Year

7

Welcome

to

Swanshurst

Swanshurst Library is a brilliant place to do your work, choose

books, read and make friends. We hope you’ll enjoy it here.

If you love reading and writing you’re going to love Swanshurst. We’ve got a big

library full of books. We have novels by your favourite authors - people like

Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo and Cathy Cassidy - and hundreds more for you

to discover too.

We also have everything you’ll need for your classwork and your homework - excellent computer

facilities; a brilliant library system with links to useful websites and loads of fantastic books on all the

subjects you’ll need.

If you love reading and writing you’re going to love Swanshurst. We’ve got a big

library full of books. We have novels by your favourite authors - people like

Jacqueline Wilson, Michael Morpurgo and Cathy Cassidy - and hundreds more for you

to discover too.

We also have everything you’ll need for your classwork and your homework - excellent computer

facilities; a brilliant library system with links to useful websites and loads of fantastic books on all the

subjects you’ll need.

So, this is your quick guide to the library.

Reminders of everything we told you at your induction session are at the back but

remember, if there is anything you don’t understand don’t

be afraid to ask.

Throughout this guide we’ve used the images from Charlie Brown (Peanuts) by the great

Charles Schultz and from Roald Dahl’s’s books by the equally

great Quentin Blake. We hope you enjoy them!

First of all we’d like you to come and celebrate Roald Dahl day with us on

Thursday 13th September

We’re having a quiz! So sign up in the library NOW

but be quick, as there are only a limited

number of places.

You’re never too old to read Roald Dahl. We’ve got all his books in the library. Everyone has a favourite. Ms Wild loves Matilda; Ms Lea loves all of them-she won’t choose; Ms Hopkins loves The Twits and Mr Beniston loves The Enormous Crocodile.

We hope you enjoy Roald Dahl day this year.

I really need a good book

If you love reading or you want to start reading more, we hope you’ll always find something for you in the library. We regularly get all the latest books. We hold regular events and competitions; we run book groups and celebrate the main children’s literary prize’s like the Carnegie Medal and the Red House award. In case you can’t decide what to read next the Book Doctor is always on hand. Even if you don’t like reading that much, we’re pretty confident that we can find a book you’ll enjoy.

Most popular authors read by Year 7 last year

Jacqueline Wilson Liz Pichon Randa Abdel Fattah Hino Matsuri

Suzanne Collins Matt Groening Jean Ure Roald Dahl Jeff Kinney

Marcus Sedgwick Cathy Cassidy Narinder Dhami

Old favourites and a host of brilliant new books for you to sink your teeth into this autumn.

Old favourites and a host of brilliant new books for you to sink your teeth into this autumn.

Year 7: So Book Doctor, I love Jacqueline Wilson’s books—what else can you recommend? TBD: We have lots of Jacqueline Wilson fans here at Swanshurst. In fact we have so many that often (especially at this time of year) you might find there are none of her books available to borrow as they’re all out on loan. If this is the case do not despair! There are lots of other authors

you can try who write books just as good (if not better!) than Jacqueline Wilson’s. You might like to try Cathy Cassidy, Narinder Dhami (Bindi Babes series) or Jean Ure (Frankie Foster series) who also write about friendships, family life and boys! If you fancy trying something a bit different, there are some brilliant books that you might like to try that are popular with year 7’s. David Almond (Skellig, My name is Mina etc.), Frank Cottrell Boyce (Millions, Cosmic etc.), Neil Gaiman (Coraline, The Graveyard Book), Liz Kessler (Emily Windsnap series), Gill Lewis (Sky Hawk, White Dolphin), Sienna Mercer (My Sister the Vampire series), Justin Somper (Vampirates), Ali Sparkes (Wishful thinking, Shapeshifters series) or the highly recommended Crowfield series by Pat Walsh. Don’t forget, if you’re really stuck for ideas than come and make an appointment to see me!

Space . . .The Final Frontier!

In Science you’ll start the term by thinking about space and the Solar System. We’ve got lots of books for all your space related

homework. You can find the non-fiction books on planets, galaxies and so on at 520 on the shelves. Plus, if you look on Oliver

we’ve flagged up lots of good websites too!

When do astronauts

have lunch?

At launch time!

Space . . .The Final Frontier!

In Science you’ll start the term by thinking about space and the Solar System. We’ve got lots of books for all your space related

homework. You can find the non-fiction books on planets, galaxies and so on at 520 on the shelves. Plus, if you look on Oliver

we’ve flagged up lots of good websites too!

How does the solar system hold up it’s

trousers?

With an asteroid belt!

This is Moseley train station in 1910 when trains still ran on steam. In

History you’re going to start term by looking at what Birmingham was like

in the past and its changing community. Whatever period in history you want to think about

we’ve got books (starting at 909 on the shelves) and access to the

websites you’ll need.

In English you’ll be starting the term by reading Rose

Blanche—written by Ian McEwan, and with brilliant

drawings by Roberto Innocenti. The story is about a

young girl growing up in Germany during World War II.

We have a range of books to help you with English. First of all we have a great selection of poetry (starting at 808.81 on the shelves) and plays (813 and 822). We also have a great selection of text books to help you with your homework and with revision at exam time (428 on the shelves).

There are loads of great online tools that you’ll be able to use to put a creative twist on you homework. A great tool is called Wordle. You can create “word clouds” with any text you put in. For the one below I put in lots of words linked to World War 2 but you can input any-thing—poems, songs or even one of your es-says. We’ve got lots more great ideas for you so don’t be afraid to ask.

We realise of course that after you’ve read Rose Blanche you might

want to give books about war a miss for a while. However, if you are interested in reading

more novels about conflict and it’s aftermath here are some modern classics.

More books

about war

At Swanshust we regularly invite authors to visit. We’re starting this term with a bang and you’ll have the chance to meet Anna Perera and speak to Randa Abdal-Fattah in Australia!

Author

Visits

Click on the books to go to their websites

Last year students met Bali Rai, Marcus Sedgwick and Keith Gray. We’ve got all their books so we

hope they’ll become firm favourites with you too.

Bali writes a range of books but you might want to start with his funny ones Like Revenge of the Number Two or Two-Timer. Mainly he writes gritty books about issues facing teenagers growing up in multicultural cities. Try Rani and Sukh and (Un)arranged Marriage.

If you want something scary and substantial try Marcus Sedgwick’s gothic fantasies. My Swordhand is Singing is a modern classic but you could just as easily start with Witch hill, Floodland or The Dark Horse.

Keith Gray also writes a whole range of books. If you want to be scares try The Fearful or Ghosting. His brilliant Ostrich Boys is hilarious but also moving and thought-provoking. Titles like Creepers and The Chain give brilliant insights into what it’s like growing up in Britain today.

I need some help with my geography

homework. Who can I ask to help me?

Friendly

and here to help!

The dog ate my homework and I need to do

it again. When can I use the library?Before school 8.00am - 8.40am (in before 8.25am)

Break time11.10am - 11.25am

(to borrow & return books)

Lunchtime12.30pm - 1.25pm(in before 1.10pm)

After school3.30pm - 5.00pmLessons

With a note from your teacher

What really irritates the library staff?

Eating and drinking

Chewing gum

Loud voices

Soggy books

Mobile phones

What really irritates the library staff?

Eating and drinking

Chewing gum

Loud voices

Soggy books

Mobile phones

I’m already brilliant.

Why should I use the library?

* Fiction books

* Non-fiction books

* CDs & DVDs

* Magazines

* Book Groups

* Homework Club

* Competitions & prizes

* Help & advice

I need a book for my French

homework, another one for my science project

and one with cake recipes so I can bake a cake for

my granny’s birthday. Will I still be

able to borrow ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’?

* 4 fiction books

* 4 non-fiction books

* 4 CDs or DVDs

How long can I keep things for?

* Everything 1 week

* Renew up to 3 times

* No fines

* Notices & bans

‘Why is snot green?’ is never on the shelves. Can I reserve it?

* Reservation Form

* Online

My sister has emailed a photo

of my pet gerbil, Gordon, to me.

Where can I print him out?

* Before school

* Lunchtime

* After school

* School work

My little sister thinks that it’s only a matter of time before her talent is discovered and she wins X Factor. Her singing is driving me mad!! Is there anywhere I can work in peace after school?

* Help with your homework

* Book a computer

* Work with your friends

* Eat & drink

Library & UF2 Monday-Friday 3.30pm -5.00pm

What does a girl have to

do to get a decent hot chocolate

around here?

Meets at lunchtimes

* Look out for the posters

* Sign up

* Read the book

* Come to the meeting!

Reading Group

I can’t possibly

survive without reading the latest

Jacqueline Wilson book. How do I find out if

it’s in the library?

Oliver

Search to see what we have

Check to see what you have

Renew your books

Reserve things

eLibrary

Hey Snoopy, read any good

books lately?

Lots

See you soon