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Find out moreCatherine MacPhail is the award-winning author of over thirty books for children including Run Zan Run and Roxy’s Baby . She has won numerous awards including the Scottish Children’s Book Award which she has won twice. She lives in Greenock
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 8 In a nutshell: creepy, haunting story of the young Jekyll and Hyde Catherine MacPhail admits to being fascinated by the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and here she takes Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller as inspiration for a properly sinister new story, imagining Henry Jekyll as a boy, already struggling to control his own dark instincts and desires. Tension mounts as rumours spread of a terrifying creature roaming the night, and MacPhail’s vivid descriptions both of Edinburgh’s damp, foggy backstreets and the stuffy, claustrophobic Victorian villa that is Henry’s home amplify the sense of terror and suspicion. This is completely true to Stevenson’s vision and an unsettling read in its own right. For readers inspired to seek out the original, Barrington Stoke are publishing it in a dyslexia-friendly format this summer. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 11+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ There are all sorts of stories being told about World War One, this one, based on the true story of the Quintinshill Rail Disaster, is particularly unusual and moving. With Dad away fighting, James, Belle and William are left to cope alone when their mum dies. Desperate to avoid going into a Home, James decides to take his little brother and sister to track down their father. Stowaways on a train, they become victims of Britain’s worst ever rail disaster. Catherine MacPhail contrasts the harshness of the children’s neighbour with the friendly troops they meet on the train; indeed to James there’s something magical about the train and for all its horror the crash seems to release them from a worse fate. There are elements of poetry in the telling of this haunting little novel. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Catherine McPhail gives a spine tingling and ghostly edge to a hard-hitting story about a school bully. Karam has changed schools often and is used to making friends easily. But then he meets Alex. Alex has a reputation for being trouble and Karam can do nothing to change it. But Karam is sure that there is something strange about Alex; something that makes him be so mean. Can Karam uncover the secret and what will happen when he does? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
At last, Omar's family are safe and have somewhere to live. But life in a new country isn't easy and life on the estate is proving even harder thanks to Sam. Sam's always there - in Omar's tower block, in his class, and in his face. He wants to push Omar around, but Omar's not giving up on his new life and he's ready to push back. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+
It's Jack's first day at Glendale School. He's a star goalie, so why isn't he happy when he's asked to join the team? Themes of family and friendship are explored in this exciting tale of school football. Text type - A story with a familiar setting. The storyboard on pp 22-23 offers children the opportunity to recap and retell the story in their own words.
Interest Age 8+ Reading Age 8 | The horrors of World War One and the huge demands it made on the young men who fought in it are explored in this thought-provoking and moving ghost story. It’s the end of the war but Tony and his mother have no reason to celebrate: Tony’s big brother Charlie was killed in France, shot by his own side as a deserter. His mother is heartbroken, but few of their neighbours are sympathetic and indeed, Tony’s old teacher presents him with a white feather. Tony can’t believe Charlie would run away and when he receives a final coded letter from his brother determines to find out what really happened. Economically told, this is a powerful story that raises issues of courage and responsibility.
Archie Eigg is never late, he's always on time - that's why his friends call him the egg-timer. But one morning, things start to go wrong - can he make it to school in time? 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. 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.
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 8 In a nutshell: creepy, haunting story of the young Jekyll and Hyde Catherine MacPhail admits to being fascinated by the story of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and here she takes Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic thriller as inspiration for a properly sinister new story, imagining Henry Jekyll as a boy, already struggling to control his own dark instincts and desires. Tension mounts as rumours spread of a terrifying creature roaming the night, and MacPhail’s vivid descriptions both of Edinburgh’s damp, foggy backstreets and the stuffy, claustrophobic Victorian villa that is Henry’s home amplify the sense of terror and suspicion. This is completely true to Stevenson’s vision and an unsettling read in its own right. For readers inspired to seek out the original, Barrington Stoke are publishing it in a dyslexia-friendly format this summer. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 11+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ There are all sorts of stories being told about World War One, this one, based on the true story of the Quintinshill Rail Disaster, is particularly unusual and moving. With Dad away fighting, James, Belle and William are left to cope alone when their mum dies. Desperate to avoid going into a Home, James decides to take his little brother and sister to track down their father. Stowaways on a train, they become victims of Britain’s worst ever rail disaster. Catherine MacPhail contrasts the harshness of the children’s neighbour with the friendly troops they meet on the train; indeed to James there’s something magical about the train and for all its horror the crash seems to release them from a worse fate. There are elements of poetry in the telling of this haunting little novel. ~ Andrea Reece Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+ Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category. Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Interest Age 8-12 Reading Age 8+ Catherine McPhail gives a spine tingling and ghostly edge to a hard-hitting story about a school bully. Karam has changed schools often and is used to making friends easily. But then he meets Alex. Alex has a reputation for being trouble and Karam can do nothing to change it. But Karam is sure that there is something strange about Alex; something that makes him be so mean. Can Karam uncover the secret and what will happen when he does? Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 8+
I blame everything that happened on my own good nature. I took her under my wing. She was plain and frumpy and I said to my friend Indira, Let's make Mimi our next project. Big mistake. Chantelle Morgan is the most popular girl in school. Well, at least she was until Mimi came along. When Chantelle and her best friend Indira take clumsy, clueless new girl Mimi under their wing, Mimi takes all of their advice. She wears her uniform like Chantelle's; she has her hair cut like Chantelle's; she even starts to talk like Chantelle. And at first Mimi seems so pleased, so grateful. Gradually, though, Chantelle begins to suspect she has created a monster... Suitable for reading age 10 years. Help Key Stage 3 students move from Level 4c to Level 4a in reading. Support comprehension with the engaging, age-appropriate illustrations. Encourage shared and guided reading using the ready-made tasks and discussion points on the activity pages at the back of the book. Suitable for Key Stage 3 students with a reading age of 10 years and above.