It's the summer of 1941 in Germany, and 11 year old Karl Friedmann is training to be a soldier for the Fürher in the Deutsches Jungvolk. He believes in Hitler, in the war and in being a good German. He will follow in his Papa’s footsteps and fight the enemy as soon as he's old … Continue reading My Brother’s Secret by Dan Smith
Tag: reading
Need an escape route? Head to your nearest bookshop or library…
We all have places we retreat to when we're not feeling ourselves. Cosy, comforting places that warm our hearts and sooth our souls. I have lots of them. They're called bookshops and libraries. Inside, they offer thousands of escape routes, places to disappear to for a while, a chance to focus on something other than … Continue reading Need an escape route? Head to your nearest bookshop or library…
Beetle Queen by M.G. Leonard
I have been desperate to get my hands on this since finishing Beetle Boy, I needed to know what happened to Novak. When I saw Waterstones were releasing early, I was straight down to my local store to pick one up, and didn't move from the minute I turned the first beautifully sprayed edged page … Continue reading Beetle Queen by M.G. Leonard
See You In The Cosmos by Jack Cheng
Publication date: 2nd March 2017 This is the story of 11 year old Alex (13 in responsibility years) told through his audio recordings made on his golden iPod in the hope it will, one day, be heard by extraterrestrials. Obsessed by rockets, he has built his own and planned his trip to SHARF. His dad … Continue reading See You In The Cosmos by Jack Cheng
Me and Mister P by Maria Farrer, illustrated by Daniel Rieley
Arthur has had enough. His life is a never ending cycle of Liam this, Liam that, Liam blah blah blah, while Arthur just gets told off. He picks up his lucky crystal and his survival tin and leaves home. Forever. Or, he would have done if Mister P hadn't been stood on his doorstep with … Continue reading Me and Mister P by Maria Farrer, illustrated by Daniel Rieley
Sometimes, all you need is a new bookcase…
Back in September, I moved into a classroom with a book corner that made me want to weep. There were two bookcases. They were overflowing with books. Every shelf had books two deep. It was, quite frankly a mess. No matter how often it was tidied, within a day or two, it was back to … Continue reading Sometimes, all you need is a new bookcase…
Varjak Paw by S.F. Said
This is a re-read of a book I first enjoyed over 10 years ago, and am about to use with a group of my Year 5’s for Key Skills, and with my Year 3&4 Telling Tales Book Club, just because I can! Well, if I'm being totally honest, it's also because Scholastic asked me if … Continue reading Varjak Paw by S.F. Said
Who Let The Gods Out? by Maz Evans
Elliot’s problems are getting worse. Mr Boil is desperate to expel him from school, his mum is sick and he has no idea how to make her better, his nosey neighbour is snooping around their farm again, and there's the Really Scary Letter that arrived three weeks ago. And if all that wasn't bad enough, … Continue reading Who Let The Gods Out? by Maz Evans
The Shadow Keeper by Abi Elphinstone
Book two in the Dreamsnatcher trilogy, we pick up Moll, Gryff, Siddy and Alfie's adventure to find the Amulet of Truth and destroy the Soul Splinter. Having left the forest for the safety of a secret cave, the Tribe are waiting for the Bone Oracle to guide their search for the second amulet. The Dark Magic … Continue reading The Shadow Keeper by Abi Elphinstone
What’s your favourite book Miss?
Of all the questions I get asked, this is probably my least favourite. For me, my favourite book changes (from a long list of favourite books) depending on what mood I'm in, which one currently meets my emotional needs, and so on and so forth. To me, they might just as well ask me which … Continue reading What’s your favourite book Miss?
Mrs Cleveland is reading... 