Book Maze

The specialist study is an important part of the English curriculum and over 10,500 books aimed at the children/teenage market are published each year. So how do we keep up with this market and find accurate and honest information about the suitability of these books that teenagers are interested in reading?

Reading them all ourselves is impossible, so the Book Maze database has been designed to help teachers and librarians gather together accurate and detailed information on suitable personal study books.

It aims to provide honest reviews of the modern books that pupils may wish to use for the specialist study in the English curriculum. Many librarians and teachers have already been busy submitting reviews and you will find over 60 books reviewed on this database.

This database contains information about different books at all levels; Intermediate 1, 2, and Higher. Each entry will give information on recommended level of texts, jacket covers, short synopsis, reviews, subject/focus, examples of questions set by teachers and content guidance i.e. highlighting areas which may be sensitive/contentious.

Subject areas will be defined for ease of searching. Users will be able to search by genre, level, type of book, female/male central character, e.g. ‘Higher’ & ‘teenage pregnancy’. Reviews can be submitted on books that are fiction, non-fiction, poetry or short stories.

Modern fiction

While you may find some classic books reviewed on this site, Book Maze primarily highlights modern teenage fiction that some teachers and/or school librarians may not be aware of. You are welcome to add a review of any book you think is suitable for the Personal Study but do avoid adding reviews of books that most teachers of Higher English and librarians will already know are suitable.