Christmas is coming, and the library is feeling wonderfully festive!
Year 7 have done a fantastic job decorating our Christmas tree with their favourite book recommendations – well done, Year 7!
Make sure to pick out your Christmas reading early, and don’t forget to explore Sora for ebooks to read on the go. Keep an eye on our New Books shelf and special book highlights chosen by our brilliant library helpers.
Congratulations to the winner of our Bookmark Competition, and a huge thank you to everyone who entered. We hope you’ll also have fun taking part in our festive Guess the Book Cover challenge.
And of course, don’t forget to open the doors on our advent calendar each day… who knows what surprises are waiting behind those jolly doors!
Christmas Books Wrapped Up
This time of year is the perfect time to curl up with a good book, and our library is brimming with Christmas spirit! From twinkling lights to shelves filled with magical stories, we’re here to help you find the perfect festive read. Whether you’re looking for heart-warming classics, snowy adventures, or an adventure series to enjoy by the fire, there is something for everyone. So grab a mug of hot chocolate and let’s unwrap the joy of reading.
Here are some great suggestions we have for you: Santa and Son by David Walliams (KS3); Lark by Anthony McGowen (KS3); The Astounding Brocolli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce (KS3); The Storm and Sea Hawk by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (KS3); Skulduggery Pleasant, Nightnight the Clock is Ticking by Derek Landy (KS3); NEW: Chronicles of Whetherwhy – The Age of Enchantment by Anna James (KS3).
Hercule Poirot at Christmas by Agatha Christie (KS4); Nevernight by Jay Kristoff (KS4); Delirium by Lauren Oliver (KS3); The Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas (KS4); Can Reindeer Fly by Rodger Highfield (KS4); Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain (KS4).
Midnight Library by Matt Haig (KS4/5); The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (KS5); Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (KS5); Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely (KS5); Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy (KS5); NEW: Alchemised by SenLinYu (KS5).
This Christmas holiday don’t forget to check out what’s on Sora.
Bookmark Competition Winners 2025
We are pleased to announce the winners of our Design a Bookmark Competition.
1st Place: Balaj 7G,
2nd Place: Aadi 8T,
3rd Place: Jonah 7G.
Congratulations to our winners, they certainly put their heart and soul into their entries. They have been awarded a 3D puzzle, games and new books as prizes.
Huge thanks to all of the students who entered. All participants will be awarded Achievement Points. Balaj’s design will be printed and given away to our library users and visitors.
Exploring the SGS Archive by Harry 11G
Recently, I have had the privilege of exploring the depths of the Sutton Grammar Archive. With the goal of curating an archive section for the Suttonian, our annual magazine, I have enjoyed reading old editions and other records that date as far back as 1909.
I look forward to many more weeks of discovering the captivating story of our school.
Young Poets Week – My Favourite Poem
by Blog Buddy Wenlong 9W
ANTIGONISH
Yesterday, upon the stair,
I met a man who wasn’t there.
He wasn’t there again today,
I wish, I wish he’d go away.
By William Hughes Mearns 1899
This poem is one of my favourites for many reasons, one of which is the fact that it is very ambiguous and more than slightly discombobulating. It is a well-known poem about a mysterious phenomenon where the narrator meets a non-existent man. Said “man” then proceeds not to go away, despite the narrator wishing for such an occurrence. The confusion, of course, comes from the man not being there in the first place. This is a marvellous witty poem and really portrays the best of its genre. There are lots of different versions of this poem, and the one quoted above is but one.
We recommend these two prose books if you are looking for something A bit different this Christmas: The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow KS3 and Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher KS3 – 13+
Check out this great list of popular verse books:
www.goodreads.com/Best_YA_Novels_in_Verse
Remember to keep safe online. Always ask your parent/guardian or a member of staff if you are unsure.
A Christmas Carol – A Timeless Classic
What book captures the spirit of Christmas more than A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens? This beloved classic has inspired countless film adaptations and stage performances, yet its magic endures year after year. But, what makes this story so special during the festive season?
It begins in the chill and gloom of winter, with the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge—a man whose heart is as cold as the snow outside. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by three ghosts, each revealing his past, present, and potential future. Through these haunting encounters, we follow Scrooge’s remarkable journey of redemption, as he transforms from a bitter, selfish soul into someone generous and kind.
The tale mirrors the essence of Christmas itself: long winter nights illuminated by warmth, togetherness, and cherished traditions. It reminds us that the best gifts aren’t wrapped beneath the tree but are found in goodwill towards others.
Immerse yourself in this great book and borrow A Christmas Carol from the school library, we have the Graphic Novel (section 741) and Sora also has ebook copies.
Harry Potter At Christmas
by Blog Buddy Zach 9M
I was first introduced to Harry Potter when I was about 7 or 8, when I read the first book. I then over the course of many years devoured the rest of the series. I also watched many of the films, but only after my completion of the books.
I really enjoyed the writing style and magical sense of the first book, however I think that my personal favourite is probably going to have to be the last one: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This is because it is action packed and exciting, whilst still retaining the writing style and magic that first book had. The library has all seven books available for borrowing.
“Twilight” Turns 20 Years Old
The first book in the series, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer turned 20 years old this year and the books just keep on delivering to new audiences and adored by fans across the globe.
Twilight centers on Bella Swan, a teenager who moves to the quiet town of Forks, Washington. It’s not long before she meets Edward Cullen—a mysterious, handsome boy with a chilling secret: he’s a vampire. The two characters fall in love. Bella becomes drawn into Edward’s perilous world, where love comes with deadly consequences and other vampires pose a grave threat to her life.
Now is the perfect time to explore all of the books in the saga available in our school library now: Twilight; New Moon; Breaking Dawn.
Remember to keep safe online. Always ask your parent/guardian or a member of staff if you are unsure.
Our Top Readers this Term
We are delighted to announce that Avik 7M was our top reader this term reading an incredible 29 books in total. Congratulations to Avik who won first prize and to our two other prize winners.
The school library staff would like to wish you a
