SLAV Online Book Club List March 23rd 2022 – Disability/Neurodivergent

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for yesterdays book club meeting. School libraries are safe, inclusive spaces that support their communities needs. All readers deserve to see themselves in the books they read. We discussed which books contain interesting characters who are also are disabled and or neurodivergent. We also shared some great non fiction resources and here is the link we discussed for the YA Disability Database 

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

This was our second book club meeting for 2022, and we look forward to chatting with you again at our next Online Book Club discussion on Wenesday May 18th to discuss the topic: Humour. We all love a good laugh, but we don’t all share the same views about what is funny in fiction. What books work best with your readers?

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.

Titles Discussed

The Conversation Train by Joel Shaul

Just Like Me: 40 neurologically and physically diverse people who broke stereotypes by Various.

I Am Not a Label: 34 disabled artists, thinkers, athletes and activists from past and present by Cerrie Burnell and Lauren Mark Baldo.

All Dogs Have ADHD by Kathy Hoopman

All Cats Have Asperger’s by Kathy Hoopman

Please Don’t Hug Me by Kay Kerr

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Unbroken: 13 stories starring disabled teens by Marieke Nijkamp

Petra Lyre’s Rating Normal by Anna Whateley

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten

The Things I Didn’t Say by Kylie Fornasier

Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin

The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim

100 Remarkable Feats of Xander Maze by Clayton Zane Comber

The Spectrum Girl’s Survival Guide by Siena Castellon

The Right Way to Rock by Nat Amoore

Dylan Alcott Biography- Able

Stars In Their Eyes by Jessica Walton

Future Girl by Asphyxia

Whisper by Chrissy Perry

El Deafo by Cece Bell

A Boy Called Bat by Elan Arnold, Charles Santoso

Wonder by R.J Palacio

Wink by Rob Harrell

Ugly by Robert Hoge

Stargazing by Jen Wang

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee

The Space We’re In by Katya Balen

Be the Difference: 40+ Ideas for kids to create positive change using empathy, kindness, equality and environmental awareness by Jayneed Sanders, Cherie Zamazing

A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balfe

NOTE: International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held on 3 December each year so is a great chance to advertise at the end of the year. Neurodiversity Pride Day is June 18

What We Are Reading – Adult

A Force of Nature by Jane Harper

Still Life by Sarah Winman

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Tara Reid Jenkins

Devotion by Hannah Kent

After Darkness by Christine Piper

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

A Solitary Walk on the Moon by Hilde Hilton

Cooking with Fernet Branca by James Hamilton-Paterson

Neon Pilgrim by Lisa Dempster

The Expanse Series by James SA Corey

Books That Made Us by Carl Reincke

Twelve Secrets by Robert Gold

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

Hell’s only half full by Kerry Clarke

True Blood series by Charlane Harris

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club List – Thursday February 17 2022 – Romance Reads

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for today’s book club meeting to discuss Romance books. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

This was our first book club meeting for 2022, and we look forward to chatting with you again at our next Online Book Club discussion on Wednesday March 23 to discuss the topic:

Disability/Neurodivergent

School libraries are safe, inclusive spaces that support their communities needs. All readers deserve to see themselves in the books they read. What books contain interesting characters who are also are neurodivergent?

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.

Titles:

Heartstoppper Graphic Novel Series by Alice Oseman

House of Sky by Sarah J Maas

Stars in their Eyes by Jessica Walton

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

Serendipity Ten Romantic Tropes, Transformed Edited by Marissa Meyer

A Cuban Girls Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Date Me, Bryson Keller by Kevin van Whye

Dear Evan Hanson by Val Emmich

Yes No Maybe So by by Aisha Saeed and Becky Albertalli

What if it’s Us by Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli

The Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Every Day by David Levithan

Social Queue by Kay Kerri

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales

After Series by Anna Todd (Adult content)

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

The Upside of Falling by Alex Light

Fat Chance Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Everything, Everything by Nicole Yoon

George and Rick by Alex Gino

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang (graphic novel)

Lumberjanes (graphic novels) by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen and ND Stevenson

Her Royal Highness  by Rachel Hawkins

Words in Deep Blue – Cath Crowley

Poetry  – Lang Leav, Rupi Kaur or Atticus

Drama by Raina Telgemeier

It Sounded Better in my Head by Nina Kenwood

American Royals by Katherine McGee

Majesty by Katherine McGee

Five Feet Apart Racheal Lippincott

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Ivy Abderdeeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake

Fallen by Lauren Kate

The Lunar Chronicles

Tweet Cute by Emery Lord

The Girl From the Sea by Molly Ostertag

Vampire Diaries L.J Smith

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag

Opposite of Always by Justin Reynolds

Colleen Hoover – for older students, adult content

Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

When Dimple met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Underdog: #LoveOzYA Short Stories edited by Tobias Madden

Afterlove by Tanya Byrne

Lily and Dash Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn

Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Promise Me Happy by Robert Newton

Hundred Oaks Series by Miranda Kenneally

 

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club List for November 18th 2021 – Books Every Library Should Have

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our recent book club meeting to discuss titles that you believe every library must have. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated. Sadly, we only had an hour, so there are many, many titles missing, but we believe the list below is great start.

This was our last book club meeting for 2021, but we look forwarding to welcoming you all back next year! Watch this space for a new list of topics and a link to register.

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 every school library should have
What books do you think are essential for a school library? Popular or important, award winners or timeless but maybe not a classic? There are various criteria one could use – what are your must haves?

We Are Wolves by Katrina Nannestad
The Yield by Tara June Winch
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
His Dark Materials Series by Philip Pullman
Once Series by Morris Gleitzman
Earthsea Series by Ursula Le Guin
Anything by Rebecca Stead – Liar & Spy and When You Reach Me
Billie B Brown, Hey Jack and Polly and Buster Series by Sally Rippin
Cherub Series by Robert Muchamore
All books by Stephen King
All books by Matthew Reilly
Tomorrow When the War Began Series by John Marsden
The Wonder Books by R.J. Palacio
Mortal Engines Series by Phillip Reeves
Angel Creek by Sally Rippin
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Papertowns by John Green
Wandi by Favel Parrett
Things a Map Wont Show You Anthology Edited by dr. Susan La Marca and Pam McIntyre
The First Third by Will Kostakis
Holes by Louis Sachar
Red Dirt Diary by Katrina Nannestad
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Obernewtyn Series by Isobelle Carmody
Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Mapmaker Chronicles by Alison Tait
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks
Mr Romanovs Garden in the Sky by Robert Newton
Charlotte’s Web by E B White
Pony by RJ Palacio
Laurinda by Alice Pung
Rangers Apprentice by John Flanagan
Alex Rider by Anthony Hoowitz
Sister Heart by Sally Morgan
Rich and Rare short story collection
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
Of a Boy by Sonya Hartnett
Scythe Trilogy by Neil Shusterman
Unwind by Neil Shusterman
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah
The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Peacock Detectives by Carly Nugent
New Kid by Jerry Craft GN
Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
Land of Stories Series by Chris Colfer
The Left Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix
Detention by Tristan Bancks
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson GN
All books by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Future Girl by Asphyxia
Girls in Boys Cars by Felicity Castagna
Changing Gear by Scott Gardner
The Philip Bunting fiction and non-fiction books
Young Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
All books by Poppy Nwosu, Sara Epstein, Kay Kerr, Anna Whateley
Diary of a Minecraft Zombie Series
Invisible Boys by Holden Shepperd
Boy from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough
Crow Country by Kate Constable
The interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina
Breath by Tim Winton
Non-fiction – National Geographic Kids
Daisy Meadows Rainbow Fairies Series
Horrible Histories – Murderous Maths etc.
Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton – The Treehouse Series
Bren MacDibble – The Dog Runner, Across the Risen Sea and How to Bee
Are you there Buddha? by Pip Harry
The Spellslinger Series by Sebastian deCastel
Midnight Zoo by Sonya Hartnett
Real Pigeons Fight Crime Series by Andrew MacDonald and Ben Wood
The Bad Guys Series by Aaron Blabey
Where We Begin by Christie Nieman
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief by Katrina Nannestad
Tokyo Ghoul and Promised Neverland for the manga fans
Kingdom of Silk series by Glenda Millard’s
Between Us by Clare Atkins
In The Dark Spaces by Cally Black
Number the stars by Lois Lowry
Silver Sword by Ian Seraillier
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
I Am David by Anne Holm
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
The Librarian of Auschwitz – Antonio Iturbe
The Book Thief by Markus Zusack
The Road to Winter Trilogy by Mark Smith
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Adult – What We Are Reading
Devotion by Hannah Kent
Bruny by Heather Rose
Louise Penny books
Liane Moriarity – has some great reads
The Nowhere Child by Christian White
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Riviera House by Natasha Lester
The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray
The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
New Anthony Horowitz – A Line to Kill
Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson
Are you smarter than a chimpanzee – test yourself against the amazing minds of animals by Ben Ambridge
99 other bad arguments by Julian Baggini
Girt, True Girt & Girt Nation by David Hunt
West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge Stephenson
The Wattle Island Book Club
The Passage by Justin Cronin
Peter May novels
Barbara Vine novels
Love stories by Trent Dalton
Rewilding the Urban Soul by Claire Dunn
Helen Garner How to End A Story
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

 

 

 

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club October 14 – Murder Mystery and Mayhem

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our recent book club meeting to discuss titles that fit into the Murder, Mystery and Mayhem category. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

Below is the list of titles and series shared and discussed. Some titles may have an indicated suitable age range next to each title, however this is merely a guide and we encourage you to use your own judgement, as you know your students best.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Thursday November 18 to dicuss the topic: Books that every school library should have. What books do you think are essential for a school library? Popular or important, award winners or timeless but maybe not a classic? There are various criteria one could use – what are your must haves? Join us 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 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.

Book List

Murder Most Unladylike Series By Robin Stevens
Young Bond Series by Charlie Higson
Friday Barnes Series by R.A. Spratt
Diamond Brother Series by Anthony Horowitz
Agatha Oddly Series by Lena Jones
Embassy Row Series by Ally Carter
Picture Book: There’s a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers
That Weekend by Tara Thomas
The Cheerleaders by Tara Thomas
SelfLess By Aviva
Lies Like Wildfire by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez
The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
Kath Reich’s series The Virals
Teri Terry Book of Lies
Good Girl’s Guide to Murder Series by Holly Jackson
Wolf Creek by Greg McLean
None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marnie
The Break by Phillip Gwynne
The Diviners by Libba Bray
Deep Water by Sarah Epstein
Imposter by Susanne Winnacker
The Merciless by Danielle Vega
Cry Blue Murder by Kim Kane
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
Rivers of London Series by Ben Aaranovich
Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein
Her Perilous Mansion by Sean Williams
The Supernatural Survival Guide George Ivanoff
The Ghost of Howlers Beach by Jackie French
Risk by Fleur Ferris
Enola Holmes Series
Jonathan Stroud The Screaming Staircase
Horror Bury Me – K.R. Alexander; Shadow House series
Model Under Cover by Carina Axelson
His Name Was Walter by Emily Rodda
Five Nights at Freddie’s Series (based on the video game)
Sleepless by Lou Morgan
Tech Fury by J. A. Darke
The Gallagher Girls Academy by Ally Carter
The Body- Stephen King
The Fall by Tristan Bancks
Conspiracy 365 Series by Gabrielle Lord
Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books
Newt’s Emerald by Garth Nix
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Frightville – Don’t Let the Doll In by Mike Ford
Phoenix Files by Chris Morphew
The Magpie Society by Zoe Sugg and Amy McCulloch
48 Hours Series by Gabrielle Lord
Barrington Stoke Series has many horror and mystery titles
Younger/Primary Horrific Tales of Horrifying Horror by Adam Wallace
The Red Eye Series
The Lily and the Rose by Jackie French
The Inheritance Games Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Dan Brown
Matthew Reilly
For older –
Girl A by Abigail Dean
Lianne Moriarty
Jane Harper
James Patterson
Shift by Em Bailey
The Loners by Lex Thomas

ADULT – What We Are Reading

Who Gets to be Smart by Bri Lee
Melbourne Circle by Nick Gadd
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Thursday Murder Club books 1 and 2 by Richard Oseman
Writers and Lovers by Lily King
The Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The Summer House by James Patterson
The Book Ninja by Ali Berg
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Thursdays at Orange Blossom House by Sophie Green
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Bodies of Light by Jennifer Down
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson
The Long Game by Simon Rowell
Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins
Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
Reading the Seasons – Books Holding Life & Friendship Together by G Leece and S Tsakalakis
The Girl Remains by Katherine Firkin
Sticks and stones by Katherine Firkin
One Italian Summer by Pip Williams
The Mystery of a Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume
The Broken Shore by Peter Temple
Truth by Peter Temple
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks
Peter May Novels – The Lewis Trilogy
Late Bloomer by Clem Bastow

 

 

 

SLAV Online Book Club – September 9th 2021 – Culturally Diverse Books

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our recent book club meeting to discuss Culturally Diverse titles. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

Below is the hugely diverse and broad list of titles and series shared and discussed. Some titles may have an indicated suitable age range next to each title, however this is merely a guide and we encourage you to use your own judgement, as you know your students best.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on October 14th for the topic: Murder, Mystery and Mayhem. From the classic whodunnit to the modern-day book about political intrigue, murder and mystery are everywhere in print, on the screen, both real and imagined. What are your students reading in this space? Is this a cross over genre for young readers?

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.

Book List

The F Team by Rawah Arja’s
Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
The Poisoned Heart by Kalynn Bayron
Flock, First Nations Stories Then and Now. Curated by award-winning author Ellen van Neerven
The Firekeepers Daughter by Angeline Boulley
The Coconut Children by Vivian Pham
Future Girl by Asphyxia
You Must Be Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied
The Truths We Hold: An American Journey (Young Readers Edition) by Kamala Harris
Maxine Beneba Clarke – ALL Titles.
Yes, No, Maybe, So by Becky Albertalli with Aisha Saeed)
More to the Story by Hena Khan
The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim
Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah
When Michael Met Mina by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Little People Big Dreams Series for very young students, covers a very diverse range of key people in history.

Please Don’t Hug Me by Kay Kerr
One Hundred Days by Alice Pung
The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name by Sandhya Parappukkaran and Michelle Pereira
Sugar Town Queens by Malia Nunn
Culturally Diverse Resources – Languages & Multicultural Education – Oliver (softlinkhosting.com.au)
Frankly in Love by David Yoon
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
The Katha Chest by Radhiah Chowdhury and Lavanya Naidu
The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit
Mask of Shadows and Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller
Parvana by Deborah Ellis ( a graphic novel is also available)
George by Alex Gino
When Stars Are Scattered – Victoria Jamieson GN
Muddy People by Sara El Sayed
My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams, Khadra Mohammed, Catherine Stock
Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi (available as eBook and picture books through LMERC)
My language, your language by Lisa Bullard
The book of languages : talk your way around the world by Mick Webb (2015)
Illegal – Eoin Colfer GN
When Stars Are Scattered – Victoria Jamieson GN
Stories for South Asian Supergirls by Khaira, Raj Kaur
The Ink Bridge by Neil Grant
When the Ground is Hard Malla Nunn
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
Parachutes by Kelly Yang (Year 10 and above)
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina
On Two Feet and Wings – Abbas Kazerooni
Land Beyond the Wall : An Immigration Story by Charles, Veronika Martenova
This is How We Do It by Mat Lamothe
Bindi by Kirli Saunders and Dub Leffler
Suri’s Wall by Lucy Estela
Escape From Syria by Kullab, Samya GN
Anthologies such as Growing up Asian/Aboriginal/African/Disabled edited by Various
Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin Kwaymullina, Ezekiel Kwaymullina
Ghost Bird by Lisa Fuller
Paper boats: an anthology of short stories about journeys – great for EAL students with little English
After Story by Larissa Behrendt
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
The Happiest Refugee by Anh Do
A Long Way Home by Saroo Bierley,
Sold by Patricia McCormick,
Her Father’s Daughter by Alice Pung
Nona & Me by Clare Atkins
My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald, Freya Blackwood
Crow Country by Kate Constable
Becoming Kirrali Lewis by Jane Harrison
Look to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website for lists of titles
The Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson (adult)
All Will Kostakis Novels
Multiversity which is Marvel but the first issue features an Aboriginal Australian superhero called Thunderer, named after an Aboriginal thunder god, Wandjina
Where We Begin by Christie Nieman
Ubby’s Underdogs by Brenton E. McKenna, Banjo Woorunmurra GN
Matty Forever by Elizabeth Fensham (middle to upper primary)
Shauna’s Great Expectations by Kathleen Loughnan
Metal Fish, Falling Snow by Cath Moore
Yinti Desert Child Trilogy by Pat Lowe & Jimmy Pike
ALL Remy Lai books – humorous – upper primary, lower secondary
The Tribe by Michael Mohammed Ahmad (adult)
The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf, Pippa Curnick

Welcome to the Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander Resource


We have older boys very interested in sport biographies–Majak Daw, Marlion Pickett (upper secondary)
Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai
Follow the Rabbit Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington
Freedom Ride by Digger J Jones
Little Jiany by Shirley Marr
From the Chat:
Proudest Blue is gorgeous picture book about wearing first hijab
When Dimple Met Rishi is good = has a Netflix tie in.
Noughts and crosses by Malorie Blackman explores a fantastic dystopian world – a Foxtel series
Henna Wars is fantastic – Latinx, Indian, LGBTIQA rep and discusses cultural appropriation
Basketball manga set in high schools in Japan… Kuroko’s basketball by Tadatoshi Fujimaki and another Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue He has also wrote another that is about Wheelchair Basketball
Living On Hope Street by Demet Divaroren
Cloudwish by Fiona Wood (CBCA Winner 2016). Between Us by Clare Atkins (pub. 2018) is excellent.
Becoming Muhammad Ali is a hit with a great cover by James Patterson
Young adult version of the Trevor Noah biography
Born a Crime
Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. Graphic version is Nya’s Long Walk
I Am Malala- Malala Yousafzai. Different format of the story- Picture book, Biography
The Mediterranean- Armin Greder- Picture book older readers, quite confronting
The Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Sister Heart by Sally Morgan
Eric by Shaun Tan
The Happiest Man on Earth by Eddie Jaku
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna – fantasy – fantastic cover and wonderful story
Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Hello! illustrated by Tony Flowers
Russian folklore – The Republic of Birds and The Girl Who Speaks Bear
Rick Riordan Presents imprint – mythologies from diverse cultures told from the POV of people from those cultures. The ones I’ve read and LOVED are Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, and Sal & Gabi Break the Universe
Fantasy – Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko (Redemptor – book 2 – has just been published). West-African based
The Monkey King’s Daughter is a series of books by author Todd DeBonis
Ms Marvel – Kamala Khan – Muslim teen superhero
Buttons my cat does not have boundaries
Adib Khorram – Darius the Great is not OK
Mazin Grace by Dylan Colemen
Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia and Joel David Makonnen
Our library has a learnpath page with info about culturally diverse literature https://lmerc.softlinkhosting.com.au/oliver/learnpath/guide/CulturallyDiverseResources
Kwame Alexander titles
Kicking Goals by Adam Goodes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Anime_and_manga
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson is a great verse memoir

Adult Book List – What We Are Reading
Wild Abandon by Emily Bitto
I Am Change by Suzy Zail
The Mad Women’s Ball by Victoria Mas
Punching the air Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Beautiful World Where Are You? by Sally Rooney
The Locksmith’s Daughter by Karen Brooks
I read The Auschwitz photographer, haunting
Just Mercy-biography about black lawyer in modern America fighting for justice in Alabama
Big sister, Little sister, Red sister about the Soong sisters in pre rev. China,
Emotional Female by Yumiko Kadota. Memoir about training to be a surgeon.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (pub. 2015).
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
I read the new Haruki Murakami short story collection.
The Book Ninja by Ali Berg
Salt Creek by Lisa Treloar
Wolf island by Lisa Treloar
The Mountains Sing by Nguyen Phan Que Mai
Anything But Fine – Tobias Madden
Muddy People by Sara El Sayed
Escape from Manus by Jaivet Ealom
One Hundred Days by Alice Pung
The Last Guests by J.P. Pomare
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Hellar
Songbirds by Christy Lefteri
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra

 

School Library Association Media Release: Uplifting Stories – Book List

In a recent article in The Conversation entitled ‘A place to get away from it all’, researcher Dr Margaret Merga identified five ways that school libraries support student wellbeing. These were that school libraries:
• Can be safe places
• Provide resources for wellbeing
• Help build digital health literacy skills
• Support reading for pleasure
• Encourage healing through reading

In response to this important acknowledgement of the role that school libraries play in supporting the wellbeing and mental health of their school communities, the School Library Association of Victoria (SLAV) has produced a list of books, for all age groups, that offer uplifting and positive views of the world.

At a time when we all need support, to see the world we live in in a positive light and our lives as worthwhile and meaningful, this list, constructed by experienced school library staff, offers reading opportunities that are positive and uplifting.

School libraries are safe, inclusive spaces that support reading and learning of all kinds, whose staffs have the specific knowledge and expertise to recommend the right book at the right time.

You can download the full Media Release here

Download the Uplifting Book List here

SLAV Online Book Club – August 11th 2021 – Strategies and Titles to Engage Reluctant Readers

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our recent book club meeting to discuss strategies and titles that have worked with reluctant readers. As we discussed in the meeting, there is an important difference between readers who are reluctant because of barriers to reading (low literacy levels, learning difficulties, etc.) and readers who are simply reluctant to read, despite being good readers. Readers who need to be encouraged and engaged. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated.

Below is the hugely diverse and broad list of titles and series shared and discussed. Some titles may have an indicated suitable age range next to each title, however this is merely a guide and we encourage you to use your own judgement, as you know your students best.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on September 9th 2021 to discuss Culturally Diverse books.

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 for Reluctant Readers
Subjects/ formats of current interest –
DK Guide to Rocks and Gems
Science Comics, I Survived Series are good non-fiction graphic novels
Magazines
Non-Fiction Choose Your Own Adventure
Almost anything about cars
World War 1 & 2 nonfiction
The “Who is…?” and “Who was…?” biographies
Sporting/Athlete Biographies
Secondary – AFL and Cricket biographies are popular
Non-Fiction about sustainable living is really popular with secondary students
Younger format Biographies such as the Little People Big Dreams
All things Minecraft – guides and fictional stories to support the world building
National Geographic Weird but True
Dylan Alcott Biography
Anything about Skateboarding
We’ve had some interested in books about the share market
Recipe Books
Anything diary related is also popular.
We have had a huge resurgence in reading Stephen King novels (Secondary students)
Horror
Choose Your Own Adventure
True Crime

Strategies shared
Borrowing out both an audiobook and text version of the same book can be a great support. We’ve done that for struggling readers that want to take part in our Readers Cup challenge
Create a List of Dyslexia Friendly Books.
We’re trialling a Read Aloud option with our Year 9 boys who struggle. So far it’s working well with the boys keen to start each week… and others in the larger reading cohort wanting to join
We are doing the Premier’s Reading Challenge and we have a “quick reads” trolley with short and sharp novellas.
Build up a short story collection
For teachers: Jim Trelease’s The Read-aloud Handbook has great suggestions across all ages for books with a vibrant narrative voice(s). I’ve consulted it over the years — now in its 8th edition.
We have moved our books on film to the DVD stands
I’ve been working on pairing books with audio books that are exactly the same
My favourite thing to say “you won’t believe that will happen in Chapter 4” and the kids come back saying “OMG, you won’t believe it”.
Have Students recommend books. Display these face out with a tick on them (spine & front cover)
We do book chats in groups and students recommend books to other. The power of the friendship recommendation is strong.

Book Suggestions and Chat Discussion
Verse Novels
Steven Herrick
One and Also We Come Apart by Sarah Crossan
Love that Dog and Hate that Cat (great read aloud)
Bindi by Kirli Saunders

Graphic novels can be helpful
Alex Rider
James Patterson
Maximum Ride
Macbeth
Bartolo
The I Survived Series by Scholastic
Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone
New Kid by Jerry Craft

Barrington Stoke Series
Other Suggestions

Guinness Book of Records
Factopedia
Amulet Series
Wings of Fire Series
My Hero Academia (Manga) The Boy Who Became a Dragon: Bruce Lee Story – Jim Di
Onjali Rauf, The Boy at the Back of the Class (refugee story).
Jack Heath’s short stories 200, 300 minutes of….
All Manga
High Interest Publishing – Canada – can be great for VCAL seniors, Literature Circles, class novel. Short snappy novels.
Horrible Histories
The Little Bookroom’s Recommendations for Reluctant Readers
Tried and true: Wonder Compendium by R.J Palacio (a boy I taught once said “This book feels like it’s reading itself to me”).
George Ivanoff’s Survival Series
Science Comics, I Survived series are good non-fiction graphic novels As well as: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, The Best We Can Do by Thi Bui
Dropping In by Geoff Havel
Bubble Wrap Boy by Phil Earle
Biographies such as the Little People Big Dreams and the DK books. Students don’t have to commit too much time and can be used as a launching pad for more
Wonder is great and there are a few other titles that we market as ‘read alikes’ such as Ugly by Robert Hoge.
Bad Guys Series by Aaron Blabey
Anh Do’s Series – Wolf Girl, E-Boy, Sky Dragon all work well with Year 7 struggling readers
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Real Pigeons Fight Crime Series – by Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood – this is being adapted for an animated series on Nickelodeon
Primary School: try the Little Gem books by Anna Zobel they’re also good for children who have dyslexia. Billie. B. Brown and Hey Jack by Sally Rippin. School of Monsters by Sally Rippin
Our Australian Girl Series
Anything by Raina Telgemeier, Babysitters Club
Leigh Hobbs Old Tom which is a compilation of 4 to 5 picture books also works well with EAL readers. It is simple but looks like a big fat book.
The Cherub Series by Robert Muchamore is really popular with year 7 and 8 boys. Also Ultimate & Classic Football heroes books are very popular with boys who don’t usually like to read
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo is great for older readers
Babysitters Club very popular. Start with the Graphic Novels and then show them the actual novels . Under 150 pages, good size text and easy language.
Anything by Gary Paulsen
F.L.Y. Financially Literate Youth is a good one for finance interests
Neal Shusterman – Unwind, Dry Lex Thomas – Quarantine good for reluctant but capable readers
Once Series by Morris Gleitzman
Dork Diaries, Tom Gates, Geronimo Stilton/Thea Stilton, and Adventure Time books also good for reluctant and/or EAL kids + early teens
I have students wanting to read about real stories / murder mystery e.g. OJ Simpson
Counting by 7s Holly Goldberg Sloan
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Geek Girl got one of our reluctant readers started. Also agree with verse novels
Keeper of the Lost Cities’ Series by Shannon Messenger great for Harry Potter fans
Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson is very popular. More inclusive books seem to work with our school community.
Quick Reads that connect to their interest area – Soccer (Ultimate Football Heroes)
Parvana is also available in Graphic Novel
My son loves The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander’s
Daughter couldn’t put down Highway Bodies by Alison Evans
Anything Roald Dahl is really popular in my school at the moment
Scythe by Neal Shusterman walks off the shelf after book talking
My little sister started reading more in Year 12, she has read: My Best Friend’s Exorcism, Lonely Castle in the Mirror, Before the Coffee Gets Cold, and Convenience Store Woman. But not sure how some of these would do in high school libraries
We have had a huge resurgence in reading Stephen King novels with reluctant readers…the more horror the better
We had a book called ‘Crime Time: Australians behaving badly’ that was a collection of chapters timelining the history of Australian criminals. That was very popular when students were aware of it! Not so recent, but goes back to Ned Kelly times etc.
Risk by Ferris Fleur with students who don’t identify as readers. Mysteries such as One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
Great Escape by Felice Arena is great to get kids interested in historical fiction.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Minecraft novels appeal to players
Five Nights at Freddies Series is based on a video game. Quite scary.
We’re bringing in more Legend of Zelda Manga into the collection for the primary school children
D&D is very popular
Gamer trilogy by Chris Bradford (short, gritty, dystopian video gaming future). Chris Bradford, amazing author
Cry Blue Murder by Kim Kane & Marion Roberts also appeals because it breaks up the text
The Road to Winter by Mark Smith is very popular for year 9 very topical and fast moving. Any student that liked Tomorrow when the War Began by John Marsden will love it!!
None Shall Sleep by Ellie Marney
Red Eye Series, scary, thrilling, horror
They Both Die in the End Adam Silvera
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Making Friends by Kirsten Gudsnuk
Heartstopper GN Series by Alice Oseman
Reluctant readers have shown to like or seek books like Bro – similar background Lebanese
This is Where it Ends Marieke Nijkamp
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo is moving through our Year 8’s at the moment.
Carousel by Brendan Ritchie is popular
Wilder Girls by Rory Powers
One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus – I would recommend for year 8-9 and good year 7s
After Wings of Fire – for primary, junior sec – The Dragon Prince by Aaron and Melanie Ehasz
Animorphs Graphic Novels
Warriors GN
Lumberjanes GN
This is How We Change the Ending by Vikki Wakefield
Kids are loving medical supernatural mysteries – Whisper/Weapon, The Program/The Treatment/The Remedy
A Trio of Sophies by Eileen Merriman is another one that I’ve had success with for students who have liked the one of us is lying series
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
We can’t keep Fleur Ferris books on our shelves, always being borrowed.
Lightfall: the girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert is another good graphic novel
Robert Cormier’s novels: oldies but goodies. We all Fall Down for Year 9+
Starters and Enders has had a resurgence at my school
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Attack on Titan!! Love them
Manga readers are not reluctant and highly sophisticated in my view.
Manga most popular in my school – shelves always empty
Dog Man is really popular and really funny – Dav Pilkey
Captain Underpants, Toffle Towers, Nat Amoore’s books, Dog Man are all good humour
I know that there was a written anthology of short stories around “Attack on Titan” Manga, however I don’t know what reading level it is.
The Tokyo Ghoul manga series also has some companion novels, I have had some students use them as a bridge
Treehouse Series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Mercy Watson for the Preps and Year 1s
Atticus Von Tasticus by Andrew Daddo and Stephen Michael King
I have found the kids who read Manga are often interested in Art/Gaming so have spent money on the ‘Art of Manga’ and some have moved onto these nonfiction
The Bolds Series by Julian Clary
Some manga that’s popular in primary: Spirited Away, Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, Haikyuu!, Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura: Clear Card, Yuzu the Pet Vet, Chi’s Sweet Home,
Robert Muchamore’s CHERUB series and Henderson’s Boys series
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer is funny too
The Funny KId by Matt Stanton series for lower/mid primary
Don’t Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer is very funny.
I agree that our Manga readers are thinkers and will happily bridge to a chapter book if it complements what they are reading in their Manga.
I think we often focus on “wide reading” and this lends to us trying to move readers “off Manga” rather than the skills of the student or the content of the Manga.
A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
A Million Things by Emily Spurr – more adult but mature readers would probably like it too
Marley and Me by John Grogon
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DeCamillo is good
Aussie Nibbles, Bites, Chunks collections.
Pawcasso by Remy Lai
Warriors Series by Erin Hunter
Middle Grade Read -Living Next Door to Doctor Death – Spider Lee. Great short cliff hanging chapters. Both boys and girls love it.

What We Are Reading/ Adult Reading
Migrations and Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni (YA)
The Dressmakers of Yarrandarra Prison by Meredith Jaffe
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
The Paris Library by Janet Skelian Charles
Locust Summer by David Allan-Petale:
The Deep by Kyle Perry
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
Lonely Castle In the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
Codebreakers by Alli Sinclair
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
A Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (YA)
Penguin Bloom by Bradley Trevor Greive
Before You Knew My Name – by Jacqueline Bublitz
Who Gets To Be Smart by Bri Lee
Songlines – Lynne Kelly
Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling by Wai Chim
Women and Other Monsters by Jess Zimmerman
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Nemesis by Roth
The Golden Age by Joan London
Silent Footsteps by Sally Hepworth
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams

 

 

 

Continuing To Work From Home – Some Ideas

With the recent lockdowns and remote learning continuing on and off, many of our members have been sharing (through our discussion forums) tasks they are prioritising and assigning library staff during our time working from home. We thought it might be helpful to share a list of those here for you to reference and, if needed, to jog your memory for tasks that can be done remotely at this time.

These two articles from Knowledge Quest offer food for thought:

The School Library Is Still Open! Ten Ways to Change Our Physical Spaces into Virtual LibrariesThe New

Virtual Reality: Surviving and Thriving as a School Librarian during a Pandemic

Other tasks you might like to consider and schedule are:

Revisit, revise or update policy statements on library operation
Update procedures manual
LMS
• Reconsider home page
• Revisit loan period dates
• Fix cataloguing errors
• Maintain authority file
• Update patron records
• Reassess genre lists
• Update cover images
• Update keywords and subject headings

Professional learning
Reading – FYI and Synergy
• Access past event material in the members only area of the SLAV website
• Access webinars on your particular LMS, databases etc

Update the library website
Promote ebooks and databases to staff and students
• Create user guides

Promote your availability for one-on-one online support to staff and students
Promote online competition options for students
Consider opportunity to attend more faculty area meetings
Curate resources to support projects and tasks across remainder of 2021
Liaise with teachers to incorporate research skills into future units of work
Plan displays and library activities for remainder of 2021
Begin compiling statistics and data for annual report to school admin / council

What can you work on now to ease the load in 2022? If you have any ideas or suggestions, or you think of something we may have missed, please feel free to contribute in the comments.

 

SLAV Online Book Club June 17th 2021 – Speculative Fiction

Our thanks to those of you able to join us for our recent book club meeting to discuss speculative fiction. As always, so many of you had so many wonderful contributions to share with us, and it is very appreciated. We have an additional resource the What If List (generously shared by Susan La Marca) that you are welcome to download and use.

Below is the list of titles and series shared and discussed. Some titles may have an indicated suitable age range next to each title, however this is merely a guide and we encourage you to use your own judgement, as you know your students best.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Wednesday August 11th 2021 to discuss titles for engaging reluctant readers.

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.

Titles Discussed 

Dry by Neal Shusterman
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Game Changer by Neal Shusterman
The Sky So Heavy
After the Lights Go Out by Lili Wilkinson
How to Bee by Bren McDibble
Wasteland by Susan Kim
Rain by Virginia Bergin
Future Girl by Asphyxia
Slated by Terry Teri
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi
Hive, Zero Hour and Rogue by AJ Betts
Wool by Hugh Howey
Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness
Virozone by Sarah Cole
Gone Series by Michael Grant
Monument 14
Whisper by Chrissie Perry
Left-handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix
All Rights Reserved
The End of the World is Bigger Than Love by Davina Bell
Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Road the Winter Series by Mark Smith
The Secret Runners of New York by Matthew Reilly
The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni
Monuments and Rebel Gods by Will Kostakis
Proxy by Alex London
The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
Disruption and Corruption by Jessica Shirvington
Lock In by John Scalazi (For older readers yr 9/10)
Matched by Alie Condie
1984 by George Orwell
A Wizards Guide to Defensive Baking by T Kingfisher
War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi
Unwind by Neal Shusterman
The Gathering by Isobelle Carmody
Coraline and The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
When we are Invisible by Claire Zorn
Highway Bodies by Alison Evans
Host by Stephanie Meyer
Noughts and Crosses by Marjorie Blackman
Obernewton by Isobelle Carmody
Warcross and Wildcard by Marie Lu
The Gilded Ones by Naomi Forma
Lifelike by Jay Kristoff
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
Seahearts by Margo Lanagan
Ink by Alice Broadway
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

What We Are Reading

The Convict Valley: The Bloody Struggle on Australia’s Early Frontier by Mark Dunn
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
While Paris Slept by Ruth Druart
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Julia Gillard: Women in Leadership
Vox by Christina Dalcher
The Last Survivor by Tony Park
The Catalogue of Shipwrecked Books: Christopher Columbus, His Son, and the Quest to Build the World’s Greatest Library
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart
The Codebreakers by Alli Sinclair
Last Boat Out of Shanghai
Curse So Dark and Lonely Trilogy by Brigid Kemmerer
A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell

SLAV Book Club July 29th 2020 – Reluctant Readers

 

 

 

 

 

Our biggest thanks to those of you able to join us for our recent bookclub meeting, sharing with us your tried and tested recommendations for reluctant readers. As you can see the list is quite lengthy, which is a wonderful result! We have indicated suitable age range next to each title, however this is merely a guide and as always we encourage you to use your own judgement, as you know your students best. JF – indicates Junior Fiction, MG – Middle Grade, YA – Young Adult, A – Adult.

We have linked each title through to the Readings Website. Please keep in mind that if an item is out of stock, it may take some time to become available again, particularly if it is coming from overseas.

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.

Happy reading and don’t forget to join us for our next meeting on August 27th 2020 to dicuss book covers! Register HERE.

Books that have been turned into films often work
The Enemy Series by Charlie Higson YA
Polly and Buster Series by Sally Rippin MG
Choose Your Own Adventure by George Ivanoff MG
Real Pigeons Fight Crime Series by Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood JF/MG
Swerve by Philip Gwynne YA
Pale by Chris Wooding YA
Cherub Series by Robert Muchamore YA
Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz YA
The Bad Guys Series by Aaron Blabey JF/MG
The Fall and Two Wolves by Tristan Bancks MG
Royal Flying Doctor Series by George Ivanoff MG
Escape From Furnace Series by Alexander Gordon Smith YA
Wings of Fire Series by Tui. T Sutherland MG
Warrior Cats Series by Erin Hunter
Rangers Apprentice Series by John Flanagan MG
The Witching Hours Series by Jack Henseleit MG
Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens MG
Ruby Redfort Series by Lauren Child MG
It by Stephen King A
Skullduggery Series by Derek Landy YA
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen YA
Exploding Endings by Tim Harris JF/MG
The Minutes to Danger Series by Jack Heath MG
Scythe, Toll and Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman YA
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney MG
Treehouse Series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton JF
Bro by Helen Chebatte YA
David Walliams Books MG
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (post movie) MG
Barrington Stoke Series (for students with reading difficulties) MG – YA
Orca Series JF
Weirdo Series by Ahn Do JF
Able by Dylan Alcott YA
Audio books were also suggested as a way into story
Graphic Novels and Manga also allow a way into the story through illustration
Amulet Series by Kazu Kibuishi MG
Sport Biographies
Nova Weetman titles ALL
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck YA
Garfield JF
Lark by Anthony McGowan YA
Iris and the Tiger by Leanne Hall MG
Once and Then by Morris Gleitzman MG
Grimsdon by Deb Abela MG
Ghost by Jason Reynolds YA
The Dog Runner by Bren McDibble MG
The Stubborn Seed of Hope by Brian Falkner (short stories) A
The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley MG
The Girl Versus the World Series by Various MG
Speak and Shout by Laurie Halse Andersen (trigger warning – sexual assault) A
One by Sarah Crossan YA
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers YA
Nit Boy by Tristan Bancks JF/MG
Life On the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers YA
Risk, Black, Wreck and Found by Fleur Ferris YA
Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link (short stories) YA
M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman (short stories) MG/YA
The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman YA
Road to Winter Series by Mark Smith YA
10 Futures by Michael Pryor MG
The Iron Man by Ted Hughes MG
Lips Touch by Laini Taylor (short stories) YA
Things a Map Won’t Show You (short stories) YA
Little Legends Series by Adrian Beck and Nicole Hayes JF
Specky Magee Series by Felice Arena MG
Take the Shot by Sue Whiting YA
Tiny Timmy Series by Tim Cahill JF
Sporty Kids by Felice Arena JF
The Legend Series by Michael Pankridge MG
Foul Play by Tom Palmer YA
The Bench Warmers by David Lawrence MG
Little Fur Series by Isobelle Carmody MG
More Than a Kick by Jennifer Castles and Tayla Harris ALL
Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi YA
My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier YA
The Breakways by Cathy. G Johnson MG
Boris Series by Andy Joyner JF
Selby Series by Duncan Ball JF
Rabbit and Bear Series by Julian Gough JF
Parvana by Deborah Ellis YA
Tom Weekly Series by Tristan Bancks MG
All Graphic Novels by Raina Telgemeir MG
One of Us is Lying Series by Karen. M McManus YA
Special Forces Cadets by Chris Ryan MG
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo YA
The Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer MG
Heartstopper Series by Alice Oseman YA
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas YA
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han YA
Unwind by Neal Shusterman YA
Ice Station by Matthew Reilly YA

What We Are Reading
Anything by Dervla Mc Tiernan A
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid A
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson A
Factfulness by Hans Rosling A
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah A
Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift A
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay A
Gulliver’s Wife by Lauren Chater A
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins YA
Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me by Kate Clanchy A
Smart Ovens For Lonely People by Elizabeth Tan A
Deep Water by Sarah Epstein YA
Every Tool is a Hammer by Adam Savage A
About a Girl by Rebekah Robertson YA
The Phone Box at the Edge of the World by Laura Imai Messina A
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett A
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens A
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George. M Johnson YA
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta YA
Missing Person by Sarah Lotz A
The Second Sleep by Robert Harris A
Phosphorescence by Julia Baird A