Books Children’s and Young Adult Guide

Children's and young adult books cover a wide range of ages, genres, formats and reading^★ abilities. Choosing well means considering the individual reader rather than treating all young readers as one group.

Age, interest and format

Children's books can include picture books, early readers, chapter books, illustrated fiction, non-fiction, poetry and graphic formats. Young adult books cover a broad range of themes and genres for older readers. BookTrust^★ recommends variety and choice, noting that format can be as important as genre for engaging children and young people.

Match the challenge to the reader

Reading ability and interest do not always develop at the same pace. A reader may enjoy a complex subject in an accessible format, or prefer a simpler narrative with greater challenge introduced gradually. Consider vocabulary, length, themes, illustrations and format rather than relying only on a nominal age label.

Choosing and buying

Use trusted book^★ guides, publisher information and reviews to understand the intended audience. BookTrust's current Great Books Guide provides age-grouped selections and information about genres and themes. Check the exact edition and format when ordering. For school or family use, offer real choice while ensuring the content is appropriate for the individual reader.