Mrs Carey, Librarian

I really enjoyed attending Book Club after school because reading is definitely my favourite hobby, and we did lots of fun activities based on books we read at the Book Club and even got to make our own imaginary movie trailers! I liked when we made a podcast the best, as we got to discuss in detail the book we chose (Dogs of the Deadlands, in my case). Making trailers was also quite fun too, as was acting out the storyboard. I also got to know new people from Year 7, because I was placed in a group where I only knew one person. 

There are definite perks to joining the Book Club, like indulging in your hobby and meeting new people, but other than that, we had biscuits at every meeting! I especially enjoyed the last meeting, because we played a Kahoot quiz and ate three kinds of cake -Victoria sponge, carrot and chocolate as well as chocolate biscuits! 

I would definitely recommend going to the Book Club; it was a fun and an easy way to settle in and make new friends!

Safaa Abdul-Aziz, Year 7

Sofie Rygielska, Year 10

Carnegie Book Group

It was our last book group this week, and the students took part in a quiz on all the books we have read this term, which was closely won by Sofie in Year 10. We all voted for our favourite book, which was Crossing the Line by Tia Fisher. The National Winner was announced the same day, and was The Boy Lost in the Maze by Joseph Coelho, the current Children's Laureate. Both books are written in verse, Crossing the Line tells the story about a boy being groomed to get drugs across county lines and The Boy Lost in the Maze entwines the story of Theseus and the Minotaur with a modern story of the journey a boy must go on to find his father. 

The students approached all 8 books with enthusiasm and creativity, making podcasts, writing poetry and drawing emoji reviews. It was a pleasure running the group with them, and I was very proud of their performance at Townley Grammar. 

Mrs Carey, Librarian

Liv, Year 8

The book trip was great fun! - just like last year! We got books signed and had some nice snacks too. We found out who won the TSBA awards (Rebel Skies) which I would recommend reading as it’s very good.

Overall, it was an excellent trip with the best librarian, Mrs Carey. I hope to do it again next year!

Grace, Year 8

In the autumn term, my two book groups read 14 books as part of the Trinity Schools Book Awards, voted on their favourites and eagerly awaited the awards ceremony where we found out which authors would take the trophies.

I was lucky enough to take nine students from Years 7-10 to Latymer Upper School to watch the ceremony, see their competition submissions displayed and meet the authors. We spent a lot of time with Teri Terry, author of Dark Blue Rising, quizzing her on how she comes up with ideas for her books, and discovering that sometimes she dreams them! 

Thank you to the generous PTA who paid for the books and our participation in the awards ceremony. The students loved it and have already asked to take part again next year!

Mrs Carey, School Librarian

Click on the link here to view the TSBA Ceremony Photo Gallery

As part of the World Book Day activities, a group of Year 7 students took part in a book quiz against six other schools in Bexley. They were impressive in their knowledge of a wide variety of children's books, and came a very close second place against Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar. I'm very proud of them and how well they represented BGS.

Mrs Carey, School Librarian

Rowan Banks
Assassination Classroom

Daniel Whitaker &
Saviru Anuhas Mudiyansalage 
Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows

Isobel Grime
The Hunger Games

Arthur Barnard
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

 Freya Feldborg
One of Us Is Lying

Ryan Aziza
Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets

Jessica Davis
Good Omens

Sid Pant
Itachi's Story

Emily Chan
Les Misérables

Aysu Batmaz
Mrs Pepperpot Stories

Anna Barnard
Letters from the Lighthouse

Mrs Carey, School Librarian

Student LGBTQ+ book recommendations

Heartstopper - Alice Oseman 

I recommend the graphic book series Heartstopper by Alice Oseman!  It’s a lovely book surrounding the lives of Nick and Charlie and their challenges that needed to be overcome to be accepted by their family and school as well as lots of light-hearted comedic scenes! It’s such a heart-warming series and Oseman is such a great writer and illustrator.  My favourite character is Oliver, Charlie’s little brother! This book is a must for anyone interested in reading LGBTQ+ books!

Jessica, Year 8

I really enjoyed the book  'Heartstopper' as it talks about the hardships and mental health issues that formulate due to homophobia. It shows that there isn't a shortcut to mental health recovery. I also liked the bond between Nick and Charlie.

Isabelle, Year 8

Heartstopper, Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Alex in Wonderland, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children, The Art of Being Normal and Buy Meets Boy are all amazing.

Alex, Year 9

The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

Set in Ancient Greece, The Song of Achilles is a book following the hidden romance of Achilles, a half-god destined for greatness, and Patroclus, a banished prince.

As the friendship grows into something more, they're faced with a series of complex challenges and opposers to their relationship. A retelling of the
well-known story, Achilles and Patroclus are called to war and the test of their bonds are pushed to the limits. I love this book as it's not only a beautiful relationship, from friends to lovers, but also because of the different perspective provided.  I would recommend this book to not just ancient history/ history lovers, but to everyone - from age Year 9+.

Scarlett, Year 11

My Policeman - Bethan Roberts

I read the book My Policeman a couple of months ago. It is about three characters called Tom, Patrick and Marion, in which Tom and Marion are supposedly in a relationship with each other as Tom begins to fall in love with a museum curator he met called Patrick. As they play it off as a close friendship, their secret relationship grows behind Marion's back, as being gay was illegal at the time. I love this book because it's interesting to see the lengths people will go to, to be with the person they love and the risks they would take to conceal it at a time when they can't express their love. I recommend this book to Year nine and above. 

Mya, Year 11

The most popular series are:

• Alex Rider - Anthony Horowitz
• Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus/Magnus Chase/Kane Chronices - Rick Riordan
• Harry Potter - JK Rowling
• CHERUB/Henderson's Boys - Robert Muchamore
• The Maze Runner - James Dashner
• The Lorien Legacies - Pittacus Lore
• Warrior Cats - Erin Hunter
• Tom Gates - Liz Pichon
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid - Jeff Kinney

Mrs Carey, School Librarian