I have always been an avid reader, encouraged by my maternal grandfather who was chief librarian in the West Riding of Yorkshire and who regularly gave us books as children, and a mother who was a collector of illustrated children’s fiction. I was lucky to grow up in a house filled with books and my ongoing love of reading children’s fiction into adulthood has given me a passion for books and reading that has been central to my role as an educator of young people. Reading for pleasure lies at the heart of academic success; those children who succeed academically are always those children who read regularly and widely. As Head of English, I want to see Edge Grove become a school community with reading for pleasure at its heart; I want all children to enjoy reading, become fluent readers and discover the magic that I know lies within the pages of books. I am looking forward to talking about reading with Miss McDonald in Conversation with the Head on Thursday 25th November at 6.30pm. Did you know that November is National Non-Fiction month? I have created a reading list of recommended non-fiction books which can be found on the source here and at the bottom of this newsletter section, many of which are newly published and are on the theme of ‘Heroes’. If you are looking for non-fiction books to give as gifts, then this list would be a good place to make your shopping list! At school and at home, non-fiction should be a key part of every child’s reading diet. Here are five reasons why, from teacher and writer, James Clements, of Oxford University Press:
1. Non-fiction can help your child find their identity as a reader
For some of us, losing ourselves in a great novel is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But that isn’t for everyone. The reading of many adults consists principally of non-fiction texts: biographies, history books, the newspaper or websites that reflect their interests. Reading non-fiction helps children to form their own tastes and opinions.
2. Non-fiction is great for children’s vocabulary
Reading non-fiction will introduce children to lots of new words. Some of these will be technical language linked to the subject but, even more usefully, some will be those words less common in speech and fiction, but are useful for education – words like consistent, definition, indicate.
3. Non-fiction helps children learn new language patterns
It’s not just new words that children can learn from non-fiction - the patterns of language themselves are often very different. For example, non-fiction tends to make greater use of the passive voice (it is thought that…, rather than People think that…). Reading these patterns of language can help children to absorb them and use them in their own formal writing.
4. Non-fiction uses different skills to fiction reading
While we might pick up a non-fiction text and read it from cover to cover like a work of fiction, the chances are we’ll read it very differently. We might skim through, looking for something that catches our eye, or we might scan a page about a topic we know a lot about already, before slowing down to read about something new more carefully. We might use the glossary to look up the meaning of a new word or use the index to find a topic quickly. Reading non-fiction gives children a chance to practise these skills at home with books they enjoy. And, of course, these reading skills are useful at secondary school when researching for homework or finding information for an essay.
5. Non-fiction isn’t always about the reading
For children who prefer to spend their time doing things other than reading – drawing, sports, music, using screens or just playing with their toys, non-fiction (both books, magazines and on screen) can be a secret weapon in the battle for reading: unlike a story book, children don’t always see non-fiction as ‘proper’ reading. When we’re finding out about something we’re interested in, the activity becomes about the topic we’re interested in, rather than reading itself. And time spent enjoying a fascinating non-fiction text might just be enough to kick-start the reading habit.
Each year the School Library Association awards the best non-fiction book. My books of the month are the 2021 SLA’s non-fiction shortlist:
Information about shortlisted books can be found here.
The Children’s Book Award
I am delighted that pupils at Edge Grove now have the opportunity to judge books for the prestigious Children’s Book Award run by The Federation of Children’s Book Groups. This national award is held in great esteem by authors as it is the only book award chosen solely by children. Year 4 have the first set of books to judge, and these will be passed from one Y4 form to the next, starting with 4HC. Children are asked to read the book they have chosen and then judge it on a scale from, ‘A - Great a Winner!’ to ‘E – Bury it in the Garden!’ Our votes will then be sent off to join the national totals for all children’s books published in 2021, with the winner announced next year. Further information about the award can be found here. I hope the children will enjoy the opportunity to cast a critical eye over newly published books.
November’s newly published books
Each month, The Reader Teacher Scott Evans introduces newly published children’s books in his monthly video. If your child would like inspiration with what to read next then this is a good place to start. Scott also produces excellent ‘bookmatch’ reading lists for middle grade fiction (8-12years) on his website.
Mrs B’s Christmas Booksale
I am delighted to be holding ‘Mrs B’s Book Sale’ for the first time at the FOEG Christmas Fair with competitively priced new books for all ages. (Cash only) All profits will go to purchase new books for our school libraries. I hope to see you there!
Non-Fiction Reading List compiled by Mrs Broadis
The full list can be found on The Source and below: Reading List: HEROES
Everyday Superheroes
Health Heroes: The People Who Took Care of the World by Emily Sharratt Simon & Schuster Children’s UK 978-1471197215, Ages 8+ A Superhero Like You by Dr Ranj Singh Not All Heroes Wear Capes: 10 Things We Can Learn From Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things by Ben Brooks, Wren & Rook 978-1526362896, Ages 9+ Life Savers: Spend a Day With 12 Real Life Emergency Service Heroes by Eryl Nash and Ana Albero, Magic Cat Publishing 978-1913520168, Ages 4+ How To Be A Vet by Jess French and Sol Linero, Nosy Crow 978-1788006972, Ages 6+ The Good Guys by Rob Kemp, Wren & Rook 978-1526361448, Ages 8+ Heroes by Jonny Marx and Gerhard van Wyk, 360 Degrees 978-1848578739, Ages 9+ Do Something for Someone else by Michael Platt and Loll Kirby Magic Cat Publishing 978-1913520137, Ages 4+ Superheroes Are Everywhere by Kamala Harris and Mechal Renee Roe Puffin 978-0241528129, Ages 4+ Heroes in History
Protest! by Alice and Emily Haworth-Booth, Pavilion Children’s 978-1843654582, Ages 7+ The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris, Vintage Books 978-1847927019 Ages 11+ Survival in Space: The Apollo 13 Mission by David Long, Barrington Stoke 978-1781129388, Ages 8+ Book of Bok by Neil Armstrong, Wren & Rook 978-1526362278, Ages 6+ Great Britons: 50 Amazing People Who Have Called Britain Home by Imogen Russell Williams, Nosy Crow 978-1839940156, Ages 8+ HerStory by Katherine Halligan and Sarah Walsh, Nosy Crow 978-1788001380, Ages 9+ Coming to England by Floella Benjamin and Diane Ewen, Macmillan Children’s Books 978-1529009422, Ages 3+ Coming to England by Floella Benjamin, Macmillan Children’s Books 978-1529045444, Ages 9+
Black And British – An illustrated history by David Olusoga, Macmillan Children’s Books 978-1529052954, Ages 8+ Black & British: An Illustrated History by David Olusoga, Macmillan Children’s Books 978-1529063394, Ages 12+ Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength by Sophia Thakur Merky Books 978-1529118896, Ages 9+ The Place for Me – Stories About the Windrush Generation with a foreward by Floella Benjamin, Scholastic 978-0702307904, Ages 8+ The Story of Afro Hair by KN Chimbiri and Joelle Avelino, Scholastic 978-0702307416, Ages 7+ Survivors by David Long and Kerry Hyndman, Faber & Faber 978-0571339662, Ages 10+ We Have a Dream by Mya-Rose Craig and Sabrena Khadija Magic Cat Publishing 978-1913520205, Ages 9+
Little People: BIG DREAMS Treasury by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Lisbeth Kaiser, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books 978-0711264168 Ages 6+ Mary Seacole – Bound for the Battlefields by Susan Goldman Rubin and Richie Pope, Walker Books 978-1406390797, Ages 8+ Three Cheers For Women! by Marcia Williams, Walker Books 978-1406379976, Ages 7+ Three Cheers for Inventors by Marcia Williams, Walker Books 978-1406301717, Ages 7+ Ireland; The People, The Places, The Stories by Rachel Pierce with a forward by Dara O’Brian, Scholastic 978-0702302411, Ages 8+ Puzzle Odyssey by Helen Friel, Laurence King Publishing 978-1913947293, Ages 7+ The Histronauts: A Greek Adventure by Francis Durkin, b small Publshing 978-1913918071, Ages 8+ Girls Who Rocked the World by Michelle Roam and Amelie Welden Simon & Schuster Childrens UK 978-1471171017, Ages 8+ Tragedy At Sea; The Sinking of the Titanic by David Long and Stefano Tambellini, Barrington Stoke 978-1781129661, Ages 8+ Children Who Changed the World by Marcia Williams, Walker Books 978-1406390292, Ages 8+ YouthQuake by Tom Adams and Sarah Walsh, Nosy Crow 978-1788007634, Ages 9+ Arthur: The Always King by Kevin Crossley-Holland and Christ Riddell Walker Books 9781406378436, Ages 8+ Environmental Heroes
Earth Heroes by Lily Dyu and Amy Blackwell, Nosy Crow 978-1839940163, Ages 9+ Kids Fight Climate Change: Act now to be a #2minsuperhero by Martin Dorey and Tim Wesson, Walker Books 978-1406393262, Ages 7+ Kids Fight Plastic by Martin Dorey and Tim Wesson, Walker Books 978-1406390650, Ages 7+ No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference by Greta Thunberg, Penguin 978-0141992716, Ages 12+ Wild Child: A Journey Through Nature by Dara McAnulty and illustrated by Barry Falls, Macmillan Children’s Books 978-1529045321, Ages 7+
Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby and Adelina Lirius Magic Cat Publishing 978-1913520175, Ages 4+ It’s Up To Us: A Child’s Terra Carta for Nature, People and the Planet by Christopher Lloyd, What on Earth Books 978-1913750558, Age 8+ Heroes of the Animal Kingdom
Roar Like a Lion by Carlie Sorosiak and Katie Walker, David Fickling Books 978-1788452359, Ages 9+ Wild Lives by Ben Lerwill and Sarah Walsh, Nosy Crow 978-1788005098, Ages 7+ National Trust: How to Help a Hedgehog and Protect a Polar Bear by Jess French and Angela Keoghan, Nosy Crow 978-1788002578, Ages 7+ Heroes by David Long and Kerry Hyndman, Faber & Faber 978-0571346295, Ages 8+ The History of the World in 100 Animals by Simon Barnes and Frann Preston Gannon, Simon & Schuster Children’s UK 978-1471194719 Ages 7+ How to draw a superhero
The Superhero Comic Kit Book by Jason Ford, Laurence King Publishing 978-1786279514, Ages 7+ People You Should Know Stan Lee: Get to know the comics creator by Cristina Oxtra, Capstone Press 978-1496665829, Ages 8+ Heroes in Science
Think Like a Scientist by Susan Martineau and Vicky Barker, b small Publishing 978-1913918095, Ages 7+ What Do Scientists Do All Day? By Jane Wilsher and Maggie Li Wide Eyed Editions 978-0711249776, Ages 3+ Dreaming in Code – Ada Byron Lovelace, Computer Pioneer Emily Arnold McCully
Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk Macmillan Children’s Books 978-1529005615, Ages 5+ A Coder Like Me by Shini Somara, Wren & Rook 978-1526362056 Sporting Heroes
You Are A Champion by Marcus Rashford and written with Carl Anka Macmillan Children’s Books 978-1529068177, Ages 10+ Football School Epic Heroes by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton Walker Books 978-1406386653, Ages 7+ Sports Legends: 50 Inspiring people to help you reach the top of your game by Rick Broadbent, Walker Books 978-1406397123, Ages 8+ Football School: Terrific Teams by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton Walker Books 978-1406386660, Ages 8+ Football School Star Players by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton Walker Books 978-1406386417, Ages 8+ Be Amazing! An inspiring guide to being your own champion by Sir Chris Hoy Walker Books 978-1406394733, Ages 9+ Zion Unmatched by Zion Clark and James S Hirsh, Walker Books 978-1529505177, Ages 7+ How to be a Hero
Break the Mould by Sinead Burke, Wren & Rook 978-1526363336 Ages 9+ Go Big! by Matthew Burton, Wren & Rook 978-1526362353, Ages 10+ Back on Track by Matthew Burton, Wren & Rook 978-1526364067, Ages 12+ You Are Awesome by Matthew Syed, Wren & Rook 978-1526361158 Ages 10+ Dare To Be You! by Matthew Syed, Wren & Rook 978-1526362377 Ages 10+ Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going by Clare Balding, Wren & Rook 978-1526363411, Ages 9+
How To Grow Up & Feel Amazing by Dr Ranj, Wren & Rook 978-1526362957, Ages 10+ Be Resilient by Nicola Morgan, Walker Books 978-1406399257 Ages 12+