Welcome back to school. The start of autumn term is already in full swing with new library clubs, activities and a whole plethora of books for you to read and peruse. We would like to give a warm library welcome to all of the year 7 cohort this year – we look forward to being able to help you with any book-related questions and ideas for good reads to suit you. Remember for every 5 and ten books you read you will receive a sticker in your planner!
If you have read a brilliant novel over the summer break that you would like to share with your peers, you can do a book review on the Reading Cloud or email us with your book review, including your name and form to: library@suttongrammar.sutton.sch.uk.
Check out these new arrivals in our school library: A Tale of Magic by Chris Colfer (KS3); Ben Archer and The Cosmic Fall by Rae Kinghtly (The Alien Skill Series – KS3); Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About The World – And Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling (KS4/5).
Overruled by Sam Fowles (KS4/5); Roald Dahl’s Book of Ghost Stories (KS3); The Biggest Ideas in the Universe by Sean Carroll (KS4/5)
SGS Book Club
Recommend Reads
Our Lower School Book Club got off to a busy start with everyone excited to be talking about books they have read over the summer holidays. Ms Taylor got the ball rolling with her passion for reading and told us about the books she has started; we are all waiting to hear her views on the ending of Fake by Ele Fountain – if she doesn’t keep it a secret! There were some other wonderful titles read over the summer break by our Book Club students: Divergent by Veronica Roth; Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Young Samurai by Chris Bradford. Mrs Payne read The Secret Sunshine Project (KS3) by Benjamin Dean and Kite-Runner (KS4) by Khaled Hosseini. All Book Club members got a mystery book to unwrap at home to begin reading. We can’t wait to see which books they got and to learn their initial thoughts on them.
If you would like to give book club a go it’s open to KS3 Students after school, on Wednesdays – week B.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn festival is a traditional festival which is celebrated in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan; it is also known as the Lantern festival or moon festival. The significance of the of the mid-autumn festival celebrates the end of the autumn harvest, which takes place on the 15th day of the eight month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Lantern lighting, mooncake making, fireworks and dragon dancing are poplar ways
of honouring the event.
Ms Lo has been showing a presentation on our big library screen and has recommended these books in our Library: The Earth and its Moon by Chris Oxlade; Wings on Fire by Tui T Sutherland; George And The Blue Moon by Lucy and Stephen Hawkins. On SORA you can look up: The Moon Lady by Amy Tan; The Moon of Gomrath by Alan Garner and Swimming on the Moon by Brian Conagham; 2024 Guide to the Night Sky by Storm Dunlop and Wil Tirian.
Autumn Term Library Clubs
There are 3 clubs running in the library after school this term with great activities. Just turn up on the day and try them!
Book Club runs after school on a Wednesday week B and is open to the Lower school.
Comic Club runs weekly on Mondays for Year 8 students, on their early release day, period seven, 14.50 – 15.35.
NEW this term is Blog Club which runs Mondays after school 15.35 – 16.30
and is open to students in the lower school.
Year 10 Blog Buddies
Are you in Year 10? Do you like writing, have an interest in current affairs and media? Blogging is the perfect way to express your views and bring your ideas to life.
So, why not join up to Year 10 Blog Buddies today?
It is a wonderful opportunity to become a published online author through our library blog; get involved in your school community; find out how our blog happens and will look great on your UCAS application form.
To get involved come into the library and leave your name with Mrs Taylor, Mrs Payne or Ms Lo.
National Libraries Week
2nd – 8th October 2023
Libraries Week is a week-long celebration of the nation’s much-loved libraries, with a focus in 2023 on supporting life-long learning and the central role that libraries play in inspiring learning for all and helping individuals to unlock and fulfil their potential at every stage of life. The theme this year is Green Libraries. And is organised by CILIP. Join in the #GreenLibrariesWeek conversation and find out more at www.librariesweek.org.uk.
Together with our own school library we are lucky to have Sutton Library so close to our school. It is a super place to visit and is full of books to suit all interests and hobbies. You can also link to ‘London libraries consortium’ via SORA which links into Sutton Library (and other libraries) where you can access audio and E-books.
Sutton library also have details of lots of local activities and resources you can access. We have lots of books in our school library about recycling and ‘going green’, check section 363 to find them.
Mr Bartlett Reviews
Fantastic Numbers and where to
Find Them by Antonio Padilla
“Antonio “Tony” Padilla is a leading theoretical physicist and cosmologist at the University of Nottingham. For several years now, I have enjoyed watching his videos on YouTube channels Sixty Symbols and Numberphile, such as his discussion of Ramanujan’s sum of all positive numbers.
In 2022, Professor Padilla gave a Royal Institution lecture entitled “Fantastic Numbers and Where to Find Them: a journey to the edge of physics” (www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3N6otveloQ) where he discussed the significance of several large numbers, such as Graham’s number; a googol; and a googolplex. In his book of the same title, Professor Padilla also considers other large numbers, such as TREE3, as well equally fascinating very small numbers, most notably zero.
Throughout the book, Professor Padilla is keen to explain how our understanding of such numbers helps us to better comprehend a wide range of phenomena such as black holes; entropy; the Higgs boson; and, the problem of the cosmological constant.
Professor Padilla brings to his writing both the same boundless enthusiasm for his subject and beautifully clear explanations, often enhanced by analogies, that are so characteristic of his videos. Consequently, I found the book both an accessible and a very informative read, and one that I would recommend to any student in KS4 or above who is considering studying either Mathematics or Physics at university.”
TSL International Student
Essay Competition
The brief for 2024 – “How can nature help us achieve the UN SDGs in
my community?”
Nature provides us with everything we need to survive and thrive – clean air and water, food, materials for shelter, medicines and so much more. Many people believe that nature can help us tackle major global challenges such as climate change, food and water security, biodiversity loss and disaster risk reduction, as well as improving human health, societal wellbeing and developing sustainable economies.
TSL want to hear students’ own views on how they feel that nature can support the achievement of the SDGs in their own communities. Students are invited to approach the topic however they wish. They can choose to focus on one SDG, or multiple SDGs that they feel are a key issue within their communities and explore how nature could help to improve the situation. They are strongly encouraged to include their own personal views, perspectives and experiences to help bring their thoughts and visions alive.
Each student is invited to submit one essay in English, on the theme of: “How can nature help us achieve the UN SDGs in my community?”
The essay length for Secondary and College students (ages 12-18): 600 words. For more details on how to enter click here. Or see Ms Taylor in library for more information.
Credit text & logo & images: www.trustforsustainableliving.org
Calling All Young Coders
Are you passionate about computer coding? Did you know that we have a whole section in the library devoted to IT and Coding? We have books on how to get started with html to complex Java, come in and see for yourself by going to section 005: Numbers, Computers & Coding by various authors; JavaScript Easy Steps by Mike McGrath; Python For Kids by Jason R. Briggs; Get Coding 2 by David Whitney; Coding with HTML and JavaScript by Max Wainewright.
The CoderDojo is in session! This is a free and open coding club for young people aged 7 to 17. Come with a laptop to pick up coding ideas from a Dojo Mentor in an easy, understandable way.
CoderDojo (coderdojo.com) is a global network of free, volunteer-led, community-based programming clubs for young people where they can learn to code, build a website, create an app or a game, and explore technology in an informal, creative, and social environment.
To find out more a book a class visit: https://events.sutton.gov.uk
Credit: Text and information CoderDojo coderdojo.com and Sutton Library
https://libraries.sutton.gov.uk/bookshelf.
National Poetry Day
5th October 2023
National Poetry day is celebrated annually on the first Thursday of October. It aims to bring voices together, encourage conversation and a love of language. To find out more visit: nationalpoetryday.co.uk
This year’s topical theme for #NationalPoetryDay is ‘Refuge.’ The refugee crisis is something we have all heard about in the media. Many refugees are escaping traumatic events and hardship in their own countries, desperately fleeing war, violence, poverty and persecution.
Through Poetry we can explore idea of hope and dispel preconceptions by empowering people to reach out and shape how we see the world. The National Poetry Day website have put up some fantastic poems for Young Adults: click here to read them.
On 5th October, we will showing National Poetry Day presentations throughout the day. You might like to check out our selection of library poetry books under located at 821: The Art of Poetry AQA Power and Conflict by Neil Bowen (KS3/4); Poems about War and Conflict – A Jet Black Sunrise, by Jan Mark (KS3); Empowered Beyond Thought by Young Writers/Andy Porter (KS3); The Girl Who Became a Tree by Joseph Coelho (KS3) or visit SORA.
Harry Potter Day
12th October 2023
Harry Potter, the famous wizard protagonist we have all heard about. This character is a creation of amazing imagination and his adventures are enjoyed by all. J.K. Rowling is the true magician behind this renowned series. She has brought joy to many children and adults around the world and – through her books – has provided a way to escape the reality of this world and spectate another world.
This awesome series has been printed in over 88 languages and has sold more than 450 million copies. J.K. Rowling does not only help people through her amazing stories but she also has her charitable trust. In addition, she also financed the humanitarian aid of 13,400 of the most vulnerable children.
Mrs. Rowling is also very resilient. Her first book pitch was rejected twelve times before it was accepted and she enhanced her draft of the first Harry Potter book. This is a very admirable trait and one we should all try to emulate.
All in all, J.K. Rowling is a very admirable character as she has created books that people of all ages can enjoy. She is a philanthropist and helps disadvantaged children. We should all try to celebrate her and Harry’s success worldwide on the 12th of October – Harry Potter Day!
By: Blog Buddy, Aman 10G
For more information and activities visit: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/discover/harry-potter
Myths and Legends Day
11th October 2023
Myths and Legends Day provides a brilliant opportunity to learn more about this popular genre or revisit some of your favourite stories. One thing that continually remains enticing about Myths and Legends is the variety of folklore that spreads across different cultures and countries. They can be funny, bizarre, sublime and thought-provoking.
If you love Myths and Legends, further your knowledge with this fantastic podcast to continue your learning journey: www.mythpodcast.com
These are some of our books we currently have on our library shelves to read: Icelandic Folk Tales by Hjörleifur Helgi Stefánsson and Tord Sandström Fahlström; Scottish Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends by Mairi Kidd; King Arthur and A World of Other Stories by Geraldine McCaughrean; Mythos by Stephen Fry; Egyptian Mythology For Kids by History Alive
Booker Prize Shortlist 2023
The Booker Prize is the world’s most significant award for the best sustained work of fiction written in English by authors from anywhere in the world and published in the UK and/or Ireland.
None of the six authors has previously been shortlisted for the prize. There are two debuts on the shortlist; there is one British, one Canadian, two Irish and two American authors. Although full of hope, humour and humanity, the books address many of 2023’s most pressing concerns: climate change, immigration, financial hardship, the persecution of minorities, political extremism and the erosion of personal freedoms. They feature characters in search of peace and belonging or lamenting lost loves. There are books that are grounded in modern reality, that shed light on shameful episodes in history and which imagine a terrifying future.
Bookerprize shortlisted authors:
Sarah Bernstein (Canadian), Study for Obedience (Granta Books)
Jonathan Escoffery (American), If I Survive You (4th Estate)
Paul Harding (American), This Other Eden (Hutchinson Heinemann)
Paul Lynch (Irish), Prophet Song (Oneworld)
Chetna Maroo (British), Western Lane (Picador)
Paul Murray (Irish), The Bee Sting (Hamish Hamilton)
Please note the books above are suitable for KS5 and above only.
Text and Image credit www.thebookerprizes.com
Wimbledon Bookfest
12th – 22nd October 2023
Wimbledon Bookfest was born when two friends Fiona Razvi and Tony Kane put their knowledge of all things literature together and decided to create a yearly local arts festival for the whole community to access. Today it brings leading authors from the world of literature, arts, politics, sport and entertainment to venues around Wimbledon (Wimbledon High School, Wimbledon Library and New Wimbledon Theatre). Beginning on the 12th Oct – 22nd October, Wimbledon Bookfest hosts a range of authors to come and talk to adults and children about their books for an affordable fee. Check out the programme of events on their website www.wimbledonbookfest.org
From the authors attending the schools education events during the Wimbledon Bookfest, we have books in our library/SORA by the following authors: Stolen History by Sathnam Sanghera; Which Way to Anywhere by Cressida Cowell; Tyger by SF Said; Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Logo and picture credit: www.wimbledonbookfest.org
Ms Taylor, Ms Lo and Mrs Payne are always happy to help you with book suggestions and questions you may have?