A colleague (barbara--> this is for you!!) sent this problem to the English Language List - but there might be more responses ideas from ppl in ....

We need Barbara to help us help her.

The first question is which board and which spec? There are four boards and a lot more specs. See:

www.universalteacher.org.uk/exam/exam.htm#gcelit

Usually the exam board makes the first module (in terms of enumeration) also the one that serves best as an introduction.

With novels, it may be best to choose those that deal more nakedly with ideas, than those that appeal to the reader's experience of life (especially emotional experience). If I knew what list she had to choose from, I might find that they would suggest themselves. For example, Robinson Crusoe would be better than The Rainbow.

Bless Andrew, there are times when your idiolect betrays your profession.

I'm afraid the Irish pixie is working in me today. Hope you are smiling with me!