Enthuse, motivate and provoke thinking, in your school, with our award-winning book club for years 2-6.
There are two Reading Gladiators formats:
Reading Gladiators™ is ideal for mid to high-attaining readers, with a focus on high-level discussion and creative responses to quality texts.
Reading Gladiators Power-Up is a high interest, themed book club designed to ignite a spark for reading.
Focusses on high-level discussion and creative responses to quality texts
Includes week-by week book guide and supplementary reading resources
Fun and games with an end of year online inter-school celebration.
Judged the best primary literacy resource in the Teach Primary Awards
“Our greater depth results have never been so high, and I know this is down to ‘Take One Book’ and the ‘Reading Gladiators’〞How it worksCreate a buzz for reading
Reading Gladiators™ focuses on high-level discussion and creative response to quality texts. Books have been organised to provide progression across the year, moving from quick wins to books that require a reflective stance…
1.
Selecting books
Each term, pupils – Reading Gladiators – choose two books from our expertly selected collection of six (teachers can tailor the list for a particular group of children, or based on book-availability in school).
2.
Meet and discuss
Children meet to discuss the books in a relaxed atmosphere and to participate in collaborative activities with a focus on creative responses.
3.
Spread the buzz
Reading Gladiators become brilliant advocates for reading and help spread a buzz for reading across a school.
Book selection
Our book choices broaden children’s repertoires and provide rich reading experiences (especially when supported by an enthusiastic adult!). Each child will need their own copy of books so that they can read between Reading Gladiator sessions.
The new books for the 2025-2026 Reading Gladiators book club and inter-school challenge will be released after Easter.
Real world impactThe ultimate book club
Over 600 schools across the UK have adopted Reading Gladiators
Judged the best primary literacy resource in the Teach Primary Awards
Now in its 15th year
For children in years 2-6, this is a book club style resource
Used byElmhurst Primary School
Awarded UKLA Literacy School of the Year 2023
“The Reading Gladiators session is always one of the highlights of my week. There are so many fantastic texts to choose from for each age group and the planning is so well thought-out, not only to maximise engagement and enjoyment but also to deepen thought – the conversations we have are as rich and interesting as any adult book club! You can see the kids falling more and more in love with reading and their teachers also report a real boost to their confidence and competence in literacy lessons too.〞
Sam Creighton, English Lead
Next stepsStarting a Reading Gladiators book club at your school is easy…
A Reading Gladiators subscription is just £100 plus VAT per year (books purchased at special discount). We provide all the information you need in order to run a Reading Gladiators™ group, including familiarisation videos and year-group specific in-depth guides.
- Introductions to authors and their books
- Key discussion points
- Activities for pre and post-reading
- Downloadable resources and slideshows
- Guidance for home learning
- Useful links and connections
- Suggestions for promoting wider reading
