Shakespeare's 450th Birthday

23rd April marks the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, with celebrations planned across the country. Shakespeare’s actual birthday is unknown but it is assumed to be this date as his baptism was recorded in the Parish register of Holy Trinity Church on 26th April.

Key Facts:

• Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, in 1564.
• Married Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had three children.
• By 1592, he was in London working as an actor and a dramatist.
• He wrote at least 37 plays and collaborated on others.
• He retired from the theatre in 1613 and returned to Stratford-upon-Avon.
• Died in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1616 aged 52.

Fun Facts:

• In his will Shakespeare left his wife the 'second-best bed'.
• Shakespeare's first play was Henry V1.  His last play was Henry VIII.
• At the GlobeTheatre people could buy apples to munch while they watched the play.

 

BODYGUARD RANSOM - SIGNED COPIES

Acclaimed author of the award-winning Bodyguard and Young Samuari series, Chris Bradford visited TRS last May to work with students who are our current Year 8 and 9s.  Following this visit, Chris has offered us a special deal on his upcoming book ‘Bodyguard: Ransom’, the sequel to ‘Bodyguard: Hostage’.  SIGNED COPIES of the book, due out in May, can be pre-ordered at the special reduced price of £5.00 (RRP £6.99).

If you are interested in this offer you will need to pay by the 1^st of May, cheques should be made payable to Chris Bradford and handed into the Library. 

Writes of Passage - 50 books that will change your life!

As part of World Book Day celebrations, young people and adults were asked to nominate their life-changing books in order to create an ultimate list of 50 books that will thrill, scare, make you cry, change the way you think, help you to understand you, transport you and teach you about love! We have put together a display of the many of  the books on the list in the War Memorial Library.  They include Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, a dark thriller, the heart-breaking The Fault in our Stars by John Green, and TRS favourite A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowden.  To browse and borrow these and other titles visit the War Memorial Library

For a list of all the books go to The World Book Day Writes of Passage website.  Let us know which books you have read and which share your favourites!

 

Don't forget that you only have until 30th March to spend your World Book Day voucher.  

Carnegie and Greenaway Award shortlist 2014 announced

CILIP’s Carnegie Medal is awarded each year for an outstanding book for children and young people.  The Carnegie shortlist this year includes eight books, some of which are available now in the WML and Discovery libraries and the rest are on order. 

The list is unusual this year, as half of the nominated titles deal with kidnap and captivity.  Particular favourites of the Librarians are the Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell, winner of this year’s Blue Peter Award and Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead, winner of The Guardian’s Children’s Fiction Prize 2013. 

Anne Fine will make Carnegie history if she wins this year with her novel Blood Family, as she would be the only author to win three times. To find out more about the books that have been shortlisted go to Carnegie and Greenaway shortlist page.

The winner will be announced on Monday, 23rd June 2014.

Book Awards and Writing Competition

 

The fantastic Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell has won the best story category of the Blue Peter Book Awards 2014.  Tony Robinson's Weird World of Wonders: World War II by Tony Robinson & Del Thorpe won the best book with facts category.  Visit the Discovery Library to borrow a copy of Rooftoppers and books by Tony Robinson.

 

 

Henrietta Branford Writing Competition 2014 is open to any young writers under the age of 19. Entrants must complete a story begun by last year’s winner of the Branford Boase Award, Dave Shelton for 'A Boy and A Bear in a Boat'.  The story should be no longer than 1500 words and should have a title.

The closing date is Friday 18^th April 2014.  Six winners will be invited to attend the Branford Boase Award celebration party in London on 10 July. They will also win a copy of each of the books shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award and be able to meet the authors and have their books signed.

 
For more information and to find Dave Shelton’s starting paragraph visit Henrietta Branford Writing Competition 2014 - rules etc.

Are you ready to 'Take a Risk'?

Our popular competition Take a Risk is back in the Discovery Library!

To enter you must borrow a mystery Take a Risk book, fill in the short questionnaire correctly and you will automatically win a prize and have your name entered into a free prize draw with the chance to win more prizes!  PLUS there are lots spot prizes to be won.

See a Librarian in the Discovery Library for details.

World Book Day 2014

World Book Day is a day set aside each year to celebrate reading, books, authors and illustrators. This year it takes place on Thursday 6th March.

We have given out special World Book Day tokens to each pupil, with the exception of the Post 16 students who can collect one from the War Memorial Library on request. These vouchers can either be exchanged at your local book shop for one of the World Book Day books or they can be used to get £1 off any book costing £2.99 or more. You can use your voucher in any participating books shop from 3rd March – 30th March 2014.

Remember though, at TRS everyday is a celebration of books day with lots of great books available for you to borrow and read, including the latest releases, as well as competitions, your book reviews and themed displays of recommended reads!