SLAV Online Book Club – October 10th 2024 – Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction

Our thanks to those who were able to join us for our SLAV online Book Club on Thursday October 10th, 2024, to discuss the topic: Historical Fiction.

We asked our members to share their favorite Historical Fiction books. Contributed titles are split into Picture Books, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, and Adult Fiction.

Many thanks to Deb at The Younger Sun  who is an invaluable resource, providing many recommendations. The staff at The Younger Sun are incredibly knowledgeable, and would be happy to help you with any book-buying needs!

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.

Picture Books

Shearer by Neridah McMullin, Michael Tomkins.

Alfred’s War by Rachel Bin Salleh

Freedom Day : Vincent Lingiari and the story of he Wave Hill walk-off by Rosie Smiler, Thomas Mayor, Samantha Campbell.

Eat My Dust! By Neridah McMullin, Lucia Masciullo

Drover by Neriday McMullin, Sarah Anthony

Tearaway Coach by Neriday McMullin, Andrew McLean

The Hidden Hat by Phil Cummings, Jennifer Goldsmith

Votes for women! : The story of Nelly, Rose and Mary by Mark Wilson

Home by Karen Hendriks, Alisa Knatko

One Minute’s Silence by David Metzenthen, Michael Camilleri

Middle Grade

The Midwatch by Judith Rossell

11 Ruby Road : 1900 by Charlotte Barkla

11 Ruby Road : 1925 by Charlotte Barkla

Wolf Road by Alice Roberts

We Are Wolves by Katrina Nannestad

Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief by Katrina Nannestad

The Houdini Inheritance by Emma Carroll

Marion and the forty thieves by Sarah Luke

Tigg and the Bandicoot Bushranger by Jackie French

Playing Beatie Bow by Ruth Park

When the war came home by Lesley Parr

The key to Rome by Sophie Masson

Yoko’s Diary edited by Paul Ham

The boy who stepped through time by Anna Ciddor

The great escape by Felice Arena

Our castle by the sea by Lucy Strange

Showerland series by Nat Amoore

Freedom Finders series by Emily Conolan (choose your own destiny books)

Runner by Robert Newton

Forgotten Pearl by Belinda Murrell

The I Survived graphic novel series

The Unstoppable Flying Flanagan by Felice Arena (plus other Felice Arena books)

The Wearing of the Green by Claire Saxby

Jackie French books

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase  by Joan Aiken

Our Australian Girls series

Do You Dare series

My Australian Stories series

My Story series

My Royal Story series

The Royal Diaries series

Princess series

Outlaw Girls by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman

Elsewhere Girls by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman

The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindy Thompson

Deadly Waters by Helen Chapman

Escape from East Berlin by Andy Marino

The Mud Puddlers by Pamela Rushby

Pony by R.J. Palacio

Until the Road Ends by Phil Earle

Michael Morpurgo books

Miss Penny Dreadful series by Allison Rushby

Murder Most Unladylike series by Robin Stevens

Father of the Lost Boys – Young Readers Edition by Yuot A.  Alaak

Young Adult

Silver Linings by Katrina Nannestad

Waiting for the storks by Katrina Nannestad

All the beautiful things by Katrina Nannestad

I must betray you by Ruta Sepetys

Dragonfly Song by Wendy Orr

Levithian trilogy by Scott Westerfield

Westfallen by Ann Brashares

The Breadwinner series by Deborah Ellis

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

The War I finally won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Every Falling Star by Sungju Lee

Ground Zero by Allan Gratz

Grenade by Allan Gratz

Refugee by Allan Gratz

Hero by Allan Gratz

Prisoner B-3087 by Allan Gratz

Allies by Allan Gratz

Code of Honour by Allan Gratz

Tattooist of Auschwitz (YA Edition) by Heather Morris

The Pagan Chronicles series by Catherine Jinks

The Once series by Morris Gleitzman

Suzy Zail books

Ruta Sepetys books

When we flew away by Alice Hoffman

Two sparrowhawks in a lonely sky by Rebecca Lim

Yours From the Tower by Sally  Nicholls

Stateless by Elizabeth Wein

1914 by Sophie Masson

52 Mondays by Anna Ciddor

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen

Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet

The Divine Wind by Garry Disher

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

Freedom ride by Sue Lawson

Freedom Swimmer by Wai Chim

Haywire by Claire Saxby

Interned by Pamela Rushby

Those Girls by Pamela Rushby

Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen

Our race for Reconciliation by Anita Heiss

Through My Eyes – Natural Disaster Zones series

Through My Eyes – Australian Disaster Zones series

One by One They Disappear by Mike Lucas

A Cruel Twist of Fate by H. F.  Askwith

The Lady Helen series by Alison Goodman

Senior Fiction

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Juice by Tim Winton

The island of missing trees by Elif Shafak

There are rivers in the sky by Elif Shafak

The Prophet song by Paul Lynch

The one hundred year old man who climbed out of the window by Jonas Jonasson

Our London Lives by Christine Dwyer Hickey

The Narrow Land by Christine Dwyer Hickey

There are rivers in the sky by Elif Shafak

10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak

At the foot of the cherry tree by Allie Parker

Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran

The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley

Books by Kristin Hannah

Books by Fiona McIntosh

James by Percival Everett

Rapture by Emily Maguire

Cafe Scheherazade by Arnold Zable

The Kite Runner by Khaled  Hosseini

Dirrayawadha: Rise Up by Anita Heiss

Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray: River of Dreams by Anita Heiss

Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms by Anita Heiss

The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Meet Me at the Moontree by Shivaun Plozza – Ideas for Classrooms by Prue Bon

For those of you who attended the October 26 Reading Forum, you may understand why I was eager to read Shivaun Plozza’s latest young adult novel, “Meet Me at the Moon Tree”. We were privileged to be able to hear Shivaun speak about her inspiration for this novel, and I have to honestly say that I was excited about the potential for including this text in the curriculum.

Meet Me at the Moon Tree” is a beautiful exploration of grief and relationships: how grief can present differently in everyone, and how important all types of relationships are to being able to manage one’s grief. When Carina’s father dies from cancer, her mother moves the family to the Otway Ranges as both a fresh start and a way of remembering their patriarch. Carina has made a promise to her father, to search for the Moon Tree that he has told her will be in the forest behind their new home. But Carina’s family are struggling in the face of their grief – her mother and brother are angry, Carina is lonely and her Grandpa is doing his best to help them all.

This is a special title for a Teacher Librarian, because there is just so much in it that can be used to support teaching and learning, and the more I searched through the curriculum, the more I was able to find. With a focus on ‘healthy relationships’ and also how grief can affect everyone differently, it’s an obvious choice to match some of the Health curriculum. However, Carina’s passion for dendrology, and her scientific approach to finding the Moon Tree also makes it suitable for some areas of Science. It covers off the Personal and Social General Capability, and it works well for an exploration of Sustainability, under the Cross Curriculum Priorities. Check out the table below for some ideas as to how you could use excerpts of this wonderful novel in your curriculum planning. You can also find teacher’s notes on the UQP website (https://www.uqp.com.au/books/meet-me-at-the-moon-tree).

This novel would be suitable for students in Years 5-8. It should come with a box of tissues – for students who have experienced the loss of a loved one, they may find themselves connecting closely with Carina, and perhaps shedding a few tears. However, this a truly beautiful story, with some incredible messages about friendship and never giving up hope.

 

Curriculum area Matching plot and curriculum Possible activities
Level 5 & 6 Science

 

VCSSU074

Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment

 

VCSSU075

The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment

 

The plot is based around the ‘moon tree’ – an experiment from 1971 when hundreds of tree seeds were sent into space in order to understand how being in zero gravity might affect them once they were planted back on Earth.

 

 

Students can research the original experiment and present their findings.

 

Students could identify a range of environmental conditions that may affect the growth of seedlings. They could then replicate the experiment based on their own hypothesis and observe the growth of their own seedling (for example, how might heating or cooling a seedling affect its growth?)

Level 7 & 8 Science

 

VCSSU091

There are differences within and between groups of organisms; classification helps organise this diversity

 

Carina refers to herself as a ‘dendrologist’ and conducts a logical experiment to classify all of the trees that she finds in the forest while searching for the moon tree. Students could reproduce Carina’s experiment within an area of the school yard, searching for a specific tree and identifying and classifying others that they come across in their search.
Level 7 & 8 Health

 

VCHPEP126

Investigate and select strategies to promote health, safety and wellbeing

 

Carina’s family are dealing with the grief that results from the death of her father, from cancer.

Carina’s grandpa has also moved in with the family due to his diagnosis of Parkinson’s.

Students can research and present their findings on the services available for managing grief, dealing with a diagnosis, specifically considering cancer or Parkinson’s. They could evaluate which options are most appropriate for Carina’s family.
Level 5 & 6 Health

 

VCHPEP110

Examine the influence of emotional responses on behaviour, relationships and health and wellbeing

 

Each member of Carina’s family attempts to manage their grief in different ways – Carina remains positive and wants to create ‘memory seeds’ of her father, her mother withdraws and her brother becomes angry.

 

Students can examine the differences in each character’s reactions and how they affect the family dynamics. Through a series of hypothetical scenarios, students could identify how the individual behaviours affect others, and their own wellbeing and present ideas of how each character could be better supported.
Level 7 & 8 Health

 

VCHPEP127

Investigate the benefits of relationships and examine their impact on their own and others’ health and wellbeing

 

VCHPEP128

Analyse factors that influence emotions, and develop strategies to demonstrate empathy and sensitivity

 

 

Carina is concerned about making friends after she has moved. She recalls her ‘old’ friends, and how the relationship changes due to distance. When she meets a new friend, she is worried that Betty will be bored by Carina’s interest in trees. Grandpa helps Carina to see that friendships can be a bit like ‘companion planting’ in a garden and that you just need to find the companion that works best for you. Students can explore the relationships that occur throughout the novel, creating a mind map that identifies the different relationships.

They could explore the idea of ‘companion planting’ and analyse how that could relate to their own lives, helping them to make appropriate connections between their own relationships.

Level 5 & 6 Personal & Social Capability

 

VCPSCSE025

Explore the links between their emotions and their behaviour

 

VCPSCSE027

Describe what it means to be confident, adaptable and persistent and why these attributes are important in dealing with new or challenging situations

 

VCPSCO031

Describe the characteristics of respectful relationships and suggest ways that respectful relationships can be achieved.

 

 

Carina and her family have a number of ‘every day’ situations that need to be managed, and many of their decisions are influenced by their grief.

–       Moving house

–       Making new friends

–       Managing anger & grief

–       Staying resilient in the face of surrounding negativity

–       Over protective parents

–       Getting lost in a forest in the middle of a storm

–       Looking after a pet

–       Being brave and speaking up

 

 

Students can be presented with the range of different scenarios that occur throughout the novel, and examine how each of the character’s deal with those situations, and how their actions affect the others around them.

 

They can evaluate which responses work and which don’t and identify a range of ways that they may be able to apply those reactions to their own lives.

 

They could write their own scenarios and identify how they think their ‘characters’ should behave.

 

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 – 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 – 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 September 8th 2022 – LGBTQI Books

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our book club meeting to discuss titles and strategies for displaying LGBTQI Books in school libraries. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

This was our sixth book club meeting for 2022, and we look forward to chatting with you again at our next meeting on October 13th to discuss the topic – Climate / Environment Focus. 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?

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 students 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.

 Articles

Attwell, V. (2021). “In all areas, I cater to the majority”: An investigation of LGBT+ provision in school libraries from the librarian’s perspective. Synergy, 19(1). Retrieved from https://slav.vic.edu.au/index.php/Synergy/article/view/492

Byrne, C. (2021). Mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors: LGBTIQA+ perspectives. Synergy, 19(2). Retrieved from https://slav.vic.edu.au/index.php/Synergy/article/view/530

Day, N. (2019). Windows and mirrors: visibility and representation in Australian LGBTQIA+ YA fiction. Synergy, 17(1). Retrieved from https://slav.vic.edu.au/index.php/Synergy/article/view/v171196

Discussion in chat about display ideas in school libraries

  • Popular LGBTQI+ books in our high school library. They have a rainbow spine sticker and searchable subject codes.
  • any ideas on whether we should identify books by a genre sticker or in a reading list…seems to be mixed ideas. Is consulting our rainbow group at school enough?
  • I have purchased a rainbow sticker but I haven’t used them yet as I believe that some of the students at my school would feel victimised about reading LGBTQI+
  • I told my junior campus colleagues to read holden shepherd as I felt it was too graphic for yrs 7&8
  • We place the rainbow sticker inside the book on the date due slip or back cover of the book
  • Sorry I don’t have microphone or camera today… Our ‘Pride Group’ meet every Tuesday in our meeting room and I show them new books I have purchased and/or they suggest titles to me.  When I was generifying I also consulted them about where to place the rainbow stickers – inside back cover with another genre sticker on spine for second subject.  I also add LGBTQI+ as a subject/genre in the catalogue
  • We don’t use rainbow stickers – our student parliament didn’t like that idea when we asked their opinion. We do have reading lists and do lots of displays around the various LGBTQI+ events throughout the year.
  • I made a libguide 🙂 https://libguides.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au/c.php?g=942347&p=6823320 and we do displays of rainbow stories pretty regularly
  • Our books are interspersed within our generified collection (obviously with appropriate subject headings and tags) and we do displays to highlight titles as well. I bought stickers (which I was thinking I would put inside the back cover; I remember it was mentioned in a previous book club) but I have not got there yet…
  • Today we have just put up a ‘Diversity’ display which the students have put together – covering not only LGBTQI but also neurodiversity –
  • I’m making sure I have plenty of queer titles as eBooks – all boys’ school so some of the boys are more comfortable borrowing online rather than in person sadly.
  • Back to earlier discussion: We consulted with our LGBTQIA+ club as to how they wanted our books displayed and how they could best access them. We trialled several different ways of presenting the books, including stickers, displays for special days & a stand-alone collection as well as some multiple copies interspersed. We have lists on our OPAC as well.

Links to Lists and Resources

Hi Everyone, sorry joining late, here is a link to our Course Reserve of some books in our middle (secondary ) collection (am at K-12 scl may be of interest https://bialik.on.worldcat.org/courseReserves/course/id/17526105

thinking of ebooks /eAudio you may like to check out EPIC Books – teachers can sign up for free and can share books with students https://www.getepic.com/app/search

Readings https://www.readings.com.au/collection/lgbtqia-books-for-teens

Diverse Book Finder https://diversebookfinder.org/content/lgbtq/

New Yorker Article https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-education/lgbt-books-kids-ban

Buzzfeed List of upcoming 2022 books https://www.buzzfeed.com/dahliaadler/new-lgbtq-young-adult-books-summer-2022

Titles Discussed

Graphic novels:

Heartstopper Series (obviously 😊 )

Kiss Number 8 – Colleen AF Venable

Séance tea party – Reimena Yee

Bloom – Kevin Panetta

Mooncakes – Suzanne Walker

Snapdragon – Kat Leyh

Verse novels:

The Black Flamingo – Dean Atta

Other fiction we love:

Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire (#1 Every Heart a Doorway) – yr 9 and up

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell – Tobias Madden

The First Third by Will Kostakis

The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis

Dancing Barefoot by Alice Boyle

We Could Be Something – Will Kostakis COMING May 2023

The House by the Cerulean Sea – TJ Klune

Heatwave by TJ Klune

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Where You Left Us by Rhiannon Wilde

Aristotle & Dante. Film adaptation produced by Lin Manual coming out soon.

Lost Soul be at Peace by Maggie Thrash (senior graphic novel)

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson. A memoir manifesto about growing up black and queer

Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

I Kissed Sarah Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Cinderella is Dead by Kaylnn Bayron

This Poison Heart by Kaylynn Bayron

This Wicked Fate by Kaylynn Bayron

Highway Bodies by Alison Evans has Horror/ Zombies and LBTQI

Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland – zombies and lgbtqi

The Comediennes Guide to Pride by Haley Thompson

What We Are Reading

The Marriage Portrait – Maggie O’Farrell

Here Be Leviathans – Chris Flynn

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch

The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves

Indira Naidoo’s The Space Between the Stars

The Dictionary of Lost Words – Pip Williams

Legitimate Sexpectations – Katrin Marson

 Sources for Reliable Reviews

Goodreads lists

Novelist – I found a public library that subscribes to Novelist so I don’t have to pay

Readings Monthly and Website

Common Sense Media (although sometimes with a grain of salt)

Read Plus

Oz Print

Magpies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club – August 10th 2022 – Reluctant Readers

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our book club meeting to discuss titles and strategies for engaging Reluctant Readers. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated. This topic has been one of our most popular book club meetings and our third discussion on this subject. It was wonderful to engage with new recommendations, revisit old favourites and consider strategies that help school libraries support their reluctant readers.

This was our fifth book club meeting for 2022, and we look forward to chatting with you again at our next meeting on September 8th to discuss the topic LGBTQI+ titles. We will discuss across all age groups which texts are working well for those wishing to engage with LGBTQI+ experiences? How are these texts positioned in your school library to support and bolster inclusion?

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 students 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 that have been adapted for TV and Movies

Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman (YA)

The Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin (MG)

Sandman by Neil Gaiman (Mature Readers)

Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer (MG)

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (YA)

Love and Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch (YA)

High Engagement Reads

School of Good and Evil by Soman Chainani (MG)

The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

Fart Boy Series by Adam Wallace

Ninja Kid/Wolf Girl/ Weirdo Series by Anh Do

Anything by Colleen Hoover (Mature Readers)

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (the original verse book and the graphic novel version)

John Scalzi books suit those who want something a bit outside the box. We have Redshirts (sci fi) and Lock In (mystery/suspense)

Warcross by Marie Lu (YA great gamer tie in)

Football Superstar series (soccer) – easy on the eye layout, not much text. Super popular with boys not confident with reading

Making Friends by Kirsten Gudsnuk

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney

A number of our Year 7-8s love ‘Electric State‘ by Simon Stålenhag – it’s a bit more expensive, but it’s beautiful and the illustrations are amazing!

Verse Novels

Verse novels by Sarah Crossan have worked will with students who wanted Colleen Hoover books

The Poet X is a fantastic YA verse novel, Other Words for Home for a slightly younger reader

Bindi by Kirli Saunders is a beautiful verse novel too

I sell the verse novels to reluctant readers by pointing out that they are a super quick read, but you’ve read a whole book!

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

Steven Herrick verse novels are well used at our boys school, including as class texts Yr 9-12

When the Stars Wrote Back by Trista Mateer (mature readers) – poetry

NCACL verse novel database

Other titles that work well

The Other Side of the Sky Series by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner

(Horror) Dark Hunter books by Benjamin Hulme-Cross

Flowers in The Attic by Virginia Andrews (YA)

Gordon Korman books have been popular with boys who reject other things e.g. Restart and The Unteachables Planning to buy War Stories, Linked, Notorious, and The Fort (His books cover many genres)

Stormbreaker Series by Anthony Horowitz (novels and graphic novels)

A Spoonful of Sadie by Lana Spasevski, Joanie Stone (Illustrator) (soccer)

The Fox Swift Series by Cyril Rioli (AFL)

I Can Be Series … Belinda Clarke (etc) Phil Kettle author (sport)

Ash Barty Junior Fiction Series – Little Ash (tennis)

The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain by Cath Crowley (girls soccer story fiction)

More Than a Kick by Tayla Harris

Chessboxer by Stephen Davies is amazing – suitable for secondaries

Bulletcatcher is a well-written series (Barrington Stoke) by Chris Bradford

Virtual Kombat trilogy by Chris Bradford  www.barringtonstoke.co.uk

We recently bought the Investigators series, and the primary students love them

I’m pretty sure LMERC have audio books if you join them https://lmerc.softlinkhosting.com.au/oliver/libraryHome.do

I Survived graphic novels are great

Strategies Shared

Try matching books to video games https://screenrant.com/ten-best-video-games-based-books/

Making book lists on our catalogue e.g. Bring the Tissues, At Least One Explosion, Enemies to Lovers, etc

Getting them to talk with their peers about books they recommend

Flip Guides to assist them with choosing

Display or list of banned books – everyone wants read something that they are not allowed to!

Create a short / quick or easy book collection

Have students choose the book they will study for English and buy it or have them choose books from a bookshop for the library.

Invite students to choose from our Lamont book boxes to be added to our collection

Definitely do displays based on Booktok and Bookstagram trends. Latest is the “He’s a 10 but…” meme.

Our students recommend books – a tick is added on the cover and it’s displayed faced out

For the students who don’t know what they want to read we have top 30 lists for different year levels and top 6 lists for all of our different genres. They use them far more than I thought they would

Invite the author to speak

Promote the audio of the book

We have a ‘Bookflix’ window for trending books

I always ask them what they enjoy watching and go from there

Adding book promos to our library promotional trailer (runs over lunchtime) is very successful

What We Are Reading Adult Titles

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Salt and Skin by Eliza Henry Jones

Tanith Lee novels

In by Will McPhail is a great adult graphic novel.

Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey

Partway through ‘Wake’ by Shelley Burr

The Crimson Thread by Kate Forsyth

Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson

Dinner with the Schnabel’s by Toni Jordan