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Book Band: Grey Ideal for ages 8+ | Maxx the alien is sent to earth to study humans and specifically to learn about their feelings. His education comes on in leaps and bounds when he makes a human friend, Jibreel. The two have fun together, but there are real worries and sadnesses in Jibreel’s life too – he’s a refugee and is separated from his mother, and to a group of boys in his class, he’s the ‘alien’. Fortunately, Maxx is there to apply his other-worldly logic to the problem. Zanib Mian has a real gift for comedy and dialogue too and this is extremely funny, while at the same time it makes some very serious points. In the new Bloomsbury Readers series, the story is perfect for children growing reading confidence and understanding, with short chapters and frequent illustrations. A separate ‘Reading Zone’ section at the end lists discussion points and also encourages readers to think about the book’s narrative structure.
Level 1 - National Geographic Kids Reader | Published in the UK by Collins, the National Geographic Kids Readers are a valuable resource for classroom and library collections. Beautifully designed and produced, with clear text boxes and layout, interactive features such as quizzes and benefiting, of course, from the superb photography that the parent magazine is renowned for. Each book has been carefully levelled against Book Bands and all have the key information text features such as index, contents and glossary, making them very useful for guided reading. But their main appeal is in the genuinely engaging writing and the sound research behind every title. Many children prefer to read information books about the real world and with attractive, appealing texts like these it is no wonder!
Level 1 - National Geographic Kids Reader | Published in the UK by Collins, the National Geographic Kids Readers are a valuable resource for classroom and library collections. Beautifully designed and produced, with clear text boxes and layout, interactive features such as quizzes and benefiting, of course, from the superb photography that the parent magazine is renowned for. Each book has been carefully levelled against Book Bands and all have the key information text features such as index, contents and glossary, making them very useful for guided reading. But their main appeal is in the genuinely engaging writing and the sound research behind every title. Many children prefer to read information books about the real world and with attractive, appealing texts like these it is no wonder!
Reading Planet KS2 – The Finney Island Files: Alien Invasion – Level 1: Stars/Lime band | The Finney Island File: Alien Invasion is part of the Rising Stars Reading Planet reading scheme for children in KS2. This is the first in a series of titles featuring Ash, his sister and mad-cap scientist Aunt Emmy as they battle the aliens that have taken over the quiet and boring life of residents on Finney Island. The book is both funny and adventurous and will appeal to both boys and girls. Banded at Lime level, this book is suitable for children making steps toward independent reading at the beginning of KS2. The chapter-book format is interspersed with plentiful illustrations to support comprehension, and the high interest-level of the book also makes it suitable for readers with a higher chronological age but lower reading ability. As with all the books in this series, a set of comprehension questions are provided to check understanding, which is always useful for teachers looking for meaningful post-reading activities.
Read with Oxford Stage 1 is for children who are ready to start learning to read. KS1 - Age 3-4 | In this Read with Oxford Stage 1: Biff, Chip and Kipper collection, children can play a game of 'I Spy' with Kipper, join in with the family's silly races and find out what happens on a trip to the seaside! This collection contains two Phonics books and three Stories for Wider Reading that are ideal for children taking their first steps in reading. There are tips for parents and fun activities throughout the book for you and your child to enjoy together. Biff, Chip, Kipper and Floppy the dog are the well-loved characters from Oxford Reading Tree, used in 80% of primary schools. With exciting stories, humorous illustrations, tips for parents and after-reading activities, this series is the perfect companion from your child's very first steps in phonics all the way to reading independence.
Read with Oxford Stage 3 is for children who are becoming more confident in their reading. KS1 Age 4-5 | In this Read with Oxford: Stage 3: Biff, Chip and Kipper collection, children can have a Chinese meal with Wilma, discover a city made out of ice and look for eagles in the mountains with Biff! This collection contains two Phonics books and two Stories for Wider Reading that are ideal for children who are growing in reading confidence. There are tips for parents and fun activities throughout the book for you and your child to enjoy together.
Read with Oxford Stage 3 is for children who are becoming more confident in their reading. KS1 Age 4-5 | Find out about stinky flowers and giant trees, discover the amazing ways creatures use tricks to hide or find food, and sort fact from fiction in the animal quiz. Explore the fantastic nature all around you in this fascinating collection of six Read with Oxford non-fiction texts, ideal for children who are growing in reading confidence. This collection includes six enjoyable non-fiction texts designed to get your child thinking about the wonders of the natural world from animals that disguise themselves as other animals to fish that can fly!
Read with Oxford Stage 2 is for children who are able to read very simple stories - KS1 | Find out about exotic plants, explore beautiful beaches and see the world through an animal's eyes. Explore our wonderful world in this fascinating collection of seven Read with Oxford non-fiction texts, ideal for children who are developing early reading skills. This collection includes seven enjoyable non-fiction texts designed to tap into your child's interest and pleasure in the wonderful world around us. Packed full of incredible facts, with full-colour photos and artwork. The texts are phonics-based and have been specially written so that your child can read them for themselves. Tips for parents and fun after-reading activities help you to get the most out of the texts. Featuring much-loved characters, great authors, engaging storylines and fun activities,
Reading Planet - Under a Parrot Sky - Level 6: Fiction (Jupiter) | Under a Parrot Sky is included in the Rising Stars Reading Planet reading scheme at the Blue A level. Keen wildlife photographer, Lily, is disappointed when instead of heading to South Africa for a holiday, her parents take her on a work trip to Norway. Unhappy that she’ll be unable to photograph the abundant and colourful animals of South Africa, Lily reluctantly attempts to join in with the life of her Norwegian hosts. This does not go well, and Lily finds herself isolated in an unfamiliar and unwelcoming new world. Eventually, she discovers that the wilderness of Norway is home to a host of magnificent creatures and so she sets-off to explore its wonders on her own. Disaster strikes when Lily falls into a deep snow drift, far from her hosts’ home and without anyone knowing her whereabouts. Under a Parrot Sky is a story about difference and learning to get along with people from unfamiliar backgrounds. It takes the reader on a journey to the Arctic Circle, introducing them to the natural wonders of this wilderness environment, including the Northern Lights. In keeping with the rest of the books in this series, Under a Parrot Sky includes a set of comprehension questions for readers to complete after reading. There is also an author’s note outlining the inspiration for the story and prompts to encourage readers to further research the Northern Lights and other aspects of the story. A most enjoyable addition to the Reading Planet reading scheme.
Book Band: Brown Ideal for ages 7+ | Polly Ho-Yen’s story presents readers with big questions about life and what’s really important to us. Mae suffers from severe asthma and often needs to make frightening dashes to the hospital with her parents. It’s on one of these occasions that she notices a strange black hole opening – it leads to a parallel universe, one where she doesn’t have asthma. That’s not the only thing that’s different however, and Mae has a decision to make about whether being asthma free is worth the other things that would change. In the new Bloomsbury Readers series, this story is written specifically for children growing reading confidence and understanding, with short chapters and frequent illustrations. The telling is simple, effective and guaranteed to catch and hold children’s attention, while the issues the story raises are complex and important, certain to prompt discussion (and there’s a list of questions to put to children at the end to help with this).
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2021 | Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Rights of the Child and the amazing children who have stood up for them all over the world.
Independent Reading 12 | Samir and his brother Ali live with their Gran in the vibrant community of Rainbow Street, Amman in Jordan. Samir is fascinated by birds and starts each day with feeding the sparrows on the balcony outside his bedroom and is inspired to learn more about birds of all kinds. He is very envious to hear that Gran’s father had a beautiful falcon of his own. This gives Gran an idea and she finds the perfect present for Samir at the local market: a beautiful falcon kite to fly high over the city. Part of the Reading Champion series to support independent reading, this delightful story is aimed at Key Stage Two readers who are working at Book Band Black 12 in class and gives them an opportunity to practise those skills and develop confidence and enjoyment. A Write It Yourself challenge suggests they use story mapping techniques and the sort of descriptive phrases that have brought Rainbow Street to life. This evocative, colourful story will transport young readers to a different place and the useful discussion questions at the back of the book will encourage them to think about the similarities and differences in their own lives.
