Summer Book Club

Resource type: Book club

Price band: £

Key stage: KS2, KS3

Region(s): All of UK

The Summer Book Club is a transition project that encourages all new Year 7 pupils to read a carefully selected text over the summer holidays.

The project is designed to build pupils’ reading confidence and provide a shared reading experience that schools can use to build a sense of community and help pupils settle in to their new environment. This year’s Summer Book Club book is Secrets of the Snakestone by Piu DasGupta (Nosy Crow).

Supporting resources are available to download from the start of the summer term and include:

A presentation pack to introduce the Summer Book Club title at a transition assembly or meeting in the summer term.
A set of questions and activities to help pupils engage with the book over the summer.
Resources to support a discussion group in the autumn, including a live online Q&A with the author on 18th September.
Access to discounted copies of the Summer Book Club title.
A chance to win a set of Piu DasGupta’s new book for the school library.

Cost: Supporting resources are free with registration. An e-book edition of the book will be available for 99p from 1st July to 22nd August 2026. Sets of the paperback are available at the discounted price of £4 per book.

About Book Clubs in Schools: Book Clubs in Schools was founded in 2014 by Beth Ginsburg and Ali Palmer with the aim of strengthening pupils’ engagement in reading and improving their communication skills, particularly for those at a socio-economic disadvantage. It has been a charity since 2019.

Further resources:

Find out how QEII High School used the Summer Book Club to engage new Year 7 students and raise the profile of reading for pleasure within their school community.
Book Clubs in Schools also provides resources and training to help schools run weekly, peer-led book clubs to promote reading for pleasure and help students develop key communication, social and leadership skills. All resources and training will be free to access during the National Year of Reading.
Explore some other ideas and resources to support Transition.