By the age of 13 most children will have absorbed stories about Harry Potter, Alex Ryder or Tracey Beaker. What they should be reading, however, are the Bible, Anna Karenina and The Thirty-Nine Steps, according to a panel of writers and politicians.

The list, containing several meaty or obscure books, was drawn up by Country Life, which asked David Cameron, the Right Rev Richard Chartres, the Bishop of London, and Ralph Townsend, the headmaster of Winchester College, among others, for their recommendations.

Alan Bennett, the playwright, provided a rare dissenting voice. He told the magazine's school supplement: “I'm reluctant to specify the books children ought to have read because I know that, aged 13, I hadn't read any of the requisite books myself.”

Mr Cameron chose different books for boys and girls. He said boys should read The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan, while recommending Tolstoy's 800-page epic, Anna Karenina, for girls.

Dr Townsend also suggested The Thirty-Nine Steps, describing it as “the most influential thriller ever written” and praising its “superb English”. He added: “The suspense is brilliantly effective and the description of places unfailingly evocative.”

Dr Chartres suggested Our Island Story, by H. E. Marshall, a children's history of Britain first published in 1905. He said: “Every child under 13 ought to be exposed to our inspiring island story, and be encouraged to write their own new chapter.

He added: “You cannot define Britishness by reference simply to bland universals and synonyms for fairness and tolerance. Such concepts only have power when married to narrative. The fruits of this marriage are stirring impressions and memories that can shape lives.”

Stephen Fry chose Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. He described it as “immaculately told with stunning character drawing”.

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