This document provides guidance on selecting primary books for different year levels. It outlines suggested criteria for choosing fiction and non-fiction books for Years 1 through 6. Criteria include selecting texts that develop reading skills appropriate for each year level, engage readers, and for non-fiction, provide accurate information through consistent use of organizational features. Example text types are also provided for each year level.

1.
PRIMARY
BOOKS
CHARACTERISTICS
FICTION
NON
FICTION
YEAR
1
Children may not be able to read these
texts independently but they will be able
to take part in shared reading and
understand what is being read.
Suggested criteria for choice:
Texts which:
• Developing phonological knowledge,
sight vocabulary and decoding skills;
• Features of language and techniques
for effect: humour, repetition, rhyme;
• Words, ideas and pictures to
understand characters and events.
• Engage the readers’ interest: familiar
experiences;
• Large, clear type.
All books selected for use in Year 1
should provide:
! Accurate information;
! Well written, clearly presented texts;
! Consistent use of non-fiction book
organisational features, e.g.
contents page, index, glossary;
! Use a range of features to present
and explain information, e.g. simple
charts, diagrams, labels, captions.
Types and features of texts:
o Word books with picture word match;
o Books about basic concepts;
o Alphabet books; simple picture
dictionaries;
o First person reports; question and
answer formats;
o Descriptions.
YEAR
2
Extracts can be taken from books to
exploit in class.
Suggested criteria for choice:
Texts which:
• Phonological knowledge and sight
vocabulary;
• Models of good literacy language,
rhythm, rhyme and sequence;
• Wide range of stories which are set in
the context of real and imagined worlds
and other cultures;
• Accessible and familiar themes and
subjects, as well as those that are more
distant from children’s experience or
make use of fantasy;
• Both well-established and recent fiction
in a range of styles and techniques;
• Engage the interest of young readers.
All books selected for use for Year 2
should provide:
! Accurate information;
! Well written, clearly presented texts;
! Consistent use of some or all non-
fiction book organisational features,
e.g. contents page, index, glossary;
! Use a range of features to present
and explain information, e.g. simple
charts, captions, headings and
supportive illustration.
Types and features of texts:
o Alphabet book;
o Picture dictionary with simple spelling
checklist;
o Non-chronological and chronologically
organised texts;
o Range of print scripts, fonts and sizes;
various textual layouts, e.g. lists,
labels
charts, headers, simple sentences and
captions containing common
vocabulary;
o Various illustrative forms, e.g.
photographs, drawings, charts,
diagrams.

2. YEAR
3
Extracts can be taken from books to
exploit in class.
Suggested criteria for choice:
Texts which:
• Developing vocabulary, and ability to
read complex sentences;
• Require reading to be sustained;
• Show how authors portray characters,
setting and plot through dialogue,
action and interaction;
• Traditional and classic stories and
poems, as well as texts which include
challenging themes;
• Range of techniques and styles and
also draw on those of other cultures.
All books selected for use for Year 3
should provide:
! Accurate information;
! Well written clearly presented texts;
! Consistent use of some or all non-
fiction book organisational features,
e.g. contents page, index, glossary;
! Use a range of features to present
and explain information, e.g. simple
charts, diagrams and labels,
captions, headings and supportive
illustration.
Types and features of texts:
o Non-chronological texts;
o Chronological texts, e.g. life cycles
and timelines;
o Simple explanations, instructions;
o Different books on the same topic;
o Dictionary with simple definitions;
o Various additional non-fiction
organisational features, e.g. head
words and glossary.
YEAR
4
Extracts can be taken from books to
exploit in class.
Suggested criteria for choice:
Texts which:
• More complex structures and figurative
language;
• Characterisation and events which
challenge pupils’ understanding of
theme;
• Stories and poems with more sustained
plots, descriptions and interactions;
• Deeper response, i.e. drawing more
extensively on skills of inference and
deduction;
• Range of genres, i.e. traditional stories
and stories from other cultures.
All books selected for use for Year 4
should provide:
! Accurate information;
! Well written, clearly presented texts
in a variety of layouts;
! Consistent use of non-fiction book
organisational features e.g. contents
page, index, glossary, subheadings;
! Use a range of features to present
and explain information;
! Technical and specialist vocabulary
within subject specialisms, where
appropriate;
! Opportunities for sustained reading.
Types and features of texts:
o varied non-fiction organisational
features and print styles;
o paragraphing of blocks of text;
o a range of formats and notations, e.g.
charts, lists, tables, plans and
numbered bullet points, dictionary with
more detailed information, thesaurus.

3. YEAR
5
Extracts can be taken from books to
exploit in class.
Suggested criteria for choice:
Texts which:
• Growing understanding of how
characters and plots are developed and
paced throughout a book;
• Variety of approaches to telling a
narrative;
• Wide range of more complex structures
ideas and underlying themes,
sometimes set in different times, worlds
and cultures;
• Engage the interest of children through
style and content.
All books selected for use for Year 5
should provide:
! Accurate information;
! Well written, clearly presented texts
in a variety of layouts;
! Consistent use of non-fiction book
organisational features, e.g.
contents page, index, glossary,
subheadings;
! Use a range of features to present
and explain information;
! Technical and specialist vocabulary
within subject specialisms, where
appropriate;
! Opportunities for sustained reading.
Types and features of texts:
o Varied presentations of key points,
supported by longer blocks of text;
different writing forms, e.g. report,
instruction, argument.
YEAR
6
Extracts can be taken from books to
exploit in class.
Suggested criteria for choice:
Texts which:
• Understanding of author techniques
and narrative devices;
• Make increased demands on children’s
ability to sustain their reading;
• Provide a range of settings in terms of
time and place;
• Range of genres, including science
fiction, historical fiction, myth, classic
texts and contemporary stories and
poems;
• Significant authors, both contemporary
and well established.
All books selected for use for Year 6
should provide:
! Accurate information;
! Well written, clearly presented texts
in a variety of layouts;
! Consistent use of non-fiction book
organisational features, e.g.
contents page, index, glossary,
subheadings;
! Use a range of features to present
and explain information;
! Technical and specialist vocabulary
within subject specialisms, where
appropriate;
! Opportunities for sustained reading.
Types and features of texts:
o Range of presentations and notations;
thematically and conventionally
organised encyclopaedia.