NSW Private School Scholarships: Top 12 Books to Boost English Skills
- March 25, 2024
- 4:46 pm
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Proficiency in English is one of the most crucial skills that students need to secure scholarships at top NSW private schools. To boost English skills, students should focus on a diverse reading regimen – including fiction, poetry essays and short stories.
This blog includes a curated reading list for Year 5 students applying to NSW private schools scholarships.
Guide Overview
Classic and Timeless Tales
1. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
About: A heartwarming story of friendship and life on a farm, centred around a pig named Wilbur and his friendship with a spider named Charlotte.
Why Read This: Enhances vocabulary and introduces descriptive writing and dialogue, improving understanding of narrative structure and character development.
2. Matilda by Roald Dahl
About: Matilda is a gifted girl who, with the help of a kind teacher, uses her intelligence and powers to overcome neglectful parents and a tyrannical headmistress.
Why Read This: Good for advanced vocabulary acquisition, comprehension of complex sentences, and encourages an imaginative use of language.
3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
About: Part of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ series, this fantasy novel takes children to a magical land filled with adventure, talking animals, and a battle between good and evil.
Why Read This: Offers exposure to sophisticated language structures and rich descriptive passages, enhancing imaginative and creative writing skills.
Contemporary Fiction
1. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
About: This novel follows August Pullman, a boy with facial differences, as he navigates school life, emphasising themes of kindness and acceptance.
Why Read This: Develops understanding of first-person narrative and character perspective, enhancing empathy and interpretive reading skills.
2. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
About: Based on a true story, this book tells of Ivan, a captive gorilla, and his journey to a better life, highlighting themes of friendship and hope.
Why Read This: Fosters comprehension of thematic storytelling and encourages reflection on narrative tone and style.
3. Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thiefby Rick Riordan
About: Percy Jackson discovers he’s the son of Poseidon and embarks on a mythological adventure to prevent a war among the gods.
Why Read This: Introduces complex plot structures and mythological terms, enhancing analytical reading and cultural literacy.
Inspirational Non-Fiction
1. Who Was Nelson Mandela? by Meg Belviso and Pam Pollack (Biography suitable for children)
About: A biography for young readers about Nelson Mandela, his life, struggle against apartheid, and enduring legacy.
Why Read This: Builds nonfiction reading skills, including fact comprehension and understanding historical context.
2. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba (Young Reader’s Edition)
About: Tells the true story of a Malawian teenager who built a windmill to save his village from famine.
Why Read This: Encourages engagement with narrative non-fiction, blending storytelling with factual information, beneficial for advanced reading comprehension.
Poetry
1. Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein (Poetry Collection)
About: A collection of humorous and imaginative poems for children, full of whimsical characters and ideas.
Why Read This: Cultivates an appreciation for poetry, rhyme, and rhythm, enhancing language fluidity and creativity.
2. Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl (Poetry)
About: A reimagining of classic fairy tales with unexpected twists and humorous verses.
Why Read This: Improves understanding of poetic structure, vocabulary, and encourages a playful engagement with language.
Short Stories and Essay Collections
1. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce (Illustrated Book)
About: A beautifully illustrated book about the curative powers of story. Morris, bereft of words, discovers a magical library.
Why Read This: The intricate narrative and rich illustrations promote visual literacy and the development of descriptive language skills.
2. Aesop’s Fables by Aesop (Timeless short stories)
About: A collection of short moral stories with timeless lessons, often featuring animals with human-like traits.
Why Read This: Ideal for learning moral themes and simple yet effective storytelling, improving comprehension and critical thinking.
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