Bookbuzz is a reading programme that supports schools to encourage reading for pleasure. The programme is suitable for schoolchildren aged 11 – 13, regardless of their reading ability or learning needs.
The 17 books, carefully selected by our panel of experts, ensures the programme is fully inclusive and offers something for every student. It is designed to be flexible and work alongside the English Department’s existing reading strategy. Bookbuzz offers students the element of choice, allowing them to find the right book for them and get excited about books and reading.
In Bookbuzz 2018, the award-winning Ross Mackenzie brings you his new book Shadowsmith (Floris Books), the amazing Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell feature with Fortunately, the Milk (Bloomsbury,) the 2010 Blue Peter Book Award winner Ali Sparkes with Car-Jacked (Oxford University Press) and Bus Stop Baby (Piccadilly Press) by Fleur Hitchcock whose title Murder in Midwinter was last year’s top choice.
Laura Kinsella, Director of English, Kingsthorpe College said: For us, Bookbuzz really does help create that “buzz” about reading. From the moment we tell year 7 students that they will get to choose their very own book to keep, excitement fills the air. As an English department, we want nothing more than to see our students become enthusiastic readers and what better way to do that than for them to take ownership of their reading journey.
Diana Gerald, CEO, BookTrust said: Choice is a key element to reading, but sometimes finding the right book can be overwhelming with so many options. Bookbuzz is a wonderful way to help boost reading for pleasure in your school, offering students a list of fantastic books and tools that help them make that most important decision on what they actually want to read.
Author Fleur Hitchcock who features in the 2018 programme said: I think Bookbuzz is brilliant because it’s about choice, about pleasure, about having fun around books. It’s about getting a book into the ownership of children who don’t own books, and about introducing confirmed readers to new texts. It’s about encouragement and joy – like an enormous book group for thousands of children. I feel honoured to have a book as part of this fantastic selection. Long live Bookbuzz.
Bookbuzz titles to choose from:
Amazing Animals by Guinness World Records
Shadowsmith by Ross MacKenzie
Accidental Superstar by Marianne Levy
Bus Stop Baby by Fleur Hitchcock
Defenders: Killing Ground by Tom Palmer
Boris Babysits by Sam Lloyd
The Mystery of Me by Karen McCombie
Sky Dancer by Gill Lewis
Car-Jacked by Ali Sparkes
Zebra Crossing Soul Song by Sita Brahmachari
Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman & illustrated by Chris Riddell
The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell
Chasing Danger by Sara Grant
The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan
The Guggenheim Mystery by Robin Stevens
Haunt: Dead Scared by Curtis Jobling
Oi Frog! by Kes Gray & Jim Field
