Welcome back to the summer term.  We hope you have had a restful Easter break and managed to find some time to do some reading?  We love April in the Library as the reading excitement builds with lots of new books available to browse and borrow.

SORA have all of the Yoto Carnegies shortlisted books available as ebooks and some audio books, so logon and take a look.  Look out for details about our brand-new Comic Competition for KS3 with super prizes to be won.  Remember that achievement points are awarded for every book review you write on the Reading Cloud, plus recording book goals in your planner can also earn you achievement points.

 

Just landed in our school library this month is the much anticipated: Robin Hood (bk 8), Ballots, Blasts and Betrayl by Robert Muchamore (KS3). Also ready for borrowing: Escape From The Model Land by Erica Thompson (KS4/5); 17 Equations That Changed the World by Ian Stewart (KS4/5); Atalanta by Jennifer Saint (KS3); Core of Evil by Nigel McCrery (KS5); Hidden Games by Moshe Hoffman & Erez Yoeli (KS4/5).

 

Celebrating Saint George’s Day

Every year on 23rd April, people around the world come together to celebrate Saint George’s Day, an annual tradition that honours the patron saint of England.  He is also the patron saint of soldiers, archers, cavalry and chivalry, farmers and field workers, riders and saddlers.  Saint George is one of the most revered saints in Christianity, known for his courage, chivalry, and faith.

According to legend, Saint George was a Roman soldier who became a martyr for his Christian beliefs. One of the most famous stories about Saint George is his legendary battle with a fearsome dragon, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.  On Saint George’s Day, people commemorate the saint’s life and legacy. In England, it is traditional to wear a red rose, the symbol of Saint George.

Interesting Fact:

Coincidently, Saint George’s Day coincides with the estimated birth and actual death dates of William Shakepeare (c.23rd April 1564 – 23th April 1616).  Saint George is mentioned in Shakespeare’s Henry V play.

“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more, Or close the wall up with our English dead. Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!”
Quote from Henry V by William Shakespeare.

Check these wonderful KS3 Horrible Histories books, which are perfect for an insight of England’s history.  We couldn’t resist to mention a few fearsome dragon stories too: Dragon Shield by Charlie Fletcher (KS3); Dragons at Crumbling Castle (KS3); Eon Rise of the Dragoneye by Alison Goodman (KS3).

 

Uniting Words and Wisdom

On Thursday, 15 March eight of our Year 8 and Year 9 students put their book knowledge to the test by taking part in the National Literacy Trust’s National Reading Champions Quiz 2024.

Our two teams took part in the virtual Regional Heat, taking on students from all over Southwest London.  With 8 rounds in the quiz, our students took on the challenge to answer 75 questions book related questions.  Every category had a different theme and question format.

Our teams had great fun and did very well. Team B, scoring 52 out of 75, was placed joint 6th; while Team A, scoring 46, was joint 14th out of a total of 20 teams.  Well done to all the students who took part and represented our school at the NLT National Reading Champions Quiz.

 

 

Read for Empathy Collection

Empathy Day is all about creating a greater understanding of other people’s feelings through the power of reading.  Empathy is a skill that can be built on, allowing us to make meaningful relationships, resolve differences of opinion and can guide us through our diverse society.  Reading for empathy helps us walk in someone else’s shoes by transporting us into the lives of the characters, their struggles, triumphs, and emotions.

Every year EmpathyLab put together a carefully selected list of novels, poetry, verse and graphic novels with an empathy theme.  From the ‘Read for Empathy collection’ we have these great titles available in our library now:  Promise Boys by Nick Brooks (KS3); Global by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin (KS3); Different for Boys by Patrick Ness (KS4).

Logo Credit: www.empathylab.uk

Also, check out some of the authors talking about their books.

SORA have all of the Read for Empathy Books available.  These were our favourite library picks from the list:

On 6th June we will be showing the Empathy Day Live event on our big library screen, which will have a fantastic line up of authors and illustrators throughout the day.  So let’s join in with “Mission Empathy”: Read. Connect. Act.

 

 

Winners of the Library Easter Egg Quiz

We launched our Easter Egg Quiz at the end of last term and it was great to see so many students taking part to hunt the book clues around the library to complete the quiz.  Congratulations to Charlie 8M for winning first prize of a large chocolate Easter Egg.  Second and third prizes went to Ethan 8M and Aaryn 7T.  Our runner-ups were Kavish 9L and Alex 7M.

 

 

Young Readers Programme

Young Readers Programme by the National Literacy Trust is aimed at young people aged 13 years and above.  It is full of exciting and engaging books to choose from.  We particularly recommend these books from the collection: Deeplight by Frances Hardinge (KS3); Green Rising by Lauren James (KS3); When Shadows Fall by Sita Brahmachari (KS3); Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (KS3).

Click here for the Young Readers Programme list of books.  You will also find the list in the Library Folder on the P drive.

Credit: www.literacytrust.org.uk

 

 

Calling All Sixth Formers
Self Access is set for Sutton Libraries

We all know the important role that our local Libraries play in providing book lending, community resources, computers, study areas and much more.  This April, Sutton Libraries have gone one step further by introducing a new ‘Self Access’ service; making it even easier to you to use the library facilities independently outside of the regular staffed hours.

The Self-Access opening hours are Mondays to Saturdays, 8am -9pm and on Sundays, 9am – 6pm.  All adults can use Self Access as well as 16-17 year olds with parental consent.

During Self Access you can:

      • borrow, return and renew library items using self-service kiosks
      • use a free library computer or free library Wi-Fi and print documents
      • use study spaces
      • search online reference services e.g. Ancestry
      • hire a library meeting room
      • meet with friends or join a social connecting interest group
      • take part in activities provided by library partners during Self Access

For more information and to get signed up visit:
www.suttonlibraries/get-ready-for-self-access

Remember if you are under 18 you must ask your parent or guardian to register to allow their permission for you to use Self Access.

Credit: Sutton libraries: www.libraries.sutton.gov.uk

 

 

Reading Comics – The Facts

Who doesn’t love to read a comic for quick humour hit or following a character’s storyline?  The reward is pretty much instantaneous with their vibrant illustrations and easy to read format, but how much time do we devote to reading them and do they make us better and more diverse readers?  Well, recent findings from a report by the National Literacy Trust (data used from 2023) suggests that comic reading is popular for some very good reasons, they can help us feel more engaged with reading, improve comprehension, support our mental health and allow us to learn about different cultures. To read the full report click here.

We have a very well thumbed through comic and Graphic Novel section (741) in our school library, so do keep checking our shelves for new reads.  In addition, SORA has a collection of e-comics bursting with fun.

We have picked out these popular books from our collection: Silverfin the Graphic Novel (based on the bestselling Young Bond series) by Charlie Higson and illustrated by Kev Walker (KS3); Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal (vol 1) by Shin Yoshida, illustrated by Naohito Miyoshi (KS3).

I am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina, illustrated by John Jennings & Stacey Robinson (KS3); Demon in the Wood, a Shadow and Bone Graphic Novel by Leigh Barugo and illustrated by Dani Pendergast (KS3).

 

 

Free Comic Book Day
4th May 2024

That’s right, 4th May 2024 is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! Go and check your local Comic Book Shop to see if they are participating in Free Comic Day (while stocks last).  You can check online at: www.freecomicbookday.com.  Our local Comic shop in Sutton is taking part this year.

Colour Coded Age Rating Graphics
There is a Colour coded system to make it clear which age rating is associated with each book. When buying a comic make sure you are aware which colour applies to your age group.

Find a Comic Book that is age appropriate for you by using these guides below:

 

GREEN: All Ages/ Everyone
Appropriate for children, teens, and adults

 

BLUE: Teen(+)
Appropriate for teens and readers 13+

 

 

The Branford Boase Shortlist is Announced

The much anticipated Brandford Boase shortlist has been announced this week.  Judges have selected six books out of the 25 from the longlist.  We have Safiyyah’s War by Hiba Noor Khan (KS3) and Steady for this by Nathanel Lessore (KS3).  All of the other titles you can download on SORA to read.

The Brandford Boase award is given out yearly to an author of a debut novel of a children’s book.  It is also the only award to honour the editor of the winning book.