11+ Reading Books – The Cadwaladr Chronicles and Quests Reading Order
Where Should My Child Start?
My child is in Year 4
Begin with The Cadwaladr Chronicles, starting with Trap. These four prequel novels introduce the characters, story world and vocabulary-learning format.
Don’t worry if your child has only just started Year 4 and finds the books difficult. They cater for all 11+ tests, including the very challenging tests for top independent schools. Read the books to or with your child if needed. The last thing you should do is keep stopping so that they can learn every unfamiliar word.
My child is in Year 5
If seven books feel like too much, begin with Tangled Time and read the three Cadwaladr Quests. If your child is a very happy reader, begin with Trap and read all seven books in order.
The Cadwaladr books combine fantasy adventure with a contextualised dictionary on every page. Knowledge Nuggets explain SPaG, literary devices and inference as children read.
Please Don’t Turn the On-Page Dictionary into a Word List
Treat these books as you would any other novel. The on-page dictionary is there so your child can understand unfamiliar words without stopping to find a dictionary. Would you stop after every page of Harry Potter and learn every new word? Of course you wouldn’t. Please don’t do that here either.
Knowledge Nuggets are different. Children should read them carefully and understand the SPaG, literary devices and inference they explain.
Which Workbooks Need a Novel?
▲ GREEN TRIANGLE: USE WITH THE NAMED NOVEL
The questions and activities relate directly to that book.
▲ ORANGE TRIANGLE: STANDALONE VOCABULARY NOTEBOOK
Your child does not need the novel.
▲ BLUE TRIANGLE: STANDALONE COMPREHENSION AND VERBAL SKILLS WORKBOOK
Your child does not need the novel.
The Complete Seven-Book Reading Order
The Cadwaladr Chronicles: Books 1–4
These four fantasy-adventure novels are set in twelfth-century Wales and follow Callwen ‘Cad’ Cadwaladr. They can be read as a complete series or before The Cadwaladr Quests.
1. Trap
Cad guards a secret. When tragedy strikes, she’s imprisoned in Catrin Castle’s high tower. Can she escape in time to save her brother, Prince John?
▲ USE WITH THE NOVEL: Trap Vocabulary, Comprehension, Verbal Skills and Creative Writing Workbook.
2. Cipher
Sickness strikes the castle, and a stolen cipher may hold the key. Cad and her friends race to solve the puzzle, but Cad might have to act alone.
3. Siege
Cad wakes from a poisoned stupor, mute and with her memory lost. The castle is under siege. Can she destroy a deadly new weapon before everything falls?
4. Escape
A visiting dignitary is murdered and Catrin Castle descends into chaos. Cad must face treason, secrets and Templars to save the Knights Hawk.
The Cadwaladr Quests: Books 5–7
This present-day fantasy trilogy continues the story with Claire as the lead. It can also be read without reading The Cadwaladr Chronicles first.
5. Tangled Time
Claire discovers she’s descended from twelfth-century knights who need her help. With time-manipulating guardians, she must protect a dangerous artefact.
▲ USE WITH THE NOVEL: Tangled Time Vocabulary, Comprehension and Creative Writing Workbook.
▲ STANDALONE: Tangled Time Vocabulary Revision Notebook.
▲ STANDALONE: 11+ Comprehension and Verbal Skills Workbook 1.
6. Race for the Gold
Time is running out. The knights are stricken, and the Gwalch Gem is missing. Claire must face betrayal and reach Cadwaladr Castle to save her friends.
▲ STANDALONE: Race for the Gold Vocabulary Revision Notebook.
▲ STANDALONE: 11+ Comprehension and Verbal Skills Workbook 2.
7. Cat’s Eye
Claire faces betrayal, mountain storms and a final showdown that could destroy everything. This is the finale of The Cadwaladr Quests.
One last reminder: read the novels as novels. The on-page dictionary helps with comprehension. It isn’t a list of words to learn. Children should, however, understand the Knowledge Nuggets as they read.
Save with a Book Bundle
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Does Your Child Need Help with 11+ Writing?
Our 11+ Writing Course covers story writing, narrative recount and description, alongside SPaG and literary devices. Children receive personal feedback and can attend monthly live teaching sessions.