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A year in children’s books 2018
As 2018 draws to a close, take a trip back through the year in books with the Class Book Review
And just like that, another year has flown by. And over the past 12 months, our expert book worms were busier than ever.
From beautiful picture books to mystical adventure reads, our class book reviewers delved into dystopian worlds, important parts of history, and even to outer space.
With so many to choose from, we’ve managed to narrow down our bumper-list to one book per month.
Here’s the Tes year in children’s books for 2018.
January
Sky Song
Author: Abi Elphinstone
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children’s UK
Details: 288pp, £6.99
ISBN: 9781471146077
Moving at breathtaking speed, this adventure is dark, thrilling and captivating.
Ultimately, it’s a story about acceptance and tolerance. We learn how easily divisions can occur when hate is brought into people’s lives.
Jo Clarke is school librarian at Whitchurch Church of England Primary in Hampshire
If this book was a drink it would be a bottle of Coke filled with Mentos that causes an eruption of magic and wonder when you lift the lid.
Edie, age 10
Sky Song is a wonderful story full of magic, hope and ice. It makes you feel part of your own tribe. I loved it!
Lucy, age 9
Read the full review here.
February
I Love You, Stick Insect
Author and illustrator: Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Details: 32pp, £12.99
ISBN: 9781408869925
My initial reaction to I Love You, Stick Insect was one of indifference. The pictures were cute but, for me, the story lacked substance, richness of language.
But it received a thumbs-up from all 30 children in the class. When it was put in the book corner, it became a popular choice to look at independently and share.
The book has a lot more potential than I originally assumed, and conceded that, once again, it was the pupils who proved to be the experts on what engages children in the literary world.
Megan Taddeo is Year 1 teacher at Netley Marsh CE Infant School in Southampton
Read the full review here.
March
Piecing Me Together
Author: Renée Watson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Details: 272pp, £7.99
ISBN: 9781408897348
Watson’s tale of Jade’s struggles is honest and genuine, and the author shows young people that they have a voice that should be heard - that needs to be heard - and that their voice has the power to make change. This is particularly poignant in today’s society.
Jodie Newsham is an English teacher at Ripley St Thomas C of E Academy
This book is an inspiring and compelling read about a girl who wants to be more than society expects of her. It contains the sad truth of racism and the offensiveness that comes with those prejudices, dealing with racial discrimination in an honest way.
Alyssa Leighton-Maudsley, Year 8
Read the full review here.
April
To the Edge of the World
Author: Julia Green
Publisher: OUP Children’s
Details: 240 pp, £6.99
ISBN: 9780192758453
Although it is nothing like Kensuke’s Kingdom or Swallows and Amazons, To the Edge of the World will appeal to children who have read them. It was a refreshing change and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is ideal for children in upper key stage 2. Green’s storytelling seems to improve book by book.
Robert Eves is assistant Sendco at St John’s Green Primary School, Colchester
You should read this story because it is extremely inspiring to follow your goals and dreams. You can make friends with whoever you want, even if you do get judged.
Sandra Wellahewage, Year 5
Read the full review here.
May
Planet Stan
Author: Elaine Wickson
Illustrator: Chris Judge
Publisher: OUP
Details: 240pp, £6.99
ISBN: 9780192759047
I can’t quite imagine teaching this as a class text, but the response from my Year 3 readers was very positive. They enjoyed the story and it created a great buzz: the copies are still circulating furiously because everyone in the class wants to read it.
Louisa Farrow is assistant headteacher and teaching and learning support lead at St Matthew’s C of E Primary School in Birmingham
The diagrams were really good. In the middle, it made me feel a bit annoyed because the idea of space makes me feel small and a bit confused because I don’t like space much. But I was happy at the end because it reminded me of my birthday because Stan gets his telescope from Mr Hadfield.
Fahmi
Read the full review here.
June
The Story of Tantrum O’Furrily
Author: Cressida Cowell
Illustrator: Mark Nicholas
Publisher: Hodder
Details: 32pp, £12.99
ISBN: 9781444933802
I asked the children if they liked the book and the whole class agreed they did. The reasons they gave were mostly about the fox, with one saying: “I liked the story because it had a funny fox in it” and another commenting: “I liked the story because the part where he tried to trick the cat was my favourite.”
One child said: “I liked Tantrum because he was a good cat…but it would be good if there was another book about him where he was a little bit cheeky.”
Perhaps this could be an idea for a sequel?
Laura Cox is acting deputy head at Leatherhead Trinity School and Children’s Centre, Surrey.
Read the full review here.
July
Lucy the Octopus
Author: Richy K Chandler
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Details: 136pp, £12.99
ISBN: 9781785925139
The story is absolutely packed full of laughs at the expense of poor old Lucy, with plenty for grown-up readers to enjoy along with the kids. Our readers’ attention was immediately grabbed by the witty, cartoon-style illustrations, and the pupils loved the anti-bullying message of the story. It would be a brilliant resource for discussing the importance of being able to be yourself and tolerating those who are different to you.
Jo Cummins is a teacher and blogger at Library Girl and Book Boy.
“I found the plot really interesting as Lucy started off with no friends but slowly built up her friendships so she had people to stick up for her. My favourite characters were Sydney, who wasn’t afraid to be different, and Kate, who went from being mean to nice. I would definitely recommend this to a friend as it had a good message about being yourself and is really funny.”
Harry, age 10
Read the review in full here.
August
The Storm Keeper’s Island
Author: Catherine Doyle
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Details: 320pp, £6.99
ISBN: 9781408896884
The Storm Keeper’s Island is a slow-burn magical realism mystery. It’s a tale that requires reading stamina as it hops back and forth through time, peeling back memories and events over the course of hundreds of years. We would recommend it to strong readers in Year 5 and upwards - and we can’t wait to find out what happens in the sequel!
Caroline Wood is librarian at Ashleigh Primary School in Darwen, Lancashire. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @seawoodwrites
I think this book is brilliant. The mysterious aspect is brilliant. As you go through the book, you learn more about the island and the Storm Keeper before a huge ending. I recommend this to anybody who enjoys slow-burning mysteries.
Oliver, age 10
September
The Restless Girls
Author: Jessie Burton
Illustrator: Angela Barrett
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Details: 160pp, £14.99
ISBN: 9781408886915
It is fierce, bold and completely enchanting, and I just adored this feminist and diverse retelling of the classic story. A true celebration of sisterhood, bravery and the power of imagination. Angela Barrett’s sumptuous, rich artwork complements Burton’s glorious storytelling beautifully. The Restless Girls would be a really engaging and thought-provoking book to share in upper key stage 2.
Jo Clarke is school librarian at Whitchurch C of E Primary in Hampshire. Her book blog can be found here and she tweets @bookloverJo
The Restless Girls is a thought-provoking book because it is curious, exciting and oozing with fun and suspense. It gives you clues and delivers a moral: believe in yourself and others, and you can achieve anything.
Masie, age 9
Read the full review here.
October
Pages & Co: Tilly and the Bookwanderers
Author: Anna James
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books
Details: £12.99, 400pp
ISBN: 9780008229863
It’s a clever, well-written and language rich book. The children shone in discussion whilst I revelled in the nostalgia of classic children’s literature. Tilly and her book-wandering friends are brilliant role models for 21st-century children and I would encourage any child, class teacher or parent to introduce this book to the people they care about.
Lowri Jones is a KS2 teacher at Parc Lewis Primary School in South Wales.
This is my favourite book of all time. Tilly is a really adventurous and brave character. Reading this book made me want to read Anne of Green Gables. I wish I could be a book wanderer. This is the fastest I have ever read such a big book. Eleven stars out of ten!
Rhian, Year 6
Read the full review here.
November
Poppy Field
Author: Michael Morpurgo
Publisher: Scholastic
Details: 80pp, £12.99
ISBN: 9781407181424
This is not just a storybook. It also includes a full copy of In Flanders Fields and a report about the symbolic poppy. It explains the determination of two women to have the poppy adopted as an emblem of remembrance in the US and United Kingdom. These true events are accompanied by fascinating details and photographs that will appeal to all. The report ensures children understand the reasons why some people choose to wear the poppy, and how this choice and freedom is something for which we should all be thankful.
Andrea Donnelly is a deputy headteacher and English leader at Hollymount School in Worcester
This is an incredible book to teach anyone about World War 1. It contains a poem by John McCrae, a family’s story and some beautiful illustrations by Michael Foreman. Would I recommend this book? Yes, of course, as this a very descriptive piece of work and even tells us more about the start of poppies and how they became popular.
Lauren, age 10
Read the review in full here.
December
Death in the Spotlight
Author: Robin Stevens
Publisher: Puffin
Details: 416pp, £6.99
ISBN: 9780141373829
Death in the Spotlight is sure to be a hit with KS3 readers who enjoy traditional murder mysteries with a historical, even nostalgic, setting. And as a bonus, the colourful and distinctive covers of this popular series combine to make a very attractive display.
Natalia Marshall is the LRC Manager at The Compton School, London
Death in the Spotlight is brilliant. Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong join the Rue Theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet. The story really starts coming to life after the murder of the actor who plays Juliet, and it seems to be a race against time to stop the murderer from striking again. I would highly recommend it to kids of all ages. It’s amazing and surprising, the best of the Murder Most Unladylike series yet.
Bibi, Year 10
Read the review in full here.
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