The 11+ Reading List That Kids Love
“What books should my child read for the 11+?”
If you’ve asked this lately, you’re not alone.Preparing for the 11+ exam isn’t just about past papers and timed writing—it’s also about building the kind of reading comprehension, vocabulary, and stamina that these tests demand. And the best way to do that?
A great reading list.
At HUNARly, we asked UK-based teachers, 11+ tutors, and children’s writers to help us curate a list of must-read books for ages 9–12. The goal was simple:
Books that challenge vocabulary and comprehension
Stories that spark curiosity and imagination
Texts that prepare children for both the exam and the real joy of reading
The result is a free, printable 11+ Reading List PDF—perfect for parents, tutors, and young readers.
Why the Right Reading List Matters for the 11+
The English and Verbal Reasoning sections of the 11+ often include:
Inference-based comprehension
Unfamiliar vocabulary
Figurative language and literary tone
Reading widely and well helps children:
Understand complex sentence structures
Learn rich, nuanced vocabulary
Improve writing style through modelling
Plus, regular reading builds focus and stamina, two essential qualities during the real exam.
What’s Inside the Free 11+ Reading List
Our list includes:
✅ Classic authors (like E. Nesbit and Gerald Durrell)
✅ Modern favourites (like Robin Stevens and Katherine Rundell)
✅ Diverse perspectives and genres (mystery, adventure, historical, and more)
Each book includes:
📌 Reading age
📌 Difficulty level
📌 Why it’s recommended for 11+
👉 [Click here to download your free 11+ Reading List PDF →]
How to Use the List (Without Overwhelming Your Child)
You don’t need to rush through every book. Instead:
Let your child choose what interests them
Alternate between challenging texts and lighter reads
Use short discussion prompts:
“Why do you think the character did that?”
“What would you have done differently?”
“Which words felt new or tricky in that chapter?”
Reading becomes less of a task—and more of an adventure.
🔗 Other Resources to Support 11+ Reading
Here are some trusted UK-based sites and tools:
About HUNARly
At HUNARly, we help children uncover and nurture their natural talents through structured live courses in creative writing, music, storytelling, and more—taught by real creators.
From first-time writers to future authors, our language mentors focus on building creativity, confidence, and clarity of expression.
🔗 Explore our courses→
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