Ali’s Comments (group member since Jun 14, 2012)

Ali’s comments from the UEL Primary PGCE 2012-13 group.

Great reviews, everyone! thanks for posting them.

Great reviews, thank you! I'm a big fan of Gillian Cross- best known of course for The Demon Headmaster. I recommend Helena Pielichaty and Anne Fine for Jacqueline Wilson fans. Dav Pilkey is great, glad you enjoyed Captain Underpants, Sam!

Emma wrote: "One more book by Gillian Cross is Monsters from Underground.Good beginner book for a reluctant reader

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10..."
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... is the link to your review.

Emma wrote: "Hope everyone is excited about September! Here's another favourite of mine.Definitely worth a glance. Giraffes can't dance by Giles Andreae

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76......"
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... is the link to your review, rather than the book.

Rahima wrote: "Hi everyone ... finally made some time to review a very special book to me, I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."
Fantastic review! It's a beautiful book. I must re-read it now!

Thank you Laura, two great reviews.

Laura wrote: "http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32..."

Hi Alison, here is my first book review of best friends or not?"
Here is the review, rather than the book. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Here's a review of a book I read back in January. If you like Percy Jackson/ Harry Potter/ Skulduggery Pleasant books, you should like this. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Emma wrote: "Hello everyone, isn't it great reading all these children's books again! Here's my review for George Saves the World by Lunchtime by Jo Readman and Ley Honor Roberts.

http://www.goodreads.com/revi..."
Thanks Emma, glad you're enjoying it! An interesting review.

Matt wrote: "Hmm, not a big fan of how the quoting works here...

Anyway, I thought some more about depictions of mischievous children sitting on a plane for three hours and two things occurred to me.

Being 'n..."

Please don't apologise! I agree with much of what you are saying. I think a balance is important: if you as a teacher read a book where there is "bad" behaviour, the next time read a book where "good" behaviour is rewarded. If you ask children whether Horrid Henry is a bad or good character, they will know that his behaviour is bad, that Peter is good etc. But on the other hand, Horrid Henry books are fun, and with "hard to reach" children, they (and Diary of a Wimpy Kid which I find far more cynical) do get children, particularly reluctant boys, reading!

Zainab wrote: "Hi Alison,

The Smartest Giant in Town would be suitable for five year olds. I would use this book in the classroom as an activity for the children to identify George’s clothes and which animals h..."

Thanks Zainab, some good ideas.

Matt wrote: "Alison wrote: "Matt, have you read other books about mischievous chi..."

I wouldn't for a moment deny the vicarious pleasure aspect of it, and I haven't read any of the books you mention. With the..."

Interesting points, Matt. Thanks.

Thank you Shemona, three great reviews.

Shemona wrote: "Heres my review of ‘The New Bear At School’ by Carrie Weston and Tim Warnes

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33..."

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... This is the link to your review, rather than the book.

Shemona wrote: "Heres a review of Lauren Childs 'I will never not ever eat a tomato'

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13..."

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... is the link to your review.

Ece wrote: "Hi this is my first review. I wasn't too sure on how to post it as a link but I hope you enjoy it. It's on Handa's Surprise.

Handa's Surprise is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that expl..."
Either copy the URL from the top of your review page, or copy the box to the right of your review which is labeled "URL of your review". Then post it on this discussion thread! Here is the link to your review: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

Thank you everyone! Zainab, what age range would you say these books are appropriate for? Would you use them in the classroom, and if so, how?

Matt, have you read other books about mischievous children that you preferred (e.g. William, Ramona the Pest, Clementine), or is it the approval of "naughtiness" that you're uncomfortable with? Children seem to get a lot of vicarious pleasure out of reading about naughty children!

I have added a link on the wiki to Oxford Owls: http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/Question/I.... Please explore the resources, in particular the Phonics Made Easy page.

Thanks, Iain and Anthony, two fantastic reads. I agree, Anthony- Sabriel and sequels are very much for confident and mature readers in upper KS2. They are among the best children's/ young adult books I've read, up there with His Dark Materials and Neil Gaiman's Coraline and The Graveyard Book. Have you read Nix's Mister Monday series?

Anthony wrote: "Hello all. Great to see so many fantastic reviews here! This is mine for Garth Nix's Sabriel.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51...."

This is the link to your review (rather than the book) Anthony: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...