About
Hello. I am professional Librarian working at a secondary school in Brighton in the UK, where I educate, encourage and entice. Amongst other jobs, I have also worked as a library assistant in public libraries, as a manager in music […]
EmpathyLab 2020
Empathy Day is still a number of months away (it's on the 9th June this year), but preparations are already underway. The 2020 #ReadforEmpathy Book Collections from @EmpathyLabUK were announced today and feature 50 superb books; 33 for 4-11 year olds and […]
Book Review: Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
CONTENT WARNING: discussions of rape and sexual assault. after you shout your open mouth will breathe in the light for which you've hungered Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson is a powerful and confronting memoir told in verse with anger, compassion […]
Book Review: Voyages In The Underworld of Orpheus Black by Marcus Sedgwick, Julian Sedgwick and Alexis Deacon
London, 1944. 19 year old Harry Black has fallen out with his brother and father due to his stance as a conscientious objector. Harry does his bit for the war effort by working as a firefighter, as well as documenting […]
Book Review: Under Earth by Ellen Renner
Storm is slowly growing into her role as the Weather Witch for her people - the island folk of Yanlin - when she is set a new challenge. Sent on a diplomatic mission to the vibrant and exciting trade centre […]
Book review: Magus of the Library, vol. 1 by Mitsu Izumi
Following on from my last post about how graphic novels are great for encouraging a love of reading, here’s a new manga that is all about the magic of books and reading: Magus of the Library by Mitsu Izumi. The […]
Graphic Novels - Keeping Up With The J’onzzes
A list of 10 (+ 4) resources for graphic novels that I use to keep up with current trends, find classics and fill gaps in my collection.
Book Review: The Island by M.A. Bennett
Three years ago, life changed for homeschooled American Link Selkirk. His parents got jobs at Oxford University, and so the family moved to the UK and Link started school for the first time. Not just any school, but Osney - a […]
Book Review: The Weight of a Thousand Feathers - Brian Conaghan
17 year old Bobby Seed has too much on his plate. Any time not spent at school studying for his 'A' Levels is spent at home looking after his mother, who suffers from MS, and his younger brother Danny, who […]
Making Posters - Productive Procrastination
Some of the most commented-upon posters on my library walls are these classics from the wonderful PaperZip website (click the images for links to high quality downloads): I've also got a few nice comments about this Spock poster I made […]
Book Review: Skulduggery Pleasant - Resurrection by Derek Landy
Thanks to the Reading Zone and HarperCollins for the review copy. A secret order of dissident sorcerers is attempting to resurrect an ancient being to launch a war against the mortals. Skulduggery Pleasant, skeleton detective and sorcerer, is going to need all […]