Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services

Tag: Primary Schools

  • Disability History Month

    Disability History Month

    December is Disability History Month.

    http://ukdhm.org/

    The Schools Library Service can provide non-fiction and a range of fiction resources featuring children with disabilities.

    Booklists

    Live search results from our catalogue:

    Fiction on the subject of disability

    Non-Fiction about disabilities (primary)

    Picture Books on the subject of disability

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  • Tower Hamlets Book Award 2021

    Tower Hamlets Book Award 2021

    About the Book Award

    The annual Tower Hamlets Book Award is just one of the exciting events made possible through subscriptions to the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services.

    The Book Award is for pupils aged 10 to 13 (Year 5 and up). The aim is to encourage children to read, to bring children together to enable debate and discussion about books and to encourage children to share the pleasure of reading.

    You can shadow the Book Award in small or not-so-small groups. Have a look at the award timeline below for some ideas of activities.

    Congratulations to Joseph Coelho!

    Joseph became the 15th author to win the coveted Tower Hamlets Book Award for Zombierella

    Brilliantly illustrated by Freya Hartas, this alternative fairytale which proved a hit with both primary and secondary school pupils shadowing and voting in the award.

     

     

     

    The finale!

    Canary Wharf group – as well as buying sets of the shortlisted books for our subscribing schools –  kindly hosted the Book Award grand finale at the fantastic East Wintergarden venue on 2nd December.

    Pupils from over 20 schools were present to meet authors Jasbinder, Ben and Jennifer and enjoy the performances put on by Blue Gate Fields Juniors, Cyril Jackson Primary, Thomas Buxton Primary, Marner Primary, Morpeth School, Stepney All Saints School and Hermitage School.

    Blue Gate Fields took the prize for best presentation with their performance of scenes from ‘The Soup Movement’.

    Jennifer, Ben and Jasbinder award the prize for best performance

    Book Award Timeline and Guidelines

     

    Download as a .pdf

    Book Award Guidelines 2021
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    The shortlist

    THBAShortlist2021 – Download the Shortlist PowerPoint slideshow

    All subscribing schools will receive a free set of the 6 books. Non-subscribers – check out our website for all the great benefits of being a member of a schools library service!

    Schools may order additional sets (with library book jackets) for £45 per set. Please email jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk

    The Soup Movement by Ben Davis

    Jordan promises his very good friend Rio he would do an act of kindness whenever he could and help change the world. Was that really why he gave up his mum’s wholesome soup to a homeless man? In any case, that  one small gesture became life-changing, and helped Jordan adjust to a world without Rio.

    Undercover Robot by Dave Edmonds and Bertie Foster

    Year 7 is tough enough without having to pretend you’re a human (and what does it mean to be human, anyway?), but that’s exactly what Dotty has to do. Only she now also has to worry about a boy in her class outing her in order to win a reward…

    The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

    A graphic novel. Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride, or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia – the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

    Zombierella by Joseph Coelho

    A yellow moon hangs in a satin sky the night Cinderella, barefoot and in hand-me-downs, slips at the top of the stairs … and dies. But not for long. Cinderella goes forth as ZOMBIERELLA!. With her skin as cold as ice, can she seek revenge on her three cruel, fake sisters, once and for all?

    Tamarind and the Star of Ishta by Jasbinder Bilan

    Tamarind never knew her Indian mum, Chinty, who died soon after she was born. So when she arrives at her ancestral home, a huge mansion in the Himalayas surrounded by luxuriant gardens, she’s full of questions for her extended family. But instead of answers, she finds only an ominous silence.

    Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell

    After a mysterious explosion on their way to school, three children find themselves trapped aboard The Principia, a science research ship sailing through hazardous waters and captained by Isaac Newton. Lost in the Wonderscape, an epic in-reality adventure game, they must call on the help of some very unlikely historical heroes to play their way home before time runs out.

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    Art Competition

    Every year we run an art competition based on the shortlist books.

    Pupils are challenged to create an artistic response of their choice to any of the 6 Book Award books.

    Previous competition entries have included…

    • Drawings/ paintings of scenes from the books
    • Poems inspired by the stories
    • Alternative endings/ scenes
    • Comic strips based on the books
    • Character portraits
    • Book cover designs
    • Bookmark designs
    • Models of scenes from the books

    Winners will be awarded a prize at the finale where shortlisted work will be on display (guest authors have been known to request competition entries to put on their websites!).

    Competition deadline

    ALL entries must arrive at the Schools Library Services (PDC, 229 Bethnal Green Road) by the morning of Friday 26th November for judging. Any entries submitted after this date will not be judged!

    Register!

    Registration for the finale will open in September. If you’re shadowing the award in your school, email jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk to be added to the THBA mailing list (and to let us know who to send the books and posters to!).

     

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  • Creative Writing Competition 2021

    Creative Writing Competition 2021

    I Am Not Alone

    Click here to go to the theme and writing tips

     

    Prize winners!

    Prizes were awarded on 1st November. Well done to everyone who took part.


    • Winners below are listed in category and prize order
    • Prizes are a voucher/ book token, a certificate and a copy of the book I am not alone featuring their work
    Category Name School Prize
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story Kofi Akanbi Globe School 1st and Best in School Vex
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story James Orpin Globe School 2nd Dino’s Dino friends
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story Ayman Uddin St Johns Primary 3rd The Lonely Bird
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story Rumaisah Minal Wellington Primary Commended The happy monkey
    01. Year 1 and 2  Short Story Gaia Gessaroli Olga School Commended and Best in School The parrot and the ice cream
    02. Year 1 and 2 Poetry Chaylan Hassan-King St Johns Primary 1st and Best in School Never Ever
    02. Year 1 and 2 Poetry Ruby Goundar Globe School 2nd I’m not alone!
    02. Year 1 and 2 Poetry Laaibah Chowdhury St Johns Primary 3rd I am not alone
    02. Year 1 and 2 Poetry Arnav Nalawade Seven Mills School Commended I’m not alone!
    03. Year 3 and 4 Short Story Yasir Hussain Osmani Primary 1st and Best in School The Zombie apocalypse
    03. Year 3 and 4 Short Story Sameeha Ahmed Wellington Primary 2nd and Best in School Alone in the forest
    03. Year 3 and 4 Short Story Salma Khatun Seven Mills School 3rd and Best in School The Person who was remembered
    03. Year 3 and 4 Short Story Gracie Turner St Johns Primary Commended The fox and the rabbit
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Asiya Hussain Blue Gate Fields Junior 1st (joint) Never think that you’re alone
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Aria Ixchel Khorsand-Martell St Lukes Primary 1st (joint) and Best in School The army of the cells
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Aisha Nabi Arnhem Wharf Primary 2nd and Best in School Never alone
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Zubair Yahya Mayflower School 3rd and Best in School My Life’s world
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Anaya Alom Halley Primary Commended Odd one out
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Daisy Rubin Globe School Commended I am not alone
    04. Year 3 and 4 Poetry Zidan Ahmed Arnhem Wharf Primary Commended Bob, my imaginary friend
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Leila Khelfaoui Bangabhandu Primary 1st and Best in School I am not alone
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Philomena Melchin Blue Gate Fields Junior 2nd and Best in School 2107 days
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Samyath Satish St Lukes Primary 3rd Joint The Christmas Spirit
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Daniel Anangodoi St Mary and St Michael  Primary 3rd Joint and Best in School Pen to paper
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Arafah Rahman Lansbury Lawrence Primary Best in School I am not alone
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Adifah Matubbar Wellington Primary Commended I am not alone : In war
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Maya Hussain Halley Primary Commended DETREVENI
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Omar Raja Arnhem Wharf Primary Commended Alone
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Ehsanul Huq Bonner Bethnal Green Primary Commended and Best in School The Friend Machine
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Katya Flynn Virginia Primary Commended and Best in School When it first began
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Myesha Amin Halley Primary Commended and Best in School The lost island
    05. Year 5 and 6  Short Story Olivier Badzioch Home Educated Commended and Best in School A sense of belonging
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Oma Umo-Chinda Harbinger Primary 1st and Best in School Rising and Alone together
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Abdi Hakim Osman Bigland Green Primary 2nd and Best in School I am not alone
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Lucy Richards St Johns Primary 3rd Light in the dark
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Jiyaad Ahmed Thomas Buxton Primary Best in School Burning
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Zain Rahman Osmani Primary Commended Nai
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Humayra Rahman Hermitage Primary Commended and Best in School Making way for the ones you love
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Sumaya Islam Clara Grant Primary Commended and Best in School My Voice!
    06. Year 5 and 6 Poetry Aoyan Arian and Mohammed Nihal Uddin Bonner Mile End Primary Commended and Best in School Waiting for the end
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Nadia Jamil Central Foundation Girls School 1st and Best in School Her escape
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Samirah Ahmed Central Foundation Girls School 2nd Different ability
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Zaynab Ali Central Foundation Girls School 3rd Save the pangolins
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Anisa Rahman Stepney All Saints Secondary Commended The lonely mansion
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Ayesha Janath Choudhury Central Foundation Girls School Commended You’re never alone with a book…
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Malieha Lemoni Choudhury Central Foundation Girls School Commended Calypso’s island
    07. Year 7 – 9  Short Story Aadi Islam Stepney All Saints Secondary Commended and Best in School Dee
    08. Year 7 – 9 Poetry Yasu Dos Santos Evora Gomes Bishop Challoner Secondary 1st and Best in School Stained with red
    09. Year 10 and 11  Short Story Tamzid Mohamed Morpeth Secondary 1st and Best in School Lone wolf
    09. Year 10 and 11  Short Story Muntaha Zaman Mamiza Stepney All Saints Secondary 2nd The old willow tree
    10. Year 10 and 11 Poetry Shirley Razzak Central Foundation Girls School 1st Honey

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    The Book

    Free copies of the paperback were sent to all winners and their schools. Copies are also available to buy on Amazon
    The Tower Hamlets Creative Writing Competition is an annual event for schools in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for students aged six years to sixteen. Conceived in 2004 by Tower Hamlets Gifted and Talented strand of the Excellence in Cities programme, it has been run by Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service since 2011 with the aims of promoting wider reading and literacy, and to encourage young people to express themselves through the written word. Research carried out during the 2020 competition showed that pupils participating in the competition and in the author workshops benefited by gaining confidence in their writing ability and developing greater insight into the issues raised by the competition themes

    We are thrilled to announce that Arts Council England has again awarded Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service with a grant to enhance our annual Creative Writing Competition with author-led creative writing workshops for schools, Idea Stores and home-educated children.

    Register for the competition

    This section is for schools only. Parents/ students do not need to register separately

    In order to enter the competition, receive posters, entry forms and flyers, and take advantage of these free author workshops, schools need to:

    • enter the competition by “buying” it via SLAonline (Creative Writing Competition 2021)
    • email jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk letting us know who is to lead on running this event in your school.
    • use the form below to book your workshops

    The grant also enables us to produce a book of the winning entries.

    The competition judges

    The two judges for this year’s competition

     

    Ken Wilson-Max is a writer and illustrator. born and raised in Zimbabwe he has been nominated for the Astrid Lingren Memorial Award (ALMA) 2021 and the Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Awards 2019. In 2020 he was winner of the STEAM AWARD for Early Years picturebooks.
    Currently working on the book ‘Grandma’s Hair’, Ken is well known for ‘Astro Girl’ and the ‘Lenny and Wilbur’ series.
    Ken will be judging the poems and stories from children in years 1 to 4.

    Polly Ho-Yen writes stories rooted in reality but with science fiction and other fantastical elements. Most well known for ‘The Boy in the Tower’, Polly’s other books are ‘Where Monsters Lie’ and ‘Fly me Home’ (both nominated for the Carnegie medal), ‘My Other Life’, and ‘Two Sides’ for younger children.

    Polly will be judging the poems and stories from children in years 5 and up.

     

    Author Workshops

    Arts Council England provided a grant to fund writing workshops for pupils taking part in the competition. They were offered to all age groups to support their writing.


    Approaching the theme

    The Theme, ideas and writing advice

    ‘I am not alone’

    Writers may interpret this theme in any way they wish. A selection of prompts and ideas are listed below, but you don’t need to use one of these.

    Story choices

    • What genre and style do you want to write in? Genres include; Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Horror?
    • Who are the main characters and what are they doing in the story?
    • Because we don’t have long to get involved in your story – how do you make the reader interested in the characters or their situations?
    • If it’s a poem, what sort of poem is it? Is it in rhyme, a narrative poem? Is it meant to be read aloud?

    Here are some narrative ideas that fit around the theme. Many of them can be adapted for different age-groups, though some will be more suitable for older writers.

    Linking to current events

    Covid and lockdown

    • isolation and being/ feeling as though you’re alone
    • Supporting and helping others – being there for someone who needs help
    • Letting people know that they don’t have to cope alone

    Brexit

    • Globalisation and being part of an interconnected world
    • Taking sides, argument and polarisation

    Protest, including Black Lives Matter

    • Being part of a movement and a force for change
    • Identity and self
    • Affecting change – can lots of people together start a movement to make things better?
    • Fighting back, challenging others and standing up for your ideals
    • Being protected – having others on your side

    Friendship and friends

    • There are lots of stories based around friendship!
    • Finding friends and making new friends
    • Needing to seek help from our friends
    • Loneliness and losing friends
    • Having an imaginary friend – what do they get up to?
    • Pets and faithful animals

    Sometimes we can achieve more when we’re not alone…

    • Affecting change – can lots of people together start a movement to make things better?
    • Politics – democracy and voting
    • Protest and activism
    • Fighting back, challenging others and standing up for your ideals
    • Being protected – having others on your side

    Global issues

    • Can we ever be alone in a connected world?
    • Having responsibility for others, whoever they are
    • Interdependence – understanding how people, wherever and whoever they are in the world, are connected.

    Aliens, the unknown and the supernatural

    • Are we alone in the universe?
    • Ghosts, the afterlife and being haunted

    Other groups

    • Many animals live in packs, and would not survive alone.
    • Sports team require people to work together – can you write a sports story?

    Families and communities

    • Lots of stories are about families and communities (the good things and the bad things!)
    • We don’t often get to choose our family or the community we live in
    • Expectations – how are we shaped by our family and community? How many choices do we have?
    • Change due to new arrivals in the family

    Sometimes ‘more’ isn’t better…

    • ‘Ganging up’ on someone and being part of a gang
    • Herd mentality and not thinking for yourself – if you’re not alone, do you sometimes just go along with the crowd?
    • Sometimes lots of people can be persuaded to do the wrong thing…
    • Threatening others, or being threatened

    Not being alone and wishing to be alone

    • Sometimes the problem is other people!
    • “Hell is other people” : Jean-Paul Sartre. Are we trapped by other people’s judgements of ourselves?
    • Being trapped with others
    • Unwanted attention – being chased, followed or stalked
    • Being watched and under observation

    Religion, belonging and faith

    • Are you ever really alone if you have belief in a god or gods?
    • Does being part of a religion mean you have less personal choice?
    • Having a guardian angel

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    Writing resource links

    Links to BBC Bitesize resources on story writing

     

     

     

     

     

    Other creative writing links:

    Once upon a picture Images to prompt discussion, creative writing and more
    Pobble 365 Visually inspired daily updated writing challenges

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    Examples of books and stories that could be related to the theme

    Picture books

    • The lion inside by Rachel bright (being ignored and wanting to stand out)
    • Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival (standing out and being different)
    • Odd Dog Out by Rob Biddulph (standing out and being the odd one out)
    • Five little Fiends by Sarah Dyer (Sharing, and how things can go wrong through keeping things to yourselves)
    • The Pumpkin Soup series by Helen Cooper (Friends who are quite different but who support each other and work together)
    • The Katie Morag Stories by Mairi Hedderwick (Stories set in a close-knit community)
    • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (a child, shut in their bedroom, conjures imaginary friends)
    • Little Beauty by Anthony Brown (A Gorilla in a zoo is lonely and finds a loyal friend)
    • Three Monsters by David McKee (welcoming strangers / sharing / acceptance)
    • Willy and Hugh by Anthony Brown (having a friend to help stand up to bullies)
    • Changes by Anthony Brown (a new arrival in the family, meaning that the main character is no longer an only child)
    • Voices in the park by Anthony Brown (Making friends with someone from a different background)
    • Matilda’s Cat by Emily Gravett (a beloved pet)

    Picture books for older readers

    • The Island by Armin Greder (Imaginary and expressionist – exploring isolationism and prejudice against immigrants and refugees)
    • The Arrival by Shaun Tan (A refugee who meets and makes friends in his new home)
    • The Red Tree by Shaun Tan (Being alone but still finding comfort)
    • The Rabbits by John Marsden and Shaun Tan (Australia and colonialism/ invasion of the home by a hostile culture)
    • The Little Island by Smriti Prasadam-Halls (UK – a satirical look at Brexit and the perils of what happens when you think you can go it alone)

    Fiction

    • An Island of Our Own by Sally Nicholls (A family of orphaned children help each other to find a hidden treasure)
    • The Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho Yen (A community trapped in a tower block helping each other during a crisis)
    • Varjak Paw by S F Said (A homeless cat finds and helps his new friends with the assistance of the spirit of an ancestral guardian who visits him in dreams…)
    • Wundersmith : the Calling of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend (finding acceptance and a new family amongst friends)
    • The house with Chicken Legs by (loneliness and coming to terms with it)
    • The Imaginary by A F Harold (an imaginary friend)
    • The Light Jar by Lisa Thompson (ghosts and imaginary friends)
    • The Wildings by Nilanjana Roy (a pack of wild cats fighting for survival)
    • The Malamander by Thomas Taylor (friendship, working together and being stalked and followed)

    Traditional Tales

    • Hansel and Gretel (siblings keeping each other safe)
    • Cinderella (suddenly having to deal with unpleasant new arrivals in the family!)

    Non Fiction

    • We’re all equal by Georgia Amson-Bradshaw (global citizenship)
    • Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai (and other books about Malala)
    • I am not a label : 34 disabled artists, thinkers, athletes and activists from past and present by Cerrie Burnell
    • Children who changed the world by Marcia Williams
    • Stand up, stand out! : 25 rebel heroes who stood up for their beliefs – and how they could inspire you by Kay Woodward
    • Amazing Muslims who changed the world by Burhana Islam
    • Young Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson
    • Climate Rebels by Ben Lerwell
    • Kid scientists : true tales of childhood from science superstars by David Stabler
    • Peace and Me by Ali Winter (Nobel Peace Prize)
    • She persisted around the world : 13 women who changed history by Chelsea Clinton
    • Little leaders : bold women in black history by Vashti Harrison
    • 101 awesome women who transformed science by Claire Philip

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    The Prizes

    Prizes up to £50 for the winners in each category plus a copy of the book

    The Competition

    In 2021 there will be 5 age groups in the competition:

    • Group 1 : Years 1 & 2
    • Group 2 : Years 3 & 4
    • Group 3 : Years 5 & 6
    • Group 4 : Years 7 to 9
    • Group 5 : Years 10 & 11

    Entries

    Emailing your work

    Important note to all entrants.

    Please do not send links to your work on Google Docs or other cloud networks as we can’t always access these.
    Entries by email MUST be an attached file.

    • Write a short story up to 500 words (Primary) and 750 words (Secondary)
      • may also be an illustrated story or comic book
    • Write a poem or verse story up to 25 lines (Primary) and 35 lines (Secondary)
    • Poems and stories must follow the competition theme

    Pupils may enter both the short story and poetry categories. The competition deadline is Friday 28th May 2021. Entrants should  complete their work in time in order for it to reach the Schools Library Service by this date.

    Entries should be :

    • emailed to : jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk as an attachment. Please do not send links to Google Docs or similar cloud storage OR
    • posted to : Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services, PDC, 229 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6AB
    • and must include the information below.
    1. Writer’s name (including surname! Entries that can’t be traced to the correct pupil will be disqualified)
    2. Year group (age if home schooled)
    3. School (parents’/ carers’ contact email if home schooled)
    4. Class teacher/ English teacher (parent’s/ carer’s name if home schooled)
    5. The category being entered (select from below)
    • Years 1 & 2 Short Story / Poetry
    • Years 3 & 4 Short Story / Poetry
    • Years 5 & 6 Short Story / Poetry
    • Years 7 to 9 Short Story / Poetry
    • Years 10 and 11 Short Story / Poetry
    1. Title of work (untitled winning entries will be given a title by the competition judges)

     

    Rules

    All entries must be received by the Schools Library Services by Friday 28th May 2021.

    Prize Giving: Monday 19th July at Clifford Chance, Canary Wharf (relaxation of social distancing rules permitting)

    Content

    • Entries must be appropriate to the theme!
    • Entries should not be adaptations/ sequels to other writers’ or poets’ published work (including stories, comic books or films), however alternative versions of fairy tales/ myths and legends will be accepted.
    • Entries must not use existing characters from published work (e.g. Wimpy Kid, Big Nate, Dennis the Menace, Harry Potter), including illustrations. This constitutes a breach of copyright and these entries cannot be published.
    • All entries must be the entrant’s own work, including all illustrations. All work shortlisted for a prize will be thoroughly checked and plagiarised writing and artwork will be disqualified. Please remind your pupils that copying work isn’t allowed! This happens ludicrously often. Seriously – even if someone pirates a film they don’t then try to claim that they directed it. Stop it. It’s not big and it’s not clever.

    Boring but important

    • Entries can be cooperative efforts. Any prizes will be split equally between the named entrants.
    • Entries without entrant’s full name, school name and competition category will not be eligible for judging.
    • Each page should have the entrant’s full name written clearly on it
    • Entries must be written or typed on one side of the page only
    • Work should be in black or blue ink or text on white paper
    • No decorative fonts unless they directly contribute to the writing/ storytelling
    • If you are illustrating your work, all artwork must be in black and white for consideration for the printed book
    • We will contact all winners via their school (or parents/ carers if home schooled) in May.
    • Work will not be automatically returned to entrants but can be collected on request after the competition closes. The Schools Library Services can take no responsibility for lost or damaged work.

    Privacy notice

    Commended and winning entries to be published in eBook and print formats. By entering the competition, entrants are giving permission for their work (including their name) to be published and distributed in these formats, and all supplied information including name and contact details to be held by the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services. Copyright on poems and stories will remain with the author(s). Supplied information, including names and contact details, of competition entrants who do not win prizes will not be stored beyond the duration of the event.

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  • Junior Poetry Slam 2021

    Junior Poetry Slam 2021

    11 schools competed for prizes over two slams on Thursday 10th June.

    Junior Slambassadors is brought to your schools in partnership with The Poetry Society, with support from Amal Fund of the Said Foundation and Samuel Butler Educational Foundation.

    The Junior Slam places poets-in-residence within schools to coach pupils not just in writing poetry, but in group and solo performance.

    Due to Covid, the events had to be held online, but the amazing Kat Francois made it feel like a live event as the emcee.

    More info about Junior Slambassadors

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    Performances and awards!

    Videos of the schools’ performances will be linked to here as soon as we receive permission forms!

    Morning Finale

    Best Poem : Harbinger School – Oma Umo
    “say my name in a hundred different ways”
    “I am black, I am white, a million shades”
    “I am me and that is enough”

    Best individual Performance : Osmani School – Ayaan R

    Best Line : Cayley School – Ra’Eesa

    “My religion (Islam) is as peaceful as the blazing orange sunset, reflecting on the transparent ocean.”

    Best Group Performance : St Saviours School – Olivia, Emmanuella, Shyamak, Joel, Aliana, Finley, Ejaz, Daniella, Alysa, Sumlina

    Outstanding Effort for individual and group performances : Woolmore School

    Best Support : St Pauls Whitechapel

    Afternoon finale

    Best Poem : St John’s School (Group Poem)

    Best individual Performance : Hermitage School – Cuillin

    Best Line : Lansbury Lawrence School (Kahlo class)  – Imeteyez
    “it’s still fresh cos it’s desh – my freshie blood is fresher than fresh water lakes”

    Best Group Performance : Lansbury Lawrence School (Lichtenstein Class)

    Outstanding Effort : Thomas Buxton School (Group poem)

    Best Support : William Davis School

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  • Global perspectives book lists

    Global perspectives book lists

    Supporting anti-racism in schools

    Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service and Global Learning London have always placed racial justice at the heart of what we do. Black perspectives and the global dimension to the curriculum are at the core of our collection and balanced representation is at the core of our event planning.

    We have published a dedicated diversity booklist for primary and secondary schools. In the addition, all of our THBA, Teen, TakeOff and Must Read booklists contain lots of new books by UK and international authors featuring diverse themes and characters.

    Teachers have a crucial role in educating children about the racial injustices of the past, and which continue to manifest in the present, enabling an understanding of the issues at stake and nurturing within all children a pride in their heritage.  One of the ways in which we can support this is by recommending high-quality fiction so that children can find themselves in books and stories as well as use story to learn about the experiences and lives of others.

    These are a selection of over 150 books suitable for children and teens in primary and secondary schools, categorised by the continent and country in which the book is set and by the race/ heritage of the main character(s)  For more, or to discuss your requirements, please contact the Schools Library Service.

    Diverse Fiction, including Black and Asian perspectives

    Updated 17th November 2025 (4th revision)

    CLICK HERE FOR A .PDF COPY OF THE FULL LIST

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    Feedback Form

    Have you downloaded our book list? Let us know how you’re using it, and make suggestions!

       

    • Tower Hamlets Book Award 2020

      Tower Hamlets Book Award 2020

      Well done Remy Lai!

      Tower Hamlets Book Award Grand Finale

      Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai was voted the winning book of the Tower Hamlets Book Award 2020. Hundreds of pupils cast their votes online and Remy was one of the 7 guest authors and illustrators present at the finale to receive the news. Remy had joined us online from Australia despite it being rather late over there!

      Pie in the Sky was one of the 3 books being performed by schools for our annual presentation competition. Blue Gate Fields Juniors had filmed a wonderful piece for the event with some amazing masks – and they had a special Book Award cake, too!

      Also presenting were Virginia School with an amazing film trailer for Fire Girl, Forest Boy and Thomas Buxton School with a dramatization of Anna at War. Both the schools viewing and the authors scored the presentations and Virginia School were the proud winners.

      Lots of children sent in artwork and writing based on the books for the art competition, and images are below.

      The grand Finale was presented in partnership with East Wintergarden and Canary Wharf Group, and we’d like to thank all of their team for all of the IT and AV setup and for the video mixing on the day.

      Book Award Quiz:

      If you missed the quiz – see how you do with the questions that were set by the authors on the day.

      The score to beat is 8!

      1. What is Yanghao’s favorite sauce in Pie in the Sky?
      2. What is the name of Anna’s cat in Pie in the Sky?
      3. What was Camilla’s father’s profession in Empire’s End?
      4. What was the year 193 AD in Rome famous for (Empire’s End)?
      5. In Anna at War, what does the man in the barn pretend is his name?
      6. In Anna at War, how many words is Anna allowed to write in the Red Cross letters she sends to her parents?
      7. Where do lobsters do a wee from (Anisha, accidental detective)?
      8. Who dresses up as Elvis Presley in the first Anisha book?
      9. What is the name of the Agouti Paca in Fire Girl Forest Boy?
      10. What is the name of the fish in the Amazon that can swim up inside you if you wee into the river (Fire Girl, Forest Boy)? a Candiru fish b – Piranha  c – Armoured cat fish
      11. What is the name of Nik and Norva’s dog?
      12. Which number flat (and which Corner) do Nik and Norva live in?

      Answers at the bottom of the page!

       

      About the Book Award

      The annual Tower Hamlets Book Award is just one of the exciting events made possible through subscriptions to the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services.

      The Book Award is for pupils aged 10 to 13. The aim is to encourage children to read, to bring children together to enable debate and discussion about books and to encourage children to share the pleasure of reading.

      Scroll down for information on:

      • The Shortlisted books
      • The finale
      • The art competition

       

      • [media-downloader media_id=”67851″ texts=”Download the shortlist PowerPoint”]
      • [media-downloader media_id=”67850″ texts=”Download Book Award guidelines”]

      The Shortlist

      We’ve got an awesome shortlist this year, and all subscribing schools will get a free set of these books courtesy of Canary Wharf Group

      Please note, that due to Covid, delivery of these books has been delayed, however we hope to dispatch them to you from 14th September.

      • Fire Girl, Forest Boy by Chloe Daykin
      • High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson
      • Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
      • Anisha, Accidental Detective by Serena Patel
      • Anna at War by Helen Peters
      • Empire’s End by Leila Rasheed

      Additional sets of the 6 books will also be on sale from us at a discounted price (see below). Please email jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk to order.

      Pie in the Sky is currently awaiting reprinting and we are sourcing copies where we can. Free sets will contain all six books. Purchased sets that do not have this book will be priced at £30, or £40 with all 6 books.

      Art Competition

      Well done to all the winners of the art competition – prizes will be on their way!

      Download [2.24 MB]

      Please get in touch if any names in the slideshow are incorrect.

      Quiz Answers…

      1. Caramel
      2. Ginger
      3. Doctor or Surgeon
      4. It was a chaotic and dangerous time of civil war , known as the year of five Emperors.
      5. Peter Smith
      6. 25
      7. From their faces
      8. Uncle Ricky
      9. Steven
      10. Candiru Fish
      11. Ringo
      12. Flat 221, corner 1

       

    • Creative Writing Competition 2020

      Creative Writing Competition 2020

      The Winners!

      The judges have spoken! Bali and Chitra very much enjoyed reading all of the work and although a prize-giving event was impossible due to Covid restrictions, they recorded messages for the participants. We’re very grateful for all their hard work in choosing the winners from the hundreds of stories an poems we received.

      Prize-giving and book launch

      Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a prize-giving event will not be possible this year, and so prizes and copies of the book will be sent out to the pupils’ schools.

      For pupils who left their school in July, we can send prizes to their home address OR to their new school. Please get in touch to make any arrangements.

      Winning poems and stories will feature in the paperback and eBook editions of ‘This Hidden Island’.

      Winners list

      Winners are listed alphabetically by school.

      Arnhem Wharf Connie He Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Ben Jonson Mohammed Yameen Hussain Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Blue Gate Fields Infants Sameeha Begum Year 1 and 2 Poetry
      Blue Gate Fields Infants Tasfiyah Marwah Year 1 and 2 Poetry
      Blue Gate Fields Juniors Adam Rahman Year 3 and 4 Poetry
      Blue Gate Fields Juniors Sohana Abbas Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Bonner primary Ivy Tighe Year 5 and 6 Poetry
      Bygrove Primary Umaira Chowdhury Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Central Foundation Girls School Fateha Sonali Jahan Year 7+ Poetry
      Central Foundation Girls School Safaa Islam Year 7+  Short Story
      Christ Church C of E Primary Odysseus Rhys-Taylor Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Christchurch Primary Amira Miah Year 1 and 2  Short Story
      Clara Grant Primary Aleena Ali Year 5 and 6 Poetry
      Columbia Primary Ada Joy Dalgleish Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Cubitt Town Junior Jennifer Scantlebury Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Cubitt Town Junior Unaizah Chowdhury Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Culloden Primary Olivier Badzioch Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Globe Primary Amelie Gilian Isenburg Daw Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Globe Primary Tanushe Ziesche Pacarada Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Guardian Angels Primary Elena Pellicci Year 1 and 2  Short Story
      Halley Primary Ronnie Davis Year 5 and 6 Poetry
      Halley Primary Saarah Ahmed Year 5 and 6 Poetry
      Harbinger Primary Abida Akhtar Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Home educated Kezia Burden Year 7+ Poetry
      Home educated Muhammed Aadil Year 1 and 2  Short Story
      Kobi Nazrul Primary Fariha Firdaus Sayed Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Marion Richardson Primary Fayqah Salum Omar Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Marner Primary Maryam Miah Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Osmani Primary School Mohammed Ali Year 3 and 4 Poetry
      Osmani Primary School Janan Ahmed Year 3 and 4 Poetry
      Osmani Primary School Kamran Ahmed Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Osmani Primary School Maliha Islam Year 3 and 4 Poetry
      Osmani Primary School Mohammed Ali Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Osmani Primary School Sarah Jannat Ali Year 3 and 4 Poetry
      Seven Mills Primary Kelsey-leigh Reynolds Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Sir John Cass Foundation Secondary Sazid Hoque Year 7+ Short Story
      St Elizabeth Primary  Michelle Rollins Ezeja Year 5 and 6 Poetry
      St Johns Primary Hannah Richards Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      St Johns Primary Lucy Richards Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      St Luke’s Primary Suhasini Shetty Year 1 and 2  Short Story
      St Mary and St Michael Primary Felipe Vieira Santos Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      St Mary and St Michael Primary Jacob Lees Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      St Mary and St Michael Primary McKenzie J Rutland Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      St Paul’s Whitechapel Primary Ali Ahmad Year 1 and 2  Short Story
      St Paul’s Whitechapel Primary Melino Momin Year 1 and 2  Short Story
      St Paul’s Whitechapel Primary Ibraheem Sadeek Year 1 and 2 Poetry
      St Saviors Primary Charlie Payne Year 1 and 2  Short Story
      Stebon Primary Inaya Rahman Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Swanlea School Zareena Hannah Raynor Year 7+ Short Story
      Thomas Buxton Primary Ruben Borg-Jones Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Virginia Primary Aqilah Malik Year 5 and 6 Poetry
      Virginia Primary Jubayra Khatun Year 5 and 6  Short Story
      Wellington Primary Jinan Ahmed Year 5 and 6 Poetry
      Wellington Primary Rayan Hoque Year 1 and 2 Poetry
      Wellington Primary Arifah Akhtar Year 3 and 4 Short Story
      Woolmore Primary Tanisha Hassan Miah Year 5 and 6 Poetry

       

      The judges’ decision is final.

       

      The Tower Hamlets Creative Writing Competition is an annual event for schools in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets for students aged six years to sixteen. Conceived in 2004 by Tower Hamlets Gifted and Talented strand of the Excellence in Cities programme, it has been run by Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service since 2011 with the aims of promoting wider reading and literacy, and to encourage young people to express themselves through the written word. Research carried out during the 2018 competition showed that pupils participating in the competition and in the author workshops benefited by gaining confidence in their writing ability and developing greater insight into the issues raised by the competition themes.

      We are thrilled to announce that Arts Council England has again awarded Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service with a grant to enhance our annual Creative Writing Competition with author-led creative writing workshops for schools, Idea Stores and home-educated children.

      In order to take advantage of these free author workshops, schools need to enter the competition by “buying” it via SLAonline (S0933 – Creative Writing Competition 2020) and letting us know who is to lead on organising the workshops.

      The grant also enables us to produce a book of the winning entries.

      This Hidden Island

      Our Guest Judges

      Every year the competition is judged by a childrens author or authors. This year Chitra Soundar will be reading the Year 1 to Year 4 entries and Bali Rai will be judging the stories and poems from year 5 and up. Both authors will be awarding prizes in June!

      Chitra Soundar is a closet clown, consummate liar, writer, teacher and storyteller. As a kid, she has danced in a Bollywood movie, acted on stage with her neighbourhood friends and disliked Maths because it never added up.

      She has over 30 books in print worldwide, including the Farmer Falgu picture book series and A Jar of Pickles and a Pinch of Wisdom. In the UK she’s published by Lantana Publishing, Otter-Barry Books, Walker Books and Red Robin Books.

      As a child, Bali Rai dreamt of playing football for Liverpool, being Bob Marley and becoming a writer.

      He has since written over 35 books, including the Tales from Devana High and Soccer Squad Series. Now Or Never : A Dunkirk Story was shortlisted for the 2019 Tower Hamlets Book Award

      Theme : This Hidden Island

      There is an island waiting to be found.

      If it does not exist, then it is up to you to shape it.

      Give it form, bring it into the world.

      Where is it?

      What is found on it?

      Who, or what, lives on it?

      What stories does it hold?

      Tell us one of them.

      You can interpret the theme This Hidden Island in any way you wish. We’ve collected possible ideas here.

      What are the distinctive cultures and features of  islands and groups of islands?

      • The people and culture
      • History
      • Contact with other cultures including colonial history
      • Myths, legends and folklore
      • Animals and nature
      • Geographical features and climate

      Story choices

      • What genre and style do you want to write in? Genres include; Adventure, Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Horror
      • Who are the main characters and what are they doing in the story?
      • Because we don’t have long to get involved in your story – how do you make the reader interested in the characters or their situations?
      • If it’s a poem, what sort of poem is it? Is it in rhyme, a narrative poem? Is it meant to be read aloud?

       Things to consider

      • Islands can be real or imaginary
      • Or a mixture of both!
      • There are millions of islands in the world and people still haven’t been to them all
      • Islands can be isolated and alone, or part of something larger
      • Many islands are unique, with life or features and culture that are found nowhere else
      • Islands can be difficult to find and travel to
      • They can also be difficult to leave!

      Examples of real world Islands and archipelagos

      • Polynesia
      • New Zealand
      • The British Isles (soon to be minus Scotland and Ireland?)
      • Hawaii
      • Easter Island
      • Scottish Islands including Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland Islands
      • The Caribbean
      • Galapagos Islands
      • Ross Island (Antarctica)
      • The Faroes
      • Hong Kong
      • Japan
      • Philippines
      • Australia
      • Madagascar
      • Greek islands
      • The Isle of Dogs
      • Surtsey
      • Svalbard (Norway)

      Popular themes associated with stories about or featuring islands

      • Pirates
      • Treasure
      • Voyages and quests
      • Fantasy
      • Adventures
      • Identity and culture
      • Isolation
      • Isolationism / delusions of superiority
      • Being trapped
      • Finding oneself
      • Welcoming strangers
      • Rejecting strangers
      • Strange places
      • The unknown
      • Returning home

      Examples of books and stories featuring, or set on, islands (real and imagined).

      We’ve listed some of the themes of these books that are related to the use of islands as settings. These themes can inspire pupils’ own work.

      Picture books

      • The Rabbits by John Marsden and Shaun Tan (Australia and colonialism/ invasion)
      • The Katie Morag Stories by Mairi Hedderwick (Scotland and island life – fictional but inspired by real islands)
      • The Little Island by Smriti Prasadam-Halls (UK – a satirical look at Brexit and the perils of isolationism)
      • Gregory Cool by Caroline Binch (Caribbean, identity and contrasting places)
      • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (Imaginary places and monsters)
      • The Island by Armin Greder (Imaginary and expressionist – exploring isolationism and prejudice against immigrants and refugees)
      • King Kong by Anthony Browne (Imaginary islands and taking someone from their home)
      • The Lighthouse Keeper series by Ronda and David Armitage (the problems of living in a remote lighthouse)
      • Three Monsters by David McKee (welcoming strangers / sharing / acceptance)
      • Jeremy Button : The boy that Darwin returned home by Jennifer Uman and Valerio Vidali (removing someone from their home, and returning home)
      • The Secret of Black Rock by Joe Todd-Stanton (mysteries, fantasy and living islands)
      • Archipelago : An Atlas of Imagined Islands by Huw Lewis-Jones (An imagined atlas created by a range of illustrators)

      Myths and Legends

      • Atlantis (Lost Islands -Various)
      • The Odyssey and the stories of Odysseus (Epic journey home and discoveries – Greek)
      • Brexit (a pyrrhic victory)
      • Jason and the Argonauts (Epic journey on a quest -Greek)
      • Stories of Maui and other Polynesian myths (Fantastical inhabitants of islands – Polynesia and also Hawaii and New Zealand)
      • Sinbad (sea voyages to islands – Arabic)

      Fiction

      • The Earthsea stories by Ursula Le Guin (Magic , fantasy and quests)
      • Peter Pan by J M Barrie (Pirates and imaginary lands)
      • Kensuke’s Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo (Japan and isolation)
      • The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kieran Millwood Hargrave (Fantasy and mythology)
      • The Island at the end of everything by Kieran Millwood Hargrave (Banishment and journeys)
      • Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolke (Isolation)
      • An Island of Our Own by Sally Nicholls (Contemporary Treasure hunting)
      • Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson (Pirates and treasure hunting)
      • The Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho Yen (An urban ‘island’ – being trapped in a tower block)
      • The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C S Lewis (Fantasy sea voyage and quest)
      • Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift (Fantastical journeys)
      • Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (Dinosaurs and science fiction)
      • Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaugrean (Being stranded and survival on a remote island : based on real events)
      • Oliver and the Seawigs by Phillip Reeve (Explorers and living, moving islands)
      • Meteorite Spoon by Philip Ridley (Excaping to a fantasy island)
      • Tintin and the Black Island by Herge (A mysterious island used by criminals)
      • Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones (A castle as a wandering island)
      • The Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman (Featuring a journey to Svalbard)
      • Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome (Lake District, sailing, camping, childhood holiday adventures)

      What are the judges looking for?

      Stories

      • An original approach to the competition theme
      • Good story structure (a beginning, middle and end)
      • Engaging and interesting characters

      Poetry

      • An original approach to the competition theme
      • The power of the poem!
      • Creative use of wordplay and style
      • Use of poetic forms and structure

      Rules

      All entries must be received by the Schools Library Services by the revised deadline date (see top of page)

      Prize Giving: Monday 2nd November

      Content

      • Entries must be appropriate to the theme!
      • Entries should not be adaptations of other writers’ or poets’ published work (such as stories or films), however alternative versions of fairy tales/ myths and legends will be accepted.
      • All entries must be the entrant’s own work, including all illustrations. All work shortlisted for a prize will be thoroughly checked and plagiarised writing and artwork will be disqualified. Please remind your pupils that copying work isn’t allowed!

      Boring but important

      • Entries can be cooperative efforts. Any prizes will be split between the named entrants.
      • Entries without entrant’s full name and competition category will not be eligible for judging.
      • Each page should have the entrant’s full name written clearly on it
      • Entries must be written or typed on one side of the page only
      • Work should be in black or blue ink or text on white paper
      • No decorative fonts unless they directly contribute to the writing/ storytelling
      • If you are illustrating your work, all artwork must be in black and white for consideration for the printed book
      • We will contact all winners via their school (or parents/ carers if home schooled) in May.
      • Work will not be automatically returned to entrants but can be collected on request after the competition closes. The Schools Library Services can take no responsibility for lost or damaged work.

      Privacy notice

      Commended and winning entries to be published in eBook and print formats. By entering the competition, entrants are giving permission for their work (including their name) to be published and distributed in these formats, and all supplied information including name and contact details to be held by the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services. Copyright on poems and stories will remain with the author(s). Supplied information, including names and contact details, of competition entrants who do not win prizes will not be stored beyond the duration of the event.

      Entering The Competition

      In 2020 there will be 4 age groups in the competition:

      • Group 1 : Years 1 & 2
      • Group 2 : Years 3 & 4
      • Group 3 : Years 5 & 6
      • Group 4 : Secondary schools

      Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd places and for commended entries in each category.

      To enter

      • Write a short story up to 500 words (KS1/2) and 750 words (KS3)
        • may also be an illustrated story or comic book
      • Write a poem or verse story up to 25 lines (KS1/2) and 35 lines (KS3)
      • Poems and stories must follow the competition theme

      Pupils may enter both the short story and poetry categories. The competition deadline is Friday 15th May 2020. 

      If you are entering via a participating school entries should be passed to a teacher or school librarian

      If you are entering via an Idea Store entries should be handed into an Idea Store member of staff

      Parents / carers of home-educated entrants may send work directly or via the Tower Hamlets education safeguarding team.

      Entries can be submitted via:

      • emailed as an attachment : jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk OR
      • post: Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services, PDC, 229 Bethnal Green Road, E2 6AB

      and must include the information below.

      1. Writer’s full name
      2. Year group (age if home schooled)
      3. School (parents’/ carers’ contact email if home schooled)
      4. Class teacher/ English teacher (parent’s/ carer’s name if home schooled)
      5. The category being entered (select from below)
      • Group 1 : Years 1 & 2 Short Story                         Poetry
      • Group 2 : Years 3 & 4 Short Story                         Poetry
      • Group 3 : Years 5 & 6 Short Story                         Poetry
      • Secondary Short Story                                            Poetry
      1. Title of work (untitled winning entries will be given a title by the competition judges)

    • Takeoff! 2020

      Takeoff! 2020

      The Takeoff! 2020 list is 20 great books for children in years 3 and 4 published (paperback) between April 2019 and April 2020.

      These books are selected each year by Schools Library Services librarians and aim to cover a diverse  range of authors, subjects and genres.

      For new primary fiction for years 5 and 6, see our Must Read booklist!

      Posters and Bookmarks for the 2020 booklists will be delivered a little later than normal this year – look out for them from September.

      View the list of books

        Title Author Blurbs
      1. Too Small Tola Atinuke Tola might be small, and overshadowed by her bossy, fast, clever family in their flat in the busy city of Lagos in Nigeria, but when there is a crisis, Tola usually manages to save the day!
      2. The Funny Life of Teachers James Campbell Have you ever wondered what teachers do when they’re not in the classroom? Are they undercover detectives, champion roller-blade dancers or do they spend their evenings playing with their 576 cats?  But be warned – no teachers are allowed to read this!
      3. Phoenix of Persia Sally Pomme Clayton When the king abandons his newborn son because of his white hair, Simorgh, the wise phoenix, adopts him, brings him up with her own chicks and teaches him forgiveness. Background resources, including music, available from the Schools Library Service
      4. Adventure Duck vs Power Pug

      Adventure Duck vs The Wicked Walrus

      Adventure Duck vs The Armadillo Army

      		 Steve Cole A new series of adventures as Adventure Duck, discovering he has superpowers after a meteor lands in his pond, battles with Power Pug, a dastardly dog who hatches up dastardly and evil plans to take over the world.
      5. The Dog Who Lost His Bark Eoin Colfer In his short doggy life, Oz has suffered at the hands of bad people and learned that if he barks, he doesn’t get fed.  But he is the perfect companion for Patrick, lonely and confused by his father’s absence, who finds him at the animal shelter and gives him a home at last.
      6. My Babysitter Is a Robot Dave Cousins The twins’ inventor grandmother invents a robot to look after them and programmed to make them do their homework, so they must stop their squabbling and work together to get rid of him…
      7. Ariki and the Island of Wonders Nicola Davies Sequel to Ariki and the Giant Shark, Ariki and her pet pig, Bad Boy, skip school to go sailing around their island home, but don’t notice the storm clouds gathering.  Washed up on an unfamiliar island, they discover another castaway, living with the giant Mweep birds –but all is not as it seems.
      8. Kids Fight Plastic Martin Dorey Have you got 2 minutes? That’s all the time it takes to become a #2minutesuperhero. Plastic is everywhere. It is in the rivers and it is in the sea. We need superheroes to fight plastic and help save our oceans.
      9. Agent Weasel and the Abominable Dr Snow

      Agent Weasel and the Fiendish Fox Gang

      		 Nick East Agent Weasel, woodland superspy, gets kidnapped by the Fiendish Fox Gang who are spreading mayhem throughout the forest, and in the second story, animal athletes are mysteriously disappearing on the opening night of the Winter Whopper Games… can Agent Weasel discover what is going on?
      10. Granny Magic Elka Evalds Will didn’t realise the magical importance of the jumpers his Gran knits.  It is only when she dies and evil Jasper Fidget appears on the scene looking to steal all that she knitted does he realise that the knitting has powerful and unexpected powers – and he is launched into a magical adventure to save them!
      11. Yasmin the Superhero Saadia Faruqi Yasmin is a superhero! She’s got the cape. She’s got the mask. Now she just needs a villain to defeat!  Read more about Yasmin in this series of eight books about a spirited, creative and curious Pakistani-American little girl and her family
      12. The Dragon’s Breakfast Vivian French Legend has it that there’s pirate treasure hiding in Bullion Island’s sea-caves, guarded by a fearsome dragon – but nobody knows for sure, because no sailor has managed a return trip. But Princess Persephone Stephanie Tiffany Jane (“Pom” for short) isn’t afraid of dragons … or anything else!
      13. The Princess in Black and the Science Fair Scare Shannon Hale, Dean Hale In this sixth adventure for the masked heroes, the Princess in Black and the Princess in Blankets must confront the goo monster, and with a little bit of  scientific problem-solving, save the science fair for Princess Magnolia
      14. Invasion of the Living Ted Barry Hutchison As all teddy bears come to life to help Grizz take over the world, Lisa Marie and Vernon must battle a King-Kong-sized teddy bear with a mind for evil.  Third in the series that started with Night of the Living Ted and Revenge of the Living Ted
      15. The Day I Found a Wormhole at the Bottom of the Garden

      The Day I Started a Mega Robot Invasion

      		 Tom McLaughlin All sorts of people from the past clamber up through the weird wormhole Billy finds in his garden, but if Billy doesn’t round them up and send them back, history will be changed forever!  Look out, too, for “The Day I started A Mega Robot Invasion” when the robot Molly invented to do her homework decides to make more robots to take over the world.
      16. Hotel Flamingo: Holiday Heatwave

      And Hotel Flamingo: Carnival Caper

      		 Alex Milway  There’s a heatwave on, and a huge ice shortage, which could spell problems for Anna when Hotel Flamingo get a booking for their Royal Suite from King Penguin… and at Carnival time, Anna is determined to win the prize for Hotel Flamingo for the best display, but will rain wash the parade away?  Two more exciting stories about Anna and her fabulous hotel for animals
      17. Anisha, Accidental Detective Serena Patel Anisha is all set to be a (reluctant) bridesmaid at Aunty Bindi’s wedding…until a secret ransom note arrives. Bindi’s groom has been kidnapped and will only be released if the wedding is called off! With best friend Milo and some super skills of logic and observation, it’s up to Anisha Mistry to find her uncle and save the day.

       
      18. Kevin’s Great escape: legend of Kevin 2 Philip Reeve Misty Twiglet is a famous pop star and used to getting everything she wants, and she wants Kevin, the roly poly flying pony!  Kevin’s best friend Max and his sister Daisy must come to Kevin’s rescue, and there’s no way they’re giving up on him without a fight.
      19. My Parents Cancelled My Birthday! Jo Simmons “It all started when a pig fell off the roof” and this is the first of all the disasters tht ruin the day Tom has been looking forward to for months!  Undeterred, Tom decides to put on his own birthday party – thank goodness for little sisters!
      20. Sam Wu is NOT Afraid of Spiders! Katie Tsang Sam Wu’s not going to let anyone know he’s afraid of spiders. And so when Tulip, the school tarantula, disappears from her cage, Sam decides it’s up to him and his friends to save the school from the eight-legged escapee . . .  Sam is not afraid of ghosts, sharks, zombies or the dark – but those are all other stories!

       

      [associated_posts]

    • Must Read 2020

      Must Read 2020

      40 of the best new fiction titles for your primary school Library, aimed at years 5 and 6.
      The Must Read Book list is one of our annual selections of the best fiction for primary schools chosen by librarians from the Schools Library Service and primary and secondary schools, and is a suggested list to buy for your school library.

      For fiction for years 3 and 4, take a look at our Takeoff! booklist.

      The book list represents a selection of the best new fiction first published in paperback within the last year, and aims to cover a diverse arange of subjects, genres, authors and interests.

      Titles from the 2020 Teen and Primary lists will be chosen for the Tower Hamlets Book Award short list. Don’t forget to register for this event!

      Posters and Bookmarks for the 2020 booklists will be delivered a little later than normal this year – look out for them from September.

      Please contact the library for any further information about the book list.

      Click here to see the full list

      Title Author Notes
      The Girl Who Speaks Bear Sophie Anderson Fairy tales ancient and modern weave in and out of this entrancing story of Yanka, the girl who as a baby was cared for by a bear.  Struggling with acceptance in her village as she grows up, Yanka must leave and journey through the forest full of dangers as well as extraordinary friends to the find the answer of who she really is.
      Asha & the Spirit Bird Jasbinder Bilan Asha leaves home in the foothills of the Himalayas to save her family after her father disappears and her mother is threatened by a cruel money lender. With help from her friend Jeevan and Nanijee, the spirit bird of her grandmother, she crosses mountains and faces many dangers including child exploitation. An exciting and uplifting story.
      No Ballet Shoes in Syria Catherine Bruton Aya’s dreams and love of ballet help her through heartrending situations. She, her mother and baby Moosa seek asylum in the UK after leaving her father behind in war torn Syria. A chance friendship enables her to attend a ballet class and her talent is recognised but will she find a new home in this challenging place?
      A Pocketful of Stars Aisha Bushby A magical story which begins with clashes between Safiya and her mum. But when mum falls ill, to save her Safiya is transported to Kuwait, mum’s childhood home, and she needs to use all her gaming skills to overcome dangers and rescue their relationship.
      Orion Lost Alastair Chisholm Fast paced science fiction. Space craft Orion is taken over by outside forces and only children are left awake and able to take control. Beth has to learn who or what to trust – the other children, the Artificial Intelligence system, or her own judgement – to save the ship and all aboard.
      What’s That in Dog Years? Ben Davis George’s beloved dog Gizmo is fourteen and won’t be around for much longer and George is helping him fulfil his bucket list, leading them into many adventures.  A loving, humorous read.
      Fire Girl Forest Boy Chloe Daykin An intense and exciting adventure in Peru. Maya from Scotland and Raul from the cloud forest alternately tell the story of environmental destruction, family pain, and rescue from the clutches of a logging company, with more than a splash of magical realism.
      Captain Rosalie Timothée de Fombelle Beautifully illustrated and poignant story told by five-year-old Rosalie living in hardship with her mother during World War One. Her father is away fighting and writes loving letters home. Rosalie is inspired to go on her own secret mission, but its revelation tells her, and us, more about grief and love than hard facts ever can.
      Talking to the Moon S E Durrant Iris loves living with her grandma and away from her noisy family, but grandma sometimes puts clothes on inside out, and her memories are fading away.  Who is Coral, the girl in the old photo?  Can Iris find her and bring comfort to her grandma? A tender and uplifting story.
      The Longest Night of Charlie Noon Christopher Edge Charlie, Dizzy and Johnny are determined to find out what lies in the heart of the wood, but as night falls, they become lost and time begins to twist around them. Charlie begins to fear for the future as they wonder whether this night in the forest is all that there is and ever will be…
      The Girl Who Stole an Elephant Nizrana Farook Chaya is a rebellious child. Daughter to the headman of her village in Sri Lanka, she feels perfectly justified to take from the rich to help those in need. Except one day she goes too far and steals the Queen’s jewels, unwittingly putting her village in danger – leading to an escape into the jungle with her friends. And the King’s elephant.
      To Night Owl From Dogfish Holly Goldberg-Sloan Avery’s very close to his Dad – it’s been the two of them his whole life, they’re best friends and tell each other everything. So he’s quite surprised when a stranger – Bett – sends him an email claiming that their fathers are now a couple.
      The House of Light Julia Green Nothing in the world is normal any more. There are poisonous dangers to be found on the seashore but Bonnie and Granda make their living there and risk discovery by the guards. When Bonnie finds a boat and a barefoot boy she knows she must act to change her world for the better.
      Nothing Ever Happens Here Sarah Hagger-Holt Izzy lives in Littlehaven where nothing ever happens. The most exciting thing is the upcoming auditions for the school production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ – until her dad breaks the news that he’s transitioning to become a woman and suddenly the spotlight is on Izzy’s family…
      The Cosmic Atlas of Alfie Fleet Martin Howard Meet Alfie Fleet. In this book, we’ll be travelling to the ends of the universe with him. On the way we’ll encounter brains-in-jars, twang bears, giant sand lobsters and other things that are not quite so wonderful.
      The Unexpected Find Toby Ibbotson William is different, and people don’t really like that. Judy is difficult, and people don’t like that either. So when they become friends, it’s unexpected. And everything that comes next is unexpected – teaming up with eccentric Mr Balderson and his campervan, the search for Judy’s father, the journey to Sweden, the crash, the fight and the fact that, somehow, William’s unexpected find turns out to be useful in the most truly unexpected way
      White Fox Chen Jiatong Dilah the white fox wants more than anything to be human and embarks on a quest guided by a magical moonstone. This is an exciting tale of animal transformation.  If it could happen the other way round, what animal would you like to be?
      Pog Pádraig Kenny There’s something powerfully strange in the woods, and Pog, a brave furry creature who acts as guardian, needs the help of David and Penny to overcome the evil unleashed.  The children are battling with their own troubles, the loss of their mother and their grief stricken father, and must find strength to win trials both fantastic and real.
      Small Mercies Bridget Krone Mercy lives with two eccentric but loving foster aunts in a crumbling house in South Africa.  Family life and school life can be a challenge, and then a housing developer threatens to make things really fall apart. What Mercy needs is a miracle…
      Pie in the Sky Remy Lai When his family move to Australia, Jingwen struggles to fit in, and his pesky younger brother doesn’t help either. Fun illustrations throughout make this book about baking, broken hearts and family love hugely entertaining.
      A House Without Walls Elizabeth Laird The Syrian war brings hardship to 13-year-old Safiya and her family. They flee to Jordan and have to live in a tent near relatives and Safiya is forced to stop school to look after everyone. All her dreams are endangered including the longed-for reunion with her lost twin, but will hope see her through?
      The Faraway Truth Janae Marks Do innocent people end up in prison? Really?

      Zoe’s never asked herself this question until a letter arrives from her father on her twelfth birthday. She’s never met her father. He was sent to prison before she was born. Her mum always said he was dangerous but he seems… nice.
      The Land of Roar Jenny McLachlan When twins Arthur and Rose were little they were heroes in Roar, their imaginary world which was filled with the things they loved – dragons, mermaids, ninja wizards – as well as the things that scared them the most. Now they are eleven, Roar is almost forgotten until strange things start to happen…maybe, just maybe, Roar is real?
      Planet Omar: Unexpected Super Spy Zanib Mian Omar is a lively and imaginative boy who goes into action to save the local mosque when it is threatened with closure. The story teems with characters, including the world’s grumpiest sister, not to mention a money-making scheme, a talent contest, a secret thief…and loads of cookies.
      Nevertell Katharine Orton “Imagining tends to give people inconvenient ideas, and those in power don’t like being inconvenienced.” Lina has ideas – she wants to see beyond the prison camp that has been her life for eleven years. One night she escapes across the snowy Russian wilderness but finds herself pursued by a sorceress and her wolves…
      Anna at War Helen Peters It’s 1939 and Jewish refugee Anna arrives in Kent on one of the last kindertransport trains to leave Germany.  Life with a foster family in England is not easy for Anna – local people are suspicious and don’t trust anyone or anything German, so when it looks like there is a spy in their midst, Anna must be brave and devises dangerous plan to prove her loyalty.
      Way of the Waves Janina Ramirez Viking girl Alva has stowed away, crossing the North Sea on a longship. There’s no turning back for this shield maiden – exploring new lands, solving mysteries and – she hopes – finding her father.
      Empire’s End: A Roman Story Leila Rashid The Roman Empire 207 AD – Camilla’s family are called to the Emperor’s side from their home in North Africa, but instead of Rome, Camilla’s family are sent to the furthest corner of the Empire, Britannica. After a traumatic journey, tragedy strikes and Camilla finds herself alone, navigating life in a cold and dangerous land at the mercy of a capricious Empress.  Based on a true story, we see that Roman Britain was a cultural ‘melting pot’ with a mix of ethnicities and religions at all levels of society.
      Demelza & the Spectre Detectors Holly Rivers Demelza is an inventor. She believes that everything in the universe can be explained by science and numbers and that there definitely isn’t such a thing as life after death and ghosts.

      On the other hand, she has no rational explanation for what just happened in the greenhouse…
      Spylark Danny Rurlander Tom has struggled to walk since the accident. His drone – Skylark – gives him the freedom he craves, exploring his world from above. But he finds more than freedom when he stumbles on a terrorist plot.
      Lampie: a seaswept fairytale adventure Annet Scaaf A lighthouse light not lit, a ship wrecked on the rocks, a drunken father – Lampie must leave her lighthouse home and work as a maid at the Admiral’s house – a dark foreboding place with rumours of a monster up in the tower.   But what Lampie discovers is not a monster….  An enthralling adventure that defends everyone’s right to be different.
      The Paninis of Pompeii Andy Stanton In Roman times there lived a fat merchant called Caecilius Maximus Panini. He was so fat he looked like a large football with a face on top, and this is what the name ‘Caecilius’ means: large football with a face on top.
      Extraordinary Birds Sandy Stark-McGinnis December knows all about getting kicked out of foster homes. And birds.  All she wants is to fly away, but when she’s placed with Eleanor, her new foster mum, she wonders if she’s found somewhere she belongs.
      Malamander Thomas Taylor This visit to Eerie-on-sea isn’t your normal English seaside holiday. Not just because it’s the middle of a bitterly cold winter, but because it’s quite likely that there’s a fish-man monster lurking in that shipwreck. And just what are the mysterious Violet Parma and Sebastian Eels up to?
      Some Places More Than Others Renée Watson Amara visits Harlem, New York, for the first time to see where her Dad grew up, and discover not just her roots but also the importance of place and family. Thoughtful and emotionally engaging.
      Cloud Boy Marcia Williams Harry and Angie are as close friends as could be, and explore lots of interests together including their love of clouds. When Harry develops a serious illness their reliance on each other starts to deepen. Written as a diary by Angie this is a life affirming story dealing with the hardest of issues.
      The Girl with Space in Her Heart Lara Williamson Mabel has a lot of worries – why has her father left home?  Why does her older sister hate her Mum’s new boyfriend so much?  At school, why is Dolly Rose so prickly and angry?  Mabel packs all her worries in a suitcase that is getting so full that it is going to explode – is there anyone who can pick up the pieces?  A funny but sensitive exploration of mental health.
      Gorebrah: Mightiest Chef in the Universe James Stayte He’s tough, he’s a barbarian…

      And he’s out to save the world with the most amazing cooking known to humans or monsters! Hilarious comic adventures to be taken with a pinch of salt or your choice of table sauces.
      The Way Past Winter Karen Millwood Hargraves It has been winter for five years, and when older brother Oskar is lured away by the same evil force that took their father away, Mila and her sisters decide to follow his trail to the frozen north, find a way past winter and bring their brother home
      Children Who Changed the World: Incredible true Stories About Children’s Rights! Marcia Williams Marking 30 years since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed by the United Nations General Assembly, discover the incredible true stories of child activists around the world. Important issues, such as the right to a safe place to live, the right to education and the right to protection from harm, are explained and explored through the stories of children who have stood up for them.

       

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