Frederick's Reading List

The following are books that you may wish to read during the vacation. The list contains fiction and non-fiction, and books of different levels of difficulty. All were written for native-English speakers and are not simplified.

Reading is a skill and needs practice. Try to read something in English as often as you can. Choose a book that interests you and that is easy to read. If you enjoy reading and find it easy you will want to read more.

Before buying or borrowing a book you should: 1) read the front and back of the cover, 2) open the book and read one or two paragraphs. Ask yourself: 1) Does the book sound interesting? 2) Is it easy to read?

NON-FICTION

Education Closely Observed Children. M Armstrong. Child centred learning in school. A teacher’s school diary Religion The Buddhist Religion: A Historical Introduction. R Robinson. Slender and readable introduction. The Hindu World. P Bahree. The cultural context of Hinduism. Very readable. What Everyone Should Know About Islam and Muslims. S Haneef. A readable reference to Islam. Philosophy Philosophy and the Meaning of Life. K Britton. A readable introduction for the beginner. Politics In Defence of Politics. B Crick. A readable description of the political process. Biography/Autobiography The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs. A Sachs. Solitary confinement in a South African prison. Gandhi: The Traditional Roots of Charisma. S Rudolph & L Rudolph. A great figure of the 20th century. Tuesdays with Morrie: an old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson. Mitch Albom. The Goshawk. T S White. One man’s attempt to train a hawk. Beautifully written and easy reading. Japan The Roads to Sata: A 2000-mile Walk Through Japan. A Booth. 281 pages. Brrrm! Brrrm! C James. Funny but serious attempt to understand Japanese culture and difference. Economics/Business History of Economic Thought. W J Butler. Guide to changes in economic thought and policy. How the Other Half Dies – The Real Reasons for World Hunger. S George. The Arts How to Look at Modern Art. P Yenawine. Explore your reactions to modern artists. Introductory text. Romantic Music. L Plantings. Readable introduction to 19th C music. We Called It Music. E Condon. A funny and insightful view of jazz before World War II. Revolution in the Head: The Beatles’ Music and the Sixties. I MacDonald. Analysis of Beatles’ songs. Science and Technology Asimov’s Guide to Science. I Asimov. Basic principles of the physical and biological sciences. Relativity for the Layman. J A Coleman. Classic of popular science. Readable. Heavenly Bodies: Beginner’s Guide to Astronomy. I Nicolson. A simple outline. 1001 Ways to Save the Planet. B Vallely. A practical guide to a cleaner environment. Travel/Adventure Around the World in 80 Days. M Palin. Readable and amusing journey around the world. Notes from a Small Island. Bill Bryson. 352 pages. Funny insights travelling around modern Britain No Full Stops in India. Mark Tully. 336 pages. History/Politics/ Travel. Observations on modern India. My Family and Other Animals. Gerald Durrell. True and hilarious adventures with animals.

FICTION

Science Fiction The Day of the Triffids. J Wyndham. The day the plants take over the earth. Light reading. The White Mountains. J Christopher. 21st century adventure as three boys explore a world. Light reading. The Invisible Man. H. G. Wells. Science fiction classic. Fantasy Fiction The Hobbit. J R R Tolkien. An introduction to the world and themes of The Lord of the Rings. Little, Big. J. Crowley. A novel of change and transfiguration. Children’s Literature. A Wizard of Earthsea. U. K. LeGuin. First book in a quartet. Explorations of magic and wisdom. A classic. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. C. S. Lewis. Short. Light. Fantasy adventure. One of a series of 7 books. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) J. K. Rowling. First book in a series of 5 to date. Light. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. R Dahl. 155 pages. A classic of children’s fiction. Very easy reading. Danny the Champion of the World. R Dahl 205 pages. A classic children’s fiction. Very easy reading. Shane. J Schaefer. 160 pages. A classic western. Jack Holborn. L. Garfield. 250 pages. 275 pages. Pirate adventure. Treasure Island. R. L. Stevenson. Pirate adventure. The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents. T. Pratchett Goodnight Mister Tom. M. Magorian Arthur, High King of Britain. M. Morpurgo The Snow Goose. Paul Gallico Friend or Foe. Michael Morpurgo Millions. F. C. Boyce The Yellowcake Conspiracy. S. Davies The Outsiders. S E Hinton Ballet Shoes: A Story of Three Children on the Stage. N. Streatfield Party Shoes. N. Streatfield Stig of the Dump. C King The Borrowers. J. Elkin Holes. L. Sachar Romantic Fiction A Better World than This. M Joseph. Heart-warming novel of a woman seeking her dream. Bridget Jones’s Diary. Helen Fielding. 307 pages. Light. Comedy. Satire on modern human relations. Crime Fiction Murder On The Orient Express. A Christie. Light reading. Hercule Poirot investigates murder on a train. The False Inspector Dew. P Lovesy. A readable and clever murder mystery. Points and Lines. S Matsumoto. Detective story. Adventure/Thriller The Eagle Has Landed. Jack Higgins. Light. War and Adventure. A daring mission during World War II From Russia With Love. Ian Fleming. James Bond, British spy, saves the world. Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less. J. Archer. 320 pages. Victims plan to get even. When the Lion Feeds. Wilbur Smith. Classic thriller set in Africa. Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown. Investigative thriller set in the art world. Reflex. D Francis. Light. Thriller Poetry The Rattle Bag. S Heaney & T Hughes (ed). A varied collection for young readers. Great fun. The Nation’s Favourite Poems. BBC. The 100 best loved poems in Britain. Film Scripts Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels. Guy Ritchie. 145 pages. Comedy & crime. Murder and mayhem Nottinghill. R. Curtis. 196 pages. Love story/humour. Bookshop owner falls in love with Hollywood star.