Here at Ormiston SWB Academy, we are a community of avid readers. Our students have access not only to books from our Academy’s Library which boasts a wide range of current fiction and non-fiction titles, but also on our online virtual library – myON.
For more information on accessing myON at home, use this guide:
After reading a book on myON, or a book from the Library, students can take a quiz on Accelerated Reader to check how well they’ve understood the book.
Suggested Reading Lists:
Our Key Stage 3 students have regular reading lessons as a part of their curriculum, and we also dedicate time each week to whole school reading so that our students can share their love of reading collectively. We also encourage all our students to read as much as they can outside of lessons. As part of our Academy’s CORE Pillars, students can complete their ‘Reading Challenge’ by reading 18 books before the age of 18. See below for our Academy’s ’18 by 18’ book list:
Here are some other suggested titles and where these can be found.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Yomtov Muniz
The graphic novel of this classic Shakespeare play can be found on our school’s virtual library: myON. All students in Year 7 study this as part of their English lessons, so this book will really help to strengthen their understanding of this timeless comedy. We also have the original Shakespearean text available on myON for those wanting more of a challenge!
Get to work, Hercules! by Kate McMullan
This title can also be found on myON. This book is very popular amongst our Key Stage 3 students; it gives them a great opportunity to learn about Greek mythology in a fun and entertaining way! There is a full series of these ‘Myth-O-Mania’ books available on myON for students enjoying this.
Wonder by R.J.Palacio
This story tells the tale of Auggie, a loveable boy with a facial deformity. Reading this story will help children to empathise and understand the impact bullying can have on another student. This book is also part of our Academy’s 18 by 18 book challenge! All Year 7 students were given a copy of this book, but it can also be found in the Academy’s Library.
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
As part of their Year 9 studies, students will read this renowned play in lesson, but they also have access to the original text, as well as two graphic novel versions, on myON. Reading this play will undoubtedly support their learning in lesson, as well as give students the opportunity to enjoy the story of two star-crossed lovers that is as popular today as it was when it was written in 1597!
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
This beautiful non-fiction text written by a 13-year-old girl living under Hitler’s regime in Nazi Germany should be on everyone’s reading list. It will not only help our students deepen their understanding of WWII, but also allow them insight into the reality of living in a country at a time of war, and the experiences of those marginalized groups. This book is also part of our Academy’s 18 by 18 book challenge!
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Our students can access this Shakespearean play on myON in the form of the original text, or as a graphic novel. This text also forms part of their English GCSEs, so reading this text is going to support our Key Stage 4 students in their upcoming exams. myON also has the option to listen to these texts with audio narration, so students can listen to this as part of their revision!
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
A timeless classic that has a message for society as relevant today as it was in the Victorian era. Not only will reading this text give students a deeper understanding of Victorian society and the sufferings of the working class during this era, but it will also help to prepare them for their English GCSEs. Students can access the original text, or a graphic novel version, on myON.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Go back in time and explore 1920’s New York in Fitzgerald’s ageless novel; from extravagant parties, to prohibition, to flapper girls, this story won’t fail to grip your attention. For students also considering A Level English Language and Literature, this text is on the curriculum and will provide as a great introduction to the course. The original text can be found on myON.
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
The inspiring and incredible true story of Malala Yousafzai will not fail to amaze; a story of a girl’s fight for education will bring to light not only what a privilege it is to have an education, but also what an absolute necessity it is to bring about change. In the words of Malala: “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” Students can access the original text in the Academy’s library.