I wish I’d written…
Muhammad Khan chooses a book that embodies the power of the imagination.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is one of my favourite books. It’s the story of a down-on-his-luck boy called Jess who forms an unlikely relationship with quirky new girl Leslie. At first his prejudices get in the way, but Leslie’s upbeat personality and talent soon win him over. She introduces him to a fantasy world she names Terabithia and together they embellish it with their combined skills and imagination, forming a sanctuary from the outside world. One day, Jess is selfish and a terrible tragedy strikes, one he cannot stop blaming himself for.
Muhammad Khan’s debut novel I Am Thunder (978-15098740570) was shortlisted for the YA Book Prize, won the Branford Boase Award and the 2018 Great Reads Award. His second novel, Kick the Moon (978-1509874071), is also published by Macmillan, as is his upcoming book Mark My Words (978-1529029949), due August 2020.
There is much I can relate to in Jess. I was a compulsive artist, who used this talent to make up for an absence of friends. During the Christmas term in Year 1, it snowed heavily and at break time I met a girl who was full of life and jokes and happiness. There were no formal introductions; we simply played together in the snow and for the first time in my life I knew the joys of friendship. Then one day the snow melted and she vanished. I remember searching for two weeks, asking around if anyone had seen her or knew who or where she was. No one did. I have often wondered whether she joined the school for a single week or whether she had simply been a figment of my imagination. I pined for my friend when she’d gone, wounded by the constant reminder of friendships in the playground. These complex emotions are masterfully explored in Bridge to Terabithia. Paterson’s writing is never mawkish nor manipulative but brutally real. A child sees the beauty of fantasy worlds with the same eyes they view the hardships of life. The honesty with which Paterson captures this in her writing is what renders the book unforgettable and sublime. Perhaps what makes the story so visceral is that it was Paterson’s response to the loss of her own son’s childhood friend.
Good Reads
Planet Omar (Accidental Trouble Magnet) Zanib Mian, Hodder Children’s Books, 978-1444951226, £6.99 pbk
This book is about a boy called Omar, who moves houses and schools and tries to fit in. One thing stops him, and that is the stinking class bully, Daniel. My favourite character has to be Maryam because
she always likes to correct people, just like me. My favourite scene is when Daniel (class bully) and Omar get lost together on a trip, and actually become friends. This book made me feel like I was in Omar’s
shoes. It made me feel kind of lonely since he gets bullied. It was also a very funny book and used humour well to talk about some challenging things. Canaan, Year 5
Two Sides Polly Ho-Yen, illus Binny Talib, Stripes, 978-1788950626, £7.99 pbk
The book I read, Two Sides, was about a friendship between two girls; Lula and Lenka. Although they are best friends, they are total opposites. Lula is a very messy and loud girl, while Lenka is a shy and tidy sort of person. One ordinary day, the two girls fall out. They keep away from each other and never talk to one another. They are both upset. This book made me feel happy and proud as it celebrates difference and spreads a powerful empathy message. As soon as Lula and Lenka were no longer friends it made me feel very concerned about their friendship. I enjoyed that at the start of the book Lula is very unorganised and is always late for everything.
It
reminded me of me. As soon as she falls out with Lenka, she has a huge shift in personality. Lula is suddenly on time for school and is a little bit shy and alone. Despite this, she still hasn’t lost a trait; her loudness. I would recommend this book to children in Year 3
or maybe Year 2 as the ideas are not really complex. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and I hope the people I think this story is targeted at share my opinion. Aseel, Year 5
16 Books for Keeps No.241 March 2020
Owen and The Soldier Lisa Thompson, Barrington Stoke, 978-1781128657, £6.99 pbk
This book is about a boy named Owen, whose mum and himself are struggling as they are the only ones at home. Owen is keeping his worries to himself but one day he discovers a crumbling stone soldier, it feels like he finally has someone to talk to. However, the town can’t see how important the soldier is and they want to remove him. Owen is scared that he’ll be left on his own again, he needs to save the soldier before it’s too late. Owen likes to visit the local memorial garden where he talks to a stone soldier statue after losing his dad and his mum becoming withdrawn and depressed. I feel like this book is sweet, simple and a very touching tale and I would recommend it to KS2 children. I would also recommend this to older readers, young adults, as they might relate to this story. As a reader, it shows how important soldiers are and allows us to walk in their shoes. This book also reminded me of the one-minute silence we have for the soldiers who have died in World Wars and why we need to not forget what they did for us.
Amirah, Year 5
Race to the Frozen North Catherine Johnson, Barrington Stoke, 978-1781128404, £6.99 pbk
This book is about an adventurous boy named Matthew Henson who wanted to achieve his dream career at sea but faces many hardships and disadvantages. I love Janey and Captain Child because they motivated Matt when he had nowhere to go. I think without them he would not have achieved what he did. This book made me feel that nothing is impossible
when you have courage and try your best. It also made me feel very sad because due to the colour of his skin, Matthew didn’t get the recognition he deserved. Despite this, it is an amazing adventure book to read and one I would certainly recommend. Nejah, Year 5
Find out more about EmpathyLab on their website and in this BfK article. The 2020 Book Collection of 50 books is listed here.
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson is published by Puffin, (978-0141359786), £6.99 pbk.
The Good Reads in this issue have been chosen by pupils at St Matthews CE Primary School in Nechells, Birmingham, and have a special empathy theme. Head teacher Sonia Thompson is one of the panel of experts at EmpathyLab who selected the books that make up the 2020 Read for Empathy Book Collection. St Matthews regards empathy as a core life skill, and a revolutionary force for social change.
Canaan
Aseel
Amirah
Nejah
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32