Further Approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Contents

Introduction to the May Quick Reads Learning Resources: a themed approach 3

Themes and titles grid (including links to other Quick Reads) 4

Quick Reads titles May 2006: synopsis, readability and author information:

Cleanskin Val McDermid 5 Danny Wallace and the Danny Wallace 6 Centre of the Universe Desert Claw Damien Lewis 7 Grey Man Andy McNab 8 I Am a Dalek Gareth Roberts/Dr Who 9 I Love Football Hunter Davies 10 The Poison in the Blood Tom Holland 11 The Dying Wish Courttia Newland 12 The Name You Once Gave Me Mike Phillips 13 Winner Takes All John Francome 14

Acknowledgement The learning materials to accompany the Quick Reads publications have been produced as part of The Vital Link’s Reading for Pleasure campaign, funded by the Department for Education and Skills and in co-operation with World Book Day. Our thanks go to the writing and editorial team of Nancy Gidley, Kay Jackaman and Moreen Mowforth.

www.vitallink.org.uk

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Introduction to the May Quick Reads Learning Resources

OurPrevious approach learning resources ItThis is not set possibleof learning to teachresources people has ‘reading been written for pleasure’. to accompany We know thatpublication extensive of readingthe second practice series is of what Quick is neededReads, publishedto reinforce in and embedMay 2006. learning, The first and setthat of this learning is difficult resources, to ensure which with accompanied learners whothose have Quick never Reads had published a reading in habit. March We 2006, must were bear designedin mind that to adultsintroduce will emergent only read readers what they to the enjoy, individual so helping titles. learners They are develop anstructured interest roundin books three and activities reading tofor be pleasure undertaken is not before, a soft option but anduring intrinsic or after and reading essential of partthe texts,of good and literacy are accompanied teaching practice. by an introductory file promoting some generic activities around reading for pleasure with Skills for Life learners.

Another approach In the five files for the May Quick Reads we have more fully for readers. Each of the themed files taken a different approach. In order to has a section headed ‘Further Development’ encourage teachers and other staff working with which contains a list of other Quick Reads which emergent readers to view the Quick Reads and link to the same theme, together with other titles their learning resources as an opportunity to from the First Choice database. broaden and deepen readers’ experiences of texts, and exploit the flexibility of the materials Pick and mix provided, we have approached the texts in terms Similarly, for teachers and other staff using the of ‘themes’. Each of the files identifies a theme Quick Reads learning resources, we would like and uses two of the texts to demonstrate how to emphasise the transferability of some of the reading activity for those texts might be activities and development ideas we have constructed around that theme. We hope, in this provided across both sets of Quick Reads. The way, to explore the complexity of the nature of activities we have suggested, themes we have enjoyment of reading, and encourage reader chosen and books we have linked are only the development. Although readers may enjoy a beginning, in terms of the potential that Quick thriller, is it that particular plot that has ‘hooked’ Reads offer as a way of engaging and exciting them, or is it the exploration of the psychology emerging or reluctant readers. You (and your of one of the main characters – their thirst for readers) will undoubtedly see others when you revenge (as in Cleanskin) or their development are familiar with the books, and may disagree from childhood (as in The Name You Once with those we have selected. That is all to the Gave Me) that leads them to a set of actions? If good. We aim to spark ideas and enthusiasm for the latter, then similar exploration may be found creating your own activities and resources that in another book that an emergent reader might support your particular learners’ development in not normally attempt, but might enjoy. We reading for pleasure. The learning resources are appreciate that this approach will require more not an end in themselves, but ‘starter’ packs that initial familiarity with the books on the part of we hope will encourage further exploration of all staff in order to be able to draw out the themes the titles.

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Themes and titles

Theme May Quick Reads Links to other Quick Reads

Revenge is Sweet Cleanskin Blackwater The Grey Man Chickenfeed Don’t Make Me Laugh The Thief Winner Takes All

Who Am I? The Dying Wish Blackwater The Name You Once Gave Me Don’t Make Me Laugh Star Sullivan The Book Boy Woman Walks Into a Bar

Private Passions Danny Wallace and The How To Change Your Life Centre of the Universe in 7 Steps I Love Football Screw It, Let’s Do It Winner Takes All The Team

Other Worlds I Am a Dalek Someone Like Me Poison in the Blood

Against the Odds Desert Claw Hell Island Winner Takes All

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis About the author When career criminal Jack Farrell’s body is Val McDermid grew up in a Scottish mining found washed-up on a Suffolk shore, it community, then read English at Oxford. She looks to the police like a clear-cut case. was a journalist for sixteen years, spending Broken-hearted at his daughter’s death, he the last three years as Northern Bureau Chief has drowned himself – good riddance and of a national Sunday tabloid. She is now a one less crime to solve, according to CID. full-time writer and divides her time between Cheshire and Northumberland. Then again, maybe not. For, one by one, Farrell’s enemies are being killed. And the Her novels have won international acclaim horrific manner of their deaths makes and a number of major awards. The Wire in drowning look like a day at the beach. the Blood, the second in her series of books featuring a criminal profiler, lent its name to Readability the highly acclaimed television series starring 11/13 Levels E3/L1 Robson Green as Tony Hill.

McDermid has also written crime novels featuring Manchester PI Kate Brannigan, while a further series of novels featured journalist-sleuth Lindsay Gordon.

‘McDermid’s capacity to enter the warped mind of a deviant criminal is shiveringly convincing.’ The Times

View more information on Val McDermid at her publisher’s website: www.harpercollins.co.uk 5

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis About the author Danny Wallace wanted to write about a Danny Frederick Wallace was born in Dundee, place so special and so crucial to our Scotland, on the 16th November 1976. He existence that it had never before been grew up in Loughborough and now lives in tackled: the Centre of the Universe. London. He has written several books This is the story of Danny's trip to Idaho, in including Join Me (all about what happened the United States of America, to visit a when he started his own cult), and Yes Man manhole cover in a small town, whose (all about what happened when he decided to residents have proclaimed it the centre of say ‘yes’ to everything). He also presents TV the universe. And the name of the town? shows. His own six-part BBC2 series, How To Wallace! Start Your Own Country; recently saw him become a King. He is currently hosting Readability Schools Out on BBC1 12/13 Levels E3/L1 More information about Danny Wallace can be found at www.dannywallace.com

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis About the author In war-torn Iraq, a painting by Van Gogh Damien Lewis is an award-winning journalist, worth £25 million is being held to ransom. film director-reporter and a best-selling It has been looted from Saddam’s palaces author who lives in Dublin, Ireland. In 1989, and is for sale to the highest bidder. The directly after graduation, he started working painting's original owner, a Kuwaiti prince, as a freelance print journalist, writing for the from whom it was seized during Iraq's likes of the Sunday Times, the Guardian, occupation of Kuwait in the First Gulf War, the Daily Telegraph, Geographical and has asked the British Government for help Marie Claire. in retrieving it. The British Government

owes him a favour for backing them during He moved on to become a documentary

the Iraq War, so they agree to help. But the director, reporter and cameraman, working

British Government aren’t paying and they for quality British, European and North

want those holding it dead. Ex-SAS soldier American broadcasters. He produced material

Mick Kilbride is asked to lead a very secret for flagship shows including C4 Dispatches,

mission. But all is not as it seems and Mick BBC Correspondent, ARD, ZDF and PBS. He

and his team are drawn into a dark, violent developed a reputation as a specialist in

world. Someone, somewhere has deceived popular human rights, humanitarian, conflict

them. They will only survive if they stay one and war stories – covering war and disaster

step ahead of the mission and their zones across five continents. betrayers.

He wrote his first book in 2001, which Readability became an international number one best- 12 Levels E3/L1 seller, and has since concentrated more on

book writing. Operation Certain Death was a Sunday Times top ten bestseller.

(extracted from Andrew Lownie, Literary Agent, website) 7

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis About the author Kevin Dodds leads a dull, uneventful life. He Andy McNab joined the infantry as a boy has a steady job at the bank, a loving wife, soldier. In 1984 he was ‘badged’ as a member a nice house and car. To stop himself being of 22 SAS Regiment and was involved in both bored out of his mind at work, he likes to covert and overt special operations day-dream, and play ‘what if’. When his worldwide. bullying boss refuses to give him a day off on his anniversary, he decides to bring one During the first Gulf War he commanded of his daydreams to life. He’s going to Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of attempt to pull off one of the biggest bank his commanding officer, ‘will remain in robberies in history – from the safe of the regimental history for ever’. Awarded both bank where he works. Armed only with the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DC) and information gleaned from the web and Military Medal (MM), McNab was the British climbing equipment he doesn’t really know Army’s most highly decorated serving soldier how to use, Kevin is about to take a heart- when he finally left the SAS in February 1993. thumping step into the unknown. For once, He wrote about his experiences in two he’s going to stop being the grey man… bestsellers, Bravo Two Zero, which was filmed (adapted from publisher’s synopsis) starring Sean Bean, and Immediate Action.

Readability He has written many other novels. Besides his 11/12 Levels E3/L1 writing work, he lectures to security and intelligence agencies in both the USA and the UK. Andy McNab is a pseudonym.

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis About the author The Doctor and Rose are planning to live it Gareth Roberts has written eight previous up, Apollo mission-style, on the Moon. But Doctor Who novels, including Only Human, the Tardis has other plans, landing them featuring the ninth Doctor, Rose and Captain instead in a village on the south coast of Jack, together with TV scripts for Emmerdale, England; a picture-postcard sort of place Brookside, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), where nothing much happens. Until Swiss Toni and Swinging. He also wrote the now...an archaeological dig has turned up a Doctor Who interactive adventure Attack of Roman mosaic, circa A.D. 70., depicting the Graske and the mobile phone Tardisodes mythical scenes, grapes – and a Dalek. A accompanying the 2006 series. few days later a young woman, rushing for work, is knocked over and killed by a sports car, then comes back to life. It's not long before all hell breaks loose, and the Doctor and Rose must use all their courage and cunning against an alien enemy – and a not-quite-alien accomplice – who are intent on destroying humanity.

Readability 12 Levels E3/L1

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis About the author This is an account of Hunter Davies’ passion Hunter Davies was born in Renfrew in 1936. for football. In it he describes his He has written more than 40 books and, as a experiences with some of the biggest names journalist, he contributes to the Sunday Times in the game – including George Best, Gazza and writes a weekly football column in the and Dwight Yorke – and his memories of New Statesman. He is an avid collector of some of the most exciting matches played football memorabilia. He lives with his wife in over the past 40 years. His personal story the Lake District and in London. provides an insight into why football is the world's most popular sport. He explains the And, in case you were wondering, that’s not origins of the game, advises on collecting him on page 1 … memorabilia, outlines the history of Wembley stadium and analyses his love of Hunter Davies is currently working with World Cups, including England's famous Wayne Rooney. He was interviewed on BBC victory in 1966 (he was there). News after the match against Chelsea during which Wayne sustained a broken fourth Readability metatarsal bone in his right foot and asked to 13/14 Level 1 comment about what this means personally to Wayne and how it will affect England’s chances in the World Cup competition.

For more information about the author visit http://www.visitcumbria.com/hundav.htm

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis About the author The book tells the story of the poisoned Tom Holland was born and raised near arrow that shot Paris (in the tale of Helen of Salisbury. He lives in London. As well as Troy). In the beginning, Earth created writing several novels he has also done some monsters. One of these was the Hydra. writing for radio. Heracles killed it, then dipped his arrows in the venom of its blood. Years later, when ‘I was brought up in a small village not far his wife was abducted by a centaur, he from Stonehenge, and all through my killed the rapist with one of these arrows. childhood I was obsessed by the area's legacy The dying centaur told Heracles' wife to dip of the mysterious and the supernatural. The a robe in his blood, and give it to Heracles village itself was called Broadchalke. as a token of her love. Heracles put on the robe, and was burned alive by the poison. After finishing my undergraduate degree I He built himself a funeral pyre, but no one began a doctorate at Oxford on Lord Byron, would light it. Finally, a small boy named but soon realised that this has been a terrible Philoctetes did as Heracles asked, and mistake. I was fed up with universities and Heracles left him his arrows as a reward. It fed up with being poor. Ironically enough, was with one of these arrows that Paris was though, when I moved on to London, I found shot. Dying, he was taken into the woods that I was even poorer, but struggled by, where there lived a goddess who had once thanks to assorted scrappy jobs, the odd loved Paris, and had the power of healing. piece of radio work, and most importantly of But she refused to cure him, and sent him all, the love and support of a good woman.’ away. Repenting, she then hurried after him, but it was too late. (Extract from an interview with Georges T. Dodds www.SFsite.com) Readability 12 Level 1

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis About the author What mystery is worth risking your life for? Courttia Newland was born in 1973 in Hammersmith, West London, where his first Private Investigator Erwin James was novel is set. As well as novels, he has written feeling good. Business has been looking up a collection of short stories about young black since taking on his friend, Carmen James, Londoners as well as plays. as a partner. When a new tenant moves into the office next door, he introduces He is the editor of IC3: The Penguin Book of himself, but the woman rebuffs his New Black Writing in Britain (2000) and has overtures and hurries inside. been Writer in Residence at The Post Office Theatre in West London. Strange things begin to happen and Erwin’s interest in the office next door doesn’t go ‘Having read all my life and found it a great away. First come the arrival of two black source of pleasure, one thing had always letters – S and N – nailed to the door. bothered me – I never saw myself reflected in Second, no one ever enters or leaves the the pages of anything I read. This prompted office. Erwin’s suspicions are further roused me to write my first book and has kept me when two policemen solicit his help. They inspired to date! Telling untold stories keeps believe the people in the office next door me alive.’ (Extract from author statement on are involved in a programme of voluntary British Council website) deaths: Suicide Note. Erwin is determined to find out what is going on… To read more about Courttia Newland, visit the following websites: Readability 11/12 Levels E3/L1 www.myvillage.co.uk/urbanfactor www.mynottinghill.co.uk/nottinghilltv/faces- couttnew.htm www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=a uth02A14P393712626406 12

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis novels featuring black journalist Sam Dean. Daniel grew up without a father. His mother told him that his father died the year he As well as being a novelist, he has also was born, and he had no reason to doubt produced several important works of non- her until now! With his wedding only weeks fiction. He wrote and co-edited Windrush: the away, Daniel is thinking only about the Irresistible Rise of Multi-Racial Britain (1998) future. Until a chance meeting has him with his brother Trevor, to accompany a BBC looking into his past. An old man tells him television series telling the story of the that he ran into his father recently… (from Caribbean migrant workers who settled in publisher’s blurb) post-war Britain.

Readability ‘I felt that the expectation of a black writer 10/11 Levels E3/L1 was to report on issues: an area without a broad readership, but I chose a different path. By focusing on crime fiction, I was able About the author to change the stereotype from the black man Mike Phillips was born in Georgetown, being treated as a criminal, to the one writing Guyana. He came to Britain as a child and about crime.' (from an Interview with grew up in London. He was educated at the Birmingham Library Manager, Kevin Duffy University of London and the University of during Black History Month, 2003) Essex, and gained a Postgraduate Certificate of Education at Goldsmiths To read more about Mike Phillips, view the College, London. following websites:

He worked for the BBC as a journalist and www.contemporarywriters.com/authors/?p=a broadcaster for a number of years before uth208 becoming a lecturer in media studies. He www.birmingham.gov.uk/printer/GenerateCo has written full-time since 1992. He is best ntent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=272 known for his crime fiction, including four 13

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure

Synopsis About the author Ben Sayers is a Racehorse trainer with two Ex-National Hunt champion jockey John top-class horses to enter in the Cheltenham Francome has been voted TV's most popular Gold Cup. One is owned by Alan Marcus, a racing commentator for his broadcasting for ruthless business man. The other belongs to Channel 4. He lives in Berkshire. His Alan's beautiful ex-wife, Christina. Ben autobiography Born Lucky was published in knows that both horses have an equal 1985 and since then he has written 18 novels. chance of winning, but he's about to find out that Alan Marcus doesn't like Francome worked as a panel beater in competition. Especially when the Swindon before becoming an apprentice competition is Christina. In Alan's world nice jockey. His career took off in 1969 when he guys finish last. The question is just how represented Great Britain in the European nasty he will get to win this race... Show jumping Championships, winning a gold medal. Readability He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Midnight 13 Level 1 Court in 1978 and the Champion Hurdle on Sea Pigeon in 1981. He was Champion Jockey seven times. He retired after 1,138 winners in Britain and then spent 18 months as a trainer before joining the Channel 4 racing team. . For more information about the author visit:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,6 903,1053338,00.html interview with John Francome

http://www.swindonweb.com/guid/peopfran0. htm – article about John Francome 14

Further approaches to Reading for Pleasure