FAQs

How does Booked Up work?

At the beginning of June we send an email to every secondary school in England, inviting them to register for the programme.

The school must nominate a Booked Up coordinator to register the school – this could be the school librarian, an English teacher, a literacy coordinator or a Year 7 head. Schools must register to take part by the end of July.

In September all registered schools receive a Booked Up resource pack. The Booked Up coordinator collates the Year 7s’ choices and places the order. The students’ free books are delivered in clearly marked boxes by the end of the autumn term.

How is Booked Up funded?

Booked Up is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and generously supported by children's book publishers.

What is Booktrust and why do they deliver the programme?

Booktrust is an independent charity with an extensive track record in developing and managing book gifting programmes
Booktrust is able to ensure that the books are independently selected by appropriate experts in the field of children's books
Booked Up participants can be confident that the programme is non-commercial and coordinated by a charity whose key remit is that of encouraging people of all ages and cultures to discover and enjoy reading
Booktrust is able to support the Booked Up programme with promotional materials and add-on activities, and is uniquely placed to offer further reading ideas and to help children continue on their reading journeys after they receive their free books
Booktrust offers extensive advice and information online, catering for all ages, interests and needs
Booktrust is also positioned at the heart of the book world and as such can support the programme through links to other relevant projects, organisations and resources.

Why does Booked Up apply only to England?

Booked Up applies only to England because the Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for education services in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are separate as each has their own Assembly/Parliament.

What do I do if my child is home educated or doesn't attend school

If your child does not attend school but is of Year 7 age they are still eligible to receive a free book. Please email bookedUp@booktrust.org.uk to register; your child will then be able to choose their free book in September.

The Books

How are the books chosen?

The Booked Up list is chosen by an independent panel of experts, including librarians, teachers, authors and other children’s book experts: The 2011 Selection Panel

We invite over 60 publishers to submit the titles that they think would be appropriate for the Booked Up list. Of the titles we receive we select a longlist of between 80 and 100 books for our selection panel to consider.

The panel then read all the books, and gather opinions from current Year 7 students, before selecting a final list that reflects a variety of genres, styles and reading levels.

How many publishers are involved and how are they chosen?

The books are chosen purely on their individual merit, regardless of publisher. The publishers on the list vary from year to year. This year 13 publishers are represented on the Booked Up list.

Why does the booklist not include titles for non-English-speaking children?

Children who enter Year 7 with English as an additional language are learning all the time by participating in lessons taught in English. Reading books in English will help to extend their knowledge of the language, which is vital in order to access the whole school curriculum.

The Booked Up list does include a number of titles selected especially for children with additional educational needs. These books are suited to children with lower reading ability or less understanding of the English language, so we hope there will be a suitable book for every child.

What about children with additional needs?

Booktrust and the DfE recognise that the Booked Up programme needs to cater for a diverse spectrum of interests, abilities and reading ages.

We work with a disability consultant with recommendations from coordinators at special schools to select a list that includes the following types of books: