Hi everyone
Our last meeting was towards the end of October so it was held by Zoom again. We had some students at school (Bethany), some at home (Zoe and Thuy Ann), and one in a car travelling from an appointment (Lillian)! Staff joined from zoom locations around the school. Thanks to Zoom we could still meet and have a book chat, which ended up being a slightly longer conversation than normal as it was a pupil free day (for Years 7-11). Special thanks to everyone for joining Book Club on your pupil free day or during your HSC study block.
Our conversation involved further discussion about The Hate U Give. Zoe mentioned it gave her insight into the Black Lives Matter movement. The power of this story is that readers are able to see the issues explored through Starr’s eyes and through her family and friends’ perspectives and experiences. I liked how Starr gradually finds her voice and courage to speak, as well as recognising her own prejudices and flaws by the end of the story. The family dynamics gradually reveal the strength of Starr’s family bonds. There’s an authenticity to this story that strikes a beautiful balance between the issues raised and everyday human lives. If you have not read it yet, do put it on your to-read list. And if you’re still reading it, don’t give up! It will be worth your commitment of time and effort.
Our current Book Club book is Cogheart by Peter Bunzl. This book might be a little different to what you normally read, but it is one where I would say that there’s more to this story than you might first think when you start reading it. We will discuss Cogheart in our final meeting for 2021.
While unboxing the SpineOut books that arrived on the day of our Book Club meeting, Mrs Hanratty talked about The Starlight Watchmaker by Lauren James. We do have a copy in the library. It’s a short but rewarding read. You can reserve it here.
Thuy shared her recent online reading, which included comics and fan fiction. This is a good way to keep reading when you have other commitments (i.e. HSC exams) and a great way to de-stress and relax (when you need a break from studying). Thuy’s reading shows that reading can be done in a variety of formats. You’re still reading, even if it isn’t a traditional print book!
Zoe is still reading The Book Thief and I think she deserves 10/10 for perseverance. Zoe mentioned that she did watch the movie trailer to understand what was happening in this story. Sometimes we need support like this or book blurbs to help give a story some context. I have often used Wikipedia to give me a quick insight into a topic that I am unfamiliar with. Sometimes you need to build some background knowledge first before or during reading. This can also help you engage better with a story and help you imagine.
Lillian astounded us with her writing project for a competition she is entering. Lillian is in the process of writing a story with more than twenty thousand words. What was equally impressive was Lillian’s storyline. It is a fantasy story, with a protagonist with exceptional fighting skills, who loses her sight half way through the story. How does she deal with these challenges? There is a love interest too. All the best with entering your story for the competition, Lillian. After listening to Lillian’s story outline, Ms McNamara recommended All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doerr (which also features a blind female protagonist). This is a book we have read in the past for Book Club.
Bethany shared that she was in the midst of reading Six Crimson Cranes for review for SpineOut. It’s a fairytale retelling and a copy is available in the library. Well done Bethany, for being able to read and review while preparing for your HSC exams. Once a reader, always a reader!
Mrs Ryan has been busy marking so her time has been limited for personal reading at the moment. But, like all of us, she is looking forward to the Christmas holidays for extra time to read. However, Mrs Ryan has recently read the first three books in the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman. She is perhaps not quite as enamoured with these books (as Mrs Hanratty is) but she did like them overall. If you are short for time, graphic novels are a good way to keep reading without the time commitment of a novel.
Ms McNamara returned from a period of long service leave so she did have time for reading for pleasure. One of the books she read was The lost flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland. This novel is being adapted into a television series which is scheduled to air in 2022. The author, Holly Ringland, is also a presenter for a recent ABC series with Aaron Pedersen, called Back to Nature. She has also appeared in a Gardening Australia segment, My Garden Path – Holly Ringland. A couple of book recommendations from Mrs Sylaprany included a true crime story set in 1920s Sydney, The Suitcase Baby, and a speculative fiction, The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig, an English novelist.
Mrs Hanratty spoke about what she enjoyed about the Heartstopper graphic novels by Alice Oseman. What makes this series special for Mrs Hanratty is the ‘solid’ relationship Nick and Charli share which she feels makes it different to typical YA fare. Their secure relationship allows for other issues, such as Charli’s eating disorder, to be sensitively explored.
Mrs Hanratty also shared a fiction book about a boy band and a relationship that develops while on tour. Issues emerge related to the challenges of being a celebrity. It does make one think about the demands on bands and the real true price of celebrity. Books can often stimulate our thinking and ideas in ways we do not initially expect. What was essentially a ‘light’ read for Mrs Hanratty, led to conversations about some of the deeper themes that emerged.
It was good to ‘see’ you for our extended book chat. As mentioned, our next meeting will be held in Week 9. This might give everyone time to finish reading Cogheart! It would be great to have a group discussion about this book then. Thank you as well, to Mrs Johnson, who has already prepared (accessioned and covered) our next Book Club book (for reading during the Christmas school holidays).
Enjoy the rest of Term 4,
Mrs Sylaprany