The Berlie Doherty Learning and Resource Centre

Welcome to the Berlie Doherty Learning and Resource Centre

The LRC is open from 8 am – 5 pm. Please come in to browse, do research or work quietly.

Berlie Doherty, award-winning children’s author and former pupil of Upton Hall School, leading a creative writing workshop in the LRC.

Visit Berlie’s website to find out more - www.berliedoherty.com

Wirral Paperback of the Year 2009

Last year's winner was Maria V.Snyder for "Poison Study" the first in her trilogy about Yelena, the food taster to the Commander of Ixia. On 19 January 2010 Maria was invited to St Mary's College in Wallasey by Wirral Schools Library Service to talk to pupils from schools who had participated in the Paperback of the Year event.

She was in the middle of a UK tour to publicise her new 'Glass' trilogy. A group of Year 9 pupils from Upton Hall went along with Mrs Seed and Mrs Biggs to hear her talk about her work which was very entertaining. Some interesting questions were asked by the pupils during her Q&A session at the end. Copies of her books were also on sale.

Anime Club (by Anna Walsh, L6L)

Anime Club takes place at lunchtime on Tuesdays for the Sixth Form and Thursdays for the Lower School. It is a vibrant club with many members, all of whom share a common interest : anime.

The club operates on a rota system - one week we watch an episode of an anime (currently it's 'Furuba'), the next week we divide into three groups to study different aspects of Japan.

There are 5 Sixth Formers who help run these different groups: Team Shigure studies the Japanese language, Team Hatori studies the culture (with fun activities such as Geisha make-overs) and Team Ayame who practise drawing manga.

Ja Mata! Omoshiroi desu!

In the LRC you can find

A wide range of fiction for years 7 – 11 and 6 th form
Nonfiction books to help you with study and research
Magazines, newspapers and foreign language resources
Careers information and university prospectuses
16 computers with internet access

There is a professional librarian available throughout the day to help and advise library users.

Twilight Saga
Author- Stephanie Meyer
A Review by Ashleigh Hardman, 8S

Twilight

As far as intro novels go, a fabulous work. Starts like a non-supernatural novel, but quickly develops into supernatural epic-ness.

The main character moves to live with her dad, la-di-dah. A bunch of high quality drabble for the first quarter of the book. She then starts to notice something is up with the Cullen's, who she later finds out are actually vampires.

She then feels a certain draw to the fifth wheel of the group of couples, Edward Cullen. Their love blossoms, but fate continually tries to rip them apart. Many twists and turns in a story of vampire/human romance. Will draw the reader into the deep dark epic world of death, destruction and love that (so far) triumphs over all.

New Moon

September 13, Bella Swan's birthday. The Cullen's (namely Alice) being their filthy rich, extravagant selves, organise a party and shower Bella with uber expensive gifts, much to her dismay.

But will a complication at the party tear our young (or in Edward's case, very old) couple apart for eternity? Will their love survive or perish in flames? A fantastic read, a smooth transition from the first to second book.

Eclipse

Edward and Bella are back in swing, their troubled past near forgotten, but as an old enemy resurfaces, their (ExB) relationship is under even more strain as before and more importantly, how will Charlie (Bella's father) react to her news? Brilliant, enthralling and a lot of lovey-dovey goodness. Meyer has done it again!

Breaking Down

As Bella and Edward's wedding moves ever closer, their love proves to be eternal, but a complication on their honeymoon will rip things up at the newly stitched seam. After we find out the 'complication' there is a switch to Jacob's (Bella's best guy friend) point of view.

This is the funniest section of the saga. Meyer's portrayal of Jacob's adolescent wit shines through. Then things move to an ever so slightly serious note, as the complication is over, another, more serious threat looms.

The Volutari (vampire royal family) are on their way. Will their love survive, or will they even live? Compelling, absorbing and hilarious. Meyer has closed the saga for good, with a beautiful, for some, slightly disappointing end.

Other Library News...

Recommended website - Book Trust...Click here to link to Book Trust