Home Ed Readers 8-12 years

25/09/2026

Our last read, The Island at the Edge of Night by Lucy Strange, was an absolute hit!!

An atmospheric thriller that got all of us excited and wanting a sequel.

We had the pleasure of Lucy coming to our readers group. The children were able to ask questions and Lucy was so kind in telling us about her creative process and what inspired her to write this story.

What a way to help kids fall in love with reading all over again.

A big Thank you to Lucy Strange and from all us home ed readers.

05/09/2026

I just want to give a big shout out to Jan who worked so hard in arranging such a fantastic event at Sturry Library last week to celebrate its 50th year.

Jan has been amazingly supportive and helped me set up and continue to run Home Ed Readers. She has also organised for Lucy Strange to come and visit our group at the end of this month which we are all looking forward to so much.

Thank you Jan for all the hard work you do. And we mustn't forget Dave who is always there during our meetings, welcoming the parents and children.

To everyone at Sturry library, thank you 🙏

Canterbury Libraries Kent Libraries, Registration & Archives

03/09/2026

Just want to say a massive thank you to Sturry library for inviting Home Ed Readers to their 50th celebrations.

There are several groups held at the library, not just our little readers. If you are interested or even just want a quiet place to sit and read then Sturry Library is a wonderful place to go.

Here's to many more years 🥳

Kent Libraries, Registration & Archives Canterbury Libraries

12/08/2026

A British author regarded as one of the greatest storytellers for children of the twentieth century, Roald Dahl (1916–1990) delighted generations with his ingenious and irreverent tales. He is best known for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, The BFG, and The Witches, books that by the early twenty-first century had sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. His words reflect a lifelong conviction that reading should never intimidate a child but instead invite them in, that a book met with laughter and wonder rather than fear becomes a gift, and that a young person who grows comfortable with reading carries an advantage that lasts a lifetime.

21/07/2026

Looking for summer reads to keep everyone entertained over the school break? We've got you covered. From an adorable missing tortoise, to fighting robots, to an elaborate eco rebellion, there's something for every young reader! https://collins.co.uk/blogs/barrington-stoke/15-books-for-summer-reading

07/07/2026

07/07/2026

The summer reading challenge has now officially started 🥳

🎶 Free activities. Stories. Fun.

The Summer Reading Challenge is not only about reading…It’s about getting involved and having fun in Kent Libraries.

Across Kent, you can take part in FREE themed activities inspired by Read to the Beat:

📚 Activities in your local library
💻 Activities you can enjoy online
🎵 Fun based around music, stories and creativity

Join in, explore something new and make reading part of your summer.

👉 Want to see what’s happening near you? Take a look and start planning your visit at kent.gov.uk/summerreadingchallenge

01/07/2026

A collection of summer themed short stories and poems written by Home Educated children in East Kent. With summer as our theme, one lucky child stumbles upon good fortune, we see the return of our favourite eight-legged friend, some spellbinding poetry, and deep-sea diving, others find treasures...

02/06/2026

May's read was Lucy Strange's abridged version of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

I was a bit nervous about this as we haven't tackled any classics yet. But my nerves were not needed. The kids loved it, with an average of 4/5.

The children picked up on themes such as identity, mental health, belonging, outsiders, fear and family.

One thing that was mentioned by most was how they had thought about the story a long while after they finished. Conflicted with who the real monster was. And about how love and kindness could have changed a lot of things for all.

This is why we read 🙏

As a big fan of Mary Shelley I would highly recommend Strange's version for younger readers. It stays true to the original story, and the feeling of the narrative is very much the same. Strange has made a very accessible way for children to enjoy classics.

Lots of deep discussion, but much fun and laughs were also had 💪

13/04/2026

Our latest read at Home Ed Readers was a huge hit. A Box full of Murders by Janice Hallett was a very different read but thoroughly enjoyed.

We all loved the mystery and the narrative style, something we have not come across before.

One thing we all agreed on was the mystery was engaging and the layout created good pacing.

Will we be reading the next installment? I think so!

Keep reading everyone 📖