Topic: English, PSHE & Citizenship, Race & identity
Related Book: The Star Outside My Window
Book Creator: Onjali Q. Raúf
The Stars Outside My Window, told through the innocent voice of a child, this is a story that explores the subtle faces and endless impacts of domestic violence, and celebrates the power of hope and resilience, from Onjali Rauf, the award-winning author of The Boy At The Back of the Class.
Themes: Healthy Relationships | Fostering and Adoption | Coping with Loss | Hope
Topic: English, Race & identity
Related Book: Splinters of Sunshine
Book Creator: Patrice Lawrence
Splinters of Sunshine is a YA road-trip mystery. Spey’s friend Dee has disappeared off-grid. He has an idea of where she might be, but is he willing to accept help from his estranged father to track her down?
Note: This book covers some sensitive issues. It is advised that teachers/parents/carers read the book before sharing with students.
Themes: Families | Friendship | Authentic experiences | Unique voices | Mystery
Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up, LGBTQ+, PSHE & Citizenship, Race & identity
Age Range: 3-6
Related Book: I Am NOT a Prince
Book Creator: Rachael Davis, Beatrix Hatcher
I Am NOT A Prince is a fairy tale for the 21st century that challenges gender stereotypes and encourages children to be proud of who they are and express themselves.
Themes: Identity | Kindness | Bravery | Hope | Acceptance | Friendship | Being proud
Topic: Climate change, English
Related Book: The Wild Before
Book Creator: Piers Torday
The Wild Before is a captivating animal adventure filled with hope and friendship. With timely themes of climate change and animal conservation, this extraordinary adventure is perfect for introducing young readers to big ideas.
Themes: Climate change | Friendship | Hope
Topic: Climate change, English
Related Book: The Wild Before
Book Creator: Piers Torday
The Wild Before is a captivating animal adventure filled with hope and friendship. With timely themes of climate change and animal conservation, this extraordinary adventure is perfect for introducing young readers to big ideas.
Themes: Climate change | Friendship | Hope
Age Range: 7-11
Related Book: Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent
Book Creator: Pippa Curnick
Discovered in the Unknown Wilderness when she was just a baby, Indigo Wilde was adopted by a pair of World-Famous Explorers. Now she inhabits the colourful world of 47 Jellybean Crescent, a house full of magical creatures and wild adventures.
Packed with glorious full-colour illustrations by Pippa Curnick.
Subjects covered in resources: Comprehension and inference | Writing | Art, Design and Technology
Activity sheet, story prompts and quiz also available.
Topic: English, PSHE & Citizenship, Science
Age Range: 7-11
Related Book: The Exploding Life of Scarlett Fife
Book Creator: Maz Evans, Chris Jevons
From the best-selling Maz Evans comes a new series about Scarlett Fife: logical, mathematical – but when it comes to her feelings, completely out of control! A sparkling, heart-warming series with laugh-out-loud action for every child who has ever experienced Big Feelings.
Themes: Emotional literacy | Managing big feelings | Anger | Worry | Different-shaped families | Friendship | Mindfulness
Topic: Disability, Empathy, English
Related Book: Let Down Your Hair
Book Creator: Bryony Gordon
The YA fiction debut from bestselling author Bryony Gordon, Let Down Your Hair is a modern twist on Rapunzel featuring a hair influencer who develops alopecia – and her quest for a different sort of happy ever after.
Themes: Social media | Online safety | Mental Health | Alopecia
Topic: English, History, PSHE & Citizenship, Race & identity
Related Book: Ghost Boys
Book Creator: Jewell Parker Rhodes
A heartbreaking and powerful story about a black boy killed by a white police officer, drawing connections with real-life history, from award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes.
Themes: Race & Identity | History | Prejudice
Topic: English
Age Range: 7-11
Related Book: The Wizard In My Shed
Book Creator: Simon Farnaby, Claire Powell
Meet Merdyn the Wild (the world’s most badly-behaved wizard), Rose (the world’s most ordinary girl) and Bubbles (the world’s best guinea pig) on a hilarious adventure that might just end in an epic wizard battle in the garden – if you’re lucky.
Download these fun activity sheets, including colouring in and a wordsearch.
Topic: Climate change, English
Related Book: Pop!
Book Creator: Mitch Johnson
An outrageous theft. A huge reward. Two friends on the run. POP! is an uproariously funny, action-packed new adventure about the power of courage, standing up for what’s right, and fizzy drinks, from the award-winning author of Kick, Mitch Johnson.
Tackling themes of consumerism and the environment, this is a great book for starting discussions and projects with children aged 9+. These resources have been created by Shapes 4 Schools.
Watch a video from the author here.
Topic: English, Growing up
Related Book: Bone Music
Book Creator: David Almond
A timely and original masterpiece that explores the connections between the past and the present, between civilisation and wilderness. From David Almond, the multi award-winning author of Skellig and one of this generation’s finest storytellers.