Good Reads: Mangotsfield CE Primary School, Bristol
This issue’s Good Reads were chosen by young people at Mangotsfield C of E Primary School, Bristol, the Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year 2025, awarded by the School Library Association. We thank Verity Robinson, school librarian, for her help.
The Travelling School Mysteries
Jo Clarke, illus Becka Moor, Firefly Press, £7.99 pbk
I really enjoyed this extraordinary series because my favourite type of book is mystery and I like how in each book you get to learn about different things in the countries around the world. If you want a good mystery book then I recommend this amazing fiction text.
Ivy, Year 5
Squirrel and Duck: Mission Improbable
Tom Percival, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 978-1526665638, £7.99pbk
Squirrel and Duck is a very good book for anyone who enjoys a good laugh! It tells the story of a squirrel and duck who go on an adventure to find a new home. The story teaches you about friendship and never giving up. My favourite character is Squirrel because he is funny and clever. I recommend this book because it is exciting, entertaining and makes you laugh all the way through.
Ezra, Year 5
How to Be Me
Cath Howe, Nosy Crow, 978-1788005975, £6.99pbk
A perfectly pitched and moving story about family, friendship and having the confidence to be yourself. How to Be Me follows the story of young, lonely Lucas who lives with his dad and his girlfriend. Nothing seems to make him happy since his mum died and he and his dad don’t really understand each other anymore. Because Lucas is bored in the summer, his dad decided to sign him up for this drama club that Lucas has been dreading. Naturally shy, Lucas hardly talks to anyone during the club. Will Lucas make friends or will he just stay shy forever? Read this amazing book to find out more!
Arianna, Year 5
Grimwood: Let the Fur Fly
Nadia Shireen, Simon and Schuster, 978-1471199349, £7.99pbk
Grimwood: Let the Fur Fly is about two foxes named Ted and Nancy who live in Grimwood. Grimwood is a silly, chaotic place where lots of unusual animals live. Their mayor, called Titus, is a kind, old stag and likes everyone being nice to each other.
In this book a mean, posh fox named Sebastian Silver wants everyone in Grimwood to flee so he can make it a part of his town, Twinklenuts Forest. Two birds named Sharon and Pamela have a crazy idea which involves them making the world’s biggest glitter cannon! This saves the day by setting it off just as Sebastian Silver’s helicopter appeared in front, banishing him, the helicopter, and glitter to a remote corner of the galaxy. I like how Sebastian Silver tries to take over Grimwood but failed, even though he won the Treebonk match. I recommend the book to age 7+.
Ambila, Year 4
Safiyyah’s War
Hiba Noor Khan, Andersen Press, 978-1839133138, £7.99pbk
As a Muslim girl myself, even if you have a different race, ethnicity or religion, you can still be friends with someone else. That’s one of the main things I learnt from this book. The world will be a better place if we’re all kind to each other like Safiyyah and her friends. She follows all of our school’s BRAVE values: belonging, resilience, aspiration, virtue and empathy. I think this book is also extremely educational as it shows us what it was like for Jews in World War 2 and how Muslims helped them. I rate it 10/10 and recommend if for ages 8 and above.
Raniyah, Year 4
Applications are now open for the Secondary School Librarian of the Year Award, now in its 21st year, and the Peter Usborne Primary School Library of the Year Award. Find out more here. The deadline to receive nominations is 9am on 16th February 2026.
