Form Time Reading

Each week, we read three times in form. We ensure all students get the opportunity to meet some of the authors of the books we read in form time. Form Time Reading gives our pupils the chance to develop life-long literacy skills as well as giving them opportunities to learn about different cultures and take part in important life discussions.

Year 7

A Long Walk to Water – Linda Sue Park

What is it about?
The story is a dual narrative. Salva’s story begins in 1985 when war forces him to leave his home and family. Meanwhile, Nya’s story begins in 2008 – she has a long walk to gather water. As the book progresses, we follow both Nya and Salva’s struggle. Eventually Salva goes to America where he is educated. He vows to return home and bring fresh drinking water to his village – at this point his and Nya’s story start to cross.

What our pupils think:

“I liked how they travelled around and how it was quite adventurous. For example, they had to swim through crocodile-infested water. Even though a lot of people died, I thought it was a great book.” — Annie, year 7
“I liked how there are lots of twists in it.” — Mayland, year 7

I Am The Minotaur – Anthony McGowan

What is it about?
I Am the Minotaur is about a young boy, Matthew. Matthew is somewhat of a social outcast at school. He tries to keep himself unnoticed. His mother is struggling with her mental health, and Matthew is struggling to balance caring for his mother and school work. He has a crush on Ari. Ari has her bicycle stolen and Matthew devises a plan to get it back for her. However, this is misconstrued, and Matthew ends up becoming the main suspect of the theft. As the novel reaches its climax, Matthew strikes up a friendship with Ari; he starts to understand where he fits in socially at school and his mum’s health starts to improve.

What our pupils think:

“I think the book reflects on people who are struggling at school. I also think it’s relatable because the characters do struggle. I would recommend this book to anyone.” — Harrison, year 7
“I liked this book because it was interesting to find out about a person’s personal background. It also made me feel sympathy because some people don’t understand what is going on with a person just by looking at them. I think this book is really good.” — Maisie, year 7
“I liked I Am The Minotaur because it is relatable. One reason I think this is because it shows the struggles of high school. It also shows the struggles some people may have at home like being a young carer.” — Felicity, year 7

When the Sky Falls – Phil Earle

What is it about?
Whilst most children are moving to the countryside during the Blitz, Joseph is forced to move to London to live with Mrs F. He learns that she is a zookeeper. During each bombing raid, she must go to the zoo and point her rifle at a huge gorilla, Adonis, in case the cage is destroyed in a blast and the gorilla escapes. At first, Joseph and Mrs F have a difficult and distant relationship, but as the novel goes on Joseph’s love for Adonis brings the couple closer together. In one another, they find the family they both desperately need and crave. Mrs F knows that eventually the gorilla will be forced to leave the zoo, but she fights with all her will to ensure Adonis is kept safe and well.

What our pupils think:

“When the Sky Falls is one of the best books I have read in school. It teaches us that life can be hard, but we can carry on and get better. The bond between Joseph and Mrs F slowly gets better and they learn to like each other.” — Megan, Year 7
“In form, we have been reading When the Sky Falls. I enjoy form time reading, because when we start everybody goes really quiet.” — Huey, Year 7
“The part I enjoyed most from form time reading was when Joseph was meeting Adonis for the first time. It was a detailed description and they were clearly a duo that would be together for the whole story.” — Emma, year 7

Year 8

Face – Benjamin Zephaniah

What is it about?
Martin lives in East Ham in London, a multicultural society. He is part of a gang of three, is an excellent gymnast and dancer, and at the start of the novel he is going out with Natalie. One night they go to a club in London where he dances to rap music and amazes the whole crowd. On the way home, he is picked up by Pete Mosley. He doesn’t know that the car is stolen. Following a chase from the police, there is a car crash which leaves Pete dead and Martin with life-changing injuries. His face is damaged beyond recognition. As Martin recovers, his relationships with former friends and Natalie start to change as he starts to understand what—and who—is important in his life.

The Truth of Things – Anthony McGowan

What is it about?
Brock is about two brothers struggling with poverty. They have an absent mother and a father struggling to cope. One day they witness the local bullies badger baiting. As a result, one of the bully’s dogs is severely injured and a small badger cub is left alone. Kenny and Nicky rescue the badger and the dog. As they look after the dog, their father undergoes a transformation and starts to piece his life back together.

Year 9

Moonrise – Sarah Crossan

What is it about?
The story follows Joe Moon and his final moments with his older brother, Ed. Ed has been wrongly convicted of the murder of a police officer and is on death row. Joe’s father is dead and his alcoholic mother leaves shortly after Ed’s arrest. Joe was just seven when his brother was arrested, but now—at the age of 17—he meets his brother for the first time in years. It is a matter of months before his brother is due to be executed. Through Joe’s childhood memories, we see just how caring Ed is—he has been a father as well as a brother to Joe. Whilst visiting his brother each day in prison, Joe also starts to date Nell, whose father is the prison warden.

The Trap – Alan Gibbons

What is it about?
The story involves the Sarwar family. The eldest son, Majid, has been groomed by a terror cell leader called Bashir. Majid goes to Syria and narrowly escapes death when a rocket explodes near him. Once in Syria, Majid realises that Bashir’s promises and preachings are a lie and he vows to return to England to help the MI5 catch Bashir and stop Bashir’s terrorist attack on London. Meanwhile, his parents try to protect his younger siblings, Amir and Nasima, by moving to avoid association with Majid. Their anonymity is compromised when Amir is arrested at a rally opposing a far-right organisation—England Awakes.