Top 10 dyslexia-friendly reads

October 1st 2018

For Dyslexia Awareness Week 2018, we've teamed up with Barrington Stoke, the dyslexia-friendly publisher of super-readable children's books, to give you a 'Top 10' list of books for dyslexic children and those who find reading difficult.  

Rose's dress of dreams by Katherine Woodfine 

A young girl realises her dream of becoming a dressmaker when she goes to search for work in 18th century Paris. Suitable for Key Stages 1-2 (reading age 6-8)  

Mariella: queen of the skies by Eoin Colfer

A little girl tries to find a way to stay awake so she can keep on inventing things, but discovers that lack of sleep destroys her creative capabilities. Suitable for Key Stages 1-2 (reading age 6-8)  

We are not frogs! by Michael Morpurgo

A group of toads and frogs living quietly in a garden are are disturbed when children decide to collect them up for a jumping competition. The frogs always beat the toads at long jump but the toads don't mind - anything for a quiet life. But then the children and Mutt the dog come in search of some good jumpers, and the toads see an opportunity to get their own back. Suitable for Key Stages 1-2 (reading age 6-8)  

Dread cat by Michael Rosen

A group of mice outwit a mean cat who is trying to eat them all. All the mice scamper, skedaddle and scoot back to their hidey-holes when Dread Cat's about. But now he's promised to turn over a new leaf. Suitable for Key Stages 1-2 (reading age 6-8)

The snake who came to stay by Julia Donaldson

When she agrees to look after her friend's pet snake for the holidays, Polly gets into bother when it goes missing. Suitable for Key Stages 1-2 (reading age 6-8)  

Noah Scape can't stop repeating himself by Guy Bass

Annoyed that the world doesn't run the way he wants, a boy gains the power to replicate himself, but with unforeseen circumstances. Suitable for Key Stages 2-3 (reading age 8-10)      

Run Wild by Gill Lewis

A group of friends find an injured wolf-dog cross on wasteland near their London home when they try to find somewhere they can skateboard. Suitable for Key Stages 2-3 (reading age 7-9)  

School Spelling Dictionary by Christine Maxwell and Julia Rowlandson

A dictionary which allows the reader to search by both correct and incorrect spellings. Students can look up a word as it sounds - if they are correct, they will find it in black; if they are wrong, they will find it in red with the correct spelling in black alongside. Suitable for Key Stages 1-3 (reading age 6-8)

Second best friend by Non Pratt

Irrational jealousy threatens Jade's friendship with her best friend Becky, when a throwaway comment from an ex-boyfriend makes her feel inferior to her 'perfect' BFF. Suitable for Key Stages 3-4 (reading age 10-12)  

Rook by Anthony McGowan

Nicky finds an injured Rook and tries to bring it back to health as he deals with his family issues, first love and a bully at school. Shortlisted for the Carnegie Award in 2018. Suitable for Key Stages 3-4 (reading age 8-10)

For more information about Barrington Stoke's books for struggling readers, visit www.barringtonstoke.co.uk. You can also download a PDF guide to supporting your struggling readers here.