Teach-Primary-Issue-20.1

Meet the author RUTH LAUREN ON THE JOY OF ‘WHAT IF?’, AND WHY NEURODIVERSITY BELONGS IN EVERY STORY What were some of your inspirations for Hotel Marvelo? I couldn’t possibly have written a murder mystery without Agatha Christie; she’s a huge influence, so I can’t not cite her. But the idea for this book first came to me after watching a John Wick film, in which The Continental is part of a chain of hotels that serves as a neutral ground for members of the underworld. A lot of stories begin with a ‘what if?’ and this one is no exception. What if there were a hotel for worn-out witches who just need a break? What if no magic were allowed in the hotel so overworked griffins could relax? And what if a magicide happened in this supposed haven, where a wizard was meant to be able to unwind, not find himself dead as a doornail in the spa? Why did you want to write a story that featured neurodivergence, without plotting the entire story around it? The simple answer to this is: because it’s how my family and I live our lives. If I’m grocery shopping, I’m doing it while autistic. If I were solving an impossibly magical murder, I’d be solving it while autistic – just as Teddy is and just as Juniper is with ADHD. Children’s lives (whether their own, their family’s or their friends’) feature neurodivergence, so the stories they read should, too. Our diagnoses are intrinsic to who we are, but the world goes on around us regardless. And if the world presents us with a mysteriously deceased wizard, then what are we to do but investigate? How would you like teachers to use your book in the classroom? You can read it to talk about blended family, friendship, facing change, finding out who we are, neurodiversity, or problem-solving. But most of all, read it for pleasure, because it’s fun. Welcome to Hotel Marvelo! Murder at Hotel Marvelo , by Ruth Lauren, illustrated by Federica Frenna (£7.99, Piccadilly Press), is out now. www.teachwire.net | 63 Letters from the Upside byKatyaBalen (£7.99, Bloomsbury) Murder at Hotel Marvelo byRuthLauren, ill. Federica Frenna (£7.99, Piccadilly Press) RESOURCES RECOMMENDED ESSENTIAL TEMPLATES Sometimes it’s the little things that can make the biggest difference, and this collection of basic (but evergreen) templates will save you precious hours. From research sheets and writing frames, to lesson and unit planners – plus oodles of artwork – you’ll find all those teaching tools you use over and over again, yet somehow find yourself designing from scratch every time! Visit plazoom.com/ collections/essential-templates KS2 UKS2 Finnian, Juniper and their incredibly creative little sister, Teddy, are left to protect their family’s hotel when a wizard is discovered dead and their parents are arrested. Determined to prove their innocence, this fantastic trio must uncover clues, identify suspects and interview everyone from witches to griffins, all while avoiding the awful Mrs Weatherly who’s been sent to care for them. Strange blueprints, secret passageways and unusual magic help them fit together the pieces of a very tricky puzzle! Themes of a blended family coming together and being true to yourself, even when you’re not like everyone else, make this story extra special. Readers will be thrilled to discover this is only the beginning of an exciting new series! Con is angry. His struggle to control the fire that rises up inside him results in terrible choices and broken friendships. It always comes back to one question: “Why did your dad leave?” Con can’t give an exact answer, but he knows it has something to do with him. When he goes a step too far and punches a boy at school, Con is suspended. His neighbour, Mr Williams, takes him under his wing and introduces him to the Upside – a beautiful rooftop garden. As Con learns to ‘look up’ and see the world in a new way, he realises he doesn’t want to live a life of destruction and makes the decision to change. Letters from the Upside reveals the healing power of nature as it takes readers on a journey of self-reflection and empathy.