Online Children’s Book Club: THE EXPLORER

Online Children's Book Club: The Explorer

Welcome to our online children's Book Club for Years 5 - 6 children.

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Summer Term Dates 2025

Option A: THE EXPLORER, by Katherine Rundell
Time: Wednesdays 6-6.45pm
Dates: 4th June, 11th June,18th June, 25th June, 2nd July, 9th July
Tutor: Megan

Option B: THE EXPLORER, by Katherine Rundell
Time: Sundays 9-9.45am
Dates: 8th June, 15th June, 22nd June, 29th June, 6th July, 13th July
Tutor: Rachel C

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Book Club Reading Information:

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell*

Pages to read before the lesson. Please note that online books may have different page numbers so please check the chapter title names.
Lesson 1: Pages 1-65 ('FLIGHT' to 'FIRE') inclusive
Lesson 2: Pages 66-138 ('THE RAFT' to 'THE MONKEYS AND THE BEES') inclusive
Lesson 3: Pages 140-203 ('CON' to 'THE RUINED CITY') inclusive
Lesson 4: Pages 204-262 ('THE EXPLORER' to 'TARANTULAS') inclusive
Lesson 5: Pages 264-333 ('TWICE FRIED OISEAU SPECTACLE' to 'STUCK IN THE MUD') inclusive
Lesson 6: Pages 334-end ('MAX' to END) inclusive

*Please note that we earn a small commission from purchases via this link.

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Book Club Course Details:

Let's burrow into books with our fabulous book club! We offer a carefully selected range of books to excite all young readers. 

Our Book Clubs are fully interactive and consist of the following:

• Independent Reading: Every week, the children have a set number of pages to read before the next lesson. This reading is to be done in their own time, in preparation for the lesson.
• Discuss and Debate: To develop speaking and listening skills, we will start each lesson with a discussion of what the children read. We will encourage children to express themselves clearly, sharing different interpretations and beliefs. 
• Quiz Whizz: Next, the children take part in a Kahoot quiz which focuses on different types of comprehension question.
• Word Warriors: To develop children's vocabulary, we pick out ambitious words used in the chapters and the children complete an activity based on these words.
• The Deep Dive: Here, we explore one aspect of the story more closely. This includes story analysis, writing skills, character study, critical and lateral thinking, exploration of feelings, debating dilemmas and exploring themes.
• Scribble and Sketch: The final challenge each week is something creative. Children will be encouraged to upload their Scribble and Sketch work to Google Classroom so that it can be commented on and shared in the following lesson.
  

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Book Club General Details:

• Each session is 45 minutes, 6 sessions in total.
• There will be a maximum of 12 children per class.
• The course is led by a highly experienced teacher.
• It takes place online.
• It is fully interactive.
• £75 for 6 sessions (£12.50 per lesson). All course prices are inclusive of VAT. If you are based outside of the UK, the course price (without VAT) will be updated at checkout but you may be subject to additional bank charges, which are determined by your financial institution.
• Please choose to pay via PayPal at the checkout if you would like to pay in instalments.
• Once booked, places are non-refundable as stated in our Terms and Conditions.
• We have a specific waiting list for children who are eligible for free-school meals. If we have spaces on a course, these children will be offered a free space. Contact us if you would like to join this waiting list.
• We engage with self-employed tutors to run our courses on behalf of our business. The tutors running our courses are qualified teachers with exemplary references. All course tutors hold an Enhanced DBS Certificate and are signed up to the Update Service.

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

From his seat in the tiny aeroplane, Fred watches as the mysteries of the Amazon jungle pass by below him. He has always dreamed of becoming an explorer, of making history and of reading his name amongst the lists of great discoveries. If only he could land and look about him.

As the plane crashes into the canopy, Fred is suddenly left without a choice. He and the three other children may be alive, but the jungle is a vast, untamed place. With no hope of rescue, the chance of getting home feels impossibly small.

Except, it seems, someone has been there before them.

Winner of the Children's Book Prize
Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2017
Winner of the London Book Fair Children's Travel Book of the Year
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"A very exciting adventure story - I loved it." - Jacqueline Wilson
"Rundell is now unarguably in the FIRST RANK" - Philip Pullman

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Why we chose this book:

The Explorers is a first-class adventure story. The characters all have quite distinct personalities and backgrounds, which makes you feel quite engaged with the story. The twist at the end of the book is great! It's a relatively straightforward book for older readers, so a great choice to hook children into reading.

What parents say about our book clubs:

"My son loved the online book club, he is a reluctant reader but the weekly sessions really helped encourage him to pick up the book and get to the next chapter. The teacher we had was super enthusiastic and the lessons sounded very fun. Thank you for another brilliant course! We will be back soon." (Gemma, Parent)

"My son loves reading, but I was looking for a course where he can develop that love for books even more. For me, it’s not just about reading — it’s important that he builds strong comprehension and understanding of the stories. That’s when I found Bright Light, and I couldn’t be happier with their service and book club. [My son] absolutely loved the book ‘The Bolds’ — such an amazing story for kids! As a mum, I appreciated everything about the program, and we have already registered for the next book club course. Highly recommend for any parent wanting a meaningful reading experience for their child!" (Nirvana, Parent)

"My daughter loves the book club. It is wonderful! She didn’t use to read at all, but this course has inspired her to start reading. The teacher is encouraging, and we’re looking forward to joining the next book." (Joyce, Parent)

Would you like to try out a Taster Lesson before booking? View our upcoming Taster Sessions.
Would you like to see more book clubs? View our upcoming Book Clubs.