'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio

Is it normal to feel very nervous before starting secondary school. Reading stories about kids going through the same thing can be a great way to put those fears at ease. Most kids love the funny tales of Greg Heffley's adventures at his new school in the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series' but what other books cover the same ground?

'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio is such a story which deals with starting a new school, being different to other kids and how a boy overcomes these things.  The book has become a sensation, inspiring kids and adults around the world.

Read the Goodreads review here. Interested?  if so click here to read a sample chapter from the novel.  Enjoy!

by Ms O'Shea

Preparing for Year 7

Preparing for Year 7... Reading!

Year 6's are known for their enthusiastic attitude towards reading however in Year 7 students sometimes decide that they do not like reading anymore.  What are some good ways way to ensure that your kids keep reading over the summer?

1) Books to try before year 7

Click on the link above.  These are some of the most popular library books with Year 7's at Highlands School. Has your child read any of the books on this list?  It might be an idea for your child to choose some to read over the summer.  The books are really quite good so maybe you could pick one to read too.  Try my list Fun Books that get kids into reading if your child is a very reluctant reader.

2)  Enfield Libraries

I would advise that if your child isn't already a member of Enfield libraries that you consider joining them up.  It's totally free and they have 17 branches in the borough.  Not only do they have great book stock and events for teenagers they also have free online resources for homework and an e-book platform.

3) Borrowing E-books

An added benefit of being a library member is that you can borrow free e-books for your kids using their e-lending sytem Overdrive.  You can read using your phone, tablet, Nook e-reader or Kobo.  Instructions for how to download are on the website, all you need to get started is yourt Enfield library membership number.

4) Summer Reading Challenge

Local libraries are also running a Summer Reading Challenge for the under 13's.  There are plenty of interesting books on the list and they are all available at local libraries. 

National Bookmark Competition 2014

"We are looking for your best bookmarks!"

Some beautiful bookmarks by 7BSD

The National Book Token company are running a Design a Bookmark competition!  Highlands School Library will be sending off some of the best entries which our talented Year 7 and 8's created in their library lessons before the end of term.

Winners of the competition will be in with the chance of wining £250 worth of book vouchers for themselves, the school library and their teachers too and there are also some good prizes for runners up.  Hopefully we are in with a good chance of winning as the standard is so high.

Three lucky students will also have their design turned into a bookmark for the library.  It is going to be really difficult to decide on a winner!

by

Ms O'Shea 

Carnegie Shortlist 2014

The Carnegie medal is a unique and long-standing book award awarded annually to outstanding and orignal young people's literature.  Several titles are nominated and a panel of librarians choose the overall winners of the award. However there is a large input by children around the country who read the books in their school library and vote for their own choices on the Carnegie shadowing website.  It is an important book award as it is often teenager's first experience of shadowing a shortlist of critically chosen literature.  A recent study by the Open University into the Carnegie Award found that it had many benefits for students particularly in relation to broadening student's minds.

This year at Highlands School we will be reading the shortlist with our Tuesday book club and encouraging Year 8's to attend.

This years shortlist is below.  You can read reviews and samples of the book by clicking here on the Highlands School Pinterest account.  Which ones would you like to read?

CILIP Carnegie Medal 2014 shortlist:

• All the Truth That's in Me by Julie Berry (Templar)
• The Bunker Diary by Kevin Brooks (Puffin)
• The Child's Elephant by Rachel Campbell-Johnston (David Fickling Books)
• Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper (Bodley Head)
• Blood Family by Anne Fine (Doubleday)
• Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell (Faber & Faber)
• Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead (Andersen Press)
• The Wall by William Sutcliffe (Bloomsbury)