I started teaching the violin six months ago (hence my name) and have a potential new pupil who wants to sit her grade 5 but she hasn't played for a long time and needs a lot of work to get back up to her old standard before she can start working towards grade 5. Can anyone recommend any books for repertoire or technique?

I appreciate you are new to teaching and I do not wish to sound rude or unhelpful by questioning this, but, it sounds to me that your primary instrument is not violin?

Suitable repertoire and studies should have been covered as a fundamental part of acquiring teaching skills and you would have more than likely used these books yourself throughout your own studies.

I personally would question suitability to teach at that level, if you do not know the standard technique publications or repertoire for a particular ability.

Have a look at Solos for Young Violinists Book 1 and 2 by Barbara Barber

Thanks very much; I'll go and check those out!

Have a look at Mary Cohen's 'Technique Takes Off'. Studies but tuneful. The first one in the book used to be set for grade 5 a few years ago, and it's a good confidence builder.

For position changing studies, try a book called 'Position Changing for Violin' by Neil McKay if she's at all ropey with her position changing. The pieces are tuneful and nice and every single way of shifting into third position is covered in such a way that shifting becomes pretty natural and easy after working right through the book.

Nice repertoire I remember:

Elgar Chanson de Matin (Salut d'Amour is also often listed as grade 5 but I think it's harder)
Rieding Concerto in B minor (grade 3-4?)
Kuchler concertino (grade 3-4?)
Slow movement from Vivaldi's Winter (At this time this was probably my favourite piece I'd played yet. It was in a Sheila Nelson book called 'The Baroque Violinist' which I played quite a few from - there are also Classical and Romantic versions which I didn't try)
Shostakovich Albumstucke - one of these was in my Grade 4 and I really enjoyed it. One of them is in the current grade 8 though so they vary a bit.
Bohm Spanish Dance
The Bach Double (yes it's hard and yes I absolutely murdered it when I played it before grade 5 but I loved it and it got me practising!)
Easier Handel Sonatas - F major?

As well as 'Position Changing for the Violin' I used a Sheila Nelson book which I think was called 'Moving up again' (it was pink if that helps), which had pieces entirely in 3rd position (I don't think there was any 2nd or 4th but I could be wrong) without shifting.

You might also try some repertoire from previous exam publications, and the Kreutzer studies too might be helpful - although if she needs work before she can begin working towards Grade 5 they might be a bit beyond her yet.

There's also The Snowman Suite by Howard Blake (Faber Music) with the three main themes from the animation. The last of these - Dance of the Snowmen - is in the current Grade 5 alternative lists.

Thanks very much for all the helpful suggestions on books and pieces. I'm very much looking forward to checking them out.