FAQs

We are always on the lookout for old and new children’s books, that could potentially make it to the Kids Must Read Book longlist. Our sources include book lists from publishers and magazines, book award listings, word of mouth recommendations, and even books mentioned in passing in articles. The books are then read cover to cover by our founder, Priya Iyer who evaluates the book for the story, literary merit, soft education, costing, violence and sexual content, and number of pages. The book is then pegged for age appropriateness and reading level before it added to the final book recommendation list. 

Here is how you can help: as adults, we feel motivated to do things when we’ve made the choice or had a voice in making that choice. Equally, our faculty to make decisions is paralysed when faced with too many choices. Children are no different; they do not enjoy being told what to do but at the same time, need boundaries. The key is balance. We suggest that once you arrive at the book list as suggested by Kids Must Read, give your child the choice to select books they would like to read from a shortlist of maybe five books and work through the list. 

Please click here to understand how the search engine works. 

Currently, we offer book recommendations for kids aged 7 to 14 years. We hope to add books for younger children soon.

The Kids Must Read recommendations are dynamic, personal, and thorough. We recognise that each child is an individual and through our custom-built search engine we suggest books that suit your child’s reading level, interest, and age. The search engine also allows parents to iterate thus making it a dynamic book list. All the books recommended are read cover to cover by our founder thus evaluating it for literary merit and levels of violence and sexual content. 

Our founder, Priya Iyer, decides on what books make it to the Kids Must Read book list. 

Did you know that Quentin Blake, the world-famous writer and illustrator of children’s books, almost gave up on reading as a child? He thought he was not good at reading because he couldn’t read ‘Oliver Twist’ that someone had recommended to him at age six. 

Children’s reading confidence is a fragile thing; it could well shatter when given books that are difficult for them. Books, in terms of reading level, need to be pitched just right such that a child’s reading confidence is built bit by bit, very gently, till they acquire confidence that they can read higher level books. 

New books are constantly being added to the list on a regular basis. Please follow us on Instagram @kidsmustread to stay informed about new book additions.

We hope that does not happen, but on the off chance that it does, please go back to the search engine and change the reading level of your child (tweak it higher or lower depending on whether you feel that the books are too easy or too hard) of your child. 

All of the books are read cover to cover by our founder, Priya, to vet for violence and sexual content. Books that have excessive violence or sexual content are sifted out. Violence and sexual content is a matter of degree and contextual to age; for example, even in the classic ‘Black Beauty’ by Anna Sewell, the horse (the main character in the book) is subjected to cruel treatment such as whipping. Similarly, characters in books aimed at teenagers could be portrayed as experiencing their first crush. We bring these themes to the attention of parents under the section ‘What Parents Should Know’ in the detailed book review. Individual children react differently to what they read. Parents, especially those with sensitive children, are requested to read this section carefully and take a call on whether they would like their child to read the book. 

Avid readers need a steady supply of books to satiate their voracious reading appetites. They, therefore, depend on the recommendation of their peers or librarian, the local library or book store for books. Kids Must Read recommends some, of the best books in the world available to children; these books are challenging and thought provoking. Our hope that we are able to present your child with these books that are off the beaten path and hence have not been read by your child.  

We'd love to hear from you - write to us or stay connected by following us on Instagram @KidsMustRead.