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The Moon of Gomrath
by Alan Garner
Published by CollinsVoyager
The Moon of Gomrath is the sequel to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. It is set in Cheshire near Macclesfield and Alderley Edge in 1950s or 1960s England. I was introduced to this book by my parents and it was also in my school curriculum. You would find this book in the fiction section of a library.
It is about two children called Susan and Colin, some elves, a dwarf, a wizard and a witch and other magical characters and it definitely falls into the category of magical fantasy books. The main theme is the fight between good and evil. The story tells how Susan, with the help of the elves and dwarves, gets her brother back from the Morrigan who had captured him.
The Moon of Gomrath does not stand alone as well as some sequels do but encourages you to read The Weirdstone of Brisingamen if you haven’t already read it. I like this book because I like magical fiction stories and because my dad gave different voices to the characters. I personally would want to read it again in a year’s time because it is such a good book. It would make a very good film.
I would recommend it to boys and girls of 10 or over who don’t get scared easily and like fantasy books.
Reviewed by Alexander Sawers, age 10
THE FOLLOWING REVIEWS ARE FROM EARL SOHAM COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL
Fang of the Vampire (Scream Street series)
by Tommy Donbavand
Published by Walker Books
This make-believe story is based on the quest of three children (Luke, Cleo and Resus) to find six relics. However, these children are different to normal children! At first we meet Luke, who is in angry mode – suddenly, dramatic changes start to happen.
The funniest part was when the three children lock Sir Otto in his room with a goblin with excessive wind! There are also a few scary moments such as when Luke pulls out Count Negatov’s fangs and he comes to life. The author uses brilliant similes such as ‘dodging between headstones that jutted from the ground like rotten teeth’ to add something extra to the description.
I’d recommend this book to anyone aged above eight as it was so good it has got me wanting to read the rest of the series.
Reviewed by Luke, age 9
Seriously Sassy
by Maggi Gibson
Published by Puffin
Sassy (short for Sasparilla) plays the guitar and dreams of making a demo disc to be made to spread her ‘eco love’. Unlike most thirteen-year-old girls – who would be thinking about boys – Sassy is focused on how she can save the world. My favourite part is when Sassy organises her friends and teachers to climb up trees to stop them from being chopped down. There is a touch of romance, but more importantly, some inspiration on dealing with real-life dilemmas.
I’d recommend this book to any girl aged ten or above who is really interested in making a positive difference. I loved this book so much that I signed up to the website and got an autograph!
Reviewed by Jessica, age 10
The Sisters Grimm (Tales From the Hood series)
by Michael Buckley
Published by Amulet
The Sisters Grimm is an adventure/fairytale. It’s about two sisters who are trying to save their friend, the big bad wolf, from his trial. Bizarrely, Little Red Riding Hood actually tries to defend the wolf! The sisters (Sabrina and Daphne) also continue in their quest to wake up their parents from an enchanted sleep.
It’s fantastic to read with all its delicate detail, which makes you feel that you’re inside the story. I thought the funniest part was when I discovered that Little Red Riding Hood was in a mental institute!
I’d recommend this book for anyone, boys and girls, above the age of eight.
Reviewed by Lucy, age 10
Poppy – The Dogs Trust Dog
by Sophia Fergus
Published by Hodder Children’s Books
Based on a true story, Poppy is a mongrel that was abandoned as a tiny puppy. The day after, she was taken to the Dogs Trust, after only a few weeks of being ‘saved’, Poppy developed a terrible illness and undertook a fight for survival.
The book also includes the real-life stories of other abandoned dogs such as Cracker and Weasel. Poppy is a really good book and I like the way that the animals are so well looked after having been treated badly.
I’d recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in animal welfare and enjoys a heart-warming story. Reviewed by Callie, age 10
THE FOLLOWING REVIEWS ARE FROM TURTON HIGH SCHOOL
By Royal Command
by Mary Hooper
Published by Bloomsbury
By Royal Command is set sometime during the start of the second half of Elizabeth I’s reign. Lucy, a loyal housemaid to the queen’s magician, Dr Dee, has been told she is to work as a spy for her Grace, in return for saving her Grace’s life, and that she is to remain where she is and await further instruction. Whilst waiting for notification of when the queen requests her presence Lucy hears ghostly cries in the Dee household and is convinced the doctor and his shady companion, Mr Kelly, are planning some new deception. Lucy then sets out to uncover the magician’s dark secrets.
I strongly recommend this book as it is filled with suspense, mystery and wonderful, thrilling tales from the past. Join Lucy on her quest and you will come to love By Royal Command. I rate this book five stars.
Reviewed by Caitlin, age 12
The Spook’s Apprentice
by Joseph Delaney
Published by Bodley Head
This is another brilliant book in the series. The raw tension between the spook and his apprentice, the reality as a loved one passes away, makes the book even more amazing. I think that Joseph Delaney is a brilliant author; I could not put the book down and was sad when I finished it. I think that ages 10 to 16 would love to read this book and think that it is magical, like I do.
Reviewed by Alice, age 14
THE FOLLOWING REVIEWS ARE FROM THE EMMBROOK SCHOOL
The Way of the Warrior
by Andrew Matthews
Published by Usborne
When Jimmu was ten, his parents committed suicide to avoid dishonour. Jimmu then spent the next seven years with his father’s bodyguard, learning the art of Samurai and sets out to avenge his parents by killing Lord Ankan, the man who shamed them. But he finds out things are not all they seem.
This would appeal to boys and girls (11 to 14 years) who like action books with lots of twists in the plot.
Reviewed by George, age 13
It Takes Two (The Cupid Company series)
by Amber Aitken
Published by HarperCollins
This is a book about two best friends called Coral and Nicks. Coral is left a beach hut by her great aunt and they use it to set up a business to help everyone find their one true love. They discover letters in the hut, written but not sent, to a Perry Williams and set about trying to track him down. This is a book about friendship and romance, but it is also a bit sad. I enjoyed reading it, especially about Coral’s dog, Romeo, as he was very mischievous. It’s quite an easy read and would appeal to 10 to 12- year-old girls.
Reviewed by Holly, age 12
School’s Out Forever (Maximum Ride series)
by James Patterson
Published by Headline
This is the second book in the ‘Maximum Ride’ series about a group of teenagers who were turned into part-birds by genetic scientists and are now on the run. It has interesting characters and is fast paced, but it does not finish satisfactorily and leaves you with lots of questions. Although this is an easy read, I found it a bit frustrating as the story or characters did not develop very much. However, I would still recommend it for fantasy readers (13-15) who like imaginative stories.
Reviewed by Claire, age 14
The Last Straw (Diary of a Wimpy Kid series)
by Jeff Kinney
Published by Puffin Books
This is a MUST read book. It is incredibly funny and I like the layout with the drawings. The first couple of paragraphs made me really want to read on. He talks about New Year’s resolutions and because he is so perfect, he tries to improve others. He also has to impress his dad otherwise he will be shipped out to ‘Spag Union’.
Reviewed by Harry, age 12
Zelah Green, Queen of Clean
by Vanessa Curtis
Published by Egmont
Zelah has OCD and hates germs. She is also grieving over her mother’s death and worried about her father’s disappearance. And she is not happy being sent away to Forest Hill House where everyone is a bit weird! I found this an interesting book because although it deals with serious subjects like OCD, death and alcoholism, it is a funny story that pulls you in so you want to keep reading it.
Reviewed by Sophie, age 13
After Zelah’s mum died and her dad became an alcoholic, she develops Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Her stepmother sends her away to Forest Hill, a home for troubled teenagers, where everyone has their own problems. Although this book deals with OCD and other serious issues, such as grief, it is quite funny and moving and I couldn’t put it down. Definitely a recommended read for girls aged 12 to 14.
Reviewed by Sarah, age 13
Cracker
by Cynthia Kadohata
Published by Simon & Schuster
Cracker is a German Shepherd dog that lives luxuriously until her owner has to move to an apartment. The decision to recruit her into the army is made, she is trained to sniff out bombs and enemies and sent out to Vietnam where her handler, Rick Hanski, wants to prove his father wrong.
Throughout the book, the author has given two different perspectives, one from Rick’s point of view and one from Cracker’s. They describe their feelings, the conditions and their bonding. Cracker earns the respect of many people she meets, and becomes known as a hero and the best dog in Vietnam. The strong bond that is created between man and dog is touching and moving at times.
A gripping book that I had to keep reading. I would recommend this for boys and girls aged 12 to 16 and even adults would enjoy it!
Reviewed by George, age 15
THE FOLLOWING REVIEWS ARE FROM KENDRICK SCHOOL
The Man From Pomegranate Street (The Roman Mysteries series)
by Caroline Lawrence
Published by Orion Children’s Books
This book is the last in the really good series ‘The Roman Mysteries’. It is a book about four children who look for the truth in lots of different mysteries. The first one in the series is called The Thieves of Ostia and I would advise you to read them in order, otherwise you might not get any sense out of it. I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone as it is funny, exciting and most of all mysterious. This is a very satisfying conclusion to a great, very well-known series.
Reviewed by Leah, age 13
This book is the last of the ‘Roman Mysteries’ series, which made me sad but also eager to read it. I think that overall it is my favourite book out of the whole series. The story is told in a different way from the other books in the series. It is Flavia (a main character) telling us the story, while she is getting ready for her wedding. I had the urge to go to the end of the book and find out who marries Flavia (but I didn’t). I enjoyed the book because it was interesting on every page and had me turning the pages to the very end! I enjoyed the happy ending and the whole series was an amazing build up to an amazing end. I recommend this book and the series to anyone who likes detective stories.
Reviewed by Zeineb, age 12
A Nest of Vipers
by Catherine Johnson
Published by Random House Children’s Books
This book is about a gang of thieves and fraudsters and how they execute a very daring and clever plan. This is a fiction book aimed at about 10 to 12-year-olds. I really enjoyed reading the book because of the way the gang conned all the people in very unbelievable ways. The funniest part of the book was when one of the gang pretended to be a Russian countess. I would recommend this book to anyone who dreams of pulling off such a clever and interesting exploit.
Reviewed by Geetanjali, age 12
Three Cups of Tea
by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Published by Puffin Books
This book was about an American (Greg Mortenson) and his struggles to build schools for children in Pakistan. I enjoyed reading it because it was interesting and could be funny at times. I also found it relatively inspiring for other people to understand the troubles of people in poor countries, and help to overcome them.
My favourite part of the book was the part about Greg Mortenson’s daughter having an interview. I also enjoyed the part when Greg was kidnapped when travelling to different parts of India. I would recommend this book to pupils aged nine and above, as it is relatively easy to read and is written in a mostly fictional way, which is likely to interest young readers. I think that boys and girls should read it as it is a very neutral book.
Reviewed by Stephanie, age 13
Starclimber
by Kenneth Oppel
Published by Faber and Faber Ltd
At first it was a bit confusing, thrust into action, but it was well described and explained. The descriptions of areotugs, crow’s nests and portholes, along with the quite sophisticated speech of the characters, immediately painted a picture in my mind of futuristic technology, yet somehow still quite old – like the Victorians going on a great journey of exploration. I would recommend it for more mature readers and I give it 8/10. It has vivid description and really interests the reader. After all, who hasn’t ever dreamed of climbing up a ladder to space?
Reviewed by Caitlin, age 14
The Returners
by Gemma Malley
Published by Bloomsbury
Although clichéd and slightly flashback-heavy in areas, I found The Returners to be a good book because of the way it deals with issues such as racism, death and abuse so that a slightly younger audience can understand and empathise. I liked how Will’s character was developed over the course of the book – but I could see the rather predictable ending coming a mile off.
Reviewed by Sherrie, age 14
Lauren’s Best Friend (The Beautiful Game series)
by Narinder Dhami
Published by Orchard Books
My first impression of this book was that it was another stereotyped ‘girly’ book. You know the type, full of boy ‘troubles’, fighting with annoying parents and a happy ending. Well this book did fit those criteria quite well, except it was a bit more dark and down to earth, which surprised me (in a good way). I think that Narinder was trying to make the book a bit more edgy by introducing the shocking concept that girls can play football. This is quite annoying because there are a lot of football terms in it. I hate football; so this element of it was really tedious for me. It’s quite simple in a way, so I knew what was going to happen a lot.
Ok, truthfully I did quite like this book and I found the characters quite relatable and endearing at some points (otherwise they could be really whiney and childish). Although I would have like it if Narinder had focused a bit more on the sadder side of the book, and made it a bit deeper. But then that’s just my personal taste. I might look into the other books in the series (about Lauren’s footy friends). But I would suggest it as a quick read, that doesn’t need to be too focused. I think it deserves 7/10. I would also recommend it to girls aged 10 to 13.
Reviewed by Anna, age 13
