Reading Matters
Nurturing a love of reading in a child's free time is a tangible way to equip children with the reading skills they need to thrive in school and beyond (as well as bringing wider benefits for wellbeing and confidence!)
In Senior School, we ask the students to talk to us about their independent reading and there is an opportunity at the end of each term to share a presentation with the rest of the class, highlighting what they have enjoyed.
What Parents Can Do to Help
We understand that it can be difficult to ‘make’ your daughter sit down with a book if she is a reluctant reader but please use the Summer holiday to explore different options:
- Traditional novels
- Audio books (freely available from your local library)
- Graphic novels and manga are increasingly popular and can seem less overwhelming than traditional books
- Non-fiction (just as good as fiction!)
Please encourage your daughter to set herself a reading challenge matched to personal interests and abilities. Let her decide what she would like to read and then work together to develop a healthy reading habit.
What Should Girls be Reading?
Obviously, there is no ‘right’ answer to this question but a good reading list might include a popular fantasy series like Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia. We would also recommend The Hunger Games or the Percy Jackson Series. The Edge Chronicles are good and Murder Most Unladylike is fun. The Wingfeather Series is popular, as is The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
There is always a place for classic fiction. Many of our students enjoy Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie. Some have even ventured into texts by Bronte, Austen and Dickens.
For more able readers we might also suggest the His Dark Materials Series by Phillip Pullman or Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and sequels by Cassandra Clare.
The School Librarian Recommends!
Book Title Author | Book Cover | Why you chose it |
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne | I would recommend this amazing book to anyone over the age of eleven, due to its stunning plot and the way that John Boyne has kept the reader hooked. | |
For the Wolf, by Hannah Whitten | A retelling of Red Riding Hood, but it expands the story in unexpected directions. All about finding yourself and trusting your power, this is a good book to stretch your reading! | |
Tempests and Slaughter, by Tamora Pierce | I’ll admit - I wasn’t a huge fan of this book while I was reading it. But nearly a year later, all of the characters started creeping back into my mind, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it! Definitely on my ‘must read again’ list! | |
The Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy | Skulduggery Pleasant is a series of dark fantasy novels written by Irish author Derek Landy. Tom Percival is the series' illustrator. The books revolve around the adventures of fledgling detective Valkyrie Cain and her mentor Skulduggery Pleasant, along with other friends and allies. | |
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab | A spooky fantasy book set in Edinburgh, with lots of ghosts and scary moments! If you like Harry Potter, then you will like this book! | |
Thorn by Intisar Khanani | A really engaging read about a princess who has her identity stolen, and reinvents herself as a goose girl. Trust me - it’s much better than it sounds! It has a talking horse! | |
The Hate U Give | Starr sees her childhood friend Khalil being shot by a police officer… Powerful stuff. | |
A Series of Unfortunate Events | An accessible read for all ages, this series follows the misfortunes of the Baudelaire orphans. Who is Count Olaf and what does he want?! | |
We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen | A funny YA book from a Canadian author about blended families and neurodivergence and how to annoy your new step-sister. I couldn’t stop laughing out loud! |
We look forward to welcoming your daughter into the English Department and hearing all about her Summer reading adventures!
Please ask her to bring a book that she enjoys reading into school.
Thank you.