Key Stage 3 History by Aaron Wilkes: Renaissance, Revolution and Reformation: Britain 1509-1745 Student Book

Born in 1973, Aaron Wilkes is now one of the leading History authors in school publishing as well as being Head of History at Castle High School, Dudley. Aaron knows how important it is to always be armed with a bank of tasks to stretch and challenge more able students. He's a firm believer that lessons need to have pace, impact and grab the attention of students. His time at Castle High has given him the experience of five OFSTED inspections and taking two formclasses through from Year 7 to 11. It is this experience that gives him a good bank of knowledge and first-hand practical experience to draw on. Aaron's KS3 History series, which is familiar to manyteachers nationwide, has a concept and approach which continues to prove strong: it creates attention-grabbing, visually stimulating textbooks that focus on the three things that 11-year-olds enjoy reading about most - blood, fighting and toilets!

Renaissance, Revolution & Reformation by Aaron Wilkes is a very good book. The author has produced a very accessible text with a variety of activities which will interest, excite and stimulate young historians. I particularly like the problem based approach which gives insight into a broad spectrum of both social and political issues of the period. An engaging text book which students and teachers alike will find most useful. I think Aaron has produced a good book. It is accessible for those that do not like reading large quantities of material; there is lots of colour, fun clear diagrams and good maps; youngsters will particularly like the cartoon characters in many of the exercises. I also like the chronological approach and the clarity with which particular topics have been presented. There is a good variety of exercises, particularly the assessment tasks, that can easily be differentiated.

• LIFE IN TUDOR BRITAIN; A WORLD OF DISCOVERY; ELIZABETH I; THE STUARTS; ENGLAND AT WAR; CROMWELL'S COMMONWEALTH; THE RESTORATION; CHANGE OVER TIME