Reading all the way to university

There is no better time to start this programme than the long holiday vacation. Below, you will find a list of books that meet these goals. What’s even better, is that they are books that have been popular in my school library.

A Night Divided by Jennifer A Nielsen – You would be surprised how many upper elementary students love historical fiction like Nielsen’s novel that deals with a brother and sister plotting their escape from East Berlin. Many students don’t know about the Berlin Wall, so they find this book interesting. Children will also enjoy research opportunities that provide historical context to the Berlin Wall. There is much to ponder in this novel about love, friendship, independence, freedom and commitment – all themes and values that resonate with young leaders. A Night Divided is a high interest/low level (Hi/Lo) reading novel that children ten to 14 will enjoy.

The Raft by SA Bodeen – Because of the theme of survival, young readers will find this novel about a girl who ends up on a life raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. A riveting read for 12-year-old to 18-year-old readers.

This is a true Young Adult (YA) novel that I found to be a fascinating read even for adults.

Young readers can’t read this book without thinking about the impact of their decisions. Survival novels are always exciting and this one delivers an unexpected ending.

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley – This is still the most popular novel in my library and most of my students from ten to 14 say it is the best book they have ever read. It is one of my favourite books as well. Set in World War II, Brubaker Bradley tells the story of a mistreated girl with a clubbed foot who gets an opportunity of a lifetime when the British government decides to evacuate London’s children and place them in the countryside. Children must think about family in a whole new way as they read about the mean, unfair mother in this novel. The descriptions will make children, numb from their electronic gadgets, see the world in a whole new way.

Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes by Louis Sachar – Another popular writer, Louis Sachar always writes edgy books that educate and entertain.

In this novel, Gary W Boone wants to be a stand-up comedian.

He thinks that his school is his training ground for this profession.

The problem is, Gary has to learn when his sense of humour is inappropriate. Students from ten to 14 will learn a lot in this novel about appropriate behaviour. In the process, they will learn about different types of humour including irony and puns.

As you can see, the books listed above are popular, edgy and informative books that young readers can use to hone important analytical skills. Because they are so well written and target such important themes and conflicts in young readers’ lives, even teenagers who have not been reading and now want to build their English skills will relate to these novels.

Best of all, parents will enjoy these novels too. That means you can read these novels and have invaluable discussions with your children. By doing that, you will discover many of the issues that are important to your children.

Next week: More suggested books for young readers