March 25, 2026
Every time a student finishes an Accelerated Reader quiz, they get the chance to rate their reading experience out of four — from “One of the best books I have ever read” to “Not a good book.” These ratings add up to something powerful: a clear picture of the books students truly love. Their collective ratings help shape the annual What Kids Are Reading Report, which includes the top favourites in each year group.
To celebrate the Year of Reading, the Content Team has put together a list of fresh book recommendations inspired by students’ most-loved titles found in last year’s report.
Year 1: If you like What Does An Anteater Eat?, try…
Kevin’s In A Mood by Sarah Bowie
Lower Years, Ages 5 to 8 | Quiz #244261 | BL 1.9 | O’Brien Press Ltd.
Suzy and Kevin are best friends and do everything together. Until, one day, Kevin’s in a Mood and Suzy tries everything to cheer him up.
Year 2: If you like Harry Potter, try…
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Middle Years, Ages 9 to 13 | Quiz #240794 | BL 4.9 | Egmont Children’s Books Ltd.
Thirteen-year-old Amari, a poor African American girl from the projects, gets an invitation from her missing brother to join the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and join in the fight against an evil magician.
Year 3: If you like How To Fight a Dragon’s Fury, try…
Rebel Skies by Ann Sei Lin
Middle Years Plus, Ages 12 Plus | Quiz #242428 | BL 5.4 | Walker Books
When the shikigami destroy Kurara’s home, she joins an airship crew to become a spirit hunter. But her ability to bend paper to her will means so much more, and she’s soon involved in a bigger battle.
Year 4: If you like Land of Stories: Wishing Spell, try…
Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna, illustrated by Kristina Kister
Middle Years, Ages 9 to 13 | Quiz #271984 | BL 5.4 | Macmillan Children’s Books
Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen has always felt like she doesn’t fit in. She’s British Indian in a mostly white English town, her parents won’t talk about their pasts, and she has ADHD. She also talks to books. More importantly, the books talk back.
Year 5: If you like Blood of Olympus, try…
Aru Shah and The End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
Middle Years, Ages 9 to 13 | Quiz #233773 | BL 4.7 | Scholastic Children’s Books
Twelve-year-old Aru stretches the truth to fit in at her school, but when she is dared to prove an ancient lamp is cursed, she inadvertently frees an ancient demon.
Year 6: If you like Five Nights at Freddy’s, try…
The Serial Chillers Series by Jennifer Killick
Middle Years, Ages 9 to 13 | Quiz #272001, #271156 | BL 5.2-5.3 | Farshore
To Travis and his classmates, Hazard is home. This series follows their adventures as they solve spooky mysteries in Hazard.
Year 7: If you like Elementia Chronicles: Quest for Justice, try…
Escape Room by Christopher Edge
Middle Years, Ages 9 to 13 | Quiz #242249 | BL 6.0 | Nosy Crow
When Ami arrives at The Escape, she thinks it’s just a game, the ultimate escape room with challenges to beat before time runs out. But as the Host locks Ami and her teammates inside the first room, they quickly realise the stakes are sky-high.
Year 8: If you like Warriors: The Last Hope, try…
The Legend of Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood, illustrated by David Wyatt
Middle Years, Ages 9 to 13 | Quiz #233049 | BL 5.5 | Faber and Faber
Three siblings are on the run from the villainous Gorm tribe who has killed their father and enslaved their clan. Podkin must act bravely as he, his older sister, and baby brother flee for their lives.
Year 9: If you like Ignite Me, try…
Carving Shadows Into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer
Upper Years, Ages 14 Plus | Quiz #271980 | BL 4.9 | Bloomsbury Publishing
Tycho, Jax, and Callyn find themselves separated and struggling with newfound magical powers as dangerous scravers threaten from the north and political rivals challenge King Grey’s weakened kingdom.
Fancy some nonfiction?
If you like the Little People Big Dreams series, try…
The Fantastically Feminist (and Totally True) Stories series by Anna Doherty
Lower Years, Ages 5 to 8 | Quiz #237597, #236141, #237485 | BL 5.4-5.8 | Wren & Rook
Read about extraordinary women who have made the world a better place.
If you like the From the Playground to the Pitch series, try…
The Football Rising Stars series by Harry Meredith
Middle Years, Ages 9 to 13 | Various Quiz #s | BL 5.8-6.9 | Sweet Cherry Publishing
Discover the remarkable stories of many of football’s rising stars.
To learn more about the titles featured in the What Kids Are Reading Report, check out our Voting for Favourite Titles by Year page. As always, you can request titles using the Suggest Quizzes page. Happy quizzing!