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THREAD Inspired by @AVisserFuray @smithsmm @MrBoothY6 (& others) the kids/YA fiction I've read/listened in last 3 months:
1. The London Eye Mystery
Nowhere near as good as A Monster Calls but a fun mystery/adventure with positive neurodiversity messages.
Y6-Y9 would enjoy.
1. The London Eye Mystery
Nowhere near as good as A Monster Calls but a fun mystery/adventure with positive neurodiversity messages.
Y6-Y9 would enjoy.
2. Bill's New Frock
I've read this a few times over the years..the word "frock" still annoys me but I do think it's a good intro to some gender stereotype discussions.
Hundred(ish) pages
Lower KS2 imho
I've read this a few times over the years..the word "frock" still annoys me but I do think it's a good intro to some gender stereotype discussions.
Hundred(ish) pages
Lower KS2 imho
3. The Kites Are Flying!
This is a moving and hopeful read about Israel/Palestine.
Great illustrations.
This is a moving and hopeful read about Israel/Palestine.
Great illustrations.
4. Hostage
Brisk, simple adventure story for younger readers. Only 50 pages or so. Lower KS2?
Brisk, simple adventure story for younger readers. Only 50 pages or so. Lower KS2?
5. The Reluctant Dragon (freely available on audible just now)
Funny, pacifist dragon in the retelling of this myth. Fun for Y3 upwards?
Funny, pacifist dragon in the retelling of this myth. Fun for Y3 upwards?
6. The Orphan of Ellis Island (also on audible free atm).
A time travel story about a foster kid travelling to Italy to discover his roots. Enjoyable and good for some cultural capital on immigration/America etc.
A time travel story about a foster kid travelling to Italy to discover his roots. Enjoyable and good for some cultural capital on immigration/America etc.
7. The Mowgli Stories (only via audible I think)
Well produced with good voice cast but didn't set my world on fire.
Well produced with good voice cast but didn't set my world on fire.
8. Keeper
I was slow to get into this but persisted because @Positivteacha told me to. I really enjoyed it. Great intro to magical realism as a genre. And some stunning description.
Y8 upwards.
I was slow to get into this but persisted because @Positivteacha told me to. I really enjoyed it. Great intro to magical realism as a genre. And some stunning description.
Y8 upwards.
9. Heroes
I have been meaning to read this early YA "classic" for years.
V good: short and intense. A revenge tale.
Y9 upwards as some pretty heavy abuse features. Maybe Y8.
I have been meaning to read this early YA "classic" for years.
V good: short and intense. A revenge tale.
Y9 upwards as some pretty heavy abuse features. Maybe Y8.
10. Toffee
I love all Crossan verse novels and this is no exception. Serious social issues of domestic violence and dementia handled with respectful, honest, lightly hopeful touch. Highly recommend.
Verse novels are brill for reluctant readers as you just tear through them.
I love all Crossan verse novels and this is no exception. Serious social issues of domestic violence and dementia handled with respectful, honest, lightly hopeful touch. Highly recommend.
Verse novels are brill for reluctant readers as you just tear through them.
11. The Last Wild
Well well well... a YA novel about a virus that takes over the world! I did persist and enjoyed it. Good characters and premise.
Y5/6 on CLPE Power of Reading curric but v suitable for KS3
Well well well... a YA novel about a virus that takes over the world! I did persist and enjoyed it. Good characters and premise.
Y5/6 on CLPE Power of Reading curric but v suitable for KS3
12. The Clock Maker or All Wound Up
Short gothic fairytale. As a Dark Materials megafan I find it hard for other Pullman books to hit the same mark. But suspect UKS2 will enjoy, although some might find it a bit too dark/spooky in places.
Short gothic fairytale. As a Dark Materials megafan I find it hard for other Pullman books to hit the same mark. But suspect UKS2 will enjoy, although some might find it a bit too dark/spooky in places.
13. Kid Normal
Solid premise but too long! I could see the appeal for kids perhaps but not a story with massive cross over appeal for the adult reader!
Solid premise but too long! I could see the appeal for kids perhaps but not a story with massive cross over appeal for the adult reader!
14. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (free on audible)
Revisited this during some lockdown walks. Loved it - again.
There is a whole lesson in there on characters' names and their connotations/appropriateness:
Snape
Dudley
Hagrid
Professor Sprout
Filch etc.
Revisited this during some lockdown walks. Loved it - again.
There is a whole lesson in there on characters' names and their connotations/appropriateness:
Snape
Dudley
Hagrid
Professor Sprout
Filch etc.
15. Unboxed
Not "well written" enough to warrant being read to kids by a teacher (imho) but worth a read to recommend to some reluctant readers. Short, punchy teens reunite story.
Not "well written" enough to warrant being read to kids by a teacher (imho) but worth a read to recommend to some reluctant readers. Short, punchy teens reunite story.
16. Owen and the Soldier
Short and moving story of a boy coping with loss. Well worth a read in LKS2 upwards.
Short and moving story of a boy coping with loss. Well worth a read in LKS2 upwards.
17. Nevermoor
And last but not least, what I've just picked up as I know @Teacherglitter rates it.
Will let you know...
And last but not least, what I've just picked up as I know @Teacherglitter rates it.
Will let you know...
18. A big gap for YA; finished this today.For fellow YA fans @AVisserFuray @AlwaysLearnWeb @evenbetterif Do NOT be fooled by the marketing link to 'One of Us is Lying' - as I was. This was clunky, filled with awkward motifs and sentences about the universe. I was bored & unmoved.
