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Ivybridge Community College

Ivybridge Community College

Recommended Year 6 - 7 Reading List

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Please find below a list of recommended texts for Prospective Year 7 students to look at:

Can You See Me?

Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott

Things Tally is dreading about sixth grade:

- Being in classes without her best friends
- New (scratchy) uniforms
- Hiding her autism

Tally isn't ashamed of being autistic -- even if it complicates life sometimes, it's part of who she is.  But this is her first year at Kingswood Academy, and her best friend, Layla, is the only one who knows.  And while a lot of other people are uncomfortable around Tally, Layla has never been one of them. . . until now.  Something is different about sixth grade, and Tally now feels like she has to act "normal."  But as Tally hides her true self, she starts to wonder what "normal" means after all and whether fitting in is really what matters most.

Themes

Autism Coming of Age Realistic
Fiction Diary New Perspective

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Ella on the Outside

Cath Howe

Ella is the new girl at school.  She doesn't know anyone and she doesn't have any friends.  And she has a terrible secret.  Ella can't believe her luck when Lydia, the most popular girl in school, decides to be her new best friend - but what does Lydia really want?  And what does it all have to do with Molly, the quiet, shy girl who won't talk to anyone?

Themes

Secrets   Friendship
  Blackmail  
Family   Letters

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You Must be Layla

Yassmin Abdel-Magied

“With her long skirt and headscarf Layla certainly stands out at her new high school.  Everyone thinks they know her, just from a glance.  But do they? And does Layla really know herself?”

Layla's mind goes a million miles a minute, so does her mouth – unfortunately her better judgement can take a while to catch up!  Although she believes she was justified for doing what she did, a suspension certainly isn't the way she would have wished to begin her time at her fancy new high school.  Despite the setback, Layla's determined to show everyone that she does deserve her scholarship and sets her sights on winning a big invention competition.  But where to begin?

Looking outside and in, Layla will need to come to terms with who she is and who she wants to be if she has any chance of succeeding.  Jam-packed with heart and humour You Must Be Layla by Yassmin Abdel-Magied reveals a powerful new voice in children’s writing.  Touching on the migrant experience and exploring thought-provoking themes relevant to all teens, this book shows the strength required to be a Queen with a capital ‘Q’.

Themes

Muslim Coming of Age Realistic
Fiction Differences Relationships

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The Boy at the Back of the Class

Onjali Q. Rauf

There used to be an empty chair at the back of my class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. 

He's eight years old (just like me), but he's very strange.  He never talks and never smiles and doesn't like sweets - not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite! 

But the truth is, Ahmet really isn't very strange at all.  He's a refugee who's run away from a War.  A real one.  With bombs and fires and bullies that hurt people. And the more I find out about him, the more I want to be his friend.

That's where my best friends Josie, Michael and Tom come in.  Because you see, together we've come up with a plan.

Themes

Refugee   Friendship
  Realistic Fiction  
War   Coming of Age

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Awkward

Svetlana Chmakova

Cardinal rule number one for surviving school: Don't get noticed by the mean kids.

Cardinal rule number two for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them.

On her first day at her new school, Penelope--Peppi--Torres reminds herself of these basics.  But when she trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson, she's already broken the first rule, and the mean kids start calling her the "nerder girlfriend."  How does she handle this crisis?  By shoving poor Jaime and running away!

Falling back on rule two and surrounding herself with new friends in the art club, Peppi still can't help feeling ashamed about the way she treated Jaime.  Things are already awkward enough between the two, but to make matters worse, he's a member of her own club's arch rivals -- the science club!  And when the two clubs go to war, Peppi realises that sometimes you have to break the rules to survive middle school!

Themes

Graphic Novel   Realistic Fiction
  Friendship  
Growing Up   Humour

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Star Girl

Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl.  From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.”  She captures Leo Borlock’ s heart with just one smile.  She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer.  The students of Mica High are enchanted.  At first.  Then they turn on her.  Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal.  In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional tale about the perils of popularity and the thrill and inspiration of first love.

Themes

Romance   Realistic
  Coming of Age  
Happy   Kindness

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Guts

Raina Telgemeier

Raina wakes up one night with a terrible upset stomach. Her mom has one, too, so it's probably just a bug.  Raina eventually returns to school, where she's dealing with the usual highs and lows: friends, not-friends, and classmates who think the school year is just one long gross-out session.  It soon becomes clear that Raina's tummy trouble isn't going away... and it coincides with her worries about food, school, and changing friendships.  What's going on?

Raina Telgemeier once again brings us a thoughtful, charming, and funny true story about growing up and gathering the courage to face - and conquer - her fears.

Themes

Graphic Novel   Mental Health
  Realistic Fiction  
Friendship   Humour

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Go Big

Matthew Burton

Secondary school can seem scary.  Corridors are wide, older students look terrifying and there's homework, messy friendships and stressful exams to deal with.

But, whether you're about to land at secondary school or you're still settling in, Mr Burton is here to guide you through your journey - worry-free.

From your first day to your final exams, this handbook will have you achieving, succeeding and being the best you can be.  Find great friends, boost your confidence and start building toward your brilliant future.

Written by head teacher and star of Educating Yorkshire, Mr Matthew Burton, this is the ultimate secondary school survival guide.

Themes

Non - Fiction   Self - Esteem
  Bullying  
Anxiety   Humour

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You are Awesome

Matthew Syed

I'm no good at sport ... I can't do maths ... I really struggle with exams ... Sound familiar?

If you believe you can't do something, the chances are you won't try.  But what if you really could get better at maths, or sport or exams?  In fact, what if you could excel at anything you put your mind to?

You Are Awesome can help you do just that, inspiring and empowering young readers to find the confidence to realise their potential.  The first children's book from Times journalist, two-time Olympian and best-selling mindset author Matthew Syed, it uses examples of successful people from Mozart to Serena Williams to demonstrate that success really is earned rather than given, and that talent can be acquired.  With hard work and determination, practice and self-belief, and, most importantly, a Growth Mindset, there's no reason why anyone can't achieve anything.

Themes

Non - Fiction Self - Esteem Growth
Mindset Positive Illustrated

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Fearless

Liam Hackett

Have you, or someone you know, been teased, bullied, or made to feel uncomfortable about who you are?  Is it because of the way you look, what you choose to do in your spare time or because you have certain mannerisms or speak in a particular way?

If the answer to any of the above is ‘Yes’ then you are not alone.  Up to half of all young people experience pressure to ‘be’ a certain way or follow a particular course in life. It seems there are unconscious rules, or ‘stereotypes’, that some people think everyone should have to follow.

Liam Hackett has experienced plenty of mean comments and bullying and wondered if he would ever fit in.  He is now the head of a major anti-bullying charity and has lots of insight and advice to help 10-16 year olds increase their confidence and resilience so they can be their best, most fearless self.

Themes

Non - Fiction   Self - Help
  Bullying  
Inspiration   Illustrated

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No Worries

Jenny Alexander

No Worries is the ultimate secondary school survival guide, with tips, quizzes and jokes to help children prepare.

What if I've got the wrong stuff?  What if I don't fit in?  What if the older kids are horrible to me?

Starting secondary school is a bit like going on a safari - it's a great adventure but sometimes, before you go, you can get a touch of the 'what ifs'.  You may be feeling anxious or stressed about leaving primary school.

No Worries is full of information about going up from primary to secondary school and covers all of the big worries and anxieties.  With practical hints and tips, jokes and quizzes for finding your way around, making new friends, social media and staying on top of homework, this fully-revised edition of 'Going Up!' is the essential no-worries guide to starting secondary school.

Themes

Graphic Novel   Realistic Fiction
  Growing Up  
Friendship   Humour