Christmas Wishlist - Book Recommendations 2024!

Check out this blog for Book Recommendations from some inspiring book lovers!

The festive season is now upon us.

First of all well done because this means that you have almost made it to the end of Autumn Term 2024!

Secondly why not add a book to your Christmas wish list. It's is a great way to expand your knowledge of children's literature and add to your personal library of children's books.

We have excellent recommendations of much loved books from 2024 here for you! These come from some of today's pioneers in reading for pleasure and from some of our wonderful St Wilfrid's English Hub team!

Professor Teresa Cremin

I'd like to recommend The last dragon by Polly Ho Yen Illustrated by Charis Loke

This fast paced narrative digs deep, exploring family, fear for an unwell sister and serious challenges at school, alongside Yara’s exciting encounters with the last dragon on earth. Hard to put down and not easy to predict. Fabulous.

Head to the Reading for Pleasure Open University website to learn about Teresa and her teams research and recommendations for pedagogy. Follow this link...

Reading For Pleasure - Reading for Pleasure

Jon Biddle - year 5/6 teacher, English Lead and Empathy Lab advisor

Check out Jon's Reading for Pleasure Padlet here Reading for Pleasure

I'd like to recommend Amazing Asia by Rashmi Sirdeshpande Illustrated by Jason Lyon

An absolutely fantastic non-fiction book aimed at UKS2!

Kelly Ashley - author and lecturer in Reading for Pleasure and author

I recently read and reviewed My Life as a Chameleon by Diana Anyakwo (Little Brown Book Group).

This debut novel, told in first person narrative, offers the main character’s reflections on her own life. Growing up in Nigeria with her father and Irish mother, the story details family struggles and triumphs, unravelling the inner-most thoughts of the main character as she navigates life.  This book is longlisted for the Jhalek Prize 2024, shortlisted for the Diverse Book Awards 2024, longlisted for the YA prize 2024 and shortlisted for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2024.

Richard Ruddick - graphic novel enthusiast

Anzu and the realm of darkness is a fast paced fantasy story based on Japanese folklore. Featuring a vast range of different creatures and characters, readers will be dragged into the story at the start and kept on the edge of their seat throughout as Anzu battles her way through the underworld and the many problems it contains. Perfect for fans of Spirited Away and Lightfall, this is a must read. 

Lucy Ruston - Hub Lead at St Wilfrid's English Hub

If you enjoyed the Final Year by Matt Goodfellow then this book will be right up your street. Tom Percival intersperses the text with great illustrations which almost make the book feel a middle ground between graphic novels and fiction. 

The story centres around Will and the challenges and pressures he faces. His parents are separated and his Dad is out of work due to an accident. Money is very tight and Will gets bullied at school and called 'Poundland'. His escape is through drawing and art work. It is a moving, powerful story of the pressures of growing up, the connections we make and the avenues we decide to take when faced with life's crossroads.

Kelly Johnson - Literacy Specialist at St Wilfrid's English Hub

My recommendation is Birdsong by Katya Balen.  This is such a beautifully written book with equally beautiful illustrations.  It follows the struggles of a talented young musician who had an amazing and prosperous future until she suffers a terrible accident meaning she has to retrain herself to play music again. She finally begins to play music again after hearing blackbirds in bird song and being inspired by the music they naturally play together.  It has a strong message of hope and resilience and it is a short book which means it is also suitable for younger children.

Maria Evans - Literacy Specialist at St Wilfrid's English Hub

This is a stunning book to share one to one or with a group. Beautifully illustrated it is a counting book packed full of gorgeous baby animals. Children can lift the flaps and peep through the holes to explore and count an array of adult animals and their young . The rhyming text makes this a delightful book tor read with younger children. 

Thank you so much to all who contributed recommendations.

I hope this blog has given you some excellent ideas for a little something to add to your wish list this Christmas. I think you'll agree that the gift of sharing a book we know well and truly love with children can be the best gift of all!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us all at St Wilfrid's English Hub. In the new year, we are lucky to be providing some free virtual events from inspiring people in reading education. Follow the link below and head to our event page to see what's in store!

For more information about us and our support go to English Hubs - St Wilfrid's English Hub (stwenglishhub.co.uk)