Developing Reading Comprehension Skills is a series of eight reading comprehension books for teachers and children, focusing on high-quality literature and the full range of question types in the reading content domains for Key Stage Two. This series gives children opportunities to tackle more complex vocabulary, explore how authors use language to impact their readers and… Continue reading Contemporary Children’s Literature: Developing Reading Comprehension Skills
In true Christopher Edge style, there is so much more to Escape Room than meets the eye. With layers of symbolism and the complete unexpected, readers are challenged to think about their own place in the world. 12-year-old Ami has been given a fantastic gift – an immersive escape room experience. She absolutely loves puzzles… Continue reading Escape Room by Christopher Edge
Britannica Books continues to publish absolutely fantastic non-fiction books for children. Britannica’s 5-Minute Really True Stories for Family Time is no exception. Usually, a collection of short stories like this would be full of fiction – fairy tales or short adventures for families to share together. What’s so unique about this book is that it… Continue reading Britannica’s 5 Minute Really True Stories for Family Time ~ Blog Tour
After thoroughly enjoying the original The Worst Class in the World book in 2020, I was delighted to be offered the chance to read The Worst Class in the World Dares You! by Joanna Nadin and illustrated by Rikin Parekh - a laugh out loud collection of crazy school adventures. This third book in the… Continue reading The Worst Class in the World Dares You! by Joanna Nadin & Rikin Parekh ~ Blog Tour
The Secrets Act by Alison Weatherby takes readers right into the heart of codebreaking, spies and mystery at top-secret Bletchley Park during the second World War. Having visited Bletchley Park in 2019, being able to picture the mansion, cabins and even the back entrance for the motorcyclist couriers took me even deeper into the story.… Continue reading The Secrets Act by Alison Weatherby
It’s April 1832 and Nico has had enough of being told she can’t do anything because she’s a girl. Her love of science and reading aren’t appreciated by her parents who think she just doesn’t understand her place in the world and has no right to an opinion. Nico’s parents also think it’s ridiculous that… Continue reading The Ship of Cloud and Stars by Amy Raphael
It is so wonderful to be back with Zaiba, Ali and Poppy in their next mystery! This modern-day Nancy Drew has everything it takes to be a great detective, using all of her observation skills, quick-thinking and powers of deduction that help her to see things other don’t. The Snow Leopard Detective Agency is heading… Continue reading Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Smuggler’s Secret by Annabelle Sami
The In Time series by Sally Nicholls is one of my favourite historical fiction series for younger readers. Written for age 7+, it is fast-paced, exciting and so accessible. Alex and Ruby are trying on their new school uniforms at their Aunt Joanna’s house. Glancing at the large, eighteenth century mirror in her hallway, they… Continue reading A Secret in Time by Sally Nicholls
I’ve heard so many great things about this hilarious story from Simon James Green and was thrilled to see Jacqui Sydney and her Year 5 & 6 children mentioned in the dedication. How thrilling for the children and wonderful for such an enthusiastic supporter of children’s literature to be honoured in this way. Sleep-over Take-over… Continue reading Sleep-over Take-over by Simon James Green, illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff
The Invasion of Crooked Oak is probably the book I share with children most often when covering classes in Key Stage Two. It is exciting, easy to read aloud and short enough to complete in a day or two. Children love to be scared and relish the edge-of-their-seat intensity as Pete, Krish and Nancy face… Continue reading The Horror of Dunwick Farm by Dan Smith, illustrated by Chris King
Scope for Imagination 