Edition THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY MAGAZINE MARCH 2022 1
EDITOR’S NOTE We hope you enjoy the first edition of The Imagination Haven, our very own library newsletter, that will update you about what has been going on in the library recently. This edition is our very first, and we have decided to name it our murder mystery edition, containing content from book reviews to murder mystery related games! Enjoy reading!
NLCS Library Monitor Team
CONTENT
Poetry Competition
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Murder Mystery Book Reviews
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Murder Mystery Manga
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Author of the Term
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Mad Hatters
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Solve Your Mystery
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In the Autumn Term, Middle School took part in a poetry competition! With many entries, it was hard to judge the winners, but below are the extracts of the three who took the top prizes!
HANGRY My stomach is aching and I’m biting my lip, I pick up my empty glass and pretend to take a sip. This place is empty – what is taking so long? I have a feeling this night is going to go very wrong… Everyone else seems to be so chilled Am I the only one who needs my stomach filled? After what seems like an hour the menu arrives About time too as my fingers have been fiddling with the knives… And then I see the menu – it’s literally a novella The waiter smiles – no idea that poor fella. Pages and pages of “worldly cuisine,” I don't even know what that means. What happened to the good old days of pizza and chips? Just thinking about it is making me kick my lips. Dough balls pasta – simple is best But this evening my belly is rumbling under my vest. Choices. Italian, Indian, Moroccan too Of course, nobody knows what to do! Too many choices they just can’t decide A family discussion is emerging on biryani with yoghurt on the side… For goodness sake just make up your minds! Think of your starving daughter – you need to be kind That’s it! Time to take charge of these folk – Mr. waiter – we’ll have an extra-large margarita and 4 cokes 3
Ishani
THE CHOICE IS YOURS Go sneak in, wear all black Classic criminal holding a sack You have a choice, wrong and right You slip away, just like the night
You feel the chill Make the kill Sticky blood All is still
Sweet blood smell, it suffocates You could have changed this gory fate Reached in, picked up a knife You had a choice to end a life
Time’s paused, the corpse is rotten All too soon, the dead’s forgotten Wonder how it could’ve been If you didn’t choose to commit a sin
Life is frail You’re in Jail You made a choice The choice did fail 4
Myra
CHOICE A METAPHORICAL JUNCTION Which path to take? Heart or Mind Who takes the cake? Twiddling my thumbs, Dwindling all options! This or that? Right or wrong? What makes me tick? Whose voice shall I pick? The choice I make Many barriers I break! What is the right choice? Full of wonder or despair? For I have the power to prepare Make my inner self-aware. Aakriti
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Looking for a good book to read? Look no further! Below are the book reviews our very own Library Monitors have written for all of you!
Book review: First Class Murder by Robin Stevens Adrenaline. Mystery. First Class Murder – a stunning book written by the one and only Robin Stevens. The story revolves around two sleuths- Hazel Wong and her best friend Daisy. A wealthy heiress is found dead in the world-famous Orient Express, her ruby necklace ‘happened’ to be stolen. There is no sign of the criminal, another case for the two detectives to crack open. Will they be able to solve it? A novel filled with plot twists, intelligence and most importantly murder. The suspense building chapters introduce many characters with adverse personalities. Hazel’s smart, code-breaking traits together with Daisy’s outstanding independence build a talented team to solve the mystery. The way in which they try to eliminate suspects and discover evidence captivates the reader into the pages. A whirlpool of fascination portraying humour and friendship, one of the best books in the genre of murder mystery! I would recommend this book; it not only shows a delightful read but also encourages children to follow the paths of the characters. The intelligent thinking would particularly grab the reader’s attention, which is built on by the sudden plot twists. Suitable for the age of 9+, includes appropriate content and is full of excitement as the reader longs to know what is to happen next.
RATING
*****
6
By Shobika
One of Us is Lying By Karen M. Manus This is all about a Saturday detention class that gets lethal. Four schoolchildren are suspects and everyone is asking the same question: who did it? Classic thriller with amazing plot twists. Recommended for kids 12 and up.
The Thursday Murder Club By Richard Osman Four elderly friends start a group to find the killer in unsolved murder cases. But the killer is on to them and it's only a matter of time before one of them goes down. A murder book that will stick with everyone.
I Know You Did It By Sue Williams A girl at a new school receives a note. “I know you did it.” When people start dropping dead, she realizes her life is in danger. This, or she is being framed. This book is so original and seems to be gravity resistant as anyone who reads it can’t put it down!
-Myra
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MURDER-MYSTERY MANGA These recommendations are a few different Manga titles that revolve around the genre of murder mystery. Some of these are in the manga section of the library, so if you think that you would enjoy any of these, then watch out for them!
TITLE: DEATH NOTE:
As Light Yagami finds a lost notebook, his entire world starts to twist and turn into a long-lasting secret. Death Note is about an intelligent student who finds a notebook with the power to kill anyone the owner wants. This story has lots of hidden clues about future events, and if you like mystery, then you will enjoy this manga!
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TITLE: DOUBT
Doubt starts with a popular video game, that becomes reality. The video game, Rabbit Doubt, is like lots of murder games, as there is a murderer amongst a group of people. The characters are all locked in a building, and one of the members has already fallen dead. It is quite well known amongst the murder mystery manga, but few people have heard about it outside of that community.
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TITLE: BLACK BUTLER:
The entirety of Ciel Phantomhive's family were murdered, and at the age of 13, he was kidnapped and sold to a cult of people who worship demons. A while later, the cult summons a demon that forms a friendship with Ciel, and they start to complete tasks for the Queen, which could threaten her to lose her country or her crown. This manga is in the library, so if people have not already taken the book, try to read it!
Keep in mind that some of these will be a series, so start with the first volume, otherwise you will get quite confused!
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Author of the Term: Robin Stevens By Anushka
Robin Stevens is a children’s detective fiction author. She was born on the 15th of January in 1988, and is one of the most famous children’s authors, ranking in my top five favourite authors. Her series, Murder Most Unladylike, is widely influenced by the Golden Era of Crime Fiction, and is often based on the works by Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sawyers. The well-known author started her series in November of 2010. Robin Stevens has visited NLCS! The girls describe her as kind, grateful, and full of hugs. Her collection had started 2 years even before she sent it off to a publishing agency. She hadn’t shown anyone until then – she hadn’t thought it good enough. And now, she releases a spectacular book every year, and her next one is due to be put out to the public to be in 2022. The book is themed after Hazel Wong’s two sisters and will be set during World War II. Robin Stevens has received many awards, such as: The Oxfordshire Book Awards, Waterstones best children’s book Prize, ALA Notable Children’s Book Crime Fest Best Crime Novel for Children. (For Mistletoe and Murder) So, we can see that she deserves to be read and her books read! 11
Welcome to our Mad Hatters Section! For anyone who would like to go, we meet at 12.30 every Monday in the library.
MAD HATTERS HIGHLIGHTS The MAD HATTERS had a busy Autumn term with fun-filled activities including: A balloon debate – Mystery vs Dystopia Book Folding Hedgehogs A Fantasy World Drawing Competition A Book Based Scavenger Hunt A Discussion on African American Identities in Literature
And this term the MAD HATTERS, are busy planning their Hat Walk to celebrate World Book Day 2022 so make sure you come to visit the fantastic hats that will be on display in the library in March!
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Finally, we’ve given you a section of games to complete, all related to murder mysteries. Answers are on the next page- don't cheat!
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Scarlet's twin sister Daisy Wells' detective partner
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The surname of the author of The Unexpected Guest Hercule Poirot's Secretary The fourth book in the murder most unladylike series The author of the Thursday Murder Club The Hound of the ........... by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle The main protagonist of Murder at the Museum The murderer in The Murder in the Rue Morgue Karen McManus' debut novel 13
WORD WHEEL E R
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WORD LADDER KILL ––> BODY (Change one letter at a time, while keeping the word a real word, and try and get from the first word to the last)
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Ivy, Scarlet's twin sister Hazel Wong, Daisy Wells' detective partner Christie, the surname of the author of The Unexpected Guest Felicity Lemon, Hercule Poirot's Secretary Jolly Foul Play, the fourth book in the murder most unladylike series Richard Osman, the author of the Thursday Murder Club Baskervilles, The Hound of the ........... by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Agatha Oddlow, the main protagonist of Murder at the Museum Orangutan, the murderer in The Murder in the Rue Morgue One of us is lying, Karen McManus' debut novel
WORD WHEEL: RUE MORGUE WORD LADDER: KILL BILL BILE BIDE BODE BODY -Riya
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