Have you heard of Iceland’s tradition of Jolabokaflod? It roughly translates as ‘Christmas book flood’. Icelanders exchange books as gifts on Christmas Eve and proceed to spend the evening reading. A well-chosen book makes a lasting, thoughtful present. However, choosing books for young people can sometimes feel a bit daunting. That’s where we hope we can help. We read a lot of books and hear a lot of feedback from young readers. So here is our guide to this year’s best books for young minds that you might not have heard of. Happy Jolabokaflod from Exeter School Library!
Great way to start the second half of term. Some action shots from the 1st XV’s 31-12 win yesterday #exeterschoolsport #schoolsport #endeavour #aspire #flourish #exschsports#exeterschooluk #rugby #nexgen @exeterschooluk @nextgenxv @exeterchiefsacademy
Great way to start the second half of term. Some action shots from the 1st XV’s 31-12 win yesterday #exeterschoolsport #schoolsport #endeavour #aspire #flourish #exschsports#exeterschooluk #rugby #nexgen @exeterschooluk @nextgenxv @exeterchiefsacademy ...
Final days on tour - A’dam tower & VR experience, pancake cruise, final fixtures, speeches & awards before the long drive home! What a fantastic tour. Thank you Holland 🇳🇱 @inspiresporttours @exeterschooluk
Final days on tour - A’dam tower & VR experience, pancake cruise, final fixtures, speeches & awards before the long drive home! What a fantastic tour. Thank you Holland 🇳🇱 @inspiresporttours @exeterschooluk
Great first day in Holland. Training at @kamponghockey and fixtures against Amersfoort Hockey club. Two wins to start the tour! #exeterschoolsport #schoolsport #endeavour #aspire #flourish #exschsports #exeterschooluk #hockey
Great first day in Holland. Training at @kamponghockey and fixtures against Amersfoort Hockey club. Two wins to start the tour! #exeterschoolsport #schoolsport #endeavour #aspire #flourish #exschsports #exeterschooluk #hockey ...
Great way to end a busy half term of rugby. Delighted to welcome 9 other schools to the Exeter School 10s tournament. We had rain, sunshine, rainbows 🌈 and some really competitive rugby. A fiercely contested final between Exeter School and Exmouth was a fitting end to the day. The hosts winning by a try! @nextgenxv @exeterschooluk @exmouthcommunitycollege @qecrediton @stoverschool @stpetersexeter @uffculmepe @colytongrammarschool @officialexeterchiefs @topsham_rugby @exeter_athletic_rfc @creditonrfc @exmouthrugby #exeterschoolsport #schoolsport #endeavour #aspire #flourish #exschsports#exeterschooluk #rugby #nexgen #devonmud #schoolsrugby
Great way to end a busy half term of rugby. Delighted to welcome 9 other schools to the Exeter School 10s tournament. We had rain, sunshine, rainbows 🌈 and some really competitive rugby. A fiercely contested final between Exeter School and Exmouth was a fitting end to the day. The hosts winning by a try! @nextgenxv @exeterschooluk @exmouthcommunitycollege @qecrediton @stoverschool @stpetersexeter @uffculmepe @colytongrammarschool @officialexeterchiefs @topsham_rugby @exeter_athletic_rfc @creditonrfc @exmouthrugby #exeterschoolsport #schoolsport #endeavour #aspire #flourish #exschsports#exeterschooluk #rugby #nexgen #devonmud #schoolsrugby ...
A fabulous game of rugby in the national vase competition today. Great credit to both teams but a win for @exschsports U15s who progress to the third round. Well done boys! @nextgenxv @exeterschooluk #exeterschoolsport #schoolsport #endeavour #aspire #flourish #exschsports #exeterschooluk #rugby #cup
A fabulous game of rugby in the national vase competition today. Great credit to both teams but a win for @exschsports U15s who progress to the third round. Well done boys! @nextgenxv @exeterschooluk #exeterschoolsport #schoolsport #endeavour #aspire #flourish #exschsports #exeterschooluk #rugby #cup ...
Great morning of girls Hockey. Well done to the U12s! 🙌🏻 @exeterschooluk @marklockettphotography @devonhockeyassociation
Half a term of brilliant sports photography from @marklockettphotography Final Saturday block fixture before the break with rugby against @mount.kelly and hockey vs. @wellingtonschool1 Well done to the 1st XV who came out on top in an exciting match! @exeterschooluk @nextgenxv #exeterschool #nexgen #schoolrugby #aspire #welcome #rugby #schoolboyrugby #serve #teamwork
Half a term of brilliant sports photography from @marklockettphotography Final Saturday block fixture before the break with rugby against @mount.kelly and hockey vs. @wellingtonschool1 Well done to the 1st XV who came out on top in an exciting match! @exeterschooluk @nextgenxv #exeterschool #nexgen #schoolrugby #aspire #welcome #rugby #schoolboyrugby #serve #teamwork ...
Great work girls! 🙌🏻. A successful evening of @exschsports hockey. Two great fixtures against @wellingtonschool1
Good luck to OE Oscar who starts at 13 for @tauntonrfc tomorrow in the national league. We are lucky to have Oscar assisting with the coaching at school at the moment! @exeterschooluk @nextgenxv
Good luck to OE Oscar who starts at 13 for @tauntonrfc tomorrow in the national league. We are lucky to have Oscar assisting with the coaching at school at the moment! @exeterschooluk @nextgenxv
First fixture of the season for the 1st XI football team! A debut for Jess! Our first female 1st XI player at the school. Amazing! @exeterschooluk @officialecfc @isfafootball @lionesses
First fixture of the season for the 1st XI football team! A debut for Jess! Our first female 1st XI player at the school. Amazing! @exeterschooluk @officialecfc @isfafootball @lionesses
Well done to the U14 netball team who won the Exeter area of the national tournament today and have qualified for the next round. Well done girls 🙌🏻 @exeterschooluk @exeternetballclub
Well done to the U14 netball team who won the Exeter area of the national tournament today and have qualified for the next round. Well done girls 🙌🏻 @exeterschooluk @exeternetballclub
A horse lover’s mystery story with real human emotions and powerfully drawn characters. Both a tender story of overcoming loss and a fast-paced adventure. Find out more
A horse lover’s mystery story with real human emotions and powerfully drawn characters. Both a tender story of overcoming loss and a fast-paced adventure. Find out more
A charming, magical quest set in an enchanted village with a talking cat, a touch of mystery and the dark world of Faerie beyond the hedgerow. For anyone who has ever dreamed of being a witch. Find out more
A lavish tale of magical lands, flying carpets, alchemists and standing up for what is right. Can Yara summon up the courage to discover the truth about her family’s past and find out who she really is? Find out more
Set in a Scottish secondary school, this is a thoughtful story with a fascinating creative twist about empathy and the power of language. A great choice for logophiles. Find out more
First in a new fantasy adventure series from the best-selling author of Frostheart. Set in a magical city, complete with all-powerful magicians, a big-hearted thief and a whole lot of adventure. Find out more
A beautiful and touching historical novel set in Paris during WWII and based on the little known history of Muslim resistance fighters. Full of wonderful characters who you’ll be rooting for from the beginning. Find out more
Heartfelt and moving, this is the story of canine war-hero Beau and his quest to be reunited with his human best friend, Peggy. Told from Beau’s point of view, it gives a completely different perspective of WWII. Perfect for animal lovers. Find out more
Who hasn’t wished for an extra hour in the day? Even one in a parallel, fantastical Edinburgh! But messing with time comes with consequences and it’s down to Ailsa to save herself, her parents and the world before it’s too late. Find out more
Recommended fiction for lower to upper fifth
When the world’s best thieves battle to win a deadly heist competition then things are bound to get messy. But losing isn’t an option for Rosalyn when winning is the only way to save her mother. A fast-paced and breathless thriller. Unputdownable. Find out more
A modern, feminist retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Shines a light on the cost of seeking immortal beauty and perfection – with murderous consequences…
‘A dark labyrinth of a book – I found it exquisite’ E, L5.Find out more
We’ve all heard of haunted houses, but what about haunted people? Eerie, gothic and atmospheric, it’s sure to send a shiver down the spine. Perfect for cold, rainy, windy nights where the only sensible option is to hunker down and read. Find out more
A murder mystery is surely perfect for the festive season. There’s a 1920s party theme, twists and turns aplenty, and, naturally, a murder. Perfect for fans of One Of Us Is Lying. Find out more
When blue-haired Ryan meets pink-haired Avery at the queer prom, their lives change forever. An understated and tender love story told through their first ten dates.‘Sweet and cute and you want to give it a hug.’ P, L5.Find out more
From the winner of this year’s Yoto Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Award comes the perfect gift for aspiring writers. Sepetys breaks down the craft beautifully, focusing on using personal experience as inspiration. Full of tips, tricks and prompts to banish writer’s block. Find out more
We’re thrilled that Sam Sedgman is visiting Exeter School to talk to 3F in March and meet pupils in the library. Why not get reading and think of some great questions to ask the author himself? If you haven’t got these books on your shelf already, then you’re in for a treat. This whole series is just a joy. Full of classic charm, mystery and adventure. Plus, of course, all the action takes place on trains. What’s not to love?
From the author of the brilliant Murder Most Unladylike books comes this new World War Two mystery series. Expect young spies, strong characters, codes, mystery and page-turning action. Perfect for crime fans.
The phenomenally popular Bayview High crime series (our most borrowed book last year) comes to its conclusion with the release of One of us is back. Utterly addictive with a captivating plot, perfect for L5 and above.
Recommended fiction for third and fourth form
First in a gripping new historical mystery series. Expect adventure, sabotage, new friendships and a lot of courage. Perfect for fans of the Adventures on Trains series. Find out more
A horse lover’s mystery story with real human emotions and powerfully drawn characters. Both a tender story of overcoming loss and a fast-paced adventure. Find out more
A charming, magical quest set in an enchanted village with a talking cat, a touch of mystery and the dark world of Faerie beyond the hedgerow. For anyone who has ever dreamed of being a witch. Find out more
A lavish tale of magical lands, flying carpets, alchemists and standing up for what is right. Can Yara summon up the courage to discover the truth about her family’s past and find out who she really is? Find out more
Set in a Scottish secondary school, this is a thoughtful story with a fascinating creative twist about empathy and the power of language. A great choice for logophiles. Find out more
First in a new fantasy adventure series from the best-selling author of Frostheart. Set in a magical city, complete with all-powerful magicians, a big-hearted thief and a whole lot of adventure. Find out more
A beautiful and touching historical novel set in Paris during WWII and based on the little known history of Muslim resistance fighters. Full of wonderful characters who you’ll be rooting for from the beginning. Find out more
Heartfelt and moving, this is the story of canine war-hero Beau and his quest to be reunited with his human best friend, Peggy. Told from Beau’s point of view, it gives a completely different perspective of WWII. Perfect for animal lovers. Find out more
Who hasn’t wished for an extra hour in the day? Even one in a parallel, fantastical Edinburgh! But messing with time comes with consequences and it’s down to Ailsa to save herself, her parents and the world before it’s too late. Find out more
Recommended fiction for lower to upper fifth
When the world’s best thieves battle to win a deadly heist competition then things are bound to get messy. But losing isn’t an option for Rosalyn when winning is the only way to save her mother. A fast-paced and breathless thriller. Unputdownable. Find out more
A modern, feminist retelling of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Shines a light on the cost of seeking immortal beauty and perfection – with murderous consequences…
‘A dark labyrinth of a book – I found it exquisite’ E, L5.Find out more
We’ve all heard of haunted houses, but what about haunted people? Eerie, gothic and atmospheric, it’s sure to send a shiver down the spine. Perfect for cold, rainy, windy nights where the only sensible option is to hunker down and read. Find out more
A murder mystery is surely perfect for the festive season. There’s a 1920s party theme, twists and turns aplenty, and, naturally, a murder. Perfect for fans of One Of Us Is Lying. Find out more
When blue-haired Ryan meets pink-haired Avery at the queer prom, their lives change forever. An understated and tender love story told through their first ten dates.‘Sweet and cute and you want to give it a hug.’ P, L5.Find out more
From the winner of this year’s Yoto Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Award comes the perfect gift for aspiring writers. Sepetys breaks down the craft beautifully, focusing on using personal experience as inspiration. Full of tips, tricks and prompts to banish writer’s block.
We’re thrilled that Sam Sedgman is visiting Exeter School to talk to 3F in March and meet pupils in the library. Why not get reading and think of some great questions to ask the author himself? If you haven’t got these books on your shelf already, then you’re in for a treat. This whole series is just a joy. Full of classic charm, mystery and adventure. Plus, of course, all the action takes place on trains. What’s not to love?
From the author of the brilliant Murder Most Unladylike books comes this new World War Two mystery series. Expect young spies, strong characters, codes, mystery and page-turning action. Perfect for crime fans.
The phenomenally popular Bayview High crime series (our most borrowed book last year) comes to its conclusion with the release of One of us is back. Utterly addictive with a captivating plot, perfect for L5 and above.
Thank you to our pupil librarians for their exceptional dedication in looking after our junior school library. You have made a significant impact, and we are grateful for your hard...
