Library
New Books
Four terrific books are advertised below and this week. Our second interviewee, Ms Wilton, has also shared comments on her reading and recommended some authors.
What are you reading? Leading in a culture of change by Michael Fullan. Another book I absolutely LOVED reading was Miss Peregrine's home for Peculiar children by Ransom Riggs.
Are you enjoying them? Leading in a culture of change is enjoyable. It's challenging my thinking a lot. I feel like it's relevant as a teacher as we are about to merge schools so there are lots of changes. It is helping me to remain positive. ‘Miss Peregrine’s ‘ I loved so much, I couldn't put it down and I am really looking forward to reading the next one in the series. I liked the use of old photos and the incorporated elements of history plus travelling to a different dimension. I also liked how the main character saw the house in two completely different ways and the connection to the past. It forces you to think about your memories, and how sometimes they can trick us into thinking things incorrectly.
Would you recommend them? Definitely recommend ‘Leading in a culture ..’ to other teachers or people looking to take on leadership. It’s not a book that students would be interested in, they would fall asleep in five minutes flat! I would recommend Miss Peregrine’s home for Peculiar children to year 7 and 8 girls mostly. It's not very thick which is good and even though the main character is male, I still think it's more suited to girls.
When the ground is hard by Malla Nunn. Two girls from very different worlds – in this story we visit the Keziah Christian Academy in Swaziland where 16 year old Adele Joubert is popular with everyone. It helps she has a white father who can afford her school fees. After the holiday break Adele discovers she’s been replaced by a new girl, whose father is wealthier than hers. Worse still, Adele now has to share a room with Lottie Diamond, a poor girl who does not like to follow the rules. When tragedy strikes the school, these two find themselves investigating the suspicious events around a classmate’s disappearance.
Sensitive by Allayne L. Webster. Thirteen year old Samantha moves to a new town and decides to reinvent herself. She asks to be called SJ and pretends to be healthy, cool and mysterious. SJ suffers with chronic eczema and allergies and she’s fed up being this way. All she wants is to be ‘normal’. This story is explores courage, self-acceptance and the power of friendship.
Mind Cull by K H Canobi. For fantasy lovers, this should hit the mark! Eila is in the running to represent a global marketing campaign for a new virtual reality skinsuit. A fierce battle is raging for control of her mind. Crazy, crazy, secrets and deceptions are everywhere. When ‘Activists’ reveal a murderous plot, things get interesting. Elia finds it hard to tell who her true allies are and how she will protect innocent lives.
Pirate boy of Sydney town by Jackie French. This is a swashbuckling adventure which uncovers part of Australia’s hidden history as a pirate port and slavers’ den. Our story begins with Ben Huntsmore, the 12 year old son of a ship owner and only child. Hardship comes after Ben’s father loses their ancestral home in 1809 as payment for a gambling debt. Ben reluctantly joins his father aboard his boat, capturing enemy trading ships off the west Australian coast.