Preparing for the 11+? Why reading classic texts is so important.

With the 11+ exams just around the corner, you may be wondering how to boost your chances of success. My response to this would be to keep completing lots of practice papers and to read, read, read. Reading every day is essential: it builds vocabulary, feeds into excellent writing and develops a fluency and eloquence in speech. And best of all, it’s a wonderful way to relax and dream away those lazy summer holiday afternoons.

Reading classic texts, such as the ones listed below, will help to expand your child’s vocabulary as well as introducing new and unfamiliar settings:

·         Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The Lost World, Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles

·         Arthur Ransome: Swallows and Amazons

·         Frances Hodgson Burnett: The Secret Garden, A Little Princess

·         William Golding: Lord of the Flies

·         Mark Twain: The Adventures of To Sawyer

·         George Orwell: Animal Farm

·         Malorie Blackman: Noughts and Crosses Trilogy

·         Susan Coolridge: What Katy Did series

·         E. Nesbit: The Railway Children, Five Children and It

·         Louis Sachar: Holes

·         Joan Aiken: The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

·         Nina Bawden: Carrie’s War

·         Jonathan Swift: Gulliver’s Travels

Phew, so there is a starter list of classic texts for your child to enjoy. I hope that you don’t find them too whimsical (remember to use the ‘Word of the Day’ everyone 😊).