SUMMER READING CHALLENGE 2019

The Summer Reading Challenge is back!

This annual event encourages children aged 4 to 11 to keep up their reading skills and so build their confidence.

 The Challenge? Finish reading 6 books of any genre from your local library before returning to school.

Every year there’s a different theme and for 2019 the  theme is Space Chase, an out-of-this-world adventure inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing.

Read on to discover our top list of children’s books that are bound to keep them hooked until the very last word.

OUR TOP PICKS

MATT HAIG – EVIE AND THE ANIMALS

 Best Selling author Matt Haig’s latest offering “Evie and the Animals” is a thoughtful, engaging novel about the perils of trying to fit in.

Eleven-year-old Evie has a talent. A SUPERTALENT.

A talent that can let her HEAR the thoughts of an elephant, and make friends with a dog and a sparrow.

The only problem is, this talent is dangerous. That’s what her dad says.

This story of a girl who tries to save the planet and discover who she is, has universal appeal.

The Times named it their Children’s Book of the Week and called it ‘a cracking adventure’.

ED CLARKE – THE SECRET DRAGON

Mari Jones is desperate to be a real scientist, even though she’s only eleven.

So when she discovers a tiny dragon while fossil hunting on the beach, she’s sure she can find a good scientific explanation, as long as she can keep it hidden long enough to study it.

A heartwarming tale of friendship and adventure perfect for little explorers  aged 8+.

The Secret Dragon offers a seamless blend of storytelling interwoven with science, a must for any aspiring Palaeontologist.

ONJALI RAUF – THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS

Winner of numerous awards including the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019 – this heart wrenching tale tackles the timely topic of the Syrian Refugee crisis.

When a new boy joins their class, a group of children try to befriend him.

They soon learn that Ahmet is a refugee and has been separated from his family.

None of the grown-ups seem to be able to help him, so the friends come up with a daring plan, embarking on an extraordinary adventure.

A story of friendship, hope and the importance of kindness, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a story full of heart and humour, told from a unique perspective.

BARBARA MITCHELHILL – SECRET SUFFRAGETTE

Daisy’s hero is Florence Nightingale, and she hopes to one day become a nurse just like her.

But as a girl growing up in the East End of London in 1912, it seems like all her future holds is dropping out of school to work in a factory for very little money.

Then Daisy meets the suffragettes, who are fighting for the rights of women and the poor.

They show her that she might be able to achieve her dreams after all.

Secret Suffragette is a great historical read for 9 – 11 year olds.

AND FOR OUR YOUNGER READERS

SIMON PHILIP – I REALLY WANT TO WIN

With Sports Day season among us – a sweet picture book on the importance of getting back up again should we fail – makes it into our Top 5.

From the author of I Really Want The Cake – this is a funny, joyful lesson in the art of resilience and how maybe sometimes, winning isn’t the only goal.

A must read for our readers aged 5 – 7.

Let us know what books you will be reading by following us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. And if we can help you with any of your educational needs over the summer don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

The Summer Reading Challenge launches July 13th.