Over Easter You Could be Reading ....

For Early Years

That is My Dream! by Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes's inspiring and timeless message of pride, joy, and the dream of a better life is brilliantly and beautifully interpreted in Daniel Miyares's gorgeous artwork.

Follow one African-American boy through the course of his day as the harsh reality of segregation and racial prejudice comes into vivid focus. But the boy dreams of a different life--one full of freedom, hope, and wild possibility, where he can fling his arms wide in the face of the sun.
Hughes's powerful vision, brought joyously to life by Daniel Miyares, is as relevant--and necessary--today as when it was first written.

Burglar Bill by Allan Ahlberg

Who's that creeping down the street? Who's that climbing up the wall? Who's that coming through the window? Who's that? ... It's Burglar Bill.

Burglar Bill lives all by himself in a tall house full of stolen property. Every night (after eating his stolen fish and chips) he goes out to work... stealing things.

But one day, Burglar Bill steals something very unexpected indeed!

For Lower School

Once Upon a Mermaid’s Tale by Beatrice Blue

Theodore has a little boat and a big passion: collecting fish. He loves nothing better than discovering a new fish for his collection. But one day, he finds something he's never seen before: a tiny creature in a beautiful shell. Ignoring the voice that tells him to leave her alone, he takes her home, but in a tank she gets weaker and weaker. Can Theodore learn that the creature belongs in the ocean, before it's too late?

What Happened to You? by James Catchpole

What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off?

Every time Joe goes out the questions are the same . . . what happened to his leg? But is this even a question Joe has to answer?

A ground-breaking, funny story that helps children understand what it might feel like to be seen as different.

For Middle School

Wrath by Marcus Sedgwick

This Barrington Stokes novella by award winning Marcus Sedgwick is a short sharp tale exploring teen relationships in Covid times. It’s the first story set in the last two years that I have come across. Climate fiction through teenage eyes. Meaningful, powerful, wonderful. I really enjoyed this short book. Just enough tension and emotion without becoming maudlin. Also deals with an interesting issue that we know little about.

A Head Full of Everything by Gavin Oattes

Welcome to life. Teenage life. The most awkward 7 years you'll ever have; 84 months of change, 364 weeks of weird and 2,555 days of scrolling and inconvenience. In the grand scheme of life, it's not a lot. Unless you're an actual teenager, in which case, it's EVERYTHING!

A Head Full of Everything demonstrates that being a teenager doesn't have to suck. And when it does, there's some cool things you can do to make it suck a little less. This book will challenge you to embrace your inner weird, to never grow up, be true to yourself, protect your mental health and be sure that for your 7 glorious teenage years, you act your age. Literally.

Bestselling author, award-winning comedian and international keynote speaker, Gavin Oattes has written a personal development title for teens with a difference - there's no waffle, no dad chat, no fluff. Full of hilarious, real-life inspiration and a few crazy ideas along the way, A Head Full of Everything will leave you feeling motivated, energised and reassured that nobody has life all figured out. - Bookshop.org

Upper School

Tsunami Girl by Julian Sedgwick and Chie Kutsuwada

This is a unique novel. Part prose part manga, the story is set in Japan at the time of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. It follows the story of Yuki who is trying to determine who she is amidst the catastrophic events happening around her. Shortlisted for the Carnegie Book Award 2022.

Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin

A truly amazing read. Set in Ireland in 2016. A time when we thought the troubles had ceased. Aiden is beaten up by a gang of protestant boys. Iona and her brother Andy witness this attack and a story follows of how these young folk deal with their emotions and beliefs. A complicated and emotional read but well worth it! This is also shortlisted for the Carnegie Book Award 2022

For Parents and Staff

Still Life by Sarah Winman

An epic tale of love lost and found. Two strangers share an unforgettable evening in a wine cellar in Italy in 1944. There paths almost cross on so many occasions. The novel criss-crosses between London and Florence. The words revealing wonderful descriptions of art, life and Italy. A terrific read.

‘Big hearted, sweeping and full of unforgettable characters. (Blurb)