Illustrated 'Harry Potter' books to be published

I've just read a newspaper article on how all seven Harry Potter books are going to be published with illustrations. The first one, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, will be out in September this year. While you're waiting, here's a link to find out more:

http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2013/dec/06/harry-potter-artist-jim-kay

I've just finished re-reading the Harry Potter series. What have you been reading? 

The Girl Who Walked on Air

Our first book recommendation of the new year! 

Willow, from Elm Class, told me about a new book she had for Christmas, and after reading the blurb, I think I'm going to have to add it to my wish list! It's called The Girl Who Walked on Air, and is by Emma Carroll. It's been nominated for the Carnegie Medal 2015, and this is what Emma Carroll's website has to say about the story:

Abandoned as a baby at Chipchase’s Travelling Circus, Louie dreams of becoming a ‘Showstopper’. Yet Mr Chipchase only ever lets her sell tickets. No Death-Defying Stunts for her. So in secret, Louie practises her act - the tightrope - and dreams of being the Girl Who Walked on Air. All she needs is to be given the chance to shine.

One night a terrible accident occurs. Now the circus needs Louie’s help, and with rival show Wellbeloved’s stealing their crowds, Mr Chipchase needs a Showstopper - fast.

Against his better judgement, he lets Louie perform. She is a sensation and gets an offer from the sinister Mr Wellbeloved himself to perform in America. But nothing is quite as it seems and soon Louie’s bravery is tested not just on the highwire but in confronting her past and the shady characters in the world of the circus...

Merry Christmas and Happy Reading!

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas!

I hope you have a lovely break from school, and get time to enjoy some books.

I love this library's Christmas tree! 

A project for next year, librarians? ;-)

New library books!

Thanks to the School Council deciding to spend lots of money on books, there'll be some new additions to both the fiction and non-fiction libraries. Over the next few days, the librarians will be stocking the shelves in the fiction library with books suitable for light blue and dark blue reading levels. 

So look out for:

• Graphic novels based on stories by Charles Dickens

• Omnibus editions of books by Jacqueline Wilson

• Loads of adventure books

• A series of stories by Hilary McKay: Meet Charlie, he's trouble!

• Joke books

• Football stories

... and loads more!

Let us know what you think. If you enjoyed one of our new books, write us a review for the blog, won't you?

Thank you!

A huge 'thank you' to the team of librarians, who spend many of their break-times putting books in order and keeping everything tidy. I know some of them have plans for book quizzes too, so keep an eye on the blog!

"Rameses' Revenge," by Brooke

This is the winning story from the Rowan Class story-writing competition: 

Rameses' Revenge

by Brooke

Once upon a time there was a princess, her name was Cleo. She lived in Egypt during the time of the pharaohs. Her dad was called King Khufu, he spent most of his time building the biggest pyramid ever. Cleo's friend is called Rafiki. Cleo's dad said, 'Don't ever go to the Valley of Kings because frightening things happen in there.'
'OK,' she said.
But at night, they crept out of the palace and went to the Valley of the Kings where Ra's tomb was.
'Are you OK, Rafiki?' Cleo said in a shaky voice.
'Yes, I think.' 
'OK, if you say so.'
In the Valley of the Kings, they couldn't see anything until...
'Who dares to wake up Rameses?'
'AAAAA!!!! What was that?'
'I don't know, it sounds like Ra,' they said quickly.
'I'm not Rarrrrr...'
'Don't look round,' said Rafiki.
'Why?' said Cleo.
'Just don't.'
'AAAAA!!!' screamed Cleo. 'It's a mummy.'
'I know, run in there.' 
'OK, Rafiki.'
So they ran into another room in the Valley of Kings.
'I'm glad we are here.'
'Yes, I know.'
'Wait, what's that thing glowing?'
'I don't know, it's fire?'
'Wait a minute, no it's not,' said Cleo.
'It's a magic staff, with an emerald on top.' 
'You're right, it is,' said Rafiki. 'Pick it up.'
'OK,' said Cleo.
Then it started glowing and glowing. It went mad.
'Do you think it wants us to follow it?'
'Yes, yes, yes, do it now,' said Rafiki.
'OK.'
So they followed the glowing. It led right on to the top of the Valley of the Kings.
'Phew, I'm glad we are safe, this staff comes in handy. I'm amazed. We should keep it and hide it from my dad.'
'That sounds like a bad idea, Cleo, really!!'
'OK, well, I'll have to think of another idea myself then,' Cleo said.
'Uuuuu, I'm back, it's Rameses. Ha, ha, haa...'
'It's Rameses the mummy. Run, follow the glow!'
'OK, Cleo, I understand.'
'Oh no, it's getting light. What is Dad going to say?'
'I don't know, but he'll be very cross.'
'We better hurry, to get Rameses back in the tomb.'
'Anyway, if we see inside Ra's tomb, we will get cursed and bad things will happen.'
So they tried and tried to get him in the tomb, but couldn't. So they quickly went back in to find something, but still couldn't find anything. So they got the staff and hit Rameses with it and shut him up in the tomb again. So they told Cleo's dad about what happened and promised never to go in it again from that day. One more thing, Rameses said he'll come back for revenge!!!!

Well done, Brooke, for winning the competition!

"Ewan Pleasant and the Evil Mummy," by Ewan

Here's Ewan's story for the Rowan Class competition:

Ewan Pleasant and the Evil Mummy

Ewan Pleasant was waiting for a mystery and while he was reading the newspaper, he saw somebody had opened a tomb with an evil assassin mummy that only killed at night. His name was Exedeow and he lived in Egypt. So Ewan Pleasant set off to Egypt. One month later, he was at Egypt and the sun was going down and he hid and he made a plan how to catch and what to do after. The he heard a scream. Somebody had just been murdered, now the game was on! The next day, Ewan Pleasant set off to go and find Excedeow, then he got kicked and standing there was Excedeow, and Ewan Pleasant used his lightning to fight Excedeow, and Ewan Pleasant  knocked Excedeow then he realized that it was a human! He knew that anyone that got attacked by Excedewo that he would put a chip on you. Something funny was going on here, so Ewan Pleasant set off home again. When he got home, he thought of a way to stop the evil assassin called Excedeow!

He heard seven more screams until he thought of a brilliant plan to stop Excedeow. He asked a man to stand there, then suddenly Excedeow appeared and Ewan Pleasant jumped down and got his lightning out. Somebody put the tomb behind Ewan Pleasant and Excedeow charged at him and he just moved to the side and Excedeow got trapped in the tomb and they had a big party. They did music, dancing, feasting and games. The food was delicious and it was lots of fun!!!

Next time: the winning story, "Rameses' Revenge!"

"The Missing Diamonds," by Grace

Here is Grace's entry to the Rowan Class story competition. I've scanned it, as she made good use of fonts to create her story. 

Stories by Anouk and Maddie.

We've just finished a short-story competition in Rowan Class. Students were asked for a crime story set in Egypt. Here are entries from Anouk and Maddie. 

The Mystery

by Anouk

Hi, we're in Egypt. I'll tell you my name and my trusty sidekick's name soon. "Oh no, someone is cursing all the animals, I'm glad you're okay..." I looked at my dog and I shouted, "Buddy!... No! I have to save him." A tear dropped from my eye. "Don't worry Buddy." I found the person who was cursing the animals and I stopped him and all the animals woke up. I rushed to Buddy, but Buddy was playing a trick on me. Buddy was okay. So me and Buddy went back to the pyramid and ever since that happened everything was cool. Right, now I'll tell you my name. My name is Cleo and as you guessed it, Buddy is my trusty sidekick. Now we're all happy, I'll tell you how I found the person who was cursing all the animals. This strange man had a bag. The bag was glowing, it had special powers so he could curse animals, but luckily I've seen him before, so I stopped him by taking his bag of powers. 

The Stolen Pyramid

by Maddie

Once a long time ago, Cleodenile, the queen of the Egyptians, took a walk through the desert looking at all her beautiful pyramids, but her most beautiful one of all was gone.

"Aaaagggghhh!!!" she cried.

All of her guards came rushing to her.

"What is it, your majesty?" said one of her guards softly.

"My pyramid's gone, the beautiful one," she cried.

All the guards looked where the pyramid was. "It is gone," said the guards...

Next time: stories by Grace and Ewan. 

Opal Plumstead by Jacqueline Wilson

Thanks to the librarians for telling me that the new Jacqueline Wilson book is out. Set just before the First World War, it's about the Suffragettes. Follow this link to Jacqueline Wilson's website and find out more!