Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services

Tag: Books

  • Must Read Booklist 2014

    Must Read Booklist 2014

    MustRead2014Banner40 of the best new books for your primary school Library

    The Must Read Booklist is our annual selection of the best fiction for primary schools chosen by librarians from the Schools Library Service and primary and secondary schools.
    Titles from the Teen and Primary lists will be chosen for the Book Award Shortlist in July. Don’t forget to register for this event!
    The booklist represents a selection of the best new fiction first published in paperback within the last year, and aims to cover as diverse a range of subjects, genres, authors and interests as possible.
    A set of posters and bookmarks for the booklist will be sent to all subscribing primary schools in early May.
    Please contact the library for any further information about the booklist or to request more posters/ bookmarks (where available)
    View the full list
    • Alexander, William
    		 Goblin Secrets When Rownie encounters a troupe of goblins who are daring to perform a play – an activity severely outlawed – he is convinced they can help him find his lost brother.
    • Almond, David
    		 The Boy Who Swam With Piranhas Stanley Potts is just an ordinary boy, but when all the jobs in Fish Quay disappear, he runs away with the fair. He finally has a chance to shine, but will he have the courage to dive into the piranha tank and discover who he can really be?
    • Almond, David
    		 Mouse, Bird, Snake, Wolf Long ago, the gods created a wonderful world, but they became lazy – they didn’t finish what they had started. Harry Sue and little Ben decide to fill the empty spaces with creations of their own and their creations are more powerful than they or the gods could ever have imagined.
    • Avery, Tom
    		 In Too Deep Prince and Emanuel are suspicious when a woman claiming to be their mother turns up, and when they find out their father being blackmailed by gangsters in Tanzania, they decide it is time to take matters into their own hands
    • Bowler, Tim
    		 Sea of Whispers Hetty sees pictures in the sea glass that she collects on Mora’s beaches, her remote island home. After a fearful storm, a strange woman is washed up on the shore. Is this the person that Hetty sees in the sea glass? But the stranger brings disaster and Hetty must decide to leave her island home for ever.
    • Caldecott, Elen
    		 The Great Ice-Cream Heist The McIntyre family next door are noisy and argumentative but Eva is intrigued by Jamie who sits on the shed roof to escape the chaos. When Jamie is accused of vandalising the local park, Eva rushes to his aid with the help of a local ice cream van. A funny adventure about sticking up for your friends.
    • Cole, Steve
    		 Magic Ink 12-year-old Stewart Penders loves comics. Granddad, a great comic book artist has just died, and when his family move into his house, strange things start to happen. When Stew starts drawing with a mysterious pot of ink, his artwork springs into life – and so begins a hilarious adventure.
    • Cossanteli, Veronic
    		 The Extincts George loves to help at Wormestall Farm, even though it’s full of extinctly scary creatures. When Mortifer the giant basilisk goes missing, it’s up to George to find him before wicked taxidermist Diamond Pye can add to her stuffed animal collection …
    • Creech, Sharon
    		 The Great Unexpected Naomi and Lizzie are both orphans and live in the same little town in America. Curious events start to unfold when they meet a strangely charming new boy, Finn, who changes their world forever.
    • Davies, Nicola
    		 Whale boy When a terrible storm wrecks his home and his dreams of owning his own boat, Michael is forced to take a job working for a rich, mysterious newcomer named Spargo. But on the plus side, the job brings Michael into contact with whales….
    • Diamand, Emily
    		 Ways to see a ghost Isis is the daughter of a fake psychic, but unlike her mother, she really can see ghosts, and the ghosts she can see are putting everyone in danger….
    • Gardner, Sally
    		 The Vanishing of Billy Buckle The famous fairy detective agency, Wings and Co, has a big problem. The giant Billy Buckle is missing and his daughter Primrose is desperate to find him. There’s also the small case of a murder and a missing diamond to keep the team busy – nothing is ever quiet for Emily, Buster and Fidget!
    • Goodhart, Pippa
    		 Finding Fortune When Ida’s mother dies, she is left in the care of her beloved Fa. But Fa plans to travel to the Klondike in search of gold and Ida must find a way to go with him. The long hard journey will test them to the limit but will help them build the future together.
    • Hartley, Steve
    		 Oliver Fibbs: Attack of the Alien Brain Oliver has been telling the class about his adventures as a Defender of Planet Earth – battling against the evil Alien Brain Drain who wants to take over the world. Everyone loved it except Miss Wilkins, who gave him a detention for telling fibs. He keeps telling them – THEY’RE NOT FIBS, THEY’RE STORIES!
    • Hussey, William
    		 The Nightmare Eater Imagine what happens when your very worst fears come true! That’s what happens to Tomasz when he visits the fairground.
    • Jones, Rob Lloyd
    		 Wild Boy London, 1841. Behold the savage spectacle of Wild Boy. A boy covered in hair, raised as a monster, condemned to life in a travelling freak show. He’s a boy accused of murder; on the run; hungry for the truth. Ladies and Gentlemen, take your seats. The show is about to begin!
    • Kemp, Ann
    		 The Great Brain Robbery Frankie and his pals are trying to save the world from another diabolical scheme by the evil Dr Gore. This time he’s planning to control the minds of children everywhere using his army of robot toys! Can Frankie and his friends stop him before it’s too late?
    • Kessler, Liz
    		 North of Nowhere The sleepy seaside village of Porthaven hides a mystery. Mia’s granddad has vanished and nobody knows why. Mia makes friends with a local girl Dee through her diary but never seems to be able to meet her. Can Mia solve the mystery and find her granddad in time?
    • LaFleur, Suzanne M.
    		 Listening for Lucca Siena’s younger brother Lucca hasn’t spoken for over a year. When the family move to Maine their new home feels hauntingly familiar and Siena starts to experience flashes from the past about the family who used to live there. Can the secrets of the past help Siena break her brother’s silence?
    • Lee, Julia
    		 The Mysterious Misadventures of Clemency Wrigglesworth Clemency is an orphan and alone in the world when she arrives in Southampton from India. Clemency sets out to find her rich relatives with the help of the marvellous Marvels and what happens next is fast and furious adventure.
    • Lewis, Gill
    		 Moon Bear Tam’s life is turned around when his family is moved from their mountain and he is sent to the city to work on a bear farm. Tam learns the horrors of bear farming but builds a close relationship with one young bear and the story tells of their struggle to get away from the city and back to their families.
    • Lowery, Mark
    		 Pants Are Everything : … When You’re Definitely NOT a Nudist A date with the girl of Michael’s dreams ends with him a) getting arrested, b) becoming a local celebrity and c) becoming an internet sensation BECAUSE THEY THINK HE’S A NUDIST. (He isn’t.) Michael is swept up in a sequence of uncontrollable events that will RUIN HIS LIFE. Again.
    • McCaughrean, Geraldine
    		 The Positively Last Performance Gracie moves to the seaside with her parents who want to take over the shuttered and decaying Royal Theatre, which comes complete with a motley collection of ghosts that only Gracie can see. The old theatre is under threat, can Gracie and her friends be able to save it from being burnt down?
    • McKay, Hilary
    		 Caddy’s World The Casson Family saga begins when Caddy is twelve, and Rose just a baby. The Casson family is eccentric, but lovable, and this warm and humorous story describes the trials and tribulations of growing up and family life.
    • Mitchelhill, Barbara
    		 A Twist of Fortune When Pa goes off to America and Ma dies, the Pargeter children find themselves in dangerous Victorian London with a strange aunt and uncle. But this is only the start of the twists and turns their lives will take as Sam, Eliza and Alfie set out in search of a rich grandfather they have never known . . .
    • Morgan, Gaby
    		 Poems of the First World War A new collection to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.
    • Poskitt, Kjartan
    		 Agatha Parrot and the Thirteenth Chicken Agatha Parrot and her friends are up to mischief again. A new term starts at Odd Street School and they have some newly hatched chicks to look after, but one disappears. Panic! Where could he be?
    • Preller, James
    		 Home Sweet Horror Liam’s family have moved into a run-down old house in a new town, but it is not as empty as they think, and Bloody Mary is just dying to get to them….
    • Prue, Sally
    		 Song Hunter The future of Mica’s Neanderthal clan is uncertain as the weather gets colder and the mammoths get fewer. Mica is full of new ideas to help them survive but they are stubborn and want to cling to the old ways. Then she makes an extraordinary discovery and sets out with her childhood friend to find a better life.
    • Reeve, Philip
    		 Oliver and the Seawigs Oliver has grown up in a family of explorers but when he has to rescue his parents he begins a big adventure all of his own. But before he can put his rescue plan into action there’s the evil Stacey de Lacey and an army of pesky sea monkeys to contend with.
    • Riddell, Chris
    		 Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse Ada Goth lives in Ghastly-Gorm Hall with her strange father, Lord Goth, numerous ghosts and an array of servants. One night everything changes when Ada meets the ghost of a mouse called Ishmael. There’s trouble afoot, and he and Ada are the only ones who can solve the mystery.
    • Rundell, Katherine
    		 Rooftoppers When baby Sophie is rescued from a shipwreck, everyone assumes she is an orphan. But Sophie is convinced that her mother survived and sets out to find her in an exciting race against the authorities across the rooftops of Paris. Will she find her mother before it’s too late?
    • Sedgwick, Marcus
    		 Dread Desert Elf Girl and Raven Boy are hot and bothered in the desert as they battle to save the world from the wicked Goblin King
    • Shaw, Hannah
    		 Stan Stinky Stan Pipe Stinky has to come to the rescue when Uncle Ratts and his sidekick Roachy disappear up a u-bend into the terrifying unknown …a HUMAN HOUSE.
    • Silberberg, Alan
    		 Cartoon Kings Wouldn’t it be cool if you had a magic pen and all your cartoons come to life? That’s just what happened to Craz and Matt, but beware, mistakes cannot easily be rubbed out!
    • Smith, Dan
    		 My Friend the Enemy It’s 1941 and a German plane crashes near Peter’s home – but what can Peter do to help the injured pilot he finds trapped inside?
    • Sparkes, Ali
    		 Out of this World The glowing lump of metal that Ty finds in the woods seem to give him amazing powers, but problems start when those powers attract the attention of sinister agents intent on capturing him.
    • Stead, Rebecca
    		 Liar & Spy When Georges moves into a new apartment block he joins the Spy Club and becomes a trainee spy for twelve year old Safer, spying on the mysterious Mr X who lives in the flat upstairs. But how far do you go for your new friend. What is a game and what is a lie?
    • Torday, Piers
    		 The Last Wild In a world where few animals have survived, twelve-year-old Kester Jaynes is extraordinary… he can hear animals talk to him. They need his help and pigeons fly Kester to a wild place where the last creatures in the land have survived. Together they must embark on a great journey to save the animals.
    • Wilson, Anna
    		 I’m a Chicken, Get Me Out of Here! Titch the Chicken finds herself in the chaotic and wacky household of Wilf and his menagerie of pets – and wants out… but when danger threatens, can she leave without helping the others?
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  • THe Teen List 2014

    THe Teen List 2014

    TheList2014banner40 of the best new books for your collection.

    The Teenage Booklist is selected annually by librarians from the Schools Library Service and secondary schools.

    Titles from the Teen and Primary lists will be chosen for the Book Award Shortlist in July. Remember to let us know if you want to participate!

    The list represents a selection of the best new fiction first published in paperback within the last year, and aims to cover as diverse a range of subjects, genres, authors and interests as possible.

    Posters and bookmarks will be sent to subscribing secondary schools from May.

    Please contact the library for more information on the Teen List or to request additional posters or bookmarks (where available).

    View the full list
    • Barroux
    		 Line of Fire: Diary of an Unknown Soldier (August, September 1914) A moving personal account of the First World War, beautifully illustrated.
    • Blaxill, Gina
    		 Saving Silence A gripping thriller set in the East End of London – Sam’s life is in danger, but who can she trust?
    • Brahmachari, Sita
    		 Kite Spirit Coming to terms with a best friend’s suicide is hard indeed. Kite’s spirit has been broken – will it ever mend?
    • Brooks, Kevin
    		 The Bunker Diary Why is Linus in a building with no doors and windows? The only way in or out seems to be a lift, and if it’s moving, who is in it?
    • Bryce, Celia
    		 Anthem for Jackson Dawes In hospital for the first time for treatment for her brain tumour, Megan finds funny, cute, rebellious Jackson Dawes there already, keen to show her the ropes
    • Melvin, Burgess
    		 The Hit A new drug is going around – Death. It gives you a huge rush for a week, and then it kills you. Adam’s life is rubbish, so why not take it? Not for the faint-hearted!
    • Cassidy, Anne
    		 Finding Jennifer Jones Sequel to “looking for JJ”, the guilt Jennifer carries inside her cannot be masked by her new name and new identity as a university student, so even if she can avoid the media, can she come to terms with herself?
    • Charlton-Trujillo, E.E
    		 Fat Angie The new girl, KC, is beautiful, hip and smart and everyone wants to know her, so what does she want with overweight and messed-up Fat Angie?
    • Christopher, Lucy
    		 The Killing Woods A murdered girl, a world war two bunker, a crazy night – what happened to Aimee? Damon and Emily must piece together the evidence if Emily’s dad is to avoid conviction for murder
    • Coley, Liz
    		 Pretty Girl Thirteen Angie is amazed to learn that she has been missing for three years – she can’t remember anything – but someone else can…
    • Crockett, S. D. (Sophie D.)
    		 One Crow Alone Magda and Ivan, illegal immigrants from Poland, need all their cunning and know-how to survive in an unwelcoming and hostile London
    • Cross, Gillian
    		 After Tomorrow Banks have failed, food prices are rocketing, there’s no money. Armed robbers are targeting anyone who is hoarding food, so Matt and his family realise that their only option is to get through the Channel Tunnel and seek refuge on the continent – but can they cope with life as refugees?
    • Doherty, Berlie
    		 The Company of Ghosts Footsteps, shadows strange lights, a haunting song: more and more Emily realises she is not alone on this beautiful island
    • Earle, Phil
    		 Heroic When Jammy comes home on leave from the war in Afghanistan, his experiences have scarred him. His brother, Sonny, left behind on the housing estate of their boyhood home, is the only one who can see that there’s something wrong
    • Flood, C. J.
    		 Infinite Sky Iris is curious about a group of travellers that arrive and, despite the things her alcoholic dad and always-angry brother say about them, makes friends with Trick. But it’s only so long before tensions build up between Iris’s family and the travellers that threatens to destroy everyone
    • Gardner, Sally
    		 Maggot Moon A boy with one green eye and one blue eye has no chance of staying out of trouble in a world where conformity is paramount – but there is more originality in Standish than just his eyes
    • Gibbons, Alan
    		 Raining Fire Sport or crime – the two choices most people have on the estate where Alex and Ethan live. Ethan gets the opportunity to leave for football training, but where does that leave Alex?
    • Grant, Neil
    		 The Ink Bridge Omed makes the perilous journey from Afghanistan to Australia to seek asylum from the Taliban and the horrors he has witnessed, and meets Hector, silenced by grief, at the candle factory where they both work, but other secrets are lurking.
    • Green, John
    		 The Fault in Our Stars Hazel’s cancer has never been anything other than terminal, but her life is further turned upside-down by the arrival of the gorgeous Augustus and their crossing paths with a reclusive Dutch author…
    • Herne, Lily
    		 Deadlands Cape Town, South Africa. First there was the apocalypse, then the remaining humans found themselves penned in and protected from the zombies – but who are their mysterious guardians?
    • Hiaasen, Carl
    		 Chomp Wahoo’s lost in the everglades, with alligators, snakes, bats and a crazy survival TV show star for company, not to mention a gun-toting father looking for his runaway daughter…
    • Hooper, Mary
    		 The Disgrace of Kitty Grey Regency England. Sent on an errand to London, Kitty takes the opportunity to search for her missing sweetheart. Out of her depth in the city, she is at the mercy of both the criminals and justice system.
    • Hussey, William
    		 Haunted Someone in the town of Milton Lake is using the Ghost Machine to call the spirits of the dead back to our world. Only Emma and the mysterious Nicholas can find out who is coming…
    • Johnson, Catherine
    		 Sawbones It’s 1792 and the illegal trade in dead bodies to doctors and dissection tables has never been more profitable, but are the corpses piling up a little too regularly…
    • Kuehn, Stephanie
    		 Charm and Strange Andrew Winston Winters is his own mystery. Is he Win, a self-exiled loner. Or is he Drew, with anger, violence and a secret that is destroying both of them.
    • Levithan, David
    		 Every day Every day I wake up as someone else. New body. New life. After 16 years I’ve got used to it. Usually I don’t make any waves, but now I’ve met someone I want to be with for more than one day.
    • Lott, Tim
    		 How to be invisible Strato Nyman, age 13, has learned to become invisible. He already knows more about particle physics than any teacher, but now he’s about to learn a bit more about the people around him.
    • McDowell, Nigel
    		 Tall Tales from Pitch End Pitch end is a brooding town of one-footed ravens and clockwork sentries. But it’s Bruno’s home and he knows his place, or at least he did until he discovers a book belonging to his murdered father.
    • McGowan, Anthony
    		 Brock Nicky’s mum has gone and his dad is on bail. One night his brother drags him out to witness a local gang setting their dogs on a family of badgers. Appalled, Nicky makes a decision that will change all of their lives.
    • McKenzie, Sophie
    		 Missing Me Madison and Lauren learn that their biological father was an anonymous sperm donor and set out to track him down. Her search bears fruit sooner than she expects, but is the father she discovers all he seems?
    • Motion, Andrew
    		 Silver:Rreturn to Treasure Island Young Jim Hawkins has grown up listening to his father’s tales of Treasure Island, but he is unprepared to be summoned to London by the infamous Long John Silver, to accompany his daughter Natty and return to claim the rest of Flint’s lost treasure…
    • Nicholls, Sally
    		 Close Your Pretty Eyes Olivia knows that she is evil; she’s had fifteen homes already so of course nobody wants her. So as soon as sets foot in the next one she knows that something bad is going to happen.
    • Nowra, Louis
    		 Into That Forest Stranded in the forest, Hannah and Becky come to love their life with the tigers – so why do the men want to take them away?
    • Pitcher, Annabel
    		 Ketchup Clouds Zoe writes letters to a death row prisoner, slowly revealing the sequence of events that led up to the terrible act she believes she has committed.
    • Pratchett, Terry
    		 Dodger Dodger is a scavenger living in squalor in Dickensian London, but he knows the ropes and knows how not to get caught – but when he rescues a young girl from being beaten, he suddenly has to learn new tricks…
    • Schneider, Robyn
    		 Severed Heads, Broken Hearts Ezra’s perfect life and athletic ambitions are shattered when a reckless driver mows him down. Struggling to come to terms with what has happened, he thinks things can’t get any worse –or can they?
    • Sedgwick, Marcus
    		 Dark Satanic Mills Framed for a murder she did not commit, Christie has to run for her life. Set in a near-future Britain, her journey takes from the flooded landmarks of London to the vast, scorched and abandoned hills of the north.
    • Smale, Holly
    		 Geek Girl / Geek Girl Model Misfit Two stories about Geeky Harriet, who knows a lot about a lot of things and can’t work out why people don’t like her. The one thing she doesn’t know is how to handle boys….
    • Terry, Teri
    		 Slated Kyla’s mind has been wiped – the government say she has been given a second chance after her life as a terrorist, but the truth lurks tantalisingly out of reach… first book in a trilogy.
    • Whyman, Matt
    		 The Savages Apart from the fact that they are cannibals, the Savages are an ordinary loving family, but for Sasha to have a boyfriend who is vegetarian…. Well, no-one can quite understand it!
    [associated_posts]
  • Tower Hamlets Book Award 2013

    Tower Hamlets Book Award 2013

    Latest for the Book Award

    [associated_posts]

    About the 2013 Award

    It’s that time again where we prepare for the new Tower Hamlets Book Award. This is our 7th year of running this successful event for Tower Hamlets primary and secondary schools.

    The shortlist for the award will be drawn in July from the Teen and Primary booklists in time for the Summer Reading Challenge

    The booklists are an opportunity to start reading groups around some of the best new fiction for the year.

    Don’t forget that you can arrange author, illustrator or storyteller visits to get your school enthused about reading, writing and being creative.

    Book Awards and reading help raise achievement in literacy, and are great fun as well, so what are you waiting for?

    How to take part

    Posters for the Primary Booklist will be sent to all primary schools in early May. The booklist is aimed at pupils in Key Stage 2.

    Posters for the Teen Booklist will be sent to subscribing secondary schools in late April/ ealy May. The teen list is aimed at Key Stages 3 and 4.

    The Book Award is aimed at years 5, 6, 7 and 8 and encourages children to continue using their school libraries during their transition between year groups/ schools. Schools and librarians will vote on the shortlist of 6 to 8 books from both Teen and Primary lists in July.

    Between September and November participating schools take part in reading groups and activities based around the shortlist and vote for the winning book in time for the Grand Finale

  • The Must Read Booklist 2013

    The Must Read Booklist 2013

    MustRead2013Banner40 of the best new books for your primary school Library
    The Primary Booklist is our new annual selection of fiction by librarians from the Schools Library Service and primary and secondary schools.
    Titles from the Teen and Primary lists will be chosen for the Book Award Shortlist in July. Don’t forget to register for this event!
    The booklist represents a selection of the best new fiction first published in paperback this year, and aims to cover as diverse a range of subjects, genres, authors and interests as possible.
    A set of posters for the booklist will be sent to all subscribing primary schools in early May.
    Download the full booklist: Must Read Booklet 2013 (.pdf)

    Tel: 020 7364 6428 email: schoolslibraryservices@towerhamlets.gov.uk for more information.

    Must Read 2013 and THe List posters and booklet based on a design by Shahi Ibtesam, Sir John Cass Foundation and Redcoat Secondary School

    Other Must Read booklists

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  • Teen Booklist : THe List 2013

    Teen Booklist : THe List 2013

    TheList2013banner40 of the best new books for your collection.

    The Teenage Booklist is selected annually by librarians from the Schools Library Service and secondary schools.

    Titles from the Teen and Primary lists will be chosen for the Book Award Shortlist in July. Remember to let us know if you want to participate!

    The list represents a selection of the best new fiction first published in paperback this year, and aims to cover as diverse a range of subjects, genres, authors and interests as possible.

    Posters and booklets will be sent to subscribing secondary schools from the end of April.

    Download the .pdf booklet of the full booklist : THe List 2013 Booklet

    Tel: 020 7364 6428 email: schoolslibraryservices@towerhamlets.gov.uk for more information.
    Must Read 2013 and THe List 2013 posters and booklet based on a design by Shahi Ibtesam, Sir John Cass Foundation and Redcoat Secondary School

    Other Teen booklists

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  • Book Buying and Cataloguing

    Book Buying and Cataloguing

    School2Book Buying

    A good school library needs to be regularly replenished with new books to excite the children and old and out-of date books need to be removed.  Starting with an audit of what you already have, our librarians can help you buy books to:

    • support your school’s curriculum
    • Meet OFSTED and inspection targets
    • support literacy schemes and Accelerated Reader
    • address gaps in the current collection
    • promote race, gender, disability, LGBT, age and class equality
    • Support Philosophy for Children
    • provide for children with special educational needs
    • support the Global Dimension and Black Perspectives in the curriculum
    • support healthy schools, anti-bullying, road safety and other initiatives

    We can buy books on your behalf, or accompany you to a library supplier showroom to select books – usually at 10 – 20% discount or more.

    We recommend using the processing service (book jackets, school stamp and spine labels) that most large library suppliers offer for a small additional fee.  In order to make the most of this service, our librarians will classify the stock as it is selected so that the library supplier can put the correct spine label (colour and number) on each book.

    Cataloguing your collection

    Our professional librarians will catalogue your new and/or existing books using your school cataloguing software.

    An accurate library catalogue will help:

    • Track pupil borrowing and reading patterns
    • Help you monitor reading attainment
    • Keep track of your book collection

    Why use our cataloguing service?

    A team of qualified librarians is the best choice for cataloguing your library.

    • Accurate and comprehensive data entry
    • Services, including custom key wording of all books and use of YOUR school classification schedule
    • Ongoing stock auditing process
    • Competitive prices
    • We will catalogue on-site OR can catalogue books at our library (no additional charge for transit)
    • Book processing (labelling, stamping, etc) services included
    • All books will be sorted and shelved at the end of the cataloguing process.

    Call us on 020 7364 6428 or use our contact form to get in touch about this service

    You may also be interested in:

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  • eBook platform and ‘The Day’ Newspaper

    eBook platform and ‘The Day’ Newspaper

    eResources banner

    Schools Library Services eBooks platform

    Now searchable by Accelerated Reader levels!

    All subscribing schools can use our eBook lending service.  To receive logins to your accounts, please contact the schools library service. Following the link will allow you to view our eBook stock.

    We are now part of the London Schools Library Services eBook consortium, meaning that schools have access to an even wider range of eBooks.

    Why use our platform?

    • eBook platforms are expensive for schools to set up. Why not use a ready made platform that comes as part of your subscription to our service?
    • No annual running costs or minimum spend requirements on new books
    • No admin worries. Send us your reader data and we will upload it
    • Books selected for their suitability for primary and secondary schools

    Access to the platform at no additional cost is available to:

    • Primary schools with a whole-school subscription to the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Services (e.g. Silver or Gold lending package)
    • Secondary schools subscribing to the current creative literature package

    Other schools may pay an additional subscription for the eBooks package

    About the ePlatform

    Provided via the Wheelers platform, the current collection comprises of popular fiction for ages 9/10 and upwards, many chosen from previous years’ Teen Booklists and Must Reads booklists.

    • The platform is intended for staff and pupils to have direct access to the collection as a 24/7 library
    • The age range of the books is for primary school year 5 up to sixth form
    • Books unsuitable for younger readers are age restricted*
    • Teachers and librarians can use the collection to keep up-to-date with new children’s and young adult fiction.
    • Up to 2 eBooks can be borrowed at a time
    • eBooks are ‘loaned’ for 2 weeks at a time
    • Books can be read online on a PC or downloaded to an eBook reader or any tablet.  Please note that Kindle readers are not compatible, but Kindle Fire tablets are
    • Borrowing and downloading support is available on the platform site

    Teachers interested in using the platform with their school should contact Jacob Turner at the Schools Library Service.

    jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk

    020 7364 6428

    *Age restrictions are applied by librarians at the schools library services managing the eBooks platforms. Restrictions are based purely on our own judgement and may not be in line with your own views.

    How to start using the platform

    1. Browse the collection and make a decision as to how you wish to use it in your school. Do you want all pupils and staff to have access, or are you going to use it to support smaller reading groups?
    2. Register your staff and pupil users. Email the completed login template for eBooks platform to jacob.turner@towerhamlets.gov.uk
    3. We will contact you to go over essential details about using the platform
    4. Start reading!

    Advice and support

    Advice on how to implement eBooks and eResources in your school, including:

    • Free user groups each term-time Monday
    • Choosing an appropriate platform
    • Inclusion and support, including looking at special educational needs
    • How eBooks can be used in the classroom
    • Legal and copyright questions answered!

    Other eResources

    The Day – daily news service

    Available at a discounted rate via consortium membership