Not sure what to read for the school's Drop Everything And Read session for World Book Day? Come along to the Library where there is a display of fiction books set in different countries and perhaps the chance to escape to a far off land will inspire you. You can read your way from Glasgow to Australia, from London to the Arctic and most places in between.
For World Book Day staff in school have been decorating their doors with images of their favourite childhood books.
Mrs Aitken, the Librarian, has chosen The Stronghold by Mollie Hunter as her favourite book from her youth. It was the book that sparked her interest in Scottish pre-history and history in general. The image below is of Mrs Aitken's door (the School Library, Room F21). The Stronghold is set in Orkney in the first century BC and imagines the idea of building the brochs - as protection from Roman slave-ships. Brochs are tall towers build of stone and can only be found in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.
The book is a wonderfully imagined adventure with a touch of romance as well as depictions of the fear and terror of living in a time when life was harsh and violent. For more information come along and chat to Mrs Aitken in Room F21.
This year World Book Day is on Thursday 7th March. There are lots of activities going on around the school to celebrate the joy of reading for pleasure.
The theme for the day is 'Read your way'. There will be the opportunity to do this when the school holds a DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) session on Friday 8th March during period 2. Make sure you have something to read at that time. You can always come along to the Library in Room F21 to borrow a book, be it fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel, manga or comic book.
There will be a decorate the classroom door competition for staff, the theme is your favourite childhood book. Look out for lots of fun ideas and maybe help create a colourful/funny/unusual book visual.
The English department will be having World Book Day challenges for students in the classrooms.
The Library has a display of books set in different countries, so you can 'read your way around the world. If you would like to borrow one of these books, or indeed any book for the DEAR session please come along to the Library in room F21 where Mrs Aitken will be happy yo help you choose something to read 'your way'.
Remember to collect your WBD £1 token from your English teacher, to swap for one of the books issued specially for World Book Day.
Friday 1st March is St. David's Day. Saint David is the patron saint of Wales. To mark this occasion there is a display in the Library with information about Saint David and about the mythology of the Welsh dragon which can be seen on the Welsh flag. There are also books on display with a dragon theme. Remember the Library is in Room F21.
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with some brilliant fiction books featuring...dragons!!! If you love fantasy fiction you will find a book on the display that is just right for you. Come along to the Library in Room F21 and meet the dragons in person.
Love is in the air as February 14th approaches. If you need a little romance in your life, why not visit the Library (F21) and check out the displays of pink and fluffy romance novels?
If romance is not your thing then Mrs Aitken is happy to recommend other fiction genres that may be of more interest to you.
Remember there is a week long half-term holiday coming up and you might want to stock up on some reading material in case the weather continues to be inclement!!
Benjamin Zephania 15 April 1958 - 7 December 2023
There is a small display of books by the poet and author Benjamin Zephania who died on 7th December 2023.
The tree is decorated and lit up, the decorations are out and there are Christmas themed books on display for you to borrow.
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!
If you need some books to read over the festive period any books borrowed from the Library will not be due back until the 10th of January 2024.
This week is Book Week Scotland, a week of celebrating Scottish authors and their books. The Library has a display of fiction books by Scottish authors. All of these books can be borrowed.
At 11am on the 11th of November 1918 the First World War ended after 4 years of fighting and the death of millions of soldiers. Ever since the 11th of November has been the day when people remember those who have died in wars. As a mark of respect for the dead at 11am on the 11th of November, in Britain, there is a two minute silence.
After the First World War, red poppies were among the only plants to grow on the battlefields in France. Today we wear poppies as a symbol of remembrance.
Learn more about Remembrance Day and some of the many wars fought by visiting the Library to see the display of books, both fiction and non-fiction, about war and its aftermath.
There is a small display in the Library with books explaining the history behind the Gunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes and bonfire night. If you are interested please come along to the Library, all the books are available to borrow.
There are some spooky books on display all around the Library. Why not borrow one of these books and get in the mood for some ghostly Halloween happenings?
Try some howling good books!
The latest Library display highlights fiction books with the words 'wolf' or 'wolves' in the title and non-fiction books about wolves.
If you would like to borrow any of these books come along to the Library - Room F21.
If you are enjoying the Heartstopper series on Netflix and want to read the comics, you can do so for free on an app you can add to your phone or any other device.
The app is tapas.io The app has many other comic books as well, search for Heartstopper on it and you will find all the comics from the very beginning.
To celebrate Pride month the Library door has been decorated. It features the covers of several LGBTQ+ fiction books which are available in the Library. This is just a small selection of all the LGBTQ+ books available in the Library. If you want help finding a particular title or would like some guidance about suitable titles please ask Mrs Aitken.
Remember that Heartstopper is available in print form, as well as a Netflix series. You can also access the new updates to the story for free on the comic book app - https://tapas.io
The latest Library display focuses on 'Books with numbers in the title'. You will be amazed how many fiction books actually do have a title that includes a number. Visit the Library to see the display and maybe be inspired to borrow one of those books.
The photo below shows just a few of the titles available.
Love animals? Love reading books about animals?
If you answered 'yes' to those questions then visit the Library (F21) where there is a display of both Fiction and Non-Fiction books about pets.
Remember you can borrow any of the books on the displays.
HAPPY WORLD BOOK DAY
As part of the World Book Day celebrations there is a display of books in the Library. The books are all fiction and are set in different countries to encourage you to 'read around the world' and find out about life and culture in different places, and different times.
In recognition and support of LBGTQ+ History Month there is a display of both fiction and non-fiction books in the Library.
Remember to wear something purple on Friday 24th of February to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
