11 Plus reading list

11 Plus Reading List

A worried parent recently shared a ‘must-read’ list another tutor provided for her year five child, wondering if reading the entire list was necessary. Comprising 25 titles, mostly classics, it would’ve overwhelmed even me. Her child disliked classics. ‘What should I do?’ she queried.

You might think I’d promote these books here, but no. If I opted for classics with my children, I’d select Dolly Jain series ‘Explained for Young Readers’. It simplifies classics using footnotes, much like the Cadwaladr Chronicles/Quests.

Most children attended grammar schools without reading classics, save for ‘The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe’. Forcing anyone to read will amplify any reading aversion.

I’m not against classics but pushing 25 on a year five student is somewhat excessive. Regardless of the school, there’s (perhaps) no need for such a strenuous reading list. Classics can be puzzling without guidance, akin to Shakespeare without interpretation – When vocabulary is not read and understood in context, it’s pointless; thus, comprehension is hindered.

I would advise, ‘One for the head, one for the heart.’ Perhaps a David Walliams or Diary of a Wimpy Kid for pleasure and a literary piece for education. Hence, I suggest the Cadwaladr Chronicles and Quests, blending contemporary tales with classic vocabulary. They don’t replace classics but equip children for the 11+ exams, especially with additions like KNOWLEDGE NUGGETS that explain literary devices as they appear in the story. After five years of reader feedback, ‘Tangled Time the Second Edition’ has become a gripping read.

So, my advice? Engage children in a discussion, perhaps paring down the list and foreground her child’s preferences.

Just as I’d detest horror, not every child enjoys every genre. While the Cadwaladr books –fantasy and historical fantasy – might not be every child’s cup of tea, they’re meticulously tailored for 11+ exam readiness. I have also suggested a few books that dip into alternative genres that children may enjoy having read to them.

The Cadwaladr Quests for year five

Any David Walliams series

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden

Charlotte’s Web by E.B White

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian

The Famous Five/Secret Seven by Enid Blyton

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

The Narnia Series by C.S Lewis

Warhorse, Kensuke’s Kingdom etc by Michael Morpurgo

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