The Chatterbooks

The future, present, and past all collide when young Archie gets trapped in a mine...in 1815! ​Scholars Hekima and Karina from Year 7 at Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about in Dark Flood by Karon Alderman and how the book gripped them. They and also chat about the uses of a fiddle and the unusual words and spellings used by the author. Here are the three questions to consider about this epi...

An old fashioned 'Whodunnit' is up for discussion this week with Murder! By Narwhal! by Alex T Smith. ​ Scholars Ahoua and Zach in Year 7 at Brook Mead Academy in Leicester delve into the mysterious death of Sir Ignatius Gristle. They chat about lead character Edna and how she sets about solving the mystery with a guidebook and her pet tortoise! ​​​​ Here are the three questions for today's episod...

Year 7 scholars from Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about Relic Hamilton (Genie Hunter) by Joseph Coelho, and The Zombie Project by Alice Nuttall. Surina and Bella get into their favourite genres and what hooks them into a story. ​​​Here are the three questions for today's episode - the answers are at the end of the video version which you can watch on YouTube and The Chatterbooks website by...

Year 7 scholars from Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about  A History of My Weird  by Chloë Heuch. ​ Rosabella and Shanique discuss some of themes of this book as main character Mo struggles to adapt to life in Year 7 and the challenges she faces.  Here are the three questions for today's episode.​ 1. Why might an author write in first person and use diary entries to tell a story? 2. How does...

Year 7 scholars from Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about The Boy With Big Decisions by Helen Rutter. ​ Adam and Mileeka discuss the story about 11 year old Fred who starts to take to control of his life. In this unique book, YOU can be the one who makes his decisions. Our hosts chat about the choices Fred makes and if they like having the power to choose the story! ​​​ Here are the three qu...

Year 7 scholars from Brook Mead Academy in Leicester chat about The Line They Drew Through Us by Hiba Noor Khan. Harleen, Surina, and Afia discuss this historical fiction set in India, 1946. The moving tale of three friends all born on the same day builds to the real life event of the Partition of India. How did they relate to the story and how do they think they might have coped in a similar situ...

Two VERY different ways of learning in this episode - how would you like to learn about history via time travel? Or do you have what it takes to survive at the Unicorn riding academy? In this episode, Finlay chats about  Skandar and the Unicorn Thief  by A.F Steadman, whilst Adam takes a trip to Tudor England with  Time Tub Travellers and the Silk Thief  by Claire Linney A HUGE thank you to Kibwor...

Do you love animals? Maybe you have a pet, or two. But how would you cope with your parents travelling the world and sending weird and chaotic animals back for you to look after? No? Maybe that's better than moving house and finding you have zombie sheep next door... In this episode, Erin chats about Indigo Wilde and the Creatures at Jellybean Crescent by Pippa Curnick, whilst Lewis shares The Bea...

What if a fun game turned into something far more dangerous and real? And how would you cope being told your life is cursed and then being whisked to a magical land? In this episode, Lewis chats about the tense adventures and puzzles of Escape Room by Christopher Edge, whilst Florence reveals the magic and colourful characters of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. These ar...

How would you cope going to a new school in a new country with no friends, no family AND you can't speak the language? In this episode, Ronni, Lila, and Alyssia chat about  The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf and how they like 'real' stories. Then Alyssia also shares  The Starlight Stables Gang  by Esme Higgs and how it reflects her love of horses. At the end of the video there are...

Would you like your own special treehouse with multiple storeys? Or how do you fancy solving a mystery with your friends at school?  In this episode, Florence chats about  The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Phantom Thief  by Marcus Rashford, whilst Mia shares  The 78 Storey Treehouse  by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. At the end of the video there are three questions to kick start any class disc...

*There is a content warning at the bottom for a description of an event in one of the books that cause some upset. Do you have a favourite genre? Could you be persuaded to read something you normally wouldn't? Hannah tries to persuade Kareena to read Awful Auntie by David Walliams, whilst Kareena explains why Lottie Brooks's Totally Disastrous School Trip by Katie Kirby, is a really fun read - des...

Having to put your skills to the test can be pretty scary, especially when you have to use them in an unfamiliar place and with lots at stake! Lewis explains why he enjoyed Space Band by Tom Fletcher so much and its story about a group of friends who have to win a battle of the bands in space to stay out of prison! And Adam chats about the humour and adventure in Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great S...

It doesn't matter what age you are, sometimes it can feel difficult to fit in - especially when you're getting in trouble for things that aren't your fault. Lucia, Delilah, and Izzy reminisce about one of their favourite books (and musicals!) Matilda by Roald Dahl, and then chat about Holes by Louis Sachar, a book they've just read in class. For more info' and all previous episodes go to: thechatt...

Going to hospital isn't supposed to be fun, but having your birthday EVERY day should be, right? Jayden and Brad chat about two books that seem to have things back to front as they share Midnight Gang by David Walliams and Birthday Boy by David Baddiel. For all episodes and info on the win a book competition, go to: thechatterbooks.co.uk This episode was recorded at Thistly Meadow Primary School i...

Most people wonder about what the secret life of their pets would be like - but what if your pet left to join a whole different world with animals like them? The series "Warriors" by Erin Hunter has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and tells the saga of the clans of cats. Ella and Shay talk about why they love the series and what you can expect if you start on the epic quest of read...

Our Chatterbooks this episode dive into the third book of the Harry Potter series as well as giving a thumbs up to the first in a series about a non-super superhero! Niall shares his love of Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban by J K Rowling, and then Oliver gives his guide to Kid Normal by Greg James and Chris Smith. WIN A BOOK! Click the button to enter the competition and win a book of you...

A range of challenges in our books this episode from struggling with sports, to surviving the rainforest, via Fossils and Dog Zombies! Hugo, McKinley, and Ben chat about Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Big Shot by Jeff Kinney, Tom Gates: Yes, No (Maybe ) by Liz Pichon, and _The Explorer _by Katherine Rundell. WIN A BOOK! Enter the competition at thechatterbooks.co.uk This episode was recorded at Thistly Me...

This episode, the heroes in our books all have to cope without their parents in different circumstances. Are you ready to hear about mysterious sea eggs, alien bugs, and a scheming old man? Isla, Emmie, and Ella chat about Malamander - Eerie-on-Sea by Thomas Taylor, Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick, and A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket. Go to thechatterbooks.co.uk for more info' and...

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could actually go INTO the film you were watching? Or have you thought about how good you'd be at solving a magical crime? Then Adam and Lewis have got two books that you might enjoy. Adam has been thrilled by The Last Chance Hotel by Nicki Thornton, whilst Lewis has loved The Black Hole Cinema Club by Christopher Edge. Max also interviews Mr Alc...

This episode was recorded at Thistly Meadow Primary School in Leicestershire. This episode is age appropriate for 9+. Izzy and Ashleigh chat about The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks, and Dork Diaries - Popstar. Both books tell the story of girls coping with growing up and the changes they encounter at school, at home, and within themselves. Despite these books being about two girls,...

What books do you like to read and re-read at Christmas? Like a favourite Yuletide movie, sometimes certain books just feel "Christmassy" even if they're not about Christmas. In this episode, we chat about those books that make us want to get cosy, maybe grab a hot chocolate, and curl up to read.  Our main book is The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe; and then we have a quick chat about...

This episode is is from Thistly Meadow Primary School in Leicestershire. What happens when a Robot is stranded in the wild? What did our readers like about Wild Robot by Peter Brown? The second book this episode is Wonder Team by Leah Williamson - a sporty time travelling adventure. Go to t hechatterbooks.co.uk for all links and info. All music by Lidérc at Pixabay

We head back to Victorian London for a "wild" tale as Max, James, and George chat about Wild Boy by Rob Lloyd Jones, and chat about forgetfulness and how gross vivid descriptions can be. They also remember a book about a world with no adults, and what happens when the Gods get loose. AND it's the first interview as Libby returns to ask her teacher about their favourite book to read in cl...

In this first episode, The Chatterbooks chat about "The Final Year" by Matt Goodfellow. Elsie-Mae introduces this unique book that tells the tale of Nate's last year in primary school. Do our Chatterbooks recommend it? Also, Eleanor shares the wonder of Wonder, whilst Libby shares the series of books she's been enjoying that are both disgusting AND funny. Go to http://www.thechatterbooks...