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Stephen Connor

@sconnor7.bsky.social

590 followers 510 following 490 posts

primary teacher • children’s literature • running • walking • poetry (The Toy & The Dirigible Balloon) • instagram @mr_connor_reads • UKLA • reading ‘Shrapnel Boys’

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · Jan 6

Books read in 2025

1. I Who Have Never Known Men
Jacqueline Harpman

Forty women imprisoned and guarded by men. Solidarity, kinship and a lot of bleakness - dystopian and dark.

Cover of Jacqueline Harpman’s ‘I Who Have Never Known Men’

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 1h

121. Shrapnel Boys
Jenny Pearson

A WWII novel about a group of friends, some of whom fall in with the wrong crowd. One man, whose ideologies lean towards the hard right, sways vulnerable boys into a life of crime. Interesting parallels to current political climate - very enjoyable.

Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 1h

120. Speechless
Aron Nels Steinke

A gorgeously heartfelt look at selective mutism and its impact on school, friendship and home. Powerful and entertaining. @mrwolfcomics.bsky.social

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Reposted by Stephen Connor

UKLA @uklitassociation.bsky.social · 2d

October's #lucky13th is Roar - an empowering novel-in-verse of resistance and finding your voice, inspired by Sampat Pal and the Pink Sari Gang, from the multi-award-winning author of Run, Rebel and The Crossing, Manjeet Mann. #uklamembers RT to win a copy!

#ThisIsHowIRoar

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 3d

Love this new book by Joanna Ho, Caroline Kusin Pritchard and Dan Santat. A celebration of reading both as an individual pursuit, as well as respecting the rights of the reader and reading community.

Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 6d

119. The Grammar of Fantasy
Gianni Rodari, Jack Zipes & Matthew Forsythe

An absolute joy of a book. A must-read for anyone who works with children and wants to help them to write. Just inspiring.

Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 6d

118. The Witch in the Tower
Julia Sarda

Lyrically and visually rich - a real treat. Full review for @justimaginecentre.bsky.social here: justimagine.co.uk/childrens-bo...

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 10d

Júlia Sardà is a genius.

Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 12d

Some wonderful books to review for Shelf here - very lucky and very happy!

Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 13d

Listening to Pie Corbett talk to Nikki Gamble @justimaginecentre.bsky.social lamenting the ‘knowledge-rich’ curriculum and its impact on the imagination of our children. Fully agree - poetry can unlock this in so many ways #NationalPoetryDay #NPD2025

Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 15d

September.

Reposted by Stephen Connor

Louie Stowell @louiestowell.bsky.social · 16d

This is my Lokifesto #KidsConf #UKkidlit #edusky lokibooks.com/lokifesto/

A poster of a manifesto about reading, by Loki, with 6 points on reading "bad" books, short books, comics, audioooks, webcomics and fanfic, plus not finishing bad books cos life is too short.

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 21d

117. Wildlands
Brogen Murphy

A really interesting premise - years into the future, part of the UK has been rewilded, and humans have moved out. The only way through the Wildlands is one train. When Astrid and Indie fall off the train, they have to survive with little more than instinct.

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Reposted by Stephen Connor

Just Imagine @justimaginecentre.bsky.social · 24d

Does your class love graphic novels? We are thrilled that Mai K. Nguyen is joining us for a Children's Authors Live event on Friday, 26th September at 1:15
justimagine.co.uk/author-live/... @uklitassociation.bsky.social @sconnor7.bsky.social @samcreighton.bsky.social

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 28d

116. John the Skeleton
Triinu Laan & Marja-Liisa Plats

A very excellent and very entertaining tale of John, a former science lab skeleton who is adopted. A humorous picture book, showing how John’s presence brings joy to many - a visual treat.

Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 29d

115. Cardboard Kingdom: Snow and Sorcery
Chad Sell

This is such a brilliant series. A celebration of play and imagination, with some developed back stories too. Fantastic!

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · 29d

114. Spirit Warriors
Ashley Thorpe

Jamaican history and beliefs come together in this magical, fast-moving fantasy.

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Reposted by Stephen Connor

UKLA @uklitassociation.bsky.social · 29d

Your 2026 UKLA Book Awards Longlists are here - the only national children’s book awards judged by teachers!

This year they feature books in translation, past winners, exciting debuts and a huge range of genres and themes.

Click here to see the full Longlists: ukla.org/ukla-book-aw...

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · Sep 10

Love a map. Hate misspellings of place names 😭 @vocabularyninja.bsky.social @lockwoodcm.bsky.social

A map from a children’s book in which the town of Middlesbrough is misspelt.

Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · Sep 9

113. My Friends
Fredrik Backman

Just beautiful. A piece of art brings two unlikely characters together, and the story of the art’s inspiration is revealed, piece by piece. A celebration of the power of art, but more the depth of love and friendship. Loved it.

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · Sep 9

112. Running My Own Race
Abena Eyeson

A story about a Kofi, a boy who wants to be (and could be) a top runner, but finds social class and racism blocking his way. Powerfully written.

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Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · Sep 6

Love it 😊

Stephen Connor @sconnor7.bsky.social · Sep 6

Love this. Will send a picture of mine next week if I remember. If I ever move schools I’ll have to hire a van.

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Reposted by Stephen Connor

Marina Purkiss @marina-purkiss.bsky.social · Sep 6

What utter dickheads we are…

Rayner fought for workers: sick pay, maternity rights, protection from unfair dismissal

Farage and his MPs voted it down

Rayner gets binned over £40k in stamp duty

Farage dodges £44k, shrugs & strolls on

The mega wealthy win again.

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Reposted by Stephen Connor

Dr. Mary Roche @marygtroche.bsky.social · Sep 5

The Wolf is an amazing book from Australia that still leaves me with questions. The others all come from the fantastic Book Island website. Gorgeous translated books, superbly illustrated.

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Reposted by Stephen Connor

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Sep 3

Nigel Farage looks uncomfortable as Jamie Raskin uses his opening statement to absolutely demolish him

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