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Reviews

For pupils

Titanic faction

There can’t be many teachers and students who are unaware that this year sees the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

This book finds its own angle, one that sets it apart from the famous film and recent TV series. It draws on documents from the National Archives. This allows the authors to tell us a fictional story but to include some of the real background and people involved.

Lee Ryder

Titanic: Death On The Water by Tom & Tony Bradman. A & C Black. £5.99. ISBN 1408155818.

Buzzy biology

Putting the buzz back into biology is Robert Winston’s seventh children’s science book. It doesn’t disappoint – packed with explanatory diagrams, images and photography.

The book tackles basic biological principles covering key topics on the biology curriculum such as ecology, food webs and other nutrient cycles, bringing biology to life and leaving no question unanswered for budding biologists.

Janey Hulme

That’s Life by Professor Robert Winston. Dorling Kindersley. £10.99. ISBN 9781405391504.

Backdrop of WWII

A charming tale about Jill, a girl whose brother works in London Zoo during World War II.

After Ronny, an ageing tiger she is fond of, is put down, Jill nurses a tiger cub rejected by its mother. But the cub is sickly and Jill fears it too will be put down and vows to save it at all costs.

The story traces Jill’s evacuation to the countryside and the tale unfolds against the backdrop of war.

JH

A Tiger Too Many by Antony Wootten. Eskdale Publishing. £4.99. ISBN 9780953712311.

For teachers

Get your hands dirty

If ever a book made you want to get out in the garden and create something lovely, this is it. Step by step instructions for everything – planting to construction – plus exactly what goes well with what. It’s aimed at beginners, but the ideas are not simplistic.

Warning! You do have to invest more than one 30-minute session.

Excuse me, I’m off to dig.

Peta Lunberg

 30-minute gardening by Jenny Hendy. Dorling Kindersley. £12.99 h/b. ISBN 9781405375894.

Compelling read

This is a provocative insight into false and malicious allegations against a male teacher. Explored in a fictionalised but realistic way is the ease by which charges of improper behaviour can be laid. The main character, Bryan, is effectively accused of sexually grooming young girls. Bryan’s private life is explored and his actions dissected in detail.

The way in which a case can be built against an individual is shown along with the difficulty of making a defence.

This is a compelling and engaging read.

Len Parkyn

 Millstone by Colin Neville. FeedARead Publishing. £7.99. ISBN 978178176046.

All you ever need to know

This is essential reading for anyone thinking of going into teaching. Denise Smith takes the reader on a journey through the whole process, covering areas such as signing up to the course, getting along with other members of staff, lesson observations, pedagogy and everything in between. Nothing is left out here.

If you know anyone who has just entered or is about to enter teaching, get them this book!

Matt Bradley

Brilliant trainee teacher by Denise Smith. Pearson. £12.99. ISBN 9780273732464.

We have teamed up with Pearson to offer you 20% discount and free p&p (within the UK) on this book. Go to www.pearson-books.com/TraineeTeach