A study of more than 1.1 million pupils in the UK and Ireland has revealed the 10 most widely read and “favourite” children’s books.

Primary school children picked the seven Harry Potter titles as their favourite books – with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban coming top, the "What kids are reading" report shows. 

Meanwhile, the survey found that eight titles by Jeff Kinney and two by David Walliams were the 10 books proving most "popular" – meaning most likely to be read – by primary children.

For secondary school pupils, the most widely read book was The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan.

This replaced last year’s number one, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which has completely dropped out of the top 40. 

Secondary pupils' favourite book was Gangsta Granny by David Walliams.

No Harry Potter title is now in secondary pupils' top 10 favourite or most-read books.

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The data was collected using software by online assessment provider Renaissance UK, and analysed by University of Dundee academic Professor Keith Topping.

Professor Topping said: “The disappearance of Harry Potter from the secondary schools’ list suggests that primary school children have read them all and none are left for secondary school children. I do not think it reflects any emerging dislike for Harry Potter books among secondary-age children.

The report also features data provided by the National Literacy Trust from its annual survey. It finds that reading for pleasure and reading daily are the keys to literacy success.

Children who read for pleasure are nearly three times as likely to read above their expected level compared with their peers who do not, the report states.

The report also finds that many of the favourite books picked by pupils tend to be of appropriate reading difficulty, especially at primary level.

Children in primary and secondary school were found to be reading slightly more than last year, with the average pupil reading 240,599 words, a 1 per cent increase from the previous year.

Boys tend to prefer non-fiction, especially in secondary schools. However, non-fiction books were not read or understood by either gender as well as fiction books.

Favourite books in primary schools

Favourite books in secondary schools

Most popular books within primary schools

Most popular books within secondary schools