Park Lane Primary School's Recommended Reads

Mrs Joseph’s Recommended Read

Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a beautiful, inspirational novel which paints a picture of the world we live in through the eyes of a little boy called Auggie who has always been treated differently because he was born with a facial deformity that prevents him from going to public school. He gets called names and finds friends and enemies, but in the end, he is awarded a standing ovation, literally and symbolically. Wonder reminds children that we are not all created equal and some of us are born with serious physical and/or mental challenges that are permanent. It is also written with appropriate humor and light touch. This is a wonderful story for all of us.

 

Miss Mohamed’s Recommended Read

I would like to recommend Avocado Baby by John Buringham.  I love this book because it is funny and educational. It teaches us about the importance of healthy eating. The book is about a weak baby who refuses to eat anything. One day he eats a mysterious avocado that has magically appeared in the fruit bowl and gets super powers!

 

Miss South’s Recommended Read

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (and the rest of the series) by J.K Rowling has always been a very special book to me. When I was younger my Mum read me all the books from the series and I have the most amazing memories of us sitting together enjoying the magic! I feel it's a book that needs little introduction but wish only for you all to experience the same magic as I did in my childhood. Happy reading and Expelliarmus!

 

Miss Hunter’s Recommended Read

Tiddler by Julia Donaldson has always been an all time favourite of mine!  Every day, Tiddler is late for school, and every day he has another tall tale for his teacher. Did he really ride a seahorse? Did he really meet a mermaid? And who will believe him when he really does get captured in a net? A story with lots of imagination and lessons to be learnt. A fun and exciting ready every time you open the book. 

 

Miss Jama’s Recommended Read

The Closest Thing to Flying by Gill Lewis is a fantastic book that everyone should read. The story itself is compelling and empowering as it's filled with strong, brave female characters. The book also covers important topics such as suffrage, mental health and immigration. 

 

Miss Admani’s Recommended Read

The Considine Curse by Gareth P. Jones: Fourteen-year-old Mariel attends the funeral of her Grandmother in England with her mother, where she encounters seven very strange cousins whom she has never met.  As Mariel digs deeper into the past of the Considine family, she realises all of them are hiding a dark and extraordinary secret. 

I love the characters, the children all have their distinct personalities, which really shine through.  This book is a highly enjoyable fast-paced mystery that mixes modern day children and their problems with an ancient family curse.

 

Mrs Adu-Aryee’s Recommended Read

My favourite book is The Twits by Roald Dahl.  I chose this book because it's very funny and intriguing.  You see the other side of family life which is interesting.

 

 

Miss Edusei’s Recommended Read

My book recommendation for KS2 is  The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf.  This heartwarming story is one of my favourites!  It is told from a child's perspective and follows a friendship between him and new refugee child, Ahmet, to his class.  It opens fantastic discussions about the refugee crisis and the importance of friendship and kindness in the world. It also helps explain issues with discrimination and how we can promote equality.  I truly believe every child (and adult) should read this book. 

 

Mrs Faryabi’s Recommended Read

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe is one of my favourite books and I would recommend it for you all to read.  This book has an inspiring story and stunningly beautiful illustrations.  The book is a classic treasure of traditional literature.  It is a tale of two sisters, Manyara and Nyasha – Mufaro’s beautiful daughters.  Whilst both beautiful on the outside, these sisters are very different on the inside.  Manyara is a mean and prideful sister whereas Nyasha is kind and humble.  Their father calls them to journey through the land to the King in hope of becoming his bride.  They are faced with challenges along the way and the sisters respond to these challenges in different ways, leading only one to the King.

This remarkable tale and its beautiful illustrations create a wonderful masterpiece for all to enjoy.  This multicultural book teachers the importance of kindness and humility but also being brave, while showing the reader a part of another culture and language.  This would be a great addition to any home library.

 

 

Mrs Koleva’s Recommended Read

My recommended read is Once by Morris Gleitzman.  Once is a heart-wrenching, funny, haunting novel about the Holocaust, as witnessed through the eyes of a Jewish boy and told through his innocent childish perspective.

This book was recommended to me by a child in Year 6 a while ago and I could not put it down until I finished it in one day. A real page-turner!

 

 

Miss Merrigan’s Recommended Read

I recommend Beware, Killer Tomatoes! by Jeremy Strong.  It is a hilarious book that will definitely have you laughing your socks off, along with a great plot. You will want to read the whole book in one sitting to find out what happens to clumsy Jack.

 

Mrs Parveen’s Recommended Reads

Michael Murpurgo is an all-time favourite author in Year 6. His stories are original, imaginative and always leave the reader wanting to read more.

Kensuke's Kingdom tells the story of a boy, Michael, who is lost at sea after his family decide to sail around the world.

On his voyage, Michael is left stranded on an island after the weather turns perilous and heavy storm swallows the ship. Surprised to be alive, he discovers he is on an island with someone watching him. After several attempts to go home. Michael gives up. Homesick, hungry and desperate he wants to return home but sees no hope.

After a terrible incident, he is rescued by Kensuke and then on the relationship he forms with Kensuke will move you to tears.

 

Mrs Patel’s Recommended Reads

I would recommend the story of The Lion Inside by Rachel Bright; it is a story about a little mouse who is always forgotten about and ignored by the other animals.  Through the funny rhyming language, we see how the little mouse tries to be more like the lion by looking for his ‘roar.' The book has lovely illustrations and gives a wonderful message that we all have a ‘lion’ inside of us and that we just have to find it. The lion inside is a great story for helping children to find their confidence and self-esteem and believe in themselves.​

 

Miss Hylton’s Recommended Reads

I am recommending Luna Loves to Dance by Joseph Coelho because it is a delightful story which  shows and teaches young children that with perseverance and determination, they can overcome setbacks and follow their dreams.