@LucyAnnUnwin I think you did the politics very sensitively - yes, it was obvious which party Natalie’s family were rooting for, without it being explicit, but the other party and their supporters were not demonised.

@PrimarySchoolBC @LucyAnnUnwin @publishinguclan #PrimarySchoolBookClub📚 A2b I think with a Y6 class, old enough to really get into that slightly tunnel-vision passionate stage, you could go passion project crazy. I teach younger pupils who are still in the very anxious to do it right stage and they need more structure.

@PrimarySchoolBC @LucyAnnUnwin @publishinguclan #PrimarySchoolBookClub📚 A2a I was a reserved little bookworm of a child and I learned about the world and different types of relationships etc through the books I read. The realism of this book, accompanied by a healthy dose of wackiness, is beautifully pitched.

@LucyAnnUnwin I am a little sister and have a huge soft spot for affectionate and slightly needy little sisters and for loving, kind, big sisters who try hard, but sometimes get frustrated and mess up - echoes of my own childhood relationship with my sister!

@PrimarySchoolBC @LucyAnnUnwin @publishinguclan #PrimarySchoolBookClub📚 A1 I loved it. I loved the relationship between the sisters, the developing friendships, the very realistic self-righteous frustrations felt by the pre-teen protagonist. And the seeds of positivity even in the gloomier sections. Thank you for this book!

@juliangough @SheenaDempsey This is so well put - and explains to me why there’s such a comparatively small range of books which are just right for my class. I’m definitely in the market for these in-between books (and will be looking at the recommendations at the end of this article).

@Mlle_Helen_D @StevenLenton @johngreenart @markbradleyart @jamiesmart @H_Muncaster @Lillustrator @TraceyCorderoy Thanks so much for the Wigglesbottom Primary recommendation. On the shelf a week ago, borrowed for the first time on Wednesday, returned today and two more borrowed by the same child and recommended to a friend who borrowed one too.

@mrjamesmayhew @PrimarySchoolBC Done! I was looking forward to this so much before it was published, ordered it through my favourite independent bookshop and when I went to pick it up, the bookseller handed it to me saying « this one’s just so beautiful! » and it really is.

@MrsHMacGregor @PrimarySchoolBC @alatkinson @Usborne Ooh, great question - I also got quite invested in some of the ghosts’ relationships.

@PrimarySchoolBC @alatkinson @Usborne A3 #PrimarySchoolBookClub📚 I’m imagining a series of different ghombie-type post-death villains. Are your master-baddies inspired by myth and legend or purely imagination and creativity?

@alatkinson @PrimarySchoolBC @Usborne Absolutely - there’s plenty of humour to the book, which tempers the scarier bits. You’re right to aim for balance. The breathing spaces in between will allow a young reader to be ready for the next dose of spooks!

@PrimarySchoolBC @alatkinson @Usborne A2b #PrimarySchoolBookClub📚 I actually like books best when curriculum links are incidental and subtle. Kids need to enjoy reading books for fun, not because they happen to fit with something they’re learning.

@PrimarySchoolBC @alatkinson @Usborne #PrimarySchoolBookClub📚 It feels very much like the first of many about the twins. I think my favourite aspect was the changing relationship between them and also between Indigo and her friends; it felt very human.

@jonnybid @RuddickRichard I attended this in the summer and have already put some extra things in place, invested in some recommended books, inspired our school librarian and some colleagues on reading ambassadors. Highly recommend!

@jamiesmart Part of my presentation of reading to the parents of my pupils at the start of the year includes a rave review of the value of graphic novels/comics to prevent them expressing these views to me (and hopefully to convince them). Right now 27/47 borrowed books are graphic novels.

@SheenaDempsey @PrimarySchoolBC @MrEPrimary @JamesFoxWriter We’re on day 2 of the new term, day 1 of it being on the shelf, because I was disorganised yesterday - it has already been borrowed!

@markbradleyart I even had to buy duplicates of Bumble and Snug because I teach two classes and one class complained that the other class had always borrowed them and they never got a turn. You are very well loved and read by my pupils, thank you so much!

@phlebasjon @johngreenart @markbradleyart @jamiesmart @H_Muncaster @Lillustrator @TraceyCorderoy @StevenLenton Definitely a good call. I have them already and they were one of the most popular last year, but this cohort don’t seem to have found them yet. I’ve just added the most recent one, the Ghostly Galleon, to my collection and put it in my display area so maybe that will help!

@JamesFoxWriter I thought the section when he was « found out » was very well portrayed. The range of reactions from others, through bullying and teasing, sarcasm to some glimpses of sympathy and understanding that Solo wasn’t ready or able to really appreciate.