Reading at Elthorne

At Elthorne, we are striving to create a vibrant reading community which embraces and engages all members of of our school community including our students, staff, parents, carers and families.

If you would like to find out more about our reading provision at Elthorne, please contact Ms A. Martino (Librarian).

Useful Reading Links During School Closure

We know that many of our students will want to carry on reading while schools are closed. We already have our own list of recommended reads but without access to the school library or public libraries, we have collated some more useful resources to help them keep reading.

Useful Links

What Are You Reading?

We really miss hearing your book chatter in the library so we're asking you to send in your book reviews and recommendations to us so we can see what you've been reading while the school is closed.

Fill in the form below and submit your review (200 words or less). Each week we'll choose the best review and the winner will receive a £20 Amazon voucher (to spend on more books obviously!). It's open to everyone so let's see which year group will submit the most! Go!

Book Review Competition Winners

Gallagher Girls Book Series, Ally Carter

Through the whole period of lockdown I have been reading the Gallagher Girls series of 6 books. It is an amazing collection of spy novels (that I have not been able to put down) about a girl called Cammie Morgan who goes to a boarding school for spies. With her three best friends Macey, Liz and Bex they go on many adventures and undercover missions. A spy's life is never easy, especially when you find out a highly elite spy gang are on the mission to kidnap you! And then as if things aren't bad enough already the girls find out that that their teacher who had been training them for their whole life is part of that very same gang...
I would recommend the Gallagher Girls series to anyone who likes adventures, mysteries and excitement!

Audrey, 7P

The Black Flamingo, Dean Atta

I really enjoyed this book. The fact that it is written in verse made it really quick and easy to read. It gives a powerful message and makes you really involved in the story with this character who is trying to find their identity and where they belong. I really liked how the book talked about more sensitive subjects such as sexuality, race and ethnic backgrounds. The characters were easily likeable and they all added something different to the story. You became really attached to the main character throughout the book and shared their emotions and triumphs. A really good read and I would give it 5/5.

Daisy M, 9T

Dark Matter trilogy by Teri Terry

Dystopian trilogy including Contagion, Deception and Evolution. Very interesting and a hard to put down book. A deadly virus sweeps across England and there are very few survivors. The people who survive the virus get special abilities including healing, mind reading and mind control. Noone understands why they survive and why it changes them. The government is scared of the survivors and kill them and send them to camps. Callie is missing and her brother, Kai, who is immune and Shay, who is a survivor, try to find her.
Will they find her?
Why do the survivors survive?
How many will die?

Cleo, 9E

The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman

I have recently read Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, which I think is one of the best series of books I have ever read. I then went on to read The Book of Dust-La Belle Sauvage (volume 1), which is set when Lyra is younger. This story is set in a world that seems not so different to ours, but in fact it differs in lots of unusual ways. Each person has a daemon, for example, which is an animal that represents part of their personality, that sticks with them their entire life. Not to mention the alethiometer, an instrument which tells its reader the truth...

Malcolm Polstead is a brave, clever 11-year old boy who works at his dad's inn, The Trout. When his town gets flooded, he must make a journey across the flood in his canoe, along with baby Lyra. They must escape from an evil killer, resulting in a long journey that will change both their lives forever.

I think that this is a must-read book, especially if you are bored in lockdown. It is action packed, super fun and a joy to read. Everyone will love this book and will find it almost impossible to put down!

Hana, 7R

First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton

Plot: Malory Towers is all about 9 girls starting at a new boarding school and making new friends. They also make many memories together by playing pranks on their teachers and even on each other. The main character is called Darrell Rivers and she is clearly an eager girl ready to learn, however, she has a bit of a temper and sometimes struggles to control it. The other girls are called Gwendoline, Sally, Alicia, Katherine, Mary-Lou, Irene, Jean and Emily. The girls enjoy playing sports and now and again even have midnight feasts. The girls all become good friends and its great been able to read about all of their ups and downs. This book is all about the friends learning to cope away from home without family, this is a story about growing up. What I liked about it: I liked that you never know what is going to happen next and it is mysterious. My favourite character was: Darrell Rivers. I like her because she has a bad temper but is nice on the inside. She just has to control her anger. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books about adventures and mysteries.

Ellie M, 7N

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a great book that you will not be able to put down! Pip Fitz-Amobi is an A-Level student who is investigating a murder case which closed five years ago!
The police had already found the murderer... or had they? Along the way Pip makes new friends and enemies. She lands herself in extreme danger and finds dark secrets about the victim, suspects, and her home town Little Kilton.
And how far will the real killer go from keeping Pip away from the truth?
This book is a fantastic book that you won't be able to put down! (I certainly couldn't!) And if you love this book, you can read the sequel 'Good Girl, Bad Blood'.

Bella V, 7R

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

This autobiography is honestly one of the most thought provoking texts you will read. Although it is a reasonably long book, it is most definitely worth reading even if it is over a longer time period. Mandela has managed to put all of his struggles and battles as well as his wins and successes into words that allow us as the reader to understand his life and the experiences he endured. This autobiography lets us understand his thoughts and beliefs and why he fought so hard to make his point heard and understood. He describes his journeys in detail giving his reasoning behind each journey and each stand that he made. This autobiography really emphasises the commitment of Nelson Mandela and his true passion. Although most people know about Martin Luther King Jr and his famous “I had a dream” speech and Nelson Mandela who went to jail for 27 years and Rosa Parks who refused to give up her seat on the bus, many people have given up their lives, time and efforts so that we can live the lives we live today.

Maicie E, 10P

Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima

The first of book of the 'Sea of Fertility' tetralogy does not disappoint. Written by Yukio Mishima, a nationalist at heart, his book comes fresh out of revolutionist Japan at the start of the 20th century, with a divided aristocracy and a changing elite. The book is a romance at heart but the author’s social and political ideals are also seen. Mishima being part of the 'Tatenokai' wanted the restoration of the Emperor's power which much like the monarch here in the U.K. was very little. This somewhat controversial ideology can be seen throughout the book that he has written where he looks into aspects of the Emperor's power. The whole book portrays a massive surreal experience of Japan and the way Mishima was brought up.
This series of books was his last and Spring Snow was released a year before his death. On the day of his death he and his group attempted to inspire a military coup which failed. Later that day he committed seppuku - a ritual death in Japanese culture in order to restore honour in their family name or themselves.
Spring Snow is the manifestation of Mishima's life and the book is reflects a lifetime of experience. This book isn't for everyone with its surreal and elegant language and almost poetic style. The book is for anyone with an interest in history, Japan and who likes a love story. This book is probably best for 14/15+. Best read under a tree in a park or nature reserve. A journey through the spiritual environment of Imperial Japan.

Raj P, 10R

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

I have been rather bored during this quarantine so I decided to read this book called Stargirl. It had been on my shelf for a while now, but I never had time to read it. Well, I was missing out! Stargirl is a romance novel based in America (Mica Area High School) and this story is unlike anything I have ever read. This story is about a typical high school where no one really stands out and people like it that way, until one day that all changes. Meet Stargirl, a goofy, kind, caring and fun extrovert. She rocks the school with her different way of living, but not everyone is liking it. This is narrated by a boy called Leo, who becomes fond of Stargirl and eventually falls for her. The story follows them through the ups and downs of their relationship and the struggles they have to encounter at their school.

I really enjoyed the book and I recommend it as it is short, fun and easy to read - perfect for escaping the boredom of "lockdown".

If you like this book, there is a sequel (called Love, Stargirl) as well as a movie.

Ruby W, 7P

Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Anne Frank: The Diary Of A Young Girl is the journal of a girl that starts on Anne's thirteenth birthday celebration (12 June 1942) when she gets a journal as a present from a friend. It recounts the narrative of her family who lived in Frankfurt, Germany and suddenly had to leave their home because of Hitler and the Nazi Party's treatment of the Jews in Europe during the second world war.

They needed to escape and go undercover in Amsterdam and Anne recorded her numerous encounters in the Annexe with her family and the Van Pels family, as well as her feelings during that troublesome time. I believe it's amazing because it's very descriptive and gives an excellent knowledge into what life was like for Jews at this time and that it was so difficult to be safe. I thought that it was motivational as it depicts the life of a teenager fighting for opportunity and freedom. Sadly, her journal stopped in August 1945, as the Annexe was discovered. As the family got split up, only Otto H Frank (her dad) survived the concentration camp.

Valentine S, 8O

The Other Side of The Truth by Beverly Naidoo

This is a great book if you want to follow the story of two brave refugees. It starts in Nigeria, Africa and shows some of the problems facing people in Africa. Sade and Femi's dad was a reporter who spoke the truth about the Nigerian government but this lead to them hating him. One unfortunate day their mother was shot dead when the bullet wasn't meant for her. Sade and Femi were illegally sent to London for a better life but London wasn't as good as they thought it would be. They faced many struggles. A book similar to this is The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q.Raúf.

Mia H, 8R

His Dark Materials (series) by Sir Philip Pullman

The series I have been reading is called His Dark Materials (consisting of three books; The Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass). Due to the current pandemic I think we all need an adventure book to get us through this somewhat boring quarantine... His Dark Materials has been the perfect series for this reason! It has been a great getaway from the news and worries of the pandemic! His Dark Materials has been the perfect distraction, and I have not put the book down since day one of the lockdown. The story depicts a scruffy little girl called Lyra and her coming of age story, however this is definitely no ordinary coming of age story. As Lyra battles the church and their desire to cut human beings from their souls, she befriends a strange boy called Will from a completely different world. Soon she learns a war is taking place, a war in which she must fight. Will Lyra and Will manage to take the right side before it’s too late?

The book takes place in many worlds very near, yet so far apart. Pullman’s writing style is philosophical and scientific due to personal interest, which may not appeal to everyone, but to those it does appeal to it is truly a casket of wonders. I believe the book could be read by children ages 13+ due to difficult philosophical themes and sophisticated language. Overall Pullman has created a whole universe with such delicate intricacy that I see no fault to it. To those who have previously read His Dark Materials I also recommend ‘The Book of Dust’ series also written by Pullman in which Lyra’s journey continues..

Jasmin S, 9H

World Book Day 2020 Winners

Thank you to all students who took part in the various activities that were part of our World Book Day celebrations throughout the week of March 2nd. We want to say a big congratulations to the winners of the Best Costume and Great Book Bake Off competitions. Well done everyone!

Patron of Reading

The Patron of Reading scheme is a grassroots initiative which over 200 schools in the UK now participate in. Our Patron is our school’s special designated author with whom we have formed a long-term personal attachment in order to increase the profile of reading for pleasure with pupils, parents and staff. They have helped us build on the initiatives already in place to create and positively influence a reading culture within our school.

Here at Elthorne, we are delighted to have Faye Bird as our Patron of Reading. If you would like to find out more about her or Patron of Reading, please contact Faye using her website.