Unlock the magic: Books that bring classrooms to life

Malory Towers, Famous Five, Secret Seven, and Five Find-Outers by Enid Blyton are books that almost all of us have grown up reading. Besides the fact that these books have moral values and life lessons that kids need to learn, these books are based with schools as a backdrop making it a fantastic read, especially for school-goers.

This is because school is a significant part of a child’s life, and reading books set in a school setting allows them to connect with relatable characters and situations. It can help them feel understood and realise that they are not alone in their experiences.

Manjusha Das, TGT English at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park said that reading story books and novels centred on school life can be highly beneficial for students. “They not only provide entertainment but also offer valuable life lessons, and emotional insights. They encourage empathy, self-reflection, and personal growth, while also improving language and literacy skills. Students may find characters in these books who resemble their own personalities or face similar situations. This can help them gain insight into their strengths and weaknesses, make better choices, and reflect on their behaviour and actions,” Manjusha explained.

School-themed books often explore various emotions that students go through like friendship, love, loyalty, courage, betrayal, fear and many more, Manjusha said and added that by reading about characters dealing with these emotions, students can develop empathy, emotional intelligence, and a better understanding of their feelings.

So while there was a time when probably Enid Blyton was the only author writing fiction based on school for children, today, there are endless books based on school settings that are suitable for children of different ages.

Here is a list of books that children in the age group of 12-18 can read. Parent discretion is recommended.

1.       Harry Potter series by JK Rowling: A magical series following the adventures of Harry Potter and his friends at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

2.       The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger: A classic coming-of-age novel that explores the experiences of a teenage boy named Holden Caulfield.

3.       Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card: A science fiction novel set in a future where child prodigies are trained at a battle school to fight against an alien species.

4.       Wonder by RJ Palacio: A heartwarming and inspiring story about a boy named Auggie who faces challenges as he enters a mainstream school for the first time, dealing with his facial differences.

5.       The School for Good and Evil series by Soman Chainani: It follows best friends Sophie and Agatha who find themselves on opposing sides of a modern fairy tale when they’re swept away into an enchanted school where young heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance of good and evil.

6.       The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart: The novel’s main theme is the importance of cooperation.

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Reading story books and novels centred on school life can be highly beneficial for students. “They not only provide entertainment but also offer valuable life lessons, and emotional insights. They encourage empathy, self-reflection, and personal growth, while also improving language and literacy skills

–Manjusha Das, TGT English at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park

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But what about kids between the ages of six to 11? Here are some book recommendations based on school settings

1.       Matilda by Roald Dahl: The story of a young girl named Matilda who discovers her extraordinary telekinetic abilities while attending a school with a tyrannical headmistress.

2.       The Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole” An educational series that combines science and adventure as Ms. Frizzle takes her class on incredible field trips aboard the magical school bus.

3.       Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary: The story of Ramona Quimby, an imaginative and spirited third-grader who faces the challenges and joys of school life.

4.       The Rainbow Magic series by Daisy Meadows: A collection of books that follow the adventures of two friends, Rachel and Kirsty, as they help magical fairies retrieve their lost objects.

5.       Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne: A series featuring Jack and Annie, who discover a magical tree house that takes them on time-traveling adventures to different historical periods.

6.       Junie B Jones series by Barbara Park: The humorous and relatable stories of Junie B. Jones, a kindergartner navigating the ups and downs of school life and friendships.

There is a quote by George RR Martin: A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one. “He is an American novelist and short-story writer, screenwriter, and television producer. He is the author of the series of epic fantasy novels like A Song of Ice and Fire, which was adapted into the Emmy Award-winning series Game of Thrones,”  Sapna Sondhi said, who teaches English at Apeejay School, Pitampura.

Reading is one of the four skills that always keeps you in the company of great writers for your lifetime provided you choose the right books to read. But the question arises: What is the importance of reading? Today’s generation is losing this skill,” Sondhi said and gave reasons behind the importance of inculcating reading, Sondhi said.

“There is a reason why ‘books are your best friends’; they are good company and a good source of entertainment. If you are well-read, you gain self-confidence and can have a good discussion with others. The more you read the better your communication skills and your language is. Reading books improves and enhances concentration. Reading helps children to improve memory and help them retain the information for a longer period. It also is a great brain exercise, promotes thinking skills, improves writing skills and reduces stress,” Sondhi opined.

Benefits of reading school-based books

Educational value: Many school-based books incorporate educational elements, such as science, history, or problem-solving. Children can learn new concepts, expand their knowledge, and develop a curiosity for learning.

Social skills and relationships: Reading about different social dynamics and relationship-building can help children navigate their own interactions with peers and develop social skills.

Personal growth: School-based books often portray characters overcoming challenges, developing resilience, and discovering their strengths leading to personal growth and self-improvement.