The Dartmoor Bookworm

I read this with a student (Home Ed) that I teach. The story is about Alve (Alfie) who is 1000 years old. He is befriended by Aiden and Roxy who at first don’t believe him but there’s something different about this 11 year old that doesn’t quite make sense. From his knowledge of historical events, to the way he speaks. After a fire destroys his home and what little family he has, he gets put into care and has to rely on Aiden and Roxy to help him lead a normal life and finally grow up normally.  This book is amazingly well written and left so many questions that we were desperate to discover the answers to. We couldn’t put the book down and wanted to continue reading it just to find out the how’s and why. Lots of twists and turns, and lots of adventure to keep anyone happy.  Recommended for good readers in year 5 and above.  5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Some books grip you, others don't. Some take me for ever to read and some I can plough through in a couple of evenings. This book I put in my amazon wish list and I published it on the Acts of Kindness UK group on Facebook, if you haven't seen it go and have a look, there's lots of loveliness out there in a world of such uncertainty at the moment. I received it in the post from someone I know (but not very well) and it was lovely to receive it. The story is written from the perspective of Tally (Natalia) an 11 year old with Autism who is about to start secondary school. It includes diary entries written by Libby Scott who is also autistic and sheds a real light into what it is like living with the condition. The story goes through the every day life of an autistic child, the things they face, the emotions and anxiety that goes through their heads constantly. This is put across as Tally' experiences, that no one likes her, that she's different from everyone e...

I've been reading this book with a student this term.  I chose it for him after the good reviews I had seen about it.  He's not a reader and has Autism so most of the book was read to him but he listened well and we enjoyed the story together, doing written work based on it as we went. The story line is great, really exciting stuff of about 9-12 years old. Four children are returning from the Amazon when their plane crashes into the jungle killing the pilot.  Their only way to help themselves is to find a way of escape. The story follows the children as they fight for survival, firstly on their own and later in the book after meeting "The Explorer", it is an adventure story with danger around every corner.  We loved some of the things they got up to (the bees, the raft ride) and really enjoyed the whole book. The characters were likeable, Fred, Con and Lila were really relatable, we could image children that age being exactly as they were described, Max howe...

Claire's theme for June was a really gorgeous one and one of my favourite books from my childhood, "The Secret Garden," it was as always beautifully thought out and the box was so exciting to receive. As always I opened it on my own, with a cup of tea and took the time to enjoy every little item as I opened them. As always Claire wraps everything in tissue paper (pink) and everything is neatly packed inside the box. So what was inside this month? First off we have some lovely flowery stickers, a cute fabric button badge, and some washi tape (also floral). There is a little craft project for you to make, with everything you need to make it. This time it's how to make a paper flower. Then we have three art prints, i really love these this month and they'd look great framed somewhere in the house. Two are prints and the third is one to colour! Then we have notecards and gift tags - all matching and floral - these are lovely! ...

I couldn’t resist. Having started reading this in school with a year 9 child I was too impatient to wait to read it together.  I held out for quite some time, but on realising that we wouldn’t finish reading it before half term I pressed ahead. This book is aimed at young adults/ pre teens/ key stage two children and is suitable for all of them. (And adults too!).  The story as I’m sure you are aware is about August Pullman, a ten year old boy, who was born with a facial deformity. He had up until then been home schooled by his mother but she felt that he was ready for proper school at the start of fifth grade. The story follows August’s first year at school, the friendships he creates and the bullies that torment him. It also follows and dips into the views and perspectives of other close to him, his sister Via, his new best friend Jack, Via’s friend Miranda and Via’s boyfriend Justin, as well as Summer another friend he has made at school. I like the fact the the ...

I love Swallows and Amazons, like properly love it. It takes me right back to being a child and the carefree summers we had. I use to run wild at the beach house, up and down the cliff, on the beach, late nights swims, beach bonfires, my child hood was idyllic and I was very lucky to have the beach house. I still am. Summers also c onsisted of watching Huckleberry Finn on telly whilst eating breakfast. It’s funny what you remember, isn’t it. Swallows and Amazons was part of my child hood. I loved the film (1974 version) and the fact it was so close to the book. If only we’d had a little sailing dingy and an island my summers would have been perfect.  I decided to read Peter Duck having not read any other of the series of book. I borrowed it from the library and I have to admit I’ve really struggled with it. It’s just not the same. The characters are all there, including Captain Flint, but the Peter Duck character with his pirate talk just really annoyed me. It kind of lost the ...

I Wonder... How many of you have read the book or seen the film? The reviews I have to admit are good and it's a book that I've wanted to read but haven't got around to getting it, until now. During the day I work at a small SEND school, teaching one to one to pupils with varying special educational needs. We have recently taken on a year 9 girl and I thought we might look at Wonder together as part of her English curriculum. She's not a reader (her words) but she likes being read to and will happily sit and listen. So I purchased the book, my only problem now is do I read it with her and wait or do I read the whole story over the weekend. Then I can let myself watch the film. Which do you prefer the film or book? Should I wait?