My sons’ school recently converted from an infant school into a full primary. They have a good selection of books for younger children, but their library hasn’t quite developed a full range for junior school children (aged 7-11). Keen to ensure my boys and their friends have a good mixture of books to read I volunteered to look into which would be best to buy for them. They already have most of the classics (Harry Potter, Roald Dahl, CS Lewis etc) so I’m looking for more modern books that children will love like the ones RIC Publications has. Every writer wants to have a professionally produced eBook. Imagine you pay a bomb for software to format your eBook and you don’t know how to you use it. Pen2publishing company provide the best ebook formatting services. The goal of the school library media center is to ensure that all members of the school community have equitable access “to books and reading, to information, and to information technology. A school library is a structure within the school that houses a collection of books, audio-visual material and other content that serves common use to meet the educational, informative and recreational needs of the users. A school library is a structure within the school that houses a collection of books, audio-visual material and other content that serves common use to meet the educational, informative and recreational needs of the users. For the best chemistry tuition in the Singapore visit us.
I want books that inspire them and nurture a love for reading so I’ve spent a wonderful weekend researching ones that teachers, booksellers, librarians and (most importantly!) children recommend. A school library is a structure within the school that houses a collection of books, audio-visual material and other content that serves common use to meet the educational, informative and recreational needs of the users. A school library is a structure within the school that houses a collection of books, audio-visual material and other content that serves common use to meet the educational, informative and recreational needs of the users. Librarians are not merely the caretakers of books anymore they are the consultants, information providers, instructional readers, curriculum designers, and teachers. They can help students in achieving their goals.
Here’s what I found!
Age 7+
The Brilliant World of Tom Gates by Liz Pichon
Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles by Rupert Kingfisher
Corby Flood by Chris Riddell
A Dog Called Grk by Josh Lacey
Compton Valance The Most Powerful Boy in the Universe by Matt Brown
The Stick Man With a Big Bum by Jonny Staples
Monster and Chips by David O’Connell (s)
Clarice Bean Spells Trouble by Lauren Child
Fortunately, the Milk . . . by Neil Gaiman
The Strongest Girl In The World by Sally Gardner
Age 9+
The Girl with the Broken Wing by Heather Dyer
Gold of the Gods by Bear Grylls
Igraine the Brave by Cornella Funke
The Boy Who Biked the World by Alastair Humphreys
Lionboy by Zizou Corder
Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo
Stig of the Dump by Clive King
Ratburger by David Walliams
Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder by Jo Nesbo
Age 11+
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Young Knights of the Round Table by Julia Golding
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel
Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher (s)
The Menagerie by Tui Sutherland
The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson
Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart
My Best Friend and Other Enemies by Catherine Wilkins
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
Note: (s) means this book is the first in a series
What do you think of my selection?
Which other books do junior school children really enjoy?
Which books would you buy for a school library?
8 replies on “Which books should be in the perfect junior school library?”
I can definitely back up the choices Stig of the Dump, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. And one of my nephews is a big fan of David Walliams so that’s a good shout. Beyond those, I can only recommend what I loved at that age (so not quite so new!): Brian Jaques’ Redwall series, Colin Dann’s Animals of Farthing Wood series, Barbara Sleigh’s Carbonel series, Jill Murphy’s The Worst Witch series, anything by Dick King-Smith or Judy Blume. But I’m sure there’s loads of newer books I’ve not heard of. What a wonderful project to be part of!
Nose in a book, What fantastic suggestions! I’m currently half way through reading Redwall to my oldest and am LOVING it! It is packed with long words though, so I worried it might be too much for most 11 year olds? I think the school already have The Worst Witch and some Dick-King-Smith, but will have a check. I’ve not heard of the Carbonel series – will look into it 🙂
What good suggestions Jackie. It’s great that they let you do the research as well. Hope your boys like the new school.
Thanks Diane! I’m enjoying all the research, although it means I now have a massive list of books I want to buy for my boys!
A lovely selection there – many of my own faves including Chris Riddell and Paul Stewart – see also Riddell’s own Ottoline books (more for girls), and Goth Girl.
Sally Gardner’s magical children series are lovely and David Melling’s Goblins series are great fun, plus you’ve not got Millions or any of the others by Frank Cottrell Boyce there – they’re fantastic.
Annabel, Thank you for the suggestions! I have a definite bias towards boys books so it is nice to have some suggestions that might appeal to them more. I’ll add them to the list 🙂
Although I read a lot of teen books, I’m less familiar with books for this age group. But one that I have read and would highly recommend is Wonder by R.J. Palacio. The main character is a 10-year-old born with severe craniofacial abnormalities and has been home-schooled, but is about to begin middle school. He is funny, confident, and inspiring. It was just wonderful.
threegoodrats, I wasn’t a big fan of Wonder, but you’re right about it being perfect for this age group. I’ll add it to the list!