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Life changes

Buzz Club – Discussion Questions

Topic: Growing up, Life changes, Mental Health

Age Range: 14+

Related Book: SH!T BAG

Book Creator: Xena Knox

A ground-breaking YA novel that empowers teenage girls to take charge of their desires and find their own buzz.

Themes: Relationships | Sexuality | Friendship | Female empowerment

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Hachette Schools revision planner image

How to Ace Your Exams – Revision Planner

Topic: Life changes, Non-Fiction

Age Range: 14+

Related Book: How to Ace Your Exams

Book Creator: Matthew Burton

How to Ace Your Exams is a pioneering revision toolkit to help students. Featuring 25 tips and techniques to boost motivation, improve memory and support mental health. From inspirational headteacher and author of Go Big, Mr Matthew Burton.

Download this revision planner to help teens get started.

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The Lion Inside - school resources image

The Lion Inside – KS1 Activity Sheets

Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up, Life changes

Age Range: 3-6

Related Book: The Lion Inside Board Book

Book Creator: Rachel Bright, Jim Field

The bestselling story about confidence, self-esteem, and finding your roar.

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The Letter With the Golden Stamp – Teaching Resources

Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up, Life changes, Mental Health, PSHE & Citizenship, Race & identity

Age Range: 7-11

Related Book: The Letter with the Golden Stamp

Book Creator: Onjali Q. Raúf

Celebrating the hidden army of Young Carers daily keeping their loved ones alive behind closed doors, and the everyday s/heroes that surround them, The Letter with the Golden Stamp delves into the fears and hopes of Young Carers everywhere, and the invisible sources of kindness knocking on all our doors.

Themes: Child carers | Empathy | Kindness | Community | Passion | Friendshipo | Family

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The Falling Boy – Teaching Resources

Topic: Empathy, English, Growing up, Life changes

Age Range: 11-14

Related Book: The Falling Boy

Book Creator: David Almond

From the award-winning author of Skellig comes a new story of hope, friendship and conquering your fears.

Nothing is the same this summer. With Joff’s father ill and his mother working, he can’t wait to escape each day, but when his adventures take him to the Chapel of Doom, he uncovers something unexpected, something truly magical.

This timeless coming-of-age story is supported by curriculum-linked activities and display materials.

Themes: Coming of age | Back to school | Family | Illness

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The Hidden Story of Estie Noor – Teaching Notes

Topic: English, Growing up, Life changes, Race & identity

Age Range: 11-14, 7-11

Book Creator: Nadine Aisha Jassat

How do you tell a story no one wants to hear? A page-turning mystery and quest for the truth, exploring race, identity and the power of your voice, from acclaimed writer Nadine Aisha Jassat. Perfect for KS2 readers.

Themes: Mystery | Truth | Identity | Friendship | Community

Hear a reading from the author here.

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One Day At A Time activity sheet and book

One Day At A Time

Topic: Growing up, Life changes, PSHE & Citizenship

Age Range: 3-6

Related Book: One Day at a Time

Book Creator: Rachel Ip, Natelle Quek

One Day At A Time is a sensitive and reassuring story about dealing with divorce and separation, teaching readers 3+ that even the biggest changes in life get easier, and happiness can grow again, if you take it one day at a time . . . 

Themes: Families | Divorce | Separation | Change

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The Tree That Sang to Me – Teaching Notes

Topic: Growing up, Life changes, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, PSHE & Citizenship

Age Range: 7-11

Book Creator: Serena Molloy

A dyslexia-friendly verse story of hope, belonging and finding sanctuary in a difficult world, from the author of Wider than the Sea, Serena Molloy. Perfect for fans of A Kind of Spark.

Themes: Hope | Belonging | Friendship | Family | Finding Sanctuary

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be awesome go big

Be Awesome Go Big Transition Pack

Topic: Growing up, Life changes, Mental Health, Non-Fiction, PSHE & Citizenship

Age Range: 11-14, 7-11

Related Book: You Are Awesome

Book Creator: Matthew Syed

Be Awesome, Go Big is a package to help Year 6 students transition into Year 7. It can be used by students and parents at home or in school with teachers in class. It is designed to be motivational, helpful and reassuring and to help young people feel valued, loved, encouraged and equipped for the journey ahead.

A project from PiXL Club and Hachette Children’s Group.

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Paper Dragons – Teaching Notes

Topic: English, Geography, Life changes

Age Range: 7-11

Related Book: Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm

Book Creator: Siobhan McDermott

An extraordinary fantasy series for readers aged 9+, featuring an underwater school, fierce dragons, magical jellyfish and age-shifting immortals! Watch the epic trailer here!

Themes: Fantasy & Adventure | Chinese Mythology | World Building | Descriptive Writing

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Stepfather Christmas – Activity Sheets

Topic: Life changes

Age Range: 7-11

Related Book: Stepfather Christmas

Book Creator: L.D. Lapinski

From L. D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, comes a heartwarming and hilarious story about a girl who is convinced her new stepdad is actually Father Christmas. Structured like an advent calendar, this is the perfect story to read one day at a time in the lead up to Christmas (with an extra special chapter for Christmas day!).

Themes: Christmas | Advent | Blended Families | Humour

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