Best class readers according to Twitter

It’s a question you’ll see asked by teachers over and over on social media: what’s a good text to use for…? Well, good ole’ #PrimaryRocks came to the rescue on 15th July 2019 by asking the world of Twitter, “What has been the best book used with your class this year?” and Twitter did not disappoint. We’ve picked out some of our favourite suggestions and compiled a list of book summaries, along with the gem Twitter account that suggested them.

Iron Man by Ted Hughes

Suggested by @ictlinks

Iron Man is a science-fiction novel by Poet Laureate Ted Hughes, written in 1968. It tells the story of the unexpected arrival of a giant metal man who reins terror over a patch of countryside by eating the farm equipment. The Iron Man then befriends a boy who he helps to defend the world against a dragon from outer space.

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

Suggested by @MrsBezoari

A group of children face the challenges posed by the Amazon rainforest as their plane falls out of the sky on their way to Manaus. Fred, Con, Lila and Max must work out how to survive by finding water, food and shelter, all whilst trying to find a way to be rescued.

Letters from the Lighthouse by Emma Carroll

Also suggested by @MrsBezoari

Set in England, World War 2, follow evacuees Olive and her little brother Cliff to a lighthouse on the Devon Coast. The owner, Mr Ephraim, is not overly keen on his new company. Desperate to help Mr Ephraim out, Olive becomes his post-girl, taking messages to the villagers. Follow Olive on her adventure to something dark and impossibly dangerous.

Boy in Tights by Kate Scott

Suggested by @DenForrest

Boy in Tights is a series of books about Joe and his undercover adventures as a girl. In the first in the series, Joe finds out his parents are spies and that they are in danger. Joe goes undercover as Josephine when he starts his new school and goes on a mission to help his parents.

1001 Arabian Nights

Suggested by @HowtoSTEM

This is a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, originally compiled in Arabic during the Islamic Golden Age. Now translated and enjoyed across the globe, ‘The Nights’ as it is sometimes called, includes popular stories such as Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor.

The Legend of Podkin One-Ear by Kieran Larwood

Suggested by @KarlDuke8

Podkin is a legendary rabbit who is known for being cunning and triumphant in battle. The story is told through the voice of a travelling bard. His story is lapped up by a group of enthralled rabbits who are excited to hear the story of how a small rabbit overcame the worst enemy imaginable.

The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig

Suggested by @MrHanlon2

The Truth Pixie is expertly written in verse and follows the heartwarming story of how one pixie learned to love herself. The story deals with common worries that young children may have in an entertaining and enchanting way.

The Viewer by Gary Crew and Shaun Tan

Suggested by @smithsmm

Tristan is a curious boy; he picks up all sorts of interesting objects up at the dump, including an old Viewmaster in an elaborate box. Tristan becomes more and more drawn to the treasure, eventually succumbing to its mythical and unexplainable powers. A complex and fantastical tale with some of the most beautiful illustrations.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

Suggested by @year6missNW

When Duncan goes to his box of crayons, the only thing he finds is a pile of letters from the crayons complaining about their usage - blue wants to be used for more than just the sea and beige is tired of being second to Brown Crayon. Duncan must do his best to appease all the crayons, if he is ever to use them all again.

The Firework Maker’s Daughter by Phillip Pullman

Suggested by @ianaddison

Her father is a firework-maker and Lila dreams of being the same. Follow Lila as she seeks to reach the terrifying Fire-Fiend. Her travels through the jungle sees obstacles like crocodiles, monkeys, snakes and even pirates making her journey perilous and exciting. A magical adventure and a gripping story for all.

If you’re looking for shorter stories to use to teach reading skills, we have Reading Question Sets for Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils. Our specialist subject teachers select classic extracts and write original texts that are accompanied by curriculum-aligned questions. You can access all of these texts and questions by registering for an account at Learning by Questions.