Essential Reads for Year
Fungus the Bogeyman
by Raymond Briggs
Life in Bogeydom is full of snot, smells, slime, scum
and other unspeakable things, and Bogeymen live
under the ground revelling in all the nastiness
imaginable. Briggs has created a whole new world in
this sophisticated cartoon-strip picture book for older
children.
I know what you did last Wednesday
by Anthony Horowitz
When Tim and his brother, Nick, are invited to a school
reunion on a remote Scottish island, they should be
pleased. But Nick's got a bad feeling and it's not
indigestion.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
byJeff Kinney
Let me get something straight: this is a JOURNAL, not a diary. This was Mom's idea, not mine. But if she
thinks I'm going to write down my "feelings" in here or whatever, she's crazy.The only reason I agreed to
do this at all is because I figure later on when I'm rich and famous, this book is gonna come in handy.
Street Child
by Berlie Doherty
Unforgettable tale of an orphan in Victorian London, based on the boy whose
plight inspired Dr Barnardo to found his famous children’s homes.
When his mother dies, Jim Jarvis is left all alone in London. He is sent to the
workhouse but quickly escapes, choosing a hard life on the streets of the city over
the confines of the workhouse walls.
Struggling to survive, Jim finally finds some friends… only to be snatched away
and made to work for the remorselessly cruel Grimy Nick, constantly guarded by
his vicious dog, Snipe.
Will Jim ever manage to be free?
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
When a baby escapes a murderer intent on killing the
entire family, who would have thought it would find
safety and security in the local graveyard? Brought up
by the resident ghosts, ghouls and spectres, Bod has
an eccentric childhood learning about life from the
dead. But for Bod there is also the danger of the
murderer still looking for him - after all, he is the last
remaining member of the family. A stunningly original
novel deftly constructed over eight chapters, featuring
every second year of Bod's life, from babyhood to
adolescence. Will Bod survive to be a man?
Off Road to Everywhere by Philip Gross
Off Road to Everywhere. These poems grow out of twenty years of
creative writing work with young people, inviting readers to click out of
passive consumer mode and think like writers themselves. Sequences like
'Dreams of an Inland Lighthouse Keeper' offer games, techniques and
exercises to be used in writing groups for many ages.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
By J.K.Rowling
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start
dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in
green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly
confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry's eleventh
birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid
bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and
he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An
incredible adventure is about to begin!
It's time to PASS THE MAGIC ON!
Seasons of Splendour by Madhur Jaffrey
A rich and dazzling collection of mythological tales drawn from
Hindu epics. Each story is told in colour with simple language, and
prefaced with some personal anecdote from the author's childhood.
What Mr Darwin Saw by Mick Manning
In 1831, at only 22 years old, Darwin was offered the
position of Naturalist on HMS Beagle's world voyage.
He was set to become a clergyman but returns after five
years at sea an inspired genius.
This book follows the journey of HMS Beagle, showing life
on-board the ship for Darwin, the captain, crew and the
expedition's artist. The reader sees Darwin discovering and
observing insect life in Brazil, fossils in Argentina,
earthquakes in Chile and turtles in the Galapagos Islands.
The reader is therefore able to follow the steps which led to
Darwin's inspired theory of evolution, while also showing the
adventures and escapades he had during the voyage.
Pirate Diary by Richard Platt
Adventure! History! Pirate Diary reveals life on the high seas in the
eighteenth century—through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy.
Curious about life on a pirate ship? Climb aboard this account of adventure on the high
seas as told by a feisty nine-year-old carpenter's apprentice, circa 1716. Historically
accurate illustrations of ship and crew, a map of Jake's travels, and a detailed glossary and
index vividly reveal the fascinating — and harsh —-life of a pirate in the eighteenth
century. Ships ahoy!
Also in year five the core text the children will be studying
Autumn:
Cosmic
Professor Astrocats Frontiers of Space
Odysseus
Spring:
The Way Home
How to Train Your Dragon
Summer:
The Kapok Tree and Vanishing Rainforest
Pig Heart Boy