2019 Global Library Launch

15 February 2019

Next week in the Junior and Secondary Campus libraries we will be launching the 2019 Global Library "One World, One Book" initiative.

"The Breadwinner" and "Malala’s Magic Pencil" are our “One World One Book” titles for the Global Library. In the Secondary Campus we are encouraging as many students as possible to read "The Breadwinner" and at the Junior Campus, Ms Susan will be working with the children to run activities around "Malala's Magic Pencil". But this isn't just for the students. Teachers and parents, we want you to get involved too! Get a copy of these books from our libraries and let us know what you think. Read on to learn more out the two recommended books in the 2018/19 reading list...

Global Library Launch - Mala's Magic Pencil

Malala's Magic Pencil (4 years and up)

Before the events that brought her to international recognition, Malala Yousafzai spent her summer holidays together with her family watching an Indian children’s TV show about a magic pencil, which could be used to redraw reality. This memory inspired Malala to write her first picture book "Malala’s Magic Pencil" (4 years and up) which tells her own story in a sensitive, child-friendly style. It explores how we can all hold on to hope in the most difficult of times and help build a world where all our dreams can be fulfilled. The book is beautifully illustrated and makes a great conversation starter for families to share ideas for the world we want to create and how we would use our own magic pencils.

In her speech to the United Nations in 2013, Malala memorably said, “One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world”. She later added that “The Breadwinner" by Deborah Ellis (11 years up) is the "one book I wish all students would read.”

This will be an exciting time for the children as they will be learning how to access the Global Library. It will also involve reading the book, class discussions and activities in the library over the coming weeks. There are also other books in the library available for reading and reviewing online in the ‘Global Library’, which will be introduced to the students during this term.

The Breadwinner (11 years and up)

The Breadwinner tells the compelling story of Parvana, a young girl who must cut off her hair and disguise herself as a boy to become the breadwinner for her family when her father is unfairly imprisoned in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. This is the perfect story to broaden the perspective of young adults and comes recommended by no less than Bill Gates and Angelina Jolie. It was recently turned into a compelling Oscar nominated film and graphic novel. Nord Anglia’s Global Campus Online features exclusive interviews and student-led discussions with author Deborah Ellis, so now is the perfect time to read this book!

These two titles are supported by excellent free resources which can be downloaded and shared with children to explore and discuss the important issues they raise.

Suggested Free Online Reading Guides and Resources:

What is the Global Library?

It is no fairy tale to say the stories we read when we’re young profoundly influence the rest of our lives. Books don’t just help us make sense of our world; they also prepare us for academic success. Nord Anglia’s Global Library is a worldwide reading club across all 56 Nord Anglia schools, where students of all age groups can enjoy a shared reading experience through debates, competitions and reflections with a worldwide network of engaged, open minded readers. Students also have opportunities to connect with the world’s greatest writers, illustrators and thinkers either face to face or online.

The recommended books contain something for everyone, with contemporary and classic fiction, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels included for every age group. It specifically features accessible, exciting and inspiring stories from diverse countries, and includes bilingual titles to allow students to share stories in multiple languages. Some books even supplement Nord Anglia’s global partnerships with Juilliard and MIT.

The Breadwinner and Malala’s Magic Pencil are our “One World One Book” titles for the Global Library, which means they are accompanied by Global Campus projects that tie into this year’s sustainable development goals. This way, students are even more engaged when reading.