Key Stage 4 – Recommended Reading List

The Perks of Beinng a Wallflower

A shy, introverted teenager living with tragedy in his past life comes out of his shell with the help of new friends at his school.

Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie is attempting to navigate through the uncharted territory of high school. The world of first dates and mixed tapes, family dramas and new friends. The world of sex, drugs, and music – when all one requires to feel infinite is that perfect song on that perfect drive. Standing on the fringes of life Charlie has a unique perspective of the world around him, but there comes a time to stop being a wallflower and see what it looks like from the dance floor.

This haunting novel about the dilemma of passivity vs. passion has become a modern classic. Charlie’s letters are singular and unique, hilarious and devastating and through Charlie, Stephen Chbosky has created a deeply affecting story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller coaster days known as growing up.

Dreamless

Lucas cuts all ties with Helen in the belief that it will help her complete her task in Hell.

Tasked with descending to the underworld and killing the Furies, Helen must endure hellish torture whenever she goes to sleep. She wanders around the various levels of hell with no idea how to complete her task, and she’s beginning to suffer from extreme exhaustion.

Although she still trains with the Delos clan, Helen and Lucas are coming to terms with the fact that they cannot be together. Lucas believes that the only way Helen will complete her quest is if he leaves her alone completely, so he tells her he doesn’t want to see her again and that he never loved her.

Distraught, Helen carries on with her mission, and for the first time meets another person down in the shadowy underworld: Orion, descended from Adonis and with the power to control desire, he is the heir to the house of Rome and an outcast. He’s also kind of hot.

Confused by her conflicting emotions but glad to have an ally in hell, Helen begins to realize the enormity of her task…

Ace of Spades

Hello, Niveue High.  It’s me.  Who am I?  That’s not important.  All you need to know is…. i’m here to divide and conquer – Aces.

Welcome to Niveus Private Academy, where money paves the hallways, and the students are never less than perfect.

Until now.

Because anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light.  Talented musician Devon buries himself in rehersals, but he can’t escape the spotlight, when his private photos go public.  Head girl Chiamaka isn’t afraid to get what she wants, but soon everyone will know the price she has paid for power.  Someone is out to get them both. Someone who holds all the aces.  And they’re planning much more than a high-school game…

A complelling, incendiary, and unputdownable  thriller with a schocking twist, Faridah Abike-lymide delves deep into the heart of instituionalised racism with this complusive debut.

Please click here for more recommended reading for Year 10

Please click here for more recommended reading for Year 11