JULY Book Recommendations

For more than a century, The Wind in the Willows and its endearing protagonists—Mole, Water Rat, Badger, and, of course, the incorrigible Toad—have enchanted children of all ages. Whether the four friends are setting forth on an exciting adventure, engaging in a comic caper, or simply relaxing by the River Thames, their stories will surprise and captivate you.

Monkey and me,
Monkey and me,
Monkey and me,
We went to see...

A little girl and her toy monkey love imitating different animals, everything from jumping like kangaroos to waddling like penguins! Open this book and play along with them.

Can you guess what animal they are now?

Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, often known simply as Peter Pan, is a work by J.M Barrie,  in the form of a 1904 play and a 1911 novel titled Peter and Wendy, often extended in Peter Pan and Wendy. Both versions tell the story of Peter Pan a mischievous little boy who can fly, and has many adventures on the island of Neverland that is inhabited by mermaids, fairies, Native Americans and pirates. The Peter Pan stories also involve the characters Wendy Darling and her two brothers John and Michael, Peter's fairy Tinker Bell the Lost Boys and the pirate Captain Hook. The play and novel were inspired by Barrie's friendship with the Llewelyn family.

I won’t describe what I look like. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas tells the story of Bruno, a young German boy growing up during World War II. As a nine-year-old, Bruno lived in his own world of imagination. He enjoyed reading adventure stories and going on expeditions to explore the lesser-known corners of his family’s massive house in Berlin. Although his father served as an officer in Germany’s Nazi Party, Bruno understood little about his work. Nor did he understand anything about the war. Bruno’s main concerns in life were to follow the strict rules set forth by his parents and to steer clear of his older sister, Gretel. Otherwise, he enjoyed seeing the hustle and bustle of Berlin and spending time with his three best friends: Karl, Daniel, and Martin.

Darrell, the main character, begins her school life ingloriously. Determined to do well and make friends, she falls under the spell of the brilliant but mischievous Alicia Johns, neglecting her schoolwork in favour of fooling around and playing pranks on the staff.

The Secret Seven by Enid Blyton 

The Secret Seven is a story of seven cousins who come together to form a secret society. The group come together for holidays, festivities, helping the needy and to solve mysteries and crimes taking place in their village, Peterswood. Every Secret Seven member has a badge that says S.S. and a password. You can find them at their customary spot (Peter and Janet’s shed) where strategies are made, queer things are discussed and most importantly where there is always something exciting and amusing happening.

“Looking for Alaska” follows the story of Miles “Pudge” Halter, a teenager who leaves his mundane life in Florida to attend Culver Creek Preparatory School in Alabama. At Culver Creek, Pudge makes new friends and becomes infatuated with the enigmatic Alaska Young. Through a series of events, Pudge and his friends experience the ups and downs of adolescence, ultimately facing a tragic loss that forces them to confront the meaning of life and their own identities. The themes explored in the novel include the search for meaning and purpose, the complexities of human relationships, and the process of coming of age.

Emma is a novel written by English author Jane Austen. It is set in the fictional country village of Highbury and the surrounding estates of Hartfield, Randalls and Donwell Abbey, and involves the relationships among people from a small number of families.