There is a definite autumn feel in the air now as the days are cooler, the nights are drawing in and
we all want to put the fire on and hibernate for the next few months! But then there’s the beautiful
colours of autumn which we can enjoy on a fresh and exhilarating walk…not just during lockdown!
But if walking in the cold isn’t your thing, then settle down with a good book and escape to other
lands………
Books of the Month – November
I am the Minotaur by Anthony McGowan
More than anything Stinky Mog wants to fit in but that isn’t easy when he’s got his mum to look
after, avoiding bullies and trying to impress one of the coolest girls in school. But when her bike is
stolen, Stinky spots his chance to make a good impression by getting it back for her. Will he get it
back or is he about to learn that friendship and heroes can be found in unlikely places.
How to Save the World with a Chicken and an Egg by Emma Sheva
A story that isn’t just about birds. It’s about secrets. The seaside. How seagulls can trick worms into
thinking it’s raining. It’s about mucus, fudge and dogs needing a wide variety of sniffs. But if you
want the simple version it’s about what happened here last year and how Ivy and Nathaniel solved a
mystery and saved the world’s animals – one at a time
November – Month of Remembrance
There is a selection of books available in the library that look at the impact of war in all its forms.
Michael Morpurgo is a popular author and here is a list of just a few of his books:
Private Peaceful
The story of Tommy Peaceful looking over his childhood memories, full of family life back home. A
moving portrayal of camaraderie, courage, innocence and brutality.
War Horse
A powerful story about a boy and his horse and their true friendship in the worst of wars.
A medal for Leroy
A simple, beautiful story inspired by Walter Tull, the first black officer in the British Army. When
Michael is given a medal and a photograph, a hidden history is revealed inn this story of love and
loss.
New and exciting books to look out for ……
Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Big Shot by Jeff Kinney
‘Greg reluctantly agrees to join the worst basketball team in the school. What could possibly go
wrong?!’
The Primrose Railway Children by Jacqueline Wilson
‘The original Railway Children re-imagined’
Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snickert
‘witty, clever, unsettling’
The Ash House by Angharad Walker
‘spine tingling, magical realism and dystopia’
How I became a dog called Midnight by Ben Miller
‘A magical mishap adventure between a boy and his dog when they swap bodies’
Gangster Granny Strikes Again by David Walliams
Sequel to the Gangster Granny and described as ‘hugely entertaining with a bitter sweet ending’
(Look out for the Gangster Granny musical coming to the Palace Theatre this month!)
Tom Gates: Random Acts of Fun by Liz Pichon
The Boy who got Accidently Famous by David Baddiel
Vet Man and the Bionic Animal Clan by Noel Fitzpatrick
The Christmas Pig by J.K.Rowling
Guinness Book of Record 2022
Keep Calm and ….Ooh! New Books!
We have been lucky to receive a box of books for free from the Book Trust in partnership with the
British Arts Council before half term. There is a wide selection of titles and genres to choose from
including our two books of the month and Adam Kay’s brilliant Kay’s Anatomy. Pupils have already
started to select from the display and regularly pass comments about how much they enjoyed
them…or otherwise! There is definitely something for everyone.
DEAR DAY 2021
Drop Everything and Read Day was a bit different this year. Usually we ask students to bring in a
book to read for the first 10 minutes of every lesson but this year one short story was chosen – Lamb
to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl – and read to everyone across the school at the start of each lesson.
By Period 5 we were all very keen to see what happened in the end of this clever and sinister story!
National Poetry Day October 2021
We had a great response to our Poetry Competition and two of the winners from Year 10 have been
selected to be the Poet Laureates for the school which is a fantastic honour. We will showcase their
poems in a separate article but do look out for them performing their winning poems and for any
themed poems that they write over the coming weeks for us all to enjoy. Congratulations to all the
winners.
Please contact me any time if you need any advice on book suggestions and I will be happy to help.
Mrs Peters
School Librarian
