Read on for the best new books for Keystones 1 and 2!
KS1 Top Reads!
The Blue Umbrella- by Emily Ann Davison
The story starts with a litle girl who finds a blue umbrella on her doorstep. She takes it with her as she goes for a walk with her mum. As she strolls, the rain begins and she starts to offer shelter to the people in her community. This is a heartwarming tale which offers lots of opportunities to talk about being a good friend and what it means to be part of a community.
There’s a Tiger on the Train- by Mariesa Dulak
Off to the seaside they go on a rather EXTRAORDINARY train journey.
Dad is stuck into his phone and misses the fact that a tiger boards the train too. and so does a family of hippos, and a band of crocs, and a mum with her piglets, and a pug in a boa – or two. On the way to the seaside craziness ensues, and then the tiger roars. What will dad say?
The Crayons Love our Planet- by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
The Crayons love our planet and are proud of their contributions. White ice caps, Green trees, Blue oceans and skies, Brown soil – and more! Even Beige is proud of his contribution: Wheat!
This funny book shows the beauty of our planet – and why it needs our help.
Lower KS2 Top Reads!
Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery- by Laura Ellen Anderson
Marnie is a very young moth, who finally having gained her wings, is off to Mini Beast Academy to learn what being a mini beast is all about. She has always dreamed of visiting the moon like her hero Lunora Wingheart, who was lost on a mission to the moon. When she arrives at school, Marnie soon begins having visions and hearing Lunora calling for help. Can they stop the evil villain in time and save Lunora?
The Glorious Race of Magical Beasts- by Alex Bell
Before they died, Eli’s parents were famous for entering and winning The Race of Magical Beasts, which is renowned for its danger and cunning contestants. After a recent discovery, Eli is left with no choice but to risk everything to enter the race himself and win the iconic prize. Will he be able to show people that a ‘bookish boy with a briefcase can achieve remarkable things’?
Things that go Bump- by Kathryn Foxfield
When Quinn and some of her year 6 friends find themselves locked overnight inside Flatpack – a new IKEA-style superstore – they quickly realise that they are not alone. A number of things hitched a ride from the forest where Flatpack sources its wood and in every dark nook, they’ve been multiplying. After several of the group get themselves dragged off to who knows where, Quinn knows she was right all along – monsters are definitely real…
Upper KS2 Top Reads!
Paper Dragons: the Fight for the Hidden Realm- by Siobhan McDermott
Twelve-year-old Zhi Ging has always been an outcast. Until she receives an invitation to Hok Woh, an underwater school that offers her the chance to become immortal, and to finally belong. But there are rumours of a growing dark force . . . and students who fail the trials are disappearing. Can Zhi Ging uncover the truth before it’s too late?
Fast-paced, full of action and fun, Paper Dragons takes you on a journey which, while entirely fantasy fiction, delves into Chinese culture, folklore and cuisine.
The Forgotten Magic- L.D. Lapinski
In Edward Crane’s world, magic has been dwindling for the past four hundred years. So even though he’s part of a powerful magical family, Ed is worried that he won’t have any magic in him at all. He’s adopted, for one thing. He also has a perfect twin sister, Elodie, who seems to always get the better end of the deal and will no doubt be the one to get a powerful power like their dads. So when Ed discovers he does have an artezan power after all, he’s relieved. In fact, he’s the laird of dreams. It’s more than he could have ever imagined…
The Clockwork Conspiracy- by Sam Sedgeman
Aspiring inventor Isaac Turner lives with his dad, the Chief Horologist in charge of Big Ben. But when his father vanishes from the belfry on the night the clocks go back, leaving behind only a smashed pocket watch and a cryptic message, Isaac determines to find him. Hunting a trail of clues through London’s landmarks, Isaac uncovers a sinister plot in the gears of government and embarks on a race against time to save his father – and time itself.
