How to get Lord of the Flies free for school
Lord of the Flies by William Golding is one of the most assigned books in school. Here's how to get a copy free, which edition to look for, and what to know before you start.
Is it free online?
Still under copyright
Lord of the Flies isn't free online legally, so skip sites offering free downloads. They're usually pirated and can carry viruses. The free, legal ways to get it are below.
Ways to get it free
- Ask at your school library. Many schools have class sets of Lord of the Flies, since it's assigned year after year.
- Check BookBaton
.com . At schools on BookBaton, students give away copies they've finished, and you can ask for one free. Book Drops happen at the school library. Find your school. - Place a hold at your public library, for the print book and in the Libby app (ebook and audiobook). Do it as soon as you get your reading list, because waiting lists build up before the school year.
- Ask someone a grade ahead. Older siblings, cousins and neighbors often have a copy on a shelf.
- Talk to your teacher or school counselor if getting the book is hard for your family. Many schools can help.
Which edition?
Many schools use the Perigee (Penguin) paperback (ISBN 9780399501487). If your teacher refers to page numbers, ask which edition the class is using before you get a copy.
Why it's assigned
A group of boys stranded on an island try to govern themselves, and slowly turn on each other. Teachers assign it to explore power, fear, civilization and human nature. Golding later won the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Heads-up for families: It includes violence and the deaths of children. Teachers usually prepare students for this in class.
Common questions
Is Lord of the Flies free online?
Not legally. It's still under copyright. Your library and the Libby app are the free, legal options.
Is there an audiobook?
Yes, and many public libraries have it in Libby. Ask your teacher whether listening counts for class.
Done with it? Pass it on
When you finish Lord of the Flies, give your copy to the next student who needs it. Someone at your school will almost certainly be assigned it next year.
Get Lord of the Flies from a student at your school
On BookBaton
Last updated October 19, 2026. More help: How to get your required reading books for free.