My Other Life: A Bloomsbury Reader: Brown Book Band

Description

Book Band: Brown - Ideal for ages 7+ Thought-provoking contemporary fantasy from best-selling author Polly Ho-Yen. Mae spends a lot of time in hospitals. She's had asthma since she was little and sometimes she just can't breathe. She was in hospital the very first time she saw the hole - a tear in the universe which seems to appear only to her. Before she knows it she is drawn into a parallel world, where things aren't quite the same... This powerful fantasy story is full of big ideas and a great way to talk about chronic illness with children. It has beautiful black-and-white illustrations from Patricia Hu throughout, and is ideal for children who are developing as readers. The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with book-banded stories to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2 by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence. With engaging illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for home and school. For more information visit www.bloomsburyreaders.com. 'Any list that brings together such a quality line up of authors is going to be welcomed ... Bloomsbury Readers are aimed squarely at children in Key Stage 2 and designed to support them as they start reading independently and while they continue to gain confidence and understanding.' Books for Keeps

Polly Ho-Yen was born in Northampton and brought up in Buckinghamshire. She studied English at Birmingham University before working in publishing for several years. Her first novel, Boy in the Tower, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. Her second novel Where Monsters Lie and her third novel, Fly Me Home, were also nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Patricia Hu is an artist, graphic designer and illustrator born and raised in Colombia. She studied Graphic Design in Colombia, but ended up doing a Masters in Illustration in Barcelona. She always believes that there's always a story behind her illustrations. Her artwork is made of a pinch of bold colours that contrast between each other and lots and lots of details.

My Other Life is a compelling, resonant little story of portals and parallel lives by Polly Ho-Yen, illustrated by Patricia Hu. -- The Guardian * Featured in the Children's Books Roundup * Thought-provoking and original [...] Another elegantly told story that will give readers lots to think about. * Books for Keeps * Polly Ho-Yen's story presents readers with big questions about life and what's really important to us. [...] The telling is simple, effective and guaranteed to catch and hold children's attention, while the issues the story raises are complex and important, certain to prompt discussion (and there's a list of questions to put to children at the end to help with this). -- LoveReading4Schools * Andrea Reece * This is an intriguing and affecting fantasy story that offers a wonderful and engaging way to talk to children about living with chronic illness. -- Children's Books Ireland * Mind Yourself Reading Guide * A fabulous short chapter book for anyone who has ever wished their life was different. ... Powerful and insightful, this is a book that needs to be read. -- Starlight and Stories * starlightandstories.com * This is a thought-provoking, powerful short story that offers opportunities to consider living with asthma, friendship, attitudes to an elderly relation, empathy, be careful what you wish for and the grass is always greener on the other side. -- Brenda Marshall * English Association *