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Children's books

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Original poster

book to do in school with very good 12 and 13 year old readers

57 replies

sphil · 02/02/2012 19:12

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

OP posts:
ggirl · 02/02/2012 19:13

was going to suggest A prayer for owen meany

Amaretti · 02/02/2012 19:16

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?

Amaretti · 02/02/2012 19:17

Dracula?
Lord of the Flies?

ggirl · 02/02/2012 19:18

A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

LondonMumsie · 02/02/2012 19:19

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

NotMostPeople · 02/02/2012 19:19

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.

Original poster
sphil · 02/02/2012 19:19

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.

OP posts:
Original poster
sphil · 02/02/2012 19:21

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

OP posts:
Amaretti · 02/02/2012 19:22

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

ggirl · 02/02/2012 19:22

French Lieutenents woman

tess of the d'urbevilles

ggirl · 02/02/2012 19:23

Angelas Ashes

ggirl · 02/02/2012 19:23

The L-Shaped Room - that's short

LondonMumsie · 02/02/2012 19:24

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

ggirl · 02/02/2012 19:28

Before I go to Sleep is a great read

seeker · 02/02/2012 19:29

The Handmaid's Tale.

steviesmith · 02/02/2012 19:30

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

ggirl · 02/02/2012 19:34

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

biological · 02/02/2012 19:35

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

Original poster
sphil · 02/02/2012 21:44

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

OP posts:
sponkle · 02/02/2012 21:47

Extremely Loud and Incedibly Close by Jonathon Safran Foer

PotteringAlong · 02/02/2012 21:54

Once
Now
Then

A trilogy by Morris Gleitzman.

My year 9 tutor group were enthralled by them.

EdithWeston · 02/02/2012 21:57

Do both Jane Eyre and The Wide Sargasso Sea.

And some Ursula Le Guin?

startail · 02/02/2012 22:01

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.

Original poster
sphil · 02/02/2012 22:04

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

OP posts:
JollySergeantJackrum · 02/02/2012 22:05

I agree with startail I wanted to give up on studying English after Lord of the Flies. Apologies that I can't add anything positive.