Happy Christmas from The King's School Library!

Have a fantastic Christmas. I hope that Santa brings you all the books that you wished for and you come back refreshed in the New Year, ready to write reviews for the Library Blog!

Mrs :-D

The Library Christmas Party 2010

Diary of a Wimpy kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney

Unusually, for books I review, I have not yet finished this brilliant book but so far I’ve been captivated. Such is the magic of Jeff Kinney’s books that I read nearly half the book in WHSmith for an hour. This book does not disappoint any readers of the other books in the series documenting the life of Greg Heffley. In this particular book, Greg has had a fight with his best friend Rowley and has resulted in them not talking to each other for the beginning of the New School Year. Slowly, another problem arises. Greg realises the problems with growing up! I highly recommend this book as a book which will be enjoyed by all Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans. 5 Star

By Jack Shannon

Newton Book Launch

Tonight we held the launch of our book Isaac Newton of Woolsthorpe Manor and The King's School, Grantham, written by Year 7 boys from the school with John Haden. 

Copies are available to order from the school by emailing: admin@kings.lincs.sch.uk

Chocs away!

Boris models the latest Library Assistant uniform! (Courtesy of Will G)

Film Review: Invictus (12)

A truly brilliant film, not just a good watch for Rugby fans but for a much wider audience. It follows Nelson Mandela's first days in office and his growing like for Rugby and with the South African rugby team (the Springboks). It also shows the South African rugby captain's ( Brad Pitt) gradual increase in respect for Nelson Mandela, who he at first simply see's as a terrorist turn into a idol. A film I highly recommend.

Jack Shannon, 8A

Searching websites

Did you know that you can search for topic based websites using the school library catalogue? We have a vast number of weblinks added to the catalogue which are suitable for secondary school use. 

To access the catalogue just log on to a school computer and select favourites in Internet Explorer. Select Library Portal and click on Search. Type your search topic in the box, click the binoculars and hey presto! Hopefully, you will see details some relevant books (if we cover you topic in the school library) and websites. The websites are directly accessible for the catalogue listing. 

Remember you can always ask Mrs Dawes, Mrs Snee or one of the Library Assistants to help you.

Film Club: Sherlock (12)

We will be showing the BBC Sherlock series in Film Club during this term, with the first programme being shown on Tuesday 9/Wednesday 10 November at lunchtime in the Library.

"Co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector Lestrade.

The iconic details from Conan Doyle's original books remain – they live at the same address of 221b Baker Street, have the same names and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them.

Steven Moffat says: "Conan Doyle's stories were never about frock coats and gas light; they're about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, to hell with the crinoline. Other detectives have cases, Sherlock Holmes has adventures, and that's what matters.""

From BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00t4pgh [accessed 8 November 2010]

Welcome to the Library Blog 7D!

During your PDC lesson in the Library on Tuesday 9 November, we would like you to complete a short questionnaire about your reading preferences and your experiences of the school library. You can access it here: Reader Profile 7D 2010-11.

Please feel free to have a look at the Library Blog while you are here. We also have Library webpages on the school website at: www.kings.lincs.sch.uk. The Library pages can be found under the School Information section. Direct link here.

Mrs Dawes

Celebrate National Non-Fiction Day

National Non-Fiction Day is an annual celebration, initiated by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups in partnership with Scholastic Children’s Books. It aims to celebrate all that is brilliant about non fiction and show that it’s not just fiction that can be read and enjoyed for pleasure.

The first National Non-Fiction Day will be celebrated on the 4th November 2010, and annually thereafter on the first Thursday in November.

For further details go to: http://nnfd.org/

King's Cool Readers

The Year 7 and 8 Book Group will meet this Wednesday, 3rd November, in the Library at lunchtime. 

Bring your sandwiches and your book, or just come along after your lunch, and be prepared to chat about your favourite books and authors.

New fiction books in the Library

Welcome back! Hope you had a relaxing Half Term.

We have lots of brand new fiction books in the Library on loan from Barrowby and Grantham Children's Book Group to review for the Red House Children's Book Award 2011. To take part all you have to do is to nominate any book or novel first published in the UK during 2010 by rating it using the following options:
*Brilliant! A winner.
*Very good indeed. I'd definitely recommend it.
*Pretty good, better than most.
*Nothing special.
*Rubbish! Bury it in the garden.

You can nominate as many different titles as you like and nomination forms are available in the Library. 

Review 3 books and receive a merit; review 5 books and receive a free book from a selection kindly provided by Barrowby and Grantham Children's Book Group.

For further information about the Red House Book Awards go to: www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk

Calling all young books fans

The Guardian is planning a new dedicated books site for young readers – and they would like the target audience to help put it together ...

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/oct/14/calling-young-books-fans

Film Club: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs (U)

Showing in the Library at lunchtime Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st October

"Flint Lockwood is an inventor with some strange ideas. Sometimes, though, those ideas end up doing things Flint never imagined. When he invents a way of turning water into food, that should be a good thing. And when that invention means that all sorts of delicious food falls from the sky on his hometown of Swallow Falls, most people are very happy. But then everything starts to get out of control and a huge pancake has flattened the school. Flint, along with quick-thinking TV weather girl Sam and a monkey, has to stop the delicious downpour. Fast-moving, funny and sometimes really quite touching, this terrific computer animated comedy is only very loosely based on the book of the same name, but it's just as good in its own way." www.filmclub.org

A little Reading Quote

Books to the ceiling


Books to the sky


My pile of books is a mile high


How I love them! How I need them!


I’ll have a long beard by the time I read them.


By Arnold Lobel




Submitted by James K. Yr 9

The Essential Man's Library

 Have a look at this link and let me know how many you've read!

http://artofmanliness.com/2008/05/14/100-must-read-books-the-essential-mans-library/

Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy

SPECIAL REVIEW/ INTERVIEW

This review is a interview with a reader of the Skullduggery Pleasant series.  Thomas Armson is a loyal reader of the series and the first to take out the book in the library, this was his view on the latest, exciting book in the series.

What was the book like to read?

“The series is deeply moving and extremely enjoyable to read.”

What is the basic plot around the latest book?

“Skullduggery is a detective who has a partner that is a descendant of an all-powerful ancient. They work in a secret magical community encountering every type of villain or monster on the way, but fate turns against them as Valkyrie discovers she has a dooming fate.” At this point I asked Tom not to give away too much of the plot.

Would you recommend it and how many stars would you give it?

“I recommend it to anybody who enjoys mystery and magic. 5 Stars."

Jack Shannon, Year 8

The Edge Chronicles: The Curse of the Gloamglozer

I have just finished reading this book and I honestly didn’t put it down all weekend! The plot is excellent and the world Paul Stewart has created is truly brilliant. It follows Quint, a sky pirate on the fantastical world of the Edge. He travels to the great city of Santaphrax where he becomes the apprentice of the Most High Academe of this city. The characters are fascinating with their personalities and the intrigue of the answer to the question ‘What is the terrible Gloamglozer?’ was with me right to the end of the book. There are seven other books which are sequels to this brilliant which I would advise for anyone, even if they’re don’t think they like fantasy, to read.  A great read.

5 Star 

By Jack Shannon Year 8

King's Cool Readers

Do you enjoy reading? We are starting a new "King's Cool Readers" book group for Year 7 and 8 which will meet in the Library during a lunchtime once a month. 

We are hoping to have the first meeting next week on Wednesday 13 October. The Library will just be open for King's Cool Readers during this lunchtime and you can bring your sandwiches or just come along after you've had your lunch. The first meeting will be about getting to know each other and talking about our favourite books and authors. We will also talk about what activities we'd like to plan for future meetings.

Further information from Mrs Dawes, Mrs Snee or Clifford the Library Assistant, or just come along on Wednesday next week.

Happy National Poetry Day!

Home by Anne Bronte

How brightly glistening in the sun
The woodland ivy plays!
While yonder beeches from their barks
Reflect his silver rays.
That sun surveys a lovely scene
From softly smiling skies;
And wildly through unnumbered trees
The wind of winter sighs:

Now loud, it thunders o'er my head,
And now in distance dies.
But give me back my barren hills
Where colder breezes rise;

Where scarce the scattered, stunted trees
Can yield an answering swell,
But where a wilderness of heath
Returns the sound as well.

For yonder garden, fair and wide,
With groves of evergreen,
Long winding walks, and borders trim,
And velvet lawns between;

Restore to me that little spot,
With grey walls compassed round,
Where knotted grass neglected lies,
And weeds usurp the ground.

Though all around this mansion high
Invites the foot to roam,
And though its halls are fair within --
Oh, give me back my HOME!

National Poetry Day

This Thursday is National Poetry Day which aims to celebrate poetry across the UK. The theme this year is HOME and we are inviting form groups in Years 7, 8 and 9 to take part in a poetry competition. We would like your form to work together as a group to create a poem entitled “Home”. You can create a tag poem in which each member of the form adds a line to the poem or you can work together as a group.

We would like representatives of each form to read their poem in the Library at 1pm on Thursday 7 October. We are hoping to be joined by the Head and members of the English Department who will decide which poem will win the box of chocolates!

What does 'home' mean to you - the building you live in, the place you came from, or a taste of home cooking?

Please encourage your form to take part and let Mrs Dawes know by morning break on Thursday if you have prepared a poem.

Latin and Classics Cultures Club

Many thanks to the Librarians for letting us use the Library in the summer term for our club. Classic Cultures Club runs on Tuesday Lunchtime in Room 203 (Mr. Finke’s Room) and Latin Club runs on Wednesday after school (again in Room 203). On Tuesday we look at the ancient Greeks and Romans and on Wednesday we look at The Cambridge Latin Course. Have a look at the Latin Course on:  http://www.cambridgescp.com/page.php?p=clc^top^home .

From all at Classic Cultures Club and Latin.

Scholastic Book Club Orders

The deadline for ordering books from the current C2C catalogue (Autumn 2010) is Friday 1 October.

You can order online at: www.clubs.scholastic.co.uk and select The King's School, Grantham. If you join our school order your books are delivered free to the Library and we will notify you when they arrive. Every order helps us to get free books for the School Library so please take a look at the catalogue or browse online.

Film Club: Toy Story (PG)

King's Film Club
Thursday 30 September and Friday 1 October
12:35-13:30
Library
Members only - membership forms are available from the Library

Toy Story
"Old-fashioned cowboy toy Woody is threatened by the arrival in his owner's bedroom of the flashy, hi-tech Buzz Lightyear, who doesn't realise that he is just a plastic plaything and not an actual space-travelling hero. At the time of its release, this film was hailed as a pioneering moment in computer animation, but what makes the film work is the way that the technological wonders are there to support a great piece of character-driven storytelling." www.filmclub.org.uk

Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks

Set in France in the years before and during the First World War, this book gives a moving and powerful account of life in the Flanders trenches and the emotional effects of the war. 
Available in the School Library Upper School Fiction section  (Year 11+) and well worth reading.

Love Reading?

It's proven that confident readers perform better in school. So I'm trying a new website to help encourage pupils to love reading. 

Lovereading4schools.co.uk (a website enthusiastically endorsed by Children's Laureate Jacqueline Wilson) has expertly created reading lists for schools. Uniquely, pupils and parents can download free opening extracts of the books to find out what a book is like. All the books are available to buy with a 25% discount on the RRP. For every £100 spent by parents we will be given a £5 book voucher to help our school library, benefiting your son even further.

Click below / go to the web address below to go to our online reading lists.

http://www.lovereading4schools.co.uk/viewschool/4901/favourite

You will be asked to register as a parent and create your own account. It's free, and very important as it enables us to be sent our free book vouchers for the school library. All you need is an email address and a password that you can remember. Once you have registered you will need to login each time you visit the school reading lists. After registration you will be sent to the schools book page and there just click on any of the book lists to see the books in those lists. Finally, please remember to bookmark our school's page to make it easier for you next time you visit the site.

European Awareness Week

We are celebrating European Awareness this week in school, so here are Jamie, Josh and Alex getting into the French spirit! 

We are holding Europe themed quizzes every lunchtime so do come along and join us.

What do I read next?

So you've just finished reading a really enthralling book and you're at a loss to know what to read next ... have a look at this website for inspiration.

http://bookseer.com

What book comes next?

Ever wondered what book comes next in a series?

Have a look at this website ... http://www.childrensbooksequels.co.uk/

Book Group

Do you really enjoy reading? Would you like to chat about the books that you have read to like-minded people? We are starting a new Book Group that will meet in the Library during a lunchtime once a month. If you are interested in coming along then come and see one of the Librarians or look out for the posters in the Library.

Film Club: Mr Bean's Holiday

Film Club is kicking off this term with a screening of Mr Bean's Holiday (PG).

"Everyone's favourite rubber-faced innocent wins a holiday to the south of France in a raffle and sets off for the sun. But of course, in the world of Mr Bean things never go according to plan - and soon he is tangling with seafood, accidentally "kidnapping" a small boy, tussling with a egotistical film director, and finally embarking on a mad dash to Cannes with a beautiful French actress. This madcap comedy pays tribute to Jacques Tati's "Monsieur Hulot's Holiday", creating a pleasantly sweet film that even Bean-haters will warm to." www.filmclub.org

When: Wed 15 and Thur 16 September 12:35-13:35

Where: Library

Film Club membership forms are available from the Library.

Welcome back!

Welcome back to school!

Did you read a good book over the holidays or watch a gripping film? Let me have a review and I'll post it on the blog.

We have lots of thing happening in the library in the next few weeks - Film Club, European Awareness Week, a new Book Group, National Schools Film Week ... watch this space for further details.

Mrs D

Summer Reading

Mrs Dawes' summer holiday reading ...

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

Young Newtons

Today the Managers visited Woolsthorpe Manor then all the Young Newtons met together last thing this afternoon in the Library to summarise what had been achieved during the week. Two of the Managers had met with the printer during the day to discuss the production of the book, the size, type of binding, colour of cover and timescales. We are aiming to have the book on the bookshop shelves by November, but a lot of work has to be done by then. The Young Newtons now have the job of finishing what they have been working on by the end of term. Will they do it? Watch this space.

Young Newtons visit Woolsthorpe Manor

Young Newtons sitting under the apple tree
Originally uploaded by King's School Library

The Young Newtons have been out and about. Yesterday the Writers visited Woolsthorpe Manor, Isaac Newton's birthplace, and today it was the turn of the Illustrators. The morning was spent having a tour of the house and the Science Discovery Centre. In the afternoon the Illustrators got down to some serious sketching. The photograph shows a group of them hard at work sitting under an apple tree in the orchard. Tomorrow it is the turn of the Project Managers to visit Woolsthorpe in the morning followed by the whole group meeting in the Library in the afternoon to summarise the work that has been created so far.

Young Newtons

Young Newtons hard at work
Originally uploaded by King's School Library

The Young Newtons arrived in the Library today. Lead by visitor to the school, John Haden, a group of 35 Year 7s are working on a project to produce a book about Isaac Newton, in particular about his life at The King's School and at Woolsthorpe Manor. The Young Newtons were subdivided into Writers, Illustrators and Managers, each with a specific role to play and task to carry out for the production of the book.

This afternoon some of the Illustrators visited St Wulfram's Church in Grantham which is just across the road from the Old School Building. They were shown the Trigge Library which is a fascinating example of a chained library dating back to 1598. It was outside this church that Isaac Newton is reputed to have had a fight with fellow school boy, Arthur Storer who was to become his life long friend.

Message from William Hussey

Do you remember author, William Hussey visiting us in March? Well, he has asked me to forward this message to you, especially if you enjoyed reading his book Witchfinder.

As your school is one I've visited recently I was wondering if you could do me a MASSIVE favour - it'll only take 2 minutes. I've been nominated for the Brit Writer of the Year Award for Witchfinder! The 10 finalists were whittled down from hundreds of entries and now the competition is open to a public vote.
 
If you could vote for me all you have to do is email 'Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide' to leah@britwriters.co.uk or text 'Witchfinder: Dawn of the Demontide' to 07772 311901, and I'll be eternally grateful.
 
Many thanks
 
William Hussey
 

Young Newtons

To celebrate the 350th anniversary of Isaac Newton leaving The King's School, a group of Year 7s will be working on a very exciting project which will be based in the Library - Newton's old school - next week.

I can't say any more ... wait until next week, but in the meantime, take a look at this website: www.isaacnewtonsoldschool.org.uk.

Year 6 visit

Welcome to all the Year 6 new entrants who visited the Library during their induction day yesterday. Hope you enjoyed your day at King's and we look forward to seeing you in the Library in September. Don't forget to send us a postcard or an email over the summer, the contact details are in your Library Guide booklet.

M G Harris

Last Saturday Mrs Dawes spent the day at the School Library Association Conference where M.G. Harris, author of The Joshua Files gave a presentation.  M.G. spoke of her upbringing in Mexico and how her fascination of ancient Mayan culture and architecture gave her inspiration for The Joshua Files.

For those of you who haven't already read this series, they are available in the School Library. M.G. also recommends that you take a look at the following related websites: The M.G. Harris Blog http://www.mgharris.net/; find out more about the Mayan prophecy of 2012 at http://www.mayan2012kids.com/ and play the alternative reality game The Descendant at http://www.joshuafiles.co.uk/.

Useful advice!

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

Library Survey 2010

We aim to continually improve The King's School Library and value your opinions. If you haven't done so already (providing you are a student at The King's School) please complete the Library Survey by clicking the link below.

Library Survey 2010: Student

Please encourage your parents to complete a survey too.

Library Survey 2010: Parents

Thank you for your support.

New Library Team Members

We would like to welcome Will and Clifford who have recently joined our team of Library Assistants and Monitors. You don't have to be mad to work here but knowing how to flick a pen so it manages to get stuck on the roof beams does help!

Red House Book Award

In conjunction with Barrowby and Grantham Children's Book Group we are taking part in the Red House Children's Book Award again this year. To take part all you have to do is to nominate any book or novel first published in the UK during 2010 by rating it using the following options:
*Brilliant! A winner.
*Very good indeed. I'd definitely recommend it.
*Pretty good, better than most.
*Nothing special.
*Rubbish! Bury it in the garden.

You can nominate as many different titles as you like and nomination forms are available in the Library.

For further information about the Red House Book Awards go to: www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk

Film Club: Up (U)

When? 24/25 June 12:35-13:35
Where? Library

An excellent film by Pete Docter, which adds on to the range of Pixar classics. Up follows a widowed man who has always wanted to go to South America, to fulfil his ambition for adventure. What will happen to this brave old man and his little sidekick? A comedy full of jokes, talking dogs, mad professors and of course the hero and the little scout. 
By Jack Shannon, 7E

Camel in the Library

A camel, an Arab and two bunches of pink balloons with rape alarms attached - just a normal day in the Library!

Film Club: Airplane! (15)

Postponed to 16/17 June in the Library 12:35-13:35
As this is a 15 rated film, admittance will require parental consent via a Film Club membership form available from the Library.

Book review: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

A world-wide bestseller which follows a young teenage called Greg Heffley. It’s an incredibly funny book which includes Greg’s eerie unluckiness in his life. His genius always is ignored and he is very unsuccessful with girls as he starts to being a teen. It’s well written and is very clever at how it is a diary. An addictive page-turner with lots of pictures for those who don’t like long and tenuous sentences. An incredibly good book, I can definitely understand its success. 5 Star


Jack Shannon, 7E

Library Team awarded colours

Our Year 10 Library Assistants have been awarded half colours to acknowledge their contribution to the running of the School Library. The photostream shows five of our team of seven Library Assistants proudly wearing their new ties. Our team of five Year 8 Library Monitors have been awarded junior colours for their contribution. Thank you lads, we couldn't run the Library without you!

7E visit Grantham Library

7E visited Grantham Library today to end their Personal Development Curriculum module on Library and Information Studies. Many of the boys joined the Library and enjoyed using the self-issue pods to take their books out. Some even managed to translate the instructions from Polish! Thanks must go to the staff at Grantham Library for their assistance and hospitality.

Book review: Why the Whales came by Michael Morpurgo

A great book in which I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. It is full of curses and warnings. When a small boy and girl are cursed to an Island, they discover lots of whales which are hunted for their meat and horn which cause the curse. The children must break the curse and go on brilliant adventures. I definitely recommend and it’s a easy book to read. 4 ½ Star


Kacper Batty, 7E

King's Cool Reads

To celebrate World Book Day this year many Forms filled in a King's Cool Reads recommendation slip to tell their friends about a book that they have particularly enjoyed. These are now on display in the Library. Come and have a look and see if you can find yours!

Book review: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

A classic by Robert Louis Stevenson, a great book which is set in 19th century London. Mr Jekyl is a highly- respected doctor who has a mysterious lodger named Mr Hyde. His lawyer becomes worried when, Dr. Jekyl creates a will leaving all his money to Mr Hyde. The lawyer, Mr Utterson, investigates but finds a deep and horrible secret linking to many unsolved London murders. A book I highly recommend. 5 Star
Jack Shannon, 7E

Half Term

Have a fantastic Half Term holiday everyone!

Book review: Varjak Paw by S.F Said

A thrilling book, a great page-turner and an kung-fu theme all COMBINED! The author has an amazing way of writing in the Varjaks (a cat)view of the city and the life that most cats live. He alienates Varjak from the other cats, brilliantly. Varjak runs away from his home and must save his family. He learns a form of Kung-fu called The Way. He must fight against other cats who rule certain parts of the city. You really don’t have to be an animal lover to enjoy this. I loved it so much I read it in one day (Jack) and I’m not even that into cats. A book we highly recommend. 5 Star +


Kasper Batty and Jack Shannon, 7E

Film review: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (12)

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is all about Harry's 6th year at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In this year, Draco Malfoy is working his way to be a death-eater (follower of Lord Voldermort), he had already jinxed a girl, by cursing a necklace which the girl touched. This film is a very adventurous, but also romantic story, it is also sad at the end, but I'm not going to tell you why. I hope you enjoy this film. 5 stars

Jack Plowman, 7E

Book review: Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan

An interesting series on a typical boy who’s from New York who discovers that his father who he has never met is the Greek god Poseidon. This honestly isn’t a comedy! A series you’ll like if you’re into Greek Mythology and adventures. A bit cheesy and the main plot is a bit hard to believe but it’s a good read. 4 Star
Jack Shannon, 7E

Book review: Hatchet by Gary Paulson

A great page turner on an boy who’s parents divorced but lives with his Mother. One day, he goes to visit his father via a small plane, when suddenly the pilot has a heart attack. The plane crashes in the wilderness where the boy has to survive with nothing but a hatchet. A great survival book with lots of witty humour and is very interesting. I very highly recommend it. 5 Star



Kacper Batty, 7E

Film review: An Education (12)

An Education

A poor plot which didn't get started until the end of the film and emphasised the 'Swinging 60s' London. A story where it seems there is not really anything happening. Despite, some very good acting from the upcoming new star who played the main part. 3 stars

Jack Shannon, 7E

Film review: Bruce Almighty (12)

Bruce Almighty

A great excellent classic with Jim Carrey, american laughmaster! The Plot in which Bruce, whose life is going downhill, complains to God (played by Morgan Freeman). God has a seven day holiday in which he gives all his powers to Bruce. Bruce becomes the City Superstar but it isn't as great as you think. An excellent film I would definitely recommend. 5 stars

Jack Shannon 7E

Film review: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs (U)

Cloudy with a chance of meatballs
A funny children's comedy about a mad scientist who revolutionizes food technology with some disastrous consequences. A cleverly done film with some very good humour. I enjoyed it and I'm giving it a 4 star. 

Jack Shannon, 7E

Film review: The Hurt Locker (15)

The Hurt Locker
An excellent and moving film, where Kathryn Bigelow has really created an incredible movie giving us, the realism of the terrors of the Iraq war. It also shows that a human addiction to war can grow. A great film, I highly recommend it. 5 stars

Jack Shannon, 7E

Film review: Young Sherlock Holmes (PG)

Young Sherlock Holmes
A interesting film which gives an insight into the early life of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. A rather cheesy plot, with the idea that a mad man in a school can build an manned winged machine made out of wood in the 19th century and that evil Egyptian groups are killing people in London, I must admit is slightly unbelievable. Plus, you meet Sherlock's childhood sweetheart who acts very woodenly. 2 stars

Jack Shannon, 7E

Film review: Wall-E (U)

Wall-E
A great film following a small robot who goes on an adventure after chasing his sweetheart Eva, also an small robot. It follows an distant 30th Century when humans are lazy and all their muscles have evolutionised into nothing. A scary future in which Wall-e discovers there is a deep secret holding back humanity from going back to Earth. A heart warming and funny film. I highly recommend! 5 stars

Jack Shannon, 7E

Film review: I, Robot (12)

I, Robot
An interesting film, in which humanity has become completely dependent on robots. Will Smith plays a detective who has a grudge against robots. He jumps at the chance when a mysterious suicide reveals the possibility of robots evolving, possibly meaning they could attack humans. A great film, with loads of action, go out and see this film! 5 stars

Jack Shannon, 7E

Film review: I am Legend (15)

I am legend



A great film in which a cure to cancer is developed but it has side effects meaning humans become mutated and act like animals killing everyone. Will Smith plays a soul survivor (or so he believes) who tries to create a cure. Against all the odds, can he do it? 4 stars.


Jack Shannon, 7E

King's Cool Reads

Do you remember filling in a book recommendation slip on World Book Day this year?

The results have been put together in a folder which is available in the Library. So next time you're stuck for something to read have a flick through the folder and get some inspiration from your friends.

Film Club: Valkyrie (12)

We will be screening Valkyrie this week in Film Club.

Wednesday 19th, Thursday 20th and Friday 21st if needed. 

Venue: Library unless otherwise stated 

Time: 12:35-13:35

Our resident film buff, Jack, gives us the following review:

An excellent recreation of the assasination attempt of Hitler, the acting was very good and the German accents, perhaps being a bit faulty at times, were altogether very good. Tom Cruise did very well in his role but compared to the real-life person he tries to play, he is very different which let the film slip from a 5 star to a 4 star for me. 

Jack Shannon, 7E

Introducing the Library

Last Friday the Library Team had a great time making this video at lunchtime ...

The King's School Library from LD on Vimeo.

Film review: Chariots of Fire (U)

Chariots of Fire
An interesting film following several English and Scottish athletes in the early twentieth century who beat a world record. I liked it and enjoyed the soundtrack. I highly recommend it and I'm giving it a 4 star. 

Jack Shannon, 7E

Film review: Back to the Future (PG)

To launch our Film Club back in March we screened Back to the Future. Here are two reviews.

This 1985 classic film has all the ingredients to make it an success. Spielberg put his usual magic to make this a hit at the box office. Back to the future is a sci-fi adventure starring the 80s American star Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a failing band member who has befriended a mad scientist called Emmerett Brown, who has made a time machine using Plutonium as a fuel. At night Emmerett wakes Marty to have a test at his time Machine. But the Plutonium was illegally bought by Libyan terrorists who shoot Emmerett! After a thrilling car chase, Marty McFly travels back to 1955 accidentally. To his horror, Marty finds that he can't get home! Even worse Marty meets his teenage 1950s Mum and she takes a fancy to him with hilarious consequences by Fox. A great film, I highly recommend with a fantastic 5 stars!
Jack Shannon 7E 

This amazing film is about a boy who meets up with a mad scientist and they build a car which can go back in time. When the boy goes back in time he has to make his parents love each other, while he's doing that the time car breaks down. Watch the film to see what happens. I think this was a very good movie so I gave it 5 stars. 
Hasnat Mufti, Year 7

We also have reviews of Back to the Future parts II and III:
Back to the Future II
This is a very good film directed by Robert Zemeckis. It is about a teenager,Marty McFly and a scientist who travel to the future on a quest to save Marties future from family as they get arrested for different reasons. An old bully, Biff, steals the time machine to go back in time to make his old self rich, from an almanac of every sports result from 1950 to 2000. This film was set in 2015 but was produced in 1989. I am voting this film a superb 5 out of 5!!!! Marcus Thornton, 7B

Back to the Future III
Sadly, this an cheesy film and it is a film in the shadow of its earlier films successes, still it involves Emmerett Browns love affair with a women he saved from a horrific death and Fox still has his hilarious take on everything. 2 stars, still a recommended film.
Jack Shannon 7E

A big thank you to our resident film buffs for their reviews. More to follow over the next few days.

Wyrmeweald by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

Young pioneer, Micah, enters Wrymeweald full of hope to return home having made his fortune. But this is a land where wyrmes, fabulous dragon-like beasts, roam wild and reign supreme. In Wyrmeweald man is both hunter and hunted - and seventeen-year-old Micah may never return alive, let alone a hero...After a near-brush with death on the edge of a canyon, Micah soon finds a chance to prove his worth when he meets with Eli, a veteran tracker of Wrymeweald. They choose to defend a rare whitewyrme egg and its precious hatchling before it falls into the hands of a band of evil Kith. But the fledgling wyrme has its own guardian in the shape of the beautiful, brave and dangerous Thrace. Thrace, a Kin and a highly-skilled wyrme rider-assassin; and Micah, a would-be Kith, should never mix - but the magnetism between them is strong. Together they join forces on a mission to rescue the hatchling and seek vengeance for loved-ones lost at the hand of Kith bandits. Meanwhile the glorious whitewyrme colony of Wyrmeweald looks on as its land is encroached by gold-diggers and ravaged by bounty hunters. Is Exodus the only option? And if so, when - and where - will they flee too? 

This is a brand new series from popular authors Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell. We have a preview copy available in the Library and both Mrs Dawes and Mrs Snee can thoroughly recommend it. We are hoping that Paul and Chris will come to King's next year when the book is released as a paperback.

Avatar reviews

Well we finally finished the screening of Avatar in Film Club. It is an epic film and apologies to Mrs Walker and Mr Watts for causing disruption and noise in your classrooms. If you are a member of Film Club you will be able to log on to the website www.filmclub.org to create a film screening wish list and write reviews. Thanks to the two Jacks from 7E for the reviews below.

"Avatar is an amazing film and is very exciting, It is about a marine soldier who went to Pandora (one of the many moons of Jupiter), and became one of the Omaticaya people. It is very adventurous and a tad romantic, but it is one of the best films James Cameron has ever made." Rating: 5 stars.
Jack Plowman, 7E

"A great sci-fi film by James Cameron, which is arguably a film which had its success on its special effects, not the actual plot. It follows the story a marine sent to the Earth Colonised planet of Pandora called Jake Sully. The Humans plan to exploit the planet but must first of all defeat the indigenious species, Na'vi. A good film I highly recommend and you can make your own choice on why it was an international hit, the special effects or the plot?" Rating: 5 stars.
Jack Shannon, 7E

Further information about Avatar: http://www.filmclub.org/film/16146/Avatar

 

Book of the week: Diary of A Wimpy Vampire

Just in at the Library ...

Diary of A Wimpy Vampire: the Undead Have Feelings Too
by Tim Collins
Like Edward Cullen in "Twilight", Nigel Mullet was transformed into a vampire when he was still a teenager, and will remain this age forever. Unfortunately, Nigel became a vampire at the awkward age of fifteen, and must spend eternity coping with acne, a breaking voice, and an ineptitude with girls...In this, his excruciatingly funny diary, Nigel chronicles his increasingly desperate attempts to be noticed by the love of his life, Chloe Sparrow, the constant mortification caused by his vampire parents (not to mention the worry that they might accidentally eat one of his friends), and the frustration one feels when you've got the whole of boring eternity stretching out in front of you and you can't even have a lie in (vampires don't sleep). Forced to hang out with the Goths and emo kids due to his pale skin and social awkwardness, and constantly battling his embarrassingly overwhelming desire to sink his fangs into Chloe's neck, will Nigel ever get his girl? Fantastically witty and hugely enter tanning, this fun and accessible diary will appeal to any fan of "Twilight" or "Adrian Mole", teenage or otherwise.

New weblinks

Hundreds of weblinks have just been added to the Library online catalogue. So when you search the catalogue now you will not only see what books and resources we have in the Library but also some useful websites relating to your search term.

To access the Library catalogue open Internet Explorer on any school networked computer and select Library portal from the Favourites menu. A guide is available on the Library Catalogue page on this blog (see menu above).

Mr Howarth in the Grantham Journal

http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/interference_is_putting_off_talented_teachers_says_head_1_627795

Subject weblinks

Have a look at the subject pages on this site. These website lists will constantly update so keep coming back or create an RSS feed by clicking on those little orange buttons. All the links are held in a Library Diigo account (http://www.diigo.com/user/kingsschlib). Diigo is similar to Delicious (delicious.com) and both are example of social bookmarking sites. Basically you create a free account to keep all your bookmarks in which you can access from any computer or your phone. You can tag each bookmark with keywords which will enable you to search through your database of bookmarks. Let me know if you have a useful website you'd like to share or you'd like to know more about Diigo or Delicious. 

Mrs D

PS The Subject related pages on the Dulwich College Library website are really useful too (see http://www.kings.lincs.sch.uk/page_viewer.asp?page=Subject+websites&pid=294). 

New books in the Library

Have a look at the new books and resources that we've added to the Library since March 2010.

http://issuu.com/kingsschoollibrary/docs/libraryacquisitionsmar-apr10

Film Club

Avatar (12)
Wednesday 5th - Friday 7th May

Room 201 Newton Block 12:35-13:35

Apologies for change of date.

Members only, application forms available from the Library.

Create your film screening wishlist now at http://www.filmclub.org/.

Harry Potter series by J K Rowling

These are the best books of all time. I could find no faults when reading these books. I would recommend these books to anyone who likes an adventure story.
Jacob Storey 7C

The Great Switcheroonie by Alex Shearer

I like this book because it builds up the excitement on every page. As soon as a solution is made another problem presents itself. I would recommend this book for younger readers at the age of 7-11.

Jacob Storey 7C

Noughts and Crosses, Knife Edge and Checkmate by Malorie Blackman

I like these books by Malorie Blackman because she is a master of suspense. She makes every sentence worth reading and she puts excitement into every word. I would highly recommend reading these books because I couldn’t put them down for a second.

Jacob Storey 7C

Library@King's Newsletter

Take a look at our latest Library Newsletter

Open publication

Film Club

Transformers (12) 

Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd April

Room 201 Newton Block 12:35-13:35

Members only, application forms available from the Library.
Create your film screening wishlist now at www.filmclub.org.

Conspiracy 365: January by Gabrielle Lord

"On New Year's Eve, Callum Ormond is chased down the street by a crazed man with a deadly warning: "They killed your father. They'll kill you. You must survive the next 365 days!" Forced into a life on the run, Cal finds himself hunted by ruthless criminals and the police. Somehow he most uncover the truth about his father's mysterious death and solve the Ormond Singularity - a secret from the past - before the year is up. But who can he turn to when the whole world seems to want him dead? he has 365 days. The countdown has begun ..."

This is an action-packed series for 2010 with a new book being published every month. Further details and competitions at: www.calontherun.com. January and February currently available in the Library@King's, March and April coming soon.

Author William Hussey visits King's

William Hussey visits King's
Originally uploaded by 

King's School Library

Author, William Hussey, known as "the new master of dark fiction" visited The King’s School on 12 March 2010. The following is an extract from William's blog ...

“Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited by the Grantham and Barrowby Children’s Book Group (a really cool organisation that aims to get kids reading) into The King’s School in Grantham. King’s is an ancient school with beautiful buildings and a very famous ‘old boy’: Sir Isaac Newton! This connection was especially interesting for me as Sir Isaac was one of the few rational voices in the 17th Century who spoke out against the belief in evil spirits and the persecution of witches.