Which animal lives on top of the Everest? Where can you spot the majestic condor? How does the ibex climb up rocks?
Mountains are home to 25% of terrestrial biodiversity and a multitude of fragile ecosystems. What if you could fly and discover those places and the incredible wild animals hidden at high altitude?
This large format book transports you to inaccessible places and helps you discover the incredible fauna that live in these mountains, volcanoes, hills or valleys.
Throughout the book is a search and find counting game enabling you to spot bats ready to take flight, sloths hanging from branches, wallabies and their babies, and butterflies aplenty.
I love historical fiction, so it was a treat to read some on a topic I know very little about. Set in Victorian times, this is the story of the children who worked on the dangerous job of building the famous Forth Bridge.
This is a truly exciting adventure that brings a real historical scenario to life. The thought of being perched up on top of the bridge with no safety measures at all made my blood run cold! Add into that some villainous villains and a child hero and you have a recipe for breath-taking episodes and action-packed escapades, with a seamless blending of fact and fiction.
The book is quite a slim one and very easy to read. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one sitting. The shorter length makes it very attractive to children who want to read more complex material but have less stamina and are put off by lengthy books.
As Tom Palmer, quoted on the cover, says , “I loved it”. The cover image behind Palmer’s quote turned out to be a photograph and a montage (by Richie Chan and Tsekhmister)- it looks like a painting by an impressionist artist and is very beautiful. There are also small drawings dotted around the text by Sandra McGowan. Based on real people and real events,the additional photos at the end add to the reality of the time and place.
The topic of Victorian child labour is often covered in schools and this story has a new dimension to add to the more commonly covered workplace scenarios of mines and factories. The story will also appeal to budding engineers, with fascinating insights into the construction of one of the UK’s most iconic bridges.
The theme of STEM is a key part of Barbara Henderson’s new book, Rivet Boy, which is set at the time of the building of one of the UK’s most iconic bridges.
Barbara visited our blog this week to tell us more about her favourite middle-grade novels that also feature STEM as a main theme:
My Top 5 Novels Featuring STEM
Cogheartby Peter Bunzl. This is a wildly imaginative Middle-Grade Steampunk series. The first of these, Cogheart, features a lovable hero and heroine amid a cast of clockwork creatures, chief of them Malkin the fox. Highly recommended. Clockwork and Automata make for a fascinating STEM area to explore, both in Cogheart’s world and in our own.
The Rewilders by Lindsay Littleson. Two children are given the task to return a young lynx to its reserve and embark on the adventure of their lives. But should lynx and wolves have a place in our wilderness again? How can we protect animals from extinction? Lindsay Littleson skillfully balances conflicting views, without them ever getting in the way of the story.
The War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson. An island community, a new windfarm development and some unforeseen consequences, with a diverse cast of characters. Not only does the book introduce a cast of likeable characters with additional support needs, but it provides a useful platform for discussion around renewable energy and the way we entrust ourselves to technology.
Friend Meby Sheila Averbuch. Written by a technology journalist, Friend Me explores a world of cyber-bullying and Artificial Intelligence, perfect for discussions around social media and smart tech. We need more books like this!
Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm. Outer space – a mysterious event leaves all the adults in sleep stasis and the colony starship veering off course. Now it’s up to the children to navigate their way home and to separate the truth from the lies, whatever the AI may tell them. Wonderful MG Science Fiction where the stakes could not be higher.
Ten cats discover three cans of paint and blotches, splotches and splats go everywhere!
A funny exploration of colour from award-winning author/illustrator Emily Gravett, 10 Cats is a wonderfully simple and engaging picture book.
While learning about counting and colours, very young children will delight in the adorable kittens on every spread and the simple text that is perfect for reading aloud.
This is How the Change Begins is a collection of six illuminating poems inspired by the growing threat of climate change. From a consideration of our carbon footprints by way of Islamic mathematician Alhazen, the impact shifting weather conditions are having and will continue to have on our events and celebrations and the choices we have to make to turn the tide, these remarkable poems brilliantly confront the recognisable realities of the climate crisis with bold and lyrical language. Including background notes on the themes behind them, each poem has been typographically designed and arranged to best communicate these essential messages.
A sea-born creature, who never quite belongs, discovers who she really is, in this powerful illustrated song about metamorphosis and finding your true home.
Writer Jay Hulme’s ‘little epic poem’ is a tender and uplifting parable about the transgender experience, with breathtaking illustrations by Iranian-British illustrator Sahar Haghgoo. For young readers age 5 and up.
Here Be Monsters is part of the 10 Stories to Make a Difference collection: ten original illustrated stories for young readers, all inspired by the theme of Difference. The collection features a mix of well-known and emerging writers and illustrators, giving a platform to untold stories and diverse new voices. Proceeds from sales supports Pop Up’s work in deprived schools, marginalised communities, and with talented aspiring and emerging writers and illustrators.
Inside is a treasure trove of writing celebrating courage and empowerment. Read the poems aloud or curl up with them in a quiet corner. Begin your journey into a lifelong love of poetry.
Inspire young minds with this beautiful poetry anthology that encourages children to take joy in their identities. From body positivity and facing fear to celebrating heritage and individuality, a variety of contemporary poets will take readers on a journey through the different ways we can feel empowered. Vibrant and mesmerising artwork emphasises the beauty found in courage and being ourselves. This is the perfect book to instil a love of poetry, this title features work from a wide range of voices and illustrators who bring their unique perspectives to the topic of empowerment.
Bake a weird cake, join the School for Ghouls, and mind you don’t step on the wardrobe monkeys! Anything is possible in the world of Cloud Soup, an endlessly delightful and breathlessly imaginative collection of poems by Kate Wakeling.
Ed Clayton is a liar. It started when his dad went to prison and now he can’t seem to stop. When his younger brother, Sam, goes missing one day, nobody believes Ed when he says he can’t remember what happened.
He’s used to going without, but living without his brother is impossible. With the police and press asking questions and friends turning against the family, Ed is left trying to find Sam with only the help of his new neighbour, Fallon.
When the two stumble on a secret that even Ed could never have imagined, it’s up to the liar to uncover the truth . . .
A sensitive and engaging fourth novel about brotherhood, hardship and being yourself from the multi-award-winning author, Kim Slater.
A thrilling and empowering WWII adventure about the French resistance and their British allies, with a determined, Muslim heroine. Perfect for fans of Michael Morpurgo and Emma Carroll, and those looking for diverse historical fiction.
July, 1941. Rosina Raja is half-Indian and half-English. She has always lived in India, so when her mother passes away and she moves to England (where it rains all the time) she is miserable and doesn’t have any friends. Life changes dramatically for Rosie when she discovers that her army captain father is actually a spy for the British government. She can’t bear to be left behind so she stows away in his plane.
Finding herself in occupied France, Rosie is soon drawn into the struggle against the Nazis. With new allies and new enemies at every turn, she must help her father complete his mission, and more importantly… make sure they both get home alive.
Archie Ebbs has the perfect life. Good friends, a nice home and classmates who laugh at (nearly) all his jokes. But all that is about to change. As his family faces upheaval, Archie realises he will have to leave behind so much that he knows and loves, even his cat, Dinger. And soon Archie has other worries … is he really starting to become invisible?
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Guest Post: Barbara Henderson
