Reading list for years 7, 8 & 9 - Web viewReading list for years 7, 8 & 9 “Books are time machines and teleporters. They are magnifying glasses and telescopes. They help us see.....

“Books are time machines and teleporters. They are magnifying glasses and telescopes. They help us see ourselves and our world

in an infinite number of ways and they conjure up imaginary universes where anything can happen…”

Reading list for years 7, 8 & 9

* = Children’s classic – you would be expected to know this...

# = particularly recommended by the English staff.

This list of books has been chosen by the English Department, based upon what we know boys love to read.

It will provide a guide to:

Author

Title – Genre

Year Group (e.g. year 8-10)

Brief description/synopsis

Read on = if you like this author, you may also like these other authors

Websites about authors,

Adams, Douglas Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy Science Fiction/Humour8-adultStarring Marvin the depressed robot, and a towel the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy started as a radio series, and has been turned into a novel, a film, a computer game and a TV series.Read on: Neil Gaiman, Tom Holt, Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin

Adams, RichardWatership Down # Animal fantasy/political allegory7-adultEvicted rabbits look for new home: book, then film.Read on:William Horwood, George Orwell, Henry Williamson.

*AesopFables Animals/morals6-adultThis ancient Greek writer still influences usWatch out for odd translation problems.Many illustrators have enjoyed these as a starting point.

Ahlberg, Allan 6-8Woof 6-8Animals/humourHuman turns into dog. Desperate attempts to regain humanity.Read on: “Fluke” by James Herbert

Joan Aiken, #*Wolves of Willoughby Chase Fantasy/horrorBlack Hearts in Battersea Fantasy/thrillerNightbirds on Nantucket Fantasy/ thrillerStolen Lake Fantasy/thrillerA Touch of Chill7-9Horror

The wolves chase Sylvia through snow-covered wastes to the safely ofWilloughby Chase, and her friendly cousin, only to discover a worsefate: evil Miss Slighcarp who is supposed to be looking after them.Read on about wolves: Neil Gaiman, The wolves in the walls (graphic novel)Michelle Paver, Wolf brother.

David Almond* Skellig - Carnegie PrizeThe Fire-eatersClay6-9www.davidalmond.com

Read on: Tim Bowler, Jostein Gaarder, Alan Garner,Louis Sacher, Marcus Sedgwick.

Lloyd Alexander Chronicles of Prydain7-9Fantasy/MagicRead on: Terry BrooksDiana Wynne JonesUrsula Le Guin

Piers Anthony Centaur Aisle8-adult Fantasy/humourFor those of you who love puns… and nature gadgets: a tree that grows shoes?

Bernard AshleyLittle Soldier8-10Conflict/schoolRead on:Alan GibbonsRobert LeesonJan MarkMalcolm Rose

Isaac Asimov I, Robot7-adultScience fictionThe three rules of robotics are beginning to become more relevant. Find out what they are! Great Film tie-in.Read on: Poul AndersonBen Bova

Larry Niven

Lynne Reid BanksThe Indian in the Cupboard #6-adultFantasyIs this the book that inspired Toy Story. What do you think?

Nina BawdenCarrie’s War 7-9World War II novel about evacuationRead on:Theresa BreslinAdele Geras

Michelle Magorian

Malorie Blackman 7-10http://www.malorieblackman.co.uk/Pig Heart Boy - CourageHacker - Computers/gadgets7-10Highly recommended website – watch out for forthcoming films!Read on: Peter Dickinson, Celia Rees.

Terence Blacker Boy2Girl - Social realism8-9An American cousin wreaks havoc in an English householdRead on: Julie BertagnaJenny Nimmo

Stephen BowkettThe Web: Dreamcastle - Computer fantasy6-9In the virtual world of the WEB, nothing is what it seems…

Tim Bowler* 7-9Star Seeker - Gangs, grievingRiverboy – Adventure7-9http://www.timbowler.co.ukRead on: Katherine PatersonNicky Singer

Tony Bradman Bad Boys - Football7-8Easy readwww.lovereading4kids.co.uk website which will give you lots of reading ideas.

John BranfieldThe Day I Shot My Dad – Humour

7Let a boy loose with a camera, and who knows…

Theresa BreslinDeath or Glory Boys - TerrorismThe Dream Master - Dyslexia7-9A Scottish author who knows that real life doesn’t always comeeasy.http://www.theresabreslin.co.uk/

Read on: Rachel Anderson, Berlie Doherty

#John Buchan*The Thirty Nine Steps - Crime/Adventure8-11Atmospheric, dark, dangerous. For the advanced reader.

Anthony BuckeridgeThe Jennings Series - School/humour7-9Mad, completely daft. Public schools of the 1930s.If you come across a copy with this front cover, you have an early edition

# Frances Hodgson Burnett*Secret Garden - Victorian friendship/Disability7-9Something to read to your younger sister (without admitting how much you are enjoying it).

Melvin BurgessCry of the WolfKite7-10Taylor finds almost extinct birds’ eggs, but his father is headgamekeeper.

Read on: Gerald Durrell, Janni Howker, Gary Paulson

Trudi CanavanMagician’s Guild - FantasyThe High Lord8-adultRead on: David Eddings, Ursula Le Guin

Victor CanningFlight of the Grey Goose - Animal/escape7-8

Lewis CarrollAlice Through the Looking GlassAlice In Wonderland6 - adultAre you enough of a mathematician to spot that the author was one?

Find the original on-line, and turn the pages to read at:http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ttp/ttpbooks.html

Peter Carter *Under Goliath - Friendship/N. IrelandThe Sentinels - Anti slave trade/sea/historical

8-10A ship which used to transport slaves is now enforcing the new anti-slave trade laws along the African coast. Our cabin boy faces danger and challenges, not least is befriending an African boy, and learning from him how to survive on land, when they become stranded.

#Agatha ChristieThe Body in the Library - Crime/Detective7-adulthttp://uk.agathachristie.com/site/home/Read on: Margery AllinghamNgaio MarshDorothy Sayers

John ChristopherFireball - Science FictionThe Tripods - Science FictionWhite Mountains - Science Fiction7-11Read on:H. G. WellsJohn Wyndham

Arthur C. Clarke2001 - Science fiction8-adultArthur C. Clarke is so famous that the Science Fiction book award is named after him. He is a scientist, writing about the future.Read on: Brian Aldiss, Greg Bear, Robert Silverberg

David Clement-DaviesFire Bringer – Animal/Fantasy/MythThe Sight – Animal/Fantasy/Myth7-10A story of man and wolf, of power and death.

Stephen ColeThe Wereling Series – Horror8-9Have a rest; read something easy.

Eoin ColferArtemis Fowl – Fantasy/Humour7-9

In this case twelve year old Artemis is the bad human, who kidnaps a leprechaun

Supernaturalist Top ten readThis web site is worth checking out :

http://www.eoincolfer.com/Read on: Cornelia Funke, Dianna Wynne Jones, Gary Kilworth, Terry Pratchett

Susan CooperThe Dark is Rising Series #Over Sea, Under Stone - Adventure/Welsh myths7 – 9

Robert Cormier Chocolate War - Satire/School8 – 10Selling chocolates to raise school funds corrupts both staff and pupils.

Bernard CornwallSharpe novels – War/AdventureArthur novels – Myth

8 – adultRichard Sharpe violently fights his way through the Napoleonic wars.Read on: Alan Evans, Alexander Kent, Allan Mallinson

Richmal Crompton#William at War - Humour/Home & School6-8

Michael CroninAgainst the Day – Alternative/History

8-9What if the Nazis conquered Britain?

Gillian Cross# New World (or other titles) – Adventure7-9This website has some interesting links: http://www.gillian-cross.co.uk/

Kevin Crossley-HollandShortsThe shortest short stories you’ll ever findArthur: the Seeing StoneArthurian legend7-9A beautifully written account of the Arthur legend in threeVolumes.

http://www.kevincrossley-holland.comRead on: Alan Garner, Roger L. Green, Ted Hughes,Myths and Legends (398.2), T. H. White

Roald DahlBoy – BiographyGoing Solo – Biography

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar – Fantasy7-9

Daniel DefoeRobinson Crusoe – Survival7- adult Children have been borrowing this tale of shipwreck & survival on a desert island from their parent’s bookshelves, ever since it came out in 1719.

Charles Dickens*Oliver Twist – History/Crime*Christmas Carol – History/Morals*David Copperfield – History/Growing up7-adult“Rags to riches”, with many strange characters.

Peter Dickinson# Seventh Raven - Hostages7-10The entire cast of a school play are kidnapped; only one is in real danger, but will his friends give him up?The Ropemaker – Fantasy/Magic

Franklin W. DixonThe Hardy Boys Series – Adventure5-8Have these become dated? Do you still enjoy these – they used to be the absolute favourite with boys. Make up your own mind.

Arthur Conan Doyle*Hound of the Baskervilles Horror*The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes Crime*The Lost World Science fictionThe White Company series Historical adventure6-10It is the sign of a skilled author that he can write different

genres convincingly. All of these are classics, if a little old fashioned.Alexandre Dumas*The Three Musketeers – Adventure/Fencing7-10Read on:L. Brittney: Nathan Fox: dangerous timesBaroness Orczy : The Scarlet Pimpernel

#Gerald Durrell*My Family and Other Animals – Biography/AnimalsGerald Durrell has always collected animals, but in doing so pushes his tolerant family to its limits.(He went on to be a world leader in animal conservation).http://www.durrell.org - about the Jersey Zoo

Deborah EllisThe Breadwinner Afghanistan survival8-9Under the Taliban, women are not allowed out of the house alone. So when Pavana’s father is arrested, she has to undertake a daring plan.Read on: Gaye Hicyilmaz, Elizabeth Laird, Beverley Naidoo

Virginia Euwer WolffMake Lemonade – Family & friends7-9

John Fardell

The Seven Professors of the Far North – Adventure/Humour7-9

Anne Fine 7-10Granny Project – Family humourMrs Doubtfire – Family humourhttp://www.annefine.co.uk/

C. S. ForesterHoratio Hornblower Series – Naval history/War

7-adultHornblower slowly wins respect through his

naval exploits, and moves up through the ranks from Midshipman to Admiral.Read on: Jan Needle, Patrick O’Brian

Anne Frank*Diary of a Young Girl – World war II8-adultwww. AnneFrank .org.uk website about Anne Frank and other holocaust survivors: BEWARE VERY DISTURBING IMAGES.

Cornelia FunkeDragon Rider – Draconic fantasyInkspell7-9

Read on (Dragon titles)Chris D’Lacey – IcefireCharlie Fletcher – Stone heartJason Hightman – The Saint of DragonsUrsula Le Guin – The Farthest ShoreAnne McCaffery – Dragon FlightEdith Nesbit – The Last of the DragonsJenny Nimmo – The dragon’s childChristopher Paolini – EldestRosemary Sutcliffe – Beowulf

Margeret Weiss – Dragons of the Autumn Twilight

Leon GarfieldDevil in the Fog – Historical fantasySmith – Adventure7-8His historical adventures are feisty, fast moving, and tend to dwell on the seamy side of the Victorian era. Not for the

faint-hearted.

Alan Garner*Weirdstone – FantasyMoon of Gomrath – Fantasy7-adult

Eve Garnett*Family From One End – Humour7-8One of the earliest children’s novels about working class life. Disaster hits when a school hat is lost.

Jamila GavinThe Wheel of Surya – Indian IndependenceCoram Boy Slavery, orphans, London7-9"Coram, Coram. That's the name. I've heard of him. You are the Coram man, aren't you? You will take my baby, won't you? You will deliver her safely to that kind gentleman? It is true, isn't it, that he never turns any baby away? And they look after them until they are ready to work? It's true, isn't it?

Tell me it is.

Adele GerasTroy – Myth/humour/drama7-9http://adelegeras.com/

Read on: Ancient GreeceMargeret Doody Aristotle DetectiveMichael Ford The Fire of AresV. M. Manfredi TyrantRick Riordan The Lighning ThiefKatherine Roberts The Olympic conspiracy

Alan GibbonsCaught in the Crossfire – Responses to Sept. 11 Race, riots, justiceInjury Time – Football8-9

Some people have all the luck. Dave Lafferty for one. How else do you explain a kid who's brilliant at everything? But Kev is stunned when he discovers that Dave has to cope with epilepsy. This is the fourth volume in the "Total Football" series.

Brian GlanvilleGoalkeepers are Different – Sport6-8

Morris GleitzmanToad Rage – Humour/family6-9

Kenneth GrahameWind in the Willows - Animal fantasy6-adult A much quoted book by adults: if you’ve only read an abridged version, you ought to read the original.

Greene, Roger L *The Adventures of Robin Hood – Myth*Myths of the Norsemen – Myth7-adult

One of the oldest tales known: recently a medieval manuscript has been found complaining about Robin Hood, the criminal…Perhaps these tales are true!Read on: Kevin Crossley-Holland

Jacob & Wilhelm Grimm

*Fairy Tales – Folklore7-adultThe Grimm collection of German folktales are hard hitting, gory, nightmarish, completely different from the sickly sweet Disney version.

David GrossmanThe Zig-Zag Kid – Adventure/coming of age8-9Includes a train hijack, and a vat of chocolate. For advanced readers.

Harry HarrisonMen from PIG and ROBOT – Science FictionStainless Steel Rat – Science Fiction7-8A crime novel in outer space.

Herriot, JamesIf Only They Could Talk – Vets/AnimalsLet Sleeping Vets Lie6-adultGentle tales about being a vet in Yorkshire

Hicyilmaz, GayeAnd the Stars were Gold – Evacuation/Poland7-9

Carl HiaasenFlush – Crime/HumourHoot – America8 - 10

Stuart HillThe Cry of the Icemark Series – Epic fantasy8 - 10Read on: Nancy Farmer – The Sea of Trolls

Susan HillThe Woman in Black – Gothic horrorI’m King of the Castle8 - adultAdvanced readers

Jason HightmanThe Saint of Dragons – Adventure6-9St George’s reluctant descendant finds that he is called to hunt dragons in this century.

Russell Hoban*Mouse and his Child – Animal7-adultRead on: Lewis Carroll, William Mayne, Mary Norton, Robert O’Brien

Mary HoffmanStravaganza Series – Adventure/Fantasy7 - 9A romp through Venice.

Anne Holm*I am David – Identity8-11Escaping from a concentration camp, David makes his way acrossEurope knowing only his name, and several languages.

Tom HoltPaint your Dragon – Myth/Humour/Fantasy.8 – adultMythological gods try to survive in contemporary England.

Anthony HorowitzAlex Rider Series – Spy/Thriller7 – 10For a list of children’s thrillers see:http://www.booktrustchildrensbooks.org.uk/advanced_search/search/10

William HorwoodDuncton Chronicles – Animal/Fantasy7-11These are international best sellers. William Horwood also wrote sequels to “The Windin the Willows”.

Ted Hughes Tales of the Early World – Creation/MythHow the Whale Became – Creation/Myth7 - adultShort, elegant and fun.

Thomas Hughes*Tom Brown’s Schooldays – School7-9The “Flashman” books are based on the bully in this first school story and were written by the grandfather of an Eltham College boy.

Norman Hunter#Professor Branestawm Series – Humour/Inventions6-8Full of gadgets, these remind me of Wallace and Gromit films. Perhaps a bit dated?

Brian JacquesSeven Strange and Ghostly Tales – Ghosts#Redwall Series – Animal/Fantasy6-8

Robin Jarvis#Deptford Mice Series – Animal fantasy/London#Whitby Series7-9http://www.robinjarvis.com/homepage.html

W. E. Johns#Biggles Series. 7-9W.W.I ace flyer with outdated attitudes.

Diana Wynne JonesEight Days of Luke – Fantasy/magicChrestomanci Series – Fantasy/magicDalemark series – Fantasy/adventure7-10http://www.leemac.freeserve.co.uk/ Official website

Read on:Joan Aiken, Catherine Fisher, Ursula Le Guin,C. S. Lewis, Jenny Nimmo, J. K. Rowling

Tim Wynne JonesA Thief in the House of Memory – Thriller8-11Declan Steeple thought the past was over. Dec is a sixteen-year-old who has it all: great grades, dreams for

the future, a loyal and wise best friend. Then one day, Dec decided to hitch a ride home from school, and he sets off an unsettling chain of events – a robbery, a death, and the unearthing of dark memories.

Terry Jones

Saga of Eric the Viking – Fantasy/adventureThe Knight and the Squire – Fantasy/adventure6-9One of the Monty Python writers, Terry Jones writes both books and films for children.

Norman Juster The Phantom Tollbooth – Humour/timetravel6-8

Read on: Time TravelHelen Cresswell MoondialMichael Hoeye Time Stops For No MouseGary Kilworth Mallmoc’s CastleDaniel Pinkwater The Time TouristsH.G. Wells The Time Machine

Judith KerrWhen Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit – Evacuation7-8Read on World War IINina Bawden, Michelle Magorian, Ian Serraillier, Robert Westall

Garry KilworthSpiggot’s Quest – Fantasy

8-9Read on: Eoin Colfer, Tom Holt, Garth Nix

Rudyard KiplingJungle Book – HumourJust So Stories – HumourKim India6-9

Derek LandySkulduggery PleasantWinner of the Red House Childrens’ Book Award7-8

Caroline LawrencePirates of Pompeii – Roman/Historical7-8The Roman mysteries have reached top place in year 7 favourite novels.Read on: Frances Hendry, Conn Iggulden, Valerio Manfredi, Allen

Massie, Rosemary Sutcliff, Henry Treece

Michael LawrenceThe Iron, the Switch and the Broom Cupboard – HumourThe Aldous Lexicon – Alternative World6-9http://www.wordybug.com/

Ursula Le Guin,The Earthsea Trilogy – Fantasy7-10Wizards and quests by a highly regarded author.

Gaston LerouxThe Phantom of the Opera – Mystery/Suspense7-10

C.S Lewis *# The Narnia Chronicles – Fantasy5-10

Penelope Lively *Ghost of Thomas Kempe – Ghost/HistoryWild Hunt of Hagworthy – Horror

7-8Read on: Neil Gaiman (Coraline) Leon Garfield (Mr Corbett’s Ghost) and others Diana Wynne Jones (The Time of the Ghost) Margaeret Mahy (The Haunting) William Mayne (Earthfasts) Michael Morpurgo (Ghostly haunts) Justin Somper (Vampirates series)

Jack LondonWhite Fang – AnimalCall of the Wild – Animal7-9

Anne McCaffreyDragonflight – Science Fiction/Dragons7-adult

Geraldine McCaughreanPlundering Paradise – Pirates/Desert Islands8-10But who are the “bad guys”? Not everything is what it seems here.www.geraldinemccaughrean.co.uk

Cliff McNishThe Doomspell Trilogy – Magic7-9Snatched by a witch, avoiding slavery, two children embark on a journey.

Anthony McGowan

Hell Bent – Life after death8-9Can Conor improve his hell by swapping with someone else?Read onC.S. Lewis The Screwtape Letters

Andy McNabPayback – War/Realism/Terrorism8 - 10A real soldier writes about his experiences in a fictional form.

#Michelle Magorian*Goodnight Mr Tom – WarBack Home Post war/ relationships6-8

John Masefield**Box of Delights – Fantasy7-8

William MayneEarthfasts – Ghosts/Time-travel/Yorkshire

8 – 10Standing stones open a door to a lost drummer boy & other creatures…

Levi MichaelFrank and the Black Hamster of Nashiz – Science/Fantasy7-10

Spike Milligan Treasure Island – Parody8-adult

(You’ll only get the jokes if you have read the Stevenson version first)

Michael MolloyThe Witch Trade – Rollicking Adventure6-8

Michael MorpurgoKensuke’s Kingdom – Desert Island/JapanPrivate Peaceful – World War 1Dear Mr Morpungo – Letters/Biography7-9http://www.michaelmorpurgo.org/ - look up his latest plays, and

news of his farm

Robert MuchamoreClass A Spy – Thriller/Relationships7-10Read on: Charlie Higson, Jo Craig, David Gilman, Anthony Horowitz,Nicholas Wilde, Rick Yancey. To find more look up thrillers on the booktrust website:

http://www.booktrustchildrensbooks.org.uk/advanced_search

Beverley NaidooWeb of Lies – South AfricaJourney to Jo’burg7 – adultSurviving apartheid in South Africa took extra-ordinary courage

Read on: James Berry, James Watson, Benjamin Zephaniah

# Edith Nesbit*Railway Children – Edwardian adventurePhoenix And The Carpet – Myth7-9

These classic adventures still hold interest for today’s children

William Nicholson*Wind Singer Trilogy – Fantasy7-10Fed up with exams? This challenges a society based on examination results!Read on: Jan Mark

Garth NixSabriel – FantasyMister Monday – Game fantasy7-10Popular read

# Mary NortonBorrowers series – Fantasy/Humour7- 9Small people recycle human left-overs.

Edna O’BrienTales for the Telling: Irish Folk and Fairy Stories6-9

Pat O’SheaThe Hounds of the Morrigan – Danger/fantasy8-9Irish adventure involving St. Patrick, evil serpents and an

ancient manuscript.

Kenneth Oppel Silverwing – Bats7-8Pupil recommendation, proving popular.

George OrwellAnimal Farm – Fantasy/allegory8-adult Animals take over a farm and run it for their own benefit

Christopher PaoliniEragon – Dragons7-adult Highly popular, and written by a teenager!

Gary PaulsonBlue Light – Time travel, adventureYear 8A desert camping trip turns into a terrifying journey across time & space

Michelle PaverChronicles of Ancient Darkness – Survival/prehistory7 – adult Torak is alone, wounded, and on the run. His only ally a wolf cub..For more about the prehistoric world read: The kin by Peter

Dickinson,or the Earth’s Children (series) by Jean Auel.

Mervyn PeakeLetters From a Lost Uncle – AdventureMad explorer in the arctic searching for a white lion.. great illustrations

Boy in Darkness – HorrorA tale of Titus, who escapes from Gormenghast to a nightmare grey world.6-adult

http://www.mervynpeake.org

Phillipa Pearce*Tom’s Midnight Garden – Fantasy6-8Find book reviews for this and others at:www.readingmatters.co.uk

Mel PeetKeeper – Sport/Detective/Ghosts8 – 10An undead football keeper inspires a South American teenager to play football

K. M. PeytonBeethoven – Music/Relationships8-9Read on music: William Mayne

# Anne PillingHenry’s Leg – Humour/Crime6-8Henry recovers a shop manikin’s leg from a bin, and finds the oddest ways to use it…Very funny, and the oddest bit of recycling ever.

Edgar Allen PoeTales of Mystery and imagination – Horror (very)Tales of horror – Horror (very)8 - adultWarning: Poe’s use of language has been known to send pupils screaming from the classroom.

Terry Pratchett# Disc World series – Humour/Fantasy8 - adultRead on: Humour in science fiction: Douglas Adams, Piers Anthony, Tom Holt, Robert Rankin Allegorical social satire: George Orwell’s Animal Farm

# Philip Pullman

His Dark Materials trilogy – Adventure7 - adult Watch out for the film: The Golden Compass

# Arthur Ransome*Swallows and Amazons – Sailing AdventureOld Peter’s Russian Tales5-9Children muck about in boats in the Lake Districthttp://www.arthur-ransome.org/ar/swallows-and-amazonsRead on: Marcus Sedgewick Blood Red, Snow White (the story

ofArthur Ransome as a spy in Russia, during the Russian Revolution)

Celia Rees Truth or Dare – Bullying8 - 10

Philip Reeve Mortal Engines – Future/London8 – adult The cities are on the move, and London is joining in the chase. Tom and Hester have been stranded, and somehow want to get back on board.Read on: Neverwhere by Niel Gaiman, Un Lun Dun by China

Mieville

Justin RichardsThe Invisible Detective: Legion of the Dead – Detective7-9London, 1937. Four children investigate crimes.

# Hans Peter Richter 8

Friedrich – German Jews in WWII

James RiordonWhen the Guns Fell Silent – Football/World War I7-10A quick but intense read

Rick RiordanPercy Jackson series – Myths7-9The Greek Gods do not behave well in these booksRead on: Tom Holt, Katherine Roberts

Katherine RobertsThe Seven Fabulous Wonders – Ancient world/Crime/Magic7-9Each title is about one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.www.katherineroberts.com

J. K. Rowling5-8#Harry Potter series – Magic/SchoolRead on Wizards: Frank L. Baum, Terry Goodkind, Diana Wynne Jones,Ursula Le Guin, Gregory Maguire, Cliff McNishRead on Schools: Anthony Buckeridge, Gillian Cross, James Hilton,

Thomas Hughes, Gene Kemp, Michael Morpurgo, Mark Walden

Chris RyanAlpha Force series – Thrillers/survival

8-9Easy read thrillers, but includes SAS safety tips

Louis Sachar Holes7-9Stanley Yelnat has been wrongly sent to Camp Green Lake detention centre where he has to dig a hole a day.

S. F. Said Varjak PawA cross between 101 Dalmations (only cats) and the kungfu kidEnormous fun. Easy to read

Brian SelznicThe Invention of Hugo Cabret – Clocks, Paris6-8A charming adventure, involving films and clocks, beautifully illustrated.

Ian Serraillier**Silver Sword – World War II/ EuropeThere’s No Escape – Sequel7-9Classic story of running away, but in war-torn Europe, and in danger fromthe Nazis, make this a realistic historical novel.

Darren Shan

The Saga of Darren Shan – Popular Horror5-7A very quick and easy read.READ ON: Philip Gross, Robert Westall, Christopher Pike, Robert Swindells, Charlie Fletcher, Ann Halam, Mervyn Peake, Edgar Allen Poe

Alex ShearerThe Lost – HorrorBootleg – ChocolateThe Great Blue Yonder – After death8-9Alex Shearer’s books vary immensely, from horror to

humour to serious issues. Quite easy to read, they will build reading confidence and speed.

Paul Shipton Bug Muldoon and the killer in the rain – Parody/Spy/Animal8-10You have to read this with an American accent to get the joke: Based on American detective films.

Nicky Singer Feather Boy – Self discovery8-10Why does the boy spend a night in a haunted house? Why is he collecting feathers?Read on: Aiden Chambers, Anne Holm, Linda Newbury

Lemony Snicket The Bad Beginning – Victorian adventure6-8Nothing nice happens in these unfortunate adventureswww.lemonysnicket.com

Justin SomperVampirates7-8I have difficulty with the idea of pirates who can only sail at night, but year 7’s seem not to mind!

Robert Louis Stevenson*Treasure Island – AdventureDr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Crime/HorrorKidnapped – Adventure7-9With these challenging reads, you not only advance your

vocabulary, but also meet a deeper level of horror & more excitement in your adventure

Paul Stewart and Chris RiddellThe Edge Chronicles – Adventure6-9Read on: Brian Jacques Redwallhttp://www.stewartandriddell.co.uk This is a great web site!

Ian StrachanJourney of 1000 miles – Survival/Escape/Refugees7-9This is a remarkable tale, based on real life, of courage, enduranceand survival.Read on Yann Martel, Rutgers Van der Loeff

Jonathon StroudBartimeaus trilogy – Fantasy8 - adult http://www.jonathanstroud.com

#Rosemary Sutcliff*

Eagle of the Ninth – Roman soldiersSword and the Circle – Celtic survival6-adult The Roman Celtic clash in ancient Britain affects soldiers and citizens. There is plenty of tension and excitement in these stories.

#Robert Swindells Brother in the Land – Post nuclear holocaustRoom 138-9Teenage novels tackling issues like homelessness and survival

Read on: Robert Westall

Swift, JonathonGulliver’s travels (Lilliput only) – Satire/Fantasy/Allegory7- adult I love the ingenuity with which the little Lilliputians meet the challenge of their giant.

Andrew TaylorThe Invader – Adventure7-8Thrillers for pupils just becoming aware that politics can be dangerous.

James Thurber13 clocks – Fantasy funPeople have forgotten how funny James Thurber can be: both in his adultand children’s books.

#*J. R. R. TolkienThe Hobbit – Fantasy/Adventure.Lord of the Rings – Fantasy/Adventure7 - adult Ridding the world of a ring with terrible powers tests hobbit ingenuity

Read on: Terry Brooks, David Eddings, Robert Jordan, Guy Gavriel Kay, C. S. Lewis, Philip Pullman, Michael S. Rohan, T. H. White, Tad Williams

Sue TownsendGrowing Pains of Adrian Mole – HumourSecret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 ¾ - Humour8-10Yearning after Pandora, Adrian’s scrapes become more crazy by the day.

Mark TwainTom Sawyer – American boy, humourPrince and the Pauper – Role swap/Humour7 – 11Tom is a rogue: full of scams like getting his friends to paint a fence for him...and

pay him for the privilege!

Jean UreTea Leaf on the Roof – AdventurePlague 99 – Survival7-9A London author, whose novels often have an unusual twist.

Rutgers Van der Loeff Children on the Oregon Trail – Survival/U.S. settlers/Adventure7-9Could you make your way over the Rocky Mountains after your covered wagon is destroyed? Based on a true story.

# Jules Verne*Around the World in 80 Days – Balloon adventure*2000 Leagues Under the Sea – AdventureJourney to Centre of the Earth – Adventure7-adult

Scientists, especially geologists enjoy these detailed fictional excursions

Jill Paton Walsh A Parcel of Patterns Eysham plagueDolphin Crossing – World war II7-9Brings history to life, especially the danger at Dunkirk

Keith Waterhouse Billy Liar – Humouradvanced year 8At one point Billy finds himself engaged to three women at the same time. He just can’t tell the truth

H. G Wells*Time machine – Time travel*War of the Worlds – London/Aliens8 - adultThis is the one which, when broadcast, had people running from their homes in panic.