Reading Club
Podcast:- Linenhall Library Visit
Tolkien, Higgins and Paolini bite the custard in ruthless debate
Despite the best efforts of Conor Ardill, Simon Cash and Jacob Baxter, acclaimed authors J.R.R.Tolkien, Jack Higgins and Christopher Paolini could not be saved from the shark infested custard during the Reading Club's lunchtime debate last Friday. Adam Barr and Robert Stewart proved more successful in defending their own cherished authors, Malorie Blackman and Michelle Paver who managed to escape a fateful fall into razor-toothed gloop. A huge well-done to all the boys who participated in the debate!
The Bisto Shortlist
Over the next two months, we will be reading four titles from the Bisto Shortlist 2009.
The Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Awards, in partnership with CBI are presented annually in recognition of excellence in writing and/or illustration of books for young people. The awards are administered by CBI, the national organisation for children’s books and sponsored by Bisto gravy. The awards are open to any children’s book by an author and/or illustrator born or resident in Ireland, written in Irish or English and published between 1st January and 31st December each year. For further information click here to go to the Childrens Books Ireland website.
The four titles chosen by Bangor Grammar School are:
Airman by Eoin Colfer
Airman is the story of Conor's unjust imprisonment and his revolutionary designs to take to the skies and escape the inhumane conditions of his incarceration. Well conceived, tightly structured, and clearly developed, the complex relationships, dark scenes, and serious themes of this fast-paced adventure are skilfully infused with humour, wit, and irony. Published by Puffin Books
ISBN 978-0141322216 (PBK) 978-0141383354 (HBK)
Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd
The story of Fergus’ journey of self-discovery as he struggles to make sense of his personal, familial, and societal situation, as well as the voice of a bog child that comes to him in his dreams. To journey through this layered narrative is to be confronted with not only the frailty of life but also the redemptive qualities of love: unsettling yet optimistic, this is radiant prose that sings of the pain and beauty of the human condition.
Published by David Fickling
ISBN: 9780385614269 (HBK) 9781862305915 (PBK)
Creature of the Night by Kate Thompson
The story of Bobby’s attempt to return to his old life in the city after moving to a cottage in the countryside, which is the scene of supernatural happenings. Distinguished by the lightness and integrity of its storytelling, this unsentimental tale depicts unpleasant yet redeemable characters and suggests that the inner struggle to understand oneself can be redemptive.
Published by The Bodley Head
ISBN: 9780370329307 (PBK)
Highway Robbery by Kate Thompson
A story told by a young beggar boy who is asked to look after a horse for a mysterious man. Atmospheric and evocative, this deceivingly slight tale is a well measured intertextual metanarrative built around a clever conceit. The creation of a natural storyteller, this aesthetically pleasing production will appeal – particularly – to newly confident readers.
Pubished by The Bodley Head
ISBN: 9780061730344 (HBK)