2. Which title did each member
of staff choose as their
‘Writes of Passage’ book?

3. As a teenager this book was
recommended by my English
teacher to broaden my rather
narrow reading experience. It
terrified me. I enjoyed it so
much I began to read more
science-fiction horror novels
which, at the time, I thoroughly
enjoyed.
Mrs Vincent-Bennett
a. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett
b. Day of the Triffids, John Wyndham
c. The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood

4. I first read this when I was 14 or 15. I
was immediately taken back to a time
and place where my father grew up in
the 1930s in the ‘Golden Valley’ of the
Cotswolds. My father went to the
same village school as the author and
the book tells of his early childhood,
growing up without a father, and of
first teenage experiences of love.
I’ve since read all this author’s books; I
love the poetic style of his writing.
Mrs Simons
a. Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
b. Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder
c. Cider with Rosie, Laurie Lee

5. In those far-off days of linear A-Levels, I didn’t
even start my English Literature set texts until
after Christmas in the LVI. That first term was
spent ‘reading around the subject’ or reading
for pleasure. A crash course in 19th Century
literature followed but the novel which really
hit home did so because it was home! The
villages, hamlets, lanes, even the pub, were all
within cycling distance of my house. A
stunning story which could physically evoke all
my senses. What’s not to like?
Headmaster
a. Leave it to Jeeves, P. G. Wodehouse
b. Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
c. Cider with Rosie, Laurie Lee

6. This was the first book I read in
which the style was more important
than the story. I was ill at the time
and I was instantly cheered up. I
recommend …………..to anyone who
wants to disappear into a different
world of the most fantastic language
and wit.
Mr Pollard
a. Roots, Alex Haley
b. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett
c. Leave it to Jeeves, P. G. Wodehouse

7. Reading this whilst at school inspired my initial
interest in History. The book is based on the
real life experiences of the Balicki family,
who became separated during the Second
World War when the Germans took over
Poland, and who try to find each other
afterwards. Set against such a frightening
background of war torn Europe, the book is an
exciting read from start to finish.
Mr Newsam
a. The Silver Sword, Ian Serraillier
b. The Chrysallids, John Wyndham
c. Public Enemy Number Two, Anthony Horowitz

8. Hilariously funny, this book (and
the series) can still make me laugh
out loud today. A cowardly wizard
and a chest that has a mind of its
own and is called ‘Luggage’ are
the main characters. Ridiculous
and zany and brilliant!
Mr Bradshaw
a. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett
b. Public Enemy Number Two, Anthony Horowitz
c. Leave it to Jeeves, P. G. Wodehouse

9. This was the first book not known,
chosen or recommended by my
mother. It felt grown up and was
not about toys, bunnies or fairies. I
read the whole series and they
were better than the TV series.
Mrs Bamford
a. Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy
b. Little House on the Prairie, Laura Ingalls Wilder
c. Cider with Rosie, Laurie Lee

10. This book got me hooked on
dystopian fiction and after
studying it for A-Level I became a
feminist.
Mrs Poole
a. The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
b. Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck
c. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor

11. This dystopian masterpiece
had a huge impact upon me
when I was a teenager; in fact
it sparked my love of science
fiction – I still devour SF
today!
Mrs MacKillop
a. The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
b. The Chrysallids, John Wyndham
c. Cider with Rosie, Laurie Lee

12. This was one of a series based on the Diamond
Brothers, the eldest of whom, Tim is a rather
hapless but likeable private detective. I
remember being so enthralled by the series as
I was a similar age to the younger brother, Tim,
and he came across very well in the books so I
always wanted to see how he would get the
pair out of the next scrape they found
themselves in.
Mr Mills
a. The Silver Sword, Ian Serraillier
b. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
c. Public Enemy Number Two, Anthony Horowitz

13. This novel forced me to face a world I didn’t
know or understand. I encountered
nonsensical hatred, that at a young age I didn’t
realise existed in the world. However, at the
same time I went on a journey of love and
redemption, with a girl who, I decided, I would
like to be friends with. She was brave and
heroic and, above all, made me want to be her.
I feel this book made me realise that although
humans aren’t perfect, there are some unique
and incredible people who will change
something forever.
Mrs Copeland-Jordan
a. Roots, Alex Haley
b. The Day of the Triffids, John Wyndham
c. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor

14. The best horror novel ever! Similar to
‘War of the Worlds’, the story is seen
through the eyes of one person: a teacher
whose pupil is the first to be attacked by a
…….
I went on to read all this author’s books –
they’re all real page turners. He’s a master
of horror!
Mrs Franklin
a. The Rats, James Herbert
b. The Day of the Triffids, John Wyndham
c. The Colour of Magic, Terry Pratchett

15. My favourite of all the Discworld novels.
It’s one of the darkest – Sam Vimes is
thrown back in time to the birth of his son
to help…himself! It wasn’t the first I read
(you need to read some of the earlier
ones for the background) but, in my
opinion, it’s the best. Hilarious, fun to
read and gritty.
Mr Hamilton
a. The Silver Sword, Ian Serraillier
b. Public Enemy Number Two, Anthony
Horowitz
c. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett

16. When I read this back in the early seventies I was
struck firstly by how the characters in such a short
book could be so developed & how they all
interacted.
At the end of the book I had huge sympathy for one
character who had to be cruel to be kind and I cried.
This was probably the first book not involving
animals where I was moved to cry.
Mrs Orbell
a. Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck
b. The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
c. Leave it to Jeeves, P. G. Wodehouse

17. My choice gave a very different perspective on
the slave trade to much of what had been
written before and, though since discredited in
parts, it was a powerful illustration of the
history of many black and white families in
today’s USA.
Mrs Ainsworth
a. Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts
b. Roots, Arthur Haley
c. Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck

18. Influenced by the real life events of a prison
escapee who, en route from Australia to
Germany, settled in Mumbai. The book follows
the turbulent ups and downs of his life in the
slums of India. I read this when I was visiting
Mumbai at the age of 18 and I remember it
having an enormous impact on me. It captures
the contrasts of the city through humour, love,
suspense and tragedy. An amazing book!
Mr Kerr-Dineen
a. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Mildred D. Taylor
b. Roots, Arthur Haley
c. Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts

20. Check out the national ‘Writes of Passage’
list published today!
www.worldbookday.com/writes-of-passage/