Next week is the annual World Book Day (7 March). 

World Book Day changes lives through a love of books and reading. The mission is to promote reading for pleasure, offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own. Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income. We want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them.  More information on World Book Day can be found here: World Book Day About Us 

As a parent myself I try to encourage my children to read for pleasure and they will often ask for several books as gifts for their birthday or Christmas. However, I also know that the more a child or adult reads the better their concentration and memory gets. Alongside this reading increases our vocabulary and enhances ability in creative writing. All these skills and the knowledge gained will help our children in a variety of subjects. 

For me one of the most important aspects of reading is the ability to get lost in a book and escape from everyday worries or stresses.  

I asked some of the staff at the school to tell me why they enjoy reading: 

Mrs Green – AHOY 9 

Reading is important as it helps reduce stress and helps me relax. Reading also expands your vocabulary and enhances my knowledge. 

Miss Wheeler – Teacher of ICT 

For me reading is important as it helps activate your imagination and broaden your usage of vocabulary and words you can use in different situations. Reading for pleasure can be a small escape after a busy day. 

Mr Kay – Teacher of English 

As an English teacher I try and read for pleasure every single day, even for 5 or 10 minutes. I normally read just before I go to sleep. At the risk of sounding like an English teacher I do genuinely love reading. Falling in and out of all these amazing little worlds and stories is amazing, and it helps with my imagination, creativity, vocabulary and ideas when I try and write my own stories! Obviously not every single book out there is right for everyone but if you have a look, I'm sure you'll be able to find a book that's right for you! 

Mr Jarman – Teacher of History 

Reading always helps to take me away from the day's problems, into whichever world the book is set in. No phones at the end of the day, just 30-40 minutes getting lost in a good book. 

If you are looking for ideas for books to encourage your child to read, please see the list below that our Year 8 students have put together. 

Name of books our Year 8 students would recommend

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

Wonder by RJ Palacio

Holes. by Louis Sachar

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Matilda - Roald Dahl

The New Boy by Paula Rawsthorne

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling

You Are a Champion: How to Be the Best You Can Be by Marcus Rashford

The Murderer's Ape by Jakob Wegelius

Mo Salah - Autobiography (by Matt and Tom Oldfield)

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Thankyou for your continued support and please do contact us with any questions or concerns; HOY8@hessleacademy.com 

Miss Pinkney

Head of Year 8 

Miss Briggs

Assistant Head of Year 8