SLAV Online Book Club February 15th, 2024 – Books Worthy of Reconsideration

Our thanks to those who were able to join us for our SLAV online Book Club on Thursday February 15th, 2024, to discuss the topic: Books Worthy of Reconsideration. We asked members to share with us titles we may have forgotten or overlooked and as always, our members had so many wonderful contributions to share with us and we had a great deal of fun!

This was our first book club meeting for 2024, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who attend and contribute to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to see you all at our next meeting, your generosity is greatly appreciated. Find details about our next meeting HERE.

We absolutely encourage you to reach out to the wonderful Deb at The Younger Sun as an invaluable resource, for further information and recommendations. The staff at The Younger Sun are incredibly knowledgeable!

 Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Titles Discussed:

The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

Matilda by Roald Dahl

The Story Of Tom Brennan by J.C. Burke

Five Parts Dead by Tim Peglar

Wizard of Earthsea series by Ursulas Le Guin

Anne of Green Gables by Anne Montgomery

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

A Simple Gift by Steven Herrick

All the Green Year by Don Charlwood

Ash Road by Alan Marshall

Zeroes by Scot Westerfeld

Warhorse by Michael Morpurgo

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

The Bogan Mondrian by Steven Herrick

Simone Howells novels

Six Impossible Things by Fiona Wood

Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden

One by Sarah Crossan

Robert Muchamore’s Cherub Series

Screaming Staircase by Jonathon Stroud

Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman

Cath Crowley’s novels

Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo

Rick Riordan’s Various Series

Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Ruby in the Smoke by Phillip Pullman

Sally Lockhart Trilogy

Mr Monday Series by Garth Nix

Tamora Peirce’s novels

The Rangers Apprentice Series by John Flannagan

Spooks Apprentice by Joseph Delaney

Drac and the Gremlin by Alan Baille

Kate DiCamillo’s novels

The Famous Five and Secret Seven Series by Enid Blyton

I Am David by Ann Holm

The Long Walk by Kerry Greenwood

When We Were Two by Robert Newton

Twopence to Cross the Mersey by Helen Forrester

The Silver Sword by Ian Serailler

The Black Dog Gang by Robert Newton

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

Slightly True Story of Cedar B Hartley by Martine Murray

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

Fairytales for Wilde Girls by Allyse Near

Books Shared by Deb from The Younger Sun  

Outlaw Girls by Nova Weetman and Emily Gale

Lani and the Universe by Victoria Careless

Smoke and Mirrors by Barry Jonsberg

Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr

Eleanor Jones is not a Murderer by Amy Doak

Into the Mouth of a Wolf by Erin Gough

A Small Collection of Happiness by Zana Fraillon

Children’s and Young Adult Titles read over the break

Dana Swartz – Anatomy: A Love Story

Travellers Along the Way: a Robin Hood remix by Aminah Mae Safi

Rebels of Mt Buffalo by Helen Edwards

The Frugal Wizards Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms (graphic novel)

Vanessa Len -Never A Hero

Holly by Stephen King

Adult Titles discussed

What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

(Bronwen Ch’Ng)

Holly by Stephen King

Madukka the River Serpent by Julie Janson

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt,

The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

The Vanishing of Margaret Small by Neil Alexander

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doeer

Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton

Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

Gender Queer: A Memoir A graphic Novel about the complexities of gender identity

Circe by Madeline Miller

The Benevolent Society of Ill-mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Lisa Evans The Unusual Abduction of Avery Conifer

Helen Dunmore Zennor in Darkness

Philippa Gregory Normal Women

Barbara Kinsolver Demon Copperhead

Paul McCartney Lyrics.

Gunflower by Laura Jean McKay

We Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith

Vital Organs by Suzie Edge

SLAV Online Book Club – November 12th, 2023 – Short Stories and Short Books.

Our thanks to those who were able to join us for our SLAV online Book Club on Thursday November 12th, 2023, to discuss the topic: Short Stories and Short Books. We asked members to share short story collections or short books that work well with their students. As always, our members had so many wonderful contributions to share with us and we had a great deal of fun!

This was our final book club meeting for 2023, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who have attended and contributed to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to see you all next year, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

We absolutely encourage you to reach out to the wonderful Jenny at The Younger Sun as an invaluable resource, for further information and recommendations. The staff at The Younger Sun are incredibly knowledgeable!

 Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Titles Discussed

The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick

The Little Wave by Pip Harry

Life on the Refrigerator Door: a Novel in Notes by Alice Kuipers

Foster by Claire Keegan

Alice Oseman’s Novellas

Minutes Of Series by Jack Heath

Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link

M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman

Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock.

Only the Animals by Ceridwen Dovey

I Am the Mau and Other Stories by Chemutai Glashee

Dust Makers – edited by Penny Jaye and R.A. Stephens

Off the Map by Scott Gardner

Things a Map Won’t Show You and Where the Shoreline Used to Be Edited by Susan La Marca and Pam McIntyre

Poe’s “Fall of the House of Usher”

Astonishingly Good Stories by R.A. Spratt

YOLO Juliet by Brett Wright and William Shakespeare

Darcy Swipes Left by Courtney Carbone and Jane Austen

OMG classics

All in an Hour by Kate Chopin.

The Pink Bow Tie by Paul Jennings

The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury

The Butler by Roald Dahl

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Bulletcatcher series by Chris Bradford the Mission Alert series by Benjamin Hulme-Cross

The Defenders series by Tom Palmer (sport)

Needle by Patrice Lawrence (realistic fiction)

Firebird by Elizabeth Wein (war)

Conkers series by Tom Palmer (war)

Aussie Nibbles of course for primary…have been re-issued as they were so successful. One title that was a bestseller for some reason, was “No Cat and that’s that” by Bruce Dawe illustrated by Andrew McLean.

The Saturday Portraits – Maxine Beneba Clarke

Tim Harris’ Exploding Endings have been amazing hook books for upper primary at my school.

Smart Ovens for Lonely People – Elizabeth Tan

The Mist by Stephen king

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Unbreakable, Women share stories of resilience and Hope. Edited by Jane Caro.

The Big Issue Presents Letter to my Younger self by Jane Graham

Jon Scieszka – https://jonscieszka.com › guys-read – Commissioned and edited by real-life literature legend Jon Scieszka, Guys Read: True Stories is a brain-bending collection of essays, biographies, how-to guides …

Other Short Collections – Growing up Wiradjuri / ed. by Anita Heiss.

Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia

Growing Up Muslim in Australia

Growing Up Disabled in Australia

Growing Up African in Australia

Growing Up Queer in Australia

Quick Adult/YA Reads for Secondary Students

Disclaimer – some of the books on this list contain complex adult themes, we trust you to use your discretion when stocking these titles in your library, as you know your students and your school community best.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote

We Have Always Lived In The Castle by Shirley Jackson

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

Sula by Toni Morrison

My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide, Eric Selland

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Train Dreams by Denis Johnson

Crudo by Olivia Laing

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, Ginny Tapley Takemori

Crimson by Niviaq Korneliussen, Anna Halager

A Pale View of Hills by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Incendiaries by R. O. Kwon

Indelicacy by Amina Cain

Dolores by Lauren Aimee Curtis

Strange Hotel by Eimear McBride

Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami, Louise Heal Kawai, Jo Walker

The Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker

The Death of Francis Bacon by Max Porter

Pizza Girl by Jean Kyoung Frazier

The Union of Synchronised Swimmers by Cristina Sandu

Night Blue by Angela O’Keeffe

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

A Dream Life by Claire Messud

People From My Neighbourhood by Hiromi Kawakami (Y), Ted Goossen

The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-Eun, Lizzie Buehler

Heatwave by Victor Jestin

A Girl Returned by Donatella Di Pietrantonio, Ann Goldstein

Nostalgia Has Ruined My Life by Zarah Butcher-McGunnigle

Winter In Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin

Heaven by Mieko Kawakami, Sam Bett, David Boyd

My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley

Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au

Burntcoat by Sarah Hall

A Slipping Down Life by Anne Tyler

Leaving the Atocha Station by Ben Lerner (Y)

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

Napoleon’s Beekeeper by José Luis de Juan, Elizabeth Bryer

Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss

ADULT – What We Have Been Reading

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Women and Children by Tony Birch

Question 7 by Richard Flanagan

The Empty Honour Board by Martin Flanagan

Exiles by Jane Harper

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

So Late in the Day: Stories of Men and Women – Clare Keegan

All That’s Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

‘The Inaugural meeting of the Fairvale book club’ – Sophie Green.

Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton

The Librarianist by Patrick Dewitt

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

All the Light we cannot See by Anthony Doer

Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang

SLAV Online Book Club – October 12th, 2023 – Promotional Tactics.

Our thanks to those who were able to join us for our SLAV online Book Club on Thursday October 12th, 2023, to discuss the topic: Promotional Tactics. We asked members to consider promotional ideas or tactics – the way they talk about a book to students, the display they create, the activity they have created for an English class or book club, the tantalising review they have shared. We asked members to come along prepared to share quick and easy tactics for promoting a particular title, author or a genre that your students just cannot resist!

This was a HUGE success, and we have a fabulous resource of ideas from our chat space below and a padlet full of ideas and images as a result. All our members had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, it is greatly appreciated! Join us again on November 16th to discuss the topic – Short Books and Short Stories.

This was our seventh book club meeting for 2023, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who have attended and contributed to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to see you at our next meeting, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

You can see our full list of planned topics for 2023 HERE.

We absolutely encourage you to reach out to the wonderful Jenny at The Younger Sun as an invaluable resource, for further information and recommendations. The staff at The Younger Sun are incredibly knowledgeable!

Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Ideas for Promotional tactics shared by Book Club Members

Padlet with Jenny’s list and other ideas too –

https://padlet.com/slavconnects/jenny-s-list-new-books-october-23-dvxcazitbl4w4q65

https://padlet.com/slavconnects/cornerstone-collection-slav-online-book-club-7m4pi39ziamyy07n

  • Banned Book Week – I do banned book week. and do a survey to see who reads banned books.
  • I follow @greatlibrarydisplays on Instagram. They recently showcased a library display that suggested titles according to a reader’s perception of their concentration span. I thought that validated those who only want to engage with quick reads, right beside those who love a tome.
  • Mainly compiling Reading Lists in ePlatform collection to engage staff and students with ebooks and audiobooks. Range of themes, including the current and topical – First Nations; Harmony Week; ANZAC Day; International Women’s Day etc. – https://vsv.eplatform.co/
  • What could be the story you’d like to write or read about? What’s your outline for a story or novel:
  • Identity:Could it be that you seek Identity and wanting to find your place in the world in young adult literature? Readers as seeking to find themselves in stories. Readers want to relate to a story. Writers continue to create relatable stories. What are some of the stories or novels which relate to you? The following are a list of Lebanese Australian authors and some of the books they have written for young people: Bro by Helen Chebatte, The Cult of Romance, Hate is Such a Strong Word by Sarah Ayoub, The F Team by Rawa Arja, Half My Luck by Kamaleddine, Samera, Huda and Me by Hayek, H, The Last Migration by Jad El Hage, 10 Things I Hate About Me by Abdel-Fattah, Randa, Huda and Me by H. Hayek
  • We have just had a display – You’ve seen the movie… now read the book!
  • I have also done a couple of different shelf displays for genre (pictures shared on padlet)
  • Our students love browsing non-fiction.
  • Yes, our English class also agreed to come in once a fortnight, English team very supportive. We read aloud a few minutes to them as well. For our (English) reading classes, we have split the 29 students into 2 (or sometimes 3) groups, so they are with their English teacher for one activity, and with library tls/staff for the other time – rotate every 15 or 20 mins.
  • It seems to cut down behavioural problems and enable more personal interaction, though it is very fast paced. I agree – the boys will read if they think it’s the right book for them. We have flexible learning spaces where the groups can be.
  • I have also done a genre vote each other vote. I use forms, then select two most borrowed books in that genre here is a link. https://forms.gle/F3jftrcwwJhYrvtL9
  • We also used short stories to read aloud to our boys’ secondary students, and the VATE (English site) has short story competition winners. Some picture books/poems work well.
  • https://www.vate.org.au/story-miniature-2023-writing-competition
  • https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsqH2f94jPThlTtNT2ej1R8Wp8-pbLjiGjIRcF9FuMRQBQ7w/viewform?usp=sf_link
  • We use Beanstack Yr 7 & 8 – we call it reading detectives
  • I use forms for a lot of surveys and quizzes as well as paper based within the library
  • I ran an “escape room” set of puzzles during book week.
  • I work in an early childhood school, I use book taster circles to expose students to range of books.
  • For creating a buzz about literacy and books, for secondary students and for staff – lots of ideas on https://janeaustenlf.org/ Founded by Caroline Jane Knight, Jane Austen’s fifth great-niece, the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation is a Melbourne-based, not-for-profit organisation – includes a great writing competition
  • CBCA Shadow Judging, they can become published reviewers as well.
  • I used the FYI / synergy book (building a reading culture) to write a proposal for the executive as to different ways that we can get our students reading. I used data to say our student weren’t reading and that we needed to dramatically change our student’s mindset about reading. I now have all Year 7 come to the library once a fortnight to try and encourage them to read. I always do something promotional at the beginning to get their interest – book trailers, reading the blurb. We do a book tasting (Teachers pay teachers have all the sheets to print) once a term. Have been buying books that will suit the students. Change displays regularly to promote books. Have a competition between English classes to see who can borrow the most books for pizza party.
  • The Printz Award in America is also a possibility if you want to take them beyond Australian shores.
  • We challenge our students with the Premiers Reading Challenge while they attend once a week Library Class and at the end of Year we have an Awards and invite local MP .
  • Do a PowerPoint presentation during lunches. I did one where used emojis to help explain the mood of the book.
  • Poem Forest by Red Room Poetry gets them reading student poem compositions and is a way of encouraging published writing from students.
  • Author talks have helped.
  • Peer reviews on school library website/catalogue to engage students with books. We run “Biscuits and Books”once a week.
  • Shelftalkers if they would like peer reviews, and/ or become published reviewers themselves https://www.shelftalkers.slav.vic.edu.au/
  • ‘Speed dating’ is great around Library Lovers’ Day. ‘Speed tasting’ when MasterChef kicks off. 2 minutes per book then circle the ‘matching emoji’ for their reaction/feel. e.g. smiley face with love heart eyes = My new favourite, and so on. Or, delicious, is there more in the pot? etc… Simple but effective.
  • I start with a class challenge for PRC first student submitting the required form and adding online from their class receive a block of chocolate and everyone after that chocolates are always give out. Chocolate is the attraction.
  • Bookmarks printed with a pic of the teacher at the top of the bookmark – we then ask them to put the bookmark in a book they have read / would like to recommend – the kids enjoy searching out the teachers faces and seeing what they like.
  • We have a list of staff’s favourites on a web page. The bookmarks take it to the next level.
  • For Primary schools – YABBA Virtual Author Events – https://www.yabba.org.au/
  • SLAV Question Generator – https://slav.org.au/Question-Generator can be used to create question stems for book discussion in book clubs or classes.
  • Author talks. We had Steven Herrick and Sophie Masson visit us this year.
  • Flip cards – we have a set for a topic of interest – kids like them.
  • We do an emoji treasure hunt for year 7s at the beginning of the year. This gives them a chance to look around library and get to know what is where.
  • A couple of our library staff have a trolley of popular and easy read books ready for each reading session, so that students who are overwhelmed by too much choice, simply pick from the trolley. We also have a customized trolley of books for our Gifted class.
  • Lucky dip titles – if you don’t know what to read take a slip with the title of book for student to look for and read.
  • Photos of students holding their favourite book as a kid and the one they’re currently reading, to promote reading progression and embracing a reading culture across one’s lifetime.
  • Laminated book suggestion cards
  • During the Covid years we used our school portal as a place for students in years 7 and 8 to record their reading, their reflections on their reading some reviews of books they’d read and to read the reviews of others. This was a great way to give students voice and to encourage peer recommendations.
  • Kids lit quiz – website link on padlet

What We Are Reading – Adult Titles.

Yellowface by RF Kuang

The Passage of Love by Alex Miller

A Man’s Place by Annie Ernaux

A Study in drowning by Ava Reid & The Thursday Murder Club #4

Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan – book 2 in the Cormac Reilly series

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The Milkwood Permaculture Living Handbook: Habits for Hope in a Changing World

The Coast by Dr Eleanor Sweetapple story of a 10yr old placed in quarantine for leprosy in Sydney

I’ve just started Wifedom: Mrs Orwell’s Invisible Life by Anna Funder.

The Unbelieved by Vikki Petraitis – really incredible strong female protagonist, crime fiction.

Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

A People’s tragedy the Russian revolution by Orlando Figes

Kate Atkinson – Normal Rules don’t apply (Short stories)

 

 

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club – August 8th, 2023 – Fantasy.

Our thanks to those who were able to join us for our SLAV online Book Club on Wednesday August 8th, 2023, to discuss the topic: Fantasy.

We absolutely encourage you to reach out to the wonderful Jenny at The Younger Sun as an invaluable resource in this area, for further information and recommendations. The staff at The Younger Sun are incredibly knowledgeable!

As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated. Join us again on September 7th, 2023, to discuss the topic ‘New Adult’.

This was our fifth book club meeting for 2023, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who have attended and contributed to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to see you at our next meeting, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

 

You can see our full list of planned topics for 2023 HERE.

Download Jenny’s List HERE 

Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Books Discussed:

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher

The Prison Healer Series by Lynette Noni

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

The Rook by Daniel O’Malley

Uprooted, and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

The House by the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Wayward Children series – starts with Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

Dreadnought duology – trans rep – by April Daniels

Belgariad by David Eddings

Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Dark Heir by CS Pacat

Kaldoras by Lynette Noni

Lightlark by Alex Aster

Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz by Garth Nix

We Who Hunt the Hollow Series by Kate Murray

Archives of Despair by Caleb Finn

Crook Haven – The Forgotten Maze by J.J. Arcanjo

Mermedusa by Thomas Taylor

Percy Jackson – The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

Murtagh by Christopher Paolini

City of Dragons by Garth Nix

Which Way Round the Galaxy by Cressida Cowell

The Lonely Lighthouse of Elston Fright by Reece Carter

The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown

Deadlands Series – Trapped by Skye Melki-Wegner

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas

The Fragile Threads of power by VE Schwab

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare

The Near Witch by VE Schwab

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Tithe by Holly Black

Alan Garner – Weirdstone of Brisingamen; Moon of Gomrath; Owl Service; Red Shift

Susan Cooper – Dark is Rising Series

Diana Wynne-Jones – All of her books!

Rampant Series by Diana Peterfreund

A Thousand Ships by Natalie Hayes

Stoneblind by Natalie Hayes

The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin

The Call by Peadar Ó Guilín

Burning Midnight by Will McIntosh

Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeve

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Stephanie Garber – Caraval

Blade Breaker by Kierstan White

Terry Pratchett – all of his books!

The Whispering Dark by Kelly Andrew

Sing Me To Sleep by Gabi Burton

A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass

Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald

The Mirror Visitor Series by Christelle Dabos

Strike the Zither by Joan He

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

Gilded/Cursed by Marissa Meyer

Little Thieves by Margaret Owen. The second book in the series just released – Painted Devils

Big Magic by Sarah Armstrong

Keeper of the Lost Cities Series by Shannon Messenger

The Realm Breaker Victoria Aveyard

The Atlas Six Series by Olive Blake

The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Lightfall Graphic Novel Series by Tim Probert

Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

Disney Twisted Tales

Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle Katherine Webber

Hedgewitch/Woodwitch by Skye McKenna

The Sun & the Star by Rick Riordan

Skandar Series by A F Steadman

Elementals Series by Amie Kaufman

Spellstone by Ross Montgomery

Jane Doe Series by Jeremy Lachlan

Wylah Series by Jordan Gould

Dragon Masters by Tracey West

The Winterish Girl by Melanie La Brooy

Lore Olympus Graphic Novel series by Rachel Smythe

Spellstone by Ross Montgomery

Spellhound by Lian Tanner

Nick Blake and the Remarkables by Angie Thomas

The Witch Boy Graphic Novel Series by Molly Ostertag

The Girl From The Sea GN by Molly Knox Ostertag

The Left-handed Booksellers of London Series by Garth Nix

The Witch Hat Atelier Series by Kamome Shirahama

Amari and the Night Brothers series by B. B. Alston

The Wind on the Moon by Eric Linklater

Adult – What We are Reading

Looking Glass Sound by Catriona Ward

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Bored Gay Werewolf by Tony Santorella

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss

Gentleman Bastard by Scott Lynch

Kate Daniels / Ilona Andrews

The Unbelieved by Vikki Petraitis

Scattered Minds by Gabor Maté

 

 

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club – June 15th, 2023 – Fiction to Enrich Curriculum Areas.

Our thanks to those who were able to join us for our SLAV online Book Club on Thursday June 15th, 2023, to discuss the topic: Fiction that enriches a curriculum area. Fiction related to a curriculum area can enrich a student or a teacher’s understanding. What fiction explores, explains or develops the readers insight into an area – history, science, art – there are lots of possibilities. Both Tye and Jenny focussed on General Capabilities for this meeting, but if you need more suggestions, we absolutely encourage you to reach out to Jenny at The Younger Sun as an invaluable resource in this area.

As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated. We were also delighted to be joined, once again, by the fabulous and knowledgeable Jenny from The Younger Sun Bookshop in Yarraville. This was our fourth book club meeting for 2023, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who have attended and contributed to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to see you at our next meeting, your generosity is greatly appreciated.

You can see our full list of planned topics for 2023 HERE.

Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

 General Capabilities – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures

Jenny’s List

Tye’s List

VSV Reading – First Nations: Language and story – https://vsv.eplatform.co/browse/compilation/20317

VSV Reading – First Nations: Language and story – Younger readers

Includes picture books –

https://vsv.eplatform.co/browse/compilation/20316

Beautiful books by Auntie Fay, Auntie Joy & Auntie Patsy with Sue Lawson

Magabala Books – Indigenous Publisher

Nadia Wheatley’s classic My place was updated to include pre-colonial history and 1967 referendum and has a ABC tv series to supplement.

Uncle Xbox by Jared Thomas has also been popular.

Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia

Amazing authors to read –

Oliver Phommavanh

Alice Pung

Gabrielle Wang

Dragon Keeper Series by Carole Wilkinson

Tiger Daughter by Rebecca Lim

Tokyo Ever After – Emiko Jean

The Magic Fish – Trung Le Nguyen

Six Crimson Cranes – Elizabeth Lin

To All the Boys I’ve Loved (series) Jenny Han

Iron Widow – Xiran Jay Zhao

Strike the Zither – Joan He

This Time It’s Real – Ann Liang

Only A Monster – Vanessa Len

Catfish Rolling – Clara Kumagai

The Ones We’re Meant To Find – Joan He

VSV Reading – Harmony Week (Younger readers) – https://vsv.eplatform.co/browse/compilation/22484

The Red Palace by June Hur- Historical mystery thriller.

This Time it’s Real by Ann Liang- A fake romance turned real.

Front desk by Kelly Yang- Middle fiction- Realistic fiction- now a series.

Sustainability

Jenny’s List

Tye’s List

VSV Reading – Our world and environment – https://vsv.eplatform.co/browse/compilation/24919

The Sky So Heavy – Claire Zorn

The Callers – Kiah Thomas

The Last Wild – Piers Torday

The Dark Wild – Piers Torday

The Wild Before – Piers Torday

The Wild Beyond – Piers Torday

Wind Riders (series) – Jen Marlin

Polar Bear Patrol – Jess Butterworth

The Adventure Club – Jess Butterworth

The Orphan Orangutan – Jess Butterworth

Polly Pecorino – Emma Chichester Clark

The Wild Robot – Peter Brown

The One & Only Ruby – Katherine Applegate

The Letterbox Tree – Rebecca Lim/Kate Gordon

Dear Greta – Yvette Poshoglian

The Orchard Underground – Mat Larkin

Devils In Danger – Samantha Wheeler

The Good Times of Pelican Rise – Samone Amba

The Last Bear – Hannah Gold

The Lost Whale – Hannah Gold

Humanities and Social Sciences

Tye’s List

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club May 17th, 2023 – Horror.

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our Wednesday May 17th online book club meeting to discuss the topic: Horror. We asked – What constitutes horror? Why does it work? Is it just shock value (look at what I am reading!) or are these stories that truly resonate? When is it just too much for young readers?

As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated. We were also delighted to be joined, once again, by the fabulous and knowledgeable Jenny from The Younger Sun Bookshop in Yarraville.

This was our third book club meeting for 2023, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who have attended and contributed to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to see you at our next meeting!

You can see our full list of planned topics for 2023 HERE.

Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Classic Horror – recommended for secondary students

Cujo by Stephen King

Carrie by Stephen King

The Shining by Stephen King

It by Stephen King

Pet Sematary by Stephen King

The Rats by James Herbert

Lair by James Herbert

Domain by James Herbert

The Magic Cottage by James Herbert

The Fog by James Herbert

The Dark by James Herbert

The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Rawblood by Catriona Ward

Little Eve by Catriona Ward

Sundial by Catriona Ward

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

Sandman by Neil Gaiman (graphic novel fantasy horror)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Brightly List – 13 Frightfully Good YA Horror Novels

Brightly List – Surefire YA Scares:

18 of the Best Teen Horror Books

What We All Saw by Mike Lucas

The Enemy Series by Charlie Higson

The Hazel Wood Book 1 by Melissa Albert

Horror Manga

Junji Ito

The Promised Neverland by Kaiu Shirai, Posuka Demizu (Illustrator)

Jenny from The Younger Sun recommends

Full list for download

Upper Primary

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

The Witching Hour Series by Jack Henseleit

Goosebumps by R.L Stine

Into the Pit – Five Nights at Freddy’s Fazbear Frights Book 1 by Scott Cawthon, Elley Cooper

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Adult Books – What We Are Reading

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah – Squid Game meets The Handmaid’s Tale in THE new dystopian novel of summer 2023

Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater – the instant Sunday Times bestseller. The debut suspense thriller of 2023 that you don’t want to miss!

Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson

The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams

We Could Be Something by Will Kostakis

Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club – March 22nd, 2023 – Graphic Novels.

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our Wednesday March 22 online book club meeting to discuss the topic: Graphic Novels.

Graphic novels offer so much – award winning, artistic, meaningful they are a broad and inviting genre but they can also be confronting and culturally inappropriate.

We asked – What are the best and what are the worst to be avoided? Where do you source them?Where are they kept in your library?

As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

We were also delighted to be joined, once again, by the fabulous and knowledgeable, Jenny from The Younger Sun Bookshop in Yarraville.

This was our second book club meeting for 2023, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who have attended and contributed to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to see you at our next meeting! You can see our full list of planned topics for 2023 HERE.

 Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Books Discussed

Seance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

Percy Jackson Series graphic novels by Rick Riordan

The Arrival by Shaun Tan (in small format)

Bloom by Kevin Panetta and Savanna Ganucheau

Hoops by Matt Tavares

Leon the Extraordinary by Jamar Nicholas

Friendly Bee and Friends by Sean E Avery

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Katie the Catsitter by Colleen A.F. Venable

Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Cat on the Run series by Aaron Blabey  (Coming September 2023)

In Waves by AJ Dungo

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka

Jarretts’ TED Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/jarrett_j_krosoczka_how_a_boy_became_an_artist?language=en

Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Underground by Mirranda Burton

Kent State by Derf Backderf (both treat Vietnam War themes).

Any graphic novel versions of classics such as 1984, Animal Farm, Jane Austen adaptations, Dracula, Frankenstein, Shakespeare.

Chippy Chasers by Sam Cotton

Sad Ghost Club series by Lize Meddings

Year 10s at my school study Long Way Down (we have it for 7/8s in our MS) – the verse novel version.

Muhammad Najeen War Reporter by Muhammad Najeen

Welcome to St Hell by Lewis Hancox

Holocaust by Dolan Hugh

This Was Our Pact by Ryan Andrews

Sheets and Delicates by Brenna Thummler

Wicked things by John Allison- a 19-year-old detective who is framed for murder.

Tiny Dancer by Siena Cherson Siegela story about a young dancer who struggles with body image and mental health.

Making Friends series by Kristen Gudsnuk- the secondary girls have been loving this series. The books are never on the shelves.

One Year at Ellesmere by Faith Erin Hicks- a story about a 13-year-old student struggling to fit in at a posh boarding school, when she wins a scholarship.

Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson (and friends) series- A solid middle grade read. Similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the drawings and text are mixed. It makes for a very easy read, but deals with issues which middle-grade students may start to have.

Go With The Flow by Karen Schneemann, Lily Williams

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

WARRIORS by Erin Hunter graphic novel series

ALL Raina Telgemeier graphic novels

Tokyo Ghoul series by Sui Ishida

Click, Camp, Act, Crunch  by Kayla Miller

Furball series by Adrian Beck

Secret Mole series by James Foley

Brobot series with Sally Tinker Inc.

Catwad by Jim Benton

Kate and Jol Temple – The Under Dogs series is great!

Wings Of Fire by Tui Sutherland – graphic novel series

Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi

Alex Rider series graphic novels by Anthony Horowitz

Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin – graphic novel series

Adult books – What We Are Reading

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

Red Queen by Juan Gomex-Jurado

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

The Running Club by Ali Lowe

The Sinister Booksellers of Bath by Garth Nix

Limberlost by Robbie Arnott

Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist

The Rise of Wolves by Kerr Thomson

Running Full Tilt by Michael Currinder

Chessboxer by Stephen Davies

Two Steps Forward by Graeme Simsion and Anne Buist

Helpful Links / Further Resources

ComicsPlus https://comicsplusapp.com/

Graphic Novel list by

Jenny Kiely – Schools Specialist at The Younger Sun Bookshop, Yarraville.

 

 

 

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club – February 16th, 2023 – Book to Film Adaptations

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our February 16th, 2023 online book club meeting to discuss books that have been made into films. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

We were also delighted to be joined by Jenny from The Younger Sun Bookshop in Yarraville. The Younger Sun have created a beautiful window (pictured above) to celebrate our first book club meeting!

Jenny’s List can be downloaded here. 

Reinas’ Lesson Plan can be downloaded here – Lesson 13- Books into Movies

This was our first book club meeting for 2023, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who have attended and contributed to these informal and informative meetings.

We cannot wait to see you at our next meeting! You can see our full list of planned topics for 2023 HERE.

Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

TOPIC – Books that are Films

Book to film or film to book this is a popular genre that includes many tried and true titles.  Often an accessible option for reluctant readers the film tie can help readers visualise the action.  What titles have worked for you?  What move tie-ins have disappointed?  What books would you like to see made into a film?

Books Discussed

Blueback by Tim Winton

The Bad Guys by Aaaron Blabey

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula  Le Guin

Lockwood & Co. by Johnathan Stroud

Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer

His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman- great TV adaptation via Binge

A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Shadow & Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi

Clueless the Movie for Emma by Jane Austen

Holes by Louis Sachar

Dune by Frank Herbert

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Hogfather by Terry Pratchett

Dungeons & Dragons Series

Anne with An E television series for Anne of Green Gables by Montgomery

Little Women by Alcott

Charlottes Web by E.B White

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Barnes

The Amazing Maurice by Terry Pratchett

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendack

Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall Series

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis

The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

NEW MOVIE ADAPTATIONS – Coming Soon

Wonka

Peter Pan and Wendy

The Magicians Elephant

Percy Jackson TV Series

Eragon – 2024

Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Goosebumps TV Series

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Wicked by Gregory McGuire

Heartstopper Season 2

Shadow and Bone season two

Ready Player Two

The Silo Series

Whitebird

The Messenger

One Piece is coming out as series on Netflix.

Nimona coming out as a movie, but might not be this year.

The White Girl by Tony Birch

What We Are Reading – Adult Books

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Limberlost by Robbie Arnott

The Offing by Benjamin Myers

Cairo by Chris Wormersley

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge (YA)

Weywood by Emilia Hart

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr and Bodies of Light by Jennifer Down

A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman

Encyclopedia of  Fairies by Emily Wild

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

Philippa Gregory’s Dawnlands which is the third in the Tidelands about First Nations people in

The Seed Keeper by Diane Wison.

Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks

The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

Burial Rites and The Good People by Hannah Kent

True North by Catherine Deveny

We Who Hunt the Hollow by Kate Murray (YA)

The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams

Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au

SLAV Online Book Club – November 17th, 2022 – Sport

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our November 17th, 2022, online book club meeting to discuss sport titles. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

This was our last book club meeting for 2022, and we want to say a very special thank you to all who have attended and contributed to these informal and informative meetings. We cannot wait to share the Topics we have planned for 2023 and look forward to welcoming you all back to SLAV Online Book club next year!

Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Titles Discussed

Existing lists on the internet and at Readings

https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/book-lists/fab-football-books-for-children/

https://www.readings.com.au/collections/books-for-sporty-kids

Little Ash by Ash Barty – junior fiction series

Sam Kerr Series by Sam Kerr and Fiona Harris

Game Day Series by Patty Mills

Specky Magee Series by Felice Arena and Gary Lyon

AFL Little Legends by Nicole Hayes and Adrian Beck

As Fast As I Can by Penny Tangey

Diary of a Soccer Star Series by Shamini Flint

Boss Ladies of Sport by Philip Marsden

Foul Play Series by Tom Palmer (soccer and crime)

My Spare Heart by Jared Thomas – basketball

Grace On Court & Grace Back On Court by Maddy Proud – netball

Mike Lupica has written a number of American sport novels.

Take the Shot by Sue Whiting

Elsewhere Girls by Nova Weetman and Emily Gale

Wizenard Series by Kobe Bryant

The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant

Felice Arena’s Sporty Kids series

The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan by Felice Arena

Ultimate Football Heroes by Mike Oldfield

Bouncing Back by Scott Ostler

The Crossover by Alex Kwaeme

Eddie Betts Biography

Sport Titles Published by Barrington Stoke– for students with dyslexia or difficulty reading

Game Changer by John Hickman

Pitch Invasion by Tom Palmer

Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli

The F Team by Rawah Arja

Shoe Dog A Memoir by the creator of Nike, Phil Knight

Review for The Hard Way https://www.shelftalkers.slav.vic.edu.au/review/the-hard-way/

The Boys Club, power and politics and the AFL.

Bios – Soul Surfer by Bethany Hamilton and Layne Beachley – Beneath the Waves

All In by Billie Jean King

Andrew Jobling, does school visits about goal setting etc and has published a few books for adults.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/DWY/who-was

Chessboxer by Stephen Davies

Sports Beat Mysteries by John Feinstein

Kick by Mitch Johnson

Little People, Big Dreams Series

Japarrika Rises by Tiwi College Students

The Selwood Boys by Tony Wilson and the Selwoods

Kicking Goals by Adam Goodes and Anita Heiss

The Jammer by Nova Weetman

Boy 21 by Matthew Quick

ADULT – What We Are Reading

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Mr. Carver’s Whale by Lyn Hughes

Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

A Kind of Magic by Anna Spargo Ryan

Different, Not Less by Chloe Hayden

SLAV Online Book Club – October 13th, 2022 – Climate and Environment

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our October 13th, 2022, online book club meeting to discuss fiction and non-fiction titles that address the topic Climate and Environment. We asked – either in fact or explored in fiction, the environment and climate are issues of significance. What texts are of interest to your young readers as they grapple with these issues? As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

This was our seventh book club meeting for 2022, and we look forward to chatting with you again at our next meeting on Thursday November 17th, 2022, to discuss the topic of Sports. Read more and register for SLAV Online Book Club HERE

 Disclaimer: The lists generated as a result of Book Club discussions are not, by any means, an exhaustive list of all titles or authors for each genre/category discussed. Nor will all titles be suitable for all libraries. We advise staff discretion when referencing these lists, to properly confirm individual title suitability for individual libraries, school and student’s needs. These are suggested titles only, shared by our members and inclusion on, or exclusion from, a list does not suggest SLAV endorsement or rejection of a title.

Padlet of Further Book Lists and Articles

Titles Discussed

Bindi by Kirli Saunders

If Not Us by Mark Smith

How to Spell Catastrophe by Fiona Wood

The Dry by Neal Shusterman

Green Valentine by Lili Wilkinson

Future Girl by Asphyxia

The Dog Runner by Bren MacDibble

Across the Risen Sea by Bren MacDibble

How to Bee by Bren MacDibble

The Road to Winter by Mark Smith

After the Lights Go Out by Lilli Wilkinson

The Raven’s Song by Zana Fraillon & Bren MacDibble

Zero O’clock by Christopher Fairly

Bailey Finch Takes a Stand by Ingrid Laguna

Ghost Species by James Bradley

Mammoth by Chris Flynn

The Declaration by Gemma Malley

Saving Seal by Diane Jackson Hill

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy

The River and the Book by Alison Croggon

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

The Glad Shout by Alice Robinson

Wolfe Island by Lucy Treloar

 

What We Are Reading

Devotion by Hannah Kent

The Spy’s Wife by Fiona McIntosh

The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennet

Glory by No Violet Bulawayo

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

We Need New Names by No Violet Bulawayo

The Third Witch by Jackie French

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

Sugar Town Queens by Malla Nunn (YA)