A Northern Childhood

by George Layton

Published December 1978
Each book in the "New Longman Literature" series provides the complete, original text and a full range of support materials. The study material includes: the writer on writing - a section by or about the writer, exploring the process of writing; an introduction; guidance on keeping a log; a National Curriculum study programme; and a glossary.

Madame Doubtfire

by Anne Fine

Published 26 March 1987
Lydia, Christopher and Natalie are used to domestic turmoil. Their parents' divorce has not made family life any easier in either home. The children bounce to and from their volatile mother, Miranda, and their out-of-work actor father, Daniel. Then Miranda advertises for a cleaning lady who will look mind the children after work - and Daniel gets the job, disguised as Madame Doubtfire. This bittersweet, touching and extremely funny book inspired the highly successful film Mrs Doubtfire, starring Robin Williams.

Bill's New Frock

by Anne Fine

Published 26 January 1989

A classic children’s story from one of our best-loved authors, former Children’s Laureate Anne Fine. The Modern Classics edition features new illustrations and bonus material.

Bill Simpson wakes up to find he’s a girl, and worse, his mother makes him wear a frilly pink dress to school. How on earth is he going to survive a whole day like this? Everything just seems to be different for girls …

Perfect for readers aged 7 years and up and fans of The Boy in the Dress by David Walliams.

Anne Fine’s fun school stories have been delighting children for more than 20 years, winning her awards such as the Smarties Book Award and Carnegie Medal along the way.


Flour Babies

by Anne Fine, Andrew Bennett, Jim Taylor, and Esther Menon

Published 19 November 1992
Award-winning author Anne Fine’s story is humorous and thought-provoking at every turn.

Torn away from his deprived family by war, Willie Beech arrives in a strange new world. he soon has to start living differently with 'Mister Tom'. Will he ever be the same again? What will happen when he suddenly has to return to his mother in London? A modern classic set during the Second World War.

Edited by George Kulbacki, this collection brings together nine intriguing and astonishing stories by one of the most outstanding storytellers of our time. Stories include Man from the South, Lamb to the Slaughter, The Landlady, The Champion of the World, Galloping Foxley, Mrs Bixby and the Colonel’s Coat, The Ratcatcher and The Hitchhiker

Goggle-eyes

by Anne Fine

Published 23 March 1989
Kitty Killin is not only a good storyteller, but also the World's Greatest Expert when it comes to mothers having new and unwanted boyfriends. Particularly when there's a danger they might turn into new and unwanted stepfathers...

Gripping short stories from a wide variety of cultures and different eras pre-1914.

Tribes

by Catherine McPhail and Esther Menon

Published 16 October 2002
What’s the hook?

A compulsive expose of the attraction of gang culture, the need for acceptance and the importance of relationships with a compelling protagonist.

What are the themes?

Identity, friendship, individual vs society and peer pressure.

Teaching points?

Fast-paced narrative makes it ideal for studying structure.

 

 

The Tulip Touch n/e

by Anne Fine

Published 17 January 2003

What's the hook?

A jaw-dropping novel by popular children's novelist Anne Fine.

What are the themes?

Family and friendship raise PSHE issues such as reasons and the effects of bullying and peer pressure.

Teaching points?

Many excellent passages which are good models for pupils' writing.

 


Oliver Twist

by Andrew Bennett, Jim Taylor, and Shay Daly

Published 14 September 2001

What's the hook?

This powerful social commentary on nineteenth century life gives a realistic and grisly portrait of this period.

What are the themes?

Friendship and individual vs society.

Teaching points?

Provides numerous opportunities for drama activities, creative writing and shared and guided reading.