Turning the Pages
We are delighted to bring our second edition of ‘Turning the Pages’ a new feature celebrating the joy of reading across our school. In this series, members of our teaching team will share the books they love, what they are enjoying reading right now, and the stories they would recommend to children and families. By opening up conversations about books, we hope to inspire curiosity, spark new reading choices and show that a love of reading is something we all share — at every age and every stage.
MRS HAGUE Year 5 and 6 English Teacher, Year 6 Form Tutor, Prep Pastoral and Mental Health Lead
It’s no surprise that, Mrs Hague is a fan of reading. Here is what she had to say:
1. What book are you enjoying reading at the moment? Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah and Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
2. If you could step inside any book for a day, which one would you choose? The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron
3. What is one book you would love every child to read — and why? The Boy at the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Raúf is a contemporary children’s novel told from the perspective of a young girl whose new classmate, Ahmet, has arrived in the UK as a refugee. Ahmet is quiet, lonely, and clearly different from the other children, and the narrator gradually learns that he has fled a war-torn country after losing much of his family. Through small, everyday school experiences, the story shows how friendship, kindness, and courage can help someone who has been through trauma feel safe again.
This book is vital for young people, particularly in the context of the refugee crisis, because it humanises an issue often discussed only in statistics or headlines. It helps children understand that refugees are not abstract “problems” but real people their own age, with fears, hopes, and families. By encouraging empathy, challenging stereotypes, and showing how ordinary children can make a difference through kindness and inclusion, the novel supports the development of social responsibility and moral awareness in a world where forced migration is an urgent and ongoing reality.
