This is Lit
Creating a new chapter for GCSE English
In 2026, we’ve launched This is Lit, a new book club designed to celebrate the best of 21st century literature during The National Year of Reading 2026.
As the government announces plans for curriculum reform, it is the perfect time to explore a new chapter for GCSE English and to discover contemporary British writers whose work could shape the subject for years to come.
Register your interest
How to get involved
The This is Lit book club is open to all secondary schools and colleges. You don’t need to be a registered book club member to take part — you can still read along, use our resources with your students and join the wider conversation about reading for pleasure and GCSE English Literature.
Whether you’re running a full book club or dipping in with a class, you and your learners are warmly invited to get involved and share your views.
Our current read: The Crossing by Manjeet Mann
Our current book is The Crossing by Manjeet Mann: a trailblazing novel that tells the story of two teenagers from opposite worlds and offers a profound exploration of hope and grief.
To support you, we’ve created a set of free, downloadable resources you can use flexibly in the classroom or as part of a book club.
Discussion guide
A teacher-friendly guide designed to support inclusive, thoughtful conversations about The Crossing, with prompts for before, during and after reading.
Review templates
Use these templates to capture students’ responses to the book. Reviews can be written or recorded in other formats and shared with us to help shape the future of GCSE English Literature.
Download teacher review template Download student review template
Submitting your reviews
Once you've completed your reviews, you can share them with us using the link below or by emailing thisislit@pearson.com.
Resources for Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald
Our first book club read was Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald: a powerful contemporary novel that explores friendship, identity and hope.
Discussion guide
A teacher-friendly guide designed to support inclusive, thoughtful conversations about Glasgow Boys, with prompts for before, during and after reading.
The story behind Glasgow Boys
In May, we heard Margaret Mcdonald herself about the story behind Glasgow Boys. This online webinar offered a fantastic opportunity for teachers and students to hear directly from Margaret as she shared what inspired her to write Glasgow Boys and answers questions from our This is Lit members.
This is Lit shortlist
During 2025 the Pearson Edexcel English team enjoyed exploring a range of modern, British texts including novels, drama, verse novels and graphic novels. There are so many exciting texts out there and in 2026 we are continuing to explore as broad a range of texts as possible for our This is Lit book club, challenging expectations of what 'Lit' is!
We have initially shortlisted the following texts:
- Glasgow Boys – Margaret McDonald (2024, Faber & Faber)
Winner of the Carnegie Medal for Writing 2025 - The Crossing – Manjeet Mann (2021, Penguin)
Winner of the Costa Children’s Book Award 2021 and the UKLA Award - Klara and the Sun – Kazuo Ishiguro (2021, Faber & Faber)
Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2021 - If My Words Had Wings – Danielle Jawando (2024, Simon & Schuster Ltd)
- The Punch – James Graham (2025, Bloomsbury)
Based on Jacob Dunne’s memoir Right from Wrong
Why take part in This is Lit?
It’s time for GCSE English to turn the page onto a broader, more inclusive selection of texts. By taking part in This is Lit, you and your students will play a key role in influencing a new, contemporary ‘canon' – one that reflects the interests, experiences and aspirations of today’s learners.
Together, we can evolve GCSE English to reflect the richness of today’s literature and reignite a love of reading in your students.
Influence the future
Your insights will guide which texts could become part of future GCSE English qualifications.
Champion diversity
Help us create a contemporary canon which includes diverse voices and perspectives.
Inspire a love of reading
Together, we can make literature relevant, exciting, and alive for students.
We are proud to support the National Year of Reading 2026.
Stay up to date
We're committed to offering ways for every school to get involved in This is Lit. Throughout 2026, we'll be sharing:
- Discussion guides and review templates to support rich, book club style conversations in your school.
- Online event and opportunities to join conversations about contemporary texts.
- Regular updates on how students and teachers across the country are responding to our chosen reads.
Register your interest below to stay up to date on the latest news and updates.