Walter Tull Scrapbook by Michaela Morgan

Review by Alex.

Learn about a hero of the past as you find out about Walter Tull in this amazing book. If you have an obsession with football in World War 1, then this is the book for you.

It starts when Walter was a kid. His Mum died and his Dad died from a heart attack, so he and his Brother and sisters went to an orphanage. He became the first black footballer and the first black officer in the army.

I've read it and gave it 8.5/10 but what do you think?
 

Message from John Dougherty

Dear everyone,

Hello!

I've never been a Patron of Reading before. Not many people have - it's quite a new idea, you know. I suppose that means you've never had a Patron of Reading, either, so it's a new experience for both of us. Well, all of us - I'm assuming there's more than just one of you.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to getting to know you and your school. I've had a look at your book blog, and I hope you'll have a look at my website and maybe read some of my books, so that we'll know a bit about one another by the time I come to visit you. I've got some ideas about how what I can do as your Patron of Reading, but maybe some of you will have some ideas too. Please let me know!

Right - I've got a book to finish writing before the end of the month, so I'd better get back to work. I'm really looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Very best wishes

John Dougherty

Patron Of Reading- John Dougherty

Very exciting news! The children’s author, John Dougherty, has agreed to become our school’s ‘Patron Of Reading’. It is a great new idea that will hopefully get everyone in school reading lots more books!

John will be visiting the school in a few weeks to work with all the classes. He will also let us know what he's up to by sending us emails and video messages. We will get to find out about the new books he is writing, and what books he loves reading. John also writes lots of poems and songs. You can find out more about John at his website.

He will be putting a message up here very soon, so watch out for it! If you have a question for John, post it on the blog below and he'll make sure you get an answer.

John Dougherty

 

Some of John's books

Blue Peter book awards

The children of West Earlham Junior School are extremely excited at being one of only ten schools in the whole country chosen to judge this year’s Blue Peter Book Awards. Over forty children from Year 5 and 6 are currently working their way through the amazing list of books, getting ready to vote for their favourites at the end of February. The results will be announced live on Blue Peter in March. The shortlists are below- it's going to be an extremely tough choice! To learn more about the awards, visit the Blue Peter website.

Best story shortlist

Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes

In extraordinary circumstances people are capable of extraordinary things. It is 1944 and Nazi German forces have occupied Florence in Italy.  The Italian resistance movement has not given up hope and neither have Paolo and his sister, Constanza.  Both are desperate to fight the occupation, but what can two siblings do against a whole army with only a bicycle to help them?
 

The Boy who Swam with Piranhas by David Almond

Stanley Potts is just an ordinary boy, but when all the jobs in Fish Quay disappear, his Uncle Ernie develops an extraordinary fascination with canning fish.  Suddenly their home is filled with the sound of clanging machinery and the stench of mackerel. 

Uncle Ernie's obsession reaches such heights that he would even can Stan's beloved goldfish!  Stan, however, has his own destiny which leads him to the famous Pancho Pirelli, the blue-caped madman who swims with piranhas.  As Stan delves into the waters, he finally discovers who he really can be.
 

Tom Gates: Genius Ideas (Mostly) by L. Pichon

It’s nearly time for the school Sports Day and everyone is getting very competitive. Tom’s teacher, the beady-eyed Mr Fullerman, is desperate for his class to win their race and has them all practicing hard. Even Tom’s dad has started training like mad for the Dads' Race – but does he have to do so in BLUE CYCLING SHORTS?!  And speaking of embarrassing family members – why on earth is Delia’s hair bright green?

Poor Tom would much rather be playing the guitar with his band, Dog Zombies. The school Talent Show is coming up, and he is desperate to become a proper rock star.  But will they actually get a chance to play this time or will Tom’s plans be thwarted by the measly Marcus Meldrew?  Find out in the fourth book of the multi-award-winning Tom Gates series!

Best book with facts shortlist

Horrible Science: House of Horrors by Nick Arnold and Tony De Saulles.Is your bedroom clean or messy?  Are you a slob or a clean-freak?  However you feel about cleaning your room, this book will have you running for cover when you find out about what lives in your carpet! House of Horrors, the latest in the Horrible Science series of books, lifts the lid on the disgusting details of domestic life and even features a pouch of squishy realistic- looking maggots on the front cover…  Yuck!
 

Fantastic Mr Dahl by Michael Rosen,

Every book fan knows the work of Roald Dahl.  From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to The Twits, Fantastic Mr Fox and George’s Marvellous Medicine, his books have entertained generations of readers.  But just how did Mr. Dahl get into writing and where did he get his ideas from?

Michael Rosen - poet, radio presenter and former Children's Laureate, answers these and many more questions in his biography of the world's number 1 storyteller.  Full of funny stories from Roald Dahl's school days and family life, the book creates a vivid picture of one of the most  famous children's writers of all time.
 

Walter Tull’s Scrapbook by Michaela Morgan 

The true story of Walter Tull: star footballer and war hero.  When he joined the Footballers' Battalion during the First World War, Tull’s leadership and courage won him a commission and a recommendation for the Military Cross.  However, Walter wasn't just a great footballer and British officer.  He was also black, at a time when the rulebook stated that only white men could become army officers.

From Walter's childhood in an orphanage, through his footballing years at Tottenham Hotspur, to the Western Front; this fictionalized scrapbook uses actual photos, documents and records from the time, to bring alive a man who lived outside the limitations of his age.  

George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl

This is a book about a boy called George who lives wih his family, including his mean Grandma. She is always unkind to George when his parents go out. George decides to make a nasty medicine for his Grandma and puts in a whole list of revolting things, including shampoo, brown paint and animal pills. Grandma takes the medicine and starts to grow to a ridiculous size.

 

I liked this book because it had a good adventure and was funny. My favourite bit was when the medicine went wrong and Grandma shrunk so much that she disappeared. I think that this book would be enjoyed by people who like Roald Dahl and funny books. Other Roald Dahl books you might like are Matilda, Fantastic Mr Fox and Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

Reviewed by Alisha.

Demon Hunter (an iHorror book)

Reviewed by Darcey and Ben. H

This book is a hit book in the series of iHorror adventures. This is a 'choose your fate, fight your fears' adventure. In order to survive you must pass difficult challenges. You might face choices that your life depends on. This book is rated for ages 9-15. Our favourite parts are when you have to either shoot yourself or let the whole town die.

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid (The Ugly Truth) by Jeff Kinney

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid (The Ugly Truth) is a great book, because it has humour and not many books have that! Also Diary Of A Wimpy Kid has many sequels.

Here's the blurb!

Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all is cracked up to be? Suddenly Greg is dealing with pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older. And after a big fight with his best friend Rowley,it looks like Greg is going to have to face the "Ugly Truth" all by himself...

Wasn't that a descriptive blurb? Usually it's just a few lines, and ruins the whole story.