Year 10 Reading List
Year 10 Reading List Title
A Darker Shade of Magic
Jekyll’s Mirror
Lost on Mars
Red Queen
Author
V.E. Schwab
William Hussey
Paul Magrs
Summary Fans of fantasy will enjoy this smart and funny book. The author takes us on a twisting and turning tale that excites readers to the very end. We follow Kell, one of the last Travellers Magicians as he travels between parallel London’s; from Grey London — dirty, boring, lacking magic, and ruled by mad King George — to Red London — where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire — to White London — ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne, where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back — and back, but never Black London, because traveling to Black London is forbidden and no one speaks of it now. Consider this book a warning and sign of the current times. This book explores the world of online Trolling and who we really become when we hide behind our online selves. However heavy the message, don’t let it detract you from the enjoyment you will get from this book, the humour is often dark but it’s clever for it.
Our narrator and main character is Lora Robinson, a third-generation human settler on Mars, a teenage girl growing up with her family as they try to live, rather than merely exist, on the red planet. Dust storms plague them; people mysteriously disappear. When things get desperate, Lora leads her family out of their homestead on an epic quest for survival, only to find the mysteries multiplying. Lora is a beautifully realised protagonist: complex and convincing. She is fiercely stubborn and resourceful, yet sensitive and thoughtful, though she tries to deny it. Her down-to-earth voice grounds the story with humour and heart. And for all its genre elements, the core of the book is Lora’s coming-ofage.
Victoria Aveyard
For a debut novel there is certainly a lot packed into it which will suit any reader- a bit of mystery and intrigue, caste divisions, romance. I never read this book myself however it did make it onto several Young Adult Bestseller lists including The Guardian and Independent newspapers.
Francis Hardinge
A rich mix of Victorian mystery and timeless fantasy, this award-winning novel has plenty of plot twists and turns, as well as keen insight into the psychology of its cast of characters.
Markus Zusak
The Book Thief has been marketed as an older children's book in some countries and as an adult novel in others. It could and - dare I say? - should certainly be read by both. Unsettling, thought-provoking, life-affirming, triumphant and tragic, this is a novel of breath-taking scope, masterfully told. It is an important piece of work, but also a wonderful page-turner. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
William Golding
Not for the faint of heart nor for those that aren’t particularly ‘bookish’ but this is still a must read. Fans of the bleak and disturbing will like this book that has been a firm favourite among fans since the 1950s! When a plane crashes on a remote island, a small group of schoolboys are the sole survivors. From the prophetic Simon and virtuous Ralph to the lovable Piggy and brutish Jack, each of the boy’s attempts to establish control as the reality - and brutal savagery - of their situation sets in.
Rainbow Rowell
Parents need to know that Eleanor and Park is a coming-of-age romance about two high-school misfits in the '80s who meet and fall in love on the school bus. There's strong language and mature themes about poverty, domestic abuse, and emotional/financial instability. The central characters explore the challenges of being "different" but also the joy of falling in love for the first time. This book features highly in most Young Adult fiction best seller lists and comes highly recommended.
Stephen Chbosky
When I asked some students about this book, as I have neither read it nor seen the film, they told me it’s a must read if you’re “not part of the popular group” and that it’s “funny and sad in places”. My favourite, however, one student said simply; “the feels…”
Terry Pratchett
In this fourth Discworld instalment, Death comes to Mort with an offer he can't refuse -- especially since being, well, dead isn't compulsory. As Death's apprentice, he'll have free board and lodging, use of the company horse, and he won't need time off for family funerals. The position is everything Mort thought he'd ever wanted, until he discovers that this perfect job can be a killer on his love life.
The Lie Tree
The Book Thief
Lord of the Flies
Eleanor and Park
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Mort
Book Cover
A Darker Shade of Magic
Jekyll’s Mirror
Lost on Mars
Red Queen
Author
V.E. Schwab
William Hussey
Paul Magrs
Summary Fans of fantasy will enjoy this smart and funny book. The author takes us on a twisting and turning tale that excites readers to the very end. We follow Kell, one of the last Travellers Magicians as he travels between parallel London’s; from Grey London — dirty, boring, lacking magic, and ruled by mad King George — to Red London — where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire — to White London — ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne, where people fight to control magic, and the magic fights back — and back, but never Black London, because traveling to Black London is forbidden and no one speaks of it now. Consider this book a warning and sign of the current times. This book explores the world of online Trolling and who we really become when we hide behind our online selves. However heavy the message, don’t let it detract you from the enjoyment you will get from this book, the humour is often dark but it’s clever for it.
Our narrator and main character is Lora Robinson, a third-generation human settler on Mars, a teenage girl growing up with her family as they try to live, rather than merely exist, on the red planet. Dust storms plague them; people mysteriously disappear. When things get desperate, Lora leads her family out of their homestead on an epic quest for survival, only to find the mysteries multiplying. Lora is a beautifully realised protagonist: complex and convincing. She is fiercely stubborn and resourceful, yet sensitive and thoughtful, though she tries to deny it. Her down-to-earth voice grounds the story with humour and heart. And for all its genre elements, the core of the book is Lora’s coming-ofage.
Victoria Aveyard
For a debut novel there is certainly a lot packed into it which will suit any reader- a bit of mystery and intrigue, caste divisions, romance. I never read this book myself however it did make it onto several Young Adult Bestseller lists including The Guardian and Independent newspapers.
Francis Hardinge
A rich mix of Victorian mystery and timeless fantasy, this award-winning novel has plenty of plot twists and turns, as well as keen insight into the psychology of its cast of characters.
Markus Zusak
The Book Thief has been marketed as an older children's book in some countries and as an adult novel in others. It could and - dare I say? - should certainly be read by both. Unsettling, thought-provoking, life-affirming, triumphant and tragic, this is a novel of breath-taking scope, masterfully told. It is an important piece of work, but also a wonderful page-turner. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
William Golding
Not for the faint of heart nor for those that aren’t particularly ‘bookish’ but this is still a must read. Fans of the bleak and disturbing will like this book that has been a firm favourite among fans since the 1950s! When a plane crashes on a remote island, a small group of schoolboys are the sole survivors. From the prophetic Simon and virtuous Ralph to the lovable Piggy and brutish Jack, each of the boy’s attempts to establish control as the reality - and brutal savagery - of their situation sets in.
Rainbow Rowell
Parents need to know that Eleanor and Park is a coming-of-age romance about two high-school misfits in the '80s who meet and fall in love on the school bus. There's strong language and mature themes about poverty, domestic abuse, and emotional/financial instability. The central characters explore the challenges of being "different" but also the joy of falling in love for the first time. This book features highly in most Young Adult fiction best seller lists and comes highly recommended.
Stephen Chbosky
When I asked some students about this book, as I have neither read it nor seen the film, they told me it’s a must read if you’re “not part of the popular group” and that it’s “funny and sad in places”. My favourite, however, one student said simply; “the feels…”
Terry Pratchett
In this fourth Discworld instalment, Death comes to Mort with an offer he can't refuse -- especially since being, well, dead isn't compulsory. As Death's apprentice, he'll have free board and lodging, use of the company horse, and he won't need time off for family funerals. The position is everything Mort thought he'd ever wanted, until he discovers that this perfect job can be a killer on his love life.
The Lie Tree
The Book Thief
Lord of the Flies
Eleanor and Park
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Mort
Book Cover
