Resources
Michael Rosen introduces The Missing - Author Video and Teachers' Notes
A personal, powerful and resonant account of the Holocaust by one of this country’s best-loved children’s authors. By turns charming, shocking and heart-breaking, this is the true story of Michael Rosen’s search for his relatives who “went missing” during the Second World War – told through prose, poetry, maps and pictures. When Michael was growing up, stories often hung in the air about his great-uncles: one was a clock-mender and the other a dentist. They were there before the war, his dad...
February 2018 children's and young people booklist - Wonder Women *reshare*
February 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Representation of the People Act 1918 and to celebrate this we have created a list of some of our favourite books about inspirational women. The Representation of the People Act of 1918 granted the vote to certain women over the age of 30 – the first time women could vote! You can join in with the conversation online using #WonderWomenBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook.
March 2020 Children's and young people booklist - STREAM (British Science Week)
British Science Week takes place between 6-15 March 2020 – and to celebrate this we have created a themed booklist based on STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) topics. To help children learn more about STREAM topics, our list has a fun mix of picture books, suggestions for children in Key Stage 2 and books for young people (13+). You can join in with the conversation online using #STREAMBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and...
The Good Hawk by Joseph Elliott - discussion guide and author video
If everything was taken from you, what would you do to get it back? Agatha patrols the sea wall with pride, despite those in her clan who question her right to be there, because of the condition she was born with. Jaime is a reluctant Angler, full of self-doubt and afraid of the sea. When disaster strikes, the pair must embark on a terrifying journey to a land where forgotten magic and dark secrets lurk in every shadow… Thrilling and dark, yet rich with humour and compassion, this novel marks...
Climate Change booklist
This month we’re travelling to alternative worlds, and worlds that don’t seem too different from our own with our climate change booklist. Full of fiction and non-fiction, this list will get you thinking about how you can make a positive impact on the world.
February 2020 Children's and young people booklist - Climate Change
The theme for our booklist this month are books based on climate change. To help children get a deeper understanding of the effects of climate change and this list has picture books, suggestions for children in Key Stage 2 and books for young people (13+). You can join in with the conversation online using #ClimateChangeBooklist and tagging us using @readingagency on Twitter and @SummerReadingChallengeUK on Facebook.
Reading Guide for Jane Austen's Emma
Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of EMMA. Handsome, clever and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless “queen bee” without rivals in her sleepy little English town. In this glittering satire of social class, Emma must navigate her way through the challenges of growing up, misguided matches and romantic missteps to realize the love that has been there all along. Please find a Reading Resources for...
The Maker of Monsters by Lorraine Gregory - activity pack
Brat has always lived in the isolated castle on the island, taking care of the vicious creatures that his master creates, waiting in terror for the moment when they are ready to be put to use. But then the unthinkable happens. The monsters get out. Now Brat must overcome his fears, and venture into the world he has hidden from his whole life. For the fate of everyone rests on his shoulders alone…
Me and Mister P by Maria Farrer - Reading notes, discussion ideas and activities
There are times when only a polar bear will do… So Mum and Dad have decided we’re moving house, but not just down the road, not even in the same town… not even in the same COUNTRY! Not only that, but now they expect me to try and fit in and make new friends. Don’t they understand that I just want my old friends who love and accept me the way I am—bad jokes and all. It would seem that the only friend I CAN make is this enormous POLAR BEAR who has come to stay. I didn’t ask for him, but I ended...
The Last Spell Breather by Julie Pike - Ideas for discussion and activities
In this stunning fantasy story, enter the unique world of the Spell Breathers! Spell breathing does not come naturally to Rayne—she hates the hours of practice, the stacks of scrolls, and the snapping mud devils that cover her mother’s precious spell book. But it is spell breathing that keeps her village safe from the dreaded monster curse that plagues their world. It is ancient powerful magic, but as Rayne learns to her horror, it is also fragile. In one clumsy move, the magic that keeps...
The Viper's Daughter by Michelle Paver - activity pack
A boy. A wolf. The legend lives on. Viper’s Daughter is the seventh book in the award-winning series that began with Wolf Brother, selling over 3 million copies in 36 territories. It can be read as a standalone story. For two summers Torak and Renn have been living in the Forest with their faithful pack-brother, Wolf. But their happiness is shattered when Renn realizes Torak is in danger – and she’s the threat. When she mysteriously disappears, Torak and Wolf brave the Far North to find her....
Alex Rider 20th Anniversary - Teachers' Notes
CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLING SERIES! Encourage pupils to become READING SPIES and to take their writing to the next level with the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz – suitable for children ages 9+. The pack is aimed at developing descriptive and creative writing at KS2/3, including exploring different genres, writing strong lead characters, devising mission files, developing settings, and creating pacey stories.
The Monster Writing (A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness) - guide
Walker Books have an exciting creative writing challenge called THE MONSTER CHALLENGE. ‘Stories are important. Stories can be more important than anything. If they carry the truth.’ Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls Are you a young person with a passion for telling stories? Do you feel the itch to grab a notebook and pen to respond to the world around you? Or do you know a young person aged 10-25 who loves creative writing? We are looking for the boldest, bravest and most creative short stories,...
BBC The Novels that Shaped our World A3 Poster
Download this empty belly poster to use in your library to promote the BBC The Novels that Shaped Our World.
BBC The Novels that Shaped our World A4 Poster
A4 poster Download this empty belly poster to use in your library to promote the BBC The Novels that Shaped Our World.
Books of the Year 2019
It’s been another fantastic year full of books and we’re delighted to present our Books of the Year list for 2019. Our staff have chosen their top recommendations of new books from the year and we hope that you’ll be inspired to borrow at least one of them from the library or buy a copy for yourself. Let us know your favourites using #BooksOfTheYear on social media.
The Reading Agency Books 2019 - Children and young people booklist
Every year, the staff at The Reading Agency enjoy picking and sharing our favourite books for children and young people. We have three booklists of the books we have loved the most from 2019: picture and illustrated books, books for children at primary school (middle grade) and for young people aged 13+. You can share your picks of the year and join in with our conversations online using #BooksoftheYear and tagging @readingagency.
In the Key of Code by Aimee Lucido - Teacher's Notes
An original, inventive and heart-warming novel about a lonely new girl and an unlikely friendship formed in a school coding club, that will appeal to fans of Sarah Crossan. When twelve-year-old Emmy’s musical family moves to California so her dad can take a job with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Emmy has never felt more out of tune. But when she ends up in a computer science club, she finds that she can understand code through a language she is familiar with: music. Slowly, Emmy makes...
Goodnight Starry by D'Arcy Lewis – Ignite children’s love of the Solar System
Goodnight Starry is a beautiful picture book for little stargazers aged 3-6 years. Saying goodnight to each member of the Earth’s family in the Solar System, children will discover how very different and special each one is. Humorously written and beautifully illustrated, Goodnight Starry is the perfect goodnight story to ignite a little one’s love of the planets, moons, stars and space. Each page of Goodnight Starry introduces at least four key learning points about the Planets in our Solar...
Non-fiction November 2019
It’s November which means that we’re looking back at some of our favourite non-fiction titles from the past year. We think these books are fascinating, offering unique and interesting perspectives into a huge variety of topics.
November 2019 Children's and young people booklist - Anti-Bullying
This year’s Anti-Bullying Week theme is Change Starts With Us and will be happening from Monday 11 November – Friday 15 November 2019. To help children get a deeper understanding of the effects of bullying and to start conversations on the topic, we have created a booklist for children and young people. The list has six picture books, six suggestions for children in Key Stage 2 and six books for young people (13+). You can join in with the conversation online using #AntiBullyingWeekBooklist...
The Starless Sea Book Club Kit
A reading group guide and party pack for The Starless Sea, the long-awaited new novel from the author of The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern. This kit includes reading group questions, author Q&A, wordsearch, invitations, templates and more.
The First Christmas Jumper by Ryan Tubridy - Read Along Trailer
The First Christmas Jumper Ryan Tubridy loves Christmas jumpers. He loves them so much he wrote this book – the story of the very first Christmas jumper. It’s got sheep, jelly babies, tractors, Santa Claus, Christmas elves and a LOT of sheep puns… Ewe will love it! The story of the very first Christmas jumper and the multi-coloured sheep that started it all! There are two things you need to know about Hillary the sheep. One – Unlike her typical white or brown friends, Hillary’s wool is all...
The First Christmas Jumper by Ryan Tubridy - animated trailer
The First Christmas Jumper Ryan Tubridy loves Christmas jumpers. He loves them so much he wrote this book – the story of the very first Christmas jumper. It’s got sheep, jelly babies, tractors, Santa Claus, Christmas elves and a LOT of sheep puns… Ewe will love it! The story of the very first Christmas jumper and the multi-coloured sheep that started it all! There are two things you need to know about Hillary the sheep. One – Unlike her typical white or brown friends, Hillary’s wool is all...
NaNoWriMo - Debut Novels of 2019
November is National Novel Writing Month, when thousands of novelist around the world focus on their writing. If you’re getting involved and need some inspiration to write your first novel, check out our list of some of our favourite debuts from 2019.
Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht and Jarvis - a book trailer
Pick a pumpkin from the patch – tall and lean or short and fat. Vivid orange, ghostly white, or speckled green, might be just right… Illustrated by the winner of the V&A Best Illustrated Book 2017 It’s Halloween! Which means it’s time to dangle cobwebs and bats from the windows, put on costumes, and – most important of all – visit the pumpkin patch and pick out that perfect pumpkin! Then cart it home, scoop out the insides, carve a scary face, and finally light a candle inside,...
Football School by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton - series trailer
A groundbreaking new series from two bestselling writers that teaches you about the world through football. The first book is packed with awesome true stories, real science and fascinating facts and will make you laugh loads. When do footballers poo? Can you play football on Mars? What is a magic sponge? You will find the answers to these questions and more in chapters on subjects such as history, geography, biology and maths. Illustrated throughout with hilarious cartoons and filled with...
Madame Badobedah By Sophie Dahl and Lauren O'Hara - a reading with Sophie Dahl
A timeless story celebrating friendship and imagination, from an exciting new voice in children’s literature. Mabel lives with her parents in The Mermaid Hotel, by the sea. Mabel likes to keep an eye on the comings and goings of all the guests. Then one day a particularly in-ter-est-ing old lady comes to stay. There is something very suspicious about her, with her growly voice and her heavy trunks and her beady-eyed tortoise. And why does no one know her REAL name? There can only be one...
Madame Badobedah By Sophie Dahl and Lauren O'Hara - author video
Madame Badobedah is a timeless story celebrating friendship and imagination, from an exciting new voice in children’s literature. Mabel lives with her parents in The Mermaid Hotel, by the sea. Mabel likes to keep an eye on the comings and goings of all the guests. Then one day a particularly in-ter-est-ing old lady comes to stay. There is something very suspicious about her, with her growly voice and her heavy trunks and her beady-eyed tortoise. And why does no one know her REAL name? There...
The Somerset Tsunami by Emma Carroll - activity pack
A sinking boat. A girl in disguise. A disappearing sea. When Fortune Sharpe carves a boat from a tree with her beloved brother, Gem, she’s only having a bit of fun. But now is not the time for a girl to be drawing attention to herself. She is sent away to find work dressed as a boy. Luckily a rich manor house is hiring. Yet Barrow Hill’s inhabitants harbour dangerous secrets of their own, the suspicious owner is hunting for witches, and the house itself is a little too close to the...
