Warwick School KS3 Recommended Reads.

ACTION AND ADVENTURE

The Maze Runner Trilogy by James Dashner.

Thomas arrives by lift, in a high-walled compound called The Glade, with no memory except his first name. Each morning the doors open to allow a few ‘runners’ to desperately search for a way out. The film was released in 2014 which has helped boost the series popularity.

Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth.

Divergent is set in a world divided into five factions, whose members have unique personality traits. At the age of 16, children undertake aptitude tests to determine their faction. The film of the first book is out now on DVD.

The Everest Files by Matt Dickinson.

This tells the story of a young Sherpa on his first expedition and is a gripping adventure story. Whom can you trust on a mountain expedition? It gives readers a realistic account of climbing Everest.

The Wall by William Sutcliffe.

This will raise a lot of questions in the readers mind. It gives an account of the lives of populations living so closely together but are yet so bitterly divided.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy

The 1st wave took out half a million people. The 2nd wave even more. The 3rd wave lasted 12 weeks and 4 billion are dead, in the 4th wave you cannot trust that people are still people and as for the 5th wave….. no one knows! This is a gripping tale about an alien invasion with a likeable female heroine at the heart of the story. The film rights have been sold.

HUMOUR

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ by Sue Townsend.

Classic humour from Sue Townsend way before the ubiquitous “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”. Join Adrian on he gets to grips with his profound love for Pandora and his unforgettable Red Sock rebellion.

Half my Facebook Friends are Ferrets. J.A Buckle.

Fifteen year old Josh fantasizes about becoming a death metal guitarist complete with tattoos,piercings and hoards of adoring fans, but it’s not easy when his super strict mum won't let him grow his hair or even wear black t-shirts! Guaranteed to have you laughing from the first page.

The Giggler Treatment by Roddy Doyle

Mr Mack’s dog Rover sells its own poo to the gigglers – small creatures who take revenge on adults who treat children unfairly by making adults stop in poo!

Dark Lord: The teenage years by Jamie Thompson.

It follows the adventures of an evil Dark Lord who is banished into a pit of utter Despair and lands in a supermarket car park in the puny body of a 13 year old boy. Marvelous!

The Parent Agency by David Baddiel.

Barry Bennett hates being called Barry. In fact, it is number 2 on the list of things he blames his parents for, after number one, being boring. A funny, gripping novel.

The private blog of Joe Cowley by Ben Davis

The brilliantly funny and cringe-worthy secret blog of 14 year old Joe Cowley: (Wannabe comic artist and self-confessed repeller of Girls). The World of Norm May contain Nuts by Jonathan Meres

Norm is a 12 year old boy with two annoying younger brothers. As we follow his quest to ‘pimp his bike’ we learn why life, according to Norm is so unfair! Very funny.

Moone Boy by Chris O’Dowd.

Martin Moone is eleven and completely fed up with being the only boy in a family of girls. He’s desperate for a decent wingman to help him navigate his idiotic life. So when best mate Padraig suggests Martin gets an imaginary friend – he decides to give it a go. Very very funny. FANTASY

Noble Conflict by Malorie Blackman

A violent war has destroyed much of the world; Kaspar has grown up in a society based on love, peace and harmony, protected by Guardians. But after Kaspar has joined this elite group he begins to suspect that all is not what it seems.

Blood Red Road by Moira Young.

The ever popular trilogy, in a dark world of the future a terrifying reality show is taking place. Twelve boys and twelve girls are forced to fight like gladiators in a specially crafted arena. This is broadcast live. For the contestants there is one rule, kill or be killed.

Gone by Michael Grant

The world changes in a blink of an eye. Adults vanish without a trace and those left have to do what is necessary to survive. But, everyone’s ideas of survival are different. This book offers a portrayal of a world without rules.

The Mortal Instrument Series by Cassandra Clare.

A thousand years ago, the Angel Raziel mixed his blood with the blood of men and created the race of the Nephilim. Human-angel hybrids, they walk among us, unseen but ever- present, our invisible protectors. They call themselves Shadowhunters. Brilliant and ever popular.

ROMANCE

DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Bianca Piper knows she is not the most popular girl at school, but when school jock Wesley refers to her as DUFF the gloves are off. There is a thin line between love and hate. And so begins a frenemies relationship.

Geek Girl and Sequels by Holly Smalle .

“My name is Harriet Manners and I am a geek.”. Harriet knows many things, but she doesn’t know why many of her classmates do not appear to like her. So when she gets the chance to become a top model, she seizes the chance with often hilarious results.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobolisky. Charlie is an outsider, a typical wallflower. He gets bullied at school and prefers taking the forty minute walk home instead of the school bus. Charlie is sixteen years old and when he starts high school, his life is going to change forever.

This is a familiar set-up, don't we already know these stories where the loser turns out to be really cool and popular? This is true too for this book, but just wait and you will find so much more. This book is going to catch and surprise you every time you turn a page.

REAL LIFE

Scarlet Ibis by Gail Lewis

Scarlet lives in a flat, with her mum and little brother Red. Scarlet and Red love each other unconditionally and are very close, despite their physical differences - Scarlet is black, and Red is pale and red-haired. Scarlet will do anything to help her brother, who suffers from a very rare and special condition, which requires him to be close to birds and his irreplaceable feather collection.

Terror Kid by Benjamin Zephaniah

Rico knows trouble. He also knows to stay away from it as best as he can. Because if there's one thing his Romany background has taught him, it's that he will always be a suspect. Despite his best efforts to stay on the right side of the law, Rico is angry and frustrated at the injustices he sees happening at home and around the world. He wants to do something - but what?

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Told in the voice of Private Tommo Peaceful, the story follows twenty-four hours at the front, and captures his memories of his family and his village life – by no means as tranquil as it appeared.

Full of vivid detail and e atmosphere, leading to a dramatic and moving conclusion, Private Peaceful is both a compelling love story and a deeply moving account of the First World War.

Seven Days by Eve Ainsworth

A week can change everything. Beautiful and popular, Kez is a bully who doesn’t care who she hurts. Overweight and awkward. Jess is an easy target. But then Jess discovers someone who will stand up for her. The problem? He is Kez’s boyfriend. This book turns the bullying issue upside down.

Web of Darkness by Bali Rai

How many friends do you have online? Do you know who they really are? Lily needs someone to confide in more than ever as a spate of apparent suicides rock her school. Benedict, her new online friend is there for her. But who is Benedict really….? Topical.

GHOSTS/SUPERNATURAL

Say Her Name by James Dawson

Drip...drip...drip...In five days, she will come...Roberta 'Bobbie' Rowe is not the kind of person who believes in ghosts. A Halloween dare at her ridiculously spooky boarding school is no big deal, especially when her best friend Naya and cute local boy Caine agree to join in too. They are ordered to summon the legendary ghost of Bloody Mary: say her name five times in front of a candlelit mirror, and she shall appear...But, surprise surprise, nothing happens. Or does it? * All of James’s back catalogue is stocked in Warwick Library, all have a supernatural twist.

Lockwood and Co by Jonathan Stroud

For more than fifty years, the country has been affected by a horrifying epidemic of ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy the dangerous apparitions.

Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping for a notable career. Instead she finds herself joining the smallest most ramshackle agency in the city, run by the charismatic Anthony Lockwood. When one of their cases goes horribly wrong, Lockwood & Co. have one last chance of redemption. Unfortunately this involves spending the night in one of the most haunted houses in England, and trying to escape alive.

Zom-B series by Darren Shan

Zom-B is a radical new series about a zombie apocalypse, told in the first person by one of its victims.

Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror by Chris Priestly

Uncle Montague lives alone in a big house and his regular visits from his nephew give him the opportunity to retell some of the most frightening stories he knows.

But as the stories unfold, another even more spine-tingling narrative emerges, one that is perhaps the most frightening of all.

CLASSICS

1984 by George Orwell.

The original dystopian novel. Hidden away in the Record Department of the sprawling Ministry of Truth, Winston Smith skilfully rewrites the past to suit the needs of the Party. Yet he inwardly rebels against the totalitarian world he lives in, which demands absolute obedience and controls him through the all-seeing telescreens and the watchful eye of Big Brother. Brilliant.

The Outsiders by S.E Hinton.

Youngsters in a small Oklahoma town have split into two gangs, divided by money, tastes and attitude. The Socs' idea of having a good time is beating up Greasers like Ponyboy Curtis. Ponyboy knows what to expect and knows he can count on his brothers and friends - until the night someone takes things too far.

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

The story of orphaned Oliver Twist shocked readers when it was published. A good introduction to Dickens.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The most famous novel in English literature (arguably). The romance between Mr. Darcey and Elizabeth Bennett gets off to a rocky start but all is well that ends well. Funny.