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Showing posts from October, 2023

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS5/Adult - 365 Poems for Life: An Uplifting Collection for Every Day of the Year by Allie Esiri

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  Discover  365 Poems for Life , an uplifting poem-a-day collection from award-winning curator Allie Esiri. This nourishing poem-a-day collection offers readers a brief moment of escape from daily life through some of the warmest words in the English language. Whether you’re searching for wisdom or looking to boost your wellbeing, dip into this anthology to share with others or enjoy a quiet moment of calm every day of the year. Explore a wide range of poets, including Maya Angelou, Carol Ann Duffy, Kae Tempest, Dylan Thomas, Ocean Vuong and many more. The perfect gift for poetry lovers and newbies alike, this beautiful anthology brings a moment of solace every day of the year. Publisher:  Pan Macmillan ISBN:  9781529088397 Number of pages:  368

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS3 -My Heart Was a Tree: Poems and stories to celebrate trees by Michael Morpurgo

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This extraordinary collection of poems and stories is based on Michael Morpurgo's passion for trees and what they mean to animals, humanity and the world around us. Inspired by the poem by Ted Hughes which gives this book its title, by the woods around his home, and by the mighty forests that support our life on Earth, this book is a celebration, and Michael's love letter to trees. There are stories from an ancient olive remembering Odysseus and Penelope, and from a eucalyptus that gave shelter to a koala; from a piece of driftwood that was made into a chair, and from a tiny sapling carried by a refugee as a reminder of home - these are poems and stories that will amuse, move and energise families and readers of all ages to appreciate the beauty and wonder of trees. Yuval Zommer's beautiful, detailed illustrations bring the natural world to life, and make  My Heart was a Tree  a book to pore over for hours and hours, discovering something new each time. Publisher:  Pan Macm

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS4 - She is Fierce: Brave, Bold and Beautiful Poems by Women by Ana Sampson

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  A stunning gift book containing 150 bold, brave and beautiful poems by women – from classic, well loved poets to innovative and bold modern voices. From suffragettes to school girls, from spoken word superstars to civil rights activists, from aristocratic ladies to kitchen maids, these are voices that deserve to be heard. Collected by anthologist Ana Sampson  She is Fierce: B rave, Bold and Beautiful Poems by Women  contains an inclusive array of voices, from modern and contemporary poets. Immerse yourself in poems from Maya Angelou, Nikita Gill, Wendy Cope, Ysra Daley-Ward, Emily Bronte, Carol Ann Duffy, Fleur Adcock, Liz Berry, Jackie Kay, Hollie McNish, Imtiaz Dharker, Helen Dunmore, Emily Dickinson, Mary Oliver, Christina Rossetti, Margaret Atwood and Dorothy Parker, to name but a few! Featuring short biographies of each poet,  She is Fierce  is a stunning collection and an essential addition to any bookshelf. The anthology is divided into the following sections: Roots and Growin

Hauntingly Good Books for Halloween - OPHS Library Book Recommendations for KS3, KS4 and KS5/Adult

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  KS3 Halloween Book Recommendation: The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron In the world of the Vanquishers, vampires were history ... until now. Malika "Boog" Wilson and her best friends have grown up idolising The Vanquishers, a group of heroic vampire hunters who wiped out the last horde of the undead decades ago. Nowadays, most people don't take even the most basic vampire precautions - the days of garlic wreaths and early curfews are long gone - but Boog's parents still follow the old rules, much to her embarrassment. When a friend goes missing, Boog isn't sure what to think. Could it be the school counsellor, Mr Rupert, who definitely seems to be hiding something? Or could it be something more dangerous? Boog is determined to save her friend, but is she ready to admit vampires might not be vanquished after all? No one ever expected the Vanquishers to return, but if their town needs protection from the undead, Boog knows who to call ... Publisher:  Bloomsbury Publi

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS5/Adult - People Person by Candice Carty-Williams

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  If you could choose your family... you wouldn't choose the Penningtons. Dimple Pennington knew  of  her half siblings, but she didn't really  know  them. Five people who don't have anything in common except for faint memories of being driven through Brixton in their dad's gold jeep, and some pretty complex abandonment issues. Dimple has bigger things to think about. She's thirty, and her life isn't really going anywhere. An aspiring lifestyle influencer with a terrible and wayward boyfriend, Dimple's life has shrunk to the size of a phone screen. And despite a small but loyal following, she's never felt more alone in her life. That is, until a dramatic event brings her half siblings Nikisha, Danny, Lizzie and Prynce crashing back into her life. And when they're all forced to reconnect with Cyril Pennington, the absent father they never really knew, things get even more complicated. Publisher:  Orion Publishing Co ISBN:  9781409180128 Number of page

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS4 - Endgame - Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

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  20 years ago, Malorie Blackman's  Noughts & Crosses , a story that charted the deeply forbidden romance between Sephy (a Cross) and Callum (a Nought) was published. Theirs was a love affair that has had repercussions for their families for generations. Until now. Endgame , the final book in the series, is a breathtaking conclusion to the groundbreaking series. The first Nought Prime Minister, Toney Durbridge, is about to go on trial for the murder of notorious ganglord, Dan Jeavons. Tobey insists he is being framed. There were ten seats at Dan's dinner party the night he was killed and each guest had their own reasons for wishing him dead. Sephy Hadley was one of the guests that night. Haunted by the idea that she didn't do enough to stop the death of her first love, Callum McGregor, Sephy will not sit quietly and wait for accusations to fall on her now. She has her children to protect... It's time that actions speak louder than words. Time that the truth is uncov

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS3 - The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger by J.T. Williams (author), Simone Douglas (illustrator)

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  Shortlisted for the  Waterstones Children's Book Prize  2023 Younger Readers Shortlist A thrilling middle grade mystery series set in Eighteenth-Century London, with all the fun and zest of Hamilton, and inspired by real Black British historical figures. Twelve-year-olds Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle are from different worlds - Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dad's tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at grand Kenwood House - but they both share a love of solving mysteries. And when their eyes meet in the audience of the Drury Lane theatre one night, both girls are sure they've seen something suspicious on stage. Lizzie and Belle soon find themselves on the trail of a mystery - and becoming best friends. But can they work out what's going on in time to prevent a murder? Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers ISBN:  9780008485252 Number of pages:  368

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS3 - The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Phantom Thief - The Breakfast Club Adventures by Marcus Rashford

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  Marcus and the Breakfast Club Investigators are back and better than ever, just in time for for a brand new investigation! The Breakfast Club Adventures: The Phantom Thief  is the third book in an exciting mystery series by England International footballer, child food-poverty campaigner and bestselling author Marcus Rashford MBE, inspired by Marcus's own experiences growing up! Written with Alex Falase-Koya and packed with tons of illustrations by Marta Kissi, it is it the perfect book for children aged 8-11. A mysterious figure is stealing from clubs all over Rutherford High! The only clue is a strange calling card left at the scene of the crime... When the thief strikes just as Art Club is getting ready for a big show, everyone is worried the exhibition will be cancelled. As suspicion falls on one of the Breakfast Club Investigators, Marcus and friends must race against time to find the stolen painting and unmask the true thief before it's too late! Publisher:  Pan Macmilla

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS4 - Children of Blood and Bone - Legacy of Orisha by Tomi Adeyemi

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  Once an enchanted land, Orïsha’s magic vanished without trace, leaving those who wielded it enslaved to a ruthless king. But now magic is returning and one girl has the chance to turn the tide… They killed my mother. They took our magic. They tried to bury us. Now we rise. The daughter of a great maji, Zélie Adebola remembers a time when magic flowed through the land and through the bones of the summoners.  With her white hair, the mark of the gods, she is marked as one of the ibawi – the divine - those with the potential for power.  When a chance encounter brings her face to face with a rogue princess escaping from the palace with an object of immense significance, Zélie finds herself on a mission to restore what was stolen from her people and claim her birth right. As Zélie journeys across Orïsha, she discovers a land full of unforeseen dangers: snow leoponaires, avenging spirits and the threat of the crown prince, who will stop at nothing to rid the land of enchantment once and fo

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS5/Adult - The Fraud by Zadie Smith

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  The extraordinary first historical novel from bestselling author of  White Teeth  Zadie Smith It is 1873. Mrs Eliza Touchet is the Scottish housekeeper - and cousin by marriage - of a once famous novelist, now in decline, William Ainsworth, with whom she has lived for thirty years. Mrs Touchet is a woman of many interests: literature, justice, abolitionism, class, her cousin, his wives, this life and the next. But she is also sceptical. She suspects her cousin of having no talent; his successful friend, Mr Charles Dickens, of being a bully and a moralist; and England of being a land of facades, in which nothing is quite what it seems. Andrew Bogle meanwhile grew up enslaved on the Hope Plantation, Jamaica. He knows every lump of sugar comes at a human cost. That the rich deceive the poor. And that people are more easily manipulated than they realise. When Bogle finds himself in London, star witness in a celebrated case of imposture, he knows his future depends on telling the right st

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS4 - Believe by Leigh-Anne Pinnock

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  I found my power when I realized it was within me, within my skin and within  my soul. It just needed to be set free' Leigh-Anne Pinnock's life changed overnight when she became part of the first ever girl band to win the X-Factor. The multi-platinum selling supergroup Little Mix, went on to become one of the biggest girl bands of all time. Launched into chart-topping global fame, Leigh-Anne was living her childhood dream of becoming a popstar. But behind the scenes, as a Black woman within an industry and team with little diversity, Leigh-Anne was struggling with her identity and felt completely lost. In her highly anticipated memoir, Leigh-Anne shares her journey from growing up in a mixed-race family in Britain to taking the pop world by storm. Honest and direct, she reveals the challenges and prejudices that stood in her path and how she overcame them by embracing her own power. Sharing the experiences and lessons that have shaped Leigh-Anne, this book will empower us all

The Library Weekly Book Recommendation - KS3 - Black History for Every Day of the Year by David Olusoga and Yinka Olusoga

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  Black History for Every Day of the Year  by award-winning historian and broadcaster David Olusoga and his siblings, Yinka Olusoga and Kemi Olusoga, gives readers a unique and vital celebration of Black history, sweeping across the world and through the ages. Discover the joy of Black History - a piece for every day of the year. Meet well known figures and unsung heroes, read about famous and lesser known key cultural moments and discover brilliant information about Black people throughout history, from ancient times to the modern day. With accessible pieces of history broken down by date, this gorgeous hardback is perfect for all ages, revealing a rich history that is relevant to us all. Publisher:  Pan Macmillan ISBN:  2928377114701 Number of pages:  496

The Library Weekly Book Recommendations - KS5/Adult - Just Sayin': My Life In Words by Malorie Blackman

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  Malorie Blackman is one of Britain’s best and most beloved children’s authors, the landmark Noughts & Crosses series included amongst her many books. Her journey to becoming a writer was a long one, but throughout it all she retained a sense of wonder and humour. Before her BAFTA award wins, her OBE and appointment as Children’s Laureate in 2013, Malorie was a young girl from South London who fell in love with books and found a home in her local library and a world of words at her fingertips. From embracing her alternative way of seeing the world and all its fascinating differences and possibilities; to her desire to share that passion with others by becoming an English teacher but being told no by her careers advisor because of her race; to the doctor who told her she would be dead by thirty when she was diagnosed with sickle cell, and the eighty plus rejection letters she received from publishers before her first ever children’s book was published. Her life’s journey - has been

The OPHS Library Online Newsletter October 2023 #27

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  The OPHS Library Online Newsletter October 2023 #27 Welcome to our  Online Monthly Library Newsletter Every month, in our new Library Newsletter, we will have reviews on wonderful books that we have in our Library, snippets of new books on the horizon and interesting information about lovely Authors and books-to-movies information. There will be links to access upcoming books that are in The Library and lots of book information that you will enjoy.  We will have competitions, winner announcements, links to short stories and poems and other interesting literacy information all in one Newsletter!   If you would like to add a contribution to our next Newsletter (November issue), such as, what is your favourite book from our Library?  What were your favourite and/or worst books that you have ever read?  Would you like to send in a book review and/or a literacy picture? Can you think of anything else that would look great in our newsletter?  Then please email: ltaylor@oakspark.redbridge.s