12 Books That Make Going Back to School More Exciting
The summer holidays are almost over and September will be here before we know it. New classrooms, new teachers, new routines and plenty of new things to learn.
Getting back into a reading routine before school starts is a brilliant way to help children ease into the new school year. But reading shouldn't feel like homework. The best books are the ones children actually want to pick up, whether that's a hilarious school diary, a magical adventure, a gruesome history lesson or a classic story.
We've rounded up 12 brilliant book collections to help make going back to school a little more exciting.
1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid
School isn't always easy — but Greg Heffley certainly knows how to make it funny.
Jeff Kinney's bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series follows Greg through the highs, lows and embarrassing moments of school life, complete with hilarious illustrations and plenty of questionable decisions.
This 12-book collection is perfect for children who enjoy funny, relatable stories and books that don't take school life too seriously.
Perfect for: readers who love humour, illustrations and laugh-out-loud school adventures.
Shop the Diary of a Wimpy Kid 12-Book Collection →
2. Tom Gates
If doodling in the margins of your exercise book sounds like fun, Tom Gates could be the perfect reading companion.
Liz Pichon's Tom Gates books combine stories, cartoons, doodles and jokes to create a brilliantly entertaining reading experience. Tom is always getting himself into some kind of trouble at school — usually while trying to avoid homework.
The 15-book collection gives young readers plenty of Tom's school-day adventures to enjoy.
Perfect for: reluctant readers, doodle fans and children who love funny school stories.
Shop the Tom Gates 15-Book Collection →
3. Horrible Histories
Who said learning history had to be boring?
Terry Deary's Horrible Histories series turns historical facts into gruesome, funny and unforgettable stories. From ancient civilisations to kings, queens and battles, these books are packed with the weird and wonderful details that make history memorable.
The 20-book collection covers a huge range of historical periods, making it a brilliant addition to a child's bookshelf as they head back to school.
Perfect for: curious children who love facts, jokes and learning something new.
Shop the Horrible Histories 20-Book Collection →
4. Percy Jackson and the Olympians
If your child would rather spend their after-school hours battling monsters than revising times tables, Percy Jackson is ready for adventure.
Percy discovers that Greek mythology is much more real than he ever imagined and finds himself caught up in quests involving gods, monsters and ancient prophecies.
The six-book collection brings together Percy's adventures from The Lightning Thief through to The Chalice of the Gods.
Perfect for: fantasy fans, mythology lovers and confident readers looking for an epic adventure.
Shop the Percy Jackson and the Olympians 6-Book Collection →
5. Roald Dahl
Some stories never go out of style.
Roald Dahl's books are filled with wonderfully mischievous characters, extraordinary adventures and plenty of humour. They're also fantastic for encouraging children to read independently.
This 16-book collection includes much-loved favourites such as Matilda, The BFG, The Witches and The Twits, alongside many more Dahl classics.
Perfect for: children aged 7+, classic children's fiction fans and readers who love imagination and adventure.
Shop the Roald Dahl 16-Book Collection →
6. Jacqueline Wilson
For stories about friendship, family, school and growing up, Jacqueline Wilson is a brilliant choice.
Her books explore real-life experiences with warmth, humour and plenty of heart, making her stories particularly relatable for young readers navigating their own friendships and school experiences.
This 10-book collection, illustrated by Nick Sharratt, brings together a selection of Jacqueline Wilson favourites.
Perfect for: readers who enjoy realistic stories, friendship and relatable characters.
Shop the Jacqueline Wilson 10-Book Collection →
7. David Walliams
Need something guaranteed to get children laughing?
David Walliams' books combine outrageous characters, hilarious situations and plenty of heart. From Gangsta Granny to The World's Worst Children, his stories are packed with the kind of humour that keeps young readers turning the pages.
This six-book collection is a great way to introduce children to some of Walliams' most entertaining adventures.
Perfect for: readers aged 8+ who love comedy, adventure and larger-than-life characters.
Shop The World of David Walliams 6-Book Collection →
8. The Treehouse Series
What if your treehouse had a bowling alley, a swimming pool and a whole lot more?
Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton's Treehouse series takes imagination to the next level. Each book adds another collection of ridiculous rooms, wild inventions and hilarious adventures.
This 10-book collection is packed with illustrations, jokes and imaginative storytelling, making it particularly appealing to children who enjoy books that are as much fun to look at as they are to read.
Perfect for: funny-book fans, imaginative readers and children who love illustrated adventures.
Shop The Treehouse Series 10-Book Collection →
9. Beast Quest
For children who would rather battle a monster than read about one, Beast Quest offers plenty of adventure.
The series follows young heroes on exciting quests filled with mythical beasts, danger and challenges to overcome. The shorter stories also make them a great option for children developing their independent reading skills.
This six-book Early Reader collection is a fun way to encourage children to pick up a book and head off on their own adventure.
Perfect for: fantasy fans, adventure lovers and developing or reluctant readers.
Shop the Beast Quest Early Reader 6-Book Collection →
10. Harry Potter
A new school year deserves a little magic.
Harry Potter's first day at Hogwarts may be rather more exciting than the average school morning, but the series captures everything that makes a great school story: friendships, lessons, rivalries, challenges and discovering where you belong.
The complete seven-book Harry Potter collection is a wonderful addition to any young reader's bookshelf and a series they can return to again and again.
Perfect for: fantasy lovers and readers ready to disappear into a magical world.
Shop the Harry Potter Complete 7-Book Box Set →
11. The Naughtiest Girl
School stories don't always have to be modern.
Enid Blyton's The Naughtiest Girl series follows Elizabeth Allen as she discovers that boarding school life isn't quite what she expected.
With friendship, adventures and plenty of mischief, these classic stories are a lovely choice for children who enjoy traditional school stories and characters who don't always follow the rules.
This 10-book collection gives readers plenty of Elizabeth's adventures to discover.
Perfect for: fans of classic children's fiction and school stories.
Shop The Naughtiest Girl 10-Book Collection →
12. The Secret Seven
Mystery, friendship and adventure — what's not to love?
Enid Blyton's Secret Seven series follows a group of young detectives who solve mysteries and find themselves caught up in exciting adventures.
The complete 16-book collection means there are plenty of mysteries to solve, making it a brilliant choice for children who love stories that keep them guessing.
Perfect for: budding detectives and readers who love mysteries, friendship and adventure.
Shop The Complete Secret Seven 16-Book Collection →
Make Reading Part of the New School Year
A new school year doesn't have to mean putting away the books and getting serious. Keeping reading fun is one of the best ways to encourage children to continue reading outside the classroom.
Try creating a simple after-school reading routine:
- Read a chapter after homework.
- Create a cosy reading corner.
- Let children choose what they want to read.
- Keep a selection of books available so they can switch between stories.
- Make reading part of the bedtime routine.
- Set aside a little time each day for reading just for fun.
And remember, reading doesn't always have to mean sitting quietly with a traditional novel. Illustrated books, fact books, adventure series, classics and funny stories all count.
Ready for a New School Year of Reading?
From magical adventures and hilarious school stories to history, mysteries and classic children's fiction, there's something for every young reader.
Explore our Back to School Collection and find books to help make the new school year more exciting, one page at a time.
