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Find out moreChris Powling was born in 1943, in south London, where he still lives. He's taught at all levels in the state school system, from infants to postgraduates, and for ten years was headteacher of a London primary school.
Throughout his career, Chris has had a rich and diverse involvement with children's books - as a critic for national journals and newspapers (including THE GUARDIAN, THE OBSERVER, BOOKS FOR KEEPS, CAROUSEL and THE TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT) and as a broadcaster for the BBC and various independent radio stations. He was the editor of BOOKS FOR KEEPS from 1989 till 1996 when it won the Eleanor Farjeon Award for services to children's literature, is a panel member for a national children's book club and has served on numerous prize committees. Currently, he is adult-books editor for Classic FM where he presents a monthly review on the programme Classic Newsnight.
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 7+. This bloodcurdling pirate adventure makes a thrilling adventure story of survival. Captured by the pirates, a young boy finds his fate in the hands of the deadly Captain Flint, the most ruthless pirate on the seas. Can he survive the villain’s evil plan to destroy him? Tautly written, this story twists and turns keeping up the suspense to the very last minute. A Note from the author Chris Powling: I’ve always found pirates exciting – to read about, that is. In real life they must have been hard and cruel. So maybe you had to be just as hard, and just as cruel, to get the better of them. That’s what this story is about. Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
Children love to read spooky mystery stories and this one is particularly good fun and exciting. Rest assured your child will feel really brave having read it.
A spooky comedy from Chris Powling with hilarious illustrations by Loretta Schauer. Perfect for fans of Amelia Fang and Knitbone Pepper. A ghost has been haunting Ben's grandpa's house with cobweb trails and the TAP-TAP-TAP of its heartbeat. So when the clock strikes twelve, Ben's brother dares him to go on a hunt for the ghost in the church graveyard. Will he be brave enough? This quirky story from Chris Powling has engaging black-and-white illustrations by Loretta Schauer and is perfect for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with brilliant books to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2, with book-banded stories by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence covering a wide range of genres and topics. With charming illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for reading both in the classroom and at home. For more information visit www.bloomsburyguidedreading.com. Book Band: Brown Ideal for ages 7+
All the kids in school have a pair of Rainbow Boots - well, all of them except Denzil! So he pretends that his are being customised and soon he's trapped in a web of lies. But are the Rainbow Boots really worth all this hassle? A hilarious school comedy from popular writer Chris Powling with illustrations from the brilliant Jim Field. Bloomsbury High Low books encourage and support reading practice by providing gripping, age-appropriate stories for struggling and reluctant readers, those with dyslexia, or those with English as an additional language. Printed on tinted paper with a dyslexia friendly font, Rainbow Boots is aimed at readers aged 9+ and has a manageable length (64 pages) and reading age (7+). Produced in association with reading experts at Catch Up, a charity which aims to address underachievement caused by literacy and numeracy difficulties.
The Old Man of the Mountain asks Tig to visit him at his cave. What does he want and can Uga let her go alone? Books in the Voyagers strand are for learners experienced in reading a range of genres. Learners will be able to discuss how language is used and how the vocabulary chosen causes reactions and inferences in the reader. Texts use flashbacks, parody, summary and commentary. Fiction titles include chapters to reflect sustained reading while shorter books have deeper inferential meaning needing more advanced comprehension skills. Contains teaching support including learning outcomes, curriculum links and follow-up activities.
Follow the twisted, evil plans of Richard III as he works his way to up become king of England. But, just how far will he go in order to reach the top, and once there, will he get the glory and triumph he so craves? Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books. Text type: Fiction from our literary heritage Curriculum links: English: fiction from the literary heritage
Sebastian and Viola cause all sorts of trouble when they switch places in the romantic comedy Twelfth Night. Learn the history of the most famous Roman emperor of all when you enter Julius Caesar's world of treachery and murder. Leontes' jealousy loses him his family and his mind. Can he find his way out of the darkness in The Winter's Tale? Shakespeare Stories allows children to discover the delights of the Bard in these three prose retellings. TreeTops Greatest Stories offers children some of the worlds best-loved tales in a collection of timeless classics. Top children's authors and talented illustrators work together to bring to life our literary heritage for a new generation, engaging and delighting children. The books are carefully levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book. Each book contains inside cover notes to help children explore the content, supporting their reading development. Teaching notes on Oxford Owl offer cross-curricular links and activities to support guided reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Ella's grandpa is an inventor. When he gives her an umbrella she knows immediately that it isn't just an ordinary brolly ... but she's still amazed when it whisks her up into the sky! Join Ella as she soars and swoops through the skies in this delightful adventure. Oxford Reading Tree Story Sparks is an emotionally-engaging fiction series that will fire children's imaginations. These 36 original stories will get children thinking, and develop and deepen their comprehension skills. The variety of authors and illustration styles broadens children's reading experience, with something to appeal to every child. All the books in the series are carefully levelled, so it's easy to match every child to the right book for them. They also contain inside cover notes, to enable parents and teachers to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development is also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Team X are having fun at the pirate fair in Shiver Me Timbers. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Join Ant as he does some micro-training for a charity race in The Fun Run. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Jake's Shadow is the naughtiest shadow you've ever seen! It never follows Jake or does what it's supposed to do. When it creates havoc, Jake has to get them both out of trouble. Chucklers is a series of funny novels, short stories, anthologies and comics that make reading a pleasure for 7-11 year olds. There is something for everyone in this varied collection which is packed with fantastic illustrations. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The series is written by top children's authors and edited by award-winning author Jeremy Strong. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.
In The Multi-Million-Pound Mascot Mo eats the Peanut of Power and becomes the luckiest girl alive. The trouble is someone else wants a share in that luck - Foxy Freddy, the manager of Oldcastle Athletic F.C. TreeTops Fiction contains a wide range of quality stories enabling children to explore and develop their own reading tastes and interests. It contains stories from a variety of genres including humour, sci-fi, adventure, mystery and historical fiction. These exciting stories are ideal for introducing children to a wide selection of authors and illustrators. There is huge variety to ensure every reader finds books they will enjoy and can read. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In Top of the Table Cat and Tiger are disappointed their football match may be cancelled, so Ant suggests they play a micro-sized, table-top game instead, to see who is the best player! Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. When Dani receives a journal in Icebreaker, she discovers that Team X must travel back in time to Antarctica to save her father. if they fail, not only will Dani never be born, but it will also spell the end of Team X. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In The Balloon Team Max, Cat, Ant and Tiger realize that they have to work together if they want to get themselves out of some difficult scrapes in the second book of this two part adventure. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. The Collector is trying to steal a Meteorite which could solve the world's energy problems. Team X are sent to help protect it, but will they fall into the trap which has been set for them, or will they succeed in stopping the Collector? Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. In Ant and the Break-bot Max, Cat, Ant and Tiger build an amazing, break-dancing robot to enter into a competition. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Max, Cat, Ant and Tiger are excited about meeting the winner of the The WOW! Award: but when they discover there is an imposter in the building, how will they work out who the real winner is? Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Team X continue to have fun at the pirate fair in Treasure Hunt. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Project X Origins is a ground-breaking guided reading programme for the whole school. Action-packed stories, fascinating non-fiction and comprehensive guided reading support meet the needs of children at every stage of their reading development. Tiger is frightened in The Thing in The Cupboard when he meets a strange robot in the dark, school cupboard. Each book contains inside cover notes that highlight challenge words, prompt questions and a range of follow-up activities to support children in their reading.
Pete knows that you must not walk on ice. But a dog is stuck out ther eon the lake! What can he do? Particularly suitable for struggling reluctant and dyslexic readers.
There's something mysterious about the big, old house across the river. So when Archie and his two friends are offered a job tidying the attic, they jump at the chance. But sifting through the mess, they stumble upon something priceless, leaving them with a difficult decision. This exciting story by Chris Powling is illustrated by Martin Ursell. * Pearl/Band 18 books offer fluent readers a complex, substantial text with challenging themes to facilitate sustained comprehension, bridging the gap between a reading programme and longer chapter books. * Text type: An adventure story. * Curriculum links: Citizenship: Choices. * This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.
Adam and Daisy, a billionaire's children, are kidnapped along with Leo, the son of one of their staff. The three kids must work together to escape their brutal captors - but soon Adam starts to wonder if Leo isn't what he seems. Is the kidnapping an inside job? Highly readable, exciting books that take the struggle out of reading, Wired Up encourages and supports reading practice by providing gripping, age-appropriate stories for struggling and reluctant readers, or those with English as an additional language, aged 11+, at a manageable length (80 pages) and reading level (9+). Produced in association with reading experts at CatchUp, a charity which aims to address underachievement caused by literacy and numeracy difficulties. .
The Moon in the Pond is a Brer Rabbit tale from African-American traditional stories. Rabbit tells Bear and Fox that the moon has fallen in the pond. Will they be able to rescue it? This humorous story written by Chris Powling and beautifully illustrated by Jeannie Winston will capture your child's imagination! It has been sensitively rewritten to enable your child to read it with confidence whilst capturing the magic of the original tale. There are useful tips for parents and an engaging story map inside the book to help you and your child retell the story together. The Oxford Reading Tree Traditional Tales series includes 40 of the best known stories from all over the world, which have been passed down for generations. They are a perfect introduction to different cultures, traditions and morals. All the stories are carefully levelled to Oxford Reading Tree levels and matched to the phonics progression in Letters and Sounds enabling your children to read the stories independently. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with childrens reading development is also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk.
East of the Sun, West of the Moon is the tale of Astrid, who has to rescue her prince from the clutches of the troll Long Nose. Will she be able to use her intelligence to outwit the troll and save the prince from the enchanted castle? This charming story written by Chris Powling and beautifully illustrated by Violeta Dabija will capture your child's imagination! It has been sensitively rewritten to enable your child to read it with confidence whilst capturing the magic of the original tale. There are useful tips for parents and an engaging story map inside the book to help you and your child retell the story together. The Oxford Reading Tree Traditional Tales series includes 40 of the best known stories from all over the world, which have been passed down for generations. They are a perfect introduction to different cultures, traditions and morals. All the stories are carefully levelled to Oxford Reading Tree levels and matched to the phonic progression in Letters and Sounds enabling your children to read the stories independently. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with childrens reading development is also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk.
Part of the Literacy World series that provides support to deliver shared reading and writing, guided reading, ICT and speaking and listening at Key Stage 2 and Junior level.
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 7+. This bloodcurdling pirate adventure makes a thrilling adventure story of survival. Captured by the pirates, a young boy finds his fate in the hands of the deadly Captain Flint, the most ruthless pirate on the seas. Can he survive the villain’s evil plan to destroy him? Tautly written, this story twists and turns keeping up the suspense to the very last minute. A Note from the author Chris Powling: I’ve always found pirates exciting – to read about, that is. In real life they must have been hard and cruel. So maybe you had to be just as hard, and just as cruel, to get the better of them. That’s what this story is about. Perfect for Reluctant Readers as well as keen readers. To view other titles we think are suitable for reluctant readers please click here.
Having black button eyes, a zig-zag mouth, a stitched body, the Thing - he used to be Robbie's best friend. Now he's his worst enemy...This is a wickedly chilling horror story. This work features: first class award-winning authors; appealing, gripping plots guaranteed to interest teenagers and provoke discussion; and top quality, age-appropriate illustrations. It is in huge demand - in 2005 over 35 per cent of 14-year-olds were failing to reach their expected standard of literacy. It also features stylish packaging; and extensive trialling by teenagers with the target reading age that ensures accessibility.
Children love to read spooky mystery stories and this one is particularly good fun and exciting. Rest assured your child will feel really brave having read it.
Rich is terrified by Toxon, the hardest boy in the school. Can he get revenge? Barrington Stoke specialises in books for reluctant, struggling and dyslexic readers.
Matt's mate is the biggest guy in school. Can Matt use him to scare away possible bullies - or is Matt becoming a bully himself? This is a funny and perceptive story. The key features include: first class award-winning authors; appealing, gripping plots guaranteed to interest teenagers and provoke discussion; top quality, age-appropriate illustrations; huge demand - in 2005 over 35 per cent of 14-year-olds were failing to reach their expected standard of literacy; stylish packaging; and extensive trialling by teenagers with the target reading age ensures accessibility.
Cal is helping Mr Jessop on his boot-fair stand. It's a responsible job and Cal is really put to the test when Mr Jessop has to spend some time away, leaving Cal by himself. When the girl with the expensive-looking watch drops by in the hope of making a quick sale, Cal has to think fast. But will he make the right decision?
Lenny dreams of getting a carwash for Christmas - a real carwash, full-size and in working order. But he knows this is impossible. However, Lenny's dream comes true when he finds a carwash in the middle of a vacant patch. But this is no ordinary carwash: however the car goes in, it comes out transformed and reflecting the nature of the person who drives it. Eventually Father Christmas emerges and takes Lenny on a magical journey. An enchanting morality tale for our times. The story is assisted by atmospheric pictures on every page.
Bring Shared Reading to life! Rigby Star Shared (formerly known as Rigby Red Giant) brings you a fantastic collection of fiction and non-fiction Big Books to captivate your children during shared reading sessions. The carefully balanced words and pictures foster your children's own creative writing skills and prompt them to 'read-along' with confidence.
I couldn't believe it when Mum and Dad said that my sister could wear her puppy costume to school. But it was even worse when the headteacher decided that she should spend the day in my class!
When Harry's parents break the devastating blow that they can't afford to go away on holiday this year, Harry is devastated, especially when he hears all his friend's plans. So, when Harry tells his friend that he's been chosen as guest Trip Tester on the television holiday programme, Dream Holidays. Trouble is, his friends need PROOF! While he's visiting his local leisure centre he meets Cass, who helps him get together all the evidence he needs. However, can he pull it off? And what happens when the show is broadcast...?
One of a series written for children who have just started reading, this story which aims to bridge the gap between picture books and longer novels, features Harry. He starred in Harry Moves House and Harry's Party, but this time he is Harry the Superhero and is in need of practice.
Poor old Mossop. All he wants to do is curl up and sleep. But when Farmer Rafferty finds mice in the corn bin, it looks as though Mossop will be thrown off the farm. He has just one chance -- he must catch twenty-six mice by sunset. Luckily Albertine the goose has a plan!
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