I know that it can be impossible to know where to start when it comes to choosing a reading book, but last year I discovered the lists of ‘100 books for Y3/4 and Y5/6.’ These are lists of recommended books created by the brilliant Ashley Booth and adapted by the wonderful Mrs P .
The lists are full of great texts: classic novels, books which came out when I was at school and which I devoured, and some debuts by brilliant authors currently publishing amazing books for children each year. Lots of the books are the first in a series so pupils can get hooked on a certain character or setting and read sequel after sequel. There are a few books which overlap between lists and some non-fiction or poetry books included. It’s important that children can read books appropriate to them, so the lists are called Red (Y3/4) and Blue (Y5/6) rather than named by year group.
It’s also important pupils know that this is not a challenge – 100 books in Y5/6 would be 1 book a week. Very few pupils (and teachers) would manage this. Instead, we have stressed that these lists have great recommendations for books to read.
To enhance pupils’ engagement with the 100 books lists, Year 6 children are members of a weekly book club. This is an opportunity for them to join in and discuss the books on and off the list. This means we have the whole of Year 6, as well as the teachers, communicating about books and reading. There is a real reading buzz in the Year 6 classroom: we take selfies with our latest books, discuss each other’s books as well as give reviews and recommendations (with no spoilers!). Book club is something that we are hoping to role out across the whole of Phase 2 in the coming months, but even if you’re not part of a book club, I hope we can keep the reading momentum going throughout the year and encourage more children to find a book they love.
Please note that the books in red text are the books we read in class, so careful not double up and read them at home too!
I hope this is useful and I look forward to hearing about the books you are enjoying! If you are particularly enjoying one of the books on the list, why don’t you comment below so that other people could read it too?
Miss M 🙂