Blether Board

Can You See Me? Libby Scott and Rebecca Westport.

I absolutely loved this story. It was moving, insightful and inspirational. I think this is a must read for everyone – children, friends, parents and teachers. The story of autistic Tally and her everyday life is interlaced with diary entries that are packed with Tally’s Tips to help everyone understand her challenges and how best to interact with her. Although she is clear that every autistic person is different ( so may not respond in the same way) it is a lesson in empathy for all.
Rushed out to buy the sequel Do You Know Me? and loved that too!

I have just finished reading the graphic novel El Deafo by Cece Bell – a fantastic read that I highly recommend!

The brilliant storytelling weaved with wonderful illustration provides the reader with a real insight into the life of Cece as a child growing up with hearing loss. We gain great understanding into her perceptions of the world and those around her. Empathy could be greatly enhanced through the use of this book in the classroom – one I will definitely enjoy reading with children in the future.

MegM2710

The TRC team has been so inspired by the sheer volume of reviews being left on the website (1,567 to be precise!) and we know how much you want to see other teachers’ recommendations. So, we’re excited to share our ‘Featured Reviews’ page, where we’ll pick out our top reviews around a different theme, three times a week. Find the page in the tabs banner at the top of the page.

To kick things off, we’ve picked out some of our favourite reviews of mood-boosting books. Do have an explore, but don’t stop sharing your reviews on the ‘Blether’ page here!

Zoe – TRC Team

I have just finished the follow-up to Jenny McLachlan’s Land of Roar – Return to Roar.

Absolutely brilliant, gripping at times and showing the true meaning of friendships and family connections. The ending is truly relevant and significant and clearly demonstrates that bullies can be beaten.

I have just read Riding A Lion by Coral Rumble – a wonderful poetry book for Key Stage 2 with a wealth of topics and moods- playful and thoughtful. Great for discussion and for modelling poetry writing. Highly recommend it.

Larraine Harrison

We have loved taking a peek at your reviews and want to share our favourites for other teachers to read and take inspiration from! Keep your eyes peeled for our top picks so far…

We are working hard on creating a separate reviews page where will share as many reviews as we can. In the meantime, we would love for you to copy and paste your thoughts and recommendations onto this message board and get talking about the books you’re reading.

Best wishes,

Zoe – TRC Team

Title: Lark
Author: Anthony McGowan
Recommended for: readers with dyslexia

“Excellent book from Barrington Stoke (so dyslexia friendly and just 110 pages). Tells the story of two brothers who get lost on the moors. Beautifully written – moments of almost poetic tenderness mixed with the everyday voices of two teen boys and their tough life experiences so far as they struggle to survive when a blizzard catches them unprepared.”

Title: The Star Outside my Window
Author: Onjali Q. Rauf
Good for discussing: domestic violence
Top tip: “would need sensitive reading in a whole class setting”

“An absolute triumph of a book. This is a book that will stay with you. A book of bravery, friendship, family, hope and absolute heartbreak. I absolutely sobbed. Rauf’s crusade to raise awareness of domestic violence and the irreparable scars it leaves in families needs applauding. Very brave to turn a personal tragedy into a campaign to help others. A book that would need sensitive reading in a whole class setting.”