Hutchesons' Grammar School Library

Costa Book Prize Winner!

2012-01-25T13:18:00.005Z

Andrew Miller has won the 2011 Costa Book Award for his sixth novel, Pure. The award was announced last night on Tuesday 24th January, 2012.

For more information please visit:

http://www.costabookawards.com/

Book of the Week

2012-01-25T08:56:00.007Z

This week's Book of the Week is 'Crossed' by Ally Condie. The second in the 'Matched' series, it takes a fictional look at a dystopian future world. Although the series is generally popular with teens, plenty of adults have enjoyed it as well! Why not take a look?

From the blurb: 'The Society chooses everything. The books you read. The music you listen to. The person you love. Yet for Cassia, the rules have changed. Ky has been taken and she will sacrifice everything to find him. When Cassia discovers Ky has escaped to the wild frontiers beyond the Society, there is hope. But on the edge of society, nothing is as it seems...'

All the world in a book!

2012-01-19T15:08:00.008Z

The latest addition to the library displays is a section on countries of the world. If you're in S2, this may come in very handy for your Population Studies project in Geography...just a hint! Even if you aren't in S2, remember that we have a wide selection of non-fiction books for everyone on subjects related to your homework and projects.

Book of the Week

2012-01-16T10:53:00.004Z

This week's Book of the Week is: 'The Future of Us' by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. This quirky romantic comedy takes a look at what might happen if we could see our own futures...

It's 1996 and half of all high school students have never used the internet. Facebook will not be invented for another eight years. Josh and Emma have been neighbours their whole lives. They've been best friends almost as long - at least, they were until last November, when everything changed. Things have been awkward ever since, but when Josh's family gets a free AOL CD in the mail, his mum makes him take it over so that Emma can install it on her new computer. When the two friends log on, they discover their profiles on Facebook - and they're looking at themselves fifteen years in the future...

The Book of the Week is available to borrow from the main library desk. Why not give it a try?

Book of the Week

2012-01-06T11:50:00.008Z

This week's Book of the Week is Blood Red Road by Moira Young.

"In a lawless land, where life is cheap and survival is hard, Saba has been brought up in isolated Silverlake. She never sees theangers of the destructive society outside. When her twin brother is snatched by mysterious black-robed riders, she sets out on an epic quest to rescue him. The story's searing pace, its spare style, the excitement of its fabulously damaged world, its unforgettably vivid characters, its violent action and glorious love story make this a truly sensatonal YA debut novel" (http://www.amazon.co.uk)

This book also won the Children's category of the Costa book prize. It is available to borrow from the library now.

Christmas TV 19th- 26th December

2011-12-15T14:11:00.004Z

Once again all thanks for this list goes to Helen Smith from Rawmarsh Community School.

Monday 19th December

5.10pm 7.00pm 5*. Prince Charming. Based on the traditional fairytales.
8.30pm 9.30pm BBC2. The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff. Based on the books by Charles Dickens
9.00pm 11.35pm Film4. The Lovely Bones. Based on the book by Alice Sebold

Tuesday 20th December

11.40pm 2.10pm C4 Swiss Family Robinson
Based on the book by Johann David Wyss
10.35pm 12.35pm ITV1 The Bourne Supremacy Based on the Jason Bourne books by Robert Ludlum

Wednesday 21st December

1.25pm 4.00pm C4 Oliver Twist Based on the book by Charles Dickens
7.05pm 9.00pm ITV2 A Cinderella Story Based on the traditional fairytale by Charles Perrault

Thursday 22nd December

12.35pm 3.10pm Film4 Journey to the Centre of the Earth Based on the book by Jules Verne
1.45pm 4.00pm C4 The Princess Diaries Based on the book by Meg Cabot
10.35pm 12.45pm ITV1 Tomorrow Never Dies Based on the James Bond books by Ian Fleming

Friday 23rd December
9.20am 11.00am BBC2 Pinnochio Based on The Adventures of Pinnochio by Carlo Collodi
7.35pm 9.00pm BBC3 Shrek Based on the book by William Steig

Saturday 24th December – Christmas Eve

5.45am 7.15am C4 Hoot Based on the book by Carl Hiassen
10.10am 12.00pm C4 Charlotte’s Web Based on the book by E. B. White
12.00pm 1.40pm C4 The Muppet Christmas Carol Based on the book by Charles Dickens
1.45pm 3.35pm ITV1 The Polar Express Based on the book by Chris van Allsburg
3.25pm 5.15pm Film4 The Thirty-Nine Steps Based on the book by John Buchan
5.50pm 8.00pm BBC1 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Based on the series by C. S. Lewis
7.00pm 9.00pm Film4 The Spiderwick Chronicles Based on the books by Chris di Terlizzi and Holly Black
8.00pm 10.00pm ITV2 Nanny McPhee Based on the Nurse Matilda books by Christianna Brand
11.00pm 1.25pm BBC3 The Bourne Identity Based on the Jason Bourne books by Robert Ludlum

Sunday 25th December – Christmas Day

6.10am 7.40am C4 The Ugly Duckling and Me Based on the traditional story by Hans Christian Anderson
6.30am 8.15am E4 Earthsea (part 1 of 2) Based on the books by Ursula Le Guin
7.45am 9.25am ITV1 The Borrowers Based on the books by Mary Norton
8.30am 10.00am C4 James and the Giant Peach Based on the book by Roald Dahl
8.45am 10.20am ITV3 A Christmas Carol Based on the book by Charles Dickens
10.50am 12.10pm BBC2 The Sword in the Stone Based on the book by T. H. White
11.10am 1.00pm More4 A Christmas Carol Based on the book by Charles Dickens
12.10pm 2.10pm BBC2 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Based on the book by Lewis Caroll
2.40pm 5.15pm Film4 Journey to the Centre of the Earth Based on the book by Jules Verne
4.50pm 7.40pm Yesterday King Rat Based on the book by James Clavell
6.30pm 7.00pm BBC1 The Gruffalo’s Child Based on the Gruffalo books by Julia Donaldson
7.00pm 9.00pm ITV2 The Polar Express Based on the book by Chris van Allsburg
9.00pm 11.10pm ITV2 The Bourne Supremacy Based on the Jason Bourne books by Robert Ludlum

Monday 26th December – Boxing Day

6.00am 7.40am E4 Earthsea (part 2 of 2) Based on the books by Ursula Le Guin
7.40am 9.25am ITV The Adventures of Pinocchio Based on the book by Carlo Collodi
9.55am 11.30am BBC2 Heidi Based on the book by Johanna Spyri
10.30am 12.30pm ITV2 A Cinderella Story Based on the traditional fairytale by Charles Perrault
12.45pm 2.35pm BBC2 Mansfield Park Based on the book by Jane Austen
2.35pm 4.30pm BBC2 Emma Based on the book by Jane Austen
3.30pm 6.20pm ITV1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Based on the book by J. K. Rowling
5.10pm 7.05pm C5 The Wizard of Oz Based on the book by L. Frank Baum
7.30pm 9.00pm BBC1 The Borrowers Based on the book by Mary Norton
8.00pm 10.00pm ITV2 The Polar Express Based on the book by Chris van Allsburg
10.00pm 12.15am ITV2 The Bourne Ultimatum Based on the Jason Bourne books by Robert Ludlum

Christmas TV 12th-18th December

2011-12-12T14:32:00.003Z

This festive season, there are many films on television that have been adapted from books.

All credit for this list goes to Helen Smith from Rawmarsh Community School who compiled it.

Monday 12th December

4.25pm 6.35pm Film4. Tales from Earthsea. Based on the Earthsea books by Ursula Le Guin.

6.35pm 9.00pm Film4. Stardust. Based on the book by Neil Gaiman.

9.00pm 11.25pm 5*. Mrs Doubtfire. Based on the book Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine.

Wednesday 14th December

12.50pm 3.10pm C4. Great Expectations. Based on the book by Charles Dickens.

7.00pm 9.00pm Film4. Eragon. Based on the book by Christopher Paolini.

Thursday 15th December

12.55pm 3.10pm C4. Oliver Twist. Based on the book by Charles Dickens.

9.00pm 11.05pm Film4. X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Based on the Marvel comics.

Friday 16th December – End of term

9.00pm 11.05pm ITV3. DCI Banks: Aftermath. Based on the Inspector Banks books by Peter Robinson.

11.00pm 1.00pm BBC1. Millions Based on the book by Frank Cottrell Boyce.

11.40pm 2.00pm More4. No Country For Old Men Based on the book by Cormac McCarthy.

Saturday 17th December

12.30pm 3.10pm ITV4. Casino Royale. Based on the James Bond books by Ian Fleming

1.15pm 3.10pm ITV1 About a Boy. Based on the book by Nick Hornby.

3.20pm 5.05pm 5*. Prince Charming. Based on the traditional fairytales.

5.05pm 7.30pm 5*. Mrs Doubtfire. Based on the book Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine.

5.15pm 7.15pm C4. A Christmas Carol. Based on the book by Charles Dickens.

6.35pm 9.05pm ITV1. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Based on the book by J. K. Rowling.

Sunday 18th December

9.50am 11.30am ITV1. The NeverEnding Story. Based on the book by Michael Ende.

11.00am 1.00pm Film4. The Thirty-Nine Steps. Based on the book by John Buchan.

11.30am 1.15am ITV1. A Cinderella Story. Based on the traditional fairytale by Charles Perrault.

1.00pm 2.45pm C5. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. Based on the book by Charles Dickens.

3.05pm 5.00pm ITV1. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Based on the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

2.45pm 4.30pm C4. Christmas Carol: The Musical. Based on the book by Charles Dickens.

3.25pm 7.00pm 5*. Jason and the Argonauts. Based on the Greek myth.

6.35pm 9.00pm Film4. Stardust. Based on the book by Neil Gaiman.

7.00pm 9.00pm ITV1. Just Henry. Based on the book by Michelle Magorian.

7.00pm 9.00pm E4. The Seeker: The Dark is Rising. Based on The Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper.

Book of the week

2011-12-12T14:08:00.005Z

This weeks Book of the Week is Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett. It is the third story in the series about Tiffany Aching and the Wee Free Men set on the discworld.

Tiffany Aching put one foot wrong, made one little mistake.... And now the spirit of winter is in love with her. He gives her roses and icebergs, says it with avalanches and showers her with snowflakes- which is a bit tough when you're thirteen, but also just a little bit.... cool.
And just beacuse the Wintersmith wants to marry you is no excuse for neglecting the chores. So she must look after Miss Treason, who's 113 and has far too many eyes, learn the secret of Boffo, catch Horace the cheese, stop Annagramma Hawkin from becoming an embarrassment to all witches......

If you would like to borrow this book from the library please ask.

Book of the Week

2011-11-28T13:06:00.004Z

This weeks Book of the Week is The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

ORPHAN, CLOCK KEEPER, AND THIEF, twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlock with an eccentric girl and her grandfather, Hugo's undercover lfe and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of tis intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

This beautifully illustrated book is available to loan in the library now.

Breaking Dawn

2011-11-22T15:01:00.007Z

Breaking Dawn, the fourth film in the Twilight Saga, has now been released at the cinema.

To celebrate this, we have a new display in the library dedicated to all things Twilight and recommendations for books to read if you have finished the series and are not sure what to read next!

Costa Book Awards 2011

2011-11-17T09:14:00.004Z

The Shortlist for the Costa Book Award 2011 was announced yesterday. The list of nominations can be found here.

The final prize will be announced in January.

The Hunger Games Movie!

2011-11-15T14:41:00.012Z

The Hunger Games movie trailer has just been released and is available here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S9a5V9ODuY

The film is out on March 23, 2012 and more information can be found on the official website: http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/index2.html

All of the Hunger Games books are available from the library - read them now before the rush!!!

Books of the Week

2011-11-08T14:51:00.004Z

In honour of the release of Inheritance by Christopher Paolini on November 8th why not catch up with the story so far - all three previous books in the series (Eragon, Eldest and Brisingr) are available from the Library. Find out more about the books and the author at http://www.randomhousesites.co.uk/childrens/eragon/

Carnegie Medal Longlist Announced

2011-11-08T14:36:00.004Z

The longlist for the 2012 Carnegie Medal has just been announced. Find out more at
http://tinyurl.com/3bqpm5

Halloween Reading

2011-10-28T15:09:00.004+01:00

Today our Halloween Skeleton is reading 'The Fear' by Charlie Higson. This is the third book in Higson's series about children trying to survive when all the adults in the world have turned into Zombies! Perfect reading for Halloween- it's scary but brilliant!!

If you would like to borrow it, or would like any other scary book recommendations for Halloween, just ask at the library.

Halloween Reading

2011-10-25T15:26:00.003+01:00

Today our Halloween Skeleton is reading:

Skulduggery Pleasant- The Faceless Ones by Derek Landy.

The newest Skullduggery book- Death Bringer has arrived in the library and the skeleton is reading his way through the series! If you would like to borrow any of the Skullduggery series just ask at the library.

Fashionable Reading!

2011-10-25T15:14:00.006+01:00

The latest display in the library is all about Fashion! We have a variety of resources dedicated to Fashion, Fashion Designers and Art. If you would like to borrow a title, please come into the library.

Book of the week

2011-10-12T13:23:00.006+01:00

This weeks Book of the Week is: Spooks- I am Grimalkin by Joseph Delaney

This latest chilling installment in the Wardstone Chronicles follows Grimalin, the terrifying witch assasin, feared wherever she is known. Grimalkin has made it her lifetime ambition to destroy the Fiend, avenging the brutal murder of her son.

Having grudingly joined forces with the Spook and his apprentice, Tom, and assisted them in the binding of the Fiend, she is now on the run. And her mission is deadly.

In order to bind the Fiend's spirit for ever Grimalkin must keep his severed head in her possession. No matter who- or what- come after it...................

If you wish to borrow this book, just ask at the library and we can reserve it for you.

Book events in Glasgow

2011-10-11T13:48:00.003+01:00

Michael Moore- Appearing at the Mitchell Library in October!

Glasgow Libraries are hosting an appearance by the Oscar award winning film maker, Michael Moore, at the Mitchell library on October 20th at 5pm. This will be the only Scottish venue on his brand new show tour and will be followed by a book signing at 6pm. Tickets are available to buy from the Mitchell library in person or by telephone- 0141 3538000 and are priced at £8/£6.

More information on Michael Moore can be found here: http://www.michaelmoore.com/

Banned Books

2011-10-10T14:06:00.004+01:00

If you have been into the library recently, you may be wondering why we have a table with books wrapped up in brown paper. The answer is that we are highlighting some books that have been challenged in both the UK and the US for various reasons, such as religious viewpoints, offensive language and unsuitability for the age group.

Some examples of books that have been banned are: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult, The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier, Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar, and His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman.

All the books shown above are available to borrow from the library- feel free to ignore the sign telling you not to read these books!

If you would like more information on banned books, the National Library of Scotland is running a banned books exhibition until October 30th and entry is free! Please consult the National Library of Scotland's website for additional information: http://www.nls.uk/exhibitions/banned-books

Book of the Week

2011-09-27T14:23:00.004+01:00

Sister, Missing by Sophie McKenzie

Sequel to Girl, Missing.

It's two years after the events of Girl, Missing and life is not getting any easier for sixteen-year-old Lauren, as exam pressure and a recent family tragedy take their toll. Lauren's birth mother takes Lauren and her two sisters on holiday in the hope that some time together will help, but a few days into the holiday one of the sisters disappears, under circumstances very similar to those in which Lauren was taken years before. Can Lauren save her sister, and stop the nightmare happening all over again?

Find our more and see the official trailer at http://www.sophiemckenziebooks.com/

Book Events in Glasgow

2011-09-27T14:20:00.001+01:00

Tariq Ali

The Mitchell Theatre

Wednesday 19 October 6 - 7pm

One of our leading writers and commentators on international politics will discuss the UK economy, uprisings in the Middle East, protests in Europe and the future of Scotland.

Expect a typically pugnacious and erudite event from one of our most engaging and passionate speakers.

Tickets costing £8/6 are available in person from the Royal Concert Hall, by telephoning 0141 353 8000 or online via the website here.

Book Events in Glasgow

2011-09-27T14:10:00.005+01:00

Fighting Fascism, Fighting Franco

Scottish Volunteers for Spanish Freedom, 1936-2011

Saturday 15 October, 1.30pm - 6.00pm and 7.00pm - 9.00pm

As well as being a conflict that continues to generate considerable art and argument, the Spanish struggle was one to which Scots made a significant contribution, from volunteers for liberty to support for refugees.

To mark the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, The Mitchell hosts a special day long event featuring film, music, poetry and politics with Jackie Kay, Laura Marney, Chris Dolan, Daniel Gray and many more.

For more information on each of the sessions click here.

Tickets for either afternoon or evening sessions cost £10/£7 and are available in person at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, by phoning 0141 353 8000 or from the Glasgow Libraries website here.

Book of the Week

2011-09-12T14:38:00.002+01:00

We are big fans of Helen Grant in the Library and think this is her best book yet - highly recommended!

Wish Me Dead by Helen Grant

The funny thing is I never even meant the first one. Now I bitterly regret visiting the cursed witch's house, deep in the middle of the forest. It's where I made my wishes.I wished Klara Klein dead. It came true. I wished for the most gorgeous boy in town to finally notice me. It came true. I wished to be rid of the poisonous busybody who destroyed my family. It came true.

I didn't mean for this to happen. Not me, Steffi Nett, the shy one who never says anything. But as the body count increases with every wish I make . . .who else could it be?

Book of the Week

2011-08-29T08:00:00.001+01:00

Lula Does the Hula by Samantha Mackintosh

Aloha! I'm Talullah Bird - or Tatty, or Lu. But mostly people call me Lula. So, my big news is...I've finally been kissed. Eeeee! I have an actual, factual boyfriend! At least, I thought I did. But things with the perfect boy aren't going to plan - thanks to his journo gal pal, Evil Jazz. And that's not all. Hoooo no. In a few days I've got to dance the hula in public, put a stop to some seriously serious criminal activity, win a race, and stop Dad from shaming me totally with his weirdiness. Frikkly frik! Where is my normal life? Huh? Where? Please, someone, tell me I'm not jinxed forever...

Funny and romantic - the perfect escapist read!

From Page to Screen

2011-08-24T14:33:00.002+01:00

The film version of David Nicholl’s One Day opens at cinemas this week - why not grab it from the Library before anyone else. Also coming soon :

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carre

We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Alyson Noel Competition

2011-08-24T14:25:00.002+01:00

Pick up a free extract of Evermore by Alyson Noel from the Library and you could win a copy of a book from the series. Visit the Library for details.

Book of the Week

2011-08-24T12:37:00.000+01:00

People's Republic by Robert Muchamore

Our first choice for the new session and it had to be the new CHERUB book - number 13 in the hugely popular series! Borrow it now before someone beats you to it...

Twelve-year-old Ryan is CHERUB's newest recruit. He's got his first mission: infiltrating the billion-dollar Aramov criminal empire. But he's got got no idea that this routine job will lead him into an explosive adventure involving drug smugglers, illegal immigrants and human trafficking, or that his first mission will turn into one of the biggest in CHERUB's history.

Welcome Back

2011-08-22T12:33:00.000+01:00

Welcome back to all our staff and pupils. We hope you have a happy and successful year!

Competition

2011-08-12T09:33:00.004+01:00

Win 10 books of your choice from Random House UK at http://compbuilder.rhgdigital.co.uk/10-books/ .

Man Booker Prize 2011

2011-07-27T09:09:00.004+01:00

The longlist for the 2011 Man Booker prize has been announced:

• Julian Barnes The Sense of an Ending (Jonathan Cape - Random House)
• Sebastian Barry On Canaan's Side (Faber)
• Carol Birch Jamrach's Menagerie (Canongate Books)
• Patrick deWitt The Sisters Brothers (Granta)
• Esi Edugyan Half Blood Blues (Serpent's Tail - Profile)
• Yvvette Edwards A Cupboard Full of Coats (Oneworld)
• Alan Hollinghurst The Stranger's Child (Picador - Pan Macmillan)
• Stephen Kelman Pigeon English (Bloomsbury)
• Patrick McGuinness The Last Hundred Days (Seren Books)
• A.D. Miller Snowdrops (Atlantic)
• Alison Pick Far to Go (Headline Review)
• Jane Rogers The Testament of Jessie Lamb (Sandstone Press)
• D.J. Taylor Derby Day (Chatto & Windus - Random House)

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/4yubhlh

Wondrous Reads: The Immortals Blog Tour

2011-07-13T12:34:00.007+01:00

Win an Immortals (Alyson Noel) goodie bag courtesy of the fantastic Wondrous Reads blog at http://tinyurl.com/63okesa

UK Book Giveaways: The Memory Cage

2011-07-13T09:25:00.007+01:00

UK Book Giveaways: The Memory Cage

The Memory Cage - Ruth Eastham

End Date: 31st August 2011

Open to: UK Only

Requirements: None

How To Enter: Fill Out Form

UK Book Giveaways: Kay Woodward Giveaway

2011-07-13T09:25:00.005+01:00

UK Book Giveaways: Kay Woodward Giveaway
End Date: 5th August 2011
Open to: UK Only
Requirements: None
How To Enter: Fill Out Form

UK Book Giveaways: A Beautiful Lie by Irfan Master

2011-07-13T09:25:00.004+01:00

UK Book Giveaways: A Beautiful Lie

A Beautiful Lie - Irfan Master

End Date: 31st August 2011

Open to: UK Only

Requirements: None

How To Enter: Fill Out Form

UK Book Giveaways: Six Days by Philip Webb

2011-07-13T09:24:00.002+01:00

UK Book Giveaways: Six Days by Philip Webb
End Date: 31st August 2011
Open to: UK Only
Requirements: None
How To Enter: Fill Out Form

Whichbook Website

2011-07-13T08:53:00.003+01:00

The website Whichbook has been re-launched after undergoing a major overhaul and offers a fun way to help you choose your next book. You can receive suggestions on what to read depending on your mood or what you are looking for in characters, plot and setting. This site always throws up books I haven't yet come across so if you are looking for more diverse suggestions for your next read it's well worth a try!

Branford Boase Award Winner

2011-07-07T13:09:00.004+01:00

Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace has won the 2011 Branford Boase Award:

Zimbabwe, 1980s
The war is over, independence has been won and Robert Mugabe has come to power offering hope, land and freedom to black Africans. It is the end of the Old Way and the start of a promising new era.
For Robert Jacklin, it’s all new: new continent, new country, new school. And very quickly he learns that for some of his classmates, the sound of guns is still loud, and their battles rage on . . . white boys who want their old country back, not this new black African government.
Boys like Ivan.Clever, cunning Ivan. For him, there is still one last battle to fight, and he’s taking it right to the very top...

Recommendations Round-up

2011-07-06T10:24:00.006+01:00

Since it's the summer holidays and I have a bit of extra time I thought I'd do a brief round-up of some of my recent recommended reading. To save space I haven't included a blurb or synopsis but please click on the titles for more details on the story.

Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter

I've just caught up with this series, which I've been meaning to read for a while, and I absolutely love it! A great combination of a boarding school story, spies, action and adventure, with even a little bit of romance thrown in. Highly recommended for a quick, fun read.

Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey

The third book in the Drake Chronicles series and I think my favourite so far. If you like vampires, some evil and some not, working alongside vampire hunters with a dash of humour and romance this series is for you. I'd also recommend the Evernight series by Claudia Gray.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Another YA book which focuses on a future world where society is very different. There is a bit of a fashion for dystopian YA books at the moment but I think this one stands out. Also recommended on this theme The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Matched by Ally Condie, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.

Carnegie Medal Winner

2011-06-24T11:07:00.003+01:00

Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness is the winner of the CILIP Carnegie Medal. The book is the third and final part of the Chaos Walking trilogy - all of which are available from the library. Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/6k7vvp9.

Book of the Week

2011-06-13T15:03:00.003+01:00

Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and The Kane Chronicles. You can borrow both series from the Library and find out more at http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx.

The Kane Chronicles 1: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Carter and Sadie have nothing in common but their parents: their father Dr. Julius Kane, a brilliant Egyptologist, and their mother, a famed archaeologist who died under mysterious circumstances when they were young. The siblings barely know each other, but one night, their father brings them together at the British Museum, promising a 'research experiment' that will set things right for their family. His plans go horribly wrong.
An explosion unleashes an ancient evil - the Egyptian god Set who banishes Dr. Kane to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives. Now orphaned, Carter and Sadie must embark on a dangerous quest - from Cairo to Paris to the American Southwest, to save their father and stop Set from destroying everything they care about...

Love to Write?

2011-06-09T16:09:00.002+01:00

Scottish Book trust is currently looking for enthusiastic writers between the ages of 14 and 17 to take part in their Young Writers Awards. You could have the chance to be mentored by an established writer as well as meeting industry professionals and visiting a top London publisher. Find out more at http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/youngwritersawards.

New Children's Laureate

2011-06-08T13:11:00.007+01:00

Congratulations to Julia Donaldson, author of the bestselling book The Gruffalo, who has been appointed as Children's Laureate. Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/6gu9hr5

Bookish Web Sites

2011-05-18T15:33:00.004+01:00

Go behind the scenes of theYoung Sherlock Holmes series - book 1 available from the Library: http://www.youngsherlock.com/

Try some of the recipes from teen cook Sam Stern or borrow one of his cookbooks from the Library:
http://www.samstern.co.uk/

"Lightning-paced, blood-curdling fun. I wish I'd been able to visit Scream Street when I was a kid!" Darren Shan
Visit Tommy Donbavand's Scream Street site or borrow books 1-4 from the Library:
http://www.screamstreet.co.uk/

Joseph Delaney Giveaway

2010-06-24T19:36:00.003+01:00

Win a set of all seven books in The Spook's Series by Joseph Delaney on the fantastic Wondrous Reads blog at http://tinyurl.com/2vxwcta. All you need to do is enter your name and e-mail address to be in with a chance!

Carnegie/Greenaway Winners

2010-06-24T19:22:00.006+01:00

The winners of the CILIP Carnegie and Greenaway medals were announced today as:

Carnegie Winner -The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Greenaway Winner - Harry & Hopper Illustrated by Freya Blackwood

You can watch a video from the awards ceremony and read more about the winners on the award's website.

Stewart and Riddell

2010-05-18T10:09:00.002+01:00

Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell have written a new book Wyrmeweald: Returner's Wealth. Read the first chapter at http://tinyurl.com/39kwlxj

Book of the Week

2010-05-12T09:12:00.002+01:00

Where I Belong by Gillian Cross

There are guns and bandits in this story. And supermodels. And there's drought and starvation too. Are you wondering how they can all come together? Well, that's how life is these days. Things don't happen neatly, in separate little places. We're all caught by the great spider's web of media that spans the world. That's where this story is set. The world. It's the story of Abdi and Khadija and Freya (that's me) and what happened to us because of Somalia ...

Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/23ehbxy

Best Ever Puffin Books

2010-05-12T08:58:00.004+01:00

According to a new list from Puffin, to mark their 70th anniversary, Roald Dahl, Richard Adams, Eric Carle and Robert Louis Stevenson are among the writers of the 70 best-ever Puffin books for children. The list is split into categories such as:

The Best Blood and Guts

1. The Enemy by Charlie Higson

2. Dracula by Bram Stoker

3. Being by Kevin Brooks

4. The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Best Heroes

1. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

2. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

3. Young Bond: SilverFin by Charlie Higson

4. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The Best Alternatives to Twilight

1. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

2. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

3. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen

4. Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

For the full list go to http://tinyurl.com/37lsfv7 .

War Horse Moves to the Big Screen

2010-05-06T12:50:00.004+01:00

Reports say that Steven Spielberg is adapting War Horse by Michael Morpurgo as a film. Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/3x6xhj3.

Book of the Week

2010-05-04T11:59:00.003+01:00

The Witching Hour is an adventure set in 17th century Scotland where a young girl called Maggie becomes a reluctant heroine when she finds herself involved with the Covenanting cause and tries to save her uncle from being hanged. This comes after she herself escapes being executed as a witch!

I really enjoyed this one - Maggie is an inspiring character and you come to care about her very much! Elizabeth Laird really brings the history of the time to life and reading this book certainly made me aware of parts of Scotland's past I wasn't very familiar with. An exciting read!

My Carnegie Favourite

2010-04-23T09:50:00.004+01:00

Although I haven't read all of the shortlisted Carnegie books yet my favourite so far has to be The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

When a baby escapes a murderer intent on killing the entire family, who would have thought it would find safety and security in the local graveyard? Brought up by the resident ghosts, ghouls and spectres, Bod has an eccentric childhood learning about life from the dead. But for Bod there is also the danger of the murderer still looking for him - after all, he is the last remaining member of the family. Will Bod survive to be a man?

Winner of the US Newbery Medal The Graveyard Book is highly original, entertaining, sometimes creepy and sometimes funny. I thought it was one of the best books I had read in a long time!

Carnegie Shortlist Announced

2010-04-23T09:32:00.007+01:00

The books shortlisted for this year's Carnegie Medal have just been announced as:

ANDERSON, LAURIE HALSE CHAINS (Available from Library)
Bloomsbury (Age range 11+)
ISBN: 9780747598077

GAIMAN, NEIL THE GRAVEYARD BOOK (Available from Library)
Bloomsbury (Age range 9+)
ISBN: 9780747569015

GRANT, HELEN THE VANISHING OF KATHARINA LINDEN (Available from Library)
Penguin (Age range 14+)
ISBN: 9780141325736

HEARN, JULIE ROWAN THE STRANGE
Oxford University Press (Age range 12+)
ISBN: 9780192792150

NESS, PATRICK THE ASK AND THE ANSWER (Available from Library)
Walker (Age range 14+)
ISBN: 9781406310269

PRATCHETT, TERRY NATION (Available from Library)
Doubleday (Age range 11+)
ISBN: 9780385613705

REEVE, PHILIP FEVER CRUMB
Scholastic (Age range 9+)
ISBN: 9781407102429

SEDGWICK, MARCUS REVOLVER
Orion (Age range 12+)
ISBN: 9781842551868

The Carnegie Medal is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children.
It was established by in 1936, in memory of the great Scottish-born philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919). Carnegie was a self-made industrialist who made his fortune in steel in the USA. His experience of using a library as a child led him to resolve that "if ever wealth came to me that it should be used to establish free libraries."

Carnegie set up more than 2800 libraries across the English speaking world and, by the time of his death, over half the library authorities in Great Britain had Carnegie libraries.

The medal is awarded by CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and the winner will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 24 June 2010.

For more details go to http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/2010awards/carnegie_shortlist.php

Orange Prize Shortlist Announced

2010-04-21T09:50:00.004+01:00

The shortlist for this year's Orange Prize for Fiction has been announced:

Rosie Alison - The Very Thought of You
Barbara Kingsolver - The Lacuna
Attica Locke - Black Water Rising
Hilary Mantel - Wolf Hall
Lorrie Moore - A Gate at the Stairs
Monique Roffey - The White Woman on the Green Bicycle

The winner will be announced on 9th June. Find out more at http://www.orangeprize.co.uk/show/feature/home/orange-2010-opf-shortlist

New Book Club Leaflet

2010-04-21T09:41:00.002+01:00

The new book club leaflet has just arrived with lots of fantastic offers. Books available this time include the new Skulduggery Pleasant title Dark Days, Lord Sunday by Garth Nix and Spells by Aprilynne Pike. You can look at the leaflet online at http://www.uniflip.com/online-magazines/3/18784/33144/pub/index.html and if you would like to order any books just return your form to the Library by Friday 30th April. Orders usually arrive within 3 to 4 days.

UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

2010-03-16T15:46:00.005Z

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

To mark this day why not try one of these books, which are all available from the Library:

Ten Things I Hate About me by Randa Abdel-Fattah

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

Divided City by Theresa Breslin

Caught in the Crossfire by Alan Gibbons

Ruby Red by Linzi Glass

Girl in Red by Gaye Hicyilmaz

The Other Side of Truth by Beverley Naidoo

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Book Trailers

2010-03-16T10:16:00.002Z

Check out our new collection of book trailers on Vodpod at http://vodpod.com/hgslibrary

Jodi Picoult Event

2010-03-10T09:44:00.003Z

Jodi Picoult will be discussing and signing copies of her new book House Rules.

When: Wednesday 28th April at 7pm

Where: Glasgow Royal Convert Hall

Tickets £12, to include a copy of House Rules, available from event hotline on 0844 249 0467.

Book of the Week

2010-03-09T14:22:00.004Z

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Synopsis:
In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her Uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to carry out his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him. Finding life under his rule increasingly unbearable Katsa forms an underground Council, whose purpose is to combat the destructive behaviour of the seven kings - after all, the Middluns is only one of the Seven Kingdoms, each of them ruled by their own king and his personal agenda for power. When the Council hears that the King of Liend's father has been kidnapped Katsa investigates . . . and stumbles across a mystery. Who would want to kidnap him, and why? And who was the extraordinary Graced fighter who challenged her fighting skills, for the first time, as she and the Council rushed the old man to safety? Something dark and deadly is rising in the north and creeping across the continent, and behind it all lurks the shadowy figure of a one-eyed king . . .

Evermore by Alyson Noel

2010-03-09T14:15:00.002Z

I'm currently reading the second in The Immortals series, Blue Moon by Alyson Noel, but I liked this trailer for the first book Evermore. Watch it at http://www.panmacmillan.com/immortals/

Best Bedtime Story

2010-03-09T14:11:00.003Z

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle has been voted the best bedtime story ever - find out more at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/7359056/The-Very-Hungry-Caterpillar-voted-best-bedtime-story.html

Red House Children's Book Award 2010

2010-02-22T12:12:00.004Z

The shortlists for the 2010 Red House Children's Book Award have just been announced:

Older Readers
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Available from Library)
Ausländer by Paul Dowswell (Available from Library)
Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur (Available from Library)

Younger Readers
Angel Cake by Cathy Cassidy (Available from Library)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney (Available from Library)
Mondays are Murder by Tanya Landman

Younger Children
A Very Strange Creature by Ronda Armitage & Layn Marlow
Crunch Munch Dinosaur Lunch! by Paul Bright & Mike Terry
The Baby Dragon-Tamer by Jan Fearnley
Bottoms Up! by Jeanne Willis & Adam Stower

My favourite would have to be The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - a fantastic futuristic thriller. Vote for your favourite at http://www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk/vote-now.asp

Percy Jackson Film

2010-02-02T15:15:00.003Z

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan - film of the book released on February 12th:

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a Greek God. I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. That's when things started really going wrong. Now I spend my time fighting with swords, battling monsters with my friends, and generally trying to stay alive. This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea...

Book of the Week

2010-02-01T14:52:00.004Z

Splendor by Anna Godbersen

Eagerly awaited finale to The Luxe series.
It's a brand-new year and in this dramatic conclusion to the Luxe saga, the future of Manhattan's favourite socialites is looking decidedly different from the ones they had imagined for themselves. With old ties being broken and new ones formed, every decision comes at cost. And who knows who can afford it . . .

Hidden Gems

2010-01-25T14:47:00.003Z

This is a new feature of the blog highlighting fantastic books which have been around for a while but aren't as well known as they should be...

Red Sky in the Morning by Elizabeth Laird

Anna's cares and concerns are those of any teenager - until her baby brother Ben is born handicapped. At first Anna is confused because she loves Ben but she can't bring herself to tell her friends at school about him. Anna learns to accept her feelings about Ben but other problems lie ahead. Can Anna look after Ben while coping with the other concerns in her life - school, a Saturday job and changing relationships with her friends? And will Anna's family remain together?

Book of the Week

2010-01-25T12:14:00.002Z

The Medusa Project: Hostage by Sophie McKenzie

Fourteen years ago, four babies were implanted with the Medusa gene - a gene for psychic abilities. Now teenagers, Nico, Ketty, Ed and Dylan have been brought together by government agents to create a secret crime-fighting force - The Medusa Project. But now Ketty's brother Lex has stumbled into a dangerous game involving his boss and a hidden bomb. It's up to Ketty to save him without letting on what she knows to the rest of the team. But can she control her psychic visions, and her feelings for Nico, without getting the team's cover - and herself - blown sky high?

Read a review at http://www.wbqonline.com/review.do?bookid=6735553

Aye Write Book festival

2010-01-21T15:23:00.003Z

The Aye Write book festival takes place in the Mitchell Library from Friday 5 - Saturday 13 March. Pick up your free copy of the programme in libraries and other outlets across the city, or check details at http://www.ayewrite.com/. The events often sell out quickly so make sure you don't miss out on your favourite author!

Waterstone's Children's Book Award 2010

2010-01-19T15:03:00.004Z

The shortlist for the Waterstone's Children's Book Award 2010 has been announced. Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/yhdqfew

The winner of the prize will be announced on Wednesday 10th February. Previous winners include The 13 Treasures by Michelle Harrison and Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls.

Channel 4 TV Book Club

2010-01-19T14:52:00.005Z

The creators of the Richard & Judy Book Club are bringing a new book club to your screens this January. Airing on More4 and Channel 4 from January 17th, The TV Book Club is presented by a team of celebrity reviewers and will feature ten new books.

The Library has the following books from the show currently in stock:

Brixton Beach by Roma Tearne

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

The Way Home by George P. Pelecanos

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant

Blacklands by Belinda Bauer

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby

The Rapture by Liz Jensen

Please contact a member of library staff if you would like to borrow any of them.

Book of the Week

2010-01-19T14:48:00.004Z

The 13 Curses by Michelle Harrison

Sequel to The Thirteen Secrets which won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize.

When fairies stole her brother, Red vowed to get him back. Now trapped in the fairy realm, she begs an audience with the fairy court where she strikes a bargain. Her brother will be returned - but only if she can find the thirteen charms of Tanya's bracelet that have been scattered in the human world. Returning to Elvesden Manor, Red is assisted by Tanya and Fabian and a desperate hunt begins. Soon they make a shocking discovery. The charms now have twisted qualities of the thirteen treasures they represent...and the longer they are missing the worse the consequences will be. Can Red, Tanya and Fabian find all the charms? And even if they do, will the fairies keep their promise?

Book of the Week

2010-01-06T09:48:00.002Z

The Kites are Flying by Michael Morpurgo

Travelling to the West Bank to witness how life is for Palestinians and Jews living in the shadow of a dividing wall, journalist Max strikes up a friendship with an enigmatic Palestinian boy, Said. Together the two sit under an ancient olive tree while Said makes another of his kites. As Max is welcomed as a guest, he learns of the terrible events in the family’s past and begins to understand why Said no longer speaks.

Find out more from The Bookbag at http://tinyurl.com/y9cmau6

Happy Holidays

2009-12-17T09:59:00.003Z

We've reached the end of term at last - I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday. See you in 2010!

2009 A Year in Books

2009-12-17T09:41:00.003Z

Courtesy of the fantastic people at Love Reading - one of my favourite book sites http://www.lovereading.co.uk/blog/?p=1217

Christmas Read

2009-12-03T09:21:00.003Z

For a seasonal read why not try:

The More the Merrier by Anne Fine

The Christmas holiday is, traditionally, a time for families to gather together. But more definitely does not mean the merrier in Ralph's household - not with Uncle Tristram hurling spuds at the cat, cousin Titania in her frilly dresses, nutty Great-Aunt Ida and others. Mum's on the verge of a breakdown and Ralph's been banished to his bedroom...

Book of the Week

2009-12-03T09:15:00.003Z

Wake by Lisa McMann

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams at any given moment is getting tired. Especially the falling dreams, and the standing-in-front-of-the-class-naked ones. But then there are the nightmares, the ones that chill her to the bone...like the one where she is in a strange house...in a dirty kitchen...and a sinister monster that edges ever closer. This is the nightmare that she keeps falling into, the one where, for the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant...

Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/yfdr3hg

Book of the Week

2009-11-23T15:17:00.004Z

Not a new book this week but this one was recommended to me by a pupil and it's a lovely, sweet romance. Better have the hankies ready though!

Things I Know About Love by Kate le Vann

Livia is starting a new chapter in her life. She has been ill with leukaemia for most of her teen years and, as she heads out to America to visit her brother Jeff, she plans on making up for lost time. She's had a lot of time to think about love - but her observations, theories, previous crushes and boyfriends all pale in comparison to what she finds in New York...

New Moon Released This Week

2009-11-18T09:42:00.003Z

The hotly anticipated sequel to Twilight is finally released this Friday. There are currently copies available to borrow from the Library but you'd better be quick!

You can also read lots more about the Twilight saga at Stephenie Meyer's website at http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

Hakia

2009-11-17T10:49:00.002Z

I've been looking at this new search engine www.hakia.com - which aims to focus search results on quality not quantity! So far I've had good results from some sample searches and I like how the results are laid out - each site is clearly labelled as a web, image, news or user-generated result which makes it easier to see at a glance which ones will be most useful. Definitely worth a try as an alternative to Google!

Book of the Week

2009-11-17T10:00:00.004Z

Crocodile Tears by Anthony Horowitz

The new Alex Rider is here at last!

Targeted by a hitman and under threat of his past being exposed by the media, Alex reluctantly turns to MI6. But their help doesn't come cheap: they need Alex to spy on the activities at a GM crop plant. There he spots Desmond McCain, a high profile charity organiser, who realises that Alex is on to him and the real plans for the money he's raising. Kidnapped and whisked off to Africa, Alex learns the full horror of McCain's plot: to create an epic disaster that will kill millions. Forced to ask MI6 for protection, Alex finds himself being manipulated in a deadly game that could lead to the destruction of an entire East African country.

Watch Anthony introduce the latest Alex Rider adventure here http://tinyurl.com/yjah2xr

Blue Peter Book Awards

2009-11-12T09:52:00.003Z

It's definitely the season for book awards - the latest shortlist to be revealed is for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2010. Shortlisted titles are:

Best Book With Facts:
Usborne Lift-the-flap Picture Atlas – Alex Frith & Kate Leake (Usborne)
Tail-End Charlie – Mick Manning & Brita Granstrom (Francis Lincoln Children’s Books)
Why Eating Bogeys is Good for You – Mitchell Symons (Red Fox)

Book I Couldn’t Put Down:
Cosmic – Frank Cottrell Boyce (Macmillan)
The Boy Who Fell Down Exit 43 – Harriet Goodwin (Stripes)
Frozen in Time – Ali Sparkes (Oxford)

Most Fun Story with Pictures:
Peter the Penguin Pioneer – Daren King (Quercus)
Spells – Emily Gravett (Macmillan)
Dinkin Dings and the Frightening Things – Guy Bass (Stripes)

These final nine books will now be judged by a selection of young Blue Peter viewers. They will decide both the winners in each category, and the overall winner of Blue Peter Book of the Year 2010.

The Book Awards show will be broadcast on Blue Peter in March 2010 to coincide with World Book Day.

Carnegie Medal Longlist

2009-11-11T12:09:00.004Z

The books nominated for the Carnegie medal have been announced http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/pressdesk/press.php?release=pres_nom_car_2010.html

The judges read and assess each title, and a shortlist will be announced on 23 April 2010 with the winner being announced on 24 June 2010.

So far the Library has 30 titles on the list - look out for more arriving soon!

Book of the Week

2009-11-11T12:07:00.003Z

Dark Fire by Chris D'Lacey

Fifth book in the bestselling series.

With the Earth on the brink of recolonisation by dragons, David Rain is sent on an important mission: to seek out and destroy a trace of dark fire, the deadliest force in the universe. But with success could come a terrible price, the sacrifice of a beloved clay dragon. How much does the life of one small dragon count, when the alternative is the birth of a darkling...?

Book of the Week

2009-11-02T14:38:00.003Z

Nation by Terry Pratchett

When a giant wave destroys his entire Nation - his family and everyone he has ever known - Mau finds himself totally alone. Until he meets Daphne, daughter of a colonial Governor and the sole survivor from a shipwreck. They have no common language, no common culture - but together they discover some remarkable things - like how to milk a pig and why spitting in beer is a good idea - and must try and forge a new kind of Nation. Then other survivors arrive to take refuge on the island, and not all of them are friendly...

Find out more about Nation at http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/4722/Nation-by-Terry-Pratchett.html and http://www.terrypratchett.co.uk/

Theresa Breslin Visit

2009-10-29T15:39:00.003Z

Award-winning author Theresa Breslin will be visiting the school to speak to S1 pupils on Tuesday 3rd November. There will also be a signing session for ALL pupils after her talk at 12.30 pm. A selection of Theresa's books will be available to buy on the day or they can be pre-ordered by contacting the Library.

Find out more about Theresa and her books at http://www.theresabreslin.co.uk/

Book of the Week

2009-10-20T09:25:00.003+01:00

Chinese Cinderella: The Mystery of the Song Dynasty Painting by Adeline Yen Mah

Following a fall in the Shanghai market, Chinese Cinderella is whisked away to Grandma Wu’s house to recover. As she lapses in and out of consciousness, she is haunted by vivid dreams that seem strange – yet somehow familiar – to her. A tale of slavery and friendship, wealth, poverty and an arranged marriage begins, as Chinese Cinderella recalls a life lived centuries before. But is it real, or all in her imagination . . .

Find out more at Love Reading 4 Kids http://tinyurl.com/ylzb3ao

Man Booker Prize - Winner Announced

2009-10-08T09:13:00.006+01:00

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel has been announced as the winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize.
Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/ydahcah

Book of the Week

2009-10-06T09:45:00.005+01:00

Everlost by Neal Shusterman

Nick and Allie don't survive the crash, and now they are in limbo, stuck halfway between life and death, in a netherworld known as Everlost. Everlost is home to those who didn't make it to their final destination: A magical yet dangerous place filled with shadows where lost souls run wild. Shocked and frightened, Nick and Allie aren't ready to rest in peace just yet. They want their lives back. Desperate for a way out, their search takes them deep into the uncharted regions of Everlost. But the longer they stay, the more they forget about their past lives. And with all memory of home fading fast and an unknown evil lurking in the shadows, Nick and Allie may never escape this strange, terrible world.

An unusual book with a supernatural element although not necessarily scary. Recommended if you are looking for something a bit different.
You could also try Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin for another take on the afterlife, or for older readers The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

Michael Morpurgo

2009-10-01T14:47:00.002+01:00

Watch Michael Morpurgo read from his latest novel, Running Wild, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7VQviMNQX0&feature=player_embedded

Book of the Week

2009-10-01T14:44:00.004+01:00

Our latest book of the week (slightly delayed - sorry) is the second in Carmen Reid's series about a girls boarding school - Secrets at St Jude's:

Jealous Girl by Carmen Reid

Californian Gina is back in Scotland for a new term at stuffy girls' school, St Jude's, and she's returned with a secret jealousy. But all the dorm girls have a reason to be jealous: glamour-puss Amy is still all green-eyed about Jason, swotty Min longs to be like her cool friends and Niffy, stuck at home, is jealous of everyone back at school. The girls will have to stick together to make it through this term!

The Times Books for Schools

2009-09-14T09:18:00.002+01:00

We are collecting The Times Books for Schools tokens again this term. Tokens can be found in The Times and Sunday Times newspapers and can be posted in the collection box outside the Library. Thank you.

Past Paper Reminder

2009-09-14T09:17:00.002+01:00

Please remember that any past paper orders should be returned to the Library, with payment, by Friday 18th September. Thank you.

Book of the Week

2009-09-14T09:13:00.004+01:00

The Spook's Sacrifice by Joseph Delaney

As the Spook's apprentice Tom's first duty is to protect the County from the dark. But now Mam needs his help in her homeland of Greece. One of the most dangerous of the old gods, the Ordeen, is about to return there, bringing slaughter and devastation. Meanwhile, the Devil himself is still loose and if he and the Ordeen join forces, a new age of darkness will descend. Mam has summoned a powerful group to her side but among them are Tom's old enemy, the Pendle witches, including the assassin Grimalkin, and the cunning clan leader Mab Moldheel. Can Tom go against all the Spook has taught him and ally himself to the witches? What is the secret that Mam is keeping from him? And what sacrifices must be made in the battle against the dark?

Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/r9b3x5

Book of the Week

2009-09-08T14:17:00.005+01:00

Our new book of the week is Silvertongue by Charlie Fletcher, the final part of the Stoneheart trilogy:

Edie is on a mission. She has survived the worst and walked away from the Walker. And now there is only one thing that matters to her.Meanwhile, the clock has struck thirteen. Time has frozen. All the people have disappeared, and the city is filling up with snow. The Last Knight is searching for George, in no hurry, for as an Agent of Fate he knows things will come to their inevitable end, to what must surely be the decisive and final battle.

Find out more about the trilogy at http://tinyurl.com/lryfat

Man Book Prize 2009

2009-09-08T14:10:00.005+01:00

The titles shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize have just been announced:

The Children's Book by A S Byatt (Random House, Chatto and Windus)
Summertime by J M Coetzee (Random House, Harvill Secker)
The Quickening Maze by Adam Fould (Random House, Jonathan Cape)
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (HarperCollins, Fourth Estate)
The Glass Room by Simon Mawer (Little, Brown)
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (Little, Brown, Virago)

The winning book will be announced on Tuesday 6th October.

Find out more at: http://www.themanbookerprize.com/news/stories/1275

Book of the Week

2009-08-31T12:26:00.003+01:00

Welcome back to everyone for the start of the new session!

Our new book of the week is The Host by Stephenie Meyer and it is now available from the Library:

The earth has been invaded by a species that takes over the minds of their human hosts while leaving their bodies intact, and most of humanity has succumbed. Wanderer, the invading 'soul' who has been given Melanie's body, knew about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the too-vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of the man Melanie loves - Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body's desires, Wanderer yearns for a man she's never met. As outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off to search for the man they both love.

New Moon Pictures

2009-08-06T21:28:00.006+01:00

See behind the scenes photos from the New Moon film at http://tinyurl.com/nkncf8

Booktrust Teenage Prize 2009

2009-07-31T15:13:00.003+01:00

The longlist for the Booktrust Teenage Prize 2009 has been announced:

Auslander by Paul Dowswell (Bloomsbury)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (Bloomsbury)
Tales of Terror from the Black Ship by Chris Priestley (Bloomsbury)
Numbers by Rachel Ward (Chicken House)
Ostrich Boys by Keith Gray (Definitions)
Furnace: Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith (Faber)
Three Ways to Snog an Alien by Graham Joyce (Faber)
The Ant Colony by Jenny Valentine (HarperCollins)
Bloodchild by Tim Bowler (Oxford University Press)
The Vanishing of Katharina Linden by Helen Grant (Puffin)
Solitaire by Bernard Ashley (Usborne)
The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness (Walker)
Exposure by Mal Peet (Walker)

Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/lbey33

Anthony Horowitz News

2009-07-29T11:56:00.002+01:00

The new Alex Rider book, Crocodile Tears, will now be published on 12th November instead of next year, as Anthony Horowitz finished it earlier than he thought he would! Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/nr3frm

Man Booker Prize

2009-07-29T09:18:00.002+01:00

The longlist for this year's Man Booker prize has been announced:

The Children's Book by AS Byatt
Summertime by J M Coetzee
The Quickening Maze by Adam Foulds
How to Paint a Dead Man by Sarah Hall
The Wilderness by Samantha Harvey
Me Cheeta by James Lever
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
The Glass Room by Simon Mawer
Not Untrue & Not Unkind by Ed O'Loughlin
Heliopolis by James Scudamore
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
Love and Summer by William Trevor
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

Find out more at http://tinyurl.com/nwqnch .