We are so lucky in this country that each child gets free books at 9 months, 18 months, 3 years, and then in reception and in year 7. I am very much looking forward to my daughter’s Ed Vere book (we are hoping to see him at the Bath Festival too) when she starts in reception class.
However in my job I am more concerened with the Booked Up initiative which gives a free book to each year 7 student (in England only). The list they can choose from was revealed last week and once again it is quite impressive!
I have already read Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (I am a big fan of this series, although I am yet to read the last volume), and Blood Hunters (which I reviewed here). Both are very suitable choices. I have also read Once. , which I absolutely loved (I read straight after The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, which I did not like and I wish Once. had had more of the press coverage!). However, I am not convinced it is that suitable for year 7s. It is a very harsh and mature read, and I think a lot of students will be fooled by the fact that it is very short. We will see! I am in the middle of reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid, which is ok and hopefully will owrk my way through the rest of the list during the summer break!
I too love Percy Jackson and Once. I do wish that Once had got the coverage that it deserved when it first came out, but I’m glad it’s been included in Booked Up’s list for this year – it will reach a very wide audience this way.
Yes, hopefully it will, and it will give an opportunity to promote Then. as well.