WONDER – RJ Palacio

Why fit in when you were born to stand out!

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a severe facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school.

Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, Auggie wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past his extraordinary face. Wonder begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include the perspectives of his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These voices converge to portray a community as it struggles with differences, and challenges readers, both young and old, to wonder about the true nature of empathy, compassion, acceptance, friendship, and—ultimately—kindness. Auggie is a hero for the ages, one who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

Letters from the Lighthouse – Emma Carroll

Have the strength to fight for what you believe in!

It’s 1941 and the Second World War rages on longer than anyone anticipated. Reeling from the death of their father and the disappearance of their sister Sukie, Olive and her brother are evacuated to the coast of Devon. After discovering a strangely coded message that she’s certain has something to do with Sukie’s disappearance, Olive embarks on a dangerous adventure as she’s determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.Olive is a wonderful protagonist. Being an evacuee she has an understanding of the prejudice that can come from lack of understanding. The thing that touched me most within this wonderful novel was the opportunity to hear the stories behind all those effected by war along with the refugees and the impact they had on the locals. War and hate has the ability to divide communities but Letters from the Lighthouse shows how much can be achieved when people work together.

The Jam Doughnut That Ruined My Life – Mark Lowery

Have the strength to fight for what you believe in!

Roman loves jam doughnuts. He doesn’t think they’re as dangerous as sharks…or trousers! But he learns that they can cause a lot of trouble, nonetheless.

Roman’s possession of a secret doughnut on a school trip attracts the prettiest and cleverest girl in the class. It also draws Darren Gamble, the class lunatic, who hits Roman with a poisonous jelly fish.

While his girlfriend’s doughnut demands get out of hand, Roman’s relationship with Darren leads to shaving and then losing his teacher’s guinea pig, taking part in a sweet shop heist and causing a riot at an old people’s tea party.

Danny Champion of the World – Roald Dahl

Danny thinks his dad is the most marvellous and exciting father a boy could wish for. Life is happy and peaceful in their gipsy caravan, until one day Danny discovers his dad has been breaking the law. What’s more, soon Danny has to join his father as they attempt to pull off a daring and devilish plot against their horrible, greedy neighbour, Mr Victor Hazell

Peace at last – Jill Murphy

A family of bears; Mr Bear, Mrs Bear and Baby Bear. One particular evening daddy bear is struggling to fall asleep and so we follow his journey through the house trying to find somewhere comfortable and quiet to sleep. Throughout his journey we encounter a variety of different noises that disrupt daddy bear’s sleep. Once daddy bear finally finds somewhere to sleep, the story takes an unexpected turn.

Once There Were GIANTS – Martin Waddell

There is a baby who lives among giants…. Soon the baby grows a little and can walk and talk. Then, one day, the baby is all grown up and has a baby of her own.

Suddenly there are giants in the house again, and she realizes, “One of the giants is…ME!”

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl

Charlie Bucket lives on the outskirts of town with his poverty-stricken family: his parents and all four grandparents. Each day on his way to school, Charlie passes the best and biggest chocolate factory in the world, run by the secretive Willy Wonka. When Charlie’s father loses his job, things go from bad to worse.

Charlottes Web – E.B White

Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte’s Web, high up in Zuckerman’s barn. Charlotte’s spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur’s life when he was born the runt of his litter.

The Railway Children – E. Nesbit

Roberta, Peter and Phyllis leave their London home and move with their mother to a small cottage in the country where life is very different. With their mother now busy writing to earn money, the railway becomes a source of fascination and solace to the children.

They make friends with Perks the Porter and the station master, and discover new and exciting things about the trains. However, mystery remains – where is their father? Then the terrible truth is discovered.

The Cat in the Hat – Dr Seuss

Poor Sally and her brother. It’s cold and wet and they’re stuck in the house with nothing to do . . . until a giant cat in a hat shows up, transforming the dull day into a madcap adventure and almost wrecking the place in the process!

The Stick Man – Julia Donaldson

Stick Man is a very lucky stick, living with his Stick Lady Love and their three small sticks. However, one day he goes out for a jog and becomes caught up in many precarious events. He becomes a toy for a dog, a pooh-stick, nesting material and even firewood.

Owl Babies – Martin Waddell

Three owlets that wake up one night to find their mother gone, worry about her absence, but are then elated when she inevitably returns from her night flight.

You Choose –Nick Sharratt & Pippa Goodhart

Imagine you could go anywhere, with anyone and do anything. Where would you live? Where would you sleep? Who would be your friends? What games would you play? Go on… you choose! 

Tiddler – Julia Donaldson

It tells the story of a little plain fish who is repeatedly late to school, when asked why he is late, he tells the grandest of stories to his class. Tiddler tells his tales everyday but will anyone one believe he his fantastical story when he has a real adventure in the big wide sea.

Mr Happy and the Wizard –  Roger Hargreaves

When Mr. Happy finds a wizard’s spell book, he decides to use the spells to make people happier. But things don’t work out quite as he planned…

Anne of Green Gables – Anne Shirley

Matthew Cuthbert and his sister, Marilla, live in Avonlea on Canada’s Prince Edward Island. Needing help on their farm, Green Gables, they apply to adopt a boy from an orphanage. By mistake, however, a red-haired, freckle-faced 11-year-old girl named Anne Shirley is sent to the siblings.