This Gothic novel explores the themes of the supernatural, masculinity and femininity, class and revenge in a Romantic context. Mr Lockwood encounters the strange constellation of people at the remote farmhouse Wuthering Heights who are all quite inhospitable. He is haunted at night by a former inhabitant of his room. Later, his housekeeper tells him the intricate […]
This classic adventure novel focusing on the relationship between man and nature, religion and free will explores the limits of knowledge and sanity. The story is told from the perspective of Ishmael, a poor young fellow from New York, who takes up a job on a whaler boat. His captain, called Ahab, is obsessed with […]
After World War I, no one’s life has been left untouched. Ben is on the verge of being sent to an orphanage after his brother went missing in the war. Lotti’s family wants to send her away to boarding school and Clara, a young teacher, needs to find her fiancé. All three of them are […]
In this award-winning biography about the fight for justice, Lee Lawrence tells a story sadly no less relevant today than 30 years ago. When Lee was 11 years old, he witnessed his mother being shot by a police officer, resulting in her paralysis. This event shaped the political climate at the time, acting as the […]
This eco-critical fable in rhymes explores industrial, economic and environmental issues. The Lorax is a creature that speaks for the trees and is the opponent of the Once-ler who cuts down the trees destroying the habitat of many animals and polluting the environment. The beautifully illustrated children’s book and its movie adaptation (2012) are well-suited […]
This science fiction short story explores the power of and the utter dependence on technology as well as the importance of nature. At some point in the future humans have lost the ability to live on the earth’s surface, life is taking place underground using a global machine. Every individual has their separate section and […]
This comedy-drama explores racial prejudice, friendship and the complex relationship between a 72-year-old Jewish woman and her black chauffeur. Daisy Werthan is a retired school teacher and doesn’t want to accept she needs help when she crashes her car into her neighbour’s yard. Her son hires Hoke Colburn as her new driver. And although opposed […]
This illustrated drama in text massages retells Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, placing it into a modern setting. We all know the famous story of star-crossed lovers and the drama that follows them. What if you add texting and emojis to the mix? But even with the twists and turns of social media, their love for one […]
This prequel to the successful “The Hunger Games” trilogy or the movie adaptation by the same name tells the story of Coriolanus Snow’s rise to power – a story of friendship, betrayal, manipulation and oppression. For those who have read “The Hunger Games”, you might recognize the name Snow as a villain rather than a protagonist. But like all […]
This play continues the story of Elliot, who returns to Philadelphia as a veteran after serving in Iraq. He suffers from PTSD and feels adrift, not knowing where to find meaning in his life. His job at Subway keeps him afloat financially, but when his adoptive mother passes away, his mental health crumbles. Meanwhile, Elliot’s […]
Based on the musical of the same name, this film is set in 1933 New York City, in the midst of the Great Depression. 11-year-old orphan Annie has always dreamed of being part of a family. Living in an orphanage and being abused by her caretaker, Annie’s life is far from glamorous. Her whole life […]
This dystopian novel explores a world of surveillance and control. But is a system that thrives on total control compatible with love? What if you eliminate this factor of uncertainty by matching everyone with their “ideal” partner? The Society is in charge of everyone’s life, down to their job, partner and how many kids they […]
This dystopian comedy movie explores the power of media, commercialism and simulated reality. Truman has the all-American life: A loving wife, kids, a house complete with a picket fence… Then he starts noticing the occasional oddity. Whether it be his wife sounding like an infomercial or the people around him doing everything in their power […]
Beloved is a Postmodern historical fiction novel about slavery, motherhood and community. 1873, it is the time just after the Civil War and the former slave Sethe lives with her 18-year old daughter Denver in 124, a haunted house on the edge of Cincinnati. The novel explores the lives of the two after they escaped from […]
Robinson Crusoe is the unreliable narrator of this travelogue from Restauration and Enlightenment referred to as the first English novel. The protagonist decides to go to sea against his father’s will and becoming quite a successful merchant in the colonies abroad. One day, he is shipwrecked and finds himself on a lonely island where he […]
This funny picture book follows Bertie, a misbehaved boy, who has lots of horrible hobbies. He loves collecting slugs and worms, eating dog food and weeing in the flowerbed. People tell him: “No, Bertie! That’s Dirty Bertie!” But when will he understand? This version is suitable for the youngest learners of English. It gave way […]
This lovely picture book tells the empowering story of a library visit and a bear who escapes from its book. One day, when the children visit the library to listen to the wonderful storytelling of Miss Merryweather, the librarian is missing. Looking for her, they find a rather hairy but friendly liBEARian who tells them […]
This beautifully illustrated picture book tells the empowering story of a boy and a penguin, abilities and disabilities, flying and friendship. Everyone knows that penguins can’t fly but it is the penguin’s greatest wish to do so. Will the boy let his friend’s dream come true? The story is the sequel of Oliver Jeffer’s award-winning […]