Good Reads: Hunts Grove Primary Academy
This issue’s Good Reads recommendations are provided by your six pupils at Hunts Grove Primary Academy, Gloucester. Huge thanks to them and to teacher and assistant head of school Chris Brown.
When the Sky Falls
Phil Earle, Andersen Press, 978-1783449651, 37.99 pbk.
When The Sky Falls is an extraordinary book about determination and resilience.
It tells the story of an evacuee called Joseph and how he survives in a depressing war. His carer, Mrs.F, has no love for children- she only has love for her animals, including her mighty gorilla, Adonis. Their magnificent journey ensues with many different choices, and it shows that you should never give up. Some parts are unexpected and incredibly sad.
Phil Earle is the author of this fantastic book and his writing style is really impressive.
Overall, I recommend this book to Year 6s and above.
Mustafa
Alex Rider: Nightshade Revenge
Anthony Horowitz, Walker Books, 978-1529517712, £7.99 pbk
When Alex Rider’s closest friend Tom is unexpectedly abducted, Alex is given an ultimatum by Nightshade – a sinister cult of assassins with an unacceptable score to settle. But what twisted massacre are they planning, and how is it linked to a revolutionary new gaming system? Precious time goes by and Nightshade is closing in…
Nightshade Revenge, written by Anthony Horowitz, is an immensely gripping and addictive horror book for action-lovers at Year 6 age. This exhilarating page-turner is fast-paced and fizzing with suspense, the plot as meticulous and relentless as ever before. All I have to say is that if you have never read an Alex Rider book, you are missing out on world-class storytelling… I would highly recommend this action-packed thriller to all children in Upper Key Stage 2. You WILL NOT regret reading this excellent piece of writing so go as swiftly as you can to any library and borrow this book.
Ajmal
Wildspark
Vashti Hardy, Scholastic, 978-1407191553, £7.99 pbk
Wildspark is a magical book about a girl called Prue who is on a quest in an unfamiliar big city called Medlock to bring her brother back to life. With the help of her newfound friends in the Guild, a mechanical spirit called Edwin and a young apprentice called Agapantha, she tries to bring back the memories of awoken spirits. If she fails, her brother will stay dead. And if she succeeds, all of society may fall apart. This book teaches us that if we want to move forward in life, we have to let go of the past, no matter how painful it may be. I would recommend this book to Year Five and Six pupils who like a mechanical-based fiction story with an ending where not everything is resolved.
Chinenye
The Good Thieves
Katherine Rundell, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 978-1408882658, £8.99 pbk
The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell is a story of resilience and bravery. When Vita, who is eleven years old, finds out that her grandad is cheated out of everything he owned by a wealthy man, she is more determined than ever to help put things right again! I recommend this book for someone who likes thriller books and is in year 5-6. This book teaches us that if you are ever knocked down, or times are hard, there is always a glimmer of hope waiting if you do something about it.
Leila
Boy Everywhere
A.M. Dassu, Old Barn Books, 978-1910646649, £7.99 pbk
Boy Everywhere is a fantastic book based on the life of a Syrian family being forced to illegally enter England due to a war slowly rising in the country. It discusses how you should be grateful for everything you have because before you know it could all be gone. The book is quite emotional in places thanks to the touching writing from A. M. Dassu. Due to some of the language being quite strong I would say it is for Year 6 or above who enjoys an emotional page-turner.
Dexter Nowak
