Book lists

Students are encouraged to select a range of fiction and non-fiction books suited to their reading ability. While there is no compulsory reading list for the challenge, book lists have been developed in conjunction with the Department of Education's Reading Centre and the Global schools through languages team (State Schools—Performance) to help students, teachers, parents and guardians select appropriate reading material.

The book lists have been divided into year level groups. Students are also welcome to read books from lists for higher or lower year levels.

Book titles are also available in Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian and Japanese. The language books are not categorised into year levels but by language. Students begin language learning at different points in primary school and teachers will select books based on students’ levels of language learning and interests. Students learning languages from Prep to Year 6 (or with a family background in an additional language) can choose to read or experience any books in additional languages to English, as part of the challenge.

The reading groups identified within the list are broad and overlap to reflect the range of abilities that exist within each year level (e.g. many Year 1 students are still consolidating pre-reading skills while others are ready for more challenging texts).

Students are free to read books that are not on the list. You may already have suitable books at home.

Visit our Downloads and forms page for links to help you source books.

Book list suggestions

The Premier's Reading Challenge is no longer accepting print book donations. Authors and publishers are still welcome to suggest a title or titles for consideration on future book lists. Suggestions can be made by emailing a completed book suggestions spreadsheet (XLSX, 20KB) to reading.challenge@qed.qld.gov.au.

These suggestions are accepted with the understanding that the books may not necessarily be included on the Premier's Reading Challenge book lists.