Power Of Books When Changing Schools

Power Of Books When Changing Schools

Between the ages of 8 and 13, I went to four different schools, including one halfway around the world. This meant I had be the ‘new girl’ four times, not know how the school works four times, try to make friends four times. You get the idea. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of it was great fun, and I met so many wonderful people. But it was also incredibly daunting. In fact terrifying is a more accurate word. But there was one thing that saved me during these turbulent times. Books!

The night before my first day of school, I would grab my favourite: The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, and I’d be transported to Narnia. Instead of worrying about the next day, I would see my old friends, Lucy and Mr Tumnus. I’d stroke Aslan’s fur, and shake my head in horror at Edward’s actions - I was quite a judgmental child!!

My copy passed down to the next generation.

This book was my constant. When everything else was changing, it was my security blanket. And even now, if I pick up my tatty much loved copy, those feelings of warmth and safety come flying back.

Most children between the ages of 8 and 13, have to change schools at some point, whether it’s primary to secondary, prep to senior. It’s a time of transition.  And it’s hard. Books can be real lifesavers at times like this.

They can be a comfort, an old familiar face, when everything else seems to be changing. Just like The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe was for me.

Or they can be helpful tools. Pea’s Book of Best Friend’s by Susie Day is a superb book telling the tale of three girls, not only moving school, but moving house too. Written in such a humorous way, it shows all the different emotions children feel they when start a new school. What I particularly love is that it shows how things don’t always go as planned; it takes time to settle; and most importantly, things often have a way of working themselves out in the end.

Or perhaps, books are pure escapism. A child chooses a brand new story, that’s so gripping, so spellbinding, there’s no way they can put it down to spend time worrying about what might or might not happen. Right now, there’s such a surge of fantastic middle grade books; so many for children to choose from; so many for children to escape in.