To help you get started, our boffins at Club 11 Plus have created a free book list for Years 3, 4, and 5 (we've given the link at the end of this blog), but the books in that list are only suggestions, not prescriptions. Our hope is that your child will use them as a springboard to discover amazing new authors and fascinating new genres.
Why Reading Matters So Much
Reading helps in far more ways than many people realise:
Vocabulary: Reading allows children to absorb both active vocabulary (words they can use confidently in speaking and writing) and passive vocabulary (words they understand when reading or listening but may not use themselves).
Spelling and punctuation: Constant exposure to correctly written text teaches children these skills almost without effort.
Grammar and sentence structure: Reading helps children to automatically internalise how sentences are formed and how ideas flow.
Comprehension skills: Regular reading makes it easier to grasp meaning, tone, and inference.
In other words, reading provides repeated exposure to language in context, which is the most natural and effective way to teach a whole host of skills that will be incredibly useful for your child’s on their academic journey for many years to come.
Reading and the 11 Plus Test
For the 11 Plus, strong reading skills are invaluable:
Comprehension: In the 11 Plus test, children can face older-style texts, poetry, and passages with very challenging vocabulary. Regular readers can tackle these comprehensions with confidence, speed, and deeper understanding.
Spelling, punctuation, and grammar: A well-read child has a considerable advantage in all these 11 Plus test questions, because the correct answers simply sound and look right.
Verbal reasoning: Many of the 11 Plus verbal reasoning questions depend on having a broad vocabulary and the ability to spot subtle differences in meaning.
For example, a child who can instantly spot that the word “entrance” is not only a noun meaning “the way in”, but also a verb meaning “to captivate”, or that the word "content" is not only an adjective meaning "happy and satisfied", but also a noun meaning "the things that are included inside something", has a massive head start on a child who can't. They could potentially learn the dual meaning of those words by memorising a list of homonyms, but they're far more likely to remember them if they've been unconsciously absorbed through reading.
Maths word problems: 11 Plus maths questions are always presented as word problems, and being able to decipher the words in a question speedily in order to work out what sums need to be done is key to success. A confident reader can take that skill for granted, allowing them to focus all their mental energies on solving the maths problem itself.
Parents often ask us how they can begin preparing their child for the 11 Plus as early as Years 2 or 3, and our reply is always the same: one of the most effective (and enjoyable) ways is simply to build a daily reading habit.
How Much Reading Should My Child Do?
If you’re lucky, your child may be the sort you have to peel away from books. But if they still see it as a chore, aim for at least 15 minutes a day. A helpful rule is "no screen time until reading time is done". It may cause some resistance at first, but it’s a habit that will pay back dividends for many years to come. They'll thank you for it in the end!
Libraries can become your new best friends - they are wonderful places: free of charge and full of choice. If your child doesn’t enjoy one book, simply swap it for another. A weekly library trip gives your child a treat, as well as allowing you to spend some quality time with them.
Beyond Exams: The Bigger Benefits
Obviously the 11 Plus isn’t the only reason to encourage your child to read. Studies since the Covid lockdowns suggest that the fluency and depth of many children’s vocabulary and spoken language have declined in recent years, with increased screen time often replacing conversation and books. As well as all the benefits already mentioned, reading also helps children:
• Broaden their minds and imagination.
• Learn empathy by stepping into the shoes of different characters.
• Explore a multitude of people, places, and cultures across history and the globe.
• Develop creativity and even resilience.
Put simply, reading opens doors – not just to academic success, but to a richer, more thoughtful life.
Our Closing Thoughts
If you want to give your child an early advantage for the 11 Plus, daily reading is one of the most effective, affordable, and enjoyable things you can encourage - and it's never too late to start! It costs nothing, it feels like fun rather than study, and it builds a foundation of knowledge and confidence that will stay with them forever.
👉 Download our free Club 11 Plus Book List here: https://www.club11plus.co.uk/club-11-plus-book-list
Happy reading!