The Inkling Volume 3

By Mrs McKenzie
EX Libris
The books outlined below are some of my favourites that I would
recommend for readers in secondary school- not necessarily my
favourite reads as an adult!
‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl
I had to start this article with one of my favourite childhood classics:
‘Matilda’. I was completely spellbound with all Roald Dahl stories, so it
was difficult to select just one that I would recommend. Although
primarily for younger readers, I would say that everyone should
experience this book at least once. ‘Matilda’, for me, is a lovely story
that proves that grown-ups have their faults too. The ability to move
objects with the power of my mind always appealed to me and I
envied Matilda this ability. I was so happy when Matilda had her happy
ending and I’ve always wanted to be like Miss Honey!
‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte
This is one of my all-time favourite reads. I read this book first when I
was in Primary school (an abridged version) and again when I was
studying at university. I was always struck with the character of Jane
and her ability to persevere through all of the hardships she endures
in the novel. I find Bronte’s writing so powerful and vivid, and felt like
I experienced every step of Jane’s journey with her. Later, at
university, we explored the feminist aspect of the book and how
Jane’s independence was ahead of its time. It spurred me on to
reading Jean Rhys’ ‘The Wide Sargasso Sea’ which details the back
story of Bertha and how she came to England with Rochester. I love
the heart-breaking ending with her reunion with Rochester and how
she becomes the heroine that she deserves to be.
‘The Hunger Games’ series by Suzanne Collins