10 Public-Domain Classics Kids Can Read for Free (Ages 7–11)

Want a quality reading list that costs £0? These classics are available free via Project Gutenberg. (Public-domain status can vary by country/edition.)

This is one of the best “quiet wins” for parents: strong stories, rich vocabulary, and daily reading practice — without spending anything.

Related guides: Books & Reading Lists · English & Verbal Reasoning · All blog posts

How to use this list (keep it calm)

• Pick one book.
• Read 10 minutes a day.
• Ask one question: “What was the most important moment today?”

That’s it. The goal is consistency — not finishing quickly.

Why classics are useful (when used the right way)

• Vocabulary exposure: richer language than many quick reads.
• Inference practice: characters, motives, and implied meaning are everywhere.
• Story sense: children learn how plots and paragraphs work — which helps writing too.

Free classics (with links)

All links go to Project Gutenberg:

• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
  Light adventure, fun characters — great “momentum” book.
• Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
  Wordplay and nonsense humour — excellent for shared reading.
• Peter Pan (Peter and Wendy)
  Imagination + adventure; good for “read a little each day”.
• The Secret Garden
  Emotional vocabulary + vivid description; great for gentle daily reading.
• A Little Princess
  Strong character voice; great for empathy and inference.
• Anne of Green Gables
  Warm, funny, and word-rich — often hooks kids who like character-driven stories.
• The Wind in the Willows
  Cosy + witty (Mr Toad chapters are a favourite); great read-aloud option.
• The Jungle Book
  Myths, lessons, and memorable scenes; good for short daily bites.
• Just So Stories
  Short, playful tales — perfect for kids who prefer quick finishes.
• The Railway Children
  Gentle story, strong “everyday” language; good for calm routines.

How to choose (so your child actually reads it)

• If they need fast traction: start with Oz or Just So Stories.
• If they like humour and weirdness: Alice.
• If they like cosy character stories: Anne or Wind in the Willows.
• If they like “serious story” vibes: Secret Garden or A Little Princess.

Try this next

Choose one title and commit to a 7-day streak.

• The streak builds the habit.
• The habit builds the skill.

If you want an ultra-simple routine to pair with reading, use: The 10-Minute Focus Routine.

Or keep it low-friction by using the free Classroom Trial as your daily 5-minute “focus warm-up,” then read for 10 minutes.