Summer Reading List 2011
At this term's Parents' Evenings there seemed to be unanimous agreement that a small selection of books which had to be read over the course of the Summer Holidays would be both instructive and helpful.
I have tried to come up with a selection which is age appropriate (though this in itself is difficult with a wide range of age and ability) and sufficiently thought-provoking for parents to consider reading the books themselves and discussing them with their sons.
The books may form part of our English teaching next year, so it will be useful if boys could return to school with their own copies in September.
Next Year's Form 4 (this year's 3X and 3Y)
Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver
Piercy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Silverfin by Charlie Higson
Next Year's Form 5 (this year's 4th Form)
Face by Benjamin Zephaniah
Boy Overboard by Morris Gleitzman
Goodnight, Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian
Next Year's Form 6 (this year's Remove and 5th Form)
The topic for the Studied Literature Paper in Common Entrance 2012 is 'Conflict' and this has guided my choice.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Buddy by Nigel Hinton
Remembrance by Theresa Breslin
Summer Holiday Reading List for current Remove/Form 5.
As last year, several parents asked for some suggestions for Summer Holiday reading at the Parents Evening. Tastes vary, of course, as do levels of comprehension and reading speed, but I hope your sons might enjoy one or more of the following. I have deliberately avoided the well-known names, or those which are regularly taken out of the School Library, and based on recommendations and research they all seem both suitable for this age group and reasonably thought-provoking. I must confess I have only read the last one in the list thus far, so I would encourage parents to read reviews on line (with their sons) before ordering from Amazon or rushing to Waterstones.
It would be very useful if boys returned to school with copies of any of these they may have read over the holidays. I will credit their Pelican Bank accounts if they are in good condition and they are prepared to sell them to us!
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
A teenage boy is the only survivor of a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness………..nail-biting.
Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Based on a true World War 2 story when paintings from the National Gallery were hidden in a remote Welsh mining village…….very funny.
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
The struggles of a blind American teenager coming to terms with a new life and an evil brother….thought-provoking.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Fast-moving Science Fiction. Topped the best-seller lists for young adults in US. For those who get into it, there are sequels - 'Catching Fire' and 'Mockingjay'…not classic literature but a very good read.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Set in Nazi Germany, but with themes and issues that are just as relevant today…….a good one for parents to read too!