Reading is a fantastic way to:

• Build up vocabulary - which helps you for verbal reasoning (part of general ability), reading comprehension and written expression.
• Model after excellent writing - regular reading of novels by your son and daughter will help them understand and experience first-hand what great writing looks like so that they can learn through good ‘role-models’.
• Experience vocabulary in context - one of the questions I often get by parents is whether or not their son/daughter should read the dictionary.  “No”.  This is because the dictionary is a reference, it is not for ‘reading’ but rather looking up.  When preparing for the written expression or writing test of your scholarship or selective entrance exam, the best way to improve vocabulary is to read books because you see vocabulary being used in context (i.e. how to apply that word and when that word would be suitably used).

If your child isn’t reading regularly, they should try to read a novel a week (or any other frequency that they are comfortable with) especially if they have an exam coming up.  While results (like improved vocabulary and writing) that come from reading won’t be immediate, as your child keeps reading regularly, you’ll start to see their writing and vocabulary improve!

Below is a list of 10 books that you can read over a 10 week period (one book per week) in the lead up to your child’s exam.  If you have less than that, then you can increase the frequency (twice a week) or just do a portion of the list.

The books below (and similar books from the authors) can be obtained from your local library - just ask your local librarian.  If you’d like to more information about what the book contains, click the title of the book.

Remember, reading isn’t just for exams, anyone wishing to improve their English should read - and you can also read for enjoyment.

Book Title	Author
The Magical Adventures of the Wishing Chair	Enid Blyton
The Witches	Roald Dahl
Matilda	Roald Dahl
Diary of a Wimpy Kid	Jeff Kinney
The Hunger Games	Suzanne Collins
Haroun and the Sea of Stories	Salman Rushdie
Coraline	Neil Gaiman
Tashi	Anna Fienberg
Dragon Moon	Carole Wilkinson
Rowan of Rin	Emily Rodda

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