Tutor Reading Programme
Twice a week, pupils in Year 7 to 10 are read to in their tutor groups during morning registration. We read a range of stories with the aim of encouraging reading for pleasure and boosting student knowledge and understanding. Many of the books also complement the curriculum by drawing links to ideas, themes and figures studied in lessons.
Why do we encourage reading for pleasure?
-
Reading develops confidence and improves self-esteem
-
Reading can help young people to understand complex issues from the safe fictional world of a book
-
Reading is proven to increase empathy
-
Reading is enjoyable, fun and relaxing, (for fluent readers if they have the right book)
-
Reading is vital for academic attainment in school but reading for pleasure goes beyond this and stretches through a person’s life.
Details of book titles and storylines can be found below. We encourage you to discuss the relevant book with your child. You can find helpful tips here with regards talking about books with your child.
Year 7
Tutor-Reading-Programme-Year-7 (ID 1166)
Running. That’s all Ghost has ever known. But he’s been running for all the wrong reasons – until he meets Coach who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him? Marshall feels the need to escape because things are so tough at home. Rory is just happy it’s the first day of the summer holidays. While out on their bikes they stumble across a long-forgotten underground bunker at the edge of the woods. In fifth-century Denmark, a murderous monster stalks the night, and only the great prince of the Geats has the strength and courage to defeat him. Beowulf’s terrifying quest to destroy Grendel, the foul fiend, a hideous sea-hag and a monstrous fire-dragon is the oldest surviving epic in British literature. Every town on Discworld knows the stories about rats and pipers, and Maurice – a streetwise tomcat – leads a band of educated ratty friends (and a stupid kid) on a nice little earner. Piper plus rats equals lots and lots of money. Until they run across someone playing a different tune. Now he and his rats must learn a new concept: evil... When Elliot wishes upon a star, he doesn’t expect a constellation to crash into a dungheap on his family farm. The star is Virgo. She thinks she’s perfect. Elliot doesn’t. And together they release Thanatos, evil Daemon of Death … epic fail. They need the King of the Gods and his noble steed. Instead, they get a chubby Zeus and his high horse Pegasus. Are the Gods really ready to save the world? And is the world really ready for the Gods? London, 1841. A boy covered in hair, raised as a monster, condemned to life in a travelling freak show. A boy with an extraordinary power of observation and detection. A boy accused of murder; on the run; hungry for the truth. Behold the savage spectacle of Wild Boy. Ladies and Gentlemen, take your seats. The show is about to begin! Everyone tells Sophie that she was orphaned in a shipwreck – found floating in a cello case on the English Channel on her first birthday. But Sophie is convinced her mother also survived. When the Welfare Agency threatens to separate her from her guardian and send her to an orphanage, Sophie takes matters into her own hands, starting with the only clue she has – the address of a cello-maker in Paris. On the run from the authorities, Sophie finds Matteo and his network of rooftoppers – urchins who walk tightropes and live in the sky. In a race across the rooftops of Paris, will they be able to find her mother before it’s too late? Hopeful, inspiring and thrilling in equal measure, this is a classic adventure story about pursuing your dreams. A story about finding friendship when you’re lonely – and hope when all you feel is fear. Twelve-year-old Matthew is trapped in his bedroom by crippling OCD, spending most of his time staring out of his window as the inhabitants of Chestnut Close go about their business. Until the day he is the last person to see his next door neighbour’s toddler, Teddy, before he goes missing. Matthew must turn detective and unravel the mystery of Teddy’s disappearance – with the help of a brilliant cast of supporting characters. Page-turning, heartbreaking, but ultimately life-affirming. Fourteen-year-old ‘model pupil’ Davidde (his parents had trouble spelling) lives with his dad after his mother died. But when a new headteacher starts at his South Wales valleys school, Davidde is unfairly labelled a troublemaker. To the horror of his teachers, Davidde finds a new passion for motorcycle scrambling. He takes on the school bullies, but soon events threaten to overwhelm him. A novel by popular author Manon Steffan Ros, which follows Huw as he prepares his project on the Second World War during the summer holidays. Strange things happen as he begins to explore a secret relating to his grandmother’s brother in this endearing story. Tir na n-Og Award Winner 2017. Marc does not have a good relationship with his father, but all this changes for the better when they both go to France to follow the Welsh football team. This story relates to Dan and Deio and ends as Wales reaches Euro 2020. The relationship between the two is like a football game – there are spectacular highlights and heartbreaking low points. However, through football the two come to understand each other and come to appreciate that it is varied strengths and working together that creates a good team. ‘There won’t be another Tryweryn in Wales!’ A novel portraying the bravery of the people of Cwm Gwendraeth Fach as they fight to prevent their lands and homes from being drowned during the summer of 1963. A novel based on the Senghennydd coalmine tragedy of 1913 when 439 men and boys lost their lives. Cwmwl dros y Cwm is a historical novel based on the fictional experiences of 12 year old John Williams, who moves to Senghenydd with his family from north Wales as his father seeks work in the coalmines of the south. Tir na n-Og Award winner 2014.
Ghost
The Den
Beowulf
The Amazing Maurice and his educated rodents
Who Let the Gods Out?
Wild Boy
Rooftoppers
The Goldfish Boy
Sgramblo
Pluen
Fi a Joe Allen
Fi ac Aaron Ramsey
Yr Argae Haearn
Cwmwl Dros y Cwm
Year 8
Tutor-Reading-Programme-Year-8 (ID 1167)
The first episode in The Power of Five series. Matt has always known he has unusual powers. Raised in foster care, he is sent to Yorkshire on a rehabilitation programme, only to find himself in the midst of sinister goings-on. Matt investigates and uncovers a terrible secret – eight guardians are protecting the world from the Old Ones, beings banished long ago by five children. But devil worshippers want to let the Old Ones back in… What would you do if you were a professional road cyclist and, due to a run of bad injuries and loss of form, were told that your career would be over tomorrow, if you didn’t do well in one of the world’s toughest races? Welcome to the world of Daniel Williams. Daniel’s dream of being a leading professional cyclist is nearly over but, far from being worried, he believes he has the answer. The only thing he’s got to do is remember it. As the brutal Second World War stretches on with no end in sight, life for ordinary Dutch people in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands is fraught with peril and hardship. There is very little to eat and the population lives under the constant threat of arrest and enslavement. But what can a teenage girl do and how much risk is she willing to take? 1941. War is raging. And one angry boy has been sent to the city, where bombers rule the skies. There, Joseph will live with Mrs F, a gruff woman with no fondness for children. Her only loves are the rundown zoo she owns and its mighty silverback gorilla, Adonis. As the weeks pass, bonds deepen and secrets are revealed, but if the bombers set Adonis rampaging free, will either of them be able to end the life of the one thing they truly love? Lily has lots of worries. She’s struggling to compete in her fell-running races and, worse, she’s losing her gran to Alzheimer’s. But then she discovers her great-great-grandfather’s diaries from the First World War. Could his incredible story of bravery help her reconnect with her gran and even give her the inspiration she needs to push through and win? Amari Peters knows three things. Her big brother Quinton has gone missing. No one will talk about it. His mysterious job holds the secret… An evil wizard has enchanted the magical Beasts of Avantia – only a true hero can free the Beasts and stop them from destroying the land. Is Tom the hero Avantia has been waiting for? Join Tom as he braves Ferno the Fire Dragon in the first of this bestselling series … A novel for children based on events relating to the activities of Cymdeithas yr Iaith during the summer of 1969, when Prince Charles is invested at Caernarfon Castle and when the campaign for bilingual road signs gathers momentum. A humorous adventure set in the world of spying and incredible gadgets. Special Agent Alys is the Welsh Alex Ryder! A first novel by television presenter Anni Llŷn. Dan’s idea of hell is being sent to stay with his uncle Roli in Anglesey while his mother goes on a trip to Peru. But there’s a journey ahead of them both too – a journey full of drama, fear and ignorance. The journey ends with a discovery that will change Dan’s life for ever as he finds the answer to the Big Question in the most unexpected way! A gripping, original novel for young teenagers, by one of Wales’ most popular authors. A story about prejudice, friendship and comradeship among young men set against the backdrop of a community of settlers moving their caravans to Cae Rhianfa. A gripping detective novel, full of excitement and tension. This is a novel aimed at secondary school aged students – suitable for boys and girls. One of six detective novels published by CAA, written by prominent and popular Welsh authors.
Raven's Gate
Champion of Champions
Resist
When the Sky Falls
Armistice Runner
Amari
So when Amari gets an invitation to the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain this is her chance to find Quinton. But first she has to get her head around the new world of the Bureau, where mermaids, aliens and magicians are real, and her roommate is a weredragon.Byd y Bwystfilod
Paent
Asiant A
Y Cwestiwn Mawr
Mis Yr Yd
Sgwid Beynon a'r Angel
Year 9
Tutor-Reading-Programme-Year-9 (ID 1177)
Twelve-year-old Omar and his brothers and sisters were born and raised in the beautiful and bustling city of Bosra, Syria. Omar doesn't care about politics - all he wants is to grow up to become a successful businessman who will take the world by storm. But when his clever older brother, Musa, gets mixed up with some young political activists, everything changes . . . Before long, bombs are falling, people are dying, and Omar and his family have no choice but to flee their home with only what they can carry. Yet no matter how far they run, the shadow of war follows them - until they have no other choice than to attempt the dangerous journey to escape their homeland altogether. But where do you go when you can't go home? Meet Itch - an accidental, accident-prone hero. Science is his weapon. Elements are his gadgets. All-action adventure perfect for fans of Alex Rider and Young Bond. Itchingham Lofte - known as Itch - is fourteen, and loves science, especially chemistry. He's also an element-hunter: he's collecting all the elements in the periodic table. Which has some interesting and rather destructive results in his bedroom. Then, Itch makes a discovery. A new element, never seen before. At first no one believes him - but soon someone hears about the strange new rock and wants it for himself. And Itch and his family are catapulted into a breathless adventure with terrifyingly high stakes . . . They're used to ruling the school and Anton wears the crown. The other kids run away when he's about but that's the way he wants it - he's got a reputation to live up to after all. So when he gets into serious trouble at school, he doesn't really care, but his mum most definitely does. She decides it's time for Anton to make some new friends and join the Happy Campers, a local activity group. Anton would quite literally rather do anything else, especially when he finds out Matthew, the biggest loser in school, is also a member. But after Matthew unexpectedly saves Anton's life, Anton figures maybe this kid is worth a shot. Teaching him some game is the least Anton can do to repay the debt. As the boys strike up an unlikely friendship, Anton finds himself questioning everything he thought was important. Does he want ruling the school to be his crowning glory or should he set his sights on better things? An all-consuming story of revenge, redemption and dragons from the twice Carnegie Medal-winner Patrick Ness. “On a cold Sunday evening in early 1957, Sarah Dewhurst waited with her father in the parking lot of the Chevron Gas Station for the dragon he’d hired to help on the farm.” This dragon, Kazimir, has more to him than meets the eye. Sarah can’t help but be curious about him, an animal who supposedly doesn’t have a soul but is seemingly intent on keeping her safe from the brutal attentions of Deputy Sheriff Emmett Kelby. Kazimir knows something she doesn’t. He has arrived at the farm because of a prophecy. A prophecy that involves a deadly assassin, a cult of dragon worshippers, two FBI agents – and somehow, Sarah Dewhurst herself. When the doors of the lift crank open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he's not alone. He's surrounded by boys who welcome him to the Glade – a walled encampment at the centre of a bizarre and terrible stone maze. Like Thomas, the Gladers don't know why or how they came to be there – or what's happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything – even the Grievers, half-machine, half-animal horror that patrol its corridors, to try and find out ... Sixteen-year-old Ezra McAdam has much to be thankful for: trained up as an apprentice by a well-regarded London surgeon, Ezra’s knowledge of human anatomy and skill at the dissection table will secure him a trade for life. However, his world is turned on its head when a failed break-in at his master’s house sets off a strange and disturbing series of events that involves grave robbing, body switching … and murder. Sparky, persuasive young Loveday Finch, daughter of the late Mr Charles Finch, magician, employs Ezra to investigate her father’s death - and there are marked similarities between his corpse and the others. The mystery takes Ezra and Loveday from the Operating Theatre at St Bart’s to the desolate wasteland of Coldbath Fields; from the streets of Clerkenwell to the dark, damp vaults of Newgate Prison; and finally to the shadowy and forbidding Ottoman Embassy, which seems to be the key to it all… 'A queen cannot show weakness.' Angharad's world is the world of men Hywel Dda's daughter. Tenth century Britain did not give women a voice. But there is one queen who insists on being heard. Angharad's life changes completely when she is sent to live at the court of Aethelflaed, queen of Mercia. A novel about Aberystwyth and Urdd Gobaith Cymru during and after the Second World War. Two children from the Kindertransport flee Germany before the Second World War begins. The end of that journey for them is to reach their father who has been given asylum from Hitler in Aberystwyth Rosie is mad about the tv series 'Yr Estronos' and about astronauts, and when a spaceship lands in her back garden, she cannot believe her luck. This is a novel about friendship, about time-travelling, about growing up in a complex and difficult world, and about pushing the boundaries of the imagination to the extreme. Rosie is mad about the tv series 'Yr Estronos' and about astronauts, and when a spaceship lands in her back garden, she cannot believe her luck. This is a novel about friendship, about time-travelling, about growing up in a complex and difficult world, and about pushing the boundaries of the imagination to the extreme.
Welcome to Nowhere
Itch
King of Nothing
Burn
The Maze Runner
Sawbones
Dan Gysgod y Frenhines
Ffoi Rhag y Ffasgwyr
Astronot yn yr Atig
Sblash!
Year 10
Tutor-Reading-Programme-Year-10 (ID 1178)
-
Touching the Void
Touching the Void
The book behind the BAFTA award-winning film.Winner of the NCR Award for non-fiction and the Boardman Tasker award.
Touching the Void is the heart-stopping account of Joe Simpson's terrifying adventure in the Peruvian Andes. He and his climbing partner, Simon, reached the the summit of the remote Siula Grande in June 1995. A few days later, Simon staggered into Base Camp, exhausted and frost-bitten, with news that that Joe was dead.
What happened to Joe, and how the pair dealt with the psychological traumas that resulted when Simon was forced into the appalling decision to cut the rope, makes not only an epic of survival but a compelling testament of friendship.
-
One Of Us is Lying
One Of Us is Lying
The international bestselling YA thriller by acclaimed author, Karen M. McManus - NOW A MAJOR NETFLIX SERIES.
Five students walk into detention. Only four come out alive.
Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule.
Sports star Cooper only knows what he's doing in the baseball diamond.
Bad boy Nate is one misstep away from a life of crime.
Prom queen Addy is holding together the cracks in her perfect life.
And outsider Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview High, won't ever talk about any of them again.
He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online. Investigators conclude it's no accident. All of them are suspects.
Everyone has secrets, right?
What really matters is how far you'll go to protect them.
-
Legend
Legend
Legend is the much-anticipated dystopian thriller debut from US author, Marie Lu.
THE must-read dystopian thriller fiction for all teen fans of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Divergent by Veronica Roth. A brilliant re-imagining of Les Miserables, the series is set to be a global film sensation as CBS films have acquired rights to the trilogy. -
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
‘A taut, compulsively readable, elegantly plotted thriller', Guardian
The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it.
But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the crime, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn't so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth … ?
-
Chemistry
Chemistry
Fletcher was nothing more than a humble blacksmith's apprentice, when a chance encounter leads to the discovery that he has the ability to summon demons from another world. Chased from his village for a crime he did not commit, he must travel with his demon to the Vocans Academy, where the gifted are trained in the art of summoning.
The academy will put Fletcher through a gauntlet of gruelling lessons, training him as a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire's war against the savage orcs.
Fletcher will find himself caught in the middle of powerful forces, with nothing but his demon Ignatius to help him. As the pieces on the board manoeuvre for supremacy, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of an empire is in his hands ...
-
Tom
Tom
A novel about Tom, a 15-year-old boy who lives in a flat with his mother. He is friends with an 81 year old man who lives in the flat above. A harrowing novel in the genre of 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time' by a young author with a fresh, new voice. The themes include bullying, conflict, immigrants, violence and illness.
-
Llech
Llech
-
Design and Technology
Design and Technology
-
Design and Textiles
Design and Textiles
Gwenno has been killed. Perfect smile, clever, beautiful - she was popular with the swots and the cool people. Her body was found in the quarry, and now the cops are all over Bethesda, and everyone is trying to find her. But they have little hope, none of them know next to nothing about what kind of girl she really was.
-
Alaw Gobaith
Alaw Gobaith
This is a novel for teenagers about Alaw Gobaith, who mourns her father and feels that everyone and everything is against her. She suffers from the condition PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) and she tries to come to terms with this by helping on the children's wards at a local hospital and by communicating with a boy she met by chance on the ferry back from Ireland. Can he help her? Can she find her Plan B?
-
Luned Bengoch
Luned Bengoch
The setting of the novel is fifteenth century Wales - the period of Glyn Dŵr's efforts to secure freedom for Wales. Rhys and Luned want to join the campaign, but the two young people come face to face with dangers. Luned is a strong and determined character, but she has her own internal battles to fight at the same time. A classic novel for young people and adults alike.
-
O'r Tywyllwch
O'r Tywyllwch
The world has been corrupted by humans and everyone is forced to migrate from the surface to the underground city... forever.
But what does Hywyn want to do with his dog Sam, as it is not allowed to take animals into the City? And what about the secret of Meilyr, his best friend? How is it possible to deceive the authorities, with the soldiers keeping a close eye on everyone and everything?
Social Media