We teamed up with Apryl Markham and Adam McGee from Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library to create a curated reading list, inspired by the theme of the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge.
The 2026 Summer Reading Challenge theme is Read to the Beat, and is delivered by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries and powered by Universal Music Group UK.
The theme inspires children to explore the connection between stories and songs, discovering how reading and music both ignite imagination and creativity.
Junior/middle-grade fiction
Kofi and the Brand New Vibe by Jeffrey Boakye (Faber & Faber)
This is the third in a great series of books about a boy called Kofi and his friends growing up in London in the 90s, with each of the trilogy having a particular music focus. Here, Kofi and his pals must get their heads around the success of their radio station and what happens when everyone wants a piece of the action.
My School Musical and Other Punishments by Catherine Wilkins and Katie Abey (Nosy Crow)
For fans of Lottie Brooks or Dork Diaries, you’ll love this series about comic artist Jess and her friends. In this instalment, Jess finds herself involved in the school musical and negotiating her best friend Natalie’s fame-hungry ways.
Can You Feel the Noise by Stewart Foster (Simon & Schuster)
Inspired by Foster’s own hearing impairment, this is a powerful read about how to love music, even when you can’t hear it. Sophie’s world is rocked when she loses her hearing and her music lessons are replaced by trips to the hospital. Her dreams of a life performing feel like a distant memory, until she starts to feel the vibrations and finds herself with the help of a drumkit.
Skylar and the K-Pop Headteacher by Luan Goldie and Amy Nguyen (Walker Books)
K-Pop is everywhere at the moment- even in children’s fiction! In a classic tale of body-swap switcheroo, 11 year old Skylar finds herself trading places with her 71 year old headteacher, mean Ms Callus. While trying to work her way out of this crisis, she gets the chance to meet her favourite K-Pop band- but will she chase her dream or switch back to reality?
Junior Non-Fiction
A Symphony of Stories by James Mayhew (Otter-Barry Books)
A wonderful collection bringing together six well-known pieces of music, paired with amazing illustrations. This is a gorgeous book and a wonderful introduction to classical music.
How to Build an Orchestra by Mary Auld, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli (Hachette)
An introduction to what builds an orchestra, follow along as a friendly conductor charts each instrument and just why it has a place in a musical ensemble.
Busy Little Fingers by Eva Wong Nava, illustrated by Eleonara Marton (Templar Books)
Covering ten different genres, this is a perfect musical intro for pre-school children, which even encourages you to make your own tune!
Teen/YA
This Song is About Us by Sara Barnard (Walker)
A YA Romance about Drew Schafer, who’s band The Kerbs are gaining success and becoming more and more popular. Everyone wants to know what they’re about, but there’s one person who knows Drew best: his girlfriend Ruby, but nobody knows she exists. Will their love survive his success or is heartbreak on the horizon? With a backdrop of music festivals, this would make a great summer beach read.
Everything Amplified by Sarah Lippett and Ziggy Hanaor (Cicada Books)
This graphic novel focuses on twins Nel and Ludo, who both live very different lives; Nel is struggling with the pressure of school and their parents, while Ludo is confident and unphased by anything. Music is Nel’s safety net but when her brother joins a band, she starts to feel like nothing belongs to her. Can stepping into the spotlight herself change that? A thoughtful story about finding comfort- and yourself- in music.
I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman (HarperCollins)
Fans of Oseman’s Heartstopper series will love this novel about Angel who is obsessed with one thing and one thing only: teen three-piece The Ark. Eventually their worlds will collide when she and lead singer Jimmy are thrown together. But is the reality of meeting your favourite band all it’s cracked up to be?
Reading recommendations for adults
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, Pan Macmillan (non-fiction)
Meet me in the Bathroom : Rebirth and Rock and Roll in New York City 2001-2011 by Lizzy Goodman, Faber & Faber (non-fiction)
Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994–2007) by Dan Ozzi, Oneworld Publications (non-fiction)
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys by Gerard Way, Dark Horse Comics US (graphic novel)
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley, HarperCollins Publishers (fiction)
I Love You So Much It’s Killing Us Both by Mariah Stovall, Influx Press (fiction)
Take part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2026
Read to the Beat this summer! Each year, the Summer Reading Challenge invites children to read six books across the summer holidays.
To sign up, just pop into your local library. Children will need to be library members – you can do this in a library or online. It’s free of charge and children will receive their own library card for which there are no overdue fees.
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