If All The World Were Paper

Please take a look at year 4's poems that we shared in our class assembly last week

What would you make your parent or siblings into if they were paper?

Circling the Sun

Reading is one of my favourite things to do just before bed. It helps me to unwind from the day and lose myself in another world. I especially enjoy reading fictional books that are based upon facts or real-life so I can learn new things while I am relaxing with a good book.

I really enjoyed this book as it is set against the majestic landscape of early-twentieth-century Africa, the tale reveals the extraordinary adventures of a woman before her time. Beryl Markham was one of the first females to get her B license for flying and she pioneered a new form of safari where she went up in the air to scout for animals and told the safari jeeps where to go to see them. In this book I learnt a lot about Kenyan traditions. Beryl was brought up on an estate with the native Kipsigis tribe and through the story you also see the journey of a young boy in the tribe as he becomes a man.

Have you learned about other cultures from a book? What have you learned?

What I'm reading: Rapunzel

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Rapunzel by Rachel Isadora. I have always enjoyed reading fairy tales especially when they are retold in different settings. Last year, I went to a theatre show in East London with my family and we enjoyed watching the performance of several stories from the Brothers Grimm's fairy-tale collection. Fairy tales can be quite dark and enjoyed by adults as well as children.

Not only is Rapunzel by Rachel Isadora bursting with colourful collages that reflect African culture, it also ties in really well with our other book that we have been reading in Year 3, The Village of Square and Round Houses.

What is your favourite Rachel Isadora book and why?
How are Brothers Grimm's fairy tales different to classic stories?

What I'm reading: Kiffe Kiffe Demain

Kiffe Kiffe Demain is a book by the French author Faïza Guène. It combines two of my passions: French and reading. The book is about a Muslim girl named Doria from the Maghreb region of Africa (Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria), who is now living in Paris with her mum. Doria feels excluded at school because she is Algerian and not French, she also feels rejected by her father who has left her mum.

Kiffe Kiffe in French means 'same old, don't really care' and this is Doria's attitude in the beginning of the book. What I find most interesting is feeling part of her story, as her attitude towards life and her ambitions slowly change.

Tell me about a book that you have read which has really affected your own life.

What I'm reading: Journey to Jo'burg

Journey to Jo'burg is a book by the South African author Beverley Naidoo. The story tells of two young children's struggle to search for their mother in a time of need. Their younger sister is sick and they need to get help fast!

I found this book so interesting because not only does it tell us of the journey that these two children went on, it also taught me so much about the apartheid law in South Africa.

Apartheid was a set of laws that mean black and white people had to be segregated (separated) in many areas of their day to day life. In the book, we also meet characters who were determined to fight for their freedom. I found this very inspirational!

Can you think of any other stories where children have to go on an adventure or journey in order to save someone or something?

Reading by the river

I've been reading The Monster Crisp-Guzzler by Malorie Blackman. It's a very exciting book about a teacher who shouldn't eat crisps for a very important reason ...

If you've read this book, can you tell me what you liked and disliked?

A page here, there and everywhere!

I take a book wherever I go. At the moment I am reading The No 1 Car Spotter by a Nigerian author, Atinuke. As well as reading the book in class to 4 Blue, I have been reading in all sorts of places this week!

Can you guess where I am in these photographs?

Where do you enjoy reading?

What I'm reading: The White Giraffe Series

I’m currently reading The White Giraffe series by Lauren St. John. Based in South Africa, these books tell the tale of courageous young Martine. Throughout the five-part sequence, she is faced with many exciting experiences and challenges, including meeting a great variety of wild African animals.

In this third book, The Last Leopard, Martine travels to Zimbabwe with her friend Ben. When they uncover a plot in which the fate of a magnificent leopard and the lost treasure of an African King are mysteriously linked, their friendship faces its greatest test. Martine and Ben must use every skill they possess to save the magical beast – and each other.

This adventure story has the style of a traditional fable with an African twist. Lauren St. John, who grew up in Zimbabwe herself, has captured the country’s blend of danger and appeal! What especially interests me in this story is learning about these rare animals and how the protagonist, Martine, bravely stands up for her beliefs against all adversity!

What books have you read that involved a strong friendship between two characters which helps them to achieve their goal?

Which wild animals would you like to meet in Africa? Why and what do you know about them?

Black authors: Ifeoma Onyefulu

I have chosen a selection of short stories called The Girl Who Married a Ghost, by the Nigerian author Ifeoma Onyefulu. The book transports you through a magical world where animals talk, a world not so much about happy endings but more about learning a lesson or two.

One tale is about a greedy tortoise, who hides food from all his jungle friends during a famine only to learn the importance of sharing after he is caught out.

But it's not all about morals. There are some funny moments usually involving the tortoise. My favourite was when tortoise is dances around inside a cooking pan in Talented Grasshopper. 

Now it's your turn. Read the book and tell me what your favourite parts are.

Beverley Naidoo

Last week we met Beverley Naidoo, author of The Other Side of Truth. She told us all about her life and her work, and even signed some of her books for us!

What inspired Beverley to become a writer? 

What did you find interesting about what she had to say? 

Do you think that you would like to be a writer and why?

Black authors: Benjamin Zephaniah

I love to read. Every spare second I get - sitting for the bus, walking to school, waiting for the microwave to ping - I spend with my nose in a book, a newspaper or staring at an article on a screen. I mainly read non-fiction but whenever I start to read a fictional book I cannot put it down.

I recently found the book Talking Turkeys by Benjamin Zephaniah. Its a book of short poems, which is perfect to dip in and out of when I have a few moments spare. I love Benjamin Zephaniah's writing: he speaks so clearly but so imaginatively and he says things that I really resonate with. If you'd like to read this book too, you can find it on the book display in the middle classroom in Year 6. Have a look!

"Rap comes from the oral tradition. The oral tradition gives voice to those who would've otherwise been voiceless."

Black authors: Crystal Swain-Bates

Reading is a great way to relax and unwind. During lunchtime, I love sitting on cosy cushions in my book corner, putting my feet up and reading a nice short story. A book I recently read was Big Hair, Don’t Care! by Crystal Swain-Bates. The book is about a little girl called Lola with a really big 'curly afro', who tells everyone just how much she loves her hair.  I particularly enjoy this story because it is a nice reminder that it’s okay to look different and that ‘kinky, coily, curly hair’ is great fun too!

What books make you smile?

What book have you read recently that teaches you something? 

What book do you think I should read during my lunchtime next? And why?

What I'm reading: Good Dog Lion

Reading has always been a way of relaxing for me. There is nothing quite like sitting back and getting stuck into a gripping novel. With our topic being Black History Month in school, I have had the pleasure of immersing myself in Good Dog Lion by Alexander McCall Smith.

In the story we follow a young boy Timmo, who, along with his mother, is struggling with money. However, despite all their woes and difficulties in life, all of Timmo's efforts are directed at finding himself a dog. I particularly love this story because it makes me think of dog I had growing up. When books make you remember things from what has happened in the past, it is called being nostalgic.

Has a book ever made you feel nostalgic?

Black authors: Floella Benjamin

I often hear people say that they are too busy to read, but can never understand what they mean. On my way to school I often read while waiting for the bus and carry on when I climb onboard and take a seat. Come to think of it, there are so many places that I love to read: sitting on a bench in the park, lying on the beach, lounging on the sofa and most of all, just before I go to sleep in bed.
Where do you like to read the most?

At the moment I'm reading Coming to England by Floella Benjamin. The book is an autobiography about the hardships Floella and her family went through when she immigrated to England as a 10 year old child in 1960. Floella was a popular children's TV presenter when I was a boy, so I really wanted to find out about her life.
What books by black authors are you reading in class at the moment? 
Do you like them and why? 
Who are your favourite black authors?