Overall, the number of books read among children dropped compared with previous years, but the young people were reading more challenging books. JK Rowling dominated the leaderboard of most popular books at primary level as pupils continued to pick up the Harry Potter series. Other popular authors at primary included David Walliams, Julia Donaldson and Roald Dahl. At second level the most popular book was One of Us is Lying by Karen M McManus. Other popular authors at secondary school included Suzanne Collins, Rick Riordan and Philip Pulman. Renaissance director John Moore said reading had helped many childrenâs sense of wellbeing while isolated from the wider world.