Monthly Roundup:

We had such a successful year here at Whitehill Secondary School Library. With 6000+ visits and 8600+ books issued, pupils have very much enjoyed engaging with the library service and the collections. Our Little Pride Library for our LGBT+ group and our Advanced Readers book group have been highlights of our year and we very much look forward to establishing more relationships with the school’s departments and clubs over the 25/26 school year. Thank you to the wonderful English Department for all their continued support over the months. The School Library will be closed for essential maintenance work beginning week beginning June 23^rd.

Book of the Day:

03.06.25: Liccle Bit by Alex Wheatle

05.06.25: The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali by Sabina Khan

09.06.25: Climate Emergency Atlas by Dan Hooke

11.06.25:  Keedie by Elle McNicoll

 Author Spotlight:

02.06.25: Jasbinder Bilan

09.06.25: Dan Freedman

23.06.25: Gill Lewis

 

Series Spotlight:

02.06.25: Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

09.06.25: Five Nights at Freddies by Scott Cawthon

23.06.25: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

Literary and Cultural Celebrations for April (Book Lists and Displays):

Audiobook Appreciation Month: June is Audiobook Month, a time to celebrate and promote the listening experience of audiobooks. Check out Glasgow Life’s audiobook range on Borrowbox and Libby by Overdrive.

Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller History Month: Through celebration, education and raising awareness, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month helps to tackle prejudice, challenge myths and to amplify the voices of Gypsies, Romas ad Travellers in wider society.

National Crime Reading Month: National Crime Reading Month is an annual initiative spearheaded and developed by the Crime Writer’s Association. It runs throughout June, this year in collaboration with The Reading Agency. National crime Reading Month aims t bring new books to existing readers and new readers to the world’s most popular and best-selling genre.

Pride Month:  Pride Month is an annual celebration dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ+ history and contributions and coincides with the anniversary if the 1969 Stonewall riots.

World Environment Day (5^th June): World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.

World Oceans Day (8^th June): World Oceans Day aims to raise the awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans.

Empathy Day (12th June): Empathy Day is a national event in the UK that is part of the wider Empathy Day festival running from June 2^nd-12^th. The theme for 2025 is “What’s your spark?”. The day aims to inspire children and young people to learn about empathy and experience it through stories and put it into action.

Refugee Week (16^th-22^nd): Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience pf refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

Windrush Day (22^nd June): Windrush Day marks the anniversary of the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush on 22^nd June 1948 and to recognise and thank all of those from the Windrush generation and their descendants to their enormous contributions.

International Women in Engineering Day (23^rd June): International Women in Engineering Day is an international campaign that aims to raise the profile of women in engineering and encourage more people to consider engineering career. This day highlights the achievements of women engineering and provides a platform to celebrate their work and inspire the next generation of female engineers.

 

 Trending Book Lists

 Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month

 

 Book Awards

Winners:  FCBG Children’s Book Awards | Jhalak Prize | James Tait Black Prizes | Orwell Prizes | Sir Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction | Sports Book Awards | UKLA Book Awards | Women’s Prize | YOTO Carnegies

Monthly Roundup:

New Book Highlights:

This Summer’s Secrets by Emily Barr

Clouds Over California by Karyn Parsons

Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green

 

Book of the Day:

01.04.25: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

03.04.25: What is Mental Health? Where Does It Come From? And Other Big Questions by Dr. Lucy Maddox

22.04.25: The Mysteries of the Universe by Will Gater

24.04.25: The Shocking Truth About Energy and How it Shapes Our World by Mike Goldsmith

29.04.25: Eyewitness Universe by DK

 

Author Spotlight:

01.04.25: Kwame Mbalia

22.04.25: Aisha Saeed

29.04.25: Phil Earle

 

Series Spotlight:

01.04.25: Planet Omar by Zanib Mian

22.04.25: Frostheart by Jamie Littler

29.04.25: Divergent by Veronica Roth

 

Literary and Cultural Celebrations for April (Book Lists and Displays):

 World Autism awareness Month: World Autism Awareness Month is an opportunity for everyone to come together and raise awareness, foster acceptance, and create a society where autistic people are supported, understood, and empowered. Visit the National Autistic Society’s website for more information.

 Stress Awareness Month: Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and management strategies for stress. We’ve highlighted some books available in your School Library and signposted some websites with more information about management: Aye Feel, mentalhealth.org.uk, SAMH.org.uk

 National Pet Month: National Pet Month celebrates and raises awareness of responsible pet ownership.

 International Children’s Book Day (2^nd April): Since 1967, on or around Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday, 2 April, International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated to inspire a love of reading and to call attention to children’s books. Find out what made the BBC’s Top 100 Children’s Books of All Time.

International Romani Day (8^th April): The International Romani Day (8 April) is a day to celebrate Romani culture and raise awareness of the issues facing Romani people. Visit the Romani Arts website to learn more.

Passover (12^th -20^th April): Passover, also called Pesach, is a major Jewish holiday and one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. It begins before sundown on Saturday April 12, 2025, and ends after nightfall on April 20, 2025. Happy Passover to those celebrating.

 Easter: Easter also called Pascha or Resurrection Sunday is a Christian festival and cultural holiday. Additional customs that have become associated with Easter and are observed by both Christians and some non-Christians. Happy Easter to those celebrating.

International Dark Sky Week (21^st-28^th April): International Dark Sky Week is a global celebration of the night. From the darkness needed for a restful night’s sleep to the activities we enjoy beneath the stars, the night plays a crucial role in protecting healthy wildlife ecosystems, advancing science and exploration, preserving cultural knowledge, and much more.

Earth Day (22^nd April): The theme for Earth Day 2025 is OUR POWER, OUR PLANET, inviting everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy, and to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030.

National Gardening Week (28^th April – 4^th May): National Gardening Week is a time for people to learn about gardening, connect with other gardening enthusiasts, and get inspired. Find some gardening tips on the Royal Horticultural Society’s website.

 

Trending Book Lists

 Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month

 

 Book Awards

Winners: Peters Book Awards

Shortlists: The British Book Awards | Branford Boase Awards | Jhalak Prize

 Longlists: Women’s Prize | Crime Writer’s Association

 

 

World Book Day: World Book Day activities were celebrated throughout the week beginning March 3^rd.

 Scavenger Hunt: We collaborated with the English department to host a scavenger hunt for all year groups, featuring ten books set in Glasgow and surrounding areas to tie in with the city’s 850^th birthday festivities. Pupils were encouraged to located the posters with the book’s descriptions in classroom windows for a chance to be entered into our prize draw.

 Glasgow 850 Quiz: Over the course of the week, we visited S1 and s2 English classrooms to deliver our Glasgow-themed quiz to tie in with the Glasgow 850 festivities.

 

New Book Highlights:

 

This Book Will Make You An Artist by Ruth Millington and Ellen Surrey

The Boy At the Window by Lucy Strange

You Wouldn’t Catch Me Dead by Tess James Mackey

 

Book of the Day:

 04.03.25: Muslim Girls Rise by Saira Mir and Aaliya Jaleel

06.03.25: Breaking News: How to Tell What’s Real From What’s Rubbish by Nick Sheridan

11.03.25: The Girl Who Stole An Elephant by Nizrana Farook

13.03.25: History of the Computer: People, Inventions and Technology that Changed Our World by Rachel Ignotofsky

18.03.25: What Would She Do? By Kay Woodward

20.03.25: Lands of Belonging: A History of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Britain by Donna Amey Bhatt, Vikesh Amey Bhatt, Salini Perera

25.03.25: Frankie’s World by Aoife Dooley

27.03.25: This Book is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on how To wake Up, take Action, and Do the Work by Tiffany Jewell and Aurelia Durand

 

Author Spotlight:

04.03.25: Nikesh Shukla

11.03.25: Sue Wallman

18.03.25: Jason Reynolds

25.03.25: Benjamin Dean

 

Series Spotlight:

04.03.25: Goth Girl Chris Riddell

11.03.25: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

18.03.25: Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer

25.03.25: Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan

 

Literary and Cultural Celebrations for March (Book Lists and Displays):

 Ramadan (28^th February – 30^th March): Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and holy month for Muslims. Happy Ramadan for those who are celebrating.

 Cyber Scotland Week (24^th February – 2^nd March): Cyber Scotland Week invites individuals, organisations and communities across Scotland to raise awareness of cyber security and strengthen our collective cyber resilience.

World Wildlife Day (3^rd March): United Nations World Wildlife Day is celebrated every year to celebrate wild animals and plants. Every year, they recognize the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet.

World Engineering Day (4^th March): UNESCO’s World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development raises awareness of the role of engineering in modern life, which is essential to mitigate the impact of climate change and advance sustainable development.

British Science Week (7^th-16^th March): British Science Week is coordinated by the British Science Association and supported by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It is a ten-day celebration of science, research and innovation. This year’s theme is ‘Change and adapt’.

International Women’s Day (8^th March) and Women’s History Month: Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day are annual observances that take place during March celebrating the social, eco nomic, cultural, and political achievements of women past and present.

Holi (14^th March): Holi is a major Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love and Spring. Happy Holi to those who are celebrating.

St Patrick’s Day (17^th March): St Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture commemorating Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17^th – 23^rd March): Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, organisations, and others around the world with the opportunity to recognise the many skills and talents of neurodivergent individuals, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.

 Global Recycling Day (18^th March): Global Recycling Day aims to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and promote sustainable waste management.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21^st March): The International Day for the Elimination of racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21^st March since declared by the United Nations in 1966 to remember the victims of peaceful demonstrators in South Africa.

International Day of Forests (21^st March): International Forest Day is a global initiative to highlight the importance of all types of forests and their role in the fight against climate change.

World Poetry Day (21^st March): World Poetry Day was established by UNESCO in 1999 to promote linguistic diversity and give endangered languages through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered language to be heard.

World Water Day (22^nd March): World Water Day is an annual United Nations (UN) observance day that highlights the importance of fresh water. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

World Meteorological Day (23^rd March): World Meteorological Day commemorates the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization in 1950 and highlights the importance of meteorological services in addressing climate change. Check the Met Office for your daily local weather updates

Shakespeare Week (24^th-20^th March): Shakespeare Week is an annual national celebration of Shakespeare and his works.

Transgender Day of Visibility (31^st March): Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.

 

 Trending Book Lists

 Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month

 

 Book Awards

Winners: Inclusive Books for Children’s Awards | Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize | Waterstones Children’s Book Prize

Shortlists: UKLA Book Awards | YOTO Carnegies

 

 

New Book Highlights

 Alastair Campbell Talks Politics by Alastair Campbell

India, Incredible India by Jasbinder Bilan, Illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti

The World Book by Joe Fullman, Illustrated by Rose Blake

The United States Book by Rebecca Siegal, Illustrated by Ellen Weinstein

Book of the day

04.02.25: Hazel Hill is Gonna Win This One by Maggie Horne

06.02.25: The Awesome Power of Sleep: How Sleep Super-Charges Your Teenage Brain by Nicola Morgan

11.02.25: Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales

13.02.25: Engineers Making A Difference: Inventors, Technicians, Scientists and Tech Entrepreneurs Changing the World and How You Can Join Them by Sr Shini Somara, Manual Sumberac, and Adam Allsuch Boardman

20.02.25: Northern Soul by Phil Earle

25.02.25: Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu

27.02.25: Here and Queer by Rowan Ellis

Author of the Week

03.02.25:  Kirsty Applebaum

10.02.25:  Jasmine Warga

17.02.25:  Sajni Patel

24.02.25:  Ravena Guron

Series of the Week

03.02.25: Football Superstars by Simon Mugford

10.02.25: Maze Runner by James Dashner

17.02.25: BZRK by Michael Grant

24.02.25: Agent Zaiba Investigates by Annabelle Sami

Literary and Cultural Celebrations for February (Book Lists and Displays)

LGBT+ History Month UK: LGBT+ History Month takes place in the UK every February. LGBTQ History Month was initiated in the UK by  Schools OUT UK, and first took place in February 2005.

Children’s Mental Health Week (3rd -9th February): Hosted by national charity ‘Place2Be’, Children’s Mental Health Week takes place every February. and aims to promote positive mental health for children.

Languages Week Scotland (3rd-7th February): Languages Week Scotland is a celebration of language learning and multilingualism in Scotland. The theme for 2025 is “Our multilingual futures”.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11th February): 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, two significant milestones in the global effort to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

PALentines’s Day (13th February): Palentine’s day is a global celebration of friendship and platonic love to compliment Valentine’s Day.

Valentines Day (14th February):  Valentine’s Day is originated as a Christian feast holiday honoring Saint Valentine but is now also a celebration of romance and love around the world.

Random Acts of Kindness Day (17th February): Random Acts of Kindness Day is an global celebration about spreading kindness without expecting anything in return and offer a chance to reflect on the value of empathy.

Trending Book Lists

Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month

 Book Awards

Winners: Inclusive Book Awards | Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize | Waterstones Book Prize

Shortlists: UKLA Book Awards | YOTO Carnegie Medals

Pride Club: The Whitehill Secondary Pride Club have now received their selection of LGBTQ+ Junior and Young Adult fiction and nonfiction books which are housed in the club’s classroom.

Glasgow 850 Challenge: 2025 marks Glasgow’s 850th birthday and to celebrate we’ve launched our Glasgow 850 Challenge, packed with Glasgow themed literacy activities including word jumbles, quizzes, match games, and fill-ins. Completion of each ‘mini-challenge’ earns an entry into a prize draw at the end of the school year. Our Glasgow -themed BGE and Senior book list is also available on the School Library Teams.

What’s Your Power Art Competition: Glasgow School Libraries are running an art competition for a chance to win the Hedgewitch trilogy by Skye McKenna. Participants are to draw their magical power and include a brief description of the power and why they’ve chosen it. Each entry will be featured in the Spring issue of Swatch, the Glasgow School Libraries eMagazine. Deadline Friday 14^th February.

 New Book Highlights:

Book of the Day:

7.01.25: Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

9.01.25: The Battle of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

14.01.25: Internment by Samira Ahmed

16.01.25: What is Politics? Why Should We Care? And Other Big Questions by Michael Rosen and Annemarie Young

21.01.25: When the World Was Ours by Liz Kessler

22.01.25: Robert Burns and All That by Allan Burnett, illustrated b Scoular Anderson

28.01.25: Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty

30.01.25: Classifying Animals: Birds by Sarah Wilkes

Author of the Week

06.01.25: Jennifer Mathieu

13.01.25: Polly Ho-Yen

20.01.25: Nick Lake

27.01.25: Benjamin Zephaniah

Series of the Week

06.01.25: STAGS by MA Bennet

13.01.25: Kid Normal by Greg James with Chris Smith

20.01.25: Lockwood & Co by Jonathan Stroud

27.01.25: Enemy by Charlie Higson

 

Literary and Cultural Celebrations for December

Science Fiction Day (2^nd January): National Science Fiction Day is unofficially celebrated by many science fiction fans  on January 2, which corresponds with the official birthdate of famed science fiction writer Isaac Asimov.

Martin Luther King Jr Day (20^th January): Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., and often referred to shorthand as MLK Day) is observed on the third Monday of January each year. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law and civil society.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day (27^th January) The International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, which resulted in the genocide of one third of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. It also commemorates recent genocides recognised by the UK government, and the genocide in Darfur. 27 January was chosen to commemorate the date when the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Red Army in 1945.

World Religions Day (19^th January): World Religion Day is an observance that was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States, which is celebrated worldwide on the third Sunday in January each year. Though initiated in the United States, World Religion Day has come to be celebrated internationally by followers of the Baháʼí Faith.

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch (24^th-26^th January): Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK’s biggest citizen science wildlife survey. By taking part, you can help the RSPB understand how garden birds are doing right now.

Burns Night (25^th January): A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns the author of many Scots poems. The suppers are normally held on or near the poet’s birthday, 25 January, known as Burns Night.

Chinese Lunar Year (29^th January): Chinese New Year, or the Spring Festival is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, this festival takes place from Chinese New Year’s Eve (the evening preceding the first day of the year) to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.

Trending Book Lists

Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month

 Book Awards

Winners:  Nero Book Awards

Longlists: Branford Boase Award

Festive Quiz: We spent out last lunch break before the winter holidays to deliver a fun festive quiz. We had thirty questions across rounds: Literature, Film, Music, Traditions, Nature, and Food.

Swatch Magazine: Our Winter 2024 issue of Swatch, the Glasgow School Libraries eMagazine is out now including an exclusive interview with Skye McKenna, talking about her new book Seawitch.

 New Book Highlights

The Exes by Anam Iqbal

If My Words had Wings by Danielle Jawando

Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll

Books of the Day

03.12.24: The Bubble Boy by Stewart Foster

05.12.24: The Usborne Encyclopaedia of Planet Earth by Anna Clayborne and Gillian Doherty

10.12.24: Raise Your Voice: Make Yourself Heard in a Noisy World by Nadia Jae, et al.

13.12.24: Mark My Words by Muhammad Khan

17.12.24: Who Are Refugees and Migrants? What Makes People Leave Their Homes? And Other Big Questions by Michael Rosen

19.12.24: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Author of the Week

02.12.24: Sabina Khan

09.12.24: Kirsty Applebaum

16.12.24: Adiba Jaigirdar

Series of the Week

02.12.24: Ninja by Chris Bradford

09.12.24: Track by Jason Reynolds

16.12.24: Crooked Oak Mysteries by Dan Smith

 

Literary and Cultural Celebrations for December

UK Disability History Month (14^th Nov – 20^th Dec): UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) is an annual event creating a platform to focus on the history of disables people’s struggle for equality and human rights. It is a chance to discuss the history of disabled people, the positive contributions disabled people have made, and a chance to find out how we as a society can be more inclusive.

Bhodi Day (8^th December): Bodhi Day is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that Gautama Buddha (Shakyamuni) is said to have attained enlightenment.

World Soil Day (5^th December): World Soil Day (WSD) is held annually as a means to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources.

Human Rights Day (10^th December): Human Rights Day commemorates the anniversary of one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

International Animal Rights Day (10^th December): International Animal Rights Day is an annual event honouring animals as sentient beings who deserve the same protections as people. This global observance is marked by demonstrations that expose animal exploitation, mourn the animal victims of human tyranny and rally support for universal animal welfare.

International Migrants Day (18^th December): International Migrants Day gives us a special opportunity to shine a spotlight on the invaluable contributions of millions of migrants around the world. It’s also a day for us to highlight the increasingly complex environment in which migration occurs.

Yule (December 21^st): Yule is a winter festival historically observed by the Germanic peoples. In present times adherents of some new religious movements (such as Modern Germanic paganism) celebrate Yule independently of the Christian festival.

Christmas (25^th December): Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world.

Hanukkah (25^th December – 2^nd January): Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.

Kwanzaa (December 26^th – January 1^st): Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day.

New Years Eve/Hogmanay (31^st December): In the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Eve refers to the evening, or commonly the entire day, of the last day of the year also known as Old Year’s Day. Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the old year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner.

Trending Book Lists

Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month

 Book Awards

Winners:  Lollies | The Saltires: Scotland’s National Book Awards | SLA Information Book Awards | Waterstones Book of the Year

Shortlists: Excelsior Awards

Book Week Scotland: We hosted our Book Week Scotland quiz during lunchtime and collaborated with the English department to host a series of ‘Book Speed Dating’ sessions for the S1 classes. The library set up five stations consisting of books across different genres such as ‘Comedy’, ‘Thrills and Chills’, ‘Realistic’, Speculative’, and ‘Nonfiction’. Groups spent five minutes at each table, reading and rating books before moving onto the next stations. Pupils loved this activity as they got to discover books across different genres they otherwise wouldn’t have tried. Special thanks to Miss Lugton for the brilliant idea!

New Book Highlights

You Owe Me A Murder by Eileen Cook

The Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

Read, Scream, Repeat by Jennifer Killick

 Books of the Day

5:11.24: Amazing Muslims Who Changed the World by Burhana Islam, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, Reya Ahmed, Saffa Khan, Aaliya Jaleel, Deema Alawa, Aghnia Mardiyah

7.11.24: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

12.11.24: Black Poppies: The Story of Britain’s Black Community in the First World War by Stephen Bourne

14.11.24: A Different Sort of Normal by Abigail Balfe

19.11.24: Talking about Islamophobia: What is it and How Do We Challenge It? A Beginners Guide for Children by Sabeena Akhtar and Na’ima B. Robert

21.11.24: Muslim Girls Rise: Inspirational Champions of Our Time by Saira Mir

26.11.24: Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

28.11.24: Eyewitness World War I by Simon Adams

Author of the Week

4.11.24: Catherine Doyle

11.11.24: Dan Freedman

18.11.24: Serena Patel

25.11.24: Ross Sayers

Series of the Week

4.11.24: Brightstorm Chronicles by Vashti Hardy

11.11.24: Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

18.11.24: Max Einstein by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

25.11.24: STEALTH by Jason Rohan

Literary and Cultural Celebrations for November

Anti-Bullying Week (11^th – 15^th): Anti-Bullying Week is an annual campaigned aimed at raising awareness, impact and prevention of bullying. This year’s theme is ‘Choose Respect’.

Book Week Scotland (18^th – 22^nd): Book Week Scotland is an annual celebration of books and reading run by the Scottish Book Trust. This year’s theme is ‘Hope’.

Islamophobia Awareness Month: Islamophobia Awareness Month is aimed at raising awareness of islamophobia and challenge stereotypes as well as celebrate the contributions and culture of Muslims. This year’s theme is ‘Seeds of Change’.

Nonfiction November: Nonfiction November is an annual celebration of information and factual books run by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups. This year’s theme is Why Don’t You? (Hobbies and Leisure)

Remembrance Day: Shawlands Academy honored Remembrance Day on November 11^th with a minute of silence at 11am.

Transgender Awareness Week 913^th-19^th): Transgender Awareness Week is a weeklong celebration leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance. This year’s theme is ‘Our Trans Heroes’.

Trending Book Lists

Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month

Book Awards

Winners – Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction | Booker Prize | Diverse Book Award | Wainwright Prize

Libby Inductions: We’ve been busy delivering Libby inductions to our S1s who have now received their iPads. Pupils loved the ease of access and range of topics and genres available on the app. For more information, visits the Glasgow Life Libraries Libby page.

 

New Book Highlights

Lightlark by Alex Aster

Still Water by Chris Priestly

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed

 

Books of the day

01.10.24: Cane Warriors by Alex Wheatle

03.10.24: The Silver Eyes by Scott Cawton

08.10.24: Timelines from Black History by DK

10.10.24: Dear Martin by Nic Stone

22.10.24: Mind Your Head by Juno Dawson

24.10.24: Last Gate of the Emperor by Kwame Mbalia

29.10.24: Windrush Child by Benjamin Zephaniah

31.10.24: Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

 

Author of the Week:

01.10.24: Sharna Jackson

07.10.24: Patrice Lawrence

21.10.24: Anthony Horowitz

28.10.24: Tanya Landman

 

Series of the Week

01.10.24: The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries by JT Willaims

07.10.24: Dark Hunter by Benjamin Hulme-Cross

21.10.24: Nicky and Kenny by Anthony McGowan

28.10.24: Loop Trilogy by Ben Oliver

 

Literary and Cultural Celebration Book Lists and Displays for October

Dyslexia Awareness Week Scotland (Sept 20^th – Oct 6^th)

World Space Week (Oct 4^th – 10^th)

Black History Month (Throughout October)

Mental Health Day (Oct 10^th)

Diwali (Oct 31^st)

Halloween/Samhain (Oct 31^st – Nov 1^st)

 

Trending Book Lists:

Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month

 

Book Awards

Winners: Diverse Book Awards | Forward Prizes for Poetry | Polari Prizes

Shortlist: Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction

S1 Inductions: We had a great time meeting all of our S1 pupils during Library inductions throughout the month and managed to cover the majority of our S1 English classes which mean we can get back into our regular scheduled book borrowing periods. Throughout August, our S1s have borrowed 70+ books for class and personal reading. Great effort by all!

Reading Challenges: We’re launching three reading challenges this year. Bookopoly encourages pupils to read out with their comfort zone, challenging them to select books on different themes and genres they wouldn’t normally choose. Pupils have a chance for their names to be enter into a quarterly prize draw when the book is read and returned. Our 4 Word Book Review slips are a super easy way to get pupils to review and recommend books using only four words to describe the book. Each completed slip earns and entry into the quarterly prize draw. We’ve brought back Ask Me What I’m Reading challenge to encourage discussion around books and reading for leisure. Each completed form earns an entry into the prize draw.

Bookmark Design Competition: We’re hosting our inaugural bookmark design competition. Participants can submit their designs which will be posted on our School Library Teams to be voted on by pupils. The winning design will become this year’s official School Library bookmark. Winner announced during Book Week Scotland in November.

Monthly Newsletter: We’ve relaunched our monthly newsletters this year, featuring new book and eBook highlights, current book award information, short books lists, genre spotlight, librarian recommendations, monthly booklists, and author and book birthday calendar. The interactive newsletter is in PDF format on the Library Channel in Teams.

 

New Book Highlights:

Pizza Face by Rex Ogle

Stormbreaker: The Graphic Novel by Anthony Horowitz and Anthony Johnston, illustrate by Kanako & Yuzuru Tuzuru

Skylar and the K-Pop Headteacher by Luan Goldie

Football’s Champions of Change by Damian Johnson, illustrated by Damian Greenan

Amazing Muslim Who Changed the World by Burhana Islam, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, Reya Ahmed, Saffa Khan, Aaliya Jaleel, Deema Alawa, and Aghnia Mardiyah

 

Book of the Day:

20.08: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

22.08: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell

27.08: Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

29.08: Barda by Ngozi Ukazu

 

Author of the Week:

WB 19^th: Stewart Foster

WB 26^th: Leigh Bardugo

 

Series of the Week:

WB 19^th: How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

WB 26^th: School for Good and Evil by Somain Chainai

 

Literary and Cultural Celebration Booklists for August:

South Asian Heritage Month: South Asian Heritage Month (July 17^th-August 17^th) celebrates the heritage of people with roots in South Asian countries. This year’s theme is ‘Free to be me’.

 

Trending Booklists:

Epic Reads New Releases | The Guardian Children’s Book Roundup | LoveReading4Kids Books of the Month | Scholastic Books of the Month | Scottish Book Trust Book Lists |Toppsta Monthly Highlights | Waterstones Books of the Month

 

Recent Awards: UK book award winners, shortlists, and longlists

Winners: Arthur C Clarke Award for Science Fiction | CWA Daggers Awards | James Tait Black Memorial Prize | UKLA Book Awards | Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize, YA Book Prize | Young Quills Award for Historical Fiction

Shortlists: Forward Prize for Poetry | Little Rebels Award | Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing

Longlists: Booker Prize | Diverse Book Awards

 

Book Buzz: Latest book news from major media outlets and websites

BBC | Book Riot | Buzzfeed | Epic Reads | The Guardian | Huffpost

This month, we’ve uploaded some fun quizzes and activities to our Library Channel in each year group Teams. For Talk Like Shakespeare Day, we shared our ‘Shakespeare Dictionary’ and Shakespeare Phrases’ information sheets for pupils to learn more about the common words the Bard invented that are still in use today.  Our quizzes include National Pet Month, World Art Day, and International Guitar Month. Pupils were encouraged to complete one or all three quizzes for a chance to be entered into our monthly prize draw.

Recent Arrivals: New Book Highlights

Forensic Science by Chris Cooper

Joey Drew Studios: Employee Handbook by Cala Spinner, illust. Paul davies

Johnny Ball: International Football Genius by Matt Oldfield, illust. Tim Wesson

Seven Million Sunflowers by Malcolm Duffy

The Weather Well by Vashti Hardy, illust. Natalie Smillie

Literary and Cultural Celebration Booklists for April: Booklists to tie into various literary and cultural celebrations.

Planet Vs Plastics Book List: The theme for this year’s Earth Day is Planet vs Plastics to raise awareness of the health and environmental risks of plastics.

Stress Booklist: Stress Awareness Month calls for a greater awareness of the negative impact of stress. Our booklist features some nonfiction titles to help young people manage their stress.

Autism Book List: World Autism Month and Autism Awareness Day (April 2^nd) aims to celebrate Autism awareness and acceptance. Our Juniorl, Young Adult, and Senior + Staff book list feature nonfiction and fiction titles.

Trending Booklists: Monthly highlights and new releases

Epic Reads – New Releases

The Guardian – Children’s Book Roundup

Love Reading for Kids – Books of the Month

Scholastic – Books of the Month

Scottish Book Trust – Book Lists

Toppsta – Our Favourite New Children’s Books This Month

Waterstones – Books of the Month

Recent Awards: UK book award winners, shortlists, and longlists

British Science Fiction Awards – Winners

Branford Boase Award – Shortlist

CWA Daggers Awards – Longlists

Granta Best of Young British Novelists – Winners

Jhalak Prize – Shortlists

Women’s Prize for Fiction – Shortlist

Competitions: Writing competitions for young people

Foyles Young Poets of the Year Award

Henrietta Branford Writing Competition

Young Writers Competition

Book Buzz: Latest book news from major media outlets and book websites

BBC

Book Riot

Buzzfeed

Epic Reads

The Guardian

Huffpost

The New York Times

What’s On in May

International Museums Day: Take a virtual tour and explore some artefacts held by some of the world’s famous museums and galleries using our interactive documents available on the Library Channel on Teams.

National Walking Month: National Walking Month is a campaign launched by Living Streets. This year, Living Streets invites people to discover the #MagicOf Walking to celebrate the many health and happiness benefits of walking and wheeling. To celebrate, the School Library has created an interactive guide to local Glasgow Life Community Libraries all within walking distance to Whitehill Secondary School which will be available in the Library Channel on Teams.

Teams Quizzes:

World Goth Day – Poe or Young Adult quiz: World Goth Day is observed annually on May 22^nd. We’re hosting a quiz on Teams featuring none other than the father of gothic literature, Edgar Allan Poe. Pupils are invited to guess whether the quotes are from Young Adult Gothic novels or from one of Poe’s works.

Book Lists for May:

Gothic Book List: Featuring Junior, Young Adult, and Senior + Staff gothic fiction to tie in with World Goth Day festivities.

Shelf Help Book List: Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 13^th-19^th May on the theme of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. Our book list features some helpful titles on mental health for Young People that are available in the School Library.

Mental Health websites:

Children’s Mental Health Scotland

Mental Health Foundation

Mind.org

Rethink.org

Scottish Action for Mental Health

See Me

Young Minds

Young Scot