The Conker as Hard as a Diamond

Sevens to tens will enjoy this tale of the contest to find the Conker Champion of the World --- and I hope Puffin's new and well-intentioned packaging won't stop older children and their teachers finding it (it's billed as a 'first solo reading'). Read the opening pages to understand the ways in which a gifted writer who knows about language and the context of kids' reading can involve his readers with admirable artlessness. The early dialogue gives the characters a firm setting. Mr Powling's real skill lies in his ability to play with words ('It's their only chance to conquer each other before they conkersequently conk out') and in his acute sense of how contemporary kids talk to each other. It cheered me that they still have twenty-ers and snicker-snackers as well as wheelies in their contests! He makes the pace of the tale part of the reading experience and it'll be liked most by those we used to call 'reluctant' who tell stories like these in the playground.