Get ready for an eye-popping October in our school library as we promote all of our spooky reads and ghoulish stories for Halloween. Enter the library to see which books you’ll dare to pick up for your half term Halloween reading.
In addition, we’re celebrating Black History Month, preparing for the Reading Champions Quiz, and we’ve recently launched our Bookmark Competition, along with many other exciting things.
Black History Month
Throughout the month of October our school will be celebrating Black History Month with a range of discussions, educational activities and posters all focused around this year’s theme: “Reclaiming Narratives.”
One of the great things about ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ is how it can motivate and teach younger generations. This year’s theme brings a new viewpoint on Black history and represents an important change in acknowledging and fixing the accuracy of stories surrounding Black history and culture; going beyond just slavery and civil rights. It’s all about celebrating Black achievements in every area – be it the arts, sciences, politics, or daily life.
Find out more about Black History month click here. Check out their section on ‘Black History Month Firsts’ to learn about some amazing accomplishments Black Britons have achieved and the positive impact their legacies have on today’s society.
Logo Credit: www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk
We have lots of books available to borrow about Black History, here are a few of our picks for you: Sawbones by Catherine Johnson; Cane Warriors by Alex Wheatle; Find Your Voice by Angie Thomas; Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds; The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison; The Colour Purple by Alice Walker; Clap when you Land by Elizabeth Acevedo; And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou. Don’t forget to look at SORA for more Black History Month books
Haunted Halloween Reads
This Halloween we peered into our library archive to see which books were lurking in dark corners and some chilling books jumped out at us… Boo! They won’t disappoint but they just might disappear! Borrow one today.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken; Scared by Anthony Horowitz; Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas; Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel and Oliver Twisted by J D Sharpe.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas; The Painted Man by Peter V. Brett; The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco; The Forest Demands It’s Due by Kosoko Jackson; The Upper World by Femi Fadugba.
Gruesome Reads on SORA
This October login to SORA and start your YA Halloween reading with their great collection of ghost stories, haunted horror and gothic tales. We did a search of their complete collection and found some great titles ready to download today.
Why not do a search for audio books on SORA for reading on the go!
Check out this month’s SORA author highlight, Darren Shan, and feast your eyes on his superbly written Horror books, if you dare….
Our School library has the same fantastic collection of Darren Shan books for borrowing. These quick reads are very gripping and you will be instantly hooked on his collection of sagas such as Cirque Du Freak, The Demonata and Zom-B.
Keep your eyes peeled for these great books available in our School Library NOW! 13 Minutes by Sarah Pinborough (KS3); American Gods by Neil Gaiman (KS4); The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie (KS3); Five Survive by Holly Jackson (KS4); Grow by Luke Palmer (KS3); A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher (KS4).
Mr Burke Reviews
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks
Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks is a deeply moving novel that left a lasting impact on me. The blend of a powerful love story with the raw, haunting reality of World War I made it both heart-breaking and unforgettable. Faulks captures the human side of history in a way that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading.
Remembrance Day
11th November 2024
By Blog Buddy Toby 9M
Remembrance Day a memorial day observed in the Commonwealth member states, honouring the lives of armed forces members who died in the line of duty. It is on the 11th of November, marking the end of World War 1 hostilities, which happened at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. This was in accordance with the treaty signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente (Anglo-French cooperation) that morning. This preceded the official ending of the First World War, which was at the Treaty of Versailles in June, 1919.
The common tradition throughout the Commonwealth is to have a two minute silence at 11:00 on the day, to honour and remember fallen soldiers.
If you want to learn more about the First and Second World Wars, the library and SORA have a variety of books dedicated to this topic (fiction and non-fiction): The First World War (Adventures in Time Series) by Dominic Sandbrook; The First World War – A Very Short Introduction by Michael Howards; Horrible Histories Frightful First World War by Terry Derry.
Year 7 Book Club
This term we are running two book clubs in our library. Here is a picture below of our Year 7 students enjoying reading the 1000 Year Old Boy by Ross Welford and Heroes by Alan Grant.
If you are in Year 7 and would like to join our book club, please come along to the library any Monday week A, during term time.
Our Year 9 Book Club runs on a Wednesday week B after school. We discuss a range of different literature, so please do come along to find out more or email Mrs Taylor: library@suttongrammar.school.
The Budget
By Blog Buddy Naithan 9L
After Labour’s landslide victory at the 2024 general election, people across the UK have been anticipating the autumn budget. The budget is a speech which the chancellor makes to the House of Commons to outline their economic plans for the next year. The main budget is in March and the one in the autumn is usually an update on how the economy is doing but it can be as important if a big event happens- such as a change in government.
This budget will be the first Labour budget in 15 years. Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has been indicating the need to raise more money through taxes. Some of the areas that are reported to be considered are: employer national insurance rates, capital gains tax, inheritance tax and fuel duty. The budget is the first chance we have to see what it means for taxpayers.
Will the Chancellor make significant change, or be less ambitious than some of Labour’s opponents have predicted?
Visit our Politics and Economics sections in our school library, under 320, 330.
Year 8 Comic Club
Over the past few weeks Comic Club have been very busy creating and learning about comic design with a bit of comic history thrown in between.
This autumn the group will take on the World of Graphic Novels reading challenge, run by the National Literacy Trust. This involves reading from a list of graphic novels and discussing them to get the maximum enjoyment and understanding of this popular genre. Below are three of the recommended graphic novels year 8 students will be reading: Stitch Head by Guy Bass and Pete Williamson; The Crossover by Kwame Alexander and The Graveyard Book (Book 1) by Neil Gaiman.
Keep your eyes peeled for the unveiling of our new Comic Club logo which our comic clubbers are working on as we speak.
If you are in Year 8 and fancy to give comic club a go, simply turn up in the library any Monday (term time) period 7, 2.50pm – 3.35pm (Year 8 early release).
Celebrating Diwali
By Blog Buddy Aarav 9L
I’m sure you’ve had a favourite festival growing up? That could have been Christmas, where the never-ending supply of Christmas decorations in the attic brought you the widest of smiles as a little kid, or times when finding the last egg in the easter egg hunt would have been the pinnacle of all achievements; that is what Diwali means to me. The blinding display of lights dotted throughout Mumbai, or the urge to stay awake just a little longer to see the fireworks on the horizon.
Diwali is often called the ‘Festival of Lights’, and is celebrated by lighting lamps and fireworks. This festival celebrates Rama’s return after fighting for ten days against the demon Ravana and the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness.
Diwali has been joyfully celebrated for thousands of years, making it a grand occasion. It’s not just Hindus who celebrate Diwali, but Sikhs and Buddhists as well.
To learn about how India (and the rest of the world) celebrates Diwali, check out the book Diwali by Rina Singh on SORA
National Reading Champions Quiz
The National Reading Champions Quiz is an aspirational event that recognises and celebrates more than 2,000 keen readers aged 10 to 14 each year.
Twenty three regional heats are delivered across the whole of the UK. The winners of the heats go on to compete in an amazing grand final event in London.
The quiz is fortunate to benefit from the generous support of the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS).
Ms Lo is running the National Reading Champions Quiz in School. Practices will run Thursday lunchtimes. If you would like to get involved and you are in KS3, please email Ms Lo: library@suttongrammar.school
Text and logo credit: www.literacytrust.org.uk
Project Gutenberg Goes Live
The next time you are logging onto the Reading Cloud, take a look at the extensive collection of classic books that have been introduced with “Project Gutenberg.”
KS3 Bookmark Competition
It’s time to get your creative ideas flowing with our school library bookmark competition. That’s right, our popular annual competition for KS3 students to enter is back. Simply, hand draw or create a bookmark on the computer. Include an inspirational quote or a slogan to encourage SGS students to borrow books.
Prizes will be awarded to the winner and runners-up. Achievement points will be given for every entry. The winning design will be printed and distributed to SGS library users.
Submit your bookmark to Mrs Taylor, Mrs Payne or Ms Lo in School Library by 21/11/24. Templates are available from the library if you need one. Remember to include your name and form on the reverse of your artwork.
Good luck.
You may have noticed some new library posters appearing around the school? Ms Lo has been busy exploring some of our best books for students to borrow. Take a look at her latest themed lists here.