Books for nine year olds

[Xanthe]

I have an interview for a teaching assistant post this week and as part of it I have to read a story to a group of Year 4 children for 10 minutes. I thought of Horrid Henry, but am wondering if that is a bit too obvious. Can anyone recommend any good books bearing in mind that the school is very multicultural?

[daffodill6]

Roald Dahl?

[avenanap]

Georges marvellous medicine (Roald Dahl), it's fantastic and all children can relate to it, regardless of gender/culture because they all want to go into the bathroom and make a mixture.

[TheRealPhartiphukborlz]

any jacqueline wilson?

[Ellbell]

Are those books not a bit too young for Year 4? My dds seem to have had those sorts of books read to them in about Year 1. (I am not a teacher, though, so could be missing the point - clearly books to read aloud need to be very accessible, etc.). I'm not sure what to suggest, as my dd (just finishing Year 3) likes her books as thick and wordy as possible, so they are probably not the best for reading aloud. Having said that, she has just read some of the Philip Pullman fairy-tale type books (she liked The Fireworkmaker's Daughter, in particular; but she also read Count Karlstein and Clockwork) and they might be suitable.

[TheRealPhartiphukborlz]

or anne fine?

[somersetmum]

Harry Potter

[Ellbell]

The Firework-Maker's Daughter.

[avenanap]

The phantom toll booth is good. I remember my teacher reading Roald Dahl when I was in year 5 by the way.

ds has a book called Muddle Earth that he has read a few times.

[Ellbell]

Sorry, meant Horrid Henry/Roald Dahl a bit young - not your suggestions, Phartiphukborlz.

There are always the classics like Watership Down, Black Beauty and so on.

Alternatively, poems/rhyming books are always good. Might be too twee for your purposes, but A.A.Milne is a favourite in our house. We like 'The king of Peru who was Emperor too' and 'A bear, no matter how he tries / grows tubby without exercise' and 'King John's Christmas'.

[coastalmum]

IMO is not the book that matters so uch as the way its read. I've heard some fantastic books read in a monotone voice and the kids switch of completely. Whereas any book can sound great when read with enthusiasm.

agree with avenanp, Georges Marvelous Medicine is a fab book, especially when read with a really good voice for Grandma.

[Ellbell]

(I have to throw my hands up and admit to not being a fan of Roald Dahl, avenanap. However, was just going on what dds 1 and 2 tell me they have had read to them in class.)

[goodasgold]

My daughter is just finishing year 4 and they studied The Magician's Nephew as part of their literacy course. They then had to develop their own story based on the book, she was really engaged by this.

[avenanap]

No tent. I had the list through for ds's school uniform so I can't afford one. I can't afford to eat either.

I love Roald Dahl, I could read his books over and over again, the Witches is also a very good book to read out loud. Some cultures don't appreciate the Harry Potter books because of the witchcraft. The sword in the stone is always a good one, so is charlottes web. My friend's a teacher and she always says this is the one her classes always love to hear.

[ingles2]

what about the Roman Mysteries? my yr 3 ds is loving them...lots to think and talk about and covers all the multicultural stuff within the 4 main characters.

[avenanap]

The Magician's nephew! There's a thread about the racist/sexist/religious hidden meanings in the chronicles of narnia.

[Ellbell]

You have reminded me, goodasgold. Dd's class did a bit of project on [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Palace-Young-Puffin-Story-Books/dp/0140349669/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 d=1215896933&sr=8-1 this]] book during Year 3. The language seems really lovely, so I bet it'd be a good one to read aloud.

[Ellbell]

Bother, sorry... trying again here.

about tent, avenanap.

[avenanap]

It's OK. I'm planning on doing loads of free stuff with him (park, museum etc) with the odd trip (with discounted tickets) here and there.

[goodasgold]

Avenanap, Hi

There was a thread about this sort of thing in Enid Blyton too. I still think it is better for children to be exposed to age appropriate literature and discuss the issues in a post colonial/secular setting than to brush the issues that they raise under the carpet, and anyway Xanthe is going for a job interview, so using a book that has been successfully used with the same age children might be a good strategy.

We shouldn't write off all old books that contain hidden meanings.

[Ellbell]

Not sure where you are geographically, but have a small tent you could borrow in August. (We've bought an eff-off big one which we'll be using!) Don't want to get rid of it totally, as I occasionally use it when it's just me and girls or me and a friend, but happy to lend it. (I am in the North!)

[avenanap]

good point goodasgold.

Ellbell, we are in Derby. You are a very lovely person to offer . I'm a Unison member, they will pay for a reasonable B&B if you haven't been on holiday for 4 years if they have enough in the kitty so I am going to try. I have a firend in Devon but he hasn't understood the hints yet. I live in hope .

[daffodill6]

avenanap - I'm in Derby too -- spooky

[Ellbell]

avenanap... I am not signed up for CAT atm, but I'll try to remember to re-do it this week and then if you do want the tent you can CAT me. Will find a way of getting it to you!

I read all the Narnia books when I was little and loved them. Didn't see any hidden meaning in them at all. Now, when I re-read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the Christological stuff fairly bit me on the nose!

[avenanap]

You should come and meet me and Jes74 at Markeaton park next saturday. We've got a thread on local.

You can have the thread back now. I'm very sorry.

[daffodill6]

don't even know what CAT is!!!