Mumsnet Talk

I am about to start teaching a short English intervention programme for a group of Yr 8 readers who have been classified by the school as Gifted and Talented. The teacher wants me to choose a challenging text, but not one that they will cover again at GCSE. Any ideas? Will also post in Education.
TIA

was going to suggest A prayer for owen meany

Your problem is that the obvious ones- To Kill A Mockingbird and Of Mice And Men have been reclassified as GCSE texts, which they shouldn't be really, for the bright ones.

Noughts and Crosses?
Jane Eyre?

Dracula?
Lord of the Flies?

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

The Chocolate War? Did that at school at about fourteen and found it amazing.

My 12 year old DD loved the Three Musketeers with the added advantage of it being relevant to the period she's learning about in history.

I know - I would love to do Of Mice and Men - and was thinking that maybe it would be OK as it tends (wrongly imo) to be set for lower ability groups at GCSE. I could check with the secondary school - this is a middle school.

A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of my favourite books - but probably too long, as I've only got 6 hours over 6 weeks.

Ooh - don't know A Fine Balance or The Chocolate War - will have a look.
Keep them coming - this is brilliant, thanks.

My DS (who would be in your group if you were at his school) just enjoyed The Help?

French Lieutenents woman

tess of the d'urbevilles

Angelas Ashes

The L-Shaped Room - that's short

I saw The Chocolate War displayed at my local library today - in the section on books that were banned.

Before I go to Sleep is a great read

The Handmaid's Tale.

Mayve a classic?
Oliver Twist
Frankenstein
There's a great version of Gulliver's Travels illustrated by Chris Riddell

doesn't The Handmaids Tale have a rape scene in it?

Northern Lights? age appropriate but with lots of themes to dig into?

I think I may have to be a bit careful with controversial themes / language.

Extremely Loud and Incedibly Close by Jonathon Safran Foer

Once
Now
Then

A trilogy by Morris Gleitzman.

My year 9 tutor group were enthralled by them.

Do both Jane Eyre and The Wide Sargasso Sea.

And some Ursula Le Guin?

I did Brave New World for O level. I hated it, but lots of themes to talk about.

Please don't inflict Lord of the Flies on anyone it is a truly vile book.

Basically I hate serious books, I like thrillers with lots of action and a happy ending. His dark materials is as serious as I get.

Forgot to say - I only have 6 hours with them, spread over 6 weeks