Ted Hughes
The Sheep-Pig - Dick King-Smith
The Boy Who Grew Dragons - Andy Shepherd
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Kate DiCamillo
The Last Bear - Hannah Gold
The BFG - Roald Dahl
Matilda - Roald Dahl
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark - Jill Tomlinson
Fantastic Mr Fox - Roald Dahl
Esio Trot - Roald Dahl
The Worst Witch - Jill Murphy
The Magic Faraway Tree - Enid Blyton
Stig of the Dump - Clive King
The Borrowers - Mary Norton
The Famous Five - Enid Blyton
Find more information on our KS2 Tuition Programme HERE.
Higher Level (Years 5-6)
For Year 5 and 6 pupils, 11+ preparation shifts towards developing deeper comprehension skills and greater reading stamina. Texts should challenge pupils to infer meaning, analyse language and consider character motivation, viewpoint and author intent. Exposure to a wider range of genres, including classic fiction and non-fiction, helps children become confident with more complex vocabulary and sentence structures. At this stage, reading should encourage thoughtful discussion and independent interpretation, preparing pupils to tackle unseen comprehension texts with confidence.
Here are some suggestions for children in Years 5-6:
Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White
Artemis Fowl - Eoin Colfer
Goodnight Mister Tom - Michelle Magorian
The Boy at the Back of the Class - Onjali Q Rauf
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis
A Series of Unfortunate Events - Lemony Snicket
Tom’s Midnight Garden - Philippa Pearce
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - John Boyne
Five Children and It - E. Nesbit
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone - J.K. Rowling
Skulduggery Pleasant - Derek Landy
The Midnight Fox - Betsy Byars
Holes - Louis Sachar
The Girl of Ink and Stars - Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Inkheart - Cornelia Funke
Private Peaceful - Michael Morpurgo
Warhorse - Michael Morpurgo
Watership Down - Richard Adams
Peter Pan - J.M. Barrie
Percy Jackson & the Olympians - Rick Riordan
Wonder - R.J. Palacio
Northern Lights - Philip Pullman
Visit U2’s 11+ Tuition Programme page for more details on how to start your child’s 11+ journey.
Books that have previously appeared in 11+ Exam Papers
We asked our U2 11+ Tutors to compile a list of novels that have previously been excerpted in 11+ exam papers & practice papers, including those set by GL Assessment and a range of independent and private schools including, St Paul’s, Highgate, City of London and more.
A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
Dracula - Bram Stoker
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain
The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
The Rainbow - D.H.Lawrence
Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson
Anne of Green Gables - L.M. Montgomery
Animal Farm - George Orwell
Black Beauty - Anna Sewell
The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Railway Children - E. Nesbit
The Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling
The Call of the Wild - Jack London
White Fang - Jack London
Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
Reading skills aren’t the only element of the 11+ exam that matter. Check out some of U2’s other blog posts covering maths, reasoning and more!
Mastering 11+ Non Verbal Reasoning: Key Strategies for Success
Mastering 11+ Reading Comprehension: Top Tips and Resources for Success
U2 Tuition provide comprehensive 11+ support, covering all aspects, including Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Maths and Interview Skills. Get in touch today to learn more.
Books & Short Stories for Reluctant Readers
Not every child preparing for the 11+ enjoys reading - and that’s normal. For reluctant readers, the focus should be on building confidence and consistency through engaging, accessible books that still develop the comprehension and vocabulary skills needed for the 11+ exam. The right choices can turn reading from a struggle into a regular practice.
Here are some ideas for fun reads and short stories for even the most reluctant readers:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney
Slime - David Walliams
Gangsta Granny - David Walliams
You’re A Bad Man Mr Gum! - Andy Stanton
The Canterville Ghost - Oscar Wilde (short story)
The Selfish Giant - Oscar Wilde (short story)
Just So Stories - Rudyard Kipling
Tales of Mystery and Imagination (selected stories) - Edgar Allan Poe
The Happy Prince and Other Stories - Oscar Wilde
Poetry
Poetry also can be an excellent starting point for children who may be more reluctant readers, as poems are often shorter but still rich in language and meaning. They help develop inference, vocabulary and an understanding of imagery without requiring long periods of sustained reading. Alongside individual poems, anthologies such as The Puffin Book of 20th Century Children’s Verse provide a varied and accessible introduction to poetic language in both modern and traditional prose.
Here are some suggestions for poems and collections:
A Child’s Garden of Verses - Robert Louis Stevenson
The Way Through the Woods - Rudyard Kipling (many of Kipling’s poems are a strong choice)
The Highwayman - Alfred Noyes
Daffodils - William Wordsworth
The Lady of Shalott - Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Collected Poems for Children (Macmillan Classics) - Charles Causley
From a Railway Carriage - Robert Louis Stevenson
101 Poems for Children: A Laureate’s Choice - chosen by Carol Ann Duffy
The Tyger - William Blake
Non-Fiction
The Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands - Mary Seacole
Kay's Marvellous Medicine / Kay's Incredible Inventions - Adam Kay
Survivors: Extraordinary Tales from the Wild - David Long
The Hidden Life of Trees - Peter Wohlleben
Women in Science - Rachel Ignotofsky
I Am Malala (Young Readers Edition) - Malala Yousafzai
Children of the Blitz - Robert Westall
How To Stay Alive - Bear Grylls
Spies, Code Breakers and Secret Agents - Carole P. Roman
The Usborne Official Spy Handbook - Colin King
Amazing Survival Stories for Adventurous Kids - Bill O’Neill
Download our 11+ Reading Challenges!
Strong readers become confident learners. Our 11+ Recommended Reading Lists have been carefully selected to stretch vocabulary, deepen comprehension and develop the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in the 11+ exams. Packed with inspiring classics, exciting adventures and powerful modern stories, these books don’t just support exam preparation - they help children fall in love with reading. Encourage daily reading, boost confidence and tick-off as you go to provide your child with the best chance at success in the 11+ exams.
How U2 Tuition can help prepare students for 11+ success
Our tutors can offer:
Weekly reading suggestions and routines that work
Exam-style comprehension tasks focussing on exam-level texts
Confidence building techniques for analysing texts and inferring information
Personalised preparation tailored to your chosen school(s)
Combining at-home reading with online or in-person exam practice with a U2 tutor can equip your child with the best possible skills to excel and succeed in the 11+ examinations.
