Library

Welcome to the online portal for the school library.

These pages are managed by Oasis Arena's librarian Miss Le.

Use the buttons on the right hand side to navigate these pages, or the tabs below to get to know the library and the library staff.

Should you have any questions or concerns about our School Library or Online Library Page, please contact our Librarian Miss Le at Yen.Le@oasisarena.org

About the Library

The Library will provide a high-quality service in support of teaching and learning.- Library Mission Statement

The library is located on the ground floor, left of the reception, and is open before and after school and throughout the school day from 8am till 4pm for students to read or work. The library is looked after by Miss Le and open to all, providing a bright and pleasant environment for reading and studying.

Students are able to use this space throughout their time at Oasis Academy Arena to find lots of information to help with schoolwork and personal growth: with more than 4000 books, newspapers, and reference books, there’s plenty to be found in the library.

Bookish events and things to do are also posted in the library and around the school, including events like ‘Readathon,’ ‘Blind Date with a book,’ scavenger hunts, writing competitions and more!

Borrowing books from the school library

Students may borrow up to 3 books for 3 weeks.

All you need to do to borrow a book is bring your smile and name to the main desk and your librarian will do the rest! Books can be renewed for a further 3 weeks if it has not been reserved by another student. Just bring the book to the librarian to renew it.

What happens if books are returned late or lost?

Students must take care of the items they borrow and remember to return them on time (see the date stamped inside). There is a helpful reminder system in place if you do forget: your tutor will remind you, and a letter may be sent home. You could be charged to replace any lost/damaged books.

Meet the Library staff!

Miss Le

Our school librarian is an avid reader of young adult and fantasy. You'll often find the top of her head behind the bookshelves or with her nose buried in her e-books.

Her favourite books are: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

Our student librarians

Huh? It's empty? You mean to say Miss Le is currently on the lookout for some amazing students to be her student librarians?

Do you have what it takes to help her out at break or lunch times? Are you...friendly, reliable and polite? Enthusiastic, full of ideas and keen to help? Wow. Then do you also have what it takes to play an exciting and important role in the day to day running of your school library?

Then you should fill in this application form, and send it to Miss Le at once!

Note: all applications will be fondly processed and considered but, as normal use of the library is not currently possible, student librarian roles are currently on hold. You will be contacted as soon as interviews and training can go ahead.

Why is reading important?

Children in England are reported to read less frequently for pleasure outside of school than children in many other countries.

But reading makes you:

Smarter, developing your vocabulary and comprehension: reading teaches us words that enable us to better express ourselves.
Develops empathy and resilience: reading allows us to step into someone else's shoes and experiences, allowing us to better understand and communicate with each other.
Nurtures mental health and well being: children who do not read regularly are at more risk of developing mental health problems later in life, including depression, anxiety and aggression.
Stronger! Studies have shown that those who read for pleasure have a greater ability to cope with difficult situations.
Sleep better: giving your brain a good work out can help you to sleep better.

Happy reading!

Celebrating World Book Day!

Celebrate World Book Day Remotely on the 4th of March!

Using this Digital Book Token, you can get one of the exclusive, new £1 World Book Day books OR £1 off any book or audiobook costing £2.99 at participating booksellers and supermarkets.

Find your closest participating bookstore or supermarket here

How can you celebrate virtually?

See info about virtual events taking place here

You could also:

Check out the Show Your Shares and Design a National Book Token competitions for a chance to win up to £100 National book tokens
Watch the Unicorn Theatre's exhilarating reading of
@roald_dahl's #TheTwits, which is free until the 5th of March on their Youtube Channel

Don't forget you can review books you've read for easy Arena points or contact your librarian for book suggestions or help.

See the full terms and conditions of the book token here

Contact the librarian

New books in the library this week

Click here to see our newest books! 12th July 2021

With clickable links to e-books or audiobooks that you can read on your mobile, tablet or desktop for free with Croydon Library.

If you’re not a member of any of the Croydon Libraries, it’s very easy and free to sign up, and there’s a step by step guide on the school website.
If you'd like to borrow any of new books, please use the Request a Book form, speak to your librarian, or email them at: yen.le@oasisarena.org.

Previously:

Book reviews by students, staff and parents! Newest to oldest.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

The Time Machine

By H. G. Wells

★★★★☆

The part that I liked was the notes in page xxvii , the part that I didn’t liked was the first page of the book and page 81. In reality I liked the whole book.

Who would you recommend this book to?

"I don’t know people that love reading, but I will recommend the movie to a friend."

Review by an anonymous student at Oasis Academy Arena

Borrow this book from the school library Borrow this book from Croydon library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

Roller Girl

Roller girl

By Victoria Jamieson

★★★★★

I loved this book so much if finished it they day I got it, I related to the main character, and I have never wanted to roller derby so much in my life!! :D

Who would you recommend this book to?

"People who love roller skating!!"

Also...

"IT’S A COMIC!!!"

Review by an anonymous student at Oasis Academy Arena

Borrow this book from the school library Write your own review for easy Arena points!

Theodore bonne: Kid Lawyer

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

By J. K. Rowling

★★★★★

I loved the story line and how it was the film script so you could get the exact story without watching the film.

Who would you recommend this book to?

"Everyone."

Also...

"This made me want to watch the film so I did!"

Review by Charlie, Year 7 student at Oasis Academy Arena

Borrow this book from the school library Borrow this book from Croydon library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

The Fate of Ten

By Pittacus Lore

★★★★★

Where do I start. In my opinion this is probably the most emotional book I’ve read because it has a beautiful and sad ending. This book is less sci-fi and more spiritual connections. It was really deep and this is the second to last book in the series and I am excited to read the last one. This book was not strong enough to make me cry but it really connected with my inner self. It gave me a emotion I’ve never felt before.

Who would you recommend this book to?

"I’m gonna be honest with you, if you really wanna read this book you’re going to have to read the first five books - the series is good though. This book is the type you read when you want to connect with not only the characters but the plot itself."

Also...

"If you really wanna feel this book you might wanna listen to soft music while reading the second half of the book (the ending.)"

Review by Blessing, Year 9 student at Oasis Academy Arena

Borrow this book from the school library Borrow this book from Croydon library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

Pet

By Akwaeke Emezi

★★★★★

Pet delivers a powerful message that explores morality and justice in a utopian world where 'monsters' supposedly no longer exist, having being removed by 'angels'. But Jam, our main character, is spurred into a hunt for a 'monster' at her friend Redemption's house after she meets Pet.

It was incredibly refreshing to see LGBTQIA+ themes and diversity throughout.

Review by Miss Le, Librarian at Oasis Academy Arena.

Borrow this book from Croydon library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

(2nd) Lying About Last Summer by Sue Wallman

Lying About Last Summer

By Sue Wallman

★★★★☆

The real villain was unknown till the very end. I liked that, but it could have been more exciting if they stayed with the main plot. However the ending was quite trepidatious.

Who would you recommend this book to?

Anyone who has just finished a series and has nothing to read.

Review by Blessing in Year 9, student at Oasis Academy Arena.

Borrow this book from the school library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

I Am Number Four

By Pittacus Lore

★★★★★

Actually I give this book 6.2 stars. This book has the perfect sci-fiction recipe. It has: 2 cups of action, a teaspoon of horror, a dash of romance and a pinch of death. Oh and don't forget a cherry of outer space on top.

Who would you recommend this book to?

"All people looking for a decent book to read or love books with aliens or love sci-fiction books. This is a book to remember...forever!!!"

Also...

"This book might be better than the Maze Runner it self [no offence James Dashner]. The cover might be ugly but like my grandma always says never judge a book by it's cover."

Review by Blessing. M - Year 9 student at Oasis Academy Arena.

Borrow this book from the school library Borrow this book from Croydon library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Lying About Last Summer by Sue Wallman

Lying About Last Summer

By Sue Wallman

★★★★★

This has an excellent plot, Skye is such a relatable character!

Who would you recommend this book to?

Family

Also...

"There really should be a part two."

Review by Child in Year 8, student at Oasis Academy Arena.

Borrow this book from the school library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

Thief! By Malorie Blackman

Thief!

By Malorie Blackman

★★★★☆

A little stubborn girl who is peer pressured into stealing the school trophy cup only to be dragged to the future by a lighting bolt at full speed .

Also...

"A beautiful story about how a devastating future turns a girl from salty to sweet."

Review by Blessing - Year 9 student at Oasis Academy Arena.

Borrow this book from the school library Borrow this book from Croydon library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

The Poet X

By Elizabeth Acevedo

★★★★★

A story about a young strong passionate Dominican girl trying to find her voice through poetry.

Also...

"This book has won the "C.I.L.I.P Carnegie Medal," "The Great Reads Awards," "National Book Award," ''Boston Globe-Horn Book award" and many more. Totally recommended to all you poets out there."

Review by Blessing - Year 9 student at Oasis Academy Arena.

Borrow this book from the school library

Read for free as an E-Book with Croydon Library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

The Fever Code by James Dashner

The Fever Code

By James Dashner

★★★★★

WOW what an amazing way to see when, why and how the maze runner truly be came to be . It gave me great pleasure to see all my favourite characters again with more emotion and back story to their in a personality. All secrets and misunderstanding will be resolved in this book. The fever code really closes the book to the whole maze runner series in a satisfying, nerve racking emotional way.

Who would you recommend this book to?

"To all maze runner fans this is a book to remember. In fact to all sci-fiction lovers why not try the maze runner series. Just don't read it at 3 o'clock in the morning, a griever might sneak up on you."

Also...

"THE ENDING OF THIS BOOK MADE ME CRY"

Review by Blessing/Jasmine - Year 9 student at Oasis Academy Arena.

Borrow this book from the school library

Read for free as an E-Book with Croydon Library

Write your own review for easy Arena points!

Navigation menu for library pages

Free E-books and Audio-books

How to join Croydon Libraries

Search the school library and reserve books

What should you read next?

Writing Competitions and Quick Quizzes

Write a book review

Suggest me a book!

Word Of The Week

honesty

Pronunciation [ on-uh-stee ]

NOUN

^1.Truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness.

^2.The quality of being honest

Examples:

She answered all my questions with her usual honesty.

And the moral of the story is that honesty is always the best policy.

Featured Book

Not So Pure and Simple

By Lamar Giles

Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she's finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del's right behind her. Though he quickly realizes he's inadvertently signed up for a Purity Pledge.

His dad thinks his wires are crossed, and his best friend, Qwan, doesn't believe any girl is worth the long game. But Del's not about to lose his dream girl, and that's where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. He can put in the good word. In exchange, Del just has to get answers to the Pledgers' questions...about sex ed.

With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move fast.

Exceptional Education at the Heart of the Community

Exceptional Education at the Heart of the Community

Library

Welcome to the online portal for the school library.

New books in the library this week

Navigation menu for library pages

Word Of The Week

honesty

Not So Pure and Simple

By Lamar Giles