Ealing Junior Book Awards 

A group of 12 children from Year 5 and Year 6 participated in the ‘Ealing Junior Book Awards’. This event really promotes reading for enjoyment and provides the children with an opportunity to read a set of books that have been written by relatively unknown authors.

What books did the groups read?

• The Bubble Boy by Stewart Foster
• Black Power by Ally Sherrick
• Time Travelling with a Hamster by Ross Welford
• The Wilderness War by Julia Green
• The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
• Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret by Lyn Gardner

The children in Year 5 and Year 6 met at least once a month, as a collective group, to discuss the books they had read so far. The children participating in this project voted for their top 3 choices out of the list of 6 books that will have been read.  Below are some the reviews written by the participant:

Decision Time…

The children in Year 5 and Year 6, who participated in this initiative, voted on their top three choices out of the 6 books that were read. The votes were counted and verified and Ravenor’s choices are as follows:

1. The Wilderness War
2. The Girl of Ink and Stars
3. Black Powder

Read on to find out what the children thought about being in this book group and to see what their own personal favourites were:

“Being part of the Ealing Junior Book Awards was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life because I had the chance to read six fabulous books and make new friends. I would love to continue being in this group when I move up to Year 6.” (Roza, Year 5)

“I loved reading all of the books but I especially liked The Girl of Ink and Stars because of how mysterious it was. I also liked talking to the other children in the group about the books we had read.” (Lauren-Ava, Year 6)

“I loved being in this group and reading all the fantastic and amazing books. My favourite book was The Girl of Ink and Stars because it is a very imaginative story and it gripped my attention throughout.” (Louie, Year 5)

“I loved being able to discuss the books that we read and my favourite book was The Wilderness War because it was a very touching story and it had me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole story.” (Kelis, Year 6)

“I absolutely loved being in this book group because all of the books were fantastic. My favourite book was The Wilderness War because it was surprising how a little boy called Noah was able to save nature.” (Vyom, Year 5)

“I loved being part of this book group because it helped me to communicate with other children that I didn’t know before I joined the group. My favourite book was The Wilderness War as it shows what happens when people stick together and fight for what is right.” (Chanel, Year 6)

“I enjoyed Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret the best out of all six books that we read because it was very touching how a girl with the rudest carer got to meet her long lost dad and at the same time got to make a friend for life.” (Yasmin, Year 5)

“I thoroughly enjoyed The Wilderness War because it was such an adventurous and heroic book as Noah, the protagonist, was trying to save nature and I was delighted that he succeeded.” (Aly, Year 6)

“My favourite book was Black Powder because it was set a long time ago and I liked the journey that Tom took when he went on a mission to save his father from certain death.” (Lily, Year 5)

“I especially enjoyed being in this group listening to everyone’s opinions about the fascinating books we read but my favourite one has to be Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret because I liked following Rose as she turned into a detective to find out who killed Ned.” (Kyle, Year 6)

“I really liked being a part of this group because I like making new friends and I really like reading. My favourite book was Time Travelling with a Hamster because I love cute pets. I also thought it was fascinating how Al travelled through time, in a bath tub, to meet his late father.” (Madison, Year 5)