Wilderness Themed Books

As the nights draw in and heading out for a walk becomes less appealing why not snuggle up with a wilderness themed read:

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The Call of the Wild by Jack London (he also wrote White Fang)

Adventures in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella Bird
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Ms. Young recommends Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Mr.Bandoo recommends Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer Miss McCormack recommends Wild: From

Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Mr. Toman's 'Do I Exist?' Links

Short video from the BBC explaining 'I think, therefore I am'

Crash Course - Neo, meet Rene (Youtube Link)

What is Real? 8-bit Philosophy tries to explain Plato's Cave (Youtube link)

Proof your senses are lying to you (Youtube link)

What's the Big Idea - Truth (Youtube Link)

You are Living in a computer simulation and maths proves it

5 Reasons you can't even trust your own memories



Mental Wellbeing Resources

If you need some Mental Health Support related to the COVID19 situation specifically try:

Mind - Coronavirus and your mental wellbeing

Mental Health Foundation - How to look after your mental health during the Coronavirus Outbreak.

JYHS Library stocks a range of mental wellbeing books - look for an apple on the top of the spine in the Mental Shelf section or just ask Mrs.Wilson to point you in the right direction. The books offer support not just for those suffering with poor mental health but also for those trying to support them.
Included in the collection is the excellent - 'I had a Black Dog' by Matthew Johnstone which deals with depression.



There are also a range of resources you can access online:

Mood Gym - free online course to help you identify the issues and overcome them.

The Mix - information and support for anyone on mental health.

BBC Advice - information and suggestions for support for good mental health.

Stress and Anxiety in Teenagers - NHS tool to help you deal with stress and anxiety

Living Life to the Full - helping you to help yourself deal with depression, stress and anxiety

Breathing Space - support for anyone is Scotland feeling low, anxious or depressed.

Action on Depression - Scotland's national charity for depression

Winston's Wish - offer support for children and young people dealing with bereavement

BEAT - beating eating disorders

For parents or staff - MindEd offers a free resource to help give you confidence in supporting and identifying young people struggling with mental ill health. Pooky Knightsmith's blog also has some things to help staff.

For those looking to change the perception of mental health or change the way you were treated:
See Me Scotland - campaign to end mental health discrimination
Young Minds - The voice for children and young people's mental health and wellbeing


Mrs.Wilson's Crime Selection

Looking for some holiday reading? Why not try a crime.


1. Agatha Christie - Nemesis
Ok so all Christie is well worth a read but this Miss Marple is a classic of the Christie cannon. A dead man sends Miss Marple a letter with instructing her to investigate a crime but fails to tell her who, where and when the crime was committed.

2. Alexander McCall Smith - The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
A captivating read which transports you to a different pace and way of thinking. Precious Ramotswe is Botswana's only female detective. Wayward daughters, curious conmen and philandering partners are her usual fare but this time the case of a missing child proves to be far more sinister.

3. Christopher Brookmyre  - Quite Ugly One Morning
A witty, face-paced crime set in Edinburgh and the dialogue is a real joy to read. Journalist Jack Parlabane stumbles over a corpse while nursing a hellish hangover and determines to solve the murder himself.

4. Ira Levin -A Kiss Before Dying
An award winning modern classic, it's a suspenseful tale which is a thrill to read. When Dorothy falls pregnant while still in college, the fear of her family discovering the truth and disinheriting her a very real threat. However, her handsome young beau, has the answer a few pills that would mean no baby - and perhaps no Dorothy either.

5. M.C.Beaton - Death of a Gossip
Well crafted and easy to read, the Hamish Macbeth series make and excellent lazy Sunday read. This is the first in the series and sees Lochdubh's Police Sergeant - Hamish Macbeth try to solve the murder of the town's gossip who was sharing secrets about nearly everyone.

Ms Dewar suggests the Dublin Murder Squad books by Tana French - they're a series but they don't all have the same police in them so they work as stand alones or in any order.

Mrs.Kerr (pupils support) recommends David Baldacci who writes thrillers with a crime element.

Mr.Toman suggests The City and The City by China MiƩville which combines weird fiction with a police procedural.

(NB: these are all from the adult fiction section)

Calling Teen Sellers

Broxburn Town Centre Manager, Hazel Hay, has confirmed that The Teenage Market will be held in Broxburn Town Centre 10am – 2pm on 10th December 2016.

This year it will be held indoors in the old Scotmid building in the centre of town in the same place as “Santa’s Grotto” so there will be guaranteed footfall at the event. This will be an opportunity for primary and secondary schools to showcase their talents in performing or as a trader.

The Teenage Market will be a platform to raise money selling their enterprise products from school activities or their own entrepreneurial activities outside school including their performing talents.

Sign up via The Teenage Market website but should you have any questions or would like to register your interest please contact Gemma Telfer 01506 283400 or gemma.telfer@westlothian.gov.uk

Mr. Paterson's Comic Book Recommendations

Must reads of the past has to include Civil war, particularly with the movie released earlier this year.

Spiderman - One more day series wee fantastic also off the back of the civil war reveal. 

Literally anything Deadpool - assuming you're not taking life too seriously. 

X-men Schism leading into Wolverine and the X-men (where wolverine really shines)

Last Marvel would be A vs X. long awaited and it didn't disappoint. 

My only DC shouts would be Batman : War games and the Battle for the cowl following Batman RIP. 
Oh and Hush.

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