26 October 2023
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Reading Friends Crime and thriller stories activity pack
Reading related activity pack focused on crime and thriller stories.
25 October 2023
The Myth Keeper by Jasmine Richards Activity Sheets
Magic and myth collide in this fast-paced middle-grade fantasy, a sequel to The Unmorrow Curse. Download these free children’s activity sheets.
23 October 2023
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Reading Friends Participation Monitoring Form
The new form for October 2023-October 2024. We’ve further simplified it. We encourage monthly submission but there are two important dates highlighted (Jan 2024 and June 2024). Please email it to readingfriends@readingagency.org.uk on the submission dates. If you have any questions...
20 October 2023
A Memoir of My Former Self by Hilary Mantel - digital resources
The magnificent final book from one of our greatest contemporary writers. As well as her celebrated career as a novelist, Hilary Mantel long contributed to newspapers and journals, unspooling stories from her own life and illuminating the world as she found...
19 October 2023
Magic Faces by Esi Merleh Activity Pack
Open the magic face paints and adventure awaits . . . Twins Alanna and Austin find an old face-painting kit in their Aunty Kessie’s studio, and inside is a magic paintbrush! The paintbrush asks them to choose a...
19 October 2023
Reader Reviews October 2023 - what readers thought about books this month!
Did you know that we offer free reading group sets of books for groups every month? All we ask for in return are reviews. If you’d like to find out more you can sign up to our newsletters. Every month...
18 October 2023
You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne Reading Group Questions
Reading group questions for You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne. Change the rules. Reclaim your power. If you can… What would you choose? “Razor-sharp and compelling, it is essential reading for every teenage girl.” The Observer “This book is brilliant, brutal...
16 October 2023
The Train of Dark Wonders Activity Pack
Jump aboard for a journey to strange and spectacular lands. Following the death of her grandfather, Bess is handed the keys to his most prized possession – his Odditorium. She has always loved the strange and magical wonders within. But unless...
11 October 2023
You Can't Let An Elephant Pull Santa's Sleigh
‘Fantastic festive fun from a superbly silly series!’ Caryl Hart, bestselling picture book author An alpaca pulling your cracker? Penguins carol singing? A buffalo under the mistletoe? Oh no . . . that just won’t do! Join in the fun as a...
10 October 2023
Reading Power: Communications Toolkit
Support our fundraising campaign focused on improving adult reading confidence across the UK.
10 October 2023
Reading Friends Offer and Impact
An overview of the Reading Friends offer alongside its impact.
10 October 2023
Definitions of vision impairment
This resource discusses how a vision impairment may affect people. It includes information, support and training provided by RNIB.
10 October 2023
Where Are You Really From? Teaching Resources
Who do you think you are? Have you ever thought about who you might be related to? What if we told you that you were related to EXTRAORDINARY EMPERORS, GREAT KINGS and MAGNIFICENT QUEENS? Well, your majesty, you are. In fact,...
10 October 2023
Storyland Teaching Resources
You will have heard of Thor, Medusa and Hercules. But what about the myths of the British landscape? The Trojan heroes who wrestled giants. The Syrian sisters who found refuge on our lands. The dragons who slept in hollow hills....
10 October 2023
The Earthshot Prize: A Handbook for Dreamers and Thinkers: Solutions to Repair our Planet Activity Sheets
In the Earthshot Handbook for Future Dreamers and Thinkers, young readers will travel round the world, celebrating the diverse and rich habitats, amazing animals and wonderful landscapes that make up our planet. They’ll learn about the problems and challenges facing...
04 October 2023
All Bodies Are Beautiful - digital resources
A helpful handbook for talking about you! We know that bodies can be tricky to understand, and sometimes you might feel like your body is different. But being different is completely natural – it’s all just science! This comprehensive guide helps children...
29 September 2023
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Ready Set Read_ Digital participation updates
Download the digital participation data for your library authority for Ready Set Read, Summer Reading Challenge 2023. Please read the guidance notes for more information on how to access your data: https://readingagency.org.uk/resources/6031/ Please email bruce.horsfall@readingagency.org.uk if you have any problems downloading the document...
28 September 2023
The Reading Agency’s October booklist – Poetry
National Poetry Day (5 October) is a day to share, read and even write poetry. To celebrate, we’ve put together some of our favourite poetry picks. You can buy the books from Bookshop.org. Looking to share the magic of reading with young...
28 September 2023
We Are All Astronauts - digital resources
Unlock your inner astronaut and learn all about space in We Are All Astronauts – the first book in a brand-new series from bestselling creator of the Fantastically Great Women series, Kate Pankhurst. Join Luna, Granny and Blast as they journey...
28 September 2023
Libraries Week 2023 - digital pack
Simon and Schuster are providing digital resources to support activity in your library for Libraries Week 2023. This includes videos from Love Your Libraries illustrators, activity sheets and Love Your Library/Libraries Week digital assets. COMPETITION To be in with a chance of winning...
27 September 2023
Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle - digital pack and author videos
Until the Road Ends is the eagerly awaited new novel from the bestselling author of When the Sky Falls: The Times Children’s Book of the Year, winner of a Books Are My Bag Readers Award, the British Book Award for...
19 September 2023
Reading Friends Commissioning Case for Support
This document gives your library service information to share with commissioners to raise support and funding to cover project costs. It aligns the benefits of Reading Friends with Commissioners’ priorities. If you have received local evaluation summary data from the...
19 September 2023
The Spirit Snatcher by Cat Gray Activity sheets
Welcome to Elbow Alley, home of the most monstrous mystery… Pip was not expecting his new neighbours to be vampires, banshees and ghosts. Worst of all is the mysterious spirit snatcher, which appears out of nowhere and sucks away people’s personalities. Download...
15 September 2023
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Reading Friends Group Ground Rules
You can use these ground rules as a guide or change as necessary for your group.
14 September 2023
I Kick and I Fly by Ruchira Gupta - Discussion Notes
AN UNFORGETTABLE STORY BASED ON REAL EVENTS ABOUT FINDING THE COURAGE TO CREATE YOUR OWN DESTINY. More about the book In the outskirts of Bihar’s Red Light District, fourteen-year-old Heera is living on borrowed time. Her father plans to sell her into...
14 September 2023
Sunshine Simpson Cooks Up a Storm - teacher notes and activity sheets
Meet Sunshine Simpson – a brand-new best friend for 9+readers! Perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson. More about the book Sunshine Simpson’s life has never been so busy! She feels like she’s on a ROLLERCOSTER. At school everyone is talking about preparing...
11 September 2023
Celebrate International Dot Day - downloadable resources
International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot on September 15, 2009. Now around the 15 September, more than 10 million teachers,...
11 September 2023
Reading Friends Impact Overview 2022-23
The reach and impact from 2022-23 of Reading Friends. Please do share.
07 September 2023
Seeing Things Differently: A RNIB Booklist
As part of teachers’ Reading Challenge 2023, our friends at RNIB have helped us put together a booklist with books suitable for a range of ages, all featuring blind or partially sighted characters. Most of these are #OwnVoices titles too,...
07 September 2023
When You Lose it by Roxy and Gay Longworth Extract and Discussion Guide
A reading guide plus extract for When You Lose it by Gay Longworth. About the book Roxy was 13 years old when she was coerced then blackmailed into sending explicit photos, which were spread around her school. The shame led to...
