3H Book Recommendations for the Summer Holidays – part 2
The summer holidays is the perfect time to do a lot of reading before the busyness of term 1 steals all your free time. The English mentors of 3H have specially compiled a list of books suitable for each year level for you to read. Most of the books we recommend will be readily available to be borrowed at the local library or bought on an online bookshop.
A new book recommendation for each age group will come out every week, so make sure you visit the 3H website often!
Year 3 and 4: The Tale of Despereaux – Kate DiCamillo
A brave mouse, a covetous rat, a wishful serving girl, and a princess named Pea come together in Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal winning tale. Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish.
The Tale of Despereaux is a novel that delves deep into belonging, suffering, love and hope. By switching between the perspectives of flawed, yet endearing characters, the reader can truly connect and relate to the emotive story. The book keeps a steady pace, flowing and ever compelling for those who grace its pages.
Year 5 and 6: The Kane Chronicles (series) - Rick Riordan
'I guess it started the night our dad blew up the British Museum…’
The Kane Chronicles is a 3 part series written by Rick Riordan, set in the same universe as his best selling Percy Jackson series. Set in modern times with ancient feuds to solve, these fast paced adventure books follow two young siblings determined to uncover the truth behind mysterious occurrences. Forced to contend with Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses, this series never has a dull moment.
All 3 books of ‘The Kane Chronicles’ are exciting reads, leaving the reader gasping for more after each page. The weaving of the modern world and ancient history is a fun twist on the classic adventure novel, leaving the reader wanting to learn more about ancient history while enjoying each gripping page turn of the novel.
Year 7 and 8: Six of Crows (Duology) – Leigh Bardugo
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…
This duology features a deep dive into the Grishaverse - a world composed of humans and magic bearers called Grisha. This character-driven story weaves together friendship, trust and found-family to create a captivating plot which leaves the reader biting their tongue. Each character has their own special story to tell, and as their lives, dreams, and hopes merge into one, they soon realise it is the friends you make through hardship and the people you meet when the world seems to crumble down that truly matters in the end.
