Celebrate Chinese New year

Why not celebrate Chinese New Year by reading some novels set in China? Check out our display at the entrance to the Library or our recommendations here:

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie

Behind the Wall : A journey through China by Colin Thubron

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan

Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

A House by the River by Sid Smith

The Picador Book of Contemporary Chinese Fiction

Red Azalea: Life and Love in China by Anchee Min

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

The Uninvited by Yan Geling

Waiting by Ha Jin

Wild Swans by Jung Chang

Details on all of these books can be found via the Library Catalogue on the school intranet.

Elizabeth Gaskell

The new BBC adaptation of Cranford begins soon. Why not read the book first or try one of Elizabeth Gaskell's other novels from the Library:

Cranford

Cranford in the 1840s is a small Cheshire market town on the cusp of great change. The railway is pushing its way relentlessly towards the town from Manchester, bringing fears of migrant workers and the breakdown of law and order. The arrival of handsome new doctor, Frank Harrison from London causes a stir; not only because of his revolutionary medical methods, but also because of the effect he has on many of the ladies' hearts in the town...

Mary Barton

Mary's father is a mill-hand and staunch fighter for workers' rights. When the owners ignore their workers' requests for better treatment, the men decide to murder Henry Carson as a warning, and nominate Barton to fire the gun. Mary's beloved Jem is arrested for the crime, and Mary has to face the agony of proving his innocence by incriminating her father.

North and South

A moving story of the developing relationship between southern-born Margaret Hale and John Thornton, the young northern mill-owner.

Cousin Phillis

Newly arrived in Eltham, young Paul Manning eagerly takes up his position as clerk to Mr Holdsworth, a railway engineer. His distant cousins - the robust and learned Reverend Holman, his wife and their clever daughter Phillis - warmly welcome him into their home.Although drawn to Phillis, who is as beautiful as she is innocent, he feels himself to be her unequal. When Mr Holdsworth, a handsome, well-travelled young man, meets the Holmans they are captivated by his wit and knowledge of the world. An enchanted summer ensues as Paul and he become regular visitors to Hope Farm. There is the promise of love ... but where, Paul wonders, will is lead to?

Back Again

At last I have a chance to update the blog after quite a few months of inactivity. Life in Hutchie Library has been busy - we have said goodbye to Mrs Fair and welcomed Miss Crole as our new Library Assistant. We have also changed our Library System to one called Oliver, which has caused some problems - as IT changes often do!
On a more positive IT note over the summer holidays our laptops were replaced by lovely new ones so S6 and staff can now borrow them to use wirelessly in the Library - without having to wait half an hour to log-on!
We have been disappointed this month by the postponement of the visit by Chris Ryan to the school, unfortunately due to his ill health. However we are hoping he will visit in May instead.

Carnegie Medal Winner Announced

The winner of the Carnegie Medal for 2007 has been announced as Just in Case by Meg Rosoff. For more information go to http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/2007awards/

Readers' Resolutions

Perhaps the wrong time of year for these!

Courtesy of Camille DelVecchio of the Penfield Public Library in New York.

1. Reread a book you loved as a child.
2. Finally read that classic you’ve been avoiding.
3. Try a book of poetry.
4. Spend a while just browsing in the library.
5. Read a book written in the year I was born.
6. Create a journal and keep notes about the books and magazines you read.
7. Read a book on the history of your city/town.
8. Read a book written from a point of view totally opposite to your own.
9. Read a book about a place you’ve never been.
10. Reread a book that you just didn't ”get”.
11. Ask a librarian to find you a book you wouldn’t have chosen.
12. Read a book written by an overseas author.