Year 4 The Victorians - Term 1

Vile Victorians

They may have looked all prim and proper, but the Victorians were a jolly naughty bunch who could be vicious and violent and villainous. Readers can discover the murderers who wouldn't hang, when the first public loo was flushed and all about stag hunting in Addington Station. With a bold, accessible new look, these bestselling titles are sure to be a huge hit with yet another generation of Terry Deary fans.

Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale tells the story of how this Victorian woman defied her family and friends to take up the unpopular profession of nursing and changed the way hospitals were run.

The Secret Diary of Jane Pinny

Jane Pinny has moved to the very grand Lytton House to be a Maid Of All Work. And being a Maid Of All Work means that she has to do...well, ALL the work, obviously! Cleaning, dusting, scrubbing, washing - there's SO much to do in a Victorian country house. But when a priceless jade necklace belonging to the lady of the house disappears, Jane turns accidental detective (with the help of her best friend, a pigeon called Plump...) - can she solve the mystery of the missing jewels before it is too late?

Cogheart

An absolute thrill ride of a novel, Bunzl’s masterpiece takes a look at Victorian life from another angle. In a world where mechanical servants and mechanical animals are the norm, Lily lives in Victorian London, but must figure out what has happened to her inventor father. Why are silver-eyed men chasing her through the streets? What does her horrible housemaid Madame Verdigris want from her?

Oliver Twist

Gaslight

The Adventures of the New Cut Gang

Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret

An absolute thrill ride of a novel, Bunzl’s masterpiece takes a look at Victorian life from another angle. In a world where mechanical servants and mechanical animals are the norm, Lily lives in Victorian London, but must figure out what has happened to her inventor father. Why are silver-eyed men chasing her through the streets? What does her horrible housemaid Madame Verdigris want from her?

Eloise Williams’s novel focuses on the streets of Victorian Cardiff, where young girl Nanci is desperate to find and be reunited with her mother. Children will be gripped from the start by the mysteries that envelop Nanci and the struggles she goes through to escape her roguish boss Sid.

One of Northern Lights author Philp Pullman’s Victorian stories sees an unruly bunch of vagabonds and street urchins working together to track down a cunning criminal, amongst other brilliant short stories which have been gathered into one gripping collection

One of Northern Lights author Philp Pullman’s Victorian stories sees an unruly bunch of vagabonds and street urchins working together to track down a cunning criminal, amongst other brilliant short stories which have been gathered into one gripping collection

Year 4

Take One (India) Term 2 Jungle Book

Elephant Dance

Indian Tales

Raised by a family of wolves since birth, Mowgli must leave the only home he's ever known when the fearsome tiger Shere Khan unleashes his mighty roar. Guided by a no-nonsense panther and a free-spirited bear, the young boy meets an array of jungle animals, including a slithery python and a smooth-talking ape. Along the way, Mowgli learns valuable life lessons as his epic journey of self-discovery leads to fun and adventure.

When Grandfather comes from India to visit young Ravi and his sister Anjali, they have so many questions about what India is like. Grandfather tells them that rainbows there are like “seven silk saris hung across the sky to dry.” The sun is like a ferocious tiger who drinks coconut milk before falling asleep for the night. After the richly illustrated story, children will find several pages of educational notes about Indian culture, animals, and food.

This collection of eight traditional tales from India. I laughed out loud at the story “Five Men in a Cart” from Andhra Pradesh. A guru who is traveling from his ashram to the local market is hampered by his all too literal disciples, who he tells to pick up anything that falls from their cart to the ground. I was moved by the tale “Sharia’s Secret” from Rajasthan. It tells how the honesty of a young girl prompted the goddess Lakshmi to visit her during Diwali.

Malgudi Schooldays

Aladdin and Other Tales from the Arabian Nights

Tales of trickery and magic, which were daily entertainment in India, Persia and Arabia over a thousand years ago are retold from the original Arabic.

Tales from India

A collection of tales about heroism, sacrifice, foolishness and friendship amongst other things from India.

A Children's History of India

Western children's literature is littered with the 'mischievous boy' character – Dennis the Menace, Calvin, William Brown etc. The Indian version – Swami – is a much deeper exploration of childhood, particularly a childhood spent in rural India. Children will empathise with Swami and his schooldays in sleepy little Malgudi town, and adults will be filled with nostalgia.

Delve into India's past to discover the answers to these questions and many more in this comprehensive history of our nation. Journey through time to visit the baths and palaces of the first cities of Harappa, the stupas of Ashoka and the flamboyant courts of the great Mughals, rich in art, culture and architecture. Learn how the revolution of 1857 really started and march alongside Gandhi on his quest for an India free from British rule. Plus, discover more about each period through fun and easy 'To do' activities. Told in simple, lucid prose and interspersed with beautiful illustrations, A Children's History of India makes learning history a fun and engaging experience for readers of all ages.

Finders Keepers?

The charming true story set in India is about a boy who found the author's wallet and could not understand why he should be rewarded for returning to the author what was his. The concept of accepting a reward for doing the right thing made no sense to him! This award-winning multicultural book emphasizes timeless and universal values that parents will want to pass on to their children. The concept of accepting a reward for doing the right thing made no sense to him! The delightful illustrations take children on a picturesque, fun-filled journey through the exotic land. Though the setting is in India, the message is timeless and universal. The book emphasizes values that parents will want to pass on to their children and also provides an excellent opportunity to understand cultural differences and underlying similarities in our diverse world.

Year 4

Ancient Greeks Book List - Term 3

Who Let the Gods Out?

This fast-moving narrative based on Greek mythology is always a huge hit, especially with KS2. The story is based on the exploits of a boy called Elliot, who falls into an adventurous mission and calls on the help of the Olympian gods. Full of laugh-out-loud moments and sad parts too, we think this is an excellent story to read aloud.

Beasts of Olympus: Beast Keeper

This action-packed novel is the first in the popular Beasts of Olympus series. It serves as a fun introduction to the gods, goddesses and creatures of Greek mythology. Beasts of Olympus: Beast Keeper is a great page-turner to be read out loud or for independent reading.

Fleeced!

Fleeced is a spirited and witty story that sees characters from classical Greek mythology transported to modern day London. Guaranteed to have your children laughing out loud, this exciting adventure is a great way to engage with Greek myths in a new way and a great springboard for children to write their own present-day mythological stories. 

The Iliad and the Odyssey

Discover two classic epics of Ancient Greece retold in an innovative and lively way in Marcia Williams' popular version of The Iliad and the Odyssey. The comic book style illustrations and the delightful details make these stories accessible to young readers. Children will enjoy the tales of perilous voyages, terrifying beasts and epic battles. Highly recommended.

The Orchard Book of Greek Myths

This superb and beautifully illustrated collection contains 16 popular Greek myths retold in rich but accessible storytelling language. The Orchard Book of Greek Myths allows readers to follow the adventures of Jason, Theseus, Odysseus, Icarus, Arachne, King Midas and many more heroes and heroines of Ancient Greek mythology. 

A Visitor's Guide to Ancient Greece

Written like a guide book for time travellers, this text is a perfect introduction to life in Ancient Greece. Full of details, images, weblinks and interesting facts, A Visitor's Guide to Ancient Greece is a handy book to have in the classroom to add a new dimension to your Ancient Greece topic. 

Avoid Entering the Ancient Greek Olympics! (Danger Zone)

A humorous text that is ideal for guided reading as a way to introduce the conventions of non-fiction texts, including index, captions and a full glossary. Avoid Entering the Ancient Greek Olympics! is presented in a fun cartoon style and gives an overview of life in Ancient Greece.

You Wouldn't Want to Be a Slave in Ancient Greece!

This charming book is part of the very popular 'You Wouldn't Want to Be' series. The entertaining and colourful text of You Wouldn't Want to Be a Slave in Ancient Greece gives an insight into what life would have been like as a slave in Ancient Greek times.