Readers in Years 3 & 4 come in all shapes, sizes and reading abilities. Some are confident readers, well on their way to lengthy middle grade novels, while others are still getting to grips with phonics and taking their first steps into chapter books. Fortunately for teachers and parents, there are so many wonderful books… Continue reading Growing in Confidence: Brilliant Books for Lower Key Stage Two
The Storm Swimmer is one of those books that leaves you thinking. Read in just a couple of sittings, I found myself completely wrapped up in Ginika's story. Why do her parents have to send her to stay with her grandparents in Cumbria? What kind of trouble are they in? Will Ginika make any friends… Continue reading The Storm Swimmer by Clare Weze
February 2023 The Ghosts of Mars is a fantastic science-fiction adventure for every young reader who has ever wondered what it would be like to live on Mars. Action-packed with incredibly high stakes, it takes Eva (the first person to be born on Mars) and her band of faithful friends on a quest full of… Continue reading Ghosts of Mars: The Adventures of Eva Knight by Stuart White
February 2023 The Funniest Boy in the World is overflowing with laughs and a whole lot of heart. Ever-charming Billy Plimpton is back! Buoyed by the success of his stand-up comedian act in the school talent show, he’s determined to make it as a comic. He’s learning to embrace his stammer and accept it as… Continue reading The Funniest Boy in the World by Helen Rutter
Sarah Ann Juckes' middle grade novel, The Night Animals, is a beautiful exploration of our determination to always be strong and "fine", even when faced with difficult circumstances. Through gentle story-telling that shimmers with hope, readers see that everyone needs help sometimes and come to understand what it really means to be strong. Nora's mum… Continue reading The Night Animals by Sarah Ann Juckes
Where am I? What am I doing here? Who am I? When a young girl wakes up in the middle of the desert, she has no idea who she is. She's wearing one shoe, a black dress, and she is carrying a strange, heavy case. She meets Tarni, who is on a quest of her… Continue reading The Song Walker by Zillah Bethell
Why I love graphic novels: I love graphic novels because I like the combination of the words and the pictures. It really helps me to imagine what's going on in the story. They're quick and fun to read. You can go back to reread them lots of times and spot something different every time. Every… Continue reading Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson ~ Guest Post by Lucy (age 12)
Little Gems books from Barrington Stoke are perfect for children in Reception and Key Stage One who are ready to add some variety to their reading diet. Pitched between picture books and chapter books, these early readers give children the feeling of an older book with accessible vocabulary and spacing to help them on their… Continue reading Barrington Stoke ~ Little Gems
The Mystery of the Missing Mum by Frances Moloney (Pushkin Children's) Told from the charmingly intense point of view of Jake, The Mystery of the Missing Mum, addresses parents' mental illness and how children cope in a gentle, funny way. Jake wakes up one morning to find his mother is missing. He makes a list… Continue reading Marvellous Middle Grade from Summer 2022
Wren is a glorious celebration of dark Welsh folklore, clever engineering and the power of a girl with a dream - all wonderfully woven together in a story of a house that seems to be alive, mysterious family history, the thrill of flight and a desire to be free. Wren is wild. Inspired by her… Continue reading Wren by Lucy Hope
Scope for Imagination 