Witch Child. By Celia Rees. Bloomsbury Children’s Books, pound;5.99.
A compelling novel for KS3, set in 17th-century England and America. Mary, grand-daughter of a woman hung as a witch, flees from England with a group of Puritans. The twist is that Mary is indeed a witch and proud of it.
Zlata’s Diary. By Zlata Filipovic. Puffin Books, pound;4.99
Zlata, a 10-year-old living in Sarajevo, began her diary in 1991, recording everyday details of life - friendships, pop idols, schoolwork, and fashion. With the start of the Bosnian war, the diary documents the destruction of a normal childhood. Though often gruelling, the direct, engaging voice makes this a good choice for KS3.
The Diary of Captain Scott. The Non-Fiction Book. (EMC KS3 English Series), pound;9.95 Available from NATE Tel: 0114 255 5419
Available in extract form in many non-fiction anthologies for schools, and is an ideal short text to teach for KS3. The Non-Fiction Book offers detailed classroom activities.
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging. By Louise Rennison. Harpertempest, pound;4.99
A really popular choice for personal reading at KS3 and 4, for girls (or for boys reading over their shoulder). The title says it all - boys, sex, periods, homework - explored with humour and a light touch. Bridget Jones for 14-year-olds.
My Tudor Queen: The Diary of Eva Puebla, London 1501-1513. By Alison Prince. Scholastic Hippo, pound;4.99.
An historical novel set in 1501, when 16-year-old Eva travels from Spain to England as lady-in-waiting to Catherine of Aragon, bride of the future king. A story combining romance and intrigue at the court of Henry VIII.
The Diary of Anne Frank. By Anne Frank. Penguin Books, pound;6.99
An obvious choice but that doesn’t make it any less valid. Powerful, moving and important as ever. Older pupils might want to pair it with other texts about the Holocaust.
The Color Purple. By Alice Walker. The Women’s Press, pound;6.99
Alice Walker’s ground-breaking novel about Celie, an oppressed black woman in the Deep South, who discovers a stronger identity. Though currently set at A-level, it has always been a popular text for wider reading at KS4.
Fever Pitch. By Nick Hornby. Penguin Books, pound;6.99
A diary of sorts - each entry is dated - though the style is more a general exploration of ideas, attitudes and experiences, rather than a typical diary. It’s not all jokes and anecdotes, so perhaps is best taught through substantial extracts.
Bridget Jones’s Diary. By Helen Fielding. Picador, pound;6.99
What more can one say? A popular choice for personal reading, especially given the hype around the recent highly successful film.
Go Ask Alice. Anonymous. Arrow, pound;5.99
The harrowing, true story of a teenage girl, whose drug-taking leads to her descent into a world of sex and self-destruction. Read avidly by older pupils as private reading but also of interest for PHSE.
Iand, of course, not to forget
The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole. By Sue Townsend. Mandarin, pound;7.99
and its offshoots.
Barbara Bleiman
Barbara Bleiman works at the English and Media Centre, Islington, London, and is co-author of the EMC KS3 English Series
