Book Week Scotland began on Monday (17th November) and St Margaret’s School for Girls is joining readers across the country in celebrating the stories that inspire, challenge and connect us.
Marking the start of the national celebration, the school’s Head of English has shared her reflections on the novels that continue to capture students’ imaginations and remind us of the joy and importance of reading.
Ms Rooney Hall, Head of English at St Margaret’s School for Girls, said: “Book Week Scotland gives us the perfect excuse to set aside time to read. Reading allows us to step into other people’s lives, question the world around us, and discover new ways of thinking. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have for empathy and imagination.”
In the spirit of Book Week Scotland, here are a few of her favourite classic reads to discover or revisit:
1. Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy
A gripping page-turner perfect for darker evenings. The story begins with three friends going to Berwick Waters - but only two return. Through the eyes of Jennifer, a girl convicted of her friend’s murder, the novel explores forgiveness, redemption and justice with honesty and compassion.
“It’s as powerful today as when it was first published twenty years ago and challenges readers to think about second chances and what it means to move forward from the past.”
For more mature students, Rooney recommends Boy A by Jonathan Trigell, which tackles similar themes in a sensitive and thought-provoking way.
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A timeless classic that everyone should read at least once. Told through the eyes of six-year-old Scout, the novel explores race, class and courage in a small American town.
“This is one of those rare novels that allows you to learn about the world and be irrevocably changed. Through Scout’s bold and curious eyes, we witness a society shaped by race and class, and her loss of innocence prompts a powerful emotional response. Its message - to put yourself in another person’s skin and walk around in it - remains a vital lesson for our times.”
3. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
A classic of young adult fiction that still speaks to modern readers. Ponyboy and his brothers struggle to find their place in a world that judges them by appearance rather than character.
“I first read it as a teenager and fell in love with it. It’s about belonging, identity and staying true to yourself - themes every young person can relate to.”
4. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
A short but unforgettable tale of friendship, dreams and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
“This novel has never failed to move a student, even the most unwilling of readers, and despite having read the novel at least thirty times, I am always brought to tears by the sacrificial act of love at the end.”
As Book Week Scotland gets underway, St Margaret’s School for Girls is encouraging pupils, staff and families to pick up a book - whether it’s an old favourite or something entirely new.
Ms Rooney Hall, said: “Stories have an extraordinary ability to bring people together. That’s what makes Scottish Book Week such a special time - a reminder that reading isn’t just something we do in school, but something that enriches every part of life.”