This reading list contains suggestions of great books for Secondary 1 students. These books have been specially selected to introduce students to a variety of genres such as realistic fiction, mystery, adventure, fantasy, and science fiction. Check out these wonderful books today!

SUGGESTED READS FOR SECONDARY 1

Title: The Ghost of GraylockAuthor: Dan PoblockiCall No.: J POB

The new kid in town, Neil Cady, wants to find out for himself if the Graylock asylum is really haunted. But he is caught unawares by the horrifying encounters that await when he steps inside the dark and decrepit Graylock Hall.All Rights Reserved, Scholastic Inc., 2012.

Title: Three Times Lucky Author: Sheila TurnageCall No.: J TUR

Moses LoBeau, or Mo for short, lives in a small town where nothing remains a secret for long. When a dead man turns up in the town, Mo decides that it is up to her, her best friend, Dale, and anyone who loves the town to uncover the truth behind the murder.All Rights Reserved, Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012.

Title: Curse of the Spider King (Berinfell Prophecies, Book 1)Author: Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper Call No.: Y BAT

Seven different youths read an ancient book and find themselves transported back in time. They witness the history of the Elves, only to discover their true identities and the destiny that awaits them.All Rights Reserved, Thomas Nelson, 2009.

Title: Sandry’s Book (Circle of Magic, Book 1)Author: Tamora PierceCall No.: Y PIE

Four young children have painful histories in which the people around them refused to accept their magical gifts. When a mysterious mage seeks them out and brings them to Winding Circle, the children learn to control their gifts and grow to depend on one another as family. All Rights Reserved, Scholastic Inc., 1999.

Title: Scared Stiff: Everything You Need to Know About 50 Famous Phobias Author: Sara LattaCall No.: Y 616.8522 LAT

Ever heard of the fear of buttons, or the fear of not having your mobile phone with you? Both are real! Read all about common and bizarre phobias, why people develop them, and how to overcome them. Find out which celebrities share your phobias, and which movies have perpetuated certain fears. All Rights Reserved, Zest Books, 2013.

Title: Who Could That Be At This Hour? (All the Wrong Questions, Book 1)Author: Lemony SnicketCall No.: J SNI

Thirteen-year-old Lemony Snicket, under the apprenticeship of S. Theodora Markson, is being called upon to investigate the theft of a priceless statue in the tiny town of Stain’d-by-the-Sea. While picking up clues to solve the mystery, he goes on a curious adventure filled with secrets and questions.All Rights Reserved, Little, Brown and Co., 2012.

Title: Monster RepublicAuthor: Ben HortonCall No.: Y HOR(This book is also available in Overdrive, accessible via http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg.)

During an ill-fated school trip to a nuclear plant, a massive explosion occurs and kills most of Cameron Reilly’s classmates. Cameron wakes up to find that his body has been fused with bionic implants and parts of his dead classmates, and that he is now part of an army of superhuman soldiers created to assassinate the Prime Minister. All Rights Reserved, Corgi Children’s, 2010.

Title: The Iron King (The Iron Fey, Book 1)Author: Julie KagawaCall No.: Y KAG(This book is also available in Overdrive, accessible via http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg.)

Meghan’s four-year-old brother, Ethan, has been kidnapped and replaced with a vicious fey changeling by the Iron King. With the help of her best friend, a Fey prince and a talking cat, Meghan has to travel through Nevernever, the dangerous homeland of all the Fey to save Ethan. However, she soon realises that the Iron King is planning to capture an even bigger prize – her life. All Rights Reserved, Harlequin Teen, 2010.

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All rights reserved. The National Library Board, Singapore disclaims all liability and responsibility for all loss caused to any person by any act or omission due to the material contained herein. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher, the National Library Board, Singapore. Printed in May 2014.

Title: Guitar NotesAuthor: Mary AmatoCall No.: Y AMA(This book is also available in Overdrive, accessible via http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg.)

Tripp Broody looks forward to the odd days when he gets to use the school practice room to play the guitar. On even days, he has to relinquish it to the famous Lyla Marks whom he thinks has the perfect life – perfect grades, perfect friends and is even able to play the cello perfectly. When Trip and Lyla start leaving notes in the guitar case on their assigned days, they start a budding friendship. They realise that they may have a few things in common, including a love of playing music for themselves.All Rights Reserved, Egmont USA, 2012.

Title: Pegasus and the FlameAuthor: Kate O’HearnCall No.: Y OHE

During a bad thunderstorm, thirteen-year-old Emily discovers Pegasus, the winged horse from Roman mythology, badly injured on her late mother’s rooftop garden. Pegasus has been sent on a quest by the gods to find Vesta’s Flame that may tip the scales in an epic battle with a race of stone warriors called the Nirads. Along the way, Emily meets Paelen the Roman god of thieves, and Diana the Roman goddess of hunting, who use their skills to find the Flame before it is too late. All Rights Reserved, Hodder Children’s, 2011.

Title: Changing Moon (Nola’s Worlds, Book 1)Author: Mathieu Mariolle Call No.: Y 741.5944 MAR

Nola lives in Alto Donna, where the weather is wonderful and everywhere is beautiful. However, it is just too dull for the ever-curious Nola, who wishes for some excitement in her life. When the school librarian has an accident, Nola suspects that the two new students in her school had something to do with it. However, in the course of her investigation, she starts to befriend them even though she is sure they are hiding something from her…All Rights Reserved, Graphic Universe, 2010.

Title: Viridian Author: Susan Gates Call No.: Y GAT (This book is also available in Overdrive, accessible via http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg.)

A virus has affected the world, changing humans into peaceful human and plant hybrids called Verdans. There are now only a few humans left in the world as more and more people choose the Verdan way. Then there are the Cultivars, brutal Verdans who are determined to wipe out what remains of humanity. What will happen to the human race and who will win the war?All Rights Reserved, A. & C. Black, 2012.

Title: Death Cloud (Sherlock Holmes, the Legend Begins, Book 1)Author: Andrew LaneCall No.: Y LAN

It is the year 1868 and fourteen-year-old Sherlock Holmes is unhappy on the last day of school. His army officer father is suddenly posted to India, his mother is ill and instead of going home for the summer, he has to spend the break with relatives he does not know. However, his time is filled investigating the cause of death of two local townsmen. At first, the deaths are linked to the plague, but Sherlock finds out that it is something even more sinister. Will he be able to get to the bottom of the mystery before more lives are lost? All Rights Reserved, Square Fish, 2011.

Title: Explorer: The Mystery Boxes: Seven Graphic StoriesEditor: Kazu KibuishiCall No.: Y 741.5973 EXP

This graphic novel contains seven stories by eight different comic writers. The stories, from different genres, have one thing in common: each tale revolves around a mystery box. Just what does each box hold?All Rights Reserved, Amulet Books, 2012.

Title: A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic NovelAuthor: Hope LarsonCall No.: Y 741.5973 LAR

This is the tale of the incredible journey of three kids – Meg Murry, Charles Wallace Murry and Calvin O’Keefe, who travel through time in search of Meg’s and Charles’s missing father.All Rights Reserved, Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012.