January Book Club Picks

This book speaks beautifully to the idea that kindness isn’t just about being nice — it’s about truly noticing each other and choosing to connect.

This book builds the early social thinking we value at LWS: empathy, patience and persistence in connecting with others..

We chose this book because it models the joy of connection and reminds children that small acts of kindness can bring big changes.

We picked this because it shows that kindness comes in many forms, from many different people. It helps children see themselves as part of a kind and caring world.

We chose this because it grounds children in a sense of shared humanity. At a time when they’re starting to see themselves in the wider world, this book reminds them that kindness begins with understanding just how connected we all are.

This choice helps children step into the shoes of someone who sees the world differently. It invites reflection and empathy, but more importantly, it encourages children to think about how we show kindness in real, everyday ways.

We love this book for the way it encourages readers to recognise the value of small acts of care.

We chose this book because it celebrates the joy, warmth, and ripple effect of small kindnesses.

This book was selected for its layered exploration of loss, connection, and what it means to grow emotionally when time itself is on pause. It asks deeper questions about friendship, grief, and choosing compassion.

This uplifting story shows how connection and care can transform not just one life, but a whole community. We chose it because it helps children see kindness as powerful, practical, and contagious.

We included this title because it offers both hope and action. It's the kind of book that helps children see kindness as a powerful, everyday tool for making a difference — in their friendships, schools, and beyond

Core Book:The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

We chose this book because it shows that even in the hardest times, friendship,empathy, and kindness can heal what feels impossible and that connection is what helps us move forward.

Stretch Book: Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence

This is a bold, brilliant choice for more mature readers in this age group. We've included it because it doesn't shy away from complexity. It’s a story of loyalty, consequence, and ultimately, choosing kindness in a world that doesn’t always make that easy. 

Note: Contains references to gang culture, grief and risk-taking behaviour — best suited to upper KS3/early KS4 readers, or with adult guidance where needed. book invites readers to consider the cost of safety and sameness when belonging is stripped of authenticity.

Dyslexia-Friendly:   Birdsong by Katya Balen (Barrington Stoke Edition)

We selected Birdsong because it beautifully captures the quiet power of connection, with nature, with art, and with each other. It’s an emotionally intelligent read, written with sensitivity and care, and its accessible format means more readers can experience its impact. story talks deeply about identity and self-worth, mirroring the emotional arc of so many young people navigating adolescence.

Non-Fiction: You Can Do It by Marcus Rashford

This is the kind of book that models kindness in action. Rashford's story isn’t just about football, it’s about determination, using your platform to help others, and building communities where everyone is supported. 

Core Book: HappyHead by Josh Silver

This book helps older teens explore what it really means to be emotionally well. It encourages questioning surface-level happiness and offers a critical, timely lens on how connection and kindness are far more complex than smiling through discomfort.

Stretch Book: The Crossing by Manjeet Mann

Why we chose it: The Crossing challenges readers to widen their perspective and think deeply about the meaning of kindness in a global context — it’s a powerful exploration of humanity, courage, and connection across divides.

A compact but deeply resonant story of grief, friendship, and unexpected kindness. We’ve chosen this dyslexia-friendly title because it beautifully models how young people can reach out and support one another even in the hardest of times compelling read opens up conversations about online identity, friendship and the difference between connection and belonging. It’s short, sharply relevant and written with inclusivity in mind. 

Non-Fiction: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

We’ve chosen this gentle, powerful memoir because it invites reflection on what really matters, kindness, connection, love, and legacy. It’s a deeply human book that opens up big conversations about life and how we treat others.

This month’s parent book choice is a gentle invitation to pause, reflect, and reconnect — with each other and with ourselves. Chosen for its quiet wisdom and steady warmth, Big Panda and Tiny Dragon mirrors the values we hope to nurture in our school community: kindness, presence, and compassion in everyday life.