Middle school can be a challenging time for many students as they navigate the transition from elementary school to high school. It is a time of growth, both academically and personally, and it can often feel overwhelming. However, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, there is also a hidden magic to be found in middle school. One of the first places where this magic can be found is in the variety of subjects and activities that students are exposed to. Middle school is a time when students are introduced to new subjects such as science, history, and foreign languages. This diversity allows students to discover new interests and passions that they may not have known they had.
Remember when you really wanted to be on the show Survivor? Not after reading this book. The bleak story about a bunch of boys shipwrecked on an island haunted your dreams. Maybe there were some themes in there about the struggle for power versus the human instinct for order and civilization, but all you could think about was how bad you felt for Piggy.
Because we ve all been there we ve all purchased the same copy of the same book, plodded through the same novel while scribbling annotations in the margins, rinsed, and repeated with another classic. Sure, maybe the book was great and had amazing quotes and flawless writing, but unfortunately you just couldn t enjoy it because it was required or maybe English class just wasn t your thing.
This diversity allows students to discover new interests and passions that they may not have known they had. Whether it's performing experiments in a science lab or learning about ancient civilizations, middle school provides opportunities for students to explore and find what ignites their curiosity. Additionally, middle school is a time when students begin to develop their own identities and form lasting relationships.
Power & persecution: the best books about witches
From heart-breaking tales inspired by true stories to modern-day thrillers and non-fiction explorations of the criminalization of female power, don't miss our edit of the best books about witches.
17/08/2022 1 minute to readFrom rich fantasy worlds to modern-day thrillers and historical fiction based on real witch trials, we're spellbound by books about witches. And it doesn't stop there, our collective fascination with witchcraft has also taken hold of the non-fiction shelves in the form of Mona Collet’s In Defence of Witches, which examines the dark past of female persecution, and its echoes in the twenty-first century.
So whether it's eery tales from bygone eras you're looking for, or a modern-day take on reclaiming and reframing the craft, here, we've collected our edit of the very best books about witches.
The Women Could Fly
by Megan Giddings
For fans of Margaret Atwood and Octavia E. Butler, The Women Could Fly is a feminist dystopian novel that speaks to our times. In a world where witches are real and unmarried women over the age of thirty must be monitored by the state, Josephine Thomas is twenty-eight, ambivalent about marriage and on the cusp of losing autonomy over her own life. It's been fourteen years since her mother's disappearance, and Jo has heard ever possible explanation from kidnapping to murder . . . to witchcraft; but all these years later, she feels she's never understood her mother more. So when she's offered an opportunity to honour one last request from her mother's will, she takes it . . .
Hare House
by Sally Hinchcliffe
On a crisp autumn day a woman travels to London, having left her post at a London girls school in murky circumstances. She starts to explore the land around her cottage on the isolated Hare House estate, walking the moors and woodland. And she begins to hear unsettling stories, of witches, strange clay figures, and young men scared out of their wits. Having made friends with her landlord Grant and his sister Cass, doubts begin to descend. And when a snowfall traps the inhabitants of the house together, the tension escalates . . .
The Mercies
by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
This stunningly evocative novel set on the remote Norwegian island of Vardø in the 1600s was inspired by the real Vardø storm and the subsequent witch hunt. When a catastrophic storm wipes out almost the entirety of the male population of the island, the women who are left, still grieving for their men, are forced to fend for themselves. Eighteen months later, the sinister new commissioner, Absolom Cornet, arrives with his young wife Ursa. Ursa sees independent women for the first time in her life, and she is drawn to Maren, the young woman who helps her navigate life in this harsh new world. But Absolom is convinced that the women’s behaviour is ungodly and he must bring them to heel by any means necessary.
In Defence of Witches
A fascinating take on the witch hunt, documenting historical persecution of women, and tracing it into the modern-day. Mona Chollet examines three archetypes from historical witchhunts: independent women; childless women; and women for whom ageing is acceptable. Her argument is that by looking at the lives of those who lived differently in the past, we can seek roles in the present that allow us to live more interesting lives, unfettered by societal limitations.
On a crisp autumn day a woman travels to London, having left her post at a London girls school in murky circumstances. She starts to explore the land around her cottage on the isolated Hare House estate, walking the moors and woodland. And she begins to hear unsettling stories, of witches, strange clay figures, and young men scared out of their wits. Having made friends with her landlord Grant and his sister Cass, doubts begin to descend. And when a snowfall traps the inhabitants of the house together, the tension escalates . . .
It is a period of self-discovery and self-expression. Students have the chance to join clubs, participate in extracurricular activities, and engage in sports. These experiences allow them to meet like-minded peers and forge friendships based on shared interests. Middle school can be a place where students find their tribe, a community of individuals who understand and support one another. Furthermore, middle school is also a time when students start taking more ownership of their education. They begin to develop critical thinking skills and learn how to advocate for themselves. It can be empowering for students to realize that they have a voice and that their opinions and ideas matter. Middle school can be a stepping stone for students to become active participants in their own learning, setting them up for success later in life. In conclusion, while middle school may be filled with challenges and uncertainties, there is also a hidden magic to be discovered. The variety of subjects and activities, the opportunities for self-discovery and relationship-building, and the chance for students to take ownership of their education are all sources of this magic. It is a time of growth and exploration, where students can find their passions and develop into confident individuals. So, despite the inevitable ups and downs of middle school, it is important to remember to embrace the magic that lies within..
Reviews for "Uncovering the Wonders: Exploring the Magic of Middle School"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Finding the Magic in Middle School". The characters were flat and one dimensional, and I couldn't relate to any of them. The plot was predictable and lacked any real depth or substance. I was hoping for a story that would capture the struggles and experiences of middle schoolers in a meaningful way, but this book fell flat. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and unremarkable read.
2. John - 1 star - I really did not enjoy "Finding the Magic in Middle School" at all. The writing style was incredibly juvenile and felt like it was written by someone who had never experienced middle school themselves. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and the attempts at humor fell completely flat for me. I also found the pacing to be off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. I was hoping for a more authentic portrayal of middle school life, but this book missed the mark completely.
3. Emily - 1 star - I had high hopes for "Finding the Magic in Middle School" but was sorely disappointed. The main character was incredibly annoying and whiny, and I couldn't sympathize with her at all. The supporting characters were also poorly developed, and it felt like the author just threw in random stereotypes without any real purpose. The writing was also lackluster and repetitive, and I found myself losing interest quickly. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a relatable and engaging middle school story.