Which books, recommended by pupils and staff, made it onto the 'Best Books' reading list?
Our librarians have put together an amazing compilation of the 'Best Books' that Harrodian pupils and staff have read since September last year. The reading list was shared with everyone via email and online learning platforms on Thursday 4th March to mark World Book Day.
Mrs Brenda Powell (Junior Library), who came up with the idea of compiling a list, explains her motivation behind the project, 'in this crazy year of Covid and lockdowns, I wanted everyone at Harrodian to share their thoughts on what they think makes a great book, and inspire each other to perhaps try a book that they may not have thought of by themselves.'
In this crazy year of Covid and lockdowns, I wanted everyone at Harrodian to share their thoughts on what they think makes a great book, and inspire each other to perhaps try a book that they may not have thought of.
Mrs Brenda Powell, Junior Library
In each of the age categories, the list features an even mix of both older and more modern literature. In the Pre-Prep, traditional fairy tales and old classics like Asterix, stories by Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton are balanced with more modern fiction and new book series like Isadora Moon, Beast Quest, Horrid Henry and titles by David Williams.
Moving in to the Prep and the Seniors, the classics become more heavyweight with works by Agatha Christie, Sir Conan Doyle, Louisa May Alcott, Alexandre Dumas, Ernest Hemingway, the Bronte sisters and Charlies Dickens recommended, with newer series of books like Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Alex Rider, Cherub, Jack Reacher, His Dark Materials also popular.
This reading list is such a brilliant reference for future reading, as well as birthday/Christmas presents and summer holidays.
In the Sixth Form the reading list is more eclectic and features fiction greats like A Room with a View by E.M. Forster and Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles but also includes more factual reads including the biographies of Robert Maxwell, Churchill and Steve Jobs. Many of the books chosen by our eldest pupils are more specialised and delve deeper into academic subjects like history, philosophy, polictis and science with Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, The Epigentics Revolution, and Populism: a very short introduction, being amongst some of the titles picked.
Meanwhile Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen was the most recommended book by staff. Another one for the book wishlist is The Rotter's Club by Jonathan Coe, as recommended by Headmaster Mr Hooke and Ms Callon from the Senior library.
The feedback from staff has been highly complimentary with comments like, 'this reading list is such a brilliant reference for future reading, as well as birthday and Christmas presents,' and 'thank you, I now have have my summer reading list sorted!'. Our pupils are also referring to a hard copy of the list when they come in for Library periods, and are enjoying some of the recommendations.
To view a copy for yourself, please follow the link below:
Harrodian's 'Best Books' Reading List
Other fun activities that took place on World Book Day, while pupils and staff were still working from home, involved children dressing up as their favourite book characters, staff taking part in a "Masked Reader" quiz, bookmark-making, writing six-word stories, book scavenger hunts, reading challenges, book reviews and building reading dens at home.
See some of the photos below and view our gallery for photos of homemade reading dens:
To view the gallery of reading dens created by Lower Prep pupils
Children dressed up as their favourite book characters:
Lower Prep "Masked Reader" quiz. Can you guess the teacher?
