Non-Fiction Day 2: Our second longlisted book in this category is 'The History of We' by @4nikkolas.bsky.social - a visually arresting, poetic and poignant celebration of the history of humanity. @rocktheboatnews.bsky.social 🎄🎁📚#Spark12BooksofChristmas
Day 1: Our first book in the Picture Fiction for Early Readers category is 'Basil Dreams Big' by Lu Fraser & Sarah Warburton, about a tiny bat with a huge dream and an even bigger heart! (Simon & Schuster) 🎄🎁📚 #Spark12BooksofChristmas
Day 1: Our first book in the Non-Fiction category is 'Choose Your Own Evolution' by @juleshoward.bsky.social & @gordywright.bsky.social - an innovative and highly engaging approach to the topic of evolution! @nosycrow.bsky.social
🎄🎁📚 #Spark12BooksofChristmas
Day 1: Our first book in the 7+ Fiction category is 'Solving Crimes Is Not My Superpower' by Nathanael Lessore & Simran Diamond Singh - in a town where everyone has superpowers, Sara proves that brains always beats brawn! @littletigeruk.bsky.social 🎄🎁📚 #Spark12BooksofChristmas
Day 1: Our first book in the 9+ Fiction category is 'The Game I Will Never Forget' by Onjali Q. Rauf. Meet a mischievous boy who loves pranking his nan, before discovering she was once a secret chess legend. (Hachette) 🎄🎁📚 #Spark12BooksofChristmas
Day 1: Our first book in the 11+ Fiction category is 'I Dare You' by Tamsin Winter - Willow and Alma will do anything to go viral, but as their TikTok likes soar, their dares become increasingly dangerous. (Usborne) 🎄🎁📚 #Spark12BooksofChristmas
Honoured to be part of this panel and I have loved reviewing all of the submissions. So many great ideas and exciting texts for the children!
Exciting news for schools! The Spark! Book Award is already great value for only £65 per category, BUT sign up by 28 November and you'll receive TWO sets of the shortlisted books instead of one! Don't miss out...sign up on our website now:
www.sparkbookawards.co.uk/schools/school-sign-up
Two reads in two days and what a two I picked! I couldn’t put Glasgow Boys down-so powerful! And today another Katya Balen. I love that her more accessible books are still beautifully written and thought provoking. Two good recommendations for two very different age groups! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Two reads in two days and what a two I picked! I couldn’t put Glasgow Boys down-so powerful! And today another Katya Balen. I love that her more accessible books are still beautifully written and thought provoking. Two good recommendations for two very different age groups! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Y6 are SPIES this term- after successful application letters, they’ve completed mission 1-investigate a super soldier-friend or foe? All agents gave their best& loved selecting or inventing their hero. Purpose through immersion &role play can work! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
Y6 are SPIES this term- after successful application letters, they’ve completed mission 1-investigate a super soldier-friend or foe? All agents gave their best& loved selecting or inventing their hero. Purpose through immersion &role play can work! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
Escaped the chaos to hunker down in Costa &continue with this gem. I just love it so far. I’ve said it before and I’ve got to say it again- there is just something about the way Katya Balen writes that is magic for me. @openuni-rfp.bsky.social @readingrocks.bsky.social @schoolreadinglist.bsky.social
Just finished this lovely book this afternoon - The Boy in the Suit by James Fox. I really loved it. Reminded me of The Wrong Shoes and Katya Balen a little. A relatable, ‘real’ story that makes you think. What next?! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Visited York Castle museum today - we loved it! I particularly liked the fact that at several points there were lots of fabulous books to relate to that section. Lovely idea! Great place to
Visit @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #readingforpleasure @booksfortopics.bsky.social
One of my boys read your book in 24 hours - not a voracious reader but adored your book! He’s onto my signed copy of the First year now. He’s produced this scrapbook page in response. Hope you like it! @mattgoodfellow.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
One of my boys read your book in 24 hours - not a voracious reader but adored your book! He’s onto my signed copy of the First year now. He’s produced this scrapbook page in response. Hope you like it! @mattgoodfellow.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Thank you for looking. You have made his year! High fives from his mates all round.
One of my boys in y5 loved Looshkin and has spent many hours completing this book review for our reading scrapbook! I thought you Might like it @jamiesmart.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
When your 11yr old goes to their first opera and loves it - and is asked to make notes! Love these so much… 🤣 @garsingtonopera.bsky.social @writingrocks.bsky.social #WritingforPleasure for reference - our yr 6 play is Matilda.
A snapshot-2025, 2021 and 2018 from yr 5,4&6 respectively. Interesting to see which books appear in each &how their choices changed! can see how our Reading For Pleasure work has expanded range&genre. Always sparks a great session of book talk too! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
It’s all about HTTYD by @cressidacowell.bsky.social -Y5 applied to be dragon trainers today - will they be accepted?! Next up - training guide creation! Can’t wait for Cressida to visit later in June. What an author visit to finish the year! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
It’s all about HTTYD by @cressidacowell.bsky.social -Y5 applied to be dragon trainers today - will they be accepted?! Next up - training guide creation! Can’t wait for Cressida to visit later in June. What an author visit to finish the year! @writingrocks.bsky.social @piecorbett.bsky.social
A snapshot-2025, 2021 and 2018 from yr 5,4&6 respectively. Interesting to see which books appear in each &how their choices changed! can see how our Reading For Pleasure work has expanded range&genre. Always sparks a great session of book talk too! @jonbiddle.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
Will loves the Dungeon Runners series &created a double page review of books 1&2 for our reading scrapbook! I promised I’d show @kieranlarwood.bsky.social .They are working their way round our class quickly. Highly recommended by William! @sparkbookaward.bsky.social @openuni-rfp.bsky.social
The cover of Escape Room by Christopher Edge.
The cover of Escape Room: Game Zero by Christopher Edge.
The success of Escape Room owes so much to teachers, school librarians, reviewers and readers sharing their love of the story, so if you know someone who enjoyed Escape Room, please let them know that Escape Room: Game Zero is coming soon! One month to go! linktr.ee/edgechristop...
I can hear my step daughter relaying so many details from your presentation to her Dad as she is going to sleep. Usually school doesn’t get too much of a mention - but it has stuck! She’s starting the book tonight. Thanks again.
A real treat today with @andygbooks.bsky.social visiting us. Almost all of the kids have read at least one of his books and he did not disappoint! They loved every moment. Funny, engaging and a real celebration of silly! Thank you so much for stopping by Andy! @openuni-rfp.bsky.social #UkKidsLit
Today we launched the Spark shortlists to the wider school-children who had pre read them gave reviews in assembly and the buzz is growing! Here are some of their thoughts so far: @sparkbookaward.bsky.social @coralrumble.bsky.social @tompalmerauthor.bsky.social @kieranlarwood.bsky.social
