The best people to speak to about building reading cultures in secondary schools are usually librarians, so that's what I did. jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/reading-cu...

Thornhill, by Pam Smy, has been around for a while now. It's one of my favourite YA books, telling two tragic stories set 35 years apart. One is told through a diary, the other through wonderfully Gothic illustrations. It's dark, haunting and an absolute masterpiece. Perfect for KS3.

Got stopped at airport security earlier. 'Nothing to worry about mate, I'm just going to have a quick look through. I think your bag's been flagged because of the number of books in there.'

I've just published my latest article on Substack. Do quiet weeks really exist in schools? jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/a-quiet-week

A quiet week

Inevitably, it can sometimes feel as if we’re not doing enough to develop reading in school.

jonbiddle2.substack.com

There are some amazing children's verse novels around right now. When the Birds Wake Up by Jessica Mary Ellis (illustrated by Sophie Burrows) is an incredible debut. Gentle, heartwarming and full of emotion. Highly recommended for Year 5/6. Out in September, published by @dfbstoryhouse.bsky.social.

Over the years, I've written dozens of Reading for Pleasure articles and shared lots of resources. I'm planning to use Substack as the place where they all live, creating a library of practical RfP strategies, articles and resources. I hope it will be useful. jonbiddle2.substack.com/p/welcome

Welcome

Over the past 10 years, I’ve worked with schools to build reading cultures where reading is celebrated and valued by children, staff and families.

jonbiddle2.substack.com

One for the staffroom from Jarrett Lerner.

Hari Kumar, Ultimate Superstar by @rashmiwriting.bsky.social (illustrated by Mamta Singh) is loads of fun. It's written as a diary, full of amusing doodles, and really accessible for younger readers. Loved the authentic representation of neurodiversity. Definitely one for the KS2 classroom.

My kids have been attempting to do a learn a bit more cookery these holidays. So for this week’s #KidsBooksFriday I thought we could do books featuring/celebrating food and cooking. (Take the theme as loosely as you please). #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

Gecko Press continue to publish brilliantly quirky and original picturebooks. Red Snake Blue Snake by Olivier Tallec (translated by Antony Shugaar) is a delight. Two snakes, best friends one minute, but falling out over the smallest of things the next. @geckopress.bsky.social

The latest Children's Poetry Summit blog from @charliehacking.bsky.social, Finding Every Child's Voice, is one not to miss. 'Once children discover that their voice matters, there is no telling where it might take them.' childrenspoetrysummit.com/2026/07/23/c...

If any Norfolk teachers, librarians or school support staff are interested, I'm restarting the East Norfolk Teachers' Reading Group in September. Please get in touch for further details and do share with colleagues.

I have written a piece on nurturing lifelong readers inspired by the wonderful Aidan Chambers (pages 4-5) booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/u... @booksforkeeps.bsky.social

Misogynistic attitudes and gender-based aggression are on the rise in schools and in society. Books alone obviously can't be the solution, but they can certainly help. Here are just a few that I've read or used in the classroom over the past few years. Please feel free to add more.

The Bookbuzz Primary programme from BookTrust is definitely worth looking into, with Key Stage 2 children being given the opportunity to select and keep a book from 16 handpicked titles. Registration is open until 18 September. More information here: www.booktrust.org.uk/resources/fi...

With the Primary and Secondary Verse Novel Award shortlists now published, schools can register to take part in the pupil-led judging process next term. If you'd like your pupils to help select this year's winners, simply complete the form below. docs.google.com/forms/d/1Dmc...

I love the direction that Chanté Timothy's Supa Nova graphic novel series is taking. Lots of fun to read, accessible, a relatable main character, and a subtle message about girls and STEM. Book two, Robot Takeover, is out in a couple of weeks. Ideal for Year 3/4. @nosycrow.bsky.social

Very excited to reveal the shortlist for the 2026 Secondary Verse Novel Award. Huge congratulations to all the authors and illustrators featured. We now hand it over to our school judging teams, who will decide the winner to be announced later this year.

Have read lots of picturebooks to my Y5/6 class over the past few months, but none have had the emotional impact of today's book, Dog Stayed. Loneliness, grief, inter-generational empathy, love. It's beautiful. Do get hold of a copy.

I'm absolutely thrilled to have been awarded this year's NATE Primary Award. I wasn't able to attend the conference because I'm currently away on a Year 6 residential, but it's amazing to have my work recognised by such a prestigious organisation. @natecommunity.bsky.social

Aardvark Day, written by Victoria Gatehouse and illustrated by Kate Lucy Foster, is a joyful poetry collection that celebrates the natural world. Whales, butterflies, sloths and mushrooms all make an appearance in this enjoyable book. Definitely one for KS2 bookshelves. @theemmapress.bsky.social

I’ve spent the past week in the Highlands surrounded by nature. I also picked up the beautiful Wildful by Kengo Kurimoto. It got me thinking about books that forefront our connection with nature. What books about connecting with nature would you add? #KidsBooksFriday #KidLitUK #UKKidLit #KidLit

This comic has taken two months of hard work from the pupil behind it. He's spent every spare minute on it and given up countless lunchtimes. Today, he finally finished it. Thirty-two pages, a wide range of characters, and an exciting story. He's even created an advert for the next issue.

My latest article for Educate magazine. In schools, we're always looking at where we need to go next. Sometimes, we just need to celebrate where we are. @neunion.bsky.social

Race to the South Pole: A Two-Sided Story, by Alexandra Stewart and Sarah Wilkins, was recommended to me by a friend a few months ago. It's a book I keep coming back to. I love how you can read the story from one point of view, and then turn the book round and read it from the other point of view.

Very excited to reveal the shortlist for the 2026 Primary Verse Novel Award. Huge congratulations to all the authors and illustrators featured. We now hand it over to our school judging teams, who will decide the winner to be announced later this year.

Being part of the editorial team for English 4-11 is a real pleasure. The magazine is free to all members of the @uklitassociation.bsky.social, @natecommunity.bsky.social and @englishassociation.bsky.social. The latest issue is out now, and is packed with articles, ideas and reviews.

It was too hot outside at lunchtime today, so several groups stayed in the classroom, filling in football sticker albums, reading match reports, and studying World Cup wallcharts. One group decided it was time to update the recommendations shelf and give it a football theme for the next few weeks.

With the World Cup in full swing, it seems like the right time to mention how much my class love The Fearsome FC series by Peter McCauley (illustrated by Kate H). Full of action, dyslexia-friendly, and with colour illustrations. They're great fun to read. Perfect for KS2. @badgerlearning.bsky.social

Wild About Whales by Owen Davey is another strong addition to his About Animals series, published by @flyingeyebooks.bsky.social. As with all his books, it has the perfect balance of illustrations and content. These are the kind of non-fiction texts that primary classrooms need.