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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

What to read next for DD KS2 teachers please?

33 replies

LL0015 · 22/04/2015 14:31

DD almost 8 Yr3 is a good reader. She does not read for pleasure.

She chose to read 101 Dalmatians as it linked with her class topic in Spring Term. She has doggedly (pun intended) got through it with great success. She has enjoyed it.

I wanted some advice on what to give her next, she indicated a Rainbow Fairies book (facepalm) but because she doesn't read for pleasure, only reads 10 pages everyday for school, I would rather give her an enjoyable but level appropriate book. Rainbow fairies for pleasure if you want after that.

Following 101 Dalmations, I think she deserves to read something modern, but lighter though not necessarily easier. Definitely something girly.
Her home bookshelf is full of my childhood books but she doesn't share my enthusiasm. School books were very meh hence choosing one of her own was met with great enthusiasm all round.

So I need to get the right book on her shelf!

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Jellyandjam · 22/04/2015 14:49

My dd got into jacqualine Wilson books at about age 8. There's a wide variety of them ranging from fairly short to much longer.
My dd loves reading anyway but JW has really captured her imagination. She also likes the David Walliams ones x.

redskybynight · 22/04/2015 15:58

Why not let her read Rainbow Fairies if that's what she wants? The single thing that encouraged my "hating reading" DS to start reading for pleasure was that he truly got to read whatever he wanted, regardless of whether I thought it was appropriate or stretching him.

prepperpig · 22/04/2015 16:04

How about Atticus Claw? They're about a cat who used to be a theif but is now a police cat and lives with a family who have a son and a daughter. They're funny, light hearted and nicely written. DS2 is the same age as your DD and loves them.

Corneliusmurphy · 22/04/2015 16:13

I second letting her read the rainbow fairy books, surely the point is that she should choose and hopefully enjoy it.

My Dd is a bit younger, and loves reading I let her pick her own library books which is often rainbow fairies and occaisonally picture books. At bedtime I read something I've picked to her and her brothers, quite often I find she's taken this book to 'find out what happens next' as she can't wait till bedtime :) so far we've read lots of Roald Dahl, Enid blyton, and this week spy dog by Andrew copeland. We did start reading the fudge books but as the next chapter involved Peter outing Santa as made up I've had to hide it (dd is not impressed as she was enjoying the story)

TheTroubleWithAngels · 22/04/2015 16:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DeeWe · 22/04/2015 16:55

Why not give her The Twilight Barking if she enjoyed 101, it's meant to be the sequel.

What about the Little House Books, or some Noel Streatfield books like Ballet Shoes?

ragged · 22/04/2015 17:00

Another vote for Jacqueline Wilson, Calvin & Hobbes or even Rainbow Fairies and against most the others.

Jellyandjam · 22/04/2015 17:05

Yes I also agree with letting her read rainbow fairies is she wants to. My dd also read these. We had hundreds of the things before she discovered Jacqueline Wilson.

Original poster

LL0015 · 22/04/2015 17:59

Thanks for the suggestions.

My issue with Rainbiw Fairies is that I doubt her teacher would approve.

Also, having successfully tackled 101, and bearing in mind she will only read because her teacher insists and its homework, given that it is her only reading opportunity, it does need to stretch her. No way a big stretch, it just can't be so far backwards as R Fairies.

If she was choosing to read at any time for pleasure I would give her carte blanche.

But she isn't.

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Original poster

LL0015 · 22/04/2015 18:05

I just typed that and she came downstairs all smiley because she has finished 101. She brandished Starlight Barking (modern title?) at me and asked if she could read this next.

Happy mum (till the next book so please do still send suggestions!)

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TheTroubleWithAngels · 22/04/2015 18:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PerspicaciaTick · 22/04/2015 18:14

I think Rainbow Fairies are pretty dire but if she continues to be interested, then please let her read some (even if they are interspersed with other more stretching books).

If she is going to learn to read for pleasure then she must have the chance to read exactly wants she wants, because it gives her pleasure. If the only books she reads are ones other people expect her to read, then she may never learn the skill of choosing her own books.

I'm glad she found Starlight Barking (it isn't modern, it is Dodie Smith's 1967 sequel to 101 Dalmations). My 11yo DD suggests The Battersea Dogs and Cats Home series, they are not great literature, but might appeal if your DD likes animals. They have been very popular among my DDs classmates.

Foreverlurking · 22/04/2015 18:15

Never mind what the teacher would 'approve of'.
Any reading is better than no reading at all, and if she's discouraged at a time when she's just discovering her pleasure for it, she's more likely to stop, so on with R fairies.
In the mean time, share/ read to her/ encourage Roald Dahl, J Wilson, David Walliams, Captain Underpants, Giles Andreaes (not read his books but heard the name in class). But don't force it, you can't. Like it or not, you cannot force her to read for pleasure if she's not keen on the books/ doesn't have that confidence.

Just let the girl explore, anything and everything. She'll get there eventually.

Original poster

LL0015 · 22/04/2015 18:17

Good advice about growing the pleasure side of reading.

I though the book was called Twilight Barking but this edition is called Starlight.

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Bunnyjo · 22/04/2015 18:27

DD is Year 3 (7yo) and a very avid reader. She loves Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and David Walliams - his latest, Demon Dentist, was a huge hit with her.

I second Jacqueline Wilson - DD adores her books, but I would urge a bit of caution as some of them cover themes which are way beyond the average 7-8yo.

The one that sticks in my mind is My Sister Jodie to definitely avoid is My Sister Jodie.

Just have a quick read/Google of books before getting them to ensure they are age appropriate.

Bunnyjo · 22/04/2015 18:37

No idea why I said My Sister Jodie twice

MrsKCastle · 22/04/2015 18:37

How about the Worst Witch? Or there are several series similar to Rainbow Fairies, but slightly better (IMO). Try The Secret Kingdom, Glitterwings Academy or Lucky Star.

iwantavuvezela · 22/04/2015 18:40

Have you read the Varjack Paw books. Reading the second one yo my daughter. Beautifully written and a great story.

prepperpig · 22/04/2015 18:55

DS2 is juts coming to the end of the second varjak paw and has loved it.

Be a bit careful with some David Walliams. We had it on audio book and I had to dive for the stop button when it was talking about the tooth fairy...

prepperpig · 22/04/2015 18:57

How about Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh. Its a fab book.

Michael morpurgo are always a hit here too. The amazing story of Adolphus tips is about a young girl during the war and is a really good story.

imip · 22/04/2015 19:05

Do try Rainbow Fairies. I personally hated them, but my dd 8yo y3 also, was obsessed in y2 with them and really absorbed them, her teacher did disapprove and told me so at parent/teachers and I said that I'd rather her actually read something she likes, than make reading a chore.

She's a strong reader and has just finished the first Harry Potter. I think rainbow fairies really bridge that gap of getting into 'real' books.

Otoh, I have a strong reader with dd2, but she suffers from anxiety and other related issues. Despite being told by her teacher than she can read well (same teacher that disapproved of rainbow fairies), she does not read for me, or read for pleasure. I would give anything for her to be reading our 30-odd, well-thumbed Rainbow Fairy books.

imip · 22/04/2015 19:06

Also, dd1 really a fan of ottoline and goth girl.

hels71 · 22/04/2015 19:10

My DD has brought rainbow fairy books home as school reading books....so her teacher may not object. I teach primary and whenever parents ask me about their not wanting to read children I always say let them read whatever they want. Enid blyton, rainbow fairies, beast quest, the beano....whatever they show any interest in. Reading rainbow fairies is better than reading g nothing and may lead to better things eventually.
Has she tried the worst witch. Pippi longstocking, Mr majeika, the usbourne young reader series...there are lots of short versions of classics which may lead her to wanting to try the real one. My DD read the short Heidi and then enjoyed the real one and I have had trouble convincing her that the original treasure island might be a bit tricky....

Itshouldntmatter · 22/04/2015 20:15

My worry with the rainbow fairy books was that the were actually so poor, they wouldn't inspire a love of reading (even if my dd likes them). I have managed to get my dd reading Judy moody, which she finds funny (and it isn't too challenging linguisically but still well written), and also the secret unicorn books. There are still very (too) girly and nice, but they are much better written than the rainbow fairy books and have had my dd begging to read a bit more.

Itshouldntmatter · 22/04/2015 20:16

I should have said because the chapters end on cliffhangers.

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