Small Island Read 2007 aims to get thousands of people reading and talking about Andrea Levy’s award winning novel Small Island.

The novel should be suitable for confident readers at upper secondary school level and above, though it does include adult themes and language that may be deemed inappropriate. Teachers are therefore advised to read it before passing it on to their pupils.

To encourage young adult, reluctant and emergent adult readers to feel part of the project we are also using Benjamin Zephaniah’s Refugee Boy. This has been chosen for the thought-provoking way in which it highlights the plight of asylum seekers and the valuable contribution made to this country by immigrants. Follow the link in the side-bar to find out more about the author. An activity pack to use with this book has been produced and can be downloaded there.

For nursery, reception class and lower primary children (KS1, reading level 2), we are recommending Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman. This has been chosen because of its message that colour is no barrier to ambition. Follow the link in the side-bar to find out more about the author and suggestions for activities inspired by this book, including downloadable activity sheets. The book will also be of value at KS2 for prompting small-group discussions in which pupils ask each their own questions about the feelings of the characters and the issues raised by the story.

Copies of both books, along with the Refugee Boy activity pack, are being distributed by partners in the project via schools and libraries.

Schools, colleges and adult learning groups participating in the project are encouraged to send us their drawings, poems, stories and other work inspired by their reading of the books, and reports on educational activities that are taking place. We will publish a selection on the website.

For details of the special events taking place as part of Small Island Read 2007, go to the What’s On page.

To read about activities that have already taken place in schools and other sites as part of Small Island Read 2007 and to submit your own reports and material, go to the News and Press page.

To make a comment on the book you have read or share your own tales of migration, go to the Reader Contributions page.

For details of books and weblinks related to the topics raised in Small Island Read 2007, go to the Resources page.




Pupils at Colston’s Girls’ School taking part in a Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory workshop linked to Small Island Read 2007.







Pupils at Hannah More Primary taking part in a Our Stories Make Waves workshop. Read a report from Our Stories Make Waves here.



Pupils at Badminton School with books and display.



Pupil from Notre Dame High School Glasgow.



Valda Jackson, Ruth Pitter, Val Mower and Ros Martin who are running assemblies and workshops in Bristol schools as part of Small Island Read 2007 (Laura Thorne).



Display organised at Taunton Children's library in Somerset by Marion Threlfall.