Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! Wishing you all a wonderful break with your families, and the very best wishes for 2016.

Oh, but which book is it from?

I know how much you all love book quotations...where's this one taken from?

Goodbye, and good-luck!

Having received my A-Level results, and gaining my place at Durham University to study English Literature and History, it's finally time to say cheerio to the King's School Library.

For some people, a mention of the School Library musters up the image of a boring, dull place..the stomping ground of only the nerds of the school- what rubbish! Having been a Pupil Librarian in the King's School Library for almost 6 years, I've come to learn how interesting and amazing the School Library can be. I've made some great library friends (Jamie, Joe, Will, Glynn, Clifford, Will, Josh, Rob, Jack, Ashley, Linda, Jo and Ben), had some fun experiences (library Christmas dinners were the best) and learnt an awful lot- it isn't just about shelving a few dusty books in this job,  you know!

So, whenever you're bored in school, at lunchtime, or stuck on a coursework project (hope all the A-Level English Literature students and Historians are taking note!), remember how useful and, unusually fun, the School Library can be. Thanks to Mrs Dawes, Mrs Snee and Mrs Topham for enabling me to experience it! :)

-James Kearney, August 2015

Good Luck!

To all of you sitting GCSE and A-Level Exams (and KS3 end-of-year exams!), best of luck for all your exams! :)

LitCharts!

Revising for GCSE or A-Level English Literature exams? Have a look at LitCharts!, which has lots of great guides on widely studied texts- including Animal Farm, The Canterbury Tales, The Great Gatsby, King Lear, Macbeth, Measure for Measure,  Oedipus Rex, Paradise Lost...and loads more!

Why not have a browse of the guides, perhaps as 'reinforcement' to your own notes!

World Book Day Activities

Come into the Library on Thursday to join us with lots of exciting World Book Day activities!! :D

National Libraries Day

Happy National Libraries Day everyone! Why not pop into your local library and have a chat to the http://savelincslibraries.org.uk/
Library Staff today? :) Also, if you haven't already heard about the plight of Lincolnshire Libraries- support them now! Here's a link:

The Wicked Young Writers' Award

You better get writing, lads!
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jan/13/wicked-young-writers-award-michael-morpurgo
(not least so you can win us £100 for the School Library!)

Revision booster!

If you're lacking the energy or motivation to revise, here's a little pick-me-up thingamajiggy!

Interview: Richard Adams

Have you ever read Watership Down? If so, you might find the following interview with the author,

Richard Adams, interesting! Have a read :)

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jan/04/richard-adams-watership-down-interview

Beating stress!

If you're beginning to prepare for mock exams, or summer exams, things may seem like they're getting a bit too much for you to handle- never fear, here is some great advice from The Guardian Website: http://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2013/nov/06/students-ten-ways-to-beat-stress

And if that fails, here's a bit more advice ;)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope you all enjoy the day and the rest of your break!

A-Level English Literature: William Blake

If you are studying William Blake for the LT4 module in English Literature, the Library does have a copy of Peter Ackroyd's 'Blake' biography- an excellent book! :)

New book!

I'm very pleased and chuffed to report that we now have a copy of 'The Handmaid's Tale' in stock in the Library once again! A fantastic book, definitely worth a read for anyone in Year 11 or above- a book review from James shall follow shortly! :)

FAO: English Literature Students!

Have you come across the Poetry Station: http://www.poetrystation.org.uk/

What a fantastic resource! :)

Personal Statements!

Well, its that time of the year, when year 13's should be writing their Personal Statements! If you're stuck for how to begin or what to include, remember that in the Careers section of the Library, we have books advising on both Personal Statement writing and applying to University- come and have a nose! :)

Foyle Young Poets Award

Are you a budding poet? If so, why not enter the Foyle Young Poets Award:
http://www.poetrysociety.org.uk/content/competitions/fyp/

You have until the 31st July 2014 to enter so let that creativity go wild! :)

National Libraries Day

Happy National Libraries Day, everyone! :D Why not pop into the town Library?

30 great poems!

Have a look at The Times' list of 30 poems everyone should know: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/poetrycompetition/article3229711.ece

How many do you know? Do you recognise some from English lessons?

Quote!

Did anyone watch the new series on BBC3, 'Tough Young Teachers'? Spotted a great quote which one of the new teachers showed his class:

"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says "I'm possible!" -Audrey Hepburn

Did you know...?

Marilyn Monroe had an IQ of 168!

What if money were no object?

Have a look at this thought-provoking video, and consider the question: what would YOU do if money were no object? 

Book Review: Seamus Heaney, The Making of the Poet

Book Title: Seamus Heaney, The Making of the Poet
Author: Michael Parker

This is a very useful  book, both for GCSE & A-Level students, where Heaney comes up in parts of the specification. A detailed insight is given into Heaney's life, and the book looks at the inspiration behind much of his poetry. Analysis of some poems is also given.

Particularly usefully, the book is split up into time periods, such as 'Affinities 1961-66' and 'Quickenings 1975-84'.

I'd give it: 10/10
Review by: James Kearney

Countdown to Christmas!

Christmas Countdown

Applying to Uni?

Have a look at this website for some additional advice and guidance:

http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/admissions-advice/inside-tips-university-admissions

Sixth Form Open Afternoon

We hope everyone who came to the 6th Form Open Afternoon enjoyed their look round our school
(especially to see our Library 'Table) :P

Guess the book!

Which book starts with the following line?

"It was a queer, sultry summer, the summer they executed the Rosenbergs, and I didn't know what I was doing in New York."

Have a look at the photo of the author, to the right, and see if you recognize her!

Book Review: Butter

Book Title: Butter
Author: Erin Lange

Review:
An excellent story about a larger than average boy who is bullied by his classmates. It is these children who have given him the nickname 'Butter'. A talented saxophonist, he spends most of his time alone in his bedroom playing his saxophone or logging on to a social networking site. Things change when he sets up his
own blog under his nickname and announces that on New Years Eve he will eat himself to death, inviting anyone who want to, to watch on Skype! Will he follow this through? Read the book to find out.....

I'd give it: 8/10

Book Review by: Mrs Snee, Staff

Did you know.......

It's Black History Month?

And this year, the focus is on the arrival on the Windrush ship 65 years ago, when 492 Caribbean
passengers arrived in Tilbury Dock, Essex.

Symbolically, these people would become known as the 'Windrush Generation' and were seen as the beginning of post-war mass migration.

Do you know anything about Black History? Come and intrigue us in the Library!

Mistakes.....

Very wise advice! :-)

Welcome!

Welcome to The King's School, for all the year 7s and new sixth form entrants who have joined us today! And for the rest of the school, we hope you're looking forward to coming back to school tomorrow!

There have been some exciting changes in the Library! Come up to CIS and say hello to us and our books-
all getting happily housed in their new shelves!

Remember- we still LOVE getting your book reviews! We'll pop them up on the blog, and also share them with other Library users!

Now, we wish all of the school a happy and successful year! Good luck! :D

From your local Library team ;)

What a superb poster......

Book Review: Young Bond, SilverFin

Book: Young Bond, SilverFin
Author: Charlie Higson

Review:
Very good, but the story is built on coincidences and could be better by making more sense.

Rating: 9/10

Review by: WS, 9D