SPARK 2 Magazine -2022

ISSUE TWO • SPRING 2022
BUZZ
THE
The Spark! 2
Book Awards
are happening at
YOUR SCHOOL!
Find out more
inside!
Magazine
Meet the
authors
AND OUR NEW
PATRON!
Big prizes!
ENTER ONE OF OUR
EXCITING COMPETITIONS
You’re
the judge!
WHAT BOOKS WILL
YOU CHOOSE?
Tell your
friends!
COMPARE
YOUR CHOICES
We’re Back!
WILL YOUR
SCHOOL BE THE
SPARK! SCHOOL
OF 2022?
MAKE SURE YOU
HAVE YOUR PLACE
AT THE WINNER’S
CEREMONY
Spark! School Book Awards

HELLO!
This is MY magazine and it
even has MY name on the
front so I feel sure you
were hoping that I would
write the introduction. But
there is someone even more
important than even me,
apparently.
When I heard that Natasha Farrant
(winner of the Spark! Awards 9-11
category last year with The Voyage of the
Sparrowhawk and now Patron of the Spark!
Book Awards) had been invited to write a
welcome, I did not mind at all…
Well, maybe only a bit.
(But just wait ‘til my book is published…)
Hello and welcome to The Buzz!
This is the magazine of the second Spark! School Book Awards!
And what a great award it is. Ninety schools involved across
eight local authorities, sixteen finalists across four categories
– there really is something here for everyone. And that is the
great thing the Spark Book Award does: it reminds us that
reading is an adventure for everyone. It has been a joy
and a privilege for me to be part of this award, and I’m
so happy to see it continue to grow in its second year.
Buzz and
So I wish you much fun, excitement, learning and
emotion as you discover these wonderful books,
and I look forward to hearing who the next
winners will be!
Visit www.sparkbookawards.co.uk for more information
Win a Spark!
Longer
trophy of your own
Plus
Competition
a £30 book token to buy the books of your choice.
Have your name announced at our online WINNERS’ CEREMONY and your work shown.
What do you have to do?
Choose your favourite book in a category and create your own unique response.
Entries will be by age: 3-5 year olds, 6-7 year olds, 8-9 year olds and 10-11 year olds.
There will be three types of entries for each age category - but be as creative as you like
- capture your response to the book!
WRITTEN
You could write;
A new ‘blurb’ to publish on
the book cover
The opening chapter of
a sequel
A diary as one of the
characters
A postcard to send to a friend
explaining why you like this
book
A new adventure for one of
the characters
A play script for an exciting
part of the story
A TV interview with
characters from the book
An advert to tell more
pupils in school to read your
favourite book
A poem inspired by the book
or its themes
...Or another idea of your own
MULTI-MEDIA
(using your IT or graphic skills)
You could;
Make a short film advertising
the book or even acting out
your favourite scene
Create your own blog, vlog
or website - as yourself or a
character
Design a poster that the
authors might use to sell the
book
Turn your story into a graphic
novel or photostory
Compose a piece of music to
be used as a soundtrack for
the book
Learn to sign part of your
book and film yourself (and
maybe your friends!)
...Or another idea of your own
- use your IT skills to make
a unique response!
What can you and your school win?
There are prizes for the best ones in each
category as well as a host of smaller prizes for
our runners up.
ARTWORK
You could;
Create a significant object
from the book in any media
you like - clay, plasticine,
junk modelling...
COMPETITION!
Produce a storyboard or
picture of your favourite part
of the story
Recreate an illustration using
your crafting skills...sewing,
crochet, collage...
Create a story box or small
world for one of the places in
your book
...Or another idea of your own
- get creative!
Winners’ work will be shown or read during our
online award ceremony on 30 June 2022 and
may be hosted on our website and our social
media accounts.
All entries must be received by
Friday 3rd June 2022. Multimedia
entries should be submitted via a link
or attached file (clearly labelled). 3D
artwork should be photographed
for submission.
Please send your competition entries to
sparkbookawards@gmail.com
What are you
waiting for?!
And your school could win £100 of books for
their library with the best all-round response You can find an entry form for the individual
from any age group - as well as a certificate for and whole school competitions as well as
your school reception area proudly announcing details of where to send your entries at
2
Natasha Farrant
your school to be The Spark! School of the Year www.sparkbookawards.co.uk. There are
3
for 2022.
also some writing tips to get you started.

You decide!
Ages 3-5: Picture Fiction
THE SHORTLISTED BOOKS IN THE AGE 3-5 CATEGORY ARE:
“The fox realised it was much
nicer to eat dinner with Julian
than to eat Julian for dinner. “
“All at once, the wind picked
up speed. The waves grew into
giants. Thunder rumbled.”
“We floated away on the
rocking-horse sea…
I smiled at the whale and the
whale smiled at me.”
“All of a sudden, everything was
topsy-turvy. And nothing felt
right anymore.”
A MOUSE CALLED JULIAN
by Joe Todd-Stanton
THE PIRATE MUMS
by Jodie Lancet-Grant and Lydia Corry
THE TALE OF THE WHALE
by Karen Swann and Padmacandra
TILDA TRIES AGAIN
by Tom Percival
MEET THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR
Joe Todd-Stanton grew up in Brighton and
studied illustration at UWE Bristol. As well as
writing and illustrating books for Flyingeye
Joe has also been commissioned to work
for clients such as Oxford University Press,
Bloomsbury and Usborne Publishing. In his
spare time he likes drawing old sculptures and
swimming in ponds.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Julian lives alone in his little underground
house and that’s the way he likes it. But one
day a fox crashes through his living room wall
and gets stuck and Julian is forced to spend
some time getting to know him.
THE BUZZ
A Mouse called Julian is a funny and surprising
story about friendship, openness and how you
shouldn’t eat your friends!
MEET THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR
Jodie Lancet-Grant is a Publishing
Communications Director. She decided to
write a book with two mums, so that her twin
daughters could see families like theirs in
picture books. Lydia Corry studied painting at
the Royal College of Art. Her first book, Eight
Princesses and a Magic Mirror by Natasha
Farrant, was nominated for the CILIP Kate
Greenaway Medal 2021.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Billy is embarrassed because his family is not
normal: both of his mums dress like pirates,
talk like pirates and decorate the house like a
pirate ship. They even have a pet parrot.
But when a school trip goes wrong
Billy’s Pirate Mums save the day.
THE BUZZ
Shiver me timbers! This book
is full of swashbuckling pirate
fun and celebrates families
that are different. Arrr!
MEET THE AUTHOR & ILLUSTRATOR
Karen Swann grew up in the UK and trained
as a physiotherapist. She now lives with her
family in Nottingham and is a keen rock
climber. Padmacandra grew up in Scotland,
lives in Norfolk, and graduated from the
Cambridge School of Art. She is a buddhist,
poet and artist.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
This is the story of child who meets a whale
and they go on a journey together through
the ocean. They see turtles, dolphins, and lots
of beautiful sealife, but they also see a lot of
plastic pollution threatening the animals and
their habitat.
THE BUZZ
The Tale of the Whale is a lovely poetic story
that will inspire you to change the world for the
sake of the whales and all of us.
MEET THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR
Tom Percival is a writer, artist, video producer
and musician. Tilda Tries Again is Tom’s tenth
picture book for Bloomsbury and the fifth title
in his bestselling Big Bright Feelings series:
Perfectly Norman, Ruby’s Worry, Ravi’s Roar
and Meesha Makes Friends. Tom lives in Stroud
with his partner and their two children.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
One day everything in Tilda’s world turns
upside down and everything becomes more
difficult than it used to be. She decides that
she doesn’t want to do anything at all. But
when she sees a ladybird stuck on its back,
it gives Tilda the inspiration she needs to try
again.
THE BUZZ
Tilda’s beautiful vibrant world will fill you with
hope and encourage you to persevere, even
when things are difficult.
4 5

You decide!
Ages 6-11: Picture Fiction
THE SHORTLISTED BOOKS IN THE AGE 6-11 PICTURE CATEGORY ARE:
“Isabel looked down and
realised she could barely see her
own hands or her feet. She was
fading away.”
“The journey to Poseidon’s
temple was long and treacherous.
And Leo soon started to regret his
decision. And then he tripped.”
“I stand in front of the class
and it feels like I’m at the edge
of a mighty cliff.”
“Why can’t you hear a Pterosaur
going to the toilet? Because the
‘P’ is silent!”
THE INVISIBLE
by Tom Percival
LEO AND THE GORGON’S CURSE
by Joe Todd-Stanton
MY BEAUTIFUL VOICE
by Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoys
THE PLESIOSAUR’S NECK
by Adam Smith, Jonathan Emmett
and Adam Larkum
MEET THE AUTHOR
This has been a good year for Tom who also
has a book nominated in the 3-5 category.
Tom grew up in Shropshire but he had a
most unconventional childhood. He lived in
a ramshackle and freezing-cold caravan
with no electricity or heating - this was his
motivation for writing the book.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Everything suddenly changes for Isabel and
her family when they move to the other side
of the city. It is a shock to Isabel as she feels
herself disappearing. But this timely tale offers
hope as she finds a new way to fit in and and
understand what it means to truly belong.
THE BUZZ
We loved this story of how we can all make a
difference to the world - it is a hopeful story
with a great message.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Joe is one of two authors whose books also
appear in the 3-5 category and you can read
more about him on those pages. Illustration
is clearly in his blood - Joe’s mother is also a
successful illustrator.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
A legendary tale of peril, heroes, battles and
monsters - everything Greek mythology can
offer - but with a hero who learns how to
succeed in a different way; using his empathy
and understanding to protect instead of
slaying beasts. All this, wrapped in dazzling
artwork to make a compelling tale.
THE BUZZ
A cracking epic in graphic
novel format. If you like
adventures then this is
the book for you!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Joseph Coelho has been a gym instructor,
a salesman, a film extra but these days he
is well-known as an award-winning poet,
playwright, performance poet and author.
Illustrator Allison Colpoys has also won her
own awards too - she is based in Melbourne,
Australia.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Have you ever felt shy or not felt very brave?
“My heart starts booming, my skin becomes
a raging river, I feel scared and nervous inside.
But then...”
We meet Miss Flotsam, an extra special
teacher, who understands how important
every voice is no matter how small.
THE BUZZ
My Beautiful Voice is all about unlocking the
power within and finding your voice, showing
us how everyone can overcome their fears,
with a little help and some poetry.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Three people collaborated on this book:
Dr Adam S. Smith, who is a Curator of Natural
Sciences at Nottingham Natural History
Museum; Jonathan Emmett, author of over
60 books and iIllustrator, Adam Larkum, who
was on hand to do justice to the Plesiosaur’s
incredibly long neck.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Have you ever wondered why a Plesiosaur
has such a long neck? Do you even know
what a plesiosaur is or are you an expert
paleontologist? The story of Poppy the
Plesiosaur will help answer some of your
questions.
THE BUZZ
This book brilliantly mixes fact with fiction
to explore some entertaining hypotheses in
a Plesiosaur themed prehistoric puzzle (try
saying that again quickly!).
6 7

Pupil takeover!
Pupils in our Spark! Schools have found many different ways to show
how much they enjoyed their favourite Spark! Books. Perhaps their
creativity will encourage you!
Who knows? You could find yourself celebrated at our Spark! Winners
ceremony on 30th June. And maybe your school could be chosen as
2021-22 Spark! School of the Year!
Barnes School Bake Off
Who will win Spark!
School of the Year?
Last year Barnes Primary
became the first ever ‘Spark!
School of the Year’.
Which school will be the winner
of the coveted Spark! School this
year? Could it be yours?
Make sure you get really
involved, talk to your teacher
about entering our competition
and make sure that we hear
everything that is going on
in your school.
Send your competition entries
and Spark! news to
sparkbookawards@gmail.com
SPARK! SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2020-21:
Mr. Griffin from Barnes Primary School
proudly shows off the trophy. This
year, Mr. Griffin is chairing one of our
shortlisting panels, but his school are
also continuing their enthusiasm for
the Spark! School Book Awards - take
a look at their ‘Barnes School Bake Off’
competition, held this term, all the cakes
were Spark! themed (pics above right).
Barnes School Bake Off
8 9

Last year’s winners
It is hard to believe that the Spark! Book
Awards are only one year old. Last year was
our first ever competition. Well done to all the
fabulous authors who took part and special
congratulations to our winners:
4-7 picture: Avocado Asks by Momoko Abe
7-9 fiction: Llama Out Loud! by Annabelle Sami
9-11 fiction: The Voyage of the Sparrowhawk
by Natasha Farrant
Become a Thirty
Second Reviewer
From March 10th to the start of June, Spark! Is
looking for young vloggers to send us their short
reviews of one or more of the Spark! Books.
Just record a short video message (no longer than
30 seconds) telling us what you like about your
favourite Spark! Book or even what you didn’t!
Send it to us at: sparkbookawards@gmail.com
using the subject heading ‘Vlog’ and each week
we will have a small prize for the one we like best.
They will also appear on Twitter and our website.
Important small print: Your review must be sent in by
a parent, a teacher or an adult in your school who has
confirmed that we have your parent’s permission for your
video to be shown online. For safeguarding purposes,
only your first name will be used.
Puzzles
WHICH BOOK?
A total of 49 books were longlisted in the
4 different categories before the final 16
books were chosen. The titles of some of
those 49 books are shown to the right,
including some from our final shortlist.
However, sadly when we copied them,
their vowels, capitals and spaces seemed
to have disappeared.
Can you work out the titles?
1. sngfllfsky
2. rctcstr
3. dnttch_
4. llthmnynthwrld
5. dm-2
6. thwhlwhwntdmr
7. thvllyflstscrts
8. dnsrtmysstr
9. grmwd
10. thhstthdgfmgc
11. thlstbr
12. smwhr
13. mybtflvc
14. wlfstng
Did we get it right?
CROSSWORD
Spark! shortlisting teams made their choices from over 130 books submitted by publishers.
There was lots of discussion between them before the final four were chosen in each category.
Everyone had a different favourite.
Below are other books that made the long lists, you can see the full list on our website
at www.sparkbookawards.co.uk/the-awards
What do you think - did the right ones get chosen?
Ages 3-5 Picture Fiction Ages 6-11 Picture Fiction Ages 7-9 Fiction Ages 9-11 Fiction
ACROSS
2. Went on a great voyage last year
4. Precious metal author
6. Who cursed?
9. Annabelle Sami’s winner last year
12. Chisholm author
15. Nautical mums
17. Month of our winner’s ceremony
18. Sister eater
19. Also wrote Charlie changes books
DOWN
1. Joseph with the voice
3. 4-7 winner last year
5. The valley of
7. Spark! patron
8. An unusual name for a rodent
10. Second edition robot
11. It has a lot of neck
13. She keeps trying
14. The real star of this magazine
15. He has TWO books in our awards
The answers
are on the
back page!
10 16. By Nadia Shireen
11

You decide!
Ages 7-9: Fiction
THE SHORTLISTED BOOKS IN THE AGE 7-9 CATEGORY ARE:
“Mum bought me this jotter…she told
me it was for practising my spellings…
As that sounded like the WORST IDEA
EVER, I’ve decided to put it to much
better use.
I mean, how could
it be AT ALL time
wasty to invent
an alien-cowpuppy
instead
of practising
a frankly
ridiculous set
of words?”
“Be warned, the happenings you
will read about in the coming
pages are not for the faint-hearted.
Unfortunately, I had no choice but
to face them
armed with
nothing but
my wits and
my loyal
tortoise
companion,
Archibald.”
“How I love living in wonderful
Grimwood!” he said. “It’s just a
perfect day! Nothing, but nothing
could go wrong on a day as beautiful
as this.”
And he was just
about to start
whistling a
cheerful song
when his head
was bitten off
by a massive
eagle.”
“I knew I wasn’t imagining things,”
she said, at last finding her voice.
“I did see you that night. You are
real.” Even from this distance, the
bear
pricked
up his
ears as if
he could
hear
her.”
THE ACCIDENTAL DIARY OF B.U.G.
by Jen Carney
A DINOSAUR ATE MY SISTER
by Pooja Puri and Allen Fatimaharan
GRIMWOOD
by Nadia Shireen
THE LAST BEAR
by Hannah Gold and Levi Pinfold
MEET THE AUTHOR
Jen Carney was born in a Lancashire. She loves
writing, doodling, walking and playing games.
Her favourite colour is green and, like Billie, the
central character in the B.U.G. series, she loves
dismantling biscuits. A big believer in the power of
funny books, Jen wrote B.U.G. to make people laugh
while reflecting families, like her own, with same sex
parents. The Accidental Diary of B.U.G. is the first of
three books in the series.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Meet Billie Upton Green and her very accidental diary.
Billie has taken the new girl at school under her wing.
She’ll teach her the important stuff: Biscuit Laws, Mrs
Patterson and of course where to sneakily eat a Jaffa
Cake. She might even get invited to the event of the
year (Billie’s mums’ are getting married). But then
suspicion sets in. The new girl seems very close to
Billie’s best friend Layla. And she knows a lot about
the big school heist: the theft of Mrs Robinson’s purse.
However, Billie is on to her. Well, as long as Patrick
doesn’t catch her eating biscuits first.
THE BUZZ
Fans of Tom Gates, Wimpy Kid and Jacqueline
Wilson will love this book. Told through the eyes of
a child, this inclusive comedy will have you laughing
out loud. But remember – don’t call her B.U.G!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Pooja has loved writing stories since she was a
child. She first tasted publishing success with
her short story, Chess, and later graduated from
university with a degree in English language and
literature. Whilst at university, she worked as a
reader in a publishing house and the education
sector. In 2014, she was chosen as a winner of
the Ideas Tap Writers’ Centre Norwich Inspires
competition. A Dinosaur Ate My Sister was chosen
to be the first book in the Marcus Rashford Book Club.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Esha Verma, her snotty apprentice Broccoli and
his cunning pet tortoise have a dream. They are
going to win the legendary Brain Trophy – the
ultimate inventing prize. This year’s entry: a time
machine. But the day before the competition,
Esha’s big sister – who she does not get on
with - hijacks the time machine and is lost in the
Cretaceous age. With help from a new recruit
from The Office of Time, Esha and Broccoli will have
to face hungry dinosaurs, mysterious black holes and
malfunctioning inventions to get them back in time.
THE BUZZ
Ever wondered what it would be like to send your
brother or sister back to the age of dinosaurs? If
so, then join Esha and Broccoli on their hilarious
adventure. Full of laughs, hijinks and genius
inventions, you will love this time-travelling tale.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Nadia Shireen enjoyed making homemade
magazines and comics as a child. She studied
law at university and then worked in magazine
journalism. It was during this time that she started
to draw again. After a lifetime of doodling in the
margins, Nadia decided to pay some attention to
drawing and in 2007 was accepted onto an MA
course in Children’s Book Illustration at university.
Nadia has been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny
Prize and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
Grimwood is her first series for older readers.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Fox cub siblings Ted and Nancy are on the run
from Princess Buttons, the scariest street cat in the
Big City. They flee for Grimwood, expecting to find
refuge in the peaceful countryside. Instead, they are
met with thieving eagles, dramatic ducks, riotous
rabbits and a whole host of unusual characters.
Grimwood is . . . weird. But when Princess Buttons
tracks them down, Nancy and Ted and the animals
of Grimwood must unite in a mind-bending race
against time.
THE BUZZ
This book is funny. Genuinely funny. Fantastically
illustrated, every page of this quirky, warm-hearted
comedy zings with wit and creativity. By the end,
you’ll love the characters so much you’ll wish you
were friends with them!
MEET THE AUTHOR
Growing up, Hannah’s biggest dream was to own
a cat and be a writer and she’s happy to say
she’s achieved both. After studying screenwriting
at university, she went onto work in the London
film and theatre industry before moving abroad.
Following a series of adventures in different parts
of the world, she settled in the south of Spain and
lived very happily. After getting married, she moved
back to the UK. Hannah is passionate about writing
stories which share her love of the planet and
when not writing, she’s busy looking for her next big
animal story and practising her roar. The Last Bear
is Hannah’s debut novel.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least,
that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific
research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost
for six months. But one endless summer night, April
meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way
from home. Determined to save him, April begins
the most important journey of her life.
THE BUZZ
This moving story will win your heart. It will show you
that no one is too young or insignificant to make a
difference. The Last Bear is a celebration of the love
between a child and an animal, a battle cry for our
world. If you love animals, have an eco-heart and
want to defend polar bears, this is the book for you.
12 13

You decide!
Ages 9-11: Fiction
THE SHORTLISTED BOOKS IN THE CATEGORY FOR 9-11 YEAR OLDS
(FICTION) ARE:
“They tumbled down a chute.
Behind them the robot’s head
appeared at the hatchway, its red
eye glaring, far too large to follow
them. Runa was screaming. Was
she hurt? Where was the chute
going? It was
very fast…”
“Why can I smell beer? Is that alpaca
drunk? Alan Alan asked, a look of
terror in his eyes.
“It’s not beer”, I said. “It’s cider.”
And that’s when
the alpaca
charged.”
“I try to shove it back inside the tree
but my fingers shake and it falls
to the ground, rolling into the long
grass. I force myself to look. It lies
there, watching me without eyes.”
“The last fox to leave was called
Saffron. Before she went, she walked
over to Silas, like a pet coming to
sniff at his knee. He looked down
to see what she wanted.
The next thing Silas knew
was pain.”
ADAM-2
by Alastair Chisholm
UMA AND THE ANSWER TO
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING
by Sam Copeland and Sarah Horne
THE VALLEY
OF LOST SECRETS
by Lesley Parr
WOLFSTONGUE
by Sam Thompson and Anna Tromop
14
MEET THE AUTHOR
Alastair Chisholm is a Scottish author and as well
as writing, he is also a puzzle creator. This is his
second book for younger readers, after the hugely
popular Orion’s Lost. He lives in Edinburgh with his
two children and a cat called Maudie.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
The story is set hundreds of years in the future,
where a war rages between humans and robots.
The well-meaning Adam-2 emerges into this world
after many years of isolation. Some want to use
Adam in a way that could destroy the whole world
and it seems that no one can be trusted. Humans
and robots appear bent on destroying each other.
There is just one chance, however, that this single
robot could be the best human of us all and maybe
the world’s best chance for peace.
THE BUZZ
Adam-2 sounds like a sequel but it is not. In fact, it
is one of the most original stories you will read all
year - and also one of the most exciting.
MEET THE AUTHOR
We suspect Sam Copeland is joking when he
describes himself as the gorgeous father of
three proud kids, but you never know as he also
dedicates the book to one..err Sam Copeland! Sam
has had huge success with the Charlie Changes
series and in addition to his writing, he works as a
literary agent helping other writers get published.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Being able to Google the answers is one thing
but Uma discovers an artificial intelligence called
Athena, who seems to know absolutely everything.
Will Uma help save a village in danger and get
Uma’s dad talking again? Maybe. But on the way,
Uma and her friend, the interestingly named Alan
Alan, will face grave danger as well as some very
drunk alpacas. And Uma may have to face the
realisation that some questions can not ever be
truly answered.
THE BUZZ
You will also be taken on the wildest and most
improbable adventure, but one thing is guaranteed
- you will laugh - a lot.
MEET THE AUTHOR
This is Lesley’s first book and what a way to start!
As well as writing, she is also a teacher at a local
primary school - so we know for certain that she is
a top person. Lesley lives in Wales with her husband
and their rescue cat, Angharad. Unsurprisingly, she
is also a huge fan of the Welsh rugby team.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT
At the start of the second world war, Jimmy and his
brother are evacuated to a small Welsh village. Life
is not easy, Jimmy feels out of place and he misses
his home. In this new village, friendships have
shifted and he feels isolated. However, one day
he makes a most alarming discovery - one that
is going to change a number of lives. It might also
help him discover new friends and to view things in
a very different way.
THE BUZZ
This is a beautifully written and gripping tale, one
with characters you really care about. It is also a
story with real heart and a great ending that will
definitely pull at your heartstrings.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Sam Thompson teaches writing at Queen’s
University in Belfast. He wrote this story for his son,
who loves wolves and who had developed speech
difficulties. This is Sam’s first book for children
although he has written a number of successful
books for adults. Wolfstongue also features some
amazing illustrations by Anna Tromop.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
When Adam rescues an injured wolf, he is drawn
into a dark struggle between the wolves and the
ever calculating foxes, Sam, who struggles to
communicate in the human world, has to try to
find his voice and overcome his fears. This means
journeying far from home to an underground city
where danger is around every corner.
THE BUZZ
Who would have thought a book featuring
talking wolves, talking foxes and a silent
boy could be so thrilling? We didn’t - until
we read Wolfstongue!
15

Puzzle
answers
ANSWERS TO BOOK TITLES PUZZLE
1. sngfllfsky A Song Full of Sky 2. rctcstr Arctic Star 3. dnttch_ Donut Touch
4. llthmnynthwrld All the Money in the World 5. dm-2 Adam-2
6. thwhlwhwntdmr The Whale who Wanted More 7. thvllyflstscrts The Valley of
Lost Secrets 8. dnsrtmysstr A Dinosaur Ate my Sister 9. grmwd Grimwood
10. thhstthdgfmgc The House at the Edge of Magic 11. thlstbr The Last Bear
12. smwhr Somewhere 13. mybtflvcwlfstng My Beautiful Voice
14. wlfstng Wolfstongue
ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD
ACROSS: 2. Natasha Farrant 4. Gold 6.Gorgon 9. Llama out loud 12. Alastair
15. Pirates 17. June 18. Dinosaur 19. Sam Copeland
DOWN 1. Coelho 3. Avocado Asks 5. Lost secrets 7. Natasha Farrant 8. Julian
10. Adam 11. Pleiosaur 13. Tilda 14. Buzz 15. Percival 16. Grimwood
Spot the difference!
Can you spot the differences between the
Buzz on the left and the Buzz on the right?
There are 7 in total. Answers are below.
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE ANSWERS
Buzz on the right is different in 7 ways; 1. The blue ball of wool is orange
2. Their left, lower leg has moved 3. The white ball of wool is shorter 4. They
have a tooth missing 5. Their nose is a different colour 6. One knitting needle is
missing 7. The pink ball of wool is larger. Did you spot them? Well done!
A special
invitation
to YOU!
Yes YOU!
The Spark! Awards
request the pleasure of your company at our
Hope to see you and
your school there - and who
knows, you could be chosen
to be on our virtual stage as
one of the presenters
or winners of our
competition.
ONLINE WINNERS’ CEREMONY
on 30th June 2022
in the presence of distinguished figures
from the Spark! School Book Award Team
as well as many of the authors and
llustrators themselves.
No need to RSVP, your school will have all the
access information nearer the time.
Spark! School Book Awards