On 6 October 2026 the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) released the approved list of Grade 11 textbooks and literary texts, commonly called the Orange Book. It is published on the KICD website and runs to over 300 titles.
Grade 11 starts in January 2027, so parents of this year's Grade 10 learners are already being asked about books. The short answer is: read the list, but do not buy from it yet. Here is why.
What the Orange Book actually is
The Orange Book is a list of titles KICD has evaluated and approved for use in schools. It is not a shopping list for one child. For most subjects it names several approved books from different publishers, and a school chooses which one it will use.
Over 300 titles sounds overwhelming. In practice, your child will need only the books for the subjects they take, and only the specific titles their school picks.
What is compulsory in Grade 11
Every Grade 11 learner takes a common core, whatever their pathway:
| Subject | Who takes it | Note for parents |
|---|---|---|
| English | All learners | Includes set literary texts, which are on the Orange Book list |
| Kiswahili | All learners | Also has set texts. Check which ones the school picks |
| Mathematics | All learners, as Core or Essential | The two levels use different books. Confirm which one your child is doing |
| Physical Education | All learners | Largely practical |
| Community Service Learning | All learners | Project based and assessed |
The Mathematics split matters more than it looks. A learner on Core Mathematics and one on Essential Mathematics will need different books. Buying the wrong one is an easy and expensive mistake.
How pathways shape the book list
Beyond the core, a learner's subjects depend on their pathway: STEM, Social Sciences, or Arts and Sports Science. A STEM learner might need books for Biology, Chemistry and Physics. A Social Sciences learner might need History, Geography or Business Studies. Two Grade 11 learners in the same class could share only the core books.
This is why there is no single "Grade 11 book list" you can buy from. If you are still unsure how your child's combination was formed, our guide to senior school subject combinations explains how the pathways divide.
Why you should wait for the school's list
It is tempting to get ahead, especially with books that look scarce. There are good reasons to wait:
- The school chooses the title. If there are four approved Chemistry books, the school will teach from one of them. Buying a different approved book does not help much in class.
- Books are being distributed to schools. Some of what your child needs may arrive through the school. Buying it yourself first could mean paying for something you did not need to.
- Subject changes still happen. Some learners adjust their combination at the start of a new year. A book bought in October could be for a subject your child drops.
- Set texts differ by school and level. The literary texts for English and Kiswahili are a common place to buy the wrong edition.
When the school list arrives, check it against the Orange Book. If a title is on the school list but not on the approved list, it is fair to ask the school why.
The distribution timeline
| Period | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6 October 2026 | KICD releases the Orange Book |
| 6 to 23 October | First phase of distribution to schools |
| Late October to November | Distribution pauses for the national exams |
| After the exams, to 23 December | Distribution resumes on weekdays |
| January 2027 | Grade 11 begins |
The pause for KCSE, KJSEA and KPSEA means some schools may not have their full stock until December. That is normal, not a sign that something has gone wrong. A school that has not issued its list by mid November is not necessarily behind.
What Grade 11 means for assessment
Books matter because Grade 11 counts. Under the KCBE structure, Grade 10 School Based Assessment carries 15 per cent, Grade 11 School Based Assessment another 15 per cent, and the Grade 12 summative assessment 70 per cent. KNEC also plans a Grade 11 KCBE pilot in June 2027 in selected schools.
So Grade 11 is not a quiet middle year. The work done in it feeds the final result. Before that, schools must upload Grade 10 SBA scores on the KNEC CBA portal by 31 October 2026. Our explainer on the Grade 10 SBA deadline covers what to check with the class teacher.
What to do right now
- Look at the Orange Book on the KICD website for your child's subjects, so you know the names.
- Confirm your child's pathway, subjects and Mathematics level with the school.
- Wait for the official school list before buying.
- Keep this term's focus on finishing Grade 10 well.
That last point is the one most parents skip. The Grade 10 end of term exams are still ahead, and a learner who finishes Grade 10 with gaps carries them straight into Grade 11. Our guide to what to revise for Grade 10 end of term exams sets out the priorities, and the Grade 10 hub collects everything else.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the KICD Grade 11 Orange Book?
It is published on the KICD website. It lists the approved Grade 11 textbooks and literary texts, over 300 titles across all subjects.
Should I buy Grade 11 textbooks now?
Not yet. Wait for your child's school list. The school chooses which approved title it uses, and some books may arrive through distribution to schools.
Which Grade 11 subjects are compulsory?
English, Kiswahili, Physical Education and Community Service Learning. KICD also publishes Core and Essential Mathematics designs, so ask the school which, if either, applies to your child. Other subjects depend on the learner's pathway.
When does Grade 11 start?
January 2027. Textbook distribution to schools runs to 23 December 2026, with a pause during the national exams.
For learners still finishing Grade 10, the Grade 10 Complete Revision and Exam Kit gives format-accurate practice across subjects, which matters for a cohort with almost no past papers to work from.
GRADE 11: Term 3 Complete Bundle
Every subject for Term 3 in one download: notes, practice and full answer keys, with exam revision included.
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