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Iszi Lawrence Books

the domesday cows

The Domesday Cows

Chapter book
book-of-the-month

Who could resist a book with the title The Domesday Cows?  Coupled with being written by Iszi Lawrence, whose books I have enjoyed in the past, this was an irresistible draw for me.

This is a story about the culture clash between the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans. Billed as a comedy, this is a romp through the early days of the Norman Invasion and how it impacted the Anglo-Saxon people already living in England (and Wales). It is full of historical details, all cleverly disguised as a funny story. The fact that deer, for example, were no longer permitted to be killed as they belonged to the Normans is all wrapped up in an episode where a deer behaves incredibly stupidly, and the villagers can do nothing about it. I also did not realise the Normans brought rabbits into the country.

The amusing illustrations by Davide Ortu start each chapter with a hint of what is to come, and the tiptoeing cows are very funny. There is a lot to unpack in what seems like a simple book.

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the cursed tomb

The Cursed Tomb

Chapter book

It is 1249 BCE, and Henut lives in Egypt with her blended family. Her father remarried following the death of her mother, who was lost in the River Nile. Henut feels she is different from her family and is distrustful of the gods, which frustrates her father and causes a rift between them.

Strange things start to happen to Henut and her family, which lead to her leaving her family and embarking on a mission to uncover the truth and set things straight. She soon finds out that family cannot always be trusted and that the protection of the gods might be important after all – especially when breaking into a tomb in the infamous Valley of the Kings.

The book was enjoyable to read and would be a great class reader for a lower KS2 class studying the Egyptians.

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billie swift takes flight

Billie Swift Takes Flight

Chapter book
resources-available

The story of WWII starring the brilliant pilots you’ve never heard of… the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) who battled against the odds to get the air force’s planes to the front lines. This coming-of-age tale is perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Michael Morpurgo and Hilary McKay.

October, 1942.

When twelve-year-old Billie is out exploring with her pet chicken, she sees a plane crash into a field and is left wondering if the pilot even survived.

Determined to find out more, Billie finds a way into the ATA – a group of amazing pilots who defy the odds to get planes from the factories to the front lines – and her life changes for ever. Some of the pilots are men who are too old, or too injured for the air force. But many more are women. Intrepid, inspiring women who show Billie what she might grow up to become.

With missions including ferrying turkeys over from Ireland and flying unfamiliar, broken planes, Billie is desperate to help. But piloting fighter planes could turn out to be more than she bargained for…

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the unstoppable letty pegg

The Unstoppable Letty Pegg

Chapter book
resources-available

The year 2018 marked the centenary of the Representation of the People Act, which gave some women the right to vote for the first time, after a long struggle. This anniversary was marked by the publication of a number of books, both fact and fiction, for children and titles continue to appear. This is of course, an important subject and the issue of rights, activism and standing up for your beliefs is one which is still as valid today.

At nearly twelve, Letty Pegg is more concerned with fitting in at school and trying to persuade her parents to let her have roller skates than any problems which might be caused by the fact that her mother is a suffragette and her father a policeman. Apart from her grandmother’s disdain at both her mother’s support of the cause and at Mr Pegg for being lower class, this has not caused conflict before in the family. However, when Mr Pegg tries to prevent his wife from taking part in a demonstration which he knows will turn violent (to become known as Black Friday), she attends secretly and Letty too becomes caught up in it. Rescued by a suffragette using jiu-jitsu skills, Letty finds herself further drawn into the movement, as her mother slowly recovers from injuries sustained on the march. Training at the dojo becomes the highlight of her week, as Letty also fights to keep her family together.

Letty is a likeable, spirited heroine, whose attempts to negotiate friendships will strike a chord with readers, with the book also providing insights into Edwardian schooling and class divisions alongside the struggle for the vote. It is a rich mixture and ambitious in content for the intended audience, so for most young readers it will benefit from some additional explanations of or discussions around the historical background. Hopefully, readers will be interested in carrying out their own research to find out more.

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city of spies

City of Spies

Chapter book

I really enjoyed this book – I’m a huge fan of historical fiction as I think they are a great way to get children to learn more about the past in an exciting and imaginative way. City of Spies is one of few books I’ve seen set during the American Revolution, an area of history British children are often not taught about, so is a great addition to a school library!

A brief introduction to the issues around this time before reading would be beneficial but not essential. It is the perfect mix of adventure and mystery which will appeal to lots of middle-grade readers and following the story through the eyes of a child will give readers a real insight into how life then differs from life now. It is full of action and close calls, keeping children engaged throughout, as well as secret messages and cracking codes which in my experience, children always enjoy.

It has a good mix of short chapters and slightly lengthier ones which would be perfect for readers who are beginning to read lengthier books and build their stamina. Iszi Lawrence is an author I will be keeping my eye out for from now on!

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blackbeards treasure

Blackbeard’s Treasure

Chapter book
resources-available

A riveting pirate tale set in the eighteenth century during the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean, perfect for fans of Emma Carroll and Jacqueline Wilson.

It’s 1718: pirate ships sail the oceans and brutal slave masters control the plantations.

Eleven-year-old Abigail Buckler lives with her father in the Caribbean. Her clothes are made of finest muslin so she can’t play in them, not that there’s anyone to play with anyway. She isn’t even allowed to go out alone. But when pirates attack Abigail’s life will change forever. Suddenly her old certainties about right and wrong, good and bad start to unravel.

Maybe Abigail doesn’t have to be so ladylike after all…

Packed with historical detail about the Atlantic slave trade, the ravages of empire and human cost of providing luxuries like sugar, cotton and tobacco to Europe, Blackbeard’s Treasure is a page-turning, swashbuckling adventure which takes a look at the real pirates of the Caribbean.

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the time machine next door scientists and stripy socks

The Time Machine Next Door: Scientists and Stripy Socks

&
Chapter book
resources-available

Sunil’s parents are nervous about leaving him with Alex, their somewhat unconventional neighbour, due to the presence of, the even more eccentric, Mr Shaykes in her front garden. Sunil knows to wait for the bump from next door to herald Alex’s return and can’t wait to return to his babysitter for another adventure. The question isn’t where that adventure will take them, but when…

The text is easy to access while also being witty and charming. Just the right side of ridiculous and peppered with facts – from famous scientists, to earthworms, to James Bond, to the original name for Uranus – who knew?

The larger font size and relatively short story mean that the book will appeal instantly to a younger audience, but in my opinion would brilliantly come into its own for older reluctant readers or children in older years for whom reading can be harder to access due to additional needs. The content and style are really attractive for an older child while remaining accessible for everyone. Sometimes even the most able reader enjoys a story they can read in one sitting. Add into that some glorious illustrations and you are in for a super fun treat for KS2.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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