Compiled by Mrs Martin
March 2013
* Fantastic Author visit * Book of the month*
* Teacher reveals favourite reads! * Termly Quiz *
Sophia Bennett- the celebrated author of the ‘Threads’ series and ‘The
Look’ visited CCHS for World Book Day.
After the launch of her highly successful Threads series portraying the many adventures of a budding
secret fashion designer in the form of a Ugandan refugee, Sophia Bennett became a revered name in
the art of writing children’s literature. The idea of a fourteen year old refugee striving to accomplish
her own dreams of being a designer while battling her inner demons, at first, may seem a bit farfetched; however the underlying values of mental strength and friendship really speak out in a very
familiar yet alien language to all of its readers. During Bennett’s presentation in the library, her
strong connections with the characters that she had built up and perfected over the years proved to
be truly awe inspiring as it soon became clear to us how hard and time consuming it was to breathe
life into a character after you have created it. The importance of resilience and always moving forward with constructive criticism in the world of creative writing could not have been stressed enough;
Sophia Bennett’s own enriching journey from being constantly rejected by an array of publishers and
securing her determination to write a thought provoking novel not only gave us a useful insight to the
possible career of a writer, it also presented us with a crash course on how to deal with criticism and
how to correctly use it to improve your writing. Bennett also highlighted the significance of gathering
ideas to create a captivating plot line and the magnitude of the silent hero which happened to be her
trusty notebook in which she jotted down her ideas constantly as there was always something eye
catching everywhere you go.
The uncertainty of taking a risk, despite it being a calculated risk, did not scare her off from the career she could shine in; due to this, her works speak out to young girls, encouraging them to be
strong, determined and to know the true extent of their ever rising potential. Dubbed the, “Queen of
Teen dreams” her books are being successfully sold in over seventeen countries around the globe, it
is safe to say that by the end of her talk, she instilled a sudden, overwhelming desire to become a
writer in all of us, no matter what our interests had been previously. Sophia Bennett is a role model
to aspire to, with her tough attitude and her imagination, she captured our hearts and our minds with
her works.
Dr. Huckvale is an
avid reader and the
last book she read
was ‘Parade’s End’
written by Ford
Madox Ford about
the effects of the
Great War on
British Society. This
is in stark contrast
to her favourite
author who she was
reluctant to mention
as it might reveal a
love of historical
romance and ruin
her fearsome
reputation! If she
were to write a book
then our esteemed
biology teacher
would obviously
include a romantic
plot with a few
voyages of discovery
thrown in as well.
Contributed by Devni in Year 12
“Find out what your talent is and make the most of it.
Work hard and have fun.
We only have one life and we all deserve to sparkle.”
~Sophia Bennett
A few signed copies of Sophia Bennett’s books are still available to buy from the library
Page 2
CCHS Library — BOOK REVIEWS
STUDENT BOOK REVIEWS
By Year 7 Students
Clean Break by Jacqueline Wilson
Emily thinks her life with her mum, step-dad, gran, Vita and
Maxie can’t get any better, but when her mum and dad break up,
it changes for the worse. Her mum is heartbroken, her sisters upset, and gran is always complaining. It is now up to Em to look after the family and keep them together.
Messenger Bird by Ruth Eastham
This book is a mystery book, aimed at Year Sevens upwards. Nathan’s
dad gets arrested for breaking the Official Scerets Act in the 1940s, and
is facing a life in prison. Nathan has to successfully solve the clues set
by a strange girl called Lilly. The book draws the reader in with both
intrigue and historical detail. This book would be recommended for
fans of mystery novels, and is a case worth solving.
The Other Countess by Eve Edwards
This historical novel tells the story of Lady Eleanor Rodriquez and is
set in Elizabethan England in 1582. Eleanor’s mother died when she
was only a child and her father is a poor alchemist, despite his title.
Eleanor meets and falls in love with the Earl of Dorset but he has
been told to marry into a wealthy family to restore the family fortunes. The twists of this story are excitingly set in the royal court of
the time and I would highly recommend this book.
Eve Edwards also writes as Julia Golding and Joss Stirling
The Medusa Project by Sophie McKenzie
Nico lives in a boarding school with his step father who is the
headmaster. This causes all sorts of problems but when he is
14 Nico discovers he has the physical power to move objects
without touching them. As the story unfolds the truth behind
his abilities emerges and Nico realises that telekinetic abilities
will not bring him the money and power he is looking for…...
March 2013
Page 3
ALL OF THESE BOOKS CAN BE BORROWED FROM THE SCHOOL LIBRARY
Essex Book Award Winner
What’s up with Jody Barton
Have you ever fallen in love so fast with someone so
random that it makes your head spin?
If yes, you should totally read this book.
If no, you should totally read this book!
Oliver catalogue
Reviews can now be added directly to the library catalogue. If you wish to add a review then search for the vcchs homepage and log in using your normal computer username and password. The screen will then show your library account and links to your
books in the box on the left-hand side of the screen. Use the search box to find a title
you have read and then click on add a review to type an exciting evaluation of the
book. Well done stickers are being given out to all students who write reviews during
March!
Book of the month
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five
factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—
Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the
brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an
appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the
faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being
who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that
surprises everyone, including herself.
CCHS Library
Page 4
WIN FANTASTIC PRIZES
1.
Which tree produces seeds that are like helicopters
2.
What is the 3 digit Dewey number for the subject of trees in the CCHS
library?
3.
What does a dendrologist study?
4.
Which two mammals lay eggs?
5.
What colour is a polar bears skin?
6.
What is the largest living thing on earth?
7.
How many noble gases are there?
8.
What type of animal are belugas?
9.
What is the only muscle in your body that is only attached at one end?
10.
What is in the picture below the catalogue computer in the library?
Name ……………………………………… Class…………………………
Deadline for entries is the 25th March—post your answers in the box in the library
World Book Day
World Book Day is a celebration! It’s a celebration of authors, illustrators,
books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading. In fact, it’s the biggest celebration of its kind, designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading, and marked in over 100 countries all over the
world.
The CCHS library has the special celebration book tokens to give to students
giving them £1 off any book purchased in participating retailers or they can be used in
school on book orders from the Scholastic book club— see Mrs Martin for an order form