Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen – 10 Writing Worksheets | Year 5 & 6 KS2 English

TES Description

Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen – 10 Creative Writing Worksheets | Year 5 & 6 / Upper KS2

A complete set of 10 engaging writing worksheets inspired by Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen, designed for Year 5 and Year 6 / Upper KS2 English.

This writing pack gives pupils a range of purposeful opportunities to explore the novel’s characters, setting, danger and themes through descriptive, narrative, instructional, journalistic, persuasive and reflective writing.

The worksheets are designed to provide plenty of support before pupils begin writing. Activities include planning prompts, key vocabulary, sentence starters, structured writing sections, success criteria, word banks and challenge tasks, making the pack suitable for mixed-attainment classes and pupils who benefit from additional scaffolding. TES currently lists the resource as SEN friendly.

The pack includes 10 writing worksheets, with activities such as:

The View from the Tower – write a vivid setting description from Ade’s viewpoint, using sensory description and ambitious vocabulary.
Ade’s Diary – The Day Everything Changed – write in the first person about the arrival and spread of the mysterious Bluchers, exploring Ade’s thoughts and emotions.
Character-focused writing – develop understanding of the novel’s characters through structured description and response.
Who Is Gaia? – write a detailed character description exploring Gaia’s appearance, actions, personality, strengths and importance.
London Under Attack! – produce a newspaper report about the spread of the Bluchers, including a headline, witness details and information about what may happen next.
How to Survive the Bluchers! – create an instructional survival guide using chronological organisation, imperative verbs, warnings and practical advice.
The Rooftop Escape! – write an exciting adventure scene using action, sensory detail, varied sentences and carefully controlled pacing.
Night in the Stairwell – create a suspenseful scene using darkness, sound, atmosphere, short sentences and sensory imagery.
Should Ade Trust Gaia? – write a balanced argument considering evidence for and against trusting Gaia before reaching a reasoned conclusion.
What Ade Learned – write a reflective recount exploring Ade’s experiences, personal growth, friendship, courage and hope.

Across the pack, pupils develop important Upper KS2 writing skills, including descriptive writing, diary writing, characterisation, newspaper reports, instructional writing, adventure writing, suspense, balanced arguments and reflective writing.