International World Book Day

World Book Day is finally here! 📚🌏By now, we hope we have helped you find a good read for today, or any other day! However, if you are still looking for some more suggestions, here is Matt Dickinson with his final video as well as a wide range of go to books that our secondary students have been reading!
Here is Matt Dickinson's third and final instalment. We hope you all enjoy:

Book Day 2022

MATT DICKINSON'S TOP PICKS:

R. J. Palacio, 'Wonder'
Susan Akaas and Dr. Jacob Keggereis, 'Learn About Space and Planets'
Lisk Seng and Sangma Francis, 'Everest' (Flying Eye Books)
Alexandra Stewart and Joe Todd-Stanton, 'Everest'
Matt Dickinson, 'Popcorn-eating Squirrels Go Nuts on Everest' and 'Popcorn-Eating Squirrels Go Nuts with the Dinosaurs'

LET THE STUDENTS STACK YOUR SHELVES:

Including some of the books KS3 students recommend to each other and some choice recommendations from KS4 and KS5 too, here are more books for you to browse:

	*Radio Boy* by Christian O'Connell "The way this book starts off with "You're fired, Spike" is great because it hooks you from the very beginning. The thing that's interesting about Spike, the protagonist of this story, is that he is so young but he has learned how to use a radio and tech with ease. He is loyal and cares deeply for his friends, so it is a touching story. He also sets up a secret radio show to continue broadcasting after he gets fired which gets him into hot water! It is a gripping tale which shows us the importance of family and friends as we follow Spike as he is fired from the radio show and starts one from his garden shed!" *Top Choices Currently Being Read by KS3 (Year 7)*
	*The Explorer* by Katherine Rundell "What a great read! The book is set in the Amazon jungle and it is mainly about four completely dissimilar children who got lost in the jungle trying to find their way home after a plane crash. But when they decide to explore a little on the way, they find what even experienced and professional explorers couldn’t. Katherine Rundell is a favourite amongst many KS3 students. This book should be read by whoever likes adventure and thrilling stories as it gets you gripped by both the compelling story and how unexpectedly things change. Put it on your to-read list." *Top Choices Currently Being Read by KS3 (Year 7)*
	*Smile* by Raina Telgemeier "A graphic novel full of reality and a teen's troubles with both her teeth and life, this was an enjoyable read. After Girl Scouts one day, Raina has an accident while playing tag with her friends and she falls and severely injures her two front teeth. She has to keep getting braces on and off, surgery and she even needs to wear an embarrassing head gadget to school which people make fun of. All she wants to be is a normal middle school girl and fit in. It is both comical, touching and full of human realism as it was based on the author's own life. There are wonderful images accompanying the story and it is also a meaningful exploration about acceptance and change as a teenager." *Top Choices Currently Being Read by KS3 (Year 7)*
	*Time Travelling with a Hamster* by Ross Welford "This book is a joy to read as there is a great sense of mystery and a great build up, including features like a back story that is slowly brought in. The blurb definitely shocks you telling you how his dad dies twice and he was there for it the second time, and the book slowly unfolds more about this unusual science-fiction story. It is serious, fantastical and most importantly funny too. Al and his pet hamster, Alan Shearer, get into all sorts of trouble on their time-travelling mission. It is also great reading a book by an author that you have met as Ross Welford came to school to visit us as well." *Top Choices Currently Being Read by KS3 (Year 8)* *Editors note: You can read about Ross's visit to the school in our blog 'Absolute magic with Ross Welford visiting author'*
	*Girl. Boy. Sea.* by Chris Vick "Survival is the aim of the game. Two people from totally different worlds end up in a storm that wrecks their ships and leaves them stranded at sea. At first, the boy, Bill, is alone at sea but then he sees a Berber girl called Aya who is also clinging on for dear life. They are both stranded in the middle of the sea, and food and hope are both running out. It’s a really good book and you don’t know what to expect. Even when they seem rescued, there are other mysteries around the corner. I definitely recommend you read it." *Top Choices Currently Being Read by KS3 (Year 8)*
	'The Invisible Boy' by Alyssa Hollingsworth "Full of mystery and adventure, this is also a story about real issues in our world, like human trafficking. I really enjoyed the main character who at first thinks she knows a lot about the world even though she doesn't. However, by the end of the novel, her eyes have been opened. Nadia idolises Lois Lane and wants to be an amazing reporter, so she begins to investigate a mysterious boy in her neighbourhood who she suspects is a villain. But her neighbour Eli is far from being a villain. He needs help. But no one seems to be listening." *Top Choices Currently Being Read by KS3 (Year 8)*
	*Thorn* by Intisar Kahani "The story centres around Alyrra, a Princess unwanted and abused by her family, who is betrothed to the Prince of a land far richer than her own. Alyrra has reservations about the Prince and expects him to be as abusive and cruel as her own brother. However, a powerful sorceress offers her a way out but that path leads her to an alternative life but also the chance to save the life of someone she had thought she would hate. This book is full of twists in the plot which keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are very interesting and the way the author reveals each one of their motives and personality slowly adds to the mystery. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and also reading about real life issues." *Top Choices Currently Being Read by KS3 (Year 9)*
	'Noughts and Crosses' by Malorie Blackman "Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman is one of the best books about. It's a modern teen classic. It's a dystopian novel about racial conflict and the romance between two people who are kept apart. It is so full of both realistic human emotions and tense moments. Sephy is an intriguing character and I really want to find out what happens with Sephy and Callum. This novel has been enjoyed by both students and teachers - everyone who has picked it up!" *Top Choices Currently Being Read by KS3 (Year 9)*
	*Five Feet Apart* by Rachel Lippincott "This is a novel about two sick teenagers called Will and Stella. They are polar opposites - with one of them being completely organised and future-focused whilst the other is living in the moment. The one similarity they share is their illness. The story tracks their relationship with each other as well as the way they cope with their health, treatment and how it affects them and those around them. More than anything though, the way the author builds up from them being enemies to friends to lovers is one of the major draws of this book." *Top Choices Currently Being Read by KS3 (Year 9)*
	*War Cross* by Marie Lu "This dystopian novel would be great for anyone in KS3 or KS4; it’s set in a futuristic Japan following a talented girl who accidentally hacked into the biggest event of the year. This story is full of twists and turns with a cliffhanger that leaves you tearing your hair out of your head. The slow unfolding of the character's life leaves you speechless. If you also love the idea of a world with futuristic technology, this duology is 100% a must. " *Afrah - KS4*
	*The Cruel Prince* by Holly Black "For anyone who loves fantasy novels, you should definitely read The Cruel Prince. The world building isn’t too hard to grasp, which is usually difficult for fantasy books, so this book is DEFINITELY a must! It’s set in a fantastical world which is full of fae (short for faerie) next to the human world who are completely unaware of the fae.The story follows a human girl who was taken to the fae world; it caught my interest so quickly that I finished all 3 books in 4 days. I love all the plot twists, betrayals and character developments. Plus if you love enemies to lovers, this tale is one I would definitely recommend. " *Afrah - KS4*
	*The Outsider* by Albert Camus "I would recommend The Outsider by Albert Camus, to KS4 and 5 students - anyone else too, but it does ponder some pretty deep existentialist themes, which are very thought-provoking. The author originally wrote the book in French, and it is also published under the title ‘The Stranger’. The story follows a man called Meursault: when his mother dies, he refuses to show emotion, and his lack of remorse over a random act of violence in the second section of the novel makes him seem all the more guilty in the eyes of society and the law. As the title suggests, the story is a poignant exploration of the alienation of an individual unwilling to conform to social convention. It is one that raises more questions than it answers, but after having read it, I understand why it is seen as a true classic.” *Anna - KS5 (English Prefect)*