Welcome back to the second half of the summer term which is already in full swing! We have some excellent new books waiting to picked up and read by you. Now that the warmer weather is here, we would love to see how you enjoy your books in the sunshine, please email us any pictures or a few words to: library@suttongrammar.sutton.sch.uk.
If you read any good books during the half term break we would love to share how the book inspired you by writing a review on the ‘Reading Cloud’ for our school community read.
Grab these new reads which have just come into the library for some leisurely summer evening reading: They Saw Too Much by Alan Gibbons; Reckless, The Petrified Flesh by Cornelia Funke; Resist by Tom Palmer. We have a few new Graphic Novels (library section 741) to add to our collection, for fans of the Fence series we have added volumes 3 & 4 to the set. In addition, we have Corpse Talk, Dead Good Storytellers by Adam & Lisa Murphy; and Asterix and the Griffon by Jean –Yves Ferri
Our non-fiction is always expanding so check out these new titles available now: Can’t We Just Print More Money by Rupal Patel and Jack Meaning (Economics section 330); What About Law Third Edition (Law section 340); Insights into Game Theory by Ein-Ya Gura (Mathematics section 510).
In June we celebrate Pride month and raise awareness of the issues surrounding the acceptance of all genders and sexualities including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, intersex, asexual, Pansexual and Allies (LGBTQIA+). In school you have probably noticed staff wearing rainbow lanyards and our designated LGBTQIA+ notice board outside Room 3. Our Library has been busy during Pride month with a range of books available to look at: Alex in Wonderland by Simon James Green; Gender Games by Juno Dawson; My Brother’s name is Jessica by John Boyne and Trans Teen Survival Guide by Owl and Fox Fisher
We liked this LGBTQIA+ book on SORA: Pride, The Celebration and the Struggle by Robin Stevenson.
Available in the Library now are our Pride month bookmarks, a cheerful addition to any book, whilst highlighting the LGBTQIA+ community at SGS.
If you are interested in LGBTQ history books this list is a good place to start: www.queer-historical-ya-novels
Refugee Week is a UK festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Refugee Week is a growing global movement empowers refugees from different backgrounds to connect beyond labels, encourage understanding of why people are displaced, and the challenges they face when seeking safety.
This Refugee Week’s theme is ‘Healing’, through a programme of arts, cultural, sports and educational events, it enables people who have sought safety in the UK to share their experiences, perspectives and spread awareness.
This month in the library we have author Benjamin Zephariah’s new book Refugee Boy; in addition you might like to read these other titles about refugee experiences: Boy 87 by Ele Fountain and If you were me by Sam Hepburn. Don’t forget to search “Refugees” on SORA for more books on the topic.
If you would like to learn more click on the link below, we particularly liked the simple acts page, which is inspires us that it is the simple acts of people like us who can make a huge difference to others. www.refugeeweek.org.uk/simple-acts
With Sports Day just around the corner for SGS, everyone is invited to participate in sport for their houses. However, some children are unable to enjoy school sport the way they should. The last few years have highlighted further the need for every child to feel involved and included in school sport.
National School Sport Week’s vision is to make sure that, when it comes to school sport, there is a place for every child. Young people benefit from school sport so that they can connect with others, develop important life skills and improve both their physical and mental health.
The theme for 2022 is: Belonging – a place in sport for every child. www.national-school-sport-week.org
In our Library we have lots of books on sports, our newest editions are our Sports Stories collection: In the Red Zone; Taste of Victory; Home Ice Rivals; Catch Football Beat and Dance Team, Double Trouble. Please come in and ask Mrs Taylor/Mrs Payne about them.
When I’m asked what my favourite book is, I usually reply, “I haven’t written it yet.” After my quizzing students have rolled their eyes and asked me again, I have to say that I don’t have one. But I pick one that in that very moment, takes me to a happy place, a warm fuzzy memory of literary bliss.
Today, my favourite book is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. This novel tells the story of Count Alexander Rostov, who in 1922 is sentenced to a lifetime under house arrest at the Hotel Metropol in, as one might guess, Moscow. A book about an old posh bloke stuck in a hotel for the rest of his life might not sound too exciting, but I promise you it is a glorious journey full of adventure, tribulations and humour. I love it.
I love it so much that I created a whole English Language exam centred on a particular aspect where The Count meticulously makes a cup of coffee - the language is as rich and sublime as the caffeinated elixir itself. I found a copy in a second hand book shop recently and forced Mrs Jones to part with 50p and buy it. But if she hadn’t, I’d have snapped it up. I read this book on the Kindle originally, but I have an urge for a physical copy to build a shrine around in my home.
I urge you to read it and let me know what you think?
All-a-board, as we celebrate the Day of the Seafarer! This is a special day for seafarers of all stripes, Coast Guards, Navies, marine biologists, fishermen and ship captains who have dedicated their work and lives to the ocean. The first documented sea voyage was made around 3200 BCE, and was bankrolled by the Egyptian Pharaoh Snefru (he also built at least three pyramids during his reign). Today, over 90% of global trade is done by sea, as it is still the most cost-effective way to transport goods. International Maritime Organisation have put together a great little video about it, together with some information about the day:
Day-of-the-Seafarer-2022
In our library we have some great books with nautical theme that have washed up onto our shelves: Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk; Deep-Sea Duke by Lauren James; And the Ocean was our Sky by Patrick Ness, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne.
Have you ever wanted to read a classic novel but never quite picked one or maybe you fancy a quick read recap? These classic titles told in a graphic novel style are brand new to our Library; visually compelling and with an instant connection to the characters, you’ll absorb them in no time!
Titles include: The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde by ; The Three Musketeers by; Dracula by Bram Stroker and Frankenstein by Mary Shelly.
The HEY YA podcast has just be launched to boost the marvellous world of young adult (YA) literature. Check out this link for some compelling stories from old favourite classics to the latest on-screen novel adaptations.
www.bookriot.com/heyya