On the 15th January, the first ever ‘Drop Everything and Read’ (DEAR) day was held at Nottingham High School. 12 minutes of independent reading for students and staff at the start of every lesson. This totals an hour across the whole day. So, we decided to interview some students on about what they are reading and their thoughts on DEAR.
What book are you reading?
The Pact by Jodi Picoult
What is it about?
It’s about two teenagers who’ve grown up together, since they’re neighbours. As the teenagers, Emily and Chris, are so close they fall in love. However, one night their parents get a call that Emily has been shot and the other person there is Chris and the police suspect that Chris shot her. But only people to know the truth are both Emily and Chris but Emily is dead so only Chris an defend himself.
Do you like your book?
Yes, I love my book because it shows that even if you’re the closest person to someone you’ll never know what goes on in their mind. It also shows the pain and anger of someone keeping an important secret from you and how that one thing changed someone’s life. It can inspire you to open and tell people your issues instead of choosing the dead end: death.
What do you think of DEAR?
I think it’s nice because you get time to read and it relaxes you for your lesson.
Should we do it more often?
Yeah, I think it would benefit a lot of people and it’s probably the only time of the lesson that will be quiet, which is nice.
What book are you reading?
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
What is it about?
Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds — the poor, mostly black neighborhood where she lives and the wealthy, mostly white prep school that she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is soon shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer. Facing pressure from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and decide to stand up for what’s right.
Do you like your book?
I like my book as it shows serious conditions in a controlled manner
What do you think of DEAR?
It is a very good program as it encourages people to read. People should read more often because it helps you in everyday life.
Should we do it more often?
I believe that we should do it more often, once a term would be good.
What book are you reading?
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson.
What is it about?
It’s a really cool murder mystery about someone solving a past crime for part of a school project.
Do you like your book?
Yes, I think it’s really good.
What do you think of DEAR?
I think it is a really good idea to allow students to relax and read.
Should we do it more often?
Definitely.
What book are you reading?
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.
What is it about?
The Knife of Never Letting Go is set on a planet that has been colonized by a small group of Christian settlers from ‘Old World’, in a town nearby a swamp. Although the settlers have some high technology, they are mostly subsistence farmers.
Do you like your book?
I like my book as it is very intriguing.
What do you think of DEAR?
I believe this is a very good program as it encourages people to read. People should read more often because it helps you in everyday life.
Should we do it more often?
I believe that we shouldn’t do it more often, once an academic year is enough.
What book are you reading?
The Red Ribbon by Lucy Adlington
What is it about?
The Red Ribbon is a fascinating account of a Jewish girl’s incarceration in Auschwitz-Birkenau during the Second World War. Working in the camp’s sewing workshop, Ella befriends Rose, who teaches her to escape their harsh environment through telling imaginative stories.
Do you like your book?
I like my book as it is appeals to me very much and it can help me understand historical information.
What do you think of DEAR?
I think it’s only helpful for people who like reading, it can be stressful for people who don’t like reading.
Should we do it more often?
Yes, I believe that we should be done more often, once a term would be great. It helps to encourage people to read.
What book are you reading?
Beast of Buckingham Palace by David Walliams
What is it about?
Fly into a fiery and fantastical future, in an epic adventure of myth and legend, good and evil, and one small boy who must save the world. It is 2120 and London is in ruins.
Do you like your book?
I like my book as it is very intriguing.
What do you think of DEAR?
It is good, it encourages people to read. Many people don’t prioritise reading, People
Should we do it more often?
Yes, I believe that we should be done more often, once a month would be great. It helps to encourage people to read.
What book are you reading?
After the Fire by Will Hill.
What is it about?
This girl who survives after being in a cult for most of her life.
Do you like your book?
Yes, because I feel usually books show the before of the traumatic event and the end of the traumatic event. But this book is like after the traumatic event, so you get to see the healing process.
What do you think of DEAR?
I think it’s important because most people don’t have much time to read due to homework and clubs.
Should we do it more often?
Yeah, I think that would be cool.
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