The Chatterbooks

The future, present, and past all collide when young Archie gets trapped in a mine...in 1815! ​Scholars Hekima and Karina from Year 7 at Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about in Dark Flood by Karon Alderman and how the book gripped them. They and also chat about the uses of a fiddle and the unusual words and spellings used by the author. Here are the three questions to consider about this episode and book. You don't need to have read the book! 1. If you went back in time, what would be an interesting era to go back to in the area that you live? ​2. Archie was learning the fiddle that his grandfather gave him - how might this be used when he is trapped down in the mines? 3. Why might understanding history be important? Find more info', all previous episodes and the YouTube versions at thechatterbooks.co.uk. ​This episode was recorded at Brook Mead Academy in Leicester. All music by Liderc at Pixabay

An old fashioned 'Whodunnit' is up for discussion this week with Murder! By Narwhal! by Alex T Smith. ​ Scholars Ahoua and Zach in Year 7 at Brook Mead Academy in Leicester delve into the mysterious death of Sir Ignatius Gristle. They chat about lead character Edna and how she sets about solving the mystery with a guidebook and her pet tortoise! ​​​​ Here are the three questions for today's episode - the answers are at the end of the episode. ​ 1) Why might the name Charles Darwin been chosen as the name of a pet in a house full of stuffed animals? ​​ 2) Discuss how the book's setting might add to the mystery. 3) What qualities do you have that you think might make you a good detective ? Find more info' and a list of all the books reviewed at: thechatterbooks.co.uk All music by Liderc at Pixabay

Year 7 scholars from Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about Relic Hamilton (Genie Hunter) by Joseph Coelho, and The Zombie Project by Alice Nuttall. Surina and Bella get into their favourite genres and what hooks them into a story. ​​​Here are the three questions for today's episode - the answers are at the end of the video version which you can watch on YouTube and The Chatterbooks website by clicking here. ​1. In Relic Hamilton, where does Relic live? 2. What were some of the themes of The Zombie Project and which ones  interest you the most? 3. If YOU were writing a story set above a shop, what type of shop would you pick and why? ​This episode was recorded at Brook Mead Academy in Leicester. All music by Liderc at Pixabay

Year 7 scholars from Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about A History of My Weird by Chloë Heuch. ​ Rosabella and Shanique discuss some of themes of this book as main character Mo struggles to adapt to life in Year 7 and the challenges she faces.  Here are the three questions for today's episode.​ 1. Why might an author write in first person and use diary entries to tell a story? 2. How does Mo upset the teacher?  3. If YOU were writing a book about your experiences of starting Year 7, what would be the biggest changes and challenges you've faced? You can find out more and see all previous episodes and the list of books reviewed on the podcast at thechatterbooks.co.uk Episode artwork by Siya in Year 7. This episode was recorded at Brook Mead Academy in Leicester.  All music by Liderc at Pixabay

Year 7 scholars from Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about The Boy With Big Decisions by Helen Rutter. ​ Adam and Mileeka discuss the story about 11 year old Fred who starts to take to control of his life. In this unique book, YOU can be the one who makes his decisions. Our hosts chat about the choices Fred makes and if they like having the power to choose the story! ​​​ Here are the three questions for today's episode - the answers are at the end of the video available on the website below and YouTube. ​ ) What were the two schools that Fred had to choose between? 2) What passion does Fred keep secret from his mother?  3) What choices do you wish YOU could make? Or are there choices you’re glad you don’t have to make? Find more information and previous episodes at thechatterbooks.co.uk . ​This episode was recorded at Brook Mead Academy in Leicester.  All music by Liderc at Pixabay

Year 7 scholars from Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about The Line They Drew Through Us by Hiba Noor Khan. Harleen, Surina, and Afia discuss this historical fiction set in India, 1946. The moving tale of three friends all born on the same day builds to the real life event of the Partition of India. How did they relate to the story and how do they think they might have coped in a similar situation? Stay tuned until the end for three questions about this episode. Go to thechatterbooks.co.uk for more info and previous episodes. ​This episode was recorded at Brook Mead Academy in Leicester.  All music by Liderc at Pixabay.

Two VERY different ways of learning in this episode - how would you like to learn about history via time travel? Or do you have what it takes to survive at the Unicorn riding academy? In this episode, Finlay chats about Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A.F Steadman, whilst Adam takes a trip to Tudor England with Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief by Claire Linney A HUGE thank you to Kibworth Books for helping to choose Time Tub Travellers! Go to kibworthbooks.com to order your copies! Get more info' and see the list of the books we've reviewed so far at thechatterbooks.co.uk This episode was recorded at Greenfield Primary School in Leicestershire.  All music by Liderc at Pixabay

Do you love animals? Maybe you have a pet, or two. But how would you cope with your parents travelling the world and sending weird and chaotic animals back for you to look after? No? Maybe that's better than moving house and finding you have zombie sheep next door... In this episode, Erin chats about Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent by Pippa Curnick, whilst Lewis shares The Beasts of Knobbly Bottom: Attack of the Zombie Sheep by Emily-Jane Clark. A HUGE thank you to Kibworth Books for suggesting and providing the two books as gifts for the children in today's episode. Go to kibworthbooks.com to order your copies! Go to thechatterbooks.co.uk to see our book list and previous episodes! This episode was recorded at Greenfield Primary School in Leicestershire. All music by Liderc at Pixabay This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

What if a fun game turned into something far more dangerous and real? And how would you cope being told your life is cursed and then being whisked to a magical land? In this episode, Lewis chats about the tense adventures and puzzles of Escape Room by Christopher Edge, whilst Florence reveals the magic and colourful characters of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. These are the questions for this episode (answers at the end of the video version). In Escape Room, what civilisation do the children visit? And do you know any other books that feature different civilisations? Florence says the character of Morrigan isn't just good or bad, but she is in a 'grey' area - what does that tell us about Morrigan? Discuss - with a partner or as a class - which of these two books you'd enjoy the most and why. You can find all previous episodes including the video versions at thechatterbooks.co.uk This episode was recorded at Greenfield Primary School in Leicestershire. All music by Liderc at Pixabay

How would you cope going to a new school in a new country with no friends, no family AND you can't speak the language? In this episode, Ronni, Lila, and Alyssia chat about The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf and how they like 'real' stories. Then Alyssia also shares The Starlight Stables Gang by Esme Higgs and how it reflects her love of horses. At the end of the video there are three questions to kick start any class discussions or just get you thinking! For more info' and the video versions of each episode go thechatterbooks.co.uk Click here for the stage show of The Boy at the Back of the Class. This episode was recorded at Greenfield Primary School in Leicestershire.  All music by Liderc at Pixabay