SGS Advent Calendar

SGS Library blog - November 2023

Our school library has burst into November with some dazzling new reads sure to keep you entertained during the autumn evenings.  In November we celebrate Non-Fiction month, we have some super suggestions of books ranging from astrology to politics and much, much more, so pop in and see what we can recommend for you. 

Don’t forget to enter our bookmark competition, see details below.  All our usual library clubs are running this term, if you fancy to give one a go, simply turn up on the day; the full list of school clubs are on our school website.

We have these brand new books which have just come into our library, ready and waiting for you to read: The Deadlands Trapped (#2) by Skye Melki-Wegner (KS3); Demon Slayer (#1) by Koyoharu Gotouge (KS3); The Irrational Diary of Clara Valentine by Coralie Colmez (KS3). Don’t forget to do a book review and earn an achievement point per review.

Check out these great novels which have recently been borrowed and are spectacular reads: The Fork, The Witch, and The Worm Tales from Alagaësia by Christopher Paolini (KS3); Gleanings (#4) by Neal Shusterman (KS3); The Island by C.L. Taylor (KS3).

National Non-fiction Month

In November we celebrate National Non-fiction Month, whilst we love our fiction books in our school library, what about all of our Non-fiction books?  Have you ever borrowed one of each at the same?

One of the greatest things about non-fiction books is the wealth of facts, theories, information and reference they provide.  These books inspire a growth of knowledge in subjects we learn about in school and individual interests in the world around us.  In many ways we are spoilt for choice, there is a book on just about everything that’s ever been discovered!

So, what are you waiting for…. this November grab a non-fiction book to get your head into and let us know what you think?

The theme for non-fiction month 2023 is Wonderful Water, where we can explore the impact of sea life and saving our oceans.

Rising Sea Levels:
How Is It Harming The Climate?

Rising sea levels are an increasingly serious threat to communities around the world. It’s not just coastal cities that are at risk, either: flooding from rising seas threatens agriculture and water supplies, making it more difficult for people in poverty to recover from natural disasters like hurricanes and typhoons. In this post, we’ll explore how rising sea levels affect our climate as well as our moral responsibilities as people who care about global health.

Sea levels are rising, and the effects are being felt all over the world

Rising sea levels have caused an increase in storm damage, which has led to more flooding. Even things like agriculture – especially important for people living in poverty who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods–are being affected by salt water floods. The combination of natural disasters and climate change makes it even more difficult for people living in poverty to recover from disasters

Why are sea levels rising?

There are 2 main factors at fault in terms of sea levels rising. Both are caused directly by climate change, and the planet heating up. The first is melting polar ice caps - putting more water into our oceans that would have otherwise been stored on land. The second is the warming of the seas causing its volume to expand (since the particles have more energy and move more freely).

The most recent research indicates that if nothing changes, rising sea levels will cause more than 200 million people to lose their homes by 2050.  This is a big problem–and we need to do something about it!  We have a moral responsibility to change our behaviour so that we don’t contribute to climate change and its effects on people around the world.

We are all responsible for climate change, which means we can all do something to help. If you’re reading this article, you likely consider yourself an environmentally conscious citizen. But have you ever thought about how your actions affect the environment? How much of what you do every single day actually contributes to climate change?

The truth is that all of us need to be more mindful of our actions and their impact on the world around us. We should always ask ourselves: “What can I do today that will reduce my carbon footprint?”

In conclusion, the effects of rising sea levels are being felt all over the world. We have a moral responsibility to change our behaviour so that we don’t contribute to climate change and its effects on people around the world.

By Toby 8M, Blog Club

Check out these books on climate change: A Very Short Introduction to Climate Change by Mark Maslin; There is No Planet B by Mike Berners-Lee; How Bad Are Bananas? By Mike Berners-Lee; The Climate Casino by William Nordhaus.

If you like fiction novels around saving the planet, why not give these books a whirl by the talented Tom Huddleston: Flood World and the sequel Dust Road.

Mr Gunning Reviews
Stasiland by Anna Funder

The pages record a series of interviews with former East Germans: we hear the voices of some who were victims of the East German secret police, the Stasi, and others who worked for it; influential figures of this period also contribute their thoughts.

The book is remarkable because the journalist responsible is not German, but Australian; due to her perceived distance from the events, citizens of the former republic were prepared to talk frankly.  Such a book was perfect in 2003, when memories were fresh and the principal actors were able to tell their stories. It makes for a fascinating read.

World Book Day is Coming

Our whole school will be celebrating World Book Day on 7^th March 2024.  We are already getting excited about planning our library activities to get everyone involved and talking about books on the day. 

World Book Day has a number of free resources on their website, in particular, from January 2024 you will be able to access a selection of
Free audiobooks.  Keep tuned into the Library Blog for more details in the New Year.

Don’t forget, if you are over 13 years old there is still time to enter the Christmas book giveaway with World Book Day, in association with National Book Tokens: www.worldbookday.com/competitions

Credit: www.worldbookday.com

If you enjoy the buzz of an audio book, remember you can access SORA or try Borrow Box.  Just download the app and ask your local library for the pin number which is linked to your library card.

If you need help or you are uncertain about downloading an app, always ask an adult first.

Yoto Carnegies Longlist is Announced

Nominations have been announced for the 2024 Yoto Carnegies, the UK’s longest-running and best-loved children’s book awards.

A grand total of 129 books have been nominated for the 2024 Medals.
69 books are in contention for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing which is awarded to a book written in English for children and young people that sparks an outstanding reading experience and 60 books for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration, which celebrates an outstanding reading experience through illustration. This includes 6 titles that have received nominations in both Medal categories.

www.yotocarnegies/writing-nominated-titles-2024

www.yotocarnegies/illustration-nominated-titles-2024

We have books written by many of the authors featured on the Yoto Carnegies Longlist for Writing 2024 including: Kwane Alexander; Phil Earle; Dan Freedman; Simon James Green; Paul Jennings; Elle McNicoll; Beverley Naidoo and Marcus Sedgwick.

Steady for This by Nathanel Lessore and The Boy Lost in the Maze by Jospeh Coelho have been nominated this year, both are available to borrow now!

Design a Bookmark Competition

Calling all Year 7-9 Students…. It’s design a bookmark competition time!
This year our theme is ‘Reading is Power,’ to encourage book borrowing from our school Library.

You can create your bookmark digitally or drawn by hand and we would like to you to include an inspirational quote/slogan by either an author or famous individual. Enter your designs by 30^th November 2023, remember to put your name and form on your artwork and hand your bookmark into the library.  

The winning design will be printed and distributed to SGS Library users and achievement points will be awarded. 
Good Luck!

BookTok Made Me Read It?

This November log into SORA for some inspiration and page turning reads and audio books.  In particular, we love the ‘BookTok made me read it’ collection.  You’ll be sure to seek a book written or recorded for you to enjoy, so don’t delay download the app today soraapp.com ! Use your school email and email password/select Sutton Grammar School from the secondary schools list. If you have any problems, come and speak to Ms Taylor, Mrs Payne or Ms Lo.

Wicked Writers Competition

The Wicked Writers competition will be opening on 29^th January 2024.  This year’s theme is ‘Be The Change.’ Students are being asked to write 500 words on a persuasive piece about environmental issue that is important to them.

The prizes are amazing and include free class tickets to see the stage musical Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London; writing workshops; books for your school and more.  Please email the library staff to express an interest in this exceptional opportunity.

Warm Spaces in Libraries

Pop into your local library to warm up, access books and other resources.  You’ll find friendly staff are on hand to advise and chat, you might even be offered a free hot drink in participating libraries.  Find your nearest #Warmlibrary:
www.surreycc/warm-welcome-venues
www.libraries.sutton.gov.uk

Author Event at Epsom Library

Epsom Library are running an author event with Crime novelists, Jacqueline Sutherland & AA Chaudhuri, on 7^th December 2023, 6pm-7pm.  The tickets are £6 each. Click on the link below to book.  The event is suitable for KS5 students.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/crime-thriller-evening

Play the Book Island Challenge

National Book Tokens is running an online game for children to guess which book characters live on each of the islands featured.  Click on the link below and see how many books you can guess?  You’ll be surprised, it’s quite a challenge!

hiddenbooks.nationalbooktokens.com

SGS Library Blog - October 2023

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Enter if you dare to the ghoulish October library blog for plenty of eerie books full of ghostly tales within!!

Over the last few weeks, we have celebrated Harry Potter day, National Poetry day and Myths & Legends in our library which provided fun activities, free bookmarks and lots of books to enjoy.  With the October half term break around the corner, remember to grab some novels to read and then share your thoughts on them by writing a book review on the Reading Cloud.

Spooky Halloween Reads for KS3

The Demonata, Demon Thief by Darren Shan; The Sad Ghost Club by Lize Meddings; Horror 2 by Anthony Horowitz; Wolf Bane by Michelle Paver; The Twig Man by Sana Rasoul.

Night Fright Reads for KS4

Aftershocks by Anne Fine; Amercian Monsters by Derek Landy; Strange Tales from Japan: 99 Chilling Stories of Yokai, Ghosts, Demons and the Supernatural by Keisuke Nishimoto; Tales of Unease by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Don’t forget to check SORA for additional scary Halloween books to make you jump!

Check out these great books that have just come in, be one the first to read them and don’t forget to a do a book review on the Reading Cloud afterwards. Guinness World Records 2024 (KS3); The Tower of Nero (bk5 of The Trials of Apollo) by Rick Riordan (KS3); The Book of Inventions by Tim Cook (KS3).

The Ghosts of Heaven by Marcus Sedgwick (KS3/4); 21^st Century Business Icons by Sally Percy (KS5); Fantastic Numbers by Antonio Padilla (KS4).

Black History Month

Black History Month 2023 is a momentous occasion to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of black people to British society.

Black people have always been at the forefront of social justice movements, fighting against oppression and paving the way for change. However, despite their countless contributions to society, the achievements of black women, in particular, have too often been overlooked or forgotten. That is why, this year, Black History Month will be celebrating the exceptional achievements of black women.

The theme of Saluting our Sisters' highlights the crucial role that black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities. This year’s celebration will showcase pioneering black women who have made remarkable contributions to literature, music, fashion, sport, business, politics, academia, social and health care, and more.

Text and logo credit: www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk #wematter

Black History Month Poetry Competition

As part of Black History Month 2023, a national school poetry competition has been announced which welcomes students to write about the contributions of black women throughout history, like: American activist, Roza Parks, double bass player, Chinyere Nwanoku and actress and singer, Beverley Knight.

The Black History Month poetry competition is for all ages, categories include: secondary education for ages 11-16; Sixth form/college/university for ages 16-24.  Winners from each category will receive a cash prize and selected poems will be put into a Saluting Our Sisters anthology.  The deadline is 15 November 2023 and the winner will be announced on world poetry day 21 March 2024, for full terms and conditions click here.

Come into our school library for some author and book inspiration to celebrate Black History Month, you’ll find lots of them on our themed bookcase. Our recommendations are:  When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando (KS3); Black in Time by Alison Hamond (KS3); Long Way Down by Angie Thomas (KS3); Black and British by David Olusoga (KS3); Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (KS3); Highrise Mystery by Sharna Jackson (KS3); Children of Blood and Bone by Tom Adeyemi (KS4). Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman (KS3).

Don’t forget to check out Black History Month on SORA for ebooks and audio books, try some of these titles: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (KS4); Joyful, Stories celebrating Black Voices by Dapo Adeola and Patrice Lawerence (KS3), The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon (KS5); The Case of te Intruder by Kereen Getten (KS3); Hlaf of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche (KS5); Callum by Malorie Blackman (KS3); Kerb Stain Boys by Alex Wheatle (KS3); Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Roni Eddo-Lodge (KS5).

The Libyan Floods and Climate Change

Recently Libya (a country in North Africa) has experienced severe floods. This has been caused by extreme levels of rainfall from a storm system called ‘storm Daniel’ and has resulted in thousands of people going missing. Many people have lost everything, with their homes, buildings and even entire neighbourhoods being swept away by this sinister storm, but this isn’t where it ends. There are worries that people may get infected by the dirty flood water and these concerns are further enhanced by the fact that the local sanitation systems have been brutally damaged, making it more likely for disease to take hold. Some parts of Libya, such as the city of Derna, are suffering from a serious lack of drinking water as well, making things even more dire. Speaking of Derna, two of its dams collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 4,000 people, a horrifying figure. Not only that, but these floods also have in fact divided the city in half!

People have talked about climate change for years upon years, yet not enough seems to have been done, and shocking natural disasters like this clearly demonstrate that. Climate change is not going to vanish by itself and will progress further into the future unless we take drastic moves now. Climate change is in fact already having extremely damaging effects on our world, events like the Libyan floods posing as a stark reminder of the terrifying potential climate change has for destruction of our planet, and these events are only increasing in frequency and magnitude. Time is running out, and it is running out fast.

By Blog Buddy, Rohan 11T 

We have some great Climate Change books in our library or look them up yourself under section: 551: How We're F***ing Up Our Planet by Tony Juniper (KS3); The Future We Choose by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carmac (KS3/4); There is No Plant B by Mike Berners-Lee (KS3/4).

The Canterbury Tales
Chaucer Writing Competition

The Chaucer Heritage Trust was founded in 1992 and aims to further interest, understanding and appreciation of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, his life and times and influence.

The Chaucer Heritage is hosting its seventh annual writing competition for schools inspired by the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, considered by many to the father of the English Language and England’s greatest medieval poet.

The special theme of the competition this year is ‘Being Part of a Group’.

The Chaucer writing competition is open to all students of school age and encourages a writing style to invoke the spirit of Geoffrey Chaucer.  The deadline is 29^th February 2024 with a max word count of 500 words.  For more information click here.

The Chaucer Heritage Trust logo includes Chaucer's portrait from the Hoccleve's Regiment of Princes  © The British Library Board (Harley 4866, f. 88)

www.chaucer.org.uk

Mr Waterman Reviews
The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder

The Soul of a New Machine is a documentary of engineers straight out of university being given an agency and being stretched to their limit to produce a mini-computer in a year, it should take years. The graduate engineers volunteer to complete the project on time as they give their best when the work itself is challenging and rewarding, "they don't work for the money", meaning they work for the challenge of inventing and creating.

I picked this book up from the library when I was at the end of KS3 and it is what inspired me to become a software engineer, it won a Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction.

My Favourite Book Character

My favourite character from any book that I have ever read is from the Kingkiller Chronicles, and his name is Kvothe. Kvothe is an incredibly bright man who is part of the Edema Ruh- a ‘family’ of travelling troupers. From a young age, he learned to act, make music, and fit into whichever society he found himself in. He is also ridiculously bright.

Kvothe is my favourite character from a book because of the way he slips and slides into and out of every single problem he faces. Seeing his multiple flaws like hot-headedness and stubbornness bring him into trouble, and then him having to use his strength and wit to overcome it is extremely satisfying. It is also interesting seeing him struggle his way through poverty, and following his money-making progress, and seeing the society from a person who once had to beg and steal to survive. The way Patrick Rothfuss (the author) narrates it through Kvothe’s eyes makes me feel every success and defeat that he collects throughout the series.

All in all, I would definitely recommend you read the Kingkiller Chronicles to experience for yourself the intelligence, strength, and hot-headedness of Kvothe the Bloodless.

By Blog Buddy, Ezra 9T.

Kingkiller Chronicles are recommended for KS3/4, all three books are available in the library now!

Taran Matharu

Taran was born in London in 1990 and found a passion for reading at a very early age. His love for stories developed into a desire to create his own, writing his first book at nine years old. At twenty-two, while taking time off to travel, Taran began to write Summoner, taking part in Nanowrimo 2013. Thanks to Wattpad.com and updating daily, its popularity dramatically increased, reaching over three million reads in less than six months. After being featured by NBC News, Taran decided to launch his professional writing career and has never looked back. The Summoner series has now been published in 15 territories and is a New York Times Bestseller. The Contender series is his second epic trilogy.

Credit: www.authortaranmatharu.com

Books for Halloween

Halloween is nearly here, and many people are looking for a fright. Whether that be from movies or books people want to feel their heart skip a beat as a jump scare hits. Since this is a library blog, I am going to be telling you about an amazing author who creates terrifyingly good stories with amazing thrills.

Anthony Horowitz is a renowned author I am sure many of you have heard of before. He has written many books and 2 very popular series: Alex Rider and The Power of Five. See below six scary short stories by Anthony Horowitz that will surely chill you to the bone.

If you want a scare, these books are amazing and will leave you wondering about them… well after you have finished reading them. I have read a couple of these books myself and personally, I was extremely spooked by each one, especially ‘Burnt’. I suggest reading these incredibly well-crafted books if you want a one-of-a-kind experience.

By Blog Buddy, Aman 10G

Buy Discounted Books

Our new Scholastic Book Club is up and running!  Go to www.scholastic/suttongrammarschool/digitalbookclub
to browse the latest books and order online. This is an opportunity to buy discounted books without p&p. All orders are sent to the school a few days after the deadline and notes sent to students to collect their book order from the school Library at the end of the day.

Please place your order online by 7th November 2023.
Scan the QR code to go straight to the website

Remembrance Day 11^th November 2023

Remembrance Day (Armistice Day) is observed on the second Sunday of November to honour those in the armed forces who have died in wars and conflict.  The tradition of wearing a poppy is a memorial to those who fell during the First World War and the signing of the treaty in 1918 which declared WW1 be over.  For over 100 years the Poppy has served as a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.  The following poem is a famous and poignant one:

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Our Library has many resources on wars including a range of nonfiction novels; these books we have picked out as popular reads: The First World War by Dominic Sandbrook (KS3); Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo (KS3); The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris (KS4); D-Day Dog by Tom Palmer (KS3).

For more information on Poppy Day visit: www.britishlegion.org.uk

UKLA Book Awards 
Announce Longlist 2024

The UKLA (UK Literacy Association) have launched their longlist of books, these books have been selected for being engaging and well-written whilst promoting indentity and diversity.  Each book on the longlist highlights a broad range of authors and it is UKLA's aim to encourage teacher and student knowledge, discussion and interaction with high quality literature.

UKLA Book Awards is sponsored by LoveReading4Kids and Reading Cloud.
The UKLA Book Awards are also the only children's book awards judged by teachers.  The shortlisted books from the longlist will be decided in March and award winners will be announced in July 2024.  

In our school library we have some of the titles from the longlist, ready and waiting to be borrowed, so start today: Steady for This by Nathanel Lessore (KS3); Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave (KS3); Different for Boys by Patrick Ness (KS5); I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys (KS3).

Books available on SORA from the UKLA Longlist 2023/24: Lemon Trees by Zoulfa Katouh (KS3); The Haunting of Tyrese Walker by J.P. Rose (KS3); The Silver Chain by Jion Sheibani (KS3); Unraveller by Frances Harding (KS3); Wild Song by Jane Eagland (KS3 ebook); Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley (KS3 ebook); The Notorious Scarlett & Brown by Jonathan Stroud (KS3); Tyger by SF Said (KS3).

For more information about UKLA visit: www.ukla.org/awards

Comic Club New Logo Design

Comic Club has got off to a flying start with creative ideas and comics being produced by Year 8 students.  The last couple of weeks Comic Club have been hard at work creating a new logo for this academic year.  There were some truly inspired designs, but the logo designed by Aarav 8L was voted for as ‘the one’ – Well Done Aarav!  Aayush 8T, has also kept the comic fun flowing with his excellent set of Marker Characters.

In addition Comic Club have been learning the history of comic art.  So far, they have discovered, Katsushika Hokusai, Osamu Tezuka and Roy Lichtenstein. We have a good selection of comics, graphic novels and comic artists books in our library located under sections 741 and 759.

Our Library Halloween picks are: The Crossroads at Midnight by Abby Howard (KS3); Coraline by Neil Gaiman (KS3); Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo (KS3).

Win With World Book Day

If you are aged 13 years old and above, you have the opportunity to win books thorough the World Book Day website.  There are book bundles, signed books by authors and limited edition books.  If you are uncertain about the subject matter, please ask a parent or visit the library and Ms Taylor, Mrs Payne or Ms Lo can advise you.  Click here to win!

Calling KS5 Students….
Win a £250 Book Token

Simply click here to start the competition and be in with a chance to win – Good Luck!

The library staff wish you a happy Diwali.