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In this episode Claire & Sophie reflect on their many years as school librarians. They focus on their favourite moments and sum up why being a school librarian is such a rewarding experience.Podcast Time Stamps:Author Visits (3.30)Brian Conaghan (3.52)Simon James Green (4.21)Paula Rawsthorne (4.53)Bali Rai (5.17)Eve Ainsworth (5.36)Matt Dickenson (5.51)Student Librarians (6.05)Debate Club (8.10)Board Games Club (10.36)Reading Classics (12.44)Year 7 Gifted Book - Phil Earle (15.20)Booktrust (17.04)Final Book Reviews:'Only on the Weekends' by Dean Atta (19.22)'The Gone Book' by Helena Close (21.14)Stay in touch on twitter @marriscmarris @sljoneswriter and keep following the @lounge_learning handle! :D

In this episode Claire and Sophie interview Sydney. Sydney is the newly appointed Diversity Ambassador at Toot Hill College and identifies as Asexual and Nonbinary. They tell us more about what it means to be Asexual and Nonbinary and their experience. Remember its PRIDE month so get out there and celebrate!Questions:Talking about Asexuality and Nonbinary Diversity Ambassador Plans (4.05)What does Pride mean to you? (7.57)Advice to allies and those coming out (9.52)What are you reading? - 'The Bell Jar' by Elizabeth Sylvia Plath (13.15)Books with Asexual/Nonbinary Main Characters:'Loveless' by Alice Oseman (14.47)'Radio Silence' by Alice Oseman (15.06)'Birthday' by Meredith Russo (15.15)'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe (16.07)As always follow us on twitter @lounge_learning

In this episode Claire and Sophie interview Miss Gibbs. Miss Gibbs helps run the Diversity Group at school and identifies as bisexual. She tells us more about what it means to be bisexual and her experience. Remember its PRIDE month so get out there and celebrate!Questions:Talking about bisexualityDiversity Group (1.35)Your experience as a teen vs now (3.26)Bisexual Bad Press? (4.09)What does Pride mean to you? (5.51)Advice to allies and those coming out (7.34)What are you reading? - 'City of Girls' by Elizabeth Gilbert (9.05)Books with Bisexual Main Characters:'The Quiet At The End Of The Universe' by Lauren James (11.06)'The M Word' by Brian Conaghan (11.29)'Daisy On The Outer Line' by Ross Sayers (11.29)'Radio Silence' by Alice Oseman (12.08)'Red, White and Royal Blue' by Casey McQuiston (12.28)'Gentleman's Guide To Vice And Virtue' by Mackenzi Lee (12.51)'We Are Young' by Cat Clarke (13.06)As always follow us on twitter @lounge_learning

In this episode, Claire and Sophie interview Retired Professional Cricket player Darren Bicknell. Darren delivered a talk to our students today about getting into professional cricket, his experiences and careers in coaching.Questions:Where does your cricket career start? (0.31)Playing for England (4.19)What is the Belvoir Cricket and Countryside Trust (6.43)What do you love about coaching? (8.13)Tips for young players (9.10)Book Review:'Tales from the front lines' by Luke Fletcher (11.38)As always follow us on twitter @lounge_learning

In this episode, Claire and Sophie chat about Mental Health Week and focus on Loneliness. How can reading help you! With mention to the amazing Happiful magazine which we subscribe too. We then review our books.Book Review:'Kissing Emma' by Shappi Khorsandi (6.23)'Inheritance Games' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (7.58)'Bad Girls Never Say Die' by Jennifer Mathieu (10.07)'Radio Silence' by Alice Oseman (13.19)We will be back with Darren Bicknell next week!Chat to us on twitter @lounge_learning.

In this episode, Claire and Sophie talk about their recent library activities and then talk books!- Movie Night - reviewing the secret garden - Year 7 Gifted book - Phil Earle's amazing, 'While the Storm Rages'- Upcoming awards evening ft. Tamsin Winter.Book Reviews'October, October' by Katya Balen (5.03)'Lumberjanes Vol.2' by Noelle Stevenson (7.57)'Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me' by Mariko Tamaki (8.39)'The Bewitching of Aveline Jones' by Phil Hickes (10.14)'All Boys Aren't Blue' by George M. Johnson (13.24)'Kissing Emma' by Shappi Khorsandi (17.24)'The Inheritance Games' by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (21)As always get in touch over on twitter @lounge_learning

In this episode, Claire and Sophie chat to debut YA author Mark Ballabon. Mark has recently published his book 'Home: My life in the universe'. This podcast is bursting with fantastical philosophical conversations! Mark also uses is crazy skills and manages to tell Claire and Sophie about their personalities from just their handwriting!Its a podcast not to be missed!Questions include:Tell us about your book (0-3)Character discussion (3-8.30)How did you publish (8.30 -12.20)YA authors who inspire you (9.06-12.20)What does home mean to you? (12.20 -14)Fun activity - Reading our handwriting. (14-)As always join in the conversation on twitter @lounge_learning.

 In this episode, Claire and Sophie discuss World Book Night (0.11 - 4.26), The Heartstopper phenomenon (4.26 -6.03) and their upcoming author visit with Mark Ballabon (6.03-7.02). Shoutout to St George's Library for their great Heartstopper idea which we stole, you can follow them on twitter for more ideas @stgelibrary.Books Reviewed:'Before the Coffee gets Cold' by Toshikazu Kawaguchi/ translated by Geoffrey Trousselat (7.29)'Piranesi' by Susanna Clarke (9.24)'Not if I can help it' by Carolyn Mackler (10.46)'Our Wives under the Sea' by Julia Armfield (12.44)'October, October' by Katya Balen (14.55)'I am the Minotaur' by Anthony McGowen (16.26)Also if you are ever in the Northumberland area, check out these independent bookstores - Forum books and The Accidental bookshop. Their Twitter handle: @Forumbooks. These are mentioned at 12.44 in the podcast.As always join in the conversation over on twitter @lounge_learning.

Claire and Sophie read loads over the Easter Holidays! They dive straight into their reviews:Books Reviewed:'Not my problem' by Ciara Smyth (0.34)'Everyone dies famous in a small town' by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock (1.11)'Host Club' by Bisco Hatori (3.50)'New Kid' by Jerry Craft (5.13)'Guard your heart' by Sue Divin (5.37)'Cane Warriors' by Alex Wheatle (7.36)'Bad Hair Day' by Jane Forster (8.50)'Zara Hossain is here' by Sabina Khan (10.11)'Not if I can help it' by Carolyn Macker (11.49)'Gargantis' by Thomas Taylor (14.31)'October,October' by Katya Balen (16.37)As always join in the conversation over on twitter @lounge_learning

In this episode, Claire and Sophie chat to Hridya and Hannah - students at Toot Hill School. The students chat to us about the first ever Nova Inter-School Debate Competition. They talk us through their motions, what they learnt and why they think debate is important. Huge thanks to Madani School for debating with us! Until next time.The students then review their books, including 'We Come Apart' by Brian Conaghan and Sarah Crossan (9.22).As always get in touch via twitter @lounge_learning

Claire and Sophie talk about the Carnegie shortlist. 'When the Sky Falls' by Phil Earle'The Crossing' by Manjeet Mann'Punching the Air' by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam'Tsunami Girl' by Julian Sedgwick and Chie Kutsuwada'Cane Warriors' by Alex Wheatle'Guard your Heart' by Sue Divin'October October' by Katya BalenThey then review their books!'My Policeman' by Bethan Roberts (9.20)'Skywake Invasion' by Jamie Russell (10.33)'First Day of my Life' by Lisa Williamson (12.45)'Not my Problem' by Ciara SmythAs always join in the conversation over on our twitter @lounge_learning

In this episode, Claire & Sophie discuss the recent controversy surrounding a cancelled author visit. They lay out the facts and then offer their support to Simon James Green and express the importance of fiction in schools. They then discuss Claire's article about controversial fiction which will be published by SLA later this year. They then review their books.Book Reviews: 'Through the Woods' by Emily Carroll (8.14)'Loveless' by Alice Oseman (10.41)'What Kind of Girl' by Alyssa Sheinmel  (12.20)'Skywake Invasion' by Jamie Russell (15.46)'Hail Mary' by Andy Weir (16.56)As always let us know your thoughts over on twitter @lounge_learning.