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Book Club A space for recommended books as well as news on books and authors.
Author lot of visits!
THOMAS BLOOR Thomas Bloor visited Year 5 on Monday 17th November 2008. Thomas carried out a workshop based on the theme of transformation or metamorphosis (Werewolves, Greek myths, Kafka etc.) and how his Worm in the Blood trilogy (See below) fitted into that tradition. He also read a short story, and talked about stories and story writing. He then asked the children to carry out an exercise using shoes as a starting point, in which they invented a character and then began to imagine a dramatic transformation scene involving their character. The session ended with a Q & A session on writing and time was allowed for signing books.
Megan's Newspaper Report on Thomas Bloor's visit. Bloor is Back!! The author who brought us the 'Worm in the Blood' trilogy has children on the edge of their seats. Thomas Bloor, the author of the 'Worm in the Blood' trilogy visited St. Michael's School and spoke to Year 5 about all his books and told us a spectacular story about a werewolf. He gave us a chance to write our own stoy on a human metamorphing into anything we want. It was really fun to write, and we heard each others stories. All the children brought their books or pictures of his book covers for him to sign. Our class enjoyed the visit, and from what I have heard 5R enjoyed it as well. Thomas Bloor also wrote other books like 'House of Eyes', 'Factory of Shadows' and 'Memory Prisoner'. He also wrote 'Blood Willow', 'Bomber Boys' and 'The Dragon of the Warlord'. I would recommend Thomas Bloor's books to anyone I know. Cliff McNish Children's fantasy writer Cliff McNish visited 5W on the 19th May 2009.
Cliff discusses his book 'Angel'
'Tom and Gerry!!!'
Alex reads his exciting story beginning to Cliff McNish
Sorcha with signed book and picture. Others have their pictures of the 'Silver Child' signed.
This is Stefanos' picture of Thomas from the 'Silver Child' (sideways!!) Reading Comprehension Creative Reading May I share my thoughts on what seems to be a growing trend in Year 5 classes in recent years. Many children continue to struggle grammatically, structurely, and creatively; especially in story writing. It is essential that reading and writing are united in any approach to literacy development and not perceived as separate entities. Everyone knows that in order to write, you must first be able to read. So it stands to reason: if you would write well, you must read well. And I don't just mean you can read per se, or even read fast or eloquently. You must read creatively. 'Well' means 'effectively' as well as 'creatively' in this instance. What is creative reading? It first must create mental alertness by inspiring your imagination. How else will you stay awake or remember what you've read? Next, creative reading should train your eye in style, layout, and grammar; and not just phonetically or for the content. Creative reading provides the ammunition for creative writing. A gun lacks fire without its bullets and vice-versa! I'm not saying that every reading session should involve creative reading all of the time!! No! No! To enjoy the content of a good story or piece of non-fiction is vital too. But the earlier we can train a child to be the creative reader; the better the writer and subsequent speaker of the English language they will become. The same principal is evident in music. If a child learns to read music as a language as soon as they can pick up a fiddle or a drumstick, then the easier it is to become the fully accomplished musician. It - like creative reading - becomes second nature. Many children in Year 5 can read very well indeed and have excellent comprehension skills when it comes to dissecting the content for meaning. However, when asked to interpret the stylistic and grammatical elements a sudden mist descends in front of them. 'Nough said! We shall look to improve this as teachers. Is it something parents can help with too? I hope so! Click on the link below to read the DFEE's leaftlet on how to read effectively. Strategies to Develop Reading Comprehension Fred Friday
Fred is a character from a brilliant set of books about a little girl called Toots who finds herself in an amazing series of adventures in an upside-down world. To find out more about these brilliant books that are perfect for the average Year 5 reader, look out on this page for Mr. Whiting's review. Fred Friday is held every Friday in class 5W. Children may bring in a small cuddly toy with at least 10p which is donated to the school's Helping Hands charity funds. Ask your child about Fred Friday now.
5W Recommended Books Section - The place to be! All the following recommended books can be found on Amazon unless stated otherwise. Something from Mr. W's bookshelf...
Recommended by : Mr. Whiting (30.9.08) Title: Worm in the Blood by Thomas Bloor 'Worm in the Blood introduces Sam Lim-Evans, a 14-year old boy preoccupied with ordinary teenaged problems until he finds his life transformed by a mysterious birthright, something that has lain dormant within the very fabric of his DNA, until now. How Sam tries to cope with these involuntary changes forms the heart of a story that balances brooding realism with painful fantasy, to powerful effect.' Thomas Bloor has a unique style which first came to my attention in his debut children's book The Memory Prisoner. I like the way Bloor uses simple but powerful imagery that children can understand and encourages them to use similar ideas in their own writing. Worm in the Blood is the first book in the excellent Metamorphosis trilogy. Although aimed at slightly older children (don't get put off by the age of the main character) its content is very suitable for good Year 5 readers.
 Recommended by: Rosa 5W (WC 29.9.08) Title: The Artist in the Blue House by Frida Kahlo Read Rosa's review below. We're looking forward to looking at it in class this week. I recommend this book because it's got very good questions for kids about a weird and wonderful artist from Mexico. When she was eighteen she had a bad accident and had to stay in bed for a very long time and was paralised. Take a look at her paintings. They are weird and full of symbolism and imagery. She likes collage and every time you look at the painting you find things that you did not notice before. If you like art, you'll love this book. Bye for now. Rosa
Recommended by: Christos 5W (WC 6.10.08) Title: The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd This book, although recommended by Christos, is also a favourite of Mr. Whiting's. It is very suitable for all able readers in Year 5. Read Christos' review below. Have you ever been on the London Eye? This is the story of two children called Ted and Kat who live in London and their cousin Salim who comes to stay with them. One day they all visit the South Bank and Salim disappears after taking a ride on the London Eye. At first Ted and Kat have no idea what could have happened to Salim but Ted is very clever at solving puzzles and Kat is brave and together they have a whole series of adventures around London as they search for Salim. One of my favourite episodes is when they travel on their own by tube to Earl's Court where a motorbike exhibition is taking place because they believe that Salim might be there. There is a brilliant decription of the enormous exhibition halls full of the din and fumes of motorbikes and the bustling crowds of biking enthusiasts. Although the bikers look a bit fierce and scary in their black leather and tattoos they turn out to be quite friendly and helpful to the children. I think this is an exciting book because of all the strange events that Ted and Kat experience in their hunt for Salim and the places they visit. There are also many intriguing clues which Ted and Kat must investigate in order to work out the mystery of Salim's disappearance. It is a very compelling read, especially the section where Salim spends two days on his own around London. I think anyone who enjoys detective stories or unusual adventure stories would like this book. The author also tells us some interesting facts about the London Eye, for example how high it is and how wide, heacy etc. I would give this book 9/10. by Christos 5W
Recommended by : Mr. Whiting (11.10.08) Title: The Earth Giant by Melvin Burgess Melisa brought this book into school recently. It's a little gem of a story that I read in one reading last year when researching children's books. I quote: it is a haunting story of two children's efforts to shelter and save a mysterious giant following the destruction of an ancient oak tree during a great storm. The girl, Amy, hides the giant woman in a disused cinema and later Amy's brother, Peter, helps her to reunite the stranger with her own people.
Recommended by : Eleanor W (WC 13.10.08) Title: The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding Find out more about this book soon. It's on display in class now.
 Recommended by : Georgia (WC 3.11.08) Title: Celandine by Steve Augarde (sequel to The Various) Must say that I have been highly impressed by the books brought in by 5W so far. This book is already on my wanted list as it's just the kind of children's story I love to read. Michael W
Set in 1915, 70 years before The Various (2004), this second of a trilogy continues the story of an ancient tribe of little people hidden from the human world. When 13-year-old Celandine encounters Fin, one of the little people living on a wooded hill on her father's farm in Somerset, she is initially incredulous, but also enchanted. Lonely and unhappy, Celandine moves easily between the real and the imaginary, accepting the little people as the friends she lacks. Sent away to boarding school, Celandine is bullied and then heartbroken when her brother dies in the war. Overwhelmed, she flees, hiding in the woods with the little people, who provide needed refuge and comfort. When the Ickri, a hostile tribe of little people, storm the woods, Celandine's presence is a danger to all. She must return to her own world and learn to survive. Intertwining elements from the English fairy-fantasy and boarding-school genres, Augarde creates a familiar yet entirely original world, a very sympathetic heroine and an absolutely riveting adventure that isn't over yet. Stay tuned. (Fiction. 10-14) (Kirkus Reviews) Georgia's review. I think that 'Celadine' is a fantastic book. It makes you forget your in the year 2008 and think your in the year 1915! The book takes you to Mount Pleasent School for girls where Celandine is bullied and teased for her repetitive running away. When Celadine runs away your heart beats fast and when she finds 'The Various' once more you cheer. Over all I think that Celadine is a brilliant story which pulls you in and immerses you in its story.
Recommended by : Alex (WC 10.11.08) Title: The Fellowship of the Ring by J R R Tolkien I enjoyed this book because it is an exciting and interesting adventure in a strange and mysterious place named Middle Earth. I found this quite a challenging book and very slow for the first hundred or so pages but it picks up after that. I recommend this book for anyone who has a long attention span and is a confident reader and prefers long fantasy books.
By Alex
Title: Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome Lucia's book review... “To John, Susan, Roger and Titty, just being allowed to take the sailing ship “Swallow” and camp on what is now their little island is enough of an adventure in itself, but they soon find themselves dealing with Amazon pirates, Captain Flint and charcoal burners.”
I chose this book because it has lots of excitement and adventure. The story is based on Lake Coniston in the Lake District, a place I often go with my family. It is fairly easy to read (if you understand how to talk when you’re on a ship!). It is about some boys and girls called John, Susan, Roger and Titty (the Swallows) and some girl pirates called Nancy and Peggy (the Amazons). In the story the Swallows land on the island and get attacked by the Amazons, who immediately become friends with them. The time that follows includes alliances, a war between themselves and a battle with Captain Flint.
My favourite character is Titty because she always has a lot to say and is extremely imaginative. She is also very adventurous. Like when the Swallows need someone to stay on the island she is the first to volunteer. At the end… no, maybe I shouldn’t tell you…Oh all right I will. At the end Titty and Roger go on a hunt for treasure. The treasure is Captain Flint’s chest. Their hunt is successful and Captain Flint promises them both a smashing present.
I won’t tell you any more about it now. GO ON AND READ IT YOURSELF!! Swallows and Amazons is a truly great book and I recommend it to all confident readers.
Recommended by : Matthew (WC 24.11.08) Title: George's Secret Key to the Universe by Lucy & Stephen Hawking Found out soon about this brilliant book which is a mix of fact and fiction with some super illustrations.
Recommended by : Frankie (WC 31.11.08) Title: Matilda by Roald Dahl. Just one of the classic tales from the master of silly but often heart-warming stories, with humourous illustrations by Quentin Blake.
 Recommended by : Ben (WC 12.1.09) Title: Wilderness by Roddy Doyle I chose Wilderness because I thought this book was fun to read and I really recommend it to boys and girls. Wilderness is about two boys and their mother. They go on a winter holiday.They go sledging and the mother goes missing! The boys need to find their mother before she dies of the cold.
Recommended by : Millie (WC 26.1.09) Title: Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo Kensuke's Kingdom is a great book. It has won many children's book awards and is written by Michael Morpurgo. He was the children's laureate from 2003-2005. Amazing! It is all about a young boy who leaves his town to travel around the world on a boat with his mother and father (it was their decision and not his). Later in the book he is on night guard and has to stay up on deck all night with his dog. A storm whips up throwing him and the dog overboard. He fears he will drown, but he grabs onto his football, which his friend had given him before he left. It keeps him afloat. The current is too strong and he gets sucked under. When he wakes up he is on an island in a cave. He discovers he is not alone on the island and forms a special relationship with the character Kensuke. When his parents finally come to rescue him he is torn between staying and going. I like this book because it was a fantastic adventure. The characters were so well described that it became very emotional especially at the end. I particularly like the way he described the settings and events as it created tension and anticipation. I could not stop reading for a second!! Title: Toots and the Upside-Down House by Carol Hughes This is a hidden classic. The first of three books about a little girl called Toots and her adventures in an upside-down world. A book with goblins and sprites, Jack Frost, an overweight fairy, and a whole lot more weird and wonderful characters. Unlike many of the books of today gorged by high fantasy and magic, or reliant on technology; this is a story with a beautiful moral and message about the importance of love, friendship, and forgiveness. Comparisons can be made to Alice in Wonderland, but this book is highly original, compelling, and above all free of modern influences that some might say are a bad influence on our modern day child. It's a book difficult to find on a bookshelf, but available second-hand on Amazon. The good news is that the second book in this series is even better and possibly the 'perfect' story for an important message. Find out more about this book below. Children who read this series in Year 5 will able to make a Toots Top Trump Set in the summer term during art and ICT lessons. 'Toots has the makings of a modern classic' Sandi Toksvig
Recommended by : Mr Whiting (14.1.09) Title: Toots Upside-Down Again by Carol Hughes A truly brilliant and charming book that MUST be read! What can I say about this book? It is a story that plays with your imagination with the same colour and innocence of Alice in Wonderland. Toots is timeless and brings out the child in everyone. Suitable for boys as well as girls. Read about the third 'Toots' book soon. |
May I introduce to Fred the teddy bear. He has been a friend of Mr. Whiting's for some years now and can be found on the bookcase in 5W.
Something from Mr. W's bookshelf...
Recommended by : Lucia (WC 17.11.08)
