Hellllllllo readers, it’s Tuesday and that means it’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday. I absolutely LOVE  today’s topic because I truly believe that my love of reading was really created when I was at school. Although I always found that school kind of stopped me reading the books I wanted to read, I found that it also opened a door that I have never been able to shut, and that is my addiction to reading.

So, today’s topic is what books I would have on my shelf  if I was a teacher.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

 

This book I didn’t actually read until last year, but I thought it was brilliant and so telling. I think if I was a teacher I would want to share books with my students that would really test how they think about things.

Lee takes us through the eyes of a child to see the injustice of the adult world and how one parent’s love and crusade to represent the underrepresented teaches us all lessons in humility and compassion – it is just perfection.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

If I was a teacher I think I would definitely teach secondary school students but I think this would still be a book that was on my shelf. This is definitely a talking point – what does the book teach us, what does it represent, is it still relevant today.

Shel Silverstein’s book really reminds us of the tenderness of the relationship between the giver and someone too young, too naive to realise just how much has been sacrificed. It’s an adorable but shocking book and  I really love it.

THE Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

 Randy Pausch offers so much more from childhood to adulthood. While it is a book about maintain the preciousness of our dreams, the true gift of this book is that in dying, Pausch shows us with humor and humility how to truly live.

THE Perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I think as a teacher you need to have a real selection of books, some that are really thoughtful and positive and some that look at the difficulties of life. I really think this a book that would help you take on growing up which is a welcome addition to my shelf.

We need to talk about kevin by lionel shriver

Okay, so this might feel a little dark but this book presents a very sensitive look into one way a murderous, sociopathic student might emerge — audiences are left to decide for themselves whether or not they consider such behaviors the result of nature, nurture or a mix of both.

Although incredibly dark I think this is a book to create a discussion between students and introduce them to the power of literature.

THE girl with the dragon tattoo by stieg larsson 

This one is really just because it’s a guilty pleasure of mine. The narrative of this book is an introduction to a completely different culture and mixture of languages which I think creates a patchwork book. I adored this series and I hope my students would too.

A beautiful but important book that everyone should read. I can see someone being really bored on a wet-lunchtime and just picking it up and getting heavily, heavily involved. The thought of that makes me very, very happy.

THE BFG by Roald Dahl 

Just because you’re a little older doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read Roald Dahl. This book is brilliant and I think sometimes when the world gets too much this is the perfect cool down.

The Art of Being Brillian by Andy Cope, Andy Whittaker

Some of you will know that over the last couple of months I’ve really struggled to FIND myself. I knew that I wasn’t really, really struggling (like going to the doctors struggling) I just needed a bit of a pick-me up that life was okay, and being lost was okay, and that there were things that I could do to improve my mood.

I know during my school time anxiety and stress didn’t really affect me but I think now, because of social media and cyber bullying etc this book could reaaaally bloody helpful. Perfect for the shelf.