bingo reading challenge
At secondary school, you might start seeing or hearing the phrase ‘cultural capital’, which relates to the essential knowledge that children need to prepare them for their future success.
Reading is a way to expand this capital – we can discover new worlds, both imaginary and real; we can learn about different periods of time; we can meet new people, experiences, and lots of new vocabulary and styles of writing which we can then take into lots of different subject lessons.
If you’re not sure where to start, why not try the Bingo Reading Challenge and tick off our suggestions!
Download the Bingo Reading Challenge.
Useful links
Mystery Book
Like Frozen In Time by Ali Sparkes
Frozen in Time by Sally Nicholls
Spending a long summer at home with their eccentric uncle, Ben and Rachel venture out into the garden and discover a hidden underground vault. Inside are two frozen figures. Before they can decide what to do, Rachel accidentally presses a button, bringing the figures to life…
A Female Heroine
Like Out of the Rubble by Sally Nicholls
Out of the Rubble by Sally Nicholls
It’s early 1945, War is nearly over and evacuees are coming home. Judy is excited to be back in London, but things have changed. Her house has been destroyed, her mum is distant and there are bombsites all around. As Judy explores, she finds that the bombsites are more than just rubble. Can they help her to remember what her home used to be like?
Based On A Myth
Like Dark Peak by Marcus Sedgwick
Dark Peak by Marcus Sedgwick
One long, hot summer, two children disappear on a school trip. One child is eventually found, but Porter is worried that no one is even looking for the other, Stephen, anymore. Why can no one remember who Stephen is? What happened on the school trip? And why does Porter get the feeling that supernatural forces from deep in the past are at play?
Inspired A Movie
Like Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer
Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer
Meet Enola Holmes. Not only Sherlock’s sister, but a detective on a mission. When Enola discovers her mother is missing, she embarks on a dangerous journey to London to rescue her. But will she be able to decode each clue in time? And will she be able to solve the mystery of the missing marquess before her famous brother?
Has An Animal In The Title
Like Rat by Patrice Lawrence
Rat by Patrice Lawrence
When his mum is sent back to prison, Al knows exactly who’s to blame. Mr Brayker from downstairs has been making trouble for Al’s mum ever since they moved in. Al is determined to get his revenge with a plan that involves the only two creatures he can rely on: his pet rats, Venom and Vulture. But things don’t turn out exactly as he’d imagined …
Theme of Friendship
Like Phoenix Brothers by Sita Brahmachari
Phoenix Brothers by Sita Brahmachari
After a treacherous journey for survival, 13 year-old Amir must build a new life in England. At his new school, he decides to enter a public speaking competition to help deal with the horrors of his past. Along with Mo, another young unaccompanied refugee, can Amir learn to find his voice and reclaim his story?
Set In Another Country
Like The Haunting of Tyrese Walker by JP Rose
The Haunting of Tyrese Walker by JP Rose
After a shocking event leaves 13-year-old Tyrese struggling with grief, his mum decides they should spend the summer with family in Jamaica. From the first night, strange things start happening. When he finds himself alone during a trip to the beach, he meets a terrifying old man, who warns Tyrese that the Shadow Man is looking for him…
Theme of Nature
Like Sky Hawk by Gill Lewis
Sky Hawk by Gill Lewis
Callum and Iona take an oath to guard the secret hidden in the forest above the dark waters of the loch. This promise is the beginning of an eternal friendship that will change more than one life.
Historical Fiction
Like Edgar and Adolf by Phil Earle and Michael Wagg
Edgar and Adolf by Phil Earle and Michael Wagg
Adi is on a mission set by his late grandfather, Adolf Jager. He must track down Edgar Kail, and return to him the simplest yet most prized of possessions. His quest soon becomes a journey of discovery as he learns of a friendship that survived decades, a great sporting rivalry, and a war that shook the world.
Award-Winning Author
Like I Am The Minotaur by Anthony McGowan
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I Am The Minotaur by Anthony McGowan
KS3 Science Revision Guide
Matthew wants to fit in, but it’s hard when you’re avoiding the bullies and trying to impress your dream girl, Ari. When Ari’s bike is stolen, he tries to make a good impression by getting it back. Will it lead to trouble or will he learn that heroes are found in unlikely places? A gritty, touching story from Carnegie Medal Winner Anthony McGowan.
Science Fiction
Like The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
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The Time Machine by HG Wells
KS3 Science Revision Guide
When the Time Traveller explains his theory about travelling through time to his dinner guests, they are initially sceptical. He returns a week later with an astonishing tale about encountering strange new worlds and different species. The guests are left wondering if he sets foot in his Time Machine again, will he ever return?
The Start Of A Series
Like Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
Callum is a Nought – a second-class citizen; Sephy is a Cross. In their world, Noughts and Crosses don’t mix. Can Callum and Sephy find a way to be together? In what has already become a modern classic, award-winning author Malorie Blackman tackles the issues of prejudice and racism in a way that will thoroughly engage and inspire readers.
Now over to you.
What books do you recommend?
We know that we’ve only scratched the surface with these lists and we’d love to hear about the books that you would like to see added.