Carnegie Shadowing Group News
The final three books in the Carnegie Shortlist demonstrate the range of content that is considered the best of the newest children’s literature. While Black Flamingo offers an...
Filter by Category
Filter by Author
The final three books in the Carnegie Shortlist demonstrate the range of content that is considered the best of the newest children’s literature. While Black Flamingo offers an...
Posted by Teresa Turton
During this lockdown period many of our usual events have understandably not been able to take place. Despite this many of our key leaders have continued to make outstanding...
Posted by Jeremy Turner
Our Year 11 students did not have the planned finish to their time of their Key Stage 3 and 4 education at Bushey Meads that we had wanted to give them but we do hope they have...
Posted by Jeremy Turner
We have had numerous messages of support from parents and carers during this challenging period in the life of our school. Although we have all experienced difficulties and know...
Posted by Jeremy Turner
It has been great to see the arts in the news for positive reasons this week. As Covid-19 caused the closure of so many live music venues and theatres, the government...
Posted by Nicholas Gray
HOLA / SALUT FROM MFL! MFL students have had lots of fun expanding their vocabulary, knowledge of grammar and cultural awareness though cookery, singing, travelling and even...
Posted by Hilarie Charles
The idiom ‘count your blessings’ seems to have been foremost in many a person’s minds over the past few weeks. Indeed, during the lockdown, there has been increased media focus on...
Posted by Claire Till
Posted by Di Mcildowie
Wolf Hall’ (2009) by Hilary Mantel Recently recommended as a lockdown read by the Independent, Wolf Hall is historical fiction set in the time of Henry VIII. It follows the king’s...
Posted by Lynn Court
Over the last 2 weeks it has been great to get back to some practical PE at Bushey Meads. Last week all KS3 students in school took part in some socially distanced PE activities...
Posted by Ashley Cartledge
The final three books in the Carnegie Shortlist demonstrate the range of content that is considered the best of the newest children’s literature. While Black Flamingo offers an insight into a teenager coming to terms with his identity, Lark is a masterpiece in ‘family ties’ and Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black is a complex tale, mirroring the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, focussing on two brother during the Blitz. Not many of our group have yet had time to read these but for those who have, the books have prompted strong responses.
Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
This is the story of Michael who is coming to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teenager. When he goes to University, he finds his voice as a drag artist. Written in verse, this is a powerful coming-of-age story exploring themes of identity, race and sexuality.
In an interview, Dean Atta describes how a sighting of a black flamingo in Cyprus, reflected how he felt out of place in his own life. This inspired him to write the book which has had mixed reviews from our shadowers. You can see the interview and hear Dean reading from his book here: https://carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/books/the-black-flamingo/
What Bushey Meads Shadowers say:
Preesha, Year 8, “enjoyed Michael’s relationship with his friend Daisy and his mother”, but felt some of the content was inappropriate for younger teenagers. Aurora, Year 7, thought that despite the mature content “it was a lovely book with interesting twists and turns, that I would happily read again”.
Giving an ‘older’ viewpoint, Jhanavi, Year 10, said “It’s a breath of fresh air to finally read something about commonly marginalized characters in society. It delves into the nuances of acceptance and personal expression in such an endearing way.”
Lark by Anthony McGowan
In this final instalment of four books about Nicky and Kenny, the brothers are waiting for a visit from their estranged mum. As tension mounts, they decide to go for a walk on the moors with their dog, Tina. They think it will be a “lark” but the weather changes and they get caught in a blizzard.
For such a short book, only 100 pages, this story makes a huge impact. The characters are realistic and believable; this final instalment give us even more insight into the bond between the two brothers and was a clear favourite with Carnegie judges..
What Bushey Meads Shadowers say:
“Lark is quite funny” “The book also sets the scene really well, it had a lot of scenery as they were on their journey! The way they express their feelings using really distinguished words was really appealing to me.” Aman, Year 8
If you’d like to read Lark, it is available from our ebook library using the Sora app.
Download the app or visit Soraapp.com enter the setup code uksecondary, find Bushey Meads School and then login with your Google account.
Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black by Marcus & Julian Sedgwick
When brothers Harry and Ellis Black become ensnared in the confusion and catastrophe caused by an air raid attack, the world around them changes. The lines between myth and reality become blurred as Harry struggles beneath the weight of grief and trauma after he wakes in hospital to the news that his brother is dead. A journey through the underworld of London ensues and parallels with the legend of Orpheus are drawn in these intertwining stories which comment on the futility and devastation of war. A beautifully illustrated book written partly in prose, partly in verse.
What Bushey Meads Shadowers say:
Avid Year 7 readers, Archie, and Imogen, were sadly underwhelmed by the book: Archie because it “didn’t grip him as much as some of the others” and Imogen because, whilst she likes books set in WWII, it wasn’t really what she expected. Both valid comments, and afterall, with so many other great books in this shortlist, they have plenty left to read!
Find out more about how the Sedgwick brothers approached this joint venture at https://carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/books/voyages-in-the-underworld-of-orpheus-black/
A definite positive ‘side-effect’ of lockdown was the valuable extra time we found for personal reading. As you will know from July’s newsletter, Mrs Turton, our...