"I wish I could read as many books as you do when I am older Miss..." What I've read this week!

How nice is that comment from one of my kids! He was reading Lemony Snicket, A series of Unfortunate events, The Austere Academy and me being me, I couldn't help but wax lyrical about how much I loved those books (I read one a day for 2 weeks!) and he was amazed that I'd read them all as an adult and then uttered those words. I was touched! It reminded me of a craze I began in my very second year of teaching, over Lemony Snicket.

It all began with my reading the series. I then came into school and told the children how cool they were and asked who wanted to be the first to borrow Book 1. There was wild clamouring For some reason, with that class, if I told them about a great book I read, they would all instantly long to read it.

From that moment, there was a MASSIVE waiting list to borrow my books. At least 20 children read the first couple of books in my class and one child read them all and borrowed all the subsequent sequels (The Unauthorized biography, Beatrice letters) from me. I loved that class....

Anyway, I'm not sure exactly what that has to do with this post, except to offer some sort of justification to the world for me reading so many kids books! Some people think it's a bit funny but I maintain

a) if I can recommend to a reluctant reader, something I think he/she might like, it's worth it

b) it's research for my job

c) I have to teach guided reading so I HAVE to read kids books in order to prepare the best for them

d) They are blooming exciting! I don't want to read about gratuitous sex and violence, I like things to be innocent and fun!


Anyway, if you have kids of the age 8-9, particularly maybe boys, then have a look at the books below. I bought the 3 Louis Sachar books in Book Ends in Hay-on-Wye in August for £1.00 a piece.

LOUIS SACHAR is a brilliant author for boys, particularly those at the latter end of Key Stage 2, early KS3. He writes about modern, social and moral issues that concern them. Behaviour, friendship, making right choices, outsiders, community, relationships, self-belief, family. I could go on. His first work I read was There's a boy in a girl's bathroom which is a wonderful book for children with challenging behaviour and social issues or dealing with difficulties in frienships but for anyone really of that age, they are marvellous.

The following ones are for younger children, year 3,4,5 I would think.
46. Louis Sachar Marvin Redpost:Class President

Part of a series of at least 10 books, the main character, Marvin is a kind and considerate boy who thinks before he acts. We encounter him and his friendships at school and outside. The characters in this book are quirky and all have idiosyncracies (word of the day!). There is always a subtle lesson to be learnt in the Marvin Redpost books. In this one, it is to do with daring, believing and aspiring. In this book, the class have all come in holey clothes when it transpires the American president is visiting their class! Cue pandemonium and frantic question preparations. It gets children to think about relevant questions when interviewing someone, people believing in their goodness and having dreams and going for them. There's a lot of fun, jokes and frolics thrown in for good measure that boys and girls alike will enjoy!

47. Louis Sachar Marvin Redpost: A magic crystal
Another book in this series, which interestingly touches upon friendship between boys and girls. When children reach year 4 or so, they're already starting to think, "EUGH girls!" or "Yuck boys!". In this book, Marvin becomes friends with a girl and this book is about how he and his friends deal with it. An interesting issue. Again, the character of Marvin ultimately comes across as someone who is a good role model as he faces dilemmas.

48. Louis Sachar Marvin Redpost: A flying birthday cake.

The general message of this is that old adage, "Don't judge a book by its cover," which is as important today as it's ever been. In this book, it becomes obvious to US the reader, that the new boy may be not of this world! This is a great book for Assessment Focus 3- inference and reading between the lines, in guided reading as you can get the child to talk to you about all the clues that prove that the character Joe might not be human. Again, the book deals with friendships. In this case, reconciling making friends with someone who is different to staying friends with people who don't want to welcome new people. It also deals with jealousy and standing up for what is right. In the case of Marvin- he has to make a decision between facing being bullied himself and standing up for someone who's being picked on. Highly recommended.

I thoroughly recommend all 3 as medium-sized reads that engage the child and encourage emotional literacy.

49. Edward Eager The Time Garden.

I LOVE time travel!!!!! Or in this case, Thyme travel! This book has inspired me to read HG Well, The time machine. HOW is it that I have not read any of his books?!

This is one for boys and girls. It has a Famous five ilk to it with a group of children, in a seaside mysterious house and garden, adventures, buried treasure, historical interest, play-on words. Some children who live in America end up staying with an aunt in her cliffside house and gardens. They meet a mysterious Natterjack upon a sundial who leads them on a variety of time travelling adventures. They meet American and English historical figures, help fugitives and even end up meeting characters from Little women. I found this book highly imaginative and great fun with some valuable lessons to be learnt as well for kiddies!

By the way, do you not think that front cover looks like Quentin Blake's work. Apparently, it's not him but don't you think it is????

http://www.amazon.com/ Thank you for the images!

Would you recommend these to any children? Do you read kids books at all? Have you read any of these?