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Aspire Reading Books

Choice of Aspire Books – Key Stage 3

Wonder by RJ Palacio

This is story with a lot of heart and tells the tale of a boy called Auggie who has a severe facial deformity which has prevented him (up until now) from attending mainstream school. However, both his mum and him want him to attend the local high school where Auggie (and his classmates) learn lessons about life, empathy and what a difference kindness can make in the world.

This book is important because it teaches our students about acceptance and how we can work together to make a kinder world.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

A recommended read for those of secondary school age. It is the story of Malala, an inspirational young person, who was shoot by the Taliban for defying their regime and wanting an education. This story is told through her own words and tells about the battle of wanting the best for women and children in Afghanistan.

Told in her own words this accessible and real story teaches students about the importance of their own education and makes them aware of some of the struggles others face in other countries.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

‘Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that’s been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of what they see as an unjust and brutal killing.’

This story is really relevant for the world that we live in where we have become more aware of the way that race has been perceived. In light of movements such as ‘Black Lives Matter’ this book brings a new awareness of this sometimes shied away from matter.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

You must be Layla by Yassim Abdel-Magied.

13 year-old Layla is clever, ambitious and funny. She's left her comfortable Islamic school in Brisbane, Australia and is starting a scholarship at a private school where she is the first (and only) child to wear a Muslim headscarf. The first week is hardly welcoming, but Layla’s determined to make this work - even though she ends up being suspended for fighting back against a prejudiced bully. Layla decides the best way to really prove herself and her right to be at the school is to win a big regional robotics competition with her very ambitious invention. But can she do it alone – especially when the boy who bullied her is on the other team?

This is a smart, laugh-out-loud story about making friends, carving your way in the world and having the confidence to do things your way. Layla is a determined, plucky protagonist, and her inventive attitude to surmounting hurdles is inspiring. Layla’s story also offers an insight into normal Muslim family life and some of the barriers people of colour can face. With strong themes of friendship, equality and respect, this story is fresh, funny and empowering read.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

This modern class of a book whereby four children survive a plane crash in the Amazon and have to fend for themselves and try and get to somewhere where they might be rescued. The children have to work together to overcome and number of obstacles and learn about themselves in the process.

Rundell uses sophisticated and poetic language without over complicating her text. The characters are likeable and relatable and the book teaches empathy and the art of never giving up.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

Solider Dog by Sam Angus

Set in the middle of the First World War Stanley tries to live up to his father’s strict and harsh expectations. However, one day, Stanley makes the ultimate decision and signs up to join the army and ends up training dogs for the trenches.

A story about finding hope in the darkest of times and the sometimes difficult relationships that form between siblings and that of a parent and child.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

The Bone Sparrow by Zana Frallion

Set in an Australian Detention centre where Subhi was born. He doesn’t know anything about the world outside his fence. He starts to tell stories to the other children that he lives with to give them hope. One day Jimmie comes into his life and gives him a new perspective on the world.

This book is about hope in the most unlikely of places but also that friendships can be formed with almost anyone if you could just keep your mind open to new ideas and ways of thinking.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner

Set in a dystopian future which is ruled by overlords who keep the country in check, Standish Treadwell has been bought up to follow rules and never ask questions. That is until one day when his football goes over the wall and then his world changes forever.

Told through short, episodic chapters the reader sees the world that Standish Tredwell sees – sometimes in vivid colour – others in snippets where he has to piece together what he is seeing. This book is sometimes brutal but teaches students about not always taking things at face value.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

Time breaking by Barbara Spencer

Molly thinks that life is tough as a modern day teenager. Her parents are always having a go at her about the future and they don't really understand what she is actually good at. Her parents are driven by their careers and have no time to try and work out what makes Molly tick. And then they all go to stay in a 17th century manor house and Molly ends up traveling back in time to the era of the civil war and ends up tangled as the eldest daughter of a Puritan family and, despite her best efforts to try and go back to her own time, gets swept into the life that she knows nothing about but also teaches her so much more about her own.

This book is about parent relationships and the pressures that are put on teenagers as well as being historically accurate about the ways and roles of women within the household.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

This book is the first of the very popular Alex Rider series. It is the story of teenager Alex Rider whose uncle dies in mysterious circumstances. Alex is then recruited to try and finish his uncle’s unfinished business and gets sucked into a world of espionage and spying.

This book is the perfect way of introducing a family with a difference: Alex lives with his uncle and his housekeeper and is thriving in this environment. It is also teaches lessons in never giving up and to expect the unexpected.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

My Swordhand is Singing by Marcus Sedgewick

‘In the bitter cold of an unrelenting winter, Tomas and his son, Peter, arrive in Chust. Despite the villagers' lack of hospitality, they settle there as woodcutters. But there are many things Peter does not understand. Why does Tomas dig a channel of fast-flowing waters around their hut so they live on an isolated island? Why does Tomas carry a long battered box everywhere they go - and refuse to tell Peter of its contents?’

This books feeds into modern gothic literature which is studied as part of the English curriculum as well as showing that classic myths can influence modern stories. Sedgewick’s poetic style is also rich with vocabulary that is unique to his work.

(Recommended for Year 8-9)

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Set in a world where the male population can hear their own thoughts as well as those around them Todd discovers a spaceship on his family’s land. When he realizes what is inside it then becomes a battle to discover what is actually going on in his town and the world at large but also to find out what truth is actually out there.

It is a story about questioning what you believe and the intricate politics that can surround society. It flags up a number of questions about not always taking things at face value.

(Recommended for Year 9)

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

A dystopian story where children are chosen from the worlds Districts to compete in a battle royale style games where the winner has to survive longer than any of the other contestants. Katniss Everdean goes in the place of her young sister and embarks on the toughest life lessons she has ever faced.

This teaches about bravery, kindness but also the importance of family and standing up for what you believe in.

(Recommended for Year 9)

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Blackman’s novel is in a society where those with black skin are the ruling class and those with white skin have to fight for their place within the world. It follows the journey of Callum (a nought) and Sephy (a cross) and how they try to overcome the barriers put in place in their society.

This book brings up some many questions about race and how we perceive it. There are some uncomfortable moments but it shows that if you are made aware of certain issues you are more likely to do something about it.

(Recommended for Year 9)

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon

Christopher is fifteen and is autistic. He sees the world in black and white. However, when his neighbours dog is found dead and he is accused of its killing he decides to investigate the dog’s murder in his own unique way.

This teaches students about the idea of perspective and acceptance of a different point of view. It also teaches empathy and how, sometimes, people find it difficult to see the world in the way that we see it.

(Recommended for Year 9)

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein

This tells the story of a hobbit called Bilbo Baggins and his quest across his world to defeat a dragon called Smaug who is guarding a mountain of treasure. Set in the fantasy world of middle earth it shows Bilbo’s journey with a group of thirteen dwarfs and a wizard called Gandalf.

This is a tale about resilience and never giving up. This is the perfect secondary school introduction to fantasy writing at its highest level as well as paving the way for those who perhaps have never read about other worlds.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

The boy who drew the future by Rhian Ivory

Noah has a secret. A secret that he cannot control but instead takes control of him. He can draw the future. However, no one believes him until he moves to a new village which not only has a murky past but a very uncertain future. Noah also falls for a girl called Beth and he must decide whether to tell her truth about his curse or to try and hide it without his past catching up with him.

150 years before a boy called Blaze is orphaned and is left to hide in a ram-shackled farmhouse. He too can draw the future. But when you are branded a witch, just like your mother before you, can you change your future?

(Recommended for Year 8 and 9)

Time breaking by Barbara Spencer

Molly thinks that life is tough as a modern day teenager. Her parents are always having a go at her about the future and they don't really understand what she is actually good at. Her parents are driven by their careers and have no time to try and work out what makes Molly tick. And then they all go to stay in a 17th century manor house and Molly ends up traveling back in time to the era of the civil war and ends up tangled as the eldest daughter of a Puritan family and, despite her best efforts to try and go back to her own time, gets swept into the life that she knows nothing about but also teaches her so much more about her own.

This book is about parent relationships and the pressures that are put on teenagers as well as being historically accurate about the ways and roles of women within the household.

(Recommended for Year 7-9)

Anne Frank: A Diary of a Young Girl

This is the real life diary of Anne Frank who went into hiding in Amsterdam during the Nazi invasion. All she had with her was her diary which was given to her father by the friend who had hidden them who had found it in their Annex.

The story is that of a teenager from a different era but with the same hopes and dreams of teens today. Even when life was tough and they had to live everyday as if it was their last there was always a glimmer of hope.

(Recommended for Year 8 and 9)

Guantanamo Boy by Anna Perera

A story of mistaken identify and prejudice, Khalid is a normal 15 year old boy who goes on holiday to Pakistan with his family. He gets kidnapped and accused of plotting to plant a bomb in London and ends up being held in the infamous Guantanamo Bay to await his fate.

This book tackles the idea of islamophobia and the stereotype that prejudices people against religions and people that are different. Set after the attack on the Twin Towers when tensions against Muslims was at its highest this provokes many questions about judging people on appearances and religious points of view.

(Recommended for Year 9)