Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: Simon Smith (@smithsmm), headteacher and blogger at smithsmm.wordpress.com
With very few words, this book shows us the power of unspoken language. The generation gap between the grandfather and his grandson fades away as they sketch and unite on paper. What starts with dread slowly becomes joy as the generation gap is crossed and grandfather and grandson cross both the age barrier and the language barrier to celebrate being with each other.
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: Nia Talbot (@NiaTalbot), Assistant Headteacher and EYFS teacher
Laura Wood transported me back in time to this beautiful Cornish setting where Lou, the main protagonist, is trying to decide what her life should be. She is swept into a glamourous lifestyle but not everything is as wonderful as people perceive. This book kept me hooked and I very much loved Lou. She seemed so real to me. A definite favourite read for me.
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: Andrew Murray, Year 3 Teacher
An unlikely friendship/partnership between a ‘hard-working goody-two-shoes’ boy and the young witch (with a penchant for cake) who lives at the bottom of his garden. Much laughter, fun and laughing out loud moments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: Sophie Merrill (@MissSMerrill ), Year 6 Teacher & Curriculum Lead
A stunning and magical story. A fabulous sequel. Beautifully written, filled with rich and vivid descriptions. Well rounded and engaging characters with a hint of darkness to engage older readers and keep them on their toes. A remarkable piece of writing. Loved it!
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: ‘A Crafty Arab’ (@ACraftyArab), artist and blogger at http://acraftyarab.com
This fictional tale is about a spirited second grader named Yasim, who lives with a multi-generational Pakistani American family. She has adventures as an explorer, a painter, a builder and a fashionista.
I took the book to my story time at the library and it got a room full of thumbs up… I read them the chapter on Yasmin being a painter. We then talked about times we were in art class when we feel that we are not any good. The kids loved that there was a person just like them, who feels that way about their artwork too. It was such a great discussion about how art allows you to make mistakes.
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: Helen Peckett (@learnmesummat), Y6 teacher & KS2 leader
This magical, adventure book is gripping from the start when Emmeline finds her parents have disappeared. Along with her newly made friend, Thing, they encounter kidnappers, a secret organisation and mysterious mythical creatures in the race to find her parents. Both myself and my Y6 class have loved this book this term.
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: Tami Wylie (@twylie68), Year 4 Teacher
Mup is a typical girl until her father is kidnappped. She then discovers many secrets about her family; her mother is a witch and her grandmother is the Witch Queen. Thus begins an epic adventure to save a father, a family and a kingdom.
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: Janet M Baird, Tutor for KS2/3/4 and middle-grade writer
This is a classic which will introduce the Second World War to KS2 students and beyond. The story of Jakub and Izzie and their rescue of the Lipizzaner horses adds a new dramatic dimension to the war. Readers will identify with the main characters and there is scope for class topic work on the deeper issues of Hitler and his effects on life in different countries. It will also appeal to all horse lovers!
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: Anne Thompson (@Alibrarylady), librarian and book reviewer for http://www.thebookbag.co.uk
Set in America in the 1970s this somehow still manages to have a feel of a fable or fairy tale about it. Louisiana’s journey to find both home and the person she will become is a timeless one and this adds greatly to the book’s appeal. Kate DiCamillo has a rare gift as a storyteller; she writes with such care and wisdom that her stories stay with you for a very long time. She has a remarkable understanding of children’s emotions and in this book her words will comfort and reassure readers of all ages.
Fantasy fans will be blown away by this exciting and original adventure. Imagine a cross between How to Train Your Dragon and The Pied Piper of Hamelin and throw in some musical spells, dracogriffs, spectacular battles and a quest of epic proportions.
Patch Brightwater wants to be a successful piper, using the music from his pipe to make magical spells. But things do not quite go to plan when he tries to help a village with a rat problem and ends up being put in jail for playing a forbidden spell song.
In prison, Patch uncovers a disturbing secret about the infamous Piper of Hamelyn. Patch soon seizes an opportunity to escape his cell. Together with Wren (a girl living under a curse that has turned her into a rat) and a friendly dracogriff called Barver, Patch sets about on a world-saving mission to stop the Piper of Hamelyn. The trio encounter sorcerers, dragons, magical substances and evil villains, with their adventure culminating in a nail-biting climax that readers will not want to put down.
This is a clever and original spin on a well-known story. S.A. Patrick has created an immersive magical world that will thrill its audience with its action-filled fantasy plot, its dark magic and its homage to the power of music.
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: @MrsKnjH via Twitter
A Darkness of Dragons was captivating from the first chapter. It provided unexpected twists at perfect opportunities and a constant desire to read on. It truly encapsulates the classic tale of the Pied Piper with a magical new universe.
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Any other comments
Any other comments