STORY    SHACK
  • Home
  • Creating a READING CULTURE in your school
  • Professional Development (and personal too for YOU).
  • Book Recommendations for YOU
  • Get in touch
  • Back together FOLK EAST 2020
  • FOLK EAST 2022
  • Listen to a favourite Storyshack story
  • Book Making Videos
  • Blog

Release your  imagination......
Explore new worlds.    
Make your own stories.

Explore a map-real or fantasy....where do you want to go? Make your own and see where your imagination takes you.

Save childhood

"If this was real, and so far there had been nothing to prove it wasn't,then he was in one of the most extraordinary situations that any young man could find himself.  This was his beanstalk in the gutter of time"

3/29/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
Another rapid read because it's lovely to have TIME to read in the hols. Page turners are always brilliant when you've got the time to read them aren't they?  So Sally Gardner's 'The Door That Led to Where' is just that. It won the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 2013 and is a gripping read. You know she is one of my favourite authors and I was very lucky to hear her make an inspiring speech about holding creativity dear to us in primary schools. Not only does she speak passionately about education she's also an enthralling writer. 

This novel centres around 3 friends who are not having the easiest of teenage lives-in fact they're really struggling with things that we all hope our children wouldn't have to struggle with but lots of young people DO. AJ is the main character and this story is really his-the mystery surrounding his father , his awakening of his own talents and his recognition of this chance to change his life.  The boys are living a harsh life but the magic and mystery in the book contrasts with this and gives it a quirky lift. I like that bit of magic particularly when it is a key which enables you to go back into time and in a more exciting way than in the Magic Key that Biff and Chip use!! 

14 + for this one I think-it's got some themes better suited to this age range -drug use, gangs. The book uses the F word a couple of times just to warn you if you feel offended by that or if you like to know what you're children are reading. It would detract if they said something much more polite because it just wouldn't feel real. 
Read it if you haven't already and then read 'I Coriander' if you haven't already ......
1 Comment

Spring has Sprung with 'The Imaginary'

3/25/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
'The Imaginary' by AF Harrold+Emily Gravett is a thought provoking read charming, poignant, funny and scary all at the same time. Amanda has an imaginary friend...

Picture
She's a very imaginative, creative child and together with her friend they share lots of adventures. BUT, there is somebody who would like to wipe out imaginary friends. The book is really interesting because it's dark and light. Reading it raises lots of questions, gives lots of ideas for discussion-loyalty, right and wrong, what is a friend, growing up, loss. It really is a multi layered book. I think it would be great to read from 8+. It's a really lovely one for bed time reading or reading to your class and I think could give you much potential for an in depth topic for a term. Be warned it's one of those need to read at once books-I started last night and finished it this morning (it took my mind off the end of term cold lurgy). 
http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/pressdesk/press.php?release=pres_2016_nom_ann_carn.html
Next stop SALLY GARDNER'S 'THE DOOR THAT LED TO WHERE'....I love holiday reading.

PS come and have a look at 'The Imaginary' for yourself at Storyshack-we'll be opening this Wednesday 30th and Tuesday 5th April. Come and find some lovely reads AND make a book too :-) See you there!

0 Comments
    Get in touch
    Tweets by Storyshacker
    Follow @Storyshacker

    Sarah Gallagher

    Avid reader, sometimes a headteacher AND founder of Story shack. A place where  you can release your imagination and see where it takes you....
    reading
    writing
    book making
    playing
    because everyone deserves to imagine and create

    mumsnet

    Archives

    May 2022
    May 2020
    January 2020
    August 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Books
    Children
    Imagination
    Stories
    Teachers

    Wordle: storyshack
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.