Winter Reads

As we approach the final week of term, students are now able to borrow up to 5 books from the Library. To celebrate the festive season, the GCH Library team have put together a list of Christmassy reads for the holidays - enjoy!

All titles in bold are the first in their series and any 'Holiday special' books part of a series are also identified.

Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle [STA]

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens [STA]

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern [STA/STM] 

Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick [STA]

The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave [STA]

The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave [STM]

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater [STA/STM]

All Wrapped Up  by Holly Smale [STA] - A Geek Girl Novella 

A Winter's Promise (eBook) by Christelle Dabos 

Stealing Snow by Danielle Page [STM -New!] 

A Mystery in White by Joseph J. Farjeon [STA]

The Ice Dragon by George R.R. Martin (eBook)

Murder and Mistletoe by Robin Stevens [STA] - Part of the Murder Most Unladylike series

And a Happy New Year? by Holly Bourne [STA/STM] - Part of the Spinster Club series

Hetty Feather's Christmas by Jacqueline Wilson [STA] - Part of the Hetty Feather series

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab [STM]

The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher [STA]

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by David Levithan and Rachel Cohn [STA]

Prisoner of Ice and Snow by Ruth Lauren [STA]

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong [STA/STM - New!] 

Happy Holidays!

Scholastic Book Fair

From December 8th-14th, the Library will be home to the Scholastic Book Fair. Come along at break or lunch or visit Mrs Swan at the Guild Christmas Fair this Friday to buy a book!

There will be some great titles available this year, including The First to Die at the End (prequel to GCH favorite They Both Die at the End), Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus, the Heartstopper Yearbook and Marcus Rashford's new book You Can Do It. 

If you would like to purchase a book from the fair during school time please bring in cash -  cash and card will be accepted during the Guild Christmas Fair only.

The Scholastic Book Fair will open at St Andrew's Library at break on Thursday 8th December.

A Trip to the Archives

This week, a group of our Year 9 and 10 students got the opportunity to visit Westminster Archives as part of a research day organised by our Librarian, Mrs. Swan.

Here they were lucky enough to read the original minute books of The Grey Coat Hospital from 1863-1885 for themselves. We also had great fun looking into the student's behaviour as recorded in the 1850s reports and admiring the dramatic penmanship of the 1780s.

After returning from the archives, the students researched Victorian life using library resources and learnt about what schools were like for children at that time.

The afternoon was then spent researching the lives of 19th century Grey Coat students using Ancestry and working on some creative writing pieces featuring the former students - which we look forward to sharing very soon!

Transgender Awareness Week

In the UK, the 13-19th of November is marked as Transgender Awareness Week. 

This aims to support and raise the visibility of transgender and gender non-conforming people while bringing a focus to the issues faced by the community. In this spirit, we have put together a reading list of some of the great books featuring and written by transgender or gender non-conforming people.

All books listed are available to borrow from the Library unless stated otherwise!

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo [eBook*]

'A new kind of big-hearted novel about being seen for who you really are.'

Available as an ebook, this book was inspired by Meredith Russo's own life. It is celebrated for bring the first widely distributed YA book written by a transgender woman about transgender teenagers. 

'Amanda Hardy is the new girl in school. Like anyone else, all she wants is to make friends and fit in. But Amanda is keeping a secret, and she's determined not to get too close to anyone. 

But when she meets sweet, easygoing Grant, Amanda can't help but start to let him into her life. As they spend more time together, she realises just how much she is losing by guarding her heart. She finds herself yearning to share with Grant everything about herself, including her past. But Amanda's terrified that once she tells him the truth, he won't be able to see past it. 

Because the secret Amanda's been keeping? It's that at her old school, she used to be Andrew. Will the truth cost Amanda her new life, and her new love?

Meredith Russo's If I Was Your Girl is a universal story about feeling different and a love story that everyone will root for.'

Trans Mission by Alex Bertie [STM - 301.415] 

'Being a teenager is difficult enough, but having to go through puberty whilst realising you're in the wrong body means dealing with a whole new set of problems: bullying, self-doubt and in some cases facing a physical and medical transition.

Alex is an ordinary teenager: he likes pugs, donuts, retro video games and he sleeps with his socks on. He's also transgender, and was born female. He's been living as a male for the past few years and has recently started his physical transition.

Throughout this book, Alex will share what it means to be in his shoes, as well as his personal advice to other trans teens. Above all, he will show you that every step in his transition is another step towards happiness. This is an important and positive book, a heart-warming coming-of-age memoir with a broad appeal.'

I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman [STM]

Told in a dual POV style, Alice Oseman's third book explores fame, friendship and the complexities of identity. 

'For Angel Rahimi, life is only about one thing: The Ark - a pop-rock trio of teenage boys who are currently taking the world by story. Being part of The Ark's fandom has given her everything - her friendships, her dreams, her place in the world.

Jimmy Kaga-Ricci owes everything to The Ark too. He's their frontman - and playing in a band it all he's ever dreamed of doing. It's just a shame that recently everything in his life seems to have turned into a bit of a nightmare.

Because that's the problem with dreaming - eventually, inevitably, real life arrives with a wake-up call. And when Angel and Jimmy are unexpectedly thrust together, they will discover just how strange and surprising facing up to reality can be.'

Melissa by Alex Gino [STA/STM]

Previously titled George, this book was renamed by the author in 2021. Melissa was written is response to a lack of transgender representation in children's literature and has been described by Alex Gino as 'the book [they] wanted to read' while growing up. 

'When people look at Melissa, they think they see a boy named George. But she knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.

Melissa thinks she'll have to keep this a secret forever. Then her teacher announces that their class play is going to be Charlotte's Web. Melissa, really, really, REALLY wants to play Charlotte. But the teacher says she can't even try out for the part... because she's a boy.

With the help of her best friend, Kelly, Melissa comes up with a plan. Not just so she can be Charlotte - but so everyone can know who she is, once and for all.'

What's the T? by Juno Dawson [STM-301.415]

'Discover what it means to be a young transgender or non-binary person in the twenty-first century in this frank and funny guide for 14+ teens, from the author of This Book is Gay. 

What's the T?, Stonewall ambassador, bestselling trans author and former PSHE teacher Juno Dawson defines a myriad of labels and identities and offers uncensored advice on coming out, sex and relationships with her trademark humour and lightness of touch. Juno has also invited her trans and non-binary friends to make contributions, ensuring this inclusive book reflects as many experiences as possible, and features the likes of Travis Alabanza and Jay Hulme.

The companion title to the groundbreaking This Book is Gay, What's the T? tackles the complex realities of growing up trans with honesty and humour, and is joyfully illustrated by gender non-conforming artift Soofiya.'

Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino [STA]

Also by GCH favourite Alex Gino, Alice Austen Lived Here is a brilliant novel about friendship, family, identity and queer history. 

'Sam is very in touch with their own queer identity. They're nonbinary, and their best friend, TJ, is nonbinary as well. Sam's family is very cool with it... as long as Sam remembers that nonbinary kids are also required to clean their rooms, do their homework, and try not to antagonise their teachers too much.

The teacher-respect thing is hard when it comes when it comes to Sam's history class, because their teacher seems to believe that only Dead Straight Cis White Men are responsible for history. When Sam's home borough of Staten Island opens up a contest for a new statue, Sam finds the perfect non-DSCWM subject:  photographer Alice Austen, whose house has been turned into a museum, and who lived with a female partner for decades.

Soon, Sam's project isn't just about winning the contest. It's about discovering a rich queer history that Sam's a part of - a queer history that no longer needs to be quiet, as long as there are kids like Sam and TJ to stand up for it.'

The following YA books are not currently available at the Library but also come highly recommended!

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (Fantasy/Romance/Contemporary)

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender (First Love/High School/Contemporary Romance)

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver  (Contemporary Romance/Mental Health)

Meet Cute Diary by Emery Lee (Rom-Com/Contemporary)

May the Best Man Win by ZR Ellor (Contemporary Romance/High School/Rivalry)

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Fraser [GN] (First Love/Friendship/High School)

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore (Historical Romance/Friendship/Inspired By)

*For more information on how to borrow our eBooks check out this blog post: Spotlight on eBooks!

Create a Comic Competition

This month, GCH Library is proud to promote ReadingZone's Create a Comic Competition.

Comics may be created by individual students or by pairs and groups. You can use any media form but all entries should be printed on a single A4 page and handed in to Ms. Weston before December 1st. 

Prizes include subscriptions to The Phoenix comic and graphic novels for the school of the winning student. 

You can collect a template from the front desk at St Andrew's Library or download one here! There are also some great video resources on the ReadingZone website about planning stories, comic layouts and cover and blurb design. 

Please ask at the Library desk if you have any questions about the competition and good luck!

Autumnal Reads

With the half-term break quickly approaching, the GCH Library team have prepared a seasonal reading list for those looking for something different to read over the holidays!

Listed below are a wide range of mysteries, school stories, horror, fantasy, gothic classics and a few more lighthearted autumnal picks such as Pumpkinheads and Mooncakes. 

All titles listed are available to  borrow from the Library with their locations detailed below - do ask if you would like a book from a different site to be transported over for you to borrow!

All titles in bold are the first in their series. 

Nothing More to Tell by Karen M. McManus [STA] 

The Haunting of Aveline Jones by Phil Hicks [STA]

Wilder Girls by Rory Power [STM]

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson  [STA/STM]

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte [STA/STM]

Unraveller by Frances Hardinge [STA]

How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao [STM] 

Sheets by Brenna Thummler [STA -GN]

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova [STA] 

October, October by Katy Balen [STA]

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier [STA/STM] 

Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson [STA]

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio [STM]

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik [STA]

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman [STA/STM] 

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab [STA]

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving [STA] 

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones [STA]

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé [STM]

First Term at Malory Towers by Enid Blyton [STA]

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Eric Hicks [STA/STM - GN]

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes [STA/STM]

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake [STM]

The Secret History by Donna Tartt [STA/M]

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu [STA - GN]

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson [STA]

 Happy reading!

Black History Month

In the UK, Black History Month takes place annually every October. To mark this, GCH Library team have put together a reading list featuring some of our Black History resources and highlighting some of the great fiction created by Black authors.

For more book recommendations check out the Black History Month displays! These can be found in both libraries and are regularly updated throughout October.

Non-Fiction 

Natives by Akala (St Michael's)

Black and British: A Forgotten History by David Olusoga (Both sites)

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge (St Andrew's)

Black Tudors: The Untold Story by Miranda Kaufmann (St Andrew's)

Love and Justice: A Journey of Empowerment, Activism and Embracing Black Beauty by Laetitia Ky (St Michael's)

Black Londoners, 1880-1990 by Susan Okokon (St Andrew's)

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Dr Maya Angelou (St Andrew's)

Young, Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson and Andrea Pippins (St Andrew's)

Black Poppies: Britain's Black Community and the Great War by Stephen Bourne (St Michael's)

Fiction

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (St Michael's)

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Both sites)

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (St Andrew's)

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (St Michael's)

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston (St Andrew's)

Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron (St Andrew's)

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman (Both sites)

Queen of Freedom - Defending Jamaica by Catherine Johnson (St Andrew's)

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (St Michael's)

The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta (St Michael's)

Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tolá Okogwu (St Andrew's)

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo (St Michael's)

Beloved by Toni Morrison (St Andrew's)

March by Lewis, Aydin and Powell  (St Andrew's - Graphic Novel)

When Our Worlds Collided by Danielle Jawando (St Michael's)

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (St Andrew's)

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson (St. Andrew's)

Shuri: A Black Panther Novel by Nic Stone (St Andrew's)

For a great range of online and in person Black History Month events check out your local library too!

There is plenty going on throughout October and beyond. Lambeth Libraries in particular has a brilliant program of free events this year - click here for more info!

National Poetry Day

On Thursday 6th October, GCH Library celebrated National Poetry Day!

Students had the opportunity to browse our poetry display featuring collections from a range of poets including Simon Armitage, Emily Bronte, John Keats, Carol Ann Duffy and Benjamin Zephaniah.

We were also proud to display Nikita Gill's new debut YA collection of beautifully illustrated feminist poetry. 

In Library lessons, Mrs Swan also read poems to classes of Year 7, 8 and 9 students. 

Throughout the term, students have been encouraged to create their own black-out poetry made from the pages of old, damaged books.

Thank you to everyone who handed in their work!

East and South East Asian Heritage Month

Originally organised in 2021 by besea.n, East and South East Asian Heritage Month is celebrated in September within the UK and focuses on reclaiming joy!

In celebration of this besea.n are hosting many brilliant events this month - including a 'Chinatown Stories Community-Led Walking Tour' this weekend, the upcoming Henley Literary Festival and several virtual discussions with authors such as Angela Hui and Winnie M Li next week. Check out their program here for more events! 

To mark ESEA Heritage Month, the Library team have highlighted some of the great titles by ESEA authors available to borrow from GCH Library. The following books also come highly recommended by the besea.n team and British bookshop The Colourful Bookshelf!

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (Located at St Michael's - this book is suited to older readers)

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki   

Bone Talk by Candy Gourlay 

The Boy in the Tower by Polly Ho-Yen 

Shine by Candy Gourlay 

For more information about new and upcoming ESEA YA fiction, check out the Bubble Tea Writers group which is run by author Maisie Chan and aims to support and encourage all authors of East and Southeast Asian descent in the UK. Most recently, the group hosted a virtual celebration of YA fiction and featured readings from titles such as Cynthia So's If You Still Recognise Me. 

British-born Chinese book blogger Daisybutter has also curated their own brilliant 'Starter ESEA Reading List'. Click here to check out their recommendations!

Happy East and South East Asian Heritage Month!

The Year of Giving: A Reading List

To celebrate Theme Day this week, the GCH Library Team have put together a reading list to celebrate the year of 'Giving'.

Reading lists will shortly be available at the Library desk but for now here are some of the great titles we've chosen to highlight this year:

Available now:

You should see me in a crown by Leah Johnson 

Becoming by Michelle Obama 

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy 

Not my problem by Ciara Smyth 

Alex Neptune - dragon thief by David Owen 

Carve her name with pride by R J Minney

Fountains of silence by Ruta Sepetys 

Coming soon to GCH Library!

The secret life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain 

You can do it - how to find your voice and make a difference by Marcus Rashford 

Love in colour: mythical tales from around the world, retold by Bolu Babalola

Love in the Blitz by Eileen Alexander 

Courage to care by Christy Watson 

Hades, Argentina by Daniel Loedel 

Anatomy: a love story by Dana Schwartz 

Keep an eye out for our upcoming 'Giving' display for more book recommendations! 

Graphic Novel Club News: Trip to Forbidden Planet!

Towards the end of last term, the Graphic Novels Club were lucky enough to visit the Forbidden Planet Superstore!

Having already eagerly read (and reread!) the broad range of graphic novels available at the Library, our book club members were tasked with picking out some brand new titles.

Working together to manage their book-buying budget, the students carefully chose a great selection of graphic novels including the next instalments of My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist and many more exciting new books. 

All books purchased by the GN Club will soon be available to be borrowed by all students. Keep an eye out for our 'Chosen by the Graphic Novel Club' stickers on all new titles.

Thank you to Lee and Victoria at Forbidden Planet for all their brilliant help and expertise - the GN Club very much looks forward to returning again next year!

Summer Reading for Staff

As the summer holidays approach, our Pupil Librarians and Library regulars have been busy helping everyone get ready for a summer full of reading!

This year, teachers and support staff alike have been encouraged to request a summer reading recommendation from our students. 

With the vast majority of staff opting for a 'Student's Choice' recommendation, our pupils have had a great week selecting books they think their teachers will enjoy and sharing their favourite books with GCH staff!

All Summer Reading picks are now available for staff to collect from both Libraries. We look forward to hearing your reviews and having some great discussions in September!

12 books to try if you liked Heartstopper!

Following the huge success of Alice Oseman's Heartstopper series, the GCH Library team have compiled a list of similar fiction books and graphic novels to read while you wait for volume 5!

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales 

Described as 'Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets Clueless in this boy-meets-boy spin on Grease', this high school romance is a perfect summer read for Heartstopper fans. 

What If It's Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera 

Arthur is working in New York for the summer when he bumps into Ben in a rom-com worthy meet-cute at the post office but is real life romance anything like he's seen on stage?

Filled with teen drama and pop culture references, What If It's Us is the highly successful collaborative effort of GCH favourites Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli. 

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston 

Chloe Green has spent her entire high school career competing against model student and principal's daughter Shara Wheeler to finally win valedictorian but when Shara goes missing on prom night Chloe's plans are turned upside down. Forming an unlikely alliance with Shara's boyfriend and neighbor, the three students encounter secret clues, parties and break-ins in their mission to unravel the secrets of their small town and find Shara in time for graduation. 

Casey McQuiston's YA rom-com debut is a great choice if you enjoy the strong friendships of Alice Oseman's books and the mysteries of The Inheritance Games or One of Us is Lying. 

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Set in 1980s Texas, teenage boys Aristotle and Dante bond over their unusual names and grow closer over the years in this beautifully written coming of age story. Sharing Heartstopper's realism, Sáenz's novel is a brilliant 'slice of life' style novel full of love in all its many forms. 

Highly praised for its atmospheric writing and lyricism, Aristotle and Dante is an ideal relaxing summer read. 

Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks 

Deja and Josiah work together at a pumpkin patch and have been best friends for years. Pumpkinheads follows their adventure-packed last shift together as the two prepare to leave their town - but are they ready to leave each other behind?

Illustrated by Faith Hicks, this beautifully designed graphic novel has a very similar feel to that of Heartstopper with echoes of Nick and Charlie's relationship as the two students' friendship develops into romance.

Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth 

Set in Ireland, Not My Problem follows Aideen's attempts to solve her classmate's problems as she diligently avoids her own - while managing to consensually push her nemesis Meabh down a flight of stairs. 

Fans of Alice Oseman are bound to enjoy Ciara Smyth's unique queer rom-com which perfectly balances humour and adventure with real life issues in a genuine and thoughtful way. 

The Girl From The Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag 

Fifteen-year-old Molly is desperate to move away from her home on the island until her life changes when a mysterious girl named Keltie saves her life and changes it forever in this sweet coming of age story.

Molly Knox Ostertag explores themes of family, friendship,  romance and first love with a supernatural twist in this charming graphic novel suitable for students of all ages and perfect for fans of The Baby-Sitter's Club and Heartstopper

You Should See Me In a Crown by Leah Johnson 

Liz Lighty dreams of going to medical school but when the financial aid she needs to study falls through, she's forced to get inventive. 

Encouraged by her friends, Liz enters the running for Prom Queen with it's generous cash prize but the journey to the crown is far from easy!

Full of school drama, love, friendships and real life issues, Leah Johnson's debut rom-com is another great summer read.

Lumberjanes by N.D. Stevenson

Another GCH favourite! The Lumberjanes series chronicles the adventures of best friends Jo, April, Molly, Mal and Ripley as their activities at summer camp are repeatedly derailed by magical quests and supernatural interventions. 

With the first 13 volumes now available at the Library, Lumberjanes is a great series to get stuck into over the summer and a highly recommended choice if you loved Charlie, Tao, Aled and Elle's wholesome and realistic friendships. 

The following graphic novels are not currently available at GCH Library however we highly recommend them!

Bloom by Kevin Panetta

Ari is ready to move away from home and leave his family bakery behind when he meets Hector while interviewing candidates for his replacement. 

Full of beautiful illustrations and summer romance, this graphic novel is widely recommended for Heartstopper fans of all ages.

The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O'Neill 

Follow the adventures of blacksmith's apprentice Greta after she finds an usual little dragon and makes many new friends in this unusual, but undeniably wholesome, fantasy comic. 

 

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker 

Featuring all the emotions of  Heartstopper with the fantasy of Sabrina, Mooncakes is a brilliant light-hearted read. 

Perfect for an autumnal afternoon, this tale of self-discovery is a great choice for fans of paranormal romance and adventure. 

And of course, Alice Oseman's other books! These are all available to borrow from St Michael's Library and can be reserved upon request. 

• Nick and Charlie (Heartstopper novella set after the events of the comics)
• Solitaire (Featuring Charlie's sister Tori Spring) 
• Loveless
• Radio Silence (Featuring Charlie's friend Aled)
• I Was Born For This 

Summer Reading

As we approach the summer holidays, don't forget to visit the Library to stock up on your holiday reads!

All students (providing they have no overdues) will soon be able to borrow up to 8 books. To give you some inspiration, the Library team have also put together new Summer Reading displays at  both libraries. 

Titles here include...

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo 

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki 

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart 

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag 

The Cousins by Karen McManus 

For more recommendations, check out the Summer Reading 2022 list via the 'Quick Reads' section of the Library App!

  

GCH Library's Summer Reading Challenge has also begun! This year the theme is Reading Through History.

The challenge is open to all students. To enter, simply collect a booklet from the Library desk to work on over the summer. 

Each booklet contains information on our seven challenges. For completing each challenge you can win a sweet. Complete all seven challenges and you will also be awarded a certificate, praise email for your form and a book! 

In September, please hand your booklets back to Ms. Weston and remember to collect your prizes!