The Ultimate Book List for the SEAG GL Transfer Test (Perfect for Summer Reading Too!)

One of the most common questions we hear from parents at our tuition centre is:
“Is there a recommended book list for the SEAG GL Transfer Test?”

The answer is yes – and it’s more important than ever to get your child reading regularly. The English component of the SEAG GL Transfer Test often includes lengthy, challenging comprehension passages, many of which are taken from traditional or classic novels. If your child isn’t used to reading this style of writing, they may struggle with vocabulary, tone, and understanding.

That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive book list for the SEAG GL Transfer Test, specifically designed for Key Stage 2 pupils (P6 and P7). It’s also perfect as a summer reading list to keep children engaged and building essential skills during the holidays.

Book List for the SEAG GL Transfer Test (P6 & P7)

Classic Novels Often Used in SEAG Comprehensions

These older books reflect the style and complexity frequently seen in SEAG test passages. The language is often more formal or descriptive, so exposure is key.

1. Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
2. The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame
3. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twain
4. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis
5. The Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum
6. The Hobbit – J.R.R. Tolkien
7. Treasure Island – Robert Louis Stevenson
8. Anne of Green Gables – L.M. Montgomery
9. The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
10. The Invisible Man – H.G. Wells
11. Charlotte’s Web – E.B. White
12. The Diary of Anne Frank
13. The Sheep Pig – Dick King-Smith
14. Famous Five Series – Enid Blyton
15. A Little Princess – Frances Hodgson Burnett
16. Black Beauty – Anna Sewell
17. Heidi – Johanna Spyri
18. Journey to the Centre of the Earth – Jules Verne
19. Kidnapped – Robert Louis Stevenson
20. Five Children and It – E. Nesbit
21. The Railway Children – E. Nesbit
22. The Jungle Book – Rudyard Kipling
23. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

Modern Classics & Fiction for Reluctant Readers

These are easier to engage with, yet rich in language and ideas – ideal for growing confidence and comprehension.

1. War Horse – Michael Morpurgo
2. The Butterfly Lion – Michael Morpurgo
3. Artemis Fowl – Eoin Colfer
4. Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling
5. Wonder – R.J. Palacio
6. Holes – Louis Sachar
7. Boy and Going Solo – Roald Dahl
8. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne
9. A Series of Unfortunate Events – Lemony Snicket
10. Billionaire Boy – David Walliams
11. Double Act – Jacqueline Wilson
12. The Demon Headmaster – Gillian Cross
13. How to Train Your Dragon – Cressida Cowell
14. The Alex Rider Series – Anthony Horowitz
15. Inkheart – Cornelia Funke
16. Percy Jackson Series – Rick Riordan
17. he Explorer – Katherine Rundell
18. The Wild Robot – Peter Brown
19. Skellig – David Almond
20. The Boy at the Back of the Class – Onjali Q. Raúf
21. Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet – Zanib Mian
22. Who Let the Gods Out? – Maz Evans
23. The Unadoptables – Hana Tooke
24. The Girl of Ink and Stars – Kiran Millwood Hargrave
25. The Last Bear – Hannah Gold
26. Orphans of the Tide – Struan Murray
27. Brightstorm – Vashti Hardy
28. Amari and the Night Brothers – B.B. Alston
29. The Clockwork Sparrow – Katherine Woodfine
30. Murder Most Unladylike – Robin Stevens

Non-Fiction & Informational Texts

These develop comprehension of factual passages – a key part of the SEAG test.

1. Horrible Histories – Terry Deary
2. Horrible Science – Nick Arnold
3. Guinness World Records (latest edition)
4. Ripley’s Believe It or Not
5. Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – Kate Pankhurst
6. Young, Gifted and Black – Jamia Wilson
7. Survivors – David Long
8. Shackleton’s Journey – William Grill
9. What a Waste: Rubbish, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet – Jess French
10. A World Full of Animal Stories – Angela McAllister

Fun, Humorous & Illustrated Fiction (for reluctant readers)

These are especially helpful for less confident readers – fun and accessible while still boosting literacy.

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Jeff Kinney
2. Tom Gates Series – Liz Pichon
3. The World’s Worst Children – David Walliams
4. The Danger Gang – Tom Fletcher
5. The Treehouse Series – Andy Griffiths
6. The Land of Roar – Jenny McLachlan
7. Dragon Mountain – Katie & Kevin Tsang

Practice Makes Perfect

Reading regularly from this book list for the SEAG GL Transfer Test is a fantastic first step. But it’s also important to practise answering test-style comprehension questions.

Our Transfer Test Comprehension Book includes:

• Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry texts
• True/False and multiple choice
• Vocabulary questions (synonyms, phrases)
• Grammar (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs)

All modelled on the SEAG GL Transfer Test format to help your child feel confident and prepared.

Final Tip: Follow Their Interests

If your child finds an author or series they love, run with it! Enjoyment is key to long-term success. Every book read builds vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension – all essential skills for the Transfer Test and beyond.

If your child needs help with transfer test preparation, On Target Tuition can help. Find out more on our tuition website.

If you are looking for practice papers and revision books that reflect the questions and texts you will find in the real SEAG GL tests then please take a look at our transfer test resources.