David Teale's Top Ten Back to School Books

Summer is coming to a close and children are heading back to school again. This year, why not start them off on the right foot with a one of these top ten Back to School Books, hand-picked by My School Book Club founder, David Teale.

1) LONG WALK TO FREEDOM

An inspiring picture book edition of Nelson Mandela's bestselling autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, tells Mandela's story, from his carefree days as the son of a Thembu tribal leader (part of the Xhosa nation, he was named Rolihahla - which means ‘troublemaker' in his native Zhosa tongue), through to his setting up of a law practice, his joining of the ANC, his imprisonment, and his election as President of South Africa. Retold with an incredible openness of spirit by Chris van Wyk, and illustrated by Paddy Bouma in a way that is perfect for readers aged 7 to 9 years. 64 full-colour pages. Hardback.

My School Book Club price: £5.99 (RRP £12.99) Buy the book

2) THE DEATH-DEFYING PEPPER ROUX

When Pepper Roux was born, his pious aunt was visited by a saint in her dreams who said the child would die by his fourteenth birthday. This fast-paced novel for children of 11 to 14 starts as Pepper Roux wakes up on his 14th birthday. If you've ever read Voltaire or Calvino, you'll know what you're in for: there are twists and turns on every page; you can never guess what's going to happen next; you just hope that somehow Pepper Roux will survive. From a fine storyteller, Geraldine McCaughrean who's won every award going for her great books. New in. Hardback available from September 2009.

My School Book Club price: £5.99 (RRP £12.99) Buy the book

3) MACBETH (graphic novel)

Graphic novels (what some people call comics, but these are better written, better illustrated, and produced on good-quality paper) are becoming more and more popular, and increasingly recommended for boys who don't normally like reading books. Especially boys aged 9 to 15 years. This version of Macbeth is brilliant for children aged 10 and upwards who find the original too difficult (didn't we all, and many of us still do!), but who would love the story. You could easily do GCSE from this! A comic-strip version of Shakespeare's heady brew of witchcraft and prophecy, murder, guilt and revenge.... Paperback. 

My School Book Club price: £4.99 (RRP £6.99) Buy the book

4) DEAR ZOO (pop-up)

Children have loved this book for the past generation. Young mothers who listened to DEAR ZOO as babies are now reading it to their own. To celebrate its 25 years at the top of the charts, Rod Campbell has updated the artwork and added more pop-ups to some of the pages, making this letter to a zoo even more appealing to young children aged from 6 months to 3 or 4 years. With a durable card cover.

My School Book Club price: £4.99  (RRP £7.99). Buy the book

5) THE OFFICIAL ROMAN SOLDIER'S HANDBOOK

Ever wondered what life was like for a Roman soldier and how they were so successful? This historically accurate account is told in a lively way with great humour. It's a riveting read for ages 8 to 9 upwards and into teens, featuring all the details of daily life for a raw recruit, including how to draw your sword, what uniform you have to wear, how to beat the enemy in a fight, who you would have to obey or be nice to, and lots lots more. This is a spiral-bound hardback with 128 full-colour pages.

My School Book Club price: £5.99  (RRP £7.99). Available Soon

6) THE STORY OF MATTHEW BUZZINGTON

Matthew Buzzington thinks he can turn into a fly. But can he? And can he use these powers to beat the school bully? Andy Stanton is a relatively new author who writes the popular and very funny Mr Gum books (also on My School Book Club's list). This is an equally slap-stick novel for children with reading difficulties, dyslexia or otherwise. For those aged 9 to13 with a reading age of 8 years. It comes from children's publisher, Barrington Stoke, which specialises in producing stories by top-selling authors for children who have difficulty in reading or who are reluctant to pick up a book. But there is no hint of this on the book to discourage readers. Brilliant! My School Book Club has given a whole section over to these types of books. Paperback. Around 100 pages.

My School Book Club price: £3.99 (RRP £4.99). Buy the book


DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LAST STRAW

This is the latest in a series of Wimpy Kid books, for ages 8 or 9 years up to teenage, which have sold millions over the last three or four years, both in the UK and the US. They are brilliantly written by Jeff Kinney and are the favourite books of my 10 year-old grandson, recounting the frustrations of Greg, the wimpy kid, with his school, his home and his family. In this third diary, Greg's dad is on a mission - a mission to make his son, well, less wimpy. All manner of ‘manly' physical activities are thought up, but Greg always manages to get out of them...that is, until a military academy is mentioned.....We've never come across anyone who could resist these diaries, but why should they try? They're in paperback and My School Book Club will list a fourth one in October. There's also a Do-it -Yourself one, which is great fun.

My School Book Club price: £3.99 (RRP £5.99). Buy the book


8) WAGS' WORLD: PLAYING THE GAME and KNOWING THE SCORE

The author of this new series is Anonymous and probably wouldn't have won any of the children's book literary awards anyway. Nevertheless, young teenage girls into boys, celebrities and shopping (as opposed to literary things) will love them. Sixteen year-old Amy can't wait to spend the summer with her super-fit boyfriend, star footballer of the moment. She joins him in London from Yorkshire, but her dreams are shattered when he spends all his time out on the pitch and partying in night clubs (too often without her). A world of secrets, scandel and gossip, where no one is to be trusted emerges.... These are in paperback and are good relaxing reading.

My School Book Club price: £3.49 (RRP £5.99) Available Soon

9) CHARLOTTE'S WEB

A new book to thousands of children each year and one that every child should own to read again and again. It tells the story of a pig, Wilbur, who is saved from the fate of most little pigs by a spider, Charlotte, and the very strong bond that forms between them. Wonderfully written, it later became a cartoon film (not nearly so good), and it ought to be part of every childhood. Available in paperback.

My School Book Club price: £4.99 (RRP £6.99) Buy the book


10) THE TROLL

The rollicking story of a troll, who is fed up with catching fish and wants to catch a goat crossing over his bridge, a motley crew of pirates, who live on a ship, and of how their lives intertwine.... This a new, wonderfully written story by Julia Donaldson, who has taken children's picture books by storm over the past decade, first with the GRUFFALO, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, and then with a whole raft of bestselling stories. This time her illustrator is David Roberts. It's a large hardback picture book for ages 4 to 7 or 8 years and is destined to be a classic.

My School Book Club price: £4.99 (RRP £10.99) - that's lower than the paperback will cost in a year's time! Buy the Book

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