Author Maisie Chan reveals how to use her book in classrooms

May 27th 2022

We all remember the feeling: the bell has rung for subject we hate, or we’re facing an evening of homework for a topic we just don’t understand or feel passionate about. So how can we inspire pupils to embrace a subject and achieve their potential? In her Jhalak Prize-winning book Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, author Maisie Chan illustrates how a little compassion and creativity can go a long way when changing a child’s mindset. 

In our exclusive guest blog, she takes us through this recommended book for teachers and how they can use her book in classrooms to encourage a love of learning and help children to find their own voice. Over to you, Maisie! 

STEAM subjects

I’ve always wanted to have books in schools. And I think it's is a good book for teachers to use as it’s got STEAM themes in there: art and maths. It’s got creative problem-solving as Danny doesn’t like maths; he thinks he’s no good at it. It’s about changing his self-talk and gaining confidence to try a new way of doing things. It’s about finding your voice.

Visual learning

It has drawings and Danny loves creating comic books, so that could be a topic. There is a lot of discussion about comics and graphic novels being good for children as they must process not only the visual elements but also the words all at once.

Accessibility

It's an accessible book, and I did that on purpose. I wanted Danny’s voice (it’s first-person narration) to sound like a regular British 11-year-old. I didn’t want to write a ‘beautiful’ poetic book that had critics and reviewers fawning over my use of adjectives or prose. I wanted a book that a child can pick up and not feel intimidated by.

Relatable topics

It’s a book that includes working-class children in it and is emotionally sophisticated, as Danny must deal with his feelings about the breakdown of friendship, being rejected by a group, being compared to someone else, having to accommodate a stranger into his world, and having to navigate an adult space (the bingo hall and the takeaway counter). He’s constantly evolving throughout the story. Even the adults in this book learn something.

Books about diversity and empathy

It’s also a book within our books for topics where empathy is central to the story. If a teacher wanted to have books about diversity and welcoming others who might not be like you, then this could be that book. And, of course, a class might learn a little about British-Chinese culture along the way!

Our review: Heart-warming and hilarious with adorable characters. A great message about discovering what you are good at, and lots of great information about Chinese culture. An entertaining read.

Discover more books by Maisie Chan 

About the Jhalak Prize 

This innovative award celebrates books by British and British resident BAME writers, including fiction, non-fiction, short stories, graphic novels, poetry and more. This year's shortlist featured a fantastic range of texts that would be great for diversifying your primary and secondary shelves, such as The Crossing by Manjeet Mann, Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, The Sound of Everything by Rebecca Henry, Musical Truth by Jeffrey Boakye and We're Going to Find the Monster! by Malorie Blackman.