Monster Mash-Up Final Poll Result

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?? No - it's the winner of our final World Book Day Monster Mash-Up Poll, as Paulines decided that the literary character most likely to win in a fight was - Superman!!!!!

(although you could also argue that the true winner of our final poll was 'the weather').  We hope you've enjoyed this week of polls, and that they've introduced you to some new monsters and monstrous characters, whether it's Azathoth, Urizen, Bartimaeus or Mr Kurtz - and that you'll be inspired to go off and find out more about them.  Thanks once again to everyone who contributed, and happy monster hunting!

Monster Mash-Up Poll Number 4: which literary character would win in a fight?

It's World Book Day!!  And we're delighted to kick the celebrations off with the results of yesterday's poll. With The Hungry Caterpillar in third place, and Shrek in second, the literary character Paulines would least like to have dinner with turns out to be - Hannibal Lecter!!!!! 

Today's final poll in our World Book Week Monster Mash-Up invites you to answer the deeply profound and significant question, which literary character would win in a fight?  Here at the book blog, we've always wondered: so read the nominations, cast your vote, and we'll find out ... (and remember, if you're reading this on your phone, you need to go to the end of the post and click 'view web version' to vote).

Monster Mash-Up Poll Number 3: which literary character would you least like to have dinner with?

With Shakespeare's Iago and William Blake's Urizen tied in third, and George R Martin's Joffrey beaten into second place, yesterday's poll revealed that monstrosity's human face belongs to - Dolores Umbridge!!!!!

Today's poll asks that all-important question: which literary character would you least like to have dinner with? Have a look at the nominations and then make your choice (and remember, if you're reading this on your phone, you need to go to the web version to vote).

Monster Mash-Up Poll Number 2: best monster (human)

Yesterday's poll saw Satan and the Dementors beaten into second and third place respectively by - the Gruffalo!!!!!

Proving that ultimate evil and oblivion are no match for a cuddly, if orthodontically challenged, imaginary beast. Today we move on to darker turf, as we ask you to vote for the most monstrous human in literature: nominations include maniacal monarchs, monstrous matriarchs, mad scientists and just plain bad dads ... Vote now, and remember, if you're reading this on your phone, you need to go to the web version (at the end of the post) to access the poll.

Monster Mash-Up Poll Number 1: best monster (non-human)

This Thursday, 1st March, is World Book Day - and the book blog is celebrating with its regular week of polls.  As 2018 is the bi-centenary of the publication of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, we've taken monsters as our theme, and each day, we'll be presenting you with a selection of different monsters, or monstrous characters, nominated by SPS pupils and teachers, and inviting you to vote for your favourite.  Today, we're kicking off with a menagerie of non-human monsters: read the nominations, and then cast your vote (if you're reading this on your phone, you need to scroll to the end of the post and click 'web version' to vote). 

The Final Countdown

The book blog was delighted - and frankly relieved - to see Professor Minerva McGonagall topping the vote for Hogwarts' best member of staff (we've always had our doubts about Dumbledore's professional ethics).

Hogwarts Staff Appraisal

Yesterday's poll saw us accused of slandering Severus Snape by putting him in a poll of villains: he still ended up top, with demonic duo Dolores Umbridge and Bellatrix Lestrange tied in second place.  Is this because he's the best villain, or simply because he's one of the best characters? It's hard to decide, but Snapeheads get another chance to vote for him today, as we ask you who's your favourite member of the Hogwarts faculty:

Will he win again? And should we have included Dobby?
As today we're focussing on the Hogwarts staff, we thought we'd ask the SPS teachers for their Potter memories, and despite this being a manically busy time of the year, several of them were kind enough to respond.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Yesterday's poll saw Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban top the charts of the series' cinematic adaptations.

Today's poll takes a trip to the dark side: we're asking you to vote on which of the novels' many nefarious nemeses is the most noxious - who's the best of a bad lot?

Is it the biggest bad himself, Lord Voldemort? Does Dolores Umbridge still give you nightmares? Is Draco Malfoy just the product of bad parenting? Should Snape really be on the list at all?

You decide - cast your vote now (and remember, if you're reading this on your phone, you need to access the web version of the blog to vote ...). 

Potter on Film

Yesterday's poll saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire a clear winner in the popular vote, with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in second place, and Deathly Hallows in third. Today's poll looks at the film adaptations, from where it all begins -

to where it all ends -

But which film is the best? Will Goblet of Fire do the double? Is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows really just one film?  And should we have included Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them?

You decide ... polls are open until midnight.  And as always, if you're reading this on your phone, remember that you need to go to the web version of the blog to vote: click 'web version' at the bottom of your screen to get there. 

Happy 20th Anniversary, Harry Potter!

It was twenty years ago today that Bloomsbury first published Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, and unleashed a phenomenon.  This week, the book blog is celebrating all things Harry Potter related, and we'll be running a daily poll: today, we'd like you to tell us which of the Harry Potter books is the best in the series.

World Book Day Poll Number 5

Yesterday's poll saw Douglas Adams beat Isaac Asimov, by a comfortable (albeit mathematically curious) margin: 61% of the vote to 43% (or should that be 42?). 

History is full of epic conflicts between mighty opposites: the Greeks vs the Trojans, Ali vs Foreman, Batman v Superman.... Today, in the last of our World Book Day polls, we pit two literary giants against each other: William Shakespeare and John Milton (OP).  Stepping up to the lists on their behalf are two heroic challengers - former SPS Head of English, Mr Venning, and current SPS Head of English, Mr Hager.  Let battle commence ...

World Book Day Poll Number 4

Yesterday's poll produced close to a tie - with Agatha Christie's 51% just edging out Conan Doyle's 50% (and yes, we know that doesn't quite add up: but a slightly puzzling result seems appropriate for writers of detective fiction).  Today's poll leaps into orbit and matches two of the greatest sci-fi writers of all time, whatever dimension you happen to be travelling in - Isaac Asimov and Douglas Adams.  But which one of them will win the Pauline vote?  Let Dr Weller, the Physics Dept and Anton Fedotov help you decide .... 

World Book Day Poll Number 3

Yesterday's poll saw Tolkien pushing George R R Martin unceremoniously through the Moon Door into oblivion, with a mighty 76% of the votes against Martin's 24%.  Today brings a battle between two Napoleons of Crime - Dame Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  Conrad Barclay, Ben Pymont and Tom Kinirons try to win your vote:

World Book Day Poll Number 2

Yesterday's poll ended up as a tie between J K Rowling and Terry Pratchett, with each winning 50% of the vote. Today we turn to two more colossi of fantasy literature, two veritable Titans - the chroniclers of Middle Earth and Westeros, of Dark Riders and White Walkers, of orcs and direwolves, of dragons and, er, dragons ... Yes, today J R R Tolkien and George R R Martin go head to head, withTom Williamson and Rufus Law as their advocates.

World Book Day Poll Number 1

This Thursday, March 2nd, is World Book Day: and to celebrate, the book blog is running a week of polls.  Each day, we'll be pitching two giants in one genre against each other in a Clash of the Literary Titans, and inviting Pauline readers to decide who wins. Today, the bards (ok, they're not actually bards, but we're fervent fans of alliteration here at the book blog) battling it out are J K Rowling and Terry Pratchett. And here, pitching for your vote, are Dr Hudson on J K Rowling and Charlie de Waal on Terry Pratchett: details on how to vote are at the end of the post.

And the school's favourite Roald Dahl novel is ...

... Fantastic Mr Fox.

Many thanks to everyone who voted. The final results were:

1. Fantastic Mr Fox (20% of the votes)
2. Matilda (15%)
3. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (14%)
4. The Twits (12%)
5. The Witches (8%)
6. Boy, The BFG and James and the Giant Peach (each with 5%)
7. Going Solo (4%)
8. Tales of the Unexpected (3%)
9. The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar (1%)
10. The Magic Finger (0%)

And yes, we know that doesn't quite add up to 100%.  And we're sorry we didn't include Esio Trot or George's Marvellous Medicine in the list - but thanks to all of you for participating!