RECOMMENDED READS
YEAR 6 – SEVEN GHOSTS
IF YOU’VE BEEN ENJOYING YOUR CLASS READ – YOU MAY LIKE THE FOLLOWING BOOKS AS WELL…
CORALINE BY NEIL GAIMAN
A MASTERFULLY CRAFTED TALE OF A GIRL WHO DISCOVERS A HIDDEN DOOR IN HER NEW HOME, LEADING HER TO A PARALLEL WORLD.
INITIALLY ENCHANTING, THIS WORLD REVEALS DARKER SECRETS, AND IT BECOMES A RACE AGAINST TIME FOR CORALINE TO ESCAPE AN EERIE FATE.
THE WITCHES BY ROALD DAHL
IN THIS THRILLING STORY, A YOUNG BOY ENCOUNTERS REAL WITCHES WHO DESPISE CHILDREN. WITH THE HELP OF HIS GRANDMOTHER, HE DEVISES A PLAN TO DEFEAT THEM AND SAVE THE WORLD'S CHILDREN FROM A SINISTER FATE.
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK BY NEIL GAIMAN
RAISED BY GHOSTS IN A GRAVEYARD, NOBODY OWENS HAS A LIFE UNLIKE ANY OTHER. AS HE NAVIGATES THE CHALLENGES OF GROWING UP WHILE AVOIDING A MYSTERIOUS DANGER FROM THE LIVING WORLD, THIS TALE EXAMINES THE THEMES OF BELONGING AND IDENTITY.
A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS: THE BAD BEGINNING BY LEMONY SNICKET
ORPHANED SIBLINGS EMBARK ON A QUEST TO DEFEAT THE EVIL
COUNT OLAF, WHO SEEKS THEIR FORTUNE. THIS DARKLY HUMOROUS SERIES OFFERS A BLEND OF ADVENTURE AND MISFORTUNE THAT WILL CAPTIVATE THOSE WHO ENJOY THE MACABRE.
THE SECRET GARDEN BY FRANCES HODGSON BURNETT
WHEN MARY LENNOX DISCOVERS A NEGLECTED GARDEN ON HER UNCLE'S ESTATE, SHE BEGINS TO UNLOCK ITS SECRETS WHILE TRANSFORMING HER OWN LIFE AND THOSE OF THE PEOPLE AROUND HER. THEMES OF HEALING AND FRIENDSHIP ARE WOVEN THROUGHOUT THIS CLASSIC TALE.
SPOOK’S APPRENTICE BY JOSEPH DELANEY
IN THIS SPINE-TINGLING ADVENTURE, YOUNG TOM WARD BECOMES AN APPRENTICE TO THE LOCAL SPOOK, WHO PROTECTS THE VILLAGE FROM MALEVOLENT SPIRITS AND CREATURES. AS HE FACES EERIE CHALLENGES, TOM LEARNS ABOUT BRAVERY, RESPONSIBILITY, AND DARK FORCES.
THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS BY SOPHIE ANDERSON
BASED ON SLAVIC FOLKLORE, THIS ENCHANTING STORY FOLLOWS MARINKA, WHO LONGS FOR A LIFE OF ADVENTURE DESPITE BEING BOUND TO HER MAGICAL HOUSE THAT MOVES ON CHICKEN LEGS. IT'S A HEARTWARMING TALE ABOUT FAMILY, DESTINY, AND FINDING ONE’S PATH.
GHOSTS BY RAINA TELGEMEIER
A GRAPHIC NOVEL THAT ADDRESSES THEMES OF FAMILY, ILLNESS, AND THE SWEET BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP. WHEN CATRINA AND HER FAMILY MOVE TO A COASTAL TOWN, THEY ENCOUNTER SPIRITS AND LEARN ABOUT ACCEPTING LIFE’S DIFFICULT REALITIES IN AN ENDEARING WAY.
THE LITTLE VAMPIRE BY ANGELA SOMMERBODENBURG
THIS STORY FOLLOWS THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG BOY AND A FRIENDLY YOUNG VAMPIRE. THEIR FRIENDSHIP LEADS TO WHIMSICAL ENCOUNTERS AND CHALLENGES USUAL VAMPIRE LORE WHILE EXPLORING THEMES OF ACCEPTANCE AND ADVENTURE.
THE NIGHT GARDENER BY TERRY AND ERIC FAN
A BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED STORY OF TWO SIBLINGS WHO ENCOUNTER A MYSTERIOUS GARDENER WHOSE MAGICAL ABILITIES TRANSFORM THEIR DREARY HOME. THIS TALE COMBINES ELEMENTS OF MYSTERY AND FANTASY IN A VISUALLY STUNNING FORMAT.
NEVERMOOR: THE TRIALS OF MORGAN CROW BY JESSICA TOWNSEND
MORGAN CROW IS CURSED TO DIE ON HER ELEVENTH BIRTHDAY BUT INSTEAD FINDS HERSELF WHISKED AWAY TO THE MAGICAL LAND OF NEVERMOOR. HERE, SHE MUST FACE CHALLENGES AND EMBRACE HER UNUSUAL GIFTS, PERFECT FOR FANS OF ENCHANTING STORIES.
THE WATERFIRE SAGA: THE CROWN OF EMBER BY JENNIFER DONNELLY
SET IN A WORLD OF MAGICAL SEA CREATURES, THIS THRILLING ADVENTURE FOLLOWS A GROUP OF FRIENDS ON A QUEST TO SAVE THEIR UNDERWATER KINGDOM. THE SERIES BEAUTIFULLY EXPLORES THEMES OF FRIENDSHIP AND BRAVERY AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF AN ENCHANTING FANTASY REALM.
MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN BY RANSOM RIGGS
THIS IS A HAUNTING TALE THAT FOLLOWS A BOY WHO DISCOVERS A MYSTERIOUS 'HOME' FOR CHILDREN WITH UNUSUAL ABILITIES. IT BLENDS FANTASY AND EERIE PHOTOGRAPHS, MAKING FOR A UNIQUELY INTRIGUING READ THAT FANS OF THE SUPERNATURAL WILL ADORE.
SKULDUGGERY PLEASANT BY DEREK LANDY
THIS WITTY AND THRILLING SERIES FOLLOWS A CLOAK-WEARING SKELETON DETECTIVE AS HE BATTLES DARK FORCES, ALONGSIDE HIS FRIEND STEPHANIE. PACKED WITH HUMOUR, ACTION, AND A TOUCH OF THE SUPERNATURAL, IT’S PERFECT FOR YOUNG READERS WHO ENJOY AN ADVENTUROUS GHOSTLY TOUCH.
YEAR 7 – A KIND OF SPARK
IF YOU’VE BEEN ENJOYING YOUR CLASS READ – YOU MAY LIKE THE FOLLOWING BOOKS AS WELL…
WONDER BY R.J. PALACIO
•AUGGIE PULLMAN IS A BOY WITH A FACIAL DIFFERENCE WHO ENTERS A MAINSTREAM SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME. THIS TOUCHING STORY OF KINDNESS AND ACCEPTANCE EXPLORES THE IMPACT OF BULLYING AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPATHY THROUGH AUGGIE’S EYES AND THOSE OF HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
THE LAST BEAR BY HANNAH GOLD
•SET ON A REMOTE ARCTIC ISLAND, THIS TALE FOLLOWS A YOUNG GIRL NAMED APRIL WHO ENCOUNTERS A POLAR BEAR IN NEED.
THIS ENCHANTING STORY BEAUTIFULLY CONVEYS THEMES OF FRIENDSHIP, CONSERVATION, AND THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, WHILE EMBRACING THE MAGIC OF CONNECTION BETWEEN HUMANS AND ANIMALS.
THE DAY I FELL INTO A FAIRYTALE BY BEN BAILEY SMITH
•WHEN A GIRL FINDS HERSELF TRAPPED IN A FAIRYTALE WORLD, SHE MUST NAVIGATE WHIMSICAL CHARACTERS AND UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES TO RETURN HOME. THIS INVENTIVE STORY IS FILLED WITH ADVENTURE AND IMAGINATION, PERFECT FOR THOSE WHO APPRECIATE A BLEND OF REALITY AND FANTASY.
THE CREAKERS BY TOM FLETCHER
•IN THIS IMAGINATIVE YET POIGNANT TALE, LUCY DISCOVERS A HIDDEN WORLD UNDER HER BED FILLED WITH MYSTERIOUS CREATURES WHO HAVE TAKEN ALL THE ADULTS AWAY. THIS STORY ENCOURAGES READERS TO CONFRONT THEIR FEARS AND SHOWCASES THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP AND BRAVERY.
SHOW US WHO YOU ARE BY ELLE MCNICOLL
•IN THIS THOUGHT-PROVOKING NOVEL BY THE SAME AUTHOR, A GIRL NAMED CORA FORMS A FRIENDSHIP WITH A BOY WHO HAS AN INTRIGUING SECRET ABOUT THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY. IT RAISES IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ABOUT ETHICS, IDENTITY, AND THE NUANCES OF HUMAN CONNECTION, ALL WHILE MAINTAINING A CAPTIVATING NARRATIVE.
THE HEN WHO DREAMED SHE COULD FLY BY SUN-MI HWANG
•THIS BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED TALE ABOUT A HEN NAMED SPROUT WHO LONGS FOR FREEDOM EXPLORES THEMES OF IDENTITY AND SELF-DISCOVERY. IT'S A GENTLE FABLE ABOUT CHASING YOUR DREAMS AND THE BONDS WE FORM IN UNEXPECTED PLACES.
THE PAPER & HEARTS SOCIETY BY LUCY POWRIE
•A GROUP OF FRIENDS FORM A SECRET BOOK CLUB, NAVIGATING THE HEARTACHE AND TRIUMPHS OF ADOLESCENCE. THIS CHARMING NOVEL SHOWCASES THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP, SELF-DISCOVERY, AND THE MAGIC FOUND IN LITERATURE, MAKING IT AN ENJOYABLE READ FOR ENTHUSIASTS OF HEARTFELT STORIES.
THE WILD ROBOT BY PETER BROWN
•AN ENGAGING TALE ABOUT A ROBOT NAMED ROZ WHO FINDS HERSELF STRANDED ON A REMOTE ISLAND. AS SHE LEARNS TO ADAPT TO HER NEW ENVIRONMENT AND MAKES FRIENDS WITH THE LOCAL WILDLIFE, THEMES OF BELONGING, COMMUNITY, AND UNDERSTANDING UNFOLD BEAUTIFULLY.
THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON BY KELLY BARNHILL
•A MAGICAL TALE ABOUT A YOUNG GIRL RAISED BY A WITCH IN A MYSTICAL FOREST, THIS NOVEL EXPLORES THEMES OF LOVE, SACRIFICE, AND MAGIC. IT'S A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN, ENCHANTING BOOK THAT WILL RESONATE WITH READERS WHO LOVE IMMERSIVE STORIES.
THE AMAZING EDIE ECKHART BY
HOLLY WEBB
•EDIE ECKHART IS A SPIRITED GIRL WHO TACKLES CHALLENGES WITH CREATIVITY AND DETERMINATION. THIS HEARTENING STORY REINFORCES THE VALUES OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND RESILIENCE, PERFECT FOR THOSE WHO APPRECIATE INSPIRING PROTAGONISTS.
THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND BY WILLIAM KAMKWAMBA
•AN INSPIRING TRUE STORY OF A MALAWIAN BOY WHO BUILDS A WIND TURBINE TO SAVE HIS VILLAGE FROM FAMINE. THIS POIGNANT NARRATIVE ENCOURAGES READERS TO DREAM BIG AND INNOVATE, ALL WHILE EXPLORING THE THEMES OF PERSEVERANCE AND CREATIVITY.
YEAR 8 – THE OUTSIDERS
IF YOU’VE BEEN ENJOYING YOUR CLASS READ – YOU MAY LIKE THE FOLLOWING BOOKS AS WELL…
THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
BY STEPHEN CHBOSKY
•A POIGNANT COMING-OF-AGE NOVEL THAT FOLLOWS CHARLIE, AN INTROVERTED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, AS HE NAVIGATES FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, AND THE COMPLEXITIES OF ADOLESCENCE.
THROUGH LETTERS TO AN ANONYMOUS FRIEND, CHARLIE'S JOURNEY REFLECTS BOTH THE STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS OF GROWING UP.
HATCHET BY GARY PAULSEN
•AFTER A PLANE CRASH LEAVES HIM STRANDED IN THE CANADIAN WILDERNESS, THIRTEEN-YEAR-OLD BRIAN MUST LEARN TO SURVIVE ON HIS OWN. THIS GRIPPING TALE OF RESILIENCE AND SELF-DISCOVERY CAPTURES THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STRUGGLES THAT DEFINE ONE'S CHARACTER.
THE HATE U GIVE BY ANGIE THOMAS
•INSPIRED BY THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT, THIS POWERFUL NOVEL FOLLOWS STARR CARTER, A TEENAGER WHO WITNESSES HER FRIEND’S FATAL SHOOTING BY A POLICEMAN. THE STORY
ADDRESSES RACIAL TENSION AND THE QUEST FOR JUSTICE, MAKING IT BOTH TIMELY AND IMPACTFUL.
THE GIVER BY LOIS LOWRY
•IN A SEEMINGLY UTOPIAN SOCIETY DEVOID OF PAIN AND SUFFERING, TWELVE-YEAR-OLD JONAS DISCOVERS THE DARK SECRETS BEHIND HIS COMMUNITY’S ENFORCED SAMENESS. THIS THOUGHT-PROVOKING STORY CHALLENGES PERCEPTIONS OF FREEDOM AND INDIVIDUALITY.
WONDER BY R.J. PALACIO
•A TOUCHING STORY ABOUT AUGGIE PULLMAN, A BOY WITH FACIAL DIFFERENCES WHO NAVIGATES THE CHALLENGES OF SCHOOL AND ACCEPTANCE. THIS NOVEL PROMOTES EMPATHY, KINDNESS, AND THE UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE SEEN FOR WHO THEY TRULY ARE.
NOUGHTS AND CROSSES BY MALORIE BLACKMAN
•IN AN ALTERNATE WORLD WHERE RACIAL ROLES ARE REVERSED, SEPHY, A CROSS, AND CALLUM, A NOUGHT, NAVIGATE LOVE AND DISCRIMINATION. THIS GRIPPING NOVEL EXPLORES THEMES OF SOCIETAL DIVISION AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY.
THE CHOCOLATE WAR BY ROBERT CORMIER
•THIS CONTROVERSIAL YET COMPELLING NOVEL FOLLOWS JERRY RENAULT, WHO REFUSES TO PARTAKE IN HIS SCHOOL'S CHOCOLATE SALE FUNDRAISER. HIS DEFIANCE AGAINST PEER PRESSURE LEADS TO SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES, ILLUSTRATING THE HARSH REALITIES OF ADOLESCENCE.
IF I STAY BY GAYLE FORMAN
•THIS EMOTIONALLY CHARGED NOVEL FOLLOWS MIA, A YOUNG GIRL WHO MUST MAKE A HEART-WRENCHING DECISION AFTER A TRAGIC ACCIDENT CHANGES HER LIFE. THEMES OF FAMILY, LOVE, AND THE FRAGILITY OF EXISTENCE ARE EXPLORED IN DEPTH.
THE BOOK THIEF BY MARKUS ZUSAK
•TOLD FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF DEATH, THIS NOVEL CENTRES ON LIESEL, A YOUNG GIRL IN NAZI GERMANY, WHO FINDS SOLACE IN STEALING BOOKS AND SHARING THEM WITH OTHERS. THE STORY POIGNANTLY SHOWCASES THE POWER OF WORDS AMIDST THE HORRORS OF WAR.
