Our School Library has been alive with excitement this week as we celebrated World Book Day in style. We hope you enjoyed our Masked Reader videos and had fun trying to uncover which teachers were behind the mask, plus which books they brought to life!
A huge thank you goes to our incredible Sixth Formers and library helpers for their hard work in the lead‑up to our author visit, and for supporting the book‑signing event. Everyone’s enthusiasm and dedication helped make the week truly special for our students.
Author Ele Fountain visits Sutton Grammar School
On Monday 2nd March 2026 we welcomed award winning author Ele Fountain to our school. Ele delivered talks to groups of Years 7, 8, 9 students in the school hall. Her first presentation was about her book “Wild” an eco-adventure. Students were enthralled as they learnt about Ele’s time in Ethiopia where she lived for three years and her visits to rainforests in Costa Rica and Malaysia. It was these experiences helped her to write the plot for Wild and the background for the protagonist, Jack and his mother. Ele had lots of facts about animals who inhabit the rainforest including some ideas about what we can do to help protect natural resources.
Ele’s second talk aimed at Year 8/9 students covered her book “Fake;” a dystopian novel about the impact of digital technology. Ele spoke about the dangers of deep fakes and social media algorithms. She explained to students that “tiny footprints” are left when asking the internet questions. The research on the subject led her to explore further and write Fake. Students enjoyed her quiz questions, eagerly putting their hands up to find out if they were true or fake?
Everyone was also enthralled to learn that she had previously been an editor for a publisher working on children’s books before deciding to write her own. Ele rounded up her day by signing her books and speaking to students during morning and lunch time breaks. Ele also generously signed each copy of her books housed in our library, leaving us with a lasting memento of her visit.
Why not read Ele’s award-winning novel Boy 87 and her other more recent books, Melt, Lost and Storm Child ready in our library now. Additionally, all of Ele’s books are available to borrow on Sora to read/listen to.
Ele Fountain’s Visit
by Blog Buddy Aadarsh 9G
Ele Fountain’s visit to the school was nothing short of inspiration. Her writing feels so passionate due to her travels inspiring her six novels.
Her assembly was also entertaining to myself and everyone who was present. We had the full scope of what it takes to draft a book and how she does it; she spoke about her past, including how and what she is doing, and we got to see the proposed covers of Fake before her final approved design. We even were quizzed about topics involving the internet and wild animals’ habitats (one was about HOWLER MONKEYS!).
Overall, I would say it was very interesting to have her visit our school, and it positively influenced students to use the library to read her books.
World Book Day Celebrations
by Blog Buddy Zach 9M
One of the main highlights of the week for me was getting my book, “Fake” signed by Ele Fountain, making this book much more of a prized possession. When I first got “Fake”, I could hardly put it down until I had finished it. I really enjoyed the plot of this book with its depth of character and clear ideas.
Fake is a book about a dystopian world where everything revolves around the digital world. The people in charge of the technology companies have complete control over food and other products, and can ‘delete’ cybercriminals, essentially ruining the lives of the people and their families. The main character is a girl called Jess, who has been doing “live Learning” via technology at home. At 14 years old she must attend school in person with other children. But Jess is a clever computer hacker, and she must use her skills to help her sick sister, and save the lives of people who are being run by dangerous algorithms.
World Book Day “Great Big Footy & Booky Quiz”
On World Book Day a group of year 7 students excitedly surrounded our big library screen to attend the “Great Big Footy & Booky Quiz” run by the National Literacy Trust. The quiz featured questions by football heroes and authors including Alex Bellos, Ben Lyttleton, Matt Oldfield and Katherine Rundell. Our students enjoyed the quiz and seeing all their favourite football stars, and of course the writers behind the books. There was even an appearance by Gnasher from Beano!
Well done to the students who participated: Aagarshan 7W, Jake 7G, Karteek 7T, Arjun 7M, Toby 7W, Jamie 7M, Michael 7G, Ashvin 7T, Kerem 7L, Eduard 7G, Wesley 7L; who were all awarded achievement points for their participation.
Look at some of the KS3 books we have in our school library by authors and, inspirations from the quiz: Boy Everywhere by A.M. Dassu; Fight Back by A.M. Dassu; Bunny Vs Monkey by Jamie Smarts; You are a Champion by Marcus Rashford; Beano & Dandy by D.C.Thomson & Co Ltd (741); Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell.
Masked Reader Gets Students Guessing
Our 2026 Masked Reader video was shown in form time during World Book Day with plenty of mystery surrounding the readers and the books they had chosen. Did you manage to guess who they were? Thank you to everyone who took part and let’s hear it for 7G who got the most correct answers.
The Unmasked Books Are:
#1: Alex Rider 9: Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz
#2: Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
#3: Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
#4: Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver
Scholastic Book Fair Coming Soon
Get ready for our Scholastic Book Fair starting on 17th May – 20th May 2026. Books will be available for you to come into the school library to browse during the week. “Wishlist” forms will be out for you to fill in and take home with you. Your parents/guardians will be informed of the payment details. All purchases will be made online through the SGS link through the scholastic website. There will be no cash payments taken in school.
We have lots of the scholastic book titles in our school library for you to borrow. Please check out the display in the school library.
National Book Token Design Competition
National Book Tokens are celebrating with World Book Day and the “Go All In” National Year of Reading 2026 campaign this year, with their annual design a book token competition. This year’s entries will be judged by authors and illustrators Paddy Donnelly, Nadia Shireen and Sonia Leong.
Six winners will be chosen, each receiving prizes for themselves and their schools. One overall winner will have their design turned into a real National Book Token for their whole class—and enjoy a special bookshop visit to spend them!
To take part, speak to one of the librarians for a template, then create a bold, eye‑catching gift card design based on the theme “Go All In.” Show off your interests and how books inspire your imagination. Your interests might include football, animals, space, fashion, gaming, history, music or making people laugh, books can bring your interests to life in all sorts of new ways.
Drop your entries into the library before 20th March 2026. Winners will be announced in May 2026.
Parental note: Terms and conditions apply.
Visit for more information: Design a National Book Token Competition.
World Book Day® is a registered charity, company and trademark.
Remember to keep safe online. Always ask your parent/guardian or a member of staff if you are unsure.
Visiting Sutton Library
As part of this Year’s “Go All In” National Year of Reading 2026, why not take a short walk across town to visit Sutton Central Library. Interestingly, Sutton Central Library is the largest in the Borough and home to an extensive collection of fiction and non-fiction books. It also includes IT facilities, free wifi, audiobook collection, a dedicated Children’s library, local archive materials, a gallery for exhibitions and events, plus a cafe. The opening hours that are staffed are 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday.
Check out this great link to their library blog for Shakespeare week and see if you can answer the Shakespeare words challenge quiz questions:
www.libraries.sutton.gov.uk/blog/shakespeare-week
Remember to keep safe online. Always ask your parent/guardian or a member of staff if you are unsure.
Shakespeare
By Blog Buddy Wenlong 9W
Shakespeare is old. Like, older than your grandpa. But, possibly unlike your grandpa, he is entirely relevant to modern society. For example, groups of schoolchildren are told to learn about him in their English lessons. Grandpas and schoolchildren aside, Shakespeare is excellent because he has transformed our language and introduced so many words and phrases we use today.
Shakespeare is also interesting. As I read Macbeth, for example, I find myself transported to Scotland, looking at the brave battle-lord of Macbeth, hewing down men left and right, and I walk alongside him until the very last minute, looking at the ruin of a once-great man. For inspiration look at TEDed Macbeth.
But he is not just a tragedian, he is a comic. In the Comedy Of Errors, dramatic irony is used to the very fullest, and I find myself laughing at the poor characters when they are about to get executed, merely because I know that they are going to get saved before the end.
The absurdity of the events in the Taming Of The Shrew had me laughing until my sides had burst, rolling on the floor like I wanted to be ingrained into the carpet. “The sun is the moon, and the moon is the sun!” Shakespeare was undoubtedly a comic genius. I think you will agree therefore that Shakespeare is the holy grail of playwrights.
Shakespeare Week is a national celebration and begins on 23rd March 2026.
We have lots of Shakepeare books in our school library, browse them on Libresoft today.