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The Extraordinary Files by Paul Blum National Association for the Teaching of English, 9th December, 2002 http://www.nate.org.uk/reviews/184.html Available from: Learning Design, English Street, London E3 4TA Tel: 020 8983 1944 Fax: 020 8983 1932 Price: £1.00 each (+ £0.50 p&p) or £5.00 for a set of six books (+£2.00p&p) 6 titles in series: Killer Robot The Headless Ghost Sleepwalker Atlanta Werewolf Eclipse Alien Implants The Extraordinary Files is the series title for a group of six short (20 pages) stories about two detectives. They have an exciting life what with ghosts, aliens, mysterious spies and strange occurrences. Sometimes the events are so complicated that it would be difficult for some 8-10 year olds (for whom the stories are intended) to follow precisely what is going on. However, the personalities of the two main characters and the banter between them might be lively enough to keep them going. Laura Turnbull is the cool, black, glamorous, karate belted type of detective heroine. She has attitude. Robert Parker is a computer geek, a bit scared of the dark but not stupid. They are good buddies and he clearly fancies her but not so obviously that she has to admit she's noticed it. They are great buddies. All this works well. There is lots of chat and the stories are described in the blurb as 'interactive' in that the children at Raine's Foundation School helped Paul Blum to develop both the characters and the story lines. They are also illustrated by the children. These books are exceptionally good value for money. It is hard to know which children would take to them, but certainly worth trying on any reluctant reader from the age of about 7 to 14. The style of print and the layout makes them accessible and although the vocabulary demanding in that it is dramatic and sometimes sophisticated, it is fashionable enough for most teenagers to be able to jump over the difficult words. Most of the stories should appeal to boys as well as girls. Anne Barnes Copyright © 2002 NATE

For further information, contact:

Dr. David A. Spencer Publicity Officer - Raine's Foundation School Approach Road London E2 9LY Telephone: 020 8981 1231 Telefax: 020 8983 0153 E-Mail: DASpencer@RainesFoundation.org.uk Website: www.rainesfoundation.org.uk

Dr. David A. Spencer Publicity Officer - Old Raineians' Association PO Box 30692 London E1 0TH Mobile Telephone: 07751 100498 Telefax: 020 7900 2722 E-Mail: David@Spencer.ws Website: www.DavidASpencer.com

Further information about Raine's Foundation School today can be found at: www.rainesfoundation.org.uk

Further information about The Old Raineians' Association can be found at: www.oldraineians.com

Further information about individual Old Raineians, including their memories of the school and their teachers, a message board, a list of famous pupils and some school photographs, can be found at: www.friendsreunited.co.uk