Reading Policy
Reading Policy
Reading Offer/Policy
Storytimes 2
Reading across the curriculum 4
Displays, library and raising the profile of reading 4
Reading
Books and texts have been carefully selected for reading lessons, writing units, and storytimes. The books, rationale, and explanation of where each fits within the wider curriculum can be found in the appendix.
Storytimes
Story times happen at least daily in every class and are extended to twice daily in Reception. They are aimed at developing pupils’ love of reading. The books chosen are typically just above pupils’ reading ages and/or contain pertinent themes. Adults have been trained to read aloud to make these sessions enjoyable and engaging. Storytime is modelled and monitored by both the reading and English leaders. All Storytime texts for all year groups can be found here.
Phonics
The Read, Write Inc. program is followed for teaching phonics. We follow the Trust Early Reading and Phonics Policy.
Pupils in lower Key Stage 2 (3 or 4) who are not yet decoding accurately are identified through diagnostic assessments completed by the reading leader using the Read Write Inc. half-termly assessments. Pupils in upper Key Stage 2 (5 or 6) who are not yet decoding accurately are also identified through diagnostic assessments completed by the reading leader using the Fresh Start half-termly assessments. These pupils access the Fresh Start phonics programme daily.
Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 have a daily 15-minute class phonics session that focuses on sound knowledge and decoding words.
One-to-one reading
Pupils struggling with decoding are listed on our ‘Priority Readers’ list. These pupils read with an adult every day and have additional practice of recalling speed sounds, as well as sounding out and blending words. The books they use to practise reading contain only the sounds and non-decodable words they know.
Reading comprehension
Reading comprehension lessons take place five times a week in Years 3-6 and three times a week in Years 1-2, in addition to their Read Write Inc. Sessions, which take place daily. All content domains will be covered over a half term, with an emphasis on vocabulary, inference, and retrieval.
Extracts are chosen carefully to match the content domain. Extracts are typically short (one or two paragraphs). Once a half term, pupils will work on a longer extract (similar to one text from the NTS tests).
These include a balance of poetry, nonfiction, and classic texts. Extracts from the story time book and the English texts will also be used. Each half-term, where appropriate, one extract will be linked to the science topic of the previous half-term, and one will be linked to the history or geography knowledge from the previous half-term. This forms part of our system of revisiting key knowledge.
Teachers follow this sequence for teaching reading. They write questions and use question-and-answer stems to support them and pupils’ answers. Teachers also design a range of activities, including those found in the teaching strategies resource.
The extract (a small version if necessary), questions, and pupils’ answers will appear in their reading comprehension books. The title of each entry will be the content domain.
Independent reading
Pupils have timetabled sessions for independent reading. They are assessed half-termly using the Accelerated Reader programme, which gives them a ZPD. All books in the library are coded so pupils choose books at the appropriate difficulty level.
The reading leader(s) analyse data regarding pupils’ independent reading rates each half-term. Pupils who are not reading frequently will be targeted and supported to do so.
Reading across the curriculum
Teachers in all subjects are aware of pupils who are not reading fluently at an age-appropriate level. For those pupils accessing phonics, teachers have a copy of their latest assessment and know the sounds that are a gap for the pupil. Teachers ensure all pupils can access lessons by modelling reading aloud, adapting texts, and using text-to-speak technology (add as appropriate).
Displays, library and raising the profile of reading
- All classrooms have a specified reading area, giving them easy access to a range of books to read for pleasure. These reading areas are comfortable and inviting classroom areas that we encourage all pupils to use frequently.
- Our project curriculum (which focuses on History, Geography, Art, D&T, and Music) has key texts linked throughout its content. This ensures time is spent reading and teaching relevant books focusing on the project area and gives pupils opportunities to use non-fiction texts for independent research.
- Classes visit our local library at least once annually. Our Coco lead oversees this.
- All school events, such as World Book Day, are celebrated in our annual events calendar.
Book Choices
YG | Key text | Author/ Characters | Themes | Rationale | Linked Texts |
EYFS | A Brave Bear | Sean Taylor | Relationships, supporting each other and “succeeding together.” | It's a long way. Little Bear tries to impress his Dad by jumping from one rock to another, but he falls over. When he picks himself up and keeps going, his dad says, "I think a brave bear is probably the bravest thing in the world." For very young children just beginning to dare to do new things and their supportive and loving parents, this gentle read-aloud just might be the best thing in the world. A book that explores the relationship between adults and children and how supportive they can be to each other. A great book for the initial phase of reception to be able to develop a positive rapport between staff and children as they enter EYFS | Range of supporting texts available in Reception |
The Naughty Bus | Jan and Jerry oke | Adventure | This is an excellent opportunity for children to find wonder in their everyday use of familiar scenes and settings to bring to life a story about adventure and link together aspects of our children’s world so they can begin to narrate and retell their own stories using everyday objects. | Range of supporting texts available in Reception | |
Blue Penguin | Petr Horacek | Fitting in, celebrating difference | This is a modern interpretation of the ugly duckling that shines a light on the celebration of being different, linked to our Co-op Value of "Be Yourself Always" and the Fundamental British Values of tolerance and mutual respect. To explore being proud of who we are and celebrate our differences to develop a trusting, collaborative and respectful culture.
| Range of supporting texts available in Reception | |
A Great Big Cuddle | Michael Rosen | Poetry | The poems in A Great Big Cuddle fizz off the page with sound and rhythm, energy and laughter, as Rosen captures in the most remarkable way what it means to be very young. A child’s world with all its details and feelings – toys and games, animals and made-up creatures, likes and dislikes. A first look into poetry gives wonderful opportunities for children to investigate rhyme. | Range of supporting texts available in Reception | |
Stanley’s Stick | John higley | Imagination, loving the world around them | Stanley's stick is not just a stick. With a stick in hand, Stanley's options are endless—he flies to the moon, writes in the sand, goes fishing, plays a whistle, and rides a dinosaur—and his imagination takes over as the magic begins. Stanley shows that seeing truly depends on the ability to believe in the possibilities. It is a great book for inspiring creative minds and facilitating children’s imaginative play in creating make-believe worlds, developing story-telling verbally alongside children and encouraging them to write about the stories they create. | Range of supporting texts available in Reception | |
Ruby’s Worry | Tom Percival Diverse protagonists | Feelings and how to process them Emotional intelligence and ,managing anxieties | Meet Ruby—a happy, curious, imaginative girl. But one day, she finds something unexpected: a Worry. It's not such a big Worry, at first. But every day, it grows a little bigger . . . And a little bigger . . . Eventually, the Worry is ENORMOUS and is all she can think about. But when Ruby befriends a young boy, she discovers that everyone has worries, and not only that, there's a great way to get rid of them too . . . This perceptive and poignant story is the perfect springboard for discussing emotional intelligence with children and sharing hidden anxieties. | Range of supporting texts available in Reception | |
Y1 | The Secret Sky Garden | Young female | Friendship/Environment | A picture book intro to year one that covers themes such as friendship which are reflected in PSHE sessions. | Linda Sarah Big Friends Tom’s Magnificent Machines Nina Laden If I had a little Dream |
Astro Girl | Ken Wilson-Max Young Black Female main character | Aspirations, hopes and dreams | Inspirational story about following dreams that ties in well with the Y1 Project ‘ Moon Zoom | Ken Wilson-Max Where’s Lenny The Flute Max Loves Sunflowers Lore-Ann Glover I love All of Me Kory James Atom and the universe | |
The Last Wolf | Young Female character | Environmental themes and moral dilemmas | A modern spin on a classic tale – Introduces some themes for class teachers to discuss with their class. Introduce talk about stereotypes and changing how you think about someone/something. | Mini Grey Traction man series Hermelin- The Detective Mouse David Litchfield The Bear and the Piano Lynley Dodd Hairy Maclary series. | |
How to Find Gold | Viviane Schwarz Female Character Friendship | Journey Friendship PSHE | Encourages children to engage with the text, empathise with characters and engage them by participating in the story. This is an introduction to humorous stories that encourage children to take on the roles of characters and follow a journey through a narrative assisted by illustrations. | Viviane Schwarz Timothy and the Strong Pyjamas There are cats in this book There are no cats in this book Roald Dahl The Enormous Crocodile Bernard Walker Judith Kerr The Tiger who came to tea | |
If all the world were… | Joseph Coelho Young Female character | Loss and sadness Family/love | A rhyming, poetic picture book explores the main character's relationship with a grandparent and how they cope with emotions when he dies. Written by Poet and writer Joseph Coelho | Joseph Coelho Grandpa’s Stories Zombierella Overheard in the Tower Block Skyla Duncan The Four Seasons - Poetry Dineo Dowd Spring hike | |
Moth | Environment, nature and the link between humans and animals | Evolution Story. It is a picture book that uses ambitious depictions of the animal battle against a developing world, a first insight into Darwin’s theory of evolution. It provides engagement with the science learning children will cover as they move through school. Children to discuss how actions can impact the world around them and discuss conservation. | Isabel Thomas Frida Kahlo The Fox - Circle of Life Story This Book is not Rubbish. | ||
Y2 | Out and About – First Book of poems | Compendium | Poetry 4 Seasons | Shirley Hughes provides a look at all four seasons through poetry and introduces children to rhyme and imagery. This is a great way to start the new school year as children learn, recite, and perform, building their confidence. Talking about the world around them and building a bank of reference points, especially as KS1 writing weather and surroundings can be key in adding depth and detail to writing and narrative. | Shirley Hughes Dogger Alfie gets into the First Hero on a bicycle Eilieen Spinelli Thankful Mary Ann Hoberman The Seven Silly Eaters |
The Dark | Young male protagonist | Picture Book Exploring emotions PSHE | Laszlo is afraid of the dark. The dark is not afraid of Laszlo. Laszlo lives in a house. The dark lives in the basement. Lemony Snicket’s unique take on fear and the emotions that underpin it is great for initiating conversations about personal differences and bravery linked to PSHE and mental health. Also useful to show the power of words due to the few words on each page but well-chosen throughout | Lemony Snicket A Series of Unfortunate Events Jessica Flow Mr. Stripes helps me to sleep | |
Rapunzel | Young female Protagonist | Fairy Tale/Traditional tale | The wicked witch has Rapunzel trapped - but not for long! Rapunzel lives all alone in a tall, dark tower. Under the threat of a witch's fearsome curse, the poor girl seems doomed to a life in captivity. But is Rapunzel frightened? Oh no, not she! Triumph of good over evil, picture book adaptation of a classic fairytale. A suitable introduction to fantasy and fairy tales can support work done through talk for Writing modules that cover similar themes. There is also lots of generalisable vocabulary about adventure magic and good vs. evil that will help build independent writers. | Bethan Woolvin Little Red Hansel and Gretel Bo the Brave Usborne Fairy Tales Rumpelstiltskin Snow White Cinderella Julia Donaldson Room on the broom | |
Pattan’s Pumpkin | Chitra Soundar | Picture book story from another culture | When Pattan finds a yellow-flower vine wilting in his valley, he replants and cares for it, watching as a pumpkin appears and grows taller than the goats, taller than the elephants, as tall as the very mountains. When a terrible storm rages across the valley, Pattan wonders if his pumpkin can save the seeds, grains, saplings, goats, birds, and bison, and protect them all as the storm clouds burst and the waters rise. Protection of nature and acting for the greater good. Proposed by some to be an adaptation of Noah’s Ark story and saving humanity. The author of this story from another culture gives a view into another lace Geographically and will allow teachers to begin discussing the difference between places and environments - linking back to “Out and About” | Chitra Soundar You’re snug with me Mangoes, mischief and Tales of Friendship Farmer Falgu goes on a trip. Son Sharma, Very Best Big Sister Ibtihaj Muhammad The Proudest Blue | |
Anna Hibiscus | Atinuke Story from another culture Female protagonist | Anna Hibiscus lives in amazing Africa with her mother, father, baby twin brothers, and many of her family. Join her as she splashes in the sea, prepares for a party, sells oranges, and hopes to see sweet snow. This is the first introduction to a proper chapter book, exploring the world surrounding another culture, family life, and the dynamics behind this. Year 2 children should have a developing love of reading. This marks their move away from picture books into a proper chapter book, where stamina for reading can be modelled. As they move into KS2, they can be signposted to further related texts to enjoy Reading for pleasure. | Atinuke Anna Hibiscus Song Hooray for Anna Hibiscus Hibiscus Series Andy Shepherd The Boy Who Grew Dragons Flat Stanley Jeff Brown Dick King-Smith Sophie’s Adventures | ||
Beegu | Alexis Deacon | Sci-Fi PSHE Picture book Themes of fitting in | Beegu's spacecraft is stranded on Earth. Now she is lost and wandering. Waiting for a rescue signal from her mother, she fails to make friends with the strange creatures she encounters. Rabbits don't seem to understand her; windblown leaves won't stay still to listen. A story of belonging and fitting in in strange places and unfamiliar circumstances - To lead a discussion on equality and understanding everyone is equal. It aims to stimulate writing in the abstract away from the children’s frame of reference. It is a useful way to recap earlier learning in Y1 when they completed Moon Zoom. | Alexis Deacon A Place to Call Home Slow Loris Ergo Mini Grey Traction Man Series Helaine Becker Counting on Katherine Tom Percival The Invisible | |
Y3 | The Tin Forest | Helen Ward | Fantasy, involvement of robots and creating life | In the middle of a windswept wasteland full of discarded scrap metal lives a sad and lonely old man. In spite of his gloomy surroundings, he dreams every night of a lively forest full of trees, birds, and animals. When he finds a broken light fixture that looks like a flower, his imagination is sparked. Imaginative picture book excellent for drawing attention towards setting description An empowering message for children and adults alike: No matter where you live or what your circumstances are, where there is imagination, there is hope | Helen Ward The Dragon Machine Varmints Carol Lindstrom We are Water Protectors |
The Wild Robot | Female protagonist | Resilience Kindness and relationships | When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is all alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is-but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a violent storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realizes that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island's unwelcoming animal inhabitants. Action-packed thriller Aims to provide children with a real model of an adventure book, with an atypical main character and a fast moving plot great for focus on plot devices such as adverbials, conjunctions and using speech and description to move the story along. | Ted Hughes The Iron Man The Iron Woman Peter Brown The Wild Robot Escapes The Wild Robot Protects Tom Gauld Little Wooden Robot Frank Cottrell-Boyce Runaway Robot | |
Rabbit and Bear – Rabbit’s Bad Habits | Animal protagonists | Julian Gough Jim Field Developing a view of relationships between characters Humour | When Bear wakes up early from her hibernation, she decides to build a snowman. Her grumpy neighbor, Rabbit, decides to build an even better one. Rabbit & Bear: Rabbit’s Bad Habits is full of laugh-out-loud moments and chronicles the forming of an unlikely friendship Introduces humour into fiction and engages reluctant readers. Serves to show children a different side of reading and compare and contrast the two narratives they have read in the last two half terms from Wild Robot to Rabbit’s bad Habits. Teachers can signpost to the other books in the Rabbit and bear series to provide pathways to reading for pleasure | Julian Gough Rabbit and Bear Series Jude in London Zanib Mian Planet Omar Eva Ibbotson The Abominables Jeff Brown Flat Stanley Collection | |
Mouse, Snake, Bird, Wolf | Human protagonists | Mythical fiction links between humans and nature Stories with morals PSHA - link | The gods have created a world that is safe and calm and rather wonderful. They have built mountains, forests, and seas and filled the world with animals, people, and unnamed beasts. Now their days are fat with long naps in the clouds, mutual admiration, and tea and cake. The story tells of recognising failure and acting to improve it. Filling emptiness with creatures that go out of control. Really useful to launch some deeper character development in children’s own writing and linking to Co-op Values, what happens when we do and don’t show them, impact of actions on others. | Kenneth Grahame The Reluctant Dragon Saviour Pirotta Orchard Book of Greek Myths | |
One Plastic Bag | Non-Fiction Illustrations | Picture Book Environmental themes Caring about the world Story from another culture | Plastic bags are cheap and easy to use. But what happens when a bag breaks or is no longer needed? In Njau, Gambia, people simply dropped the bags and went on their way. One plastic bag became two. Then ten. Then a hundred. Isatou Ceesay was that change. She found a way to recycle the bags and transform her community. This inspirational true story shows how one person's actions really can make a difference in our world A story based on fact that is about improving our world and caring for others and the environment we live in. After several novels children return to a picture book but one that is developed from Beegu the last one they read as a key text, talk about the use of pictures to support narrative and the emotions/imagery this supports with. | Miranda Paul Water is Water Speak Up Little Libraries Neal Layton A Planet Full of PLastic
Ask and Expert- Climate Change
What a Waste | |
Varjak Paw | animal protagonist Themes of Good vs evil | Story from another culture | Varjak is forced out into the city when the sinister Gentleman and his two menacing cats take over his home. With help from his mystical ancestor, Jalal. Approaches themes of good vs evil A journey to investigate and find out about mystical events and triumph in the face of adversity. The final Key text of Year 3 looks to develop children’s reading maturity and this book has an increasing number of and nuance of themes for children to investigate, discuss and understand | S.F. Said The outlaw Varjak Paw Phoenix Lauren St. John The White Giraffe Jess Butterworth When the Mountains Roared | |
Y4 | The Lion and the Unicorn and other tales | Jane Ray Mythical | For her third collection, acclaimed author and illustrator Jane Ray ventures into forests, jungles, mountains, and even imaginary worlds to find stories about animals of all kinds This mythical offering provides all kinds of fantastical stimulus for teachers and children to build exciting and engaging narratives. Useful to use these short stories to show children how plot can be built and how all aspects of stories can be demonstrated in limited time. "The Singing Ringing Tree," "Theseus and the Minotaur," "How the Rhinoceros Got his Skin," and "The Leopard’s Promise." are some of the offerings which teachers and children can learn and retell - option to use Talk for Writing to develop the telling of these stories. | Berlie Doherty Fairy Tales Jane E. Ray Can you catch a mermaid Ahmed and the Feather Girl | |
Arthur and the Golden Rope | Described by some as Norse Mythology for kids. We start with Professor Brownstone telling the story of his ancestors' adventures. We learn about curious Arthur who sets out into the forest looking for adventure. This is useful in not only weaving the facet of historical fiction and adventure into one but learning about storytelling from different | Joe Todd Stanton Tony Bradman Viking Boy Jeremy Strong There’s a Viking in my bed Beowulf Terry Jones Saga of Erik the Viking | |||
The Proudest Blue | Ibithaj Muhhamad Young Muslim female main character | Journey Refugee story about fitting in and pride in who you are. | A powerful, vibrantly illustrated story about the first day of school–and two sisters on one’s first day of hijab–by Olympic medalist and social justice activist Ibtihaj Muhammad. The content of this book is incredibly apt for Nightingale due to our high mobility and many of our children coming from the same background as the author and main characters. This explores PSHE themes of acceptance, pride and identity | Onjali Rauf The Boy at the Back of the Class Kate Milner My Name is not Refugee Illegal Eoin Colfer | |
The Boy at the Back of the Class | Onjali Rauf Modern fiction Main character from another culture | Refugee story of fitting in and pride in identity. | Told with humor and heart, 'THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS' offers a child's perspective on the refugee crisis, highlighting the importance of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn't always make sense. Explores themes of kindness, friendship and fitting in. Poignant to our school as many of our children face similar issues through being refugees, having EAL and being new to the country. This book is purposely placed to follow the Proudest Blue as the themes that are covered in both are built upon from picture book to Novel and children can use their learning and understanding from one to apply to the other | Onjali Rauf The Star outside my Window The Night Bus Hero The great (food) Bank heist Illegal Eoin Colfer | |
Werewolf Club Rules (Poems) | Poems | But if you like those last two authors and you're keen to introduce kids to poetry + very very gently introduce a few simple concepts like onomatopoeia and similes, then this collection is perfect. A combination of well-written poetry packed with grammar and humour and silliness, this collection is perfect for engaging children in poetry, exploring different types and especially how poetry can convey emotion, good point to signal children to poetry books for pleasure. | Spike Milligan Milliganimals Laurie Stansfield Poems Out Loud Joshua Seigal I don’t like Poetry | ||
Pugs of the Frozen north | Contemporary fiction | An enjoyable and fun story based on animals can support children’s writing in its use of animals, as this is a common theme in children’s stories. | |||
Y5 | Phoenix Code | Helen Moss | Detective Story linked to historical fiction | When Ryan Flint accompanies his journalist mother to an archaeological expedition in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, he isn't expecting life-threatening danger and a 3,000-year-old murder mystery A mini-detectives adventure that explores the excitement of Ancient Egypt, Supports Year 5’s Egyptians project and offers a different take on the codecracking genre | Terry Deary The Plot on the Pyramid Shirley Climo Egyptian Cinderella Emma Carroll Secrets of a Sun King |
Varmints | Picture books Environmental Themes | The most overlooked threat in the world is that of the loss of peace and quiet. The Varmints come and build their city where once was grass. Before they realise what they have done, there is nothing but a huge dark city. Can someone find the time and space to stop, think and plant seeds of change? To explore themes of environmental change. Linked to PSHE themes of caring and how individuals respond to change. Teachers make links to the present day, and what's in the news forge the relationship between the impact of humans on variables. | Julia Green The Wilderness War | ||
Dark Sky Park | Poems Compendium | A collection of poems Nature themed to secure understanding and prompt discussion around curriculum Humour - to support poem part of writing sequence | Mandy Coe. Belonging Street. Dom Conlon This Rock That Rock. Laura Mucha & Tania Rex. Dear Ugly Sisters. Benjamin Zephaniah Funky Chickens. | ||
Tom’s Midnight Garden | Graphic Novel | A classic of children’s literature With stunning art from award-winning graphic artist Edith, a transcendent story of friendship is useful for exploring SEMH and PSHE themes around the dynamics between the characters and friendship and distance. In the format of graphic novel this allows teachers to show there are many ways of writing effectively and writing can be enjoyed in different formats not simply novels Offers insight into developing children as writers as a story turns from normal to fantastical due to a special helper | Nina Bawden Carrie’s War Phillippa Pearce Minnow on the Say A Finder’s Magic | ||
Treason | Historical fiction Themes of gender stereotypes and religion | A boy in Tudor England is thrown into Prison and goes on an adventure that takes him into contact with royalty, peasantry and everything in between. Teachers draw comparisons between children of similar age across history and make reference to how things can be similar or different regardless of time. Opportunity to secure understanding and make links to curriculum | Berlie Doherty Street Child Lucy Worsley Lady Mary Marcia Williams The Tudors: Kings, Queens, Scribes and Ferrets | ||
Suffragette | Women main characters
| A non-fiction book that examines the issue of women’s fight for equality, Prompts discussion about the history of women’s rights and equality. | |||
Y6 | Pax | Sara Penny Pennypacker Male character | Fiction Historical Links to: Pax 2: Journey home, follows on from Some earlier Sara Pennypacker books they may have read earlier in school. | This book examines the character’s experiences and relationships with his father and his pet Pax through the War. It explores themes of war and resilience in the face of adversity. Has moral dilemmas for readers to consider and discuss and is a journey story about how both characters’ journey to find each other against the odds. The story is told from 2 perspectives intertwined to introduce this approach to storytelling and how individual plot lines can be knit together Useful for promoting a different format of story writing to encourage children's appreciation of perspective and how characters can influence each other | Zillah Bethel The Shark Caller Sharon Creech Love that Dog
Running Wild Betsy Byers The Midnight Fox |
The Journey – Shackleton’s Expedition. | William Grill Study of a Significant Figure (Ernest Shackleton) | Non-Fiction Antarctic Exploration | Focuses on the character of Ernest Shackleton and retells the story of his expedition aboard the Endurance, explores the hardships they faced and the resilience needed to overcome. A picture book with detailed illustrations of the ship and the ill-fated expedition which resulted in a brave rescue, is fantastic as a driver for recounts and non-fiction writing based upon the crew and their exploits. Children compare and contrast this non-fiction account with the fictional narrative they have covered in Year 6. A return to a picture book to show how depictions even in cartoons can support the emotional thread of a narrative. Opportunity to signpost to other non-fictional writing linked to biographical writing | Alexandra Stewart Everest Alastair Humphries Great Adventurers | |
The Last Wild | Piers Torday | Animals Ecology Family Relationships. PSHE Apocalyptic | This explores a young boy's adventure through a post-apocalyptic world that has been savaged by a ‘virus’ which has affected all manner of wildlife, it tells of his journey to find his Dad while helping the animals who he meets. Themes of individuality and difference which children can explore and discuss. Told from a contemporary point of view and with the side narrative of good vs evil and overcoming this. Some complex examination of the relationship between main character and his father | David Almond Skellig RJ Palacios Wonder | |
Pig-Heart Boy | Malorie Blackman Young Teenage Black Male Character | Explores the moral dilemma of ill-health and its implication on family and relationships | Focus on a young boy who has a medical issue that means he needs an urgent transplant. This story illustrates the effect of this issue on his immediate family and relationships with his parents and best friends Marlon. It explores the moral dilemma of wanting to hold on to all of the things he has but also longing for the things that he isn’t able to enjoy. Moral issues around animals and exploration of justifying the hardship of choice. Year 6 can use their increasing awareness of social cues and depth of emotion to justify the choices of the characters and to think about the themes of sacrifice, friendship and hope. | Malorie Blackman Hacker Thief Peter Bunzl Cogheart Robert Swindells Abomination | |
Holes Louis Sachar | Frank Cottrell-Boyce Protagonist is a boy of Year 6 age | Adolescent male Humour Justice and fairness | An exploration of truth. Based on an adolescent male who is sent to a detention centre with more secrets than he realizes. The book ties in humour with a dark twist and provides an entry point to signposting books that children may read in Secondary. Author examines Mr. Sachar examines the impact of our history and the nature of hope and human compassion. Requiring children to appropriate circumstances and observe unfairness. A wonderful opportunity on children to reflect on society and oppression in a coming of age story about history, with moral views on racism and persecution in the relatively recent past | Frank Cottrell-Boyce Millions The Unforgotten Coat David Baddiel Future Friend Anthony Horowitz Groosham Grange Public Enemy Number two Helen Fox Eager Louis Sachar Fuzzy Mud | |
Rooftoppers | Katherine Rundell Female protagonist | Contemporary set in a large city in another country | The story of Sophie who everyone believes is an orphan despite her claims of seeing her mum shout for help. Explores themes of loss and belonging and is an example of a narrative about a search for something lost. Themes linked to welfare and society’s treatment of children. Teachers use the time of the year to focus on growing independence and responsibility. Author has links to a wide range of other books pitched at a similar level and beyond. PSHE themes to be explored linked to moving on and transitioning as they leave Nightingale | Katherine Rundell Sky Steppers The Good Thieves Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms Onjali Rauf The night bus hero Kiran Milwood The Girls of Ink and Stars |
