What a fantastic theme from Year 6 for the final Challenge Miss Cleveland of this school year – books about books.

My first choice, for our youngest readers is Wild Book Day by Karl Newson, illustrated by James Brown – an exhilarating adventure, that will spark a lifelong love for books.

Characters from different stories collide to celebrate our rich tapestry of children’s literature. As pages wildly come to life, this riotous read not only entertains but also shows the magic of storytelling and the importance of keeping the joy of reading alive. With every turn of the page, it’s a celebration of the limitless worlds within books, encouraging young minds to become active participants in their everyday reading adventures.

Next, I’ve picked Books And The People Who Make them by Stephanie Vernet and Camille De Cussac. I have lost count of the number of times I have been asked by a child how they become and author or an illustrator, and how a book goes from being an idea in someone’s head to a physical entity ready to entertain. Well, this book has all of the answers and much, much more.

Packed with facts about the publishing journey from conception to print and the journey to a reader’s hands, this is also filled with quirky facts about the wider world of books, including the world’s oldest bookshop, some of the more peculiar libraries our world has on offer, and details relating to the myriad of choices to be made which determine how books look and feel in your hands.

These extra details open young readers minds to the breadth of the literary landscape and the intricate pathways traversed by a whole team of people to make fantasy a reality, and inform and engage readers of all ages. Bright illustrations accompany each fact, drawing the eye from one to the next.

The perfect accompaniment to any bookcase for readers curious as to how the books they have chosen to fill their shelves got there.

My final choice based on this week’s theme is Big Ideas From Literature which introduces children to books through the ages, showing how they can develop both empathy and resilience through exploring the stories they tell.

Books can be so powerful, helping us through tricky times, offering us wisdom we haven’t learnt yet, showing us that there are people like us, or showing us the opposite, that other people live very different lives. Books can be a friend when you need one the most and you can use them to help and inspire others, too. From an early age, we tend to be told that books matter, but very rarely are we properly allowed to examine why – and therefore we can miss out on a genuine engagement with books. Big Ideas from Literature dares to ask the obvious but crucial questions about the whole business of reading: What is reading really for? What are stories trying to do for us? Why should we care?

In a tone that’s engaging and playful, we’re shown how books help us to grow, why we cry about the fate of certain characters and how to read for genuine pleasure rather than to please a teacher or parent.

And finally, this is nothing to do with the theme, but I couldn’t have recommendations for Year 6 without mentioning Moving Up: How To Ace Secondary School by Christian Foley. This is the title for children moving from Primary to Secondary school.

Moving up from primary to secondary school can be scary. Going from being the bosses of the benches, to the youngest in a massive playground is hard. The classrooms are bigger, older students look like adults and don’t even start on the piles of homework, stressful exams and complicated friendships. Whether you’re heading to secondary school next year, or you’ve just started and are still adjusting, Moving Up is here to help you on your journey.

From  your first day all the way up to your final exams and your leaving party or prom, this handy guide book will be the perfect companion for transitioning to secondary, and get you feeling confident, building strong friendships, achieving great things and generally being the greatest that you can be.

Happy reading!

There was a fierce debate in Year 5 over which theme to choose, but Natural Disasters topped the poll.

First, I have chosen The Somerset Tsunami by Emma Carroll, – a fight for survival against torrential flooding and local superstition from the Queen of Historical Fiction. Based on the flood of 1607, it was very unnerving to read it at my parent’s home, over looking the Bristol Channel, which would have been hit by the tidal wave over four centuries ago.

A sinking boat . . .
A girl in disguise . . .
A disappearing sea . . .

When Fortune Sharpe carves a boat from a tree with her beloved brother, Gem, she’s only having a bit of fun. But now is not the time for a girl to be drawing attention to herself. She is sent away to find work dressed as a boy. Luckily a rich manor house is hiring. Yet Barrow Hall’s inhabitants harbour dangerous secrets of their own, the suspicious owner is hunting for witches, and the house itself is a little too close to the sea …

Next, I have chosen The Key To Finding Jack by Ewa Jozefkowicz, which features a deadly earthquake in Peru. Featuring a story within a story and a mystery to solve, The Key to Finding Jack, is about sacrifice and courage, the riches of family, friendship and the power of living life to the full.

Twelve-year-old Flick adores Jack and loves solving puzzles with him. But Jack is soon to flee the family nest and Flick worries she’ll lose her partner in crime. During his gap year in Peru, tragedy strikes when an earthquake devastates the region and no one knows what has happened to Jack. Flick and her family are thrown into the horrible unknown.

She finds a key on a fine gold chain and a note with the initials SF in his room, and clings to the hope that SF (whoever that is) might hold the clue to finding her brother. When she sets out to uncover the identity of its owner, she meets new friends, rekindles a special relationship and discovers a whole new side to Jack. Intriguing clues from a legend about Inca gold, to a key with magical powers help her along the way.

I’ve also chosen a picture book to appeal to all ages; Stranded! A Mostly True Story From Iceland by Ævar Þór Benediktsson, illustrated by Anne Wilson. Based on a true story, the author humorously recounts the time his grandfather got stranded with a friend on Surtsey, a brand new volcanic island in Iceland.

The adventurers face epic challenges like molten lava, melted eyeglasses and scant supplies before finally getting rescued. Graphic novel-like layouts and spirited text invite readers to search for the one thing that’s not actually true in this thrilling yet light-hearted tale of adventure. Information about volcanoes, Icelandic culture and Norse mythology are included at the end of the book.

And finally, I couldn’t do natural disasters without including one of my all time favourite books to read out loud; Going To The Volcano by Andy Stantin, illustrated by Miguel Ordonez. Buckle up and jump on board for the one of the funniest, most EXPLOSIVE picture books ever printed – you’ll want to read it again and again-o!

Join two intrepid explorers as they take a train-o, jump on a plane-o, ride a Great Dane-o (down the lane-o) on their way to look at the volcano. Nothing could possibly go wrong – could it?!

A hilariously anarchic rhyming story that will have you laughing out loud as you join in with the characters on their epic journey where everybody is welcome.

Happy reading-o!

This week, Year 4 have challenged me to choose books on the theme of survival, and it’s been really hard narrowing it down to just three books.

First, I’ve chosen The Ultimate Survival Handbook by Andy McNab, in which, you can learn crucial survival skills from the world-famous ex-SAS survival expert. If you want to be ready for the outdoors, street-smart in the city, and even safe online, this book will show you how!

Find out the best way to set up a camp, safely start a campfire, find your bearings, search for food and water and stay safe in the great outdoors. As well as crucial basics for camping and hiking, readers will discover what to do about more unusual events – including escaping quicksand, tsunamis and wild animal attacks.

This book also features a guide to urban survival – how to stay safe in the city, avoid stranger danger, find your way around any urban environment, and how to manage any emergency. Plus, with years of military-grade security experience, Andy also gives crucial tips on staying safe online. Discover how to make an unbreakable password, how to hide your identity from trolls and scammers, and how to banish cyber-bullies.

Next, I’ve picked one of our “Books to read before you leave Year 6”: Survivors by David Long, and illustrated by Kerry Hyndman, which is packed with amazing real-life stories about extreme survival. Beautifully presented in a large, paperback format, and fully illustrated in colour throughout, this wonderful anthology is a treat for all the family.

Be shocked and amazed by these incredible real-life stories of extreme survival, including:

• The Man Who Sucked Blood from a Shark, a sailor who survived for 133 days on a raft in the Atlantic when his ship was torpedoed, using shark’s blood in place of fresh water.
• The Girl Who Fell From the Sky, a teenager who fell 2 miles from an aeroplane and trekked through the Amazon jungle to safety.
• The Woman Who Froze to Death – Yet Lived, a woman who was trapped under freezing water for so long her heart stopped. Four hours later, medics managed to warm her blood enough to revive her.

Combining classic tales such as Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic voyage, as well as more modern exploits such as the adventurer who inspired the movie 127 Hours, these astonishing stories will be retold by young readers to all of their friends.  Rescue and Heroes are just as inspirational as Survivors too.

And finally, I’ve gone for Spin To Survive: Deadly Jungle by Emily Hawkins, and illustrated by Ruby Fresson. With nothing but your instincts and your trusty Survival Spinner, do you have what it takes to make it out of the jungle alive? Find out in this latest adventure in the thrilling game-in-a-book series, Spin to Survive: Deadly Jungle!

Grandma Beatriz has given you an important mission: discover the fabled Lost City of the Jaguar God so it can be protected and preserved for the future. But lost and alone in the Amazon Rainforest, survival must be your top priority. Play your way through the deadly dangers of the Amazon in a fight for your life, facing off against treacherous river rapids, prowling jaguars, dastardly treasure-hunters and a whole host of hazards that dwell deep in the jungle. With two other books already available and a fourth on the way, reading has never been so much fun – or so deadly!

Happy reading!

What a theme from Year 3 – I love a mystery and when there’s a good crime or murder thrown in so much the better!

First up this week, I’ve chosen Cluedle – The Case of the Dumpleton Diamond by Hartigan Browne

Perfect For mystery fans, Cluedle – The Case of the Dumpleton Diamond is a funny, cosy crime puzzle book for code-cracking families and skilful young super sleuths. Team up with world famous private investigator Hartigan Browne and crack the curious case of the Dumpleton Diamond by solving 50 fun brain-busting puzzles. Set in the village of Dumpleton you need to don your detective cap and discover:

– Who pup-napped Dave the dog?
– What is important about The Flying Goat?
– How the Dumpleton Diamond went missing?
– Why a missing key can unlock this case?

Packed full of codes to crack, evidence to evaluate, clues to unravel and maps to navigate, Cluedle – The Case of the Dumpleton Diamond is puzzling fun for the whole family. And even better, there are two more books ready to pre-order. Can you work out Cluedunnit?

Next, I’ve chosen the first in a sleuthing series – Kate On The Case by Hannah Peck. Discover the first brilliant adventure of reporter-in-training Kate and her mouse Rupert, in this stunning book, filled with colourful illustrations.

Young reporter-in-training Kate and her mouse-accomplice Rupert are on board a train to visit Kate’s mum in the Arctic. But as soon as the train departs, mysterious things start happening.

A packet of ginger nuts goes missing . . .
A collection of gymnastics trophies are stolen . . .
And some ancient scrolls disappear . . .

Fellow passenger Madame Maude seems the most likely culprit, until a surprising – and delicious – twist turns the whole investigation on its head!

Finally, I’ve chosen a book that isn’t actually in the shops until August, but it’s too good not to put in with this theme. The Beanstalk Murder by P.G. Bell is a magical murder mystery of mammoth proportions! With its charming characters, inventive plot, and a setting that bursts with magic, The Beanstalk Murder is a tale that is both enchanting and exhilarating.

Trainee meadow witch Anwen is having a bad day – which gets much worse when a dead giant falls from the sky and destroys her village. But when she examines the body she discovers something interesting. This giant was murdered, which means a killer is on the loose!

Tasked with sending a message to the giant kingdom via beanstalk, Anwen and her nemesis, trainee sorceress Cerys, accidentally find themselves whipped up into the sky and deposited in the giants’ royal palace – where the king is missing. Using their perfect spy-size and witchy skills, the girls must track down his killer. But how can you investigate a murder mystery when you risk being stepped on by your suspects?

Happy reading!

This week, Year Two have picked Africa as their Friday Library Theme, with a focus on Kenya as it’s their geography topic.

First off, I’ve chosen, Africa, Amazing Africa: Country By Country by Atinuke, illustrated by Mounni Feddag which is a first, personal introduction to the Africa continent for young children.

With double-pages to introduce the different regions of Africa (South, East, West, Central and North), each country is then represented on one page with a colourful half-page illustration from artist Mouni Feddag, a paragraph of descriptive text and then one to three facts, geared towards readers aged four and up; imagined as a diving-off point, to give a sense of the variety of the continent and inspire young readers to find out more about the different countries of Africa.

Next, I’ve chosen the inspirational story of Nobel Peace Prize winner, Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions Of Trees by Franck Prevot. Wangari Maathai received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her efforts to lead women to bring peace and democracy to Africa through its reforestation. This is the story of what she did, accompanied by stunning artwork.

As a young girl growing up in Kenya, Wangari was surrounded by trees. But years later when she returns home, she is shocked to see whole forests being cut down, and she knows that soon all the trees will be destroyed. So Wangari decides to do something—and starts by planting nine seedlings in her own backyard. And as they grow, so do her plans…

Finally, I’ve chosen Bringing The Rain To Kapati Plain by Aardema, illustrated by Beatriz Vidal, which is a delightful rhyming story full of bright and vivid illustrations.

In this traditional tale, based upon the folk traditions of the Nandi people of Kenya, a young herd boy Ki-pat must find a way to end the dreadful drought that has come to the beautiful Kapiti Plain and save the animals that live there. The cumulative rhyme is a joy to read aloud and a wonderful way to engage young children.

Happy reading!