Year 6 interview with Arctic Star author, Tom Palmer.

/ / Library

Tom Palmer’s historical fiction is guaranteed to be excellently researched and packed with emotion; his new book,  Arctic Star, excels on both counts.

From the very first chapter, you are drawn into Frank, Stephen and Joseph’s lives aboard HMS Forgetmenot. Dark humour peppers their voyage across the freezing seas where the dangers are not only from the enemy.

It’s winter 1943 and teenagers Frank, Joseph and Stephen are Royal Navy recruits on their first mission at sea during the Second World War. Their ship is part of an Arctic Convoy sailing to Russia to deliver supplies to the Soviets. The convoys have to navigate treacherous waters, sailing through a narrow channel between the Arctic ice pack and German bases on the Norwegian coast. Faced with terrifying enemy attacks from both air and sea, as well as life-threatening cold and storms, will all three boys make it home again.

The intricacies of the three men’s friendships are expertly highlighted, which makes some of the conversations more harrowing for more sensitive readers. They create a myriad of discussion points too, from how friendships survive a fall out, to dealing with loss and grief, why people chose to go to war and how they survived their experiences

The differing perspectives are never clearer than when discussing their convoy’s destination, Murmansk in Russia. The ideology in theory doesn’t match the reality they find on shore leave, opening up a huge discussion on different political ideologies and ways of life

For a very different perspective on WW2 and a very different battlefield, Arctic Star is an all action, heart-breaking story of friendship and survival. Tissues are a must. Here’s what Year 6 thought:  

  • I love how it goes straight into the action and doesn’t stop!
  • I like how every chapter ends on a cliff hanger which makes you think a lot.
  • I love how there is humour even though it is a really serious story.
  • The description is so good it puts images in my head.
  • I like the chemistry between the characters and that they have such a strong friendship.
  • I like that it’s based around an aspect of WW2 we don’t normally get to read about.
  • I love that it is based on real events and you can feel the emotion in the story.

Now for the interview!

Miss Cleveland has lots of books on her bookcase. Why should we pick Arctic Star?

I’d say you don’t have to. But, if you like stories of war, adventure and danger – that feature friendship – then you might enjoy it. But compare it to some of the other books and choose the one you like the sound of most.

How would feel if you were one of the characters from Arctic Star, and how would you deal with that emotion?

I don’t know is the honest answer. I’ve never been in a shipwreck, but my job is to try to imagine it. To be honest, I compared it with the time I was in a ship in the North Sea in a force 9 gale and another time that my best friend died (aka Stephen). Then I drew from those emotional situations. Not easy, but it is good to use traumatic things you have been through when you write, I think. Most of the time.

Why do you think it’s important to write about things that have happened in history?

So that we are well informed about the past, meaning we can deal better with the future. There are lots of misconceptions about history and I think it is our duty to understand it properly and be respectful to those involved – and their memory.

Are there any other historical periods you would like to write about?

The Iron Age, in particular Queen Cartimandua.

Which of your books are you most passionate about and why?

After the War. Because I met some of the Holocaust survivors it is about and they told me they wanted me to write about their story because – to be quite honest – as they were very old, they would be dead soon and the story needed to be told when they were gone.

How long does it usually take you to write a story?

Football books = 2 months. History books 6 to 9 months.

Do you have any unfinished writing projects?

Yes. They are ones that didn’t work out.

What do you do if you are struggling for ideas?

Make a scrap book of images and ideas. Do lots of plans. Play with different ideas and juxtapose them until I find the right idea for me.

If you weren’t an author, what would you like to be instead?

An explorer.

Which children’s book characters would you like to go on a socially distanced picnic with?

The Cat in the Hat. That’d be a good laugh.

About Tom Palmer Tom is the multi award winning author of over fifty children’s books including three Puffin football series, Football Academy, Foul Play and The Squad, and 15 books for Barrington Stoke.

Huge thanks to Tom Palmer for answering our questions and to his publisher, Barrington Stoke, for arranging it for us.  

Year 6 and the Olympic torch handover to Finham Park School.

/ / Physical Education

Yesterday, the Year 6 children enjoyed holding an Olympic torch dating back to 1948. We were passed the torch by Stivichall Primary School and were entrusted with it until it was our turn to pass it on. They learnt about the history of the Olympics and the values associated with the event.

Today, a selection of children proudly carried the Olympic torch to Finham Park School. They demonstrated all the values expected of them and shared carrying duties along the way. Upon being greeted by Finham Park Staff, they were given the opportunity to do a short relay race along the running track where they were then greeted by welcoming Finham Park students at the other end. One of our children even gave a rousing speech to their headteacher upon arrival!

Mr Young and Mr Sawbridge couldn’t be prouder of how the children conducted themselves throughout this event and truly believe this once in a life time opportunity will leaving many lasting memories.

 

Well done everyone.

 

 

Cookie excavation

/ / History, Year 3

In our learning of the pre-historic period, Year 3 had an exciting afternoon finding out about the job of an archaeologist. Using cookies and cocktail sticks, the children carefully chipped away at the dirt (the cookie) to slowly reveal the hidden artefacts (chocolate chips). Any findings were recorded on grids, noting the exact point where they were found using co-ordinates and axes. The children used great precision and realised how long the process can take and how careful archaeologists need to be. Well done Year 3 for showing great enjoyment in our learning in History.

 

 

 

Coventry Inspiration Books Awards – First Out!

/ / Friday Assembly, Library

The evictions have started for this year’s Coventry Inspiration Book Awards, and these are the first books to leave the competition.

Reception, Year 1 and 2

Otto Blotter Bird Spotter by Graham Carter

Otto’s family are keen bird spotters, indeed they are so keen they have turned their house into a hide. Otto, though, loves exploring and on one of his trips he finds a very unusual baby bird and brings it secretly into his home. He is able to hide it from his family because the bird is very good at camouflage. As the bird grows and grows, Otto realises that it’s missing its family and recruits help to track them down.

A really lovely picture book celebrating the natural world with stunning illustrations. I’m really surprised to see this go out so early!

 

Year 3 and 4

My Other Life by Polly Ho-Yen, illustrated by Patricia Hu

Mae spends a lot of time in hospitals. She’s had asthma since she was little and sometimes she just can’t breathe. She was in hospital the very first time she saw the hole – a tear in the universe which seems to appear only to her. Before she knows it she is drawn into a parallel world, where things aren’t quite the same…

This powerful fantasy story is full of big ideas and a great way to talk about chronic illness with children. With beautiful black-and-white illustrations throughout, it is ideal for children who are developing as readers.

 

 

 

Year 5 and 6

Fire Girl, Forest Boy by Chloe Daykin

Maya has to escape. Abandoned in the cloud forest, she’s on the run in a country she doesn’t know and has no idea who to trust. Raul is escaping too – travelling back to his home where a terrible tragedy happened, ready to stir up trouble. When their paths collide in the middle of the jungle, the sparks begin to fly. As modern world corruption meets the magic and legends of ancient times, can Maya draw on her hidden light to find the way through to the truth?

An amazing, thought provoking adventure set in the Peruvian rainforest, highlighting the plight of our Earth’s lungs. Told in dual narrative, this has magic, crime and mystery all wrapped in in a stunning setting. Sad to see this one exit so early.

 

 

If you want to make sure your favourite book isn’t evicted make sure you keep voting! You can vote here !

And finally, here’s a non-fiction book celebrating all things sport including all three Olympic Games – the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Winter Olympics. Sportopedia by Adam Long, illustrated by Mark Long features over 60 sports from around the world, and looks at the rules, kits and fascinating facts. A brilliant book to dip in and out of with captivating illustrations!

 

Olympic Torch Visit

/ / Physical Education

As part of Coventry City of Culture and leading up to the Tokyo Olympics this summer, we were visited by a group of children and staff from Stivichall Primary School, who brought with them the Olympic torch, which was used in the London Olympics back in 1948. All the children went outside in their bubbles to greet the torch runners, waving flags and holding banners. The torch will spend some time in each class before a group of Year 6 children take the torch to Finham School on Friday afternoon.

Year 5: Why are flowers important?

/ / Year 5

Year 5 have started a new topic in science looking at how plants reproduce and why they are important. We explored the school grounds looking at the different types of plants and trees we have, concentrating on the ones with flowers.

Then, we hid seeds (raisins) in the meadow to see how they might be distributed by the wind and animals. We will be going back down to the meadow later in the week to see what has happened to them.

We also planted a sunflower seed in biodegradable bags ready to plant at home. We will be measuring them each week to see who has the tallest sunflower by the end of the summer term.

Books to celebrate Earth Day

/ / Friday Assembly, Library

Thursday 22nd was Earth Day, so this week I have chosen books that celebrate our planet.

For Reception and Key Stage 1, I have picked Dear Earth by Isobel Otter and Clara Anganuzzi.
When Tessa writes a love letter to the Earth, it’s the beginning of a glorious adventure. She blows bubbles with whales, soars with birds and joins in with the noisy rainforest hullabaloo! Tessa wants everyone to know how special our planet is. A stunning look at the wonders of planet Earth from the eyes of a child, who can see that we all need to work as a team to protect them from further harm.


For Year 2 and up, I’ve picked The Tindims Of Rubbish Island by Sally Gardner, illustrated by Lydia Corry. The tiny Tindims are like the Borrowers-on-Sea, who turn our everyday rubbish into treasure, creating a fun new world of characters and adventures in their empowering new series inspiring conservation and inventive ways to recycle. A whimsical and wacky look at the problem of plastic pollution in our oceans all wrapped in in a brilliantly fun story. There’s also plenty of ideas for creativity once you’ve finished reading too, with a fun recycling activity.

For Year 4 and up, I’ve picked The Last Bear by Hannah Gold. There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life…
Beautifully told, this both heart-warming and heart-breaking as we see April connect with one of the fiercest creatures on our planet. To know that his plight rests solely as a result of the damage we have done to the planet.


For those in Upper Key Stage 2 who would like to find our more about the specific issues our planet is facing, the Climate Emergency Atlas: What’s Happening – What Can We Do by DK. Visual maps show where each issue is putting pressure on our planet’s natural resources and where climate change is having a major impact in our world.

Spring Into Some Easter Reads…

/ / Friday Assembly, Library

Egg by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet is a fabulous near-wordless picture book from the creators of Supertato.

When is an egg not an egg? Everyone knows that eggs have pointy tops and big bottoms – but what happens when an upside down egg turns up? Will this odd egg ever be accepted by the others?

A fabulously funny, thought-provoking, near wordless picturebook celebrating diversity and acceptance.

Egg is the only word used in the book where the pictures tell the story of a different egg trying to fit in. Children are encouraged to spot the differences in the bright, engaging illustrations while willing Egg on to stand up and be accepted for what it is – an Egg – just like all the others, but different!

The Great Chocoplot by Chris Callaghan is the best chocolate you will get your hands on this Easter.

Jelly Wellington loves a Blocka Chocha, but with the impending Chocopocalypse, supplies in Chompton are running low. And just as worrying, she has to make a vlog for her latest science project. Can she prove whether the Chocopocalypse is real? With her last Blocka Chocha sealed safely in a tin, she along with the rest of the world, will have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, Garibaldi Chocolati arrives in Chompton, with his bitter chocolate and a temperament to match. Why would a chocolatier be so delighted by the imminent demise of chocolate?

Chris Callaghan takes the reader on a fabulously imaginative journey; pacey plot and sharp humour, centred around a family where love shines through, and quite possibly the worst neighbour you could wish on anybody, combine to create a laugh out loud adventure that will have you turning the pages while reaching for more chocolate.

Web Wabbit by Lissa Evans is one of the best read aloud chapter books I’ve come across for Year 5 and 6.

Fidge is due to go on the best family holiday, if only she can get Mum and little sister, Minnie, organised in time. But, as ever, their shopping trip doesn’t go to plan. Mum and Minnie seem to be buying anything that isn’t on Fidge’s list, taking so long that the shops close before her things can be bought. When Minnie drops Wed Wabbit, Fidge takes her anger out on the smug looking, stuffed rabbit with devastating consequences.

Stuck with her Aunty, Uncle and exceptionally irritating cousin, Graham, Fidge’s anger resurfaces when given a bag containing Minnie’s toys and listening to Graham’s imagined problems, and once again Web Wabbit is the target for her wrath, along with Graham’s transitional toy.

With a storm closing in, news comes from the hospital that calms Fidge, but it’s too little, too late, and as the lightening strikes, and Fidge finds herself trapped, all alone, in a world she’s read about 48million times. But something is very wrong. There’s a tyrant ruling, who Fidge must defeat if she is ever to find her way home to Minnie, and reunite her with her favourite teddy

Outrageously funny, Wed Wabbit is a feast for the imagination. A brilliant adventure, that will have you laughing out loud, gasping in shock, and desperate to read on, in a wonderfully crafted fantasy world that is reminiscent of any preschool tv show setting, whether it’s Toy Town, Tellytubbies or In The Night Garden. And it has a map!

Fidge and Graham are wonderful characters, each vulnerable in their own way, each as isolated from their family by the protective walls they have built for themselves, and each resilient, brave and supportive as they grow through their adventures. The cast of toys are brought hilariously to life – Ellie is kind, caring and supportive as she aides Fidge, while Dr Carrot is calm and firm as she facilitates Graham’s journey through the Land Of The Wimbly Woos. The Wimblies themselves are just brilliant – each colour with their own unique personalities and talents, that shine through their spoken verse and actions.

Beneath the humour, and amidst the action and adventure, it’s a story of grief and anxiety, and the isolation they can bring. The need to face our fears, with friends and family at our side, rather than shutting them out or hiding from the world.

 

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