Excellent Reads

HOMELESS Vet Volunteers: Book 2 by Laurie Halse Anderson 160 pp. Puffin Books. $6.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9780142408636 Rating: 4 Stars   This book Is very touching. Its about a girl who loves cats. Its pretty amazing how the girl can stop many cats from dieing. I would say she is a hero. Saving many cats lives is very special thing to do.   A cat lover, Sunita really wants a cat. But her mom does not let her have one. So she volunteers to help a vet. She wants to help animals. At the vet, Sunita adopts a orange cat named Socrates, The cat leads the to a secret world of cats at the back yard.   I am a cat lover. reading this book makes me broken hearted. It even made me cry. This book carries a big lesson. Animals are Equal to humans. If you hare stay cats why don't you nurture them? They can still live but they won't make more kittens suffer. So take care of animals. Don't hurt them!   The backyard makes me think of the cats at the roads. Som...

GHOST KNIGHT By Cornelia Funk 352 pp. Orion Books. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9781444008494 Rating: 5 Stars This story is about a boy called Jon who is 11 years old. When he goes to Salisbury’s boarding school, he finds out that the place is haunted with ghosts, so Jon gets a girl called Ella to find somebody to help. I like it because it has got ghosts and well illustrated pictures. It has got really good chapter names to hook the reader with action and magic. I think it could be more scary because the ghosts could be better. I think 6 to 12 year olds should read this book because 6 year olds like picture books and children over 12 might get bored of it. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

THE HORRIBLE HISTORIES: SAVAGE STONE AGE by Terry Deary Illustrated by Martin Brown 144 pp. Scholastic. £5.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9781407104287 Rating: 5 Stars     I enjoyed reading this book because it had good illustrations and it was very funny also I learned a lot from reading it. The topic of this book is the Stone Age peoples! And it tells you about their way of life. I liked the illustrations because they look like comic books strips. Also the people in the illustrations act in funny ways.     This book is written in a special way because most history books just give you the nice facts of history, but this book tells you all the horrible things in history. As a result, this book was scary and happy. So I guess that if you add up scary and happy at the same time that will make the book funny!     The most interesting fact in the book is that hunters used to keep mammoth brains as souvenirs to show off with the other...

THE UNLIKELY ADVENTURES OF MABEL JONES by Will Mabbitt Illustrated by Ross Collins 304 pp. Puffin. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9780141355146 Rating: 5 Stars     This book is about a girl called Mabel Jones and she gets kidnapped by pirates. Then she becomes a pirate too and Mabel Jones has to help the crew find all the X’s so they can get through the map to the treasure, but along the way there are many ways to die.     My favorite character is Mabel Jones because she is a tomboy that is very clever and not scared of anything!     I think this book is special because most pirate books do not have time machines in them but this book does have them.     I like this book because of what happened when I started reading it. At the time I was reading a boring book and picked up this one instead to try it. This book was so good, it made me never want to stop reading it and I finished it in less than a day even ...

TERROR TOWN Elf Boy and Raven Girl Book 4 by Marcus Sedgwick illustrated by Pete Williamson 176 pp. Orion. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9781444005271 Rating: 4 Stars      This book was set in a fantasy town called Terror Town where creatures like werewolves and zombies existed. The main characters were Elf Girl and Raven Boy whose real names were not revealed. They went to Terror Town to get the Singing Sword so that they could defeat the Goblin King.      I think this book is good for children who can read well but still like shorter books with pictures inside. This book definitely deserves four out of five stars.      Even though this book was for the most part just a funny and scary story, the main characters do grow on you. Eventually you begin to see that even though they act like they dislike each other, they are actually really good friends. A good thing about this book is that even if you haven't read th...

YOUNG WEREWOLF by Cornelia Funke 64 pp. Barrington Stoke Ltd. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9781781122686 Rating: ? Stars When I stared to read chapter 2 I noticed that I saw a dirty word called "stupid". So, if I changed it to "not very good" it would make it a better book. Wonder how does the boy called Matt turn in to a werewolf? Read the book to find out.

FIVE ON A TREASURE ISLAND The Famous Five book 1 by Enid Blyton 192 pp. Hachette Children's Books. £5.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9780340931592 Rating: 4 Stars     This was a brilliant kids mystery book. Enid Blyton has always been one of my favourite authors but this truly swept me away. As you read this book you truly begin to admire the children for their bravery and courage. Personally, my favourite character is George (short for Georgina) because she refuses to act like a girl and is even more of a boy than most real boys. I'm also a big tomboy so I feel like I can understand her the best. I also like Julian because he is so cheerful and makes everyone around him happy.     This book is about when Anne, Julian and Dick go to visit their cousin Georgina. Soon they learn that she hates being a girl and won't answer unless you call her George. After awhile they earn her friendship and she agrees to take them to her island with her dog Timoth...

GHOST KNIGHT By Cornelia Funk 352 pp. Orion Books. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9781444008494 Rating: ? Stars   As I am a child magic books normally appeal to me the most, so of course I thought this was a brilliant book. I get excited by a book not because of the social emotions you feel but because I like to feel like I am on an adventure.   It wasn't just the magic that caught my eye though. Cornelia Funk doesn't just copy some boring old writer, but she really thinks of her own ideas and entertains you with a new story every time. This was a brilliant book and I recommend it to everyone.   This book is about a boy called Jon Hartgill, who is sent to a boarding school in Salisbury. On his second night sleeping there he is woken up by the sound of trotting hooves and out of his window see's three hideous ghosts on horses. For a few nights he is haunted by them until he makes friends with a girl called Ella who tells him about a ghost called William Lo...

THE VALLEY OF ADVENTURE By Enid Blyton 208 pp. Macmillan Children's Books. £4.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9780330448352 Rating: ? Stars    I like the book because its about adventure. These children like adventure very much.I can learn a lot from adventure because it brings you to different places and to learn more about the places. Adventure sometimes scary, sad, happy, and cool. the thing about adventure is about finding something like treasure.    My favorite part of the book is when the children found the caves.The caves were so strange caves that they keep looking at the caves and wondering what is the caves called. the first cave is so beautiful that they were like glittering icicles in the cave. Then the second cave was very cool because it was like night time and the stars are glittering on the sky. At last the cave of treasure.    My favorite character is Jack . Jack is Lucy - Ann brother. Jack is brave ,strong ,kind and the only one who can he...

THE WIZARD OF OZ By L. Frank Baum Illustrations by David McKee 246 pp. Galaxy. $16.95. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9781405660747   They take place in  place s like the Munchkin country,the Winkie country ,the Quadling country,Emerald city and     more places that Dorothy explored in  Wizard Of Oz.These places are very amazing places ever.     The character that I like is Dorothy because she is the main character in the book.She is very brave and kind to everybody and try   to help everyone when they need help.She just want one thing from Oz to help her go back to Kansas and see aunt Em and and uncle Henry.    The amazing part was when they killed the Wicked witch of the west.Dorothy was very brave to kill the wicked witch of the west by throwing water on the wicked witch of the west body.It was a little bit scary but it was amazing for a child killing a witch.    The fun part was when they found friends in the way to Em...

WONDER By R. J. Palacio 320 pp. Knopf Books for Young Readers. $15.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9780375869020 Rating: ? Stars   This book's theme is about a boy with an unusual face who turns out to be a nice person in personality. This book is quite interesting, because the writer writes about it from different characters’ perspectives, so that none of the story is missed out.   The story is mainly about a boy called August, who has an unusual face and is treated unfairly at school. Although I leave it to you to find out if it always stays that way or if he is finally treated fairly!   When I got up to the part where some people started to act kind to August, a smile appeared upon my face because I felt happy for him.   My mom bought this book for me in America, because I had finished reading the book I had brought with me and needed a new book. My mom also gave me this book because she likes to buy me famous books and this one was very famous. ...

RUNNING WILD By Michael Morpurgo 196 pp. HarperCollins. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9780007267019 Rating: 5 Stars       Michael Morpurgo is FAMOUS. Michael Morpurgo is so famous that at today’s book fair everyone was shoving past each other to try and find one of his books. However, “Running Wild” sat on my shelf for over a year unread. It is by Michael Morpurgo and I am not interested in most of his books, unlike most people in my class who have his whole (or nearly whole) collection. Michael Morpurgo’s books are less appealing to me for three reasons: most of them are about domestic animals, most of them start off with an adventure but then they quickly detour into drama before getting on with the story, and because he uses some description that is not needed.       This book was set in the Indonesian rainforest. It is about a boy named Will who is saved from a tsunami by a very unusual elephant called Oona. Will has to ...

YOSHIKO AND THE GIFT OF CHARMS Land of Dragor Series Book 1 By Julia Suzuki 280 pages. Steve Brookes. £12.99 (Ages 8+) ISBN 9780956414588 Rating: 4.5 stars       This book tells you about a young dragon called Yoshiko who was born out of a colourful egg.       When Yoshiko was born every one thought he would bring a curse to Dragor, land of the dragons. On Yoshiko's first day at fire school a purple Alana dragon teased him for not knowing how to blow fire yet. One day Yoshiko nearly turned yellow in front of all the other dragons and flew away to a cave out of embarrassment were he met an old dragon. What happens when Yoshiko finds out what he was made to do? Will he be brave and do it or shall he not?       My favourite character is Yoshiko because he's the hero of the story. My favourite part is when Yoshiko goes into the volcano because that's the scariest part. I think ages eight through...

THE BAREFOOT BOOK OF BALLET STORIES (with CD) By Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple. Illustrated by Rebecca Guay 80 pages. Barefoot Books. $23.99 (Ages 8 and up) ISBN 9781846862625 Rating: ? Stars Its about stories that have dancing in it. That's why it's called ballet stories. I like the book because I like dancing and singing because it's fun. And I like princes dress and princess too and they're beautiful. and the princess is kind too. the parts that I don't like are: Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters are so mean. Aurora's sixth fairy is so mean too.and It's scary. I like the part when the princesses dance and sing. I like to read princess books.And it's fun to see dress's.it's a fun book. Cinderella is kind princess.Aurora is a nice princess. Copelia is a lie.but i like the book. because I like princess. the part that I don't like is:mean people.like Cinderella's stepmother. copela's dad. and I hate it. it's like y...

THE SLEEPING ARMY By Francesca Simon 256 pages. Profile Books Ltd. £9.99. (Ages 8 and up). ISBN 9781846682780 Rating: 5 Stars       This book is about a girl named Freya who when she blows a horn at the British Museum is taken to Asgard, the realm of the gods.       This book is about a young girl called Freya who blows a Viking horn and wakes up four chess pieces Rovska, Alfi, Sleipner and Snot. All five of them are then summoned to Asgard and told to get Iddun the goddess who used to guard there apples that made them stay young and that if they didn't they would turn to stone and wait for the next hero to blow the horn. Freya is just terrified and wants to go home, Alfi is cheerful and happy and helpful, and Snot and Rovska just want to get it done with. What happens when Loki steals the apples back from them when they find them? Will they get them back in time or will they all turn into stone? ...

EARWIG AND THE WITCH By Diana Wynne Jones 144 pages. HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up). ISBN 9780007416851 Rating: 4.5 Stars       This book tells you about an orphan girl who is taken home by a witch.       It is about a young orphan girl named Earwig who one day is actually chosen to be taken home by someone. Although that someone is a witch plus a tall, skinny, fiery young man. The minute Earwig walks into the witch's home her whole life changes going from getting whatever she wanted to to being a slave for an ugly old witch. What happens when Earwig starts to take her revenge? Will she finally be rid of this witch and win or shall she be defeated by the witch and live the rest of her life as a slave?       My favourite character is Earwig because she is quite brave. My favourite part is the funniest part, when two hands grow on the witch one on the face and one on the ...

MY STORY: VIKING BLOOD By Andrew Donkin 176 pages. Scholastic. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up). ISBN 9781407104812 Rating: 4.5 Stars MY STORY: ROMAN INVASION By Jim Eldridge 144 pages. Scholastic. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up). ISBN 9781407107370 Rating: 4.5 Stars MY ROYAL STORY: ANASTASIA By Carolyn Meyer 224 pages. Scholastic. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up). ISBN 9781407116198 Rating: 4.5 Stars MY ROYAL STORY: ANNE BOLEYN AND ME By Alison Prince 224 pages. Scholastic. £6.99. (Ages 9 and up). ISBN 9781407114774 Rating: 4.5 Stars       This report is about four books, one's called "Viking Blood", another's called "Roman Invasion", another's called "Anastasia" and the last is called "Anne Boleyn and Me". The similarity between these four novels is that they are all historical.       First I will tell you about the book called "Anne Boleyn and Me". It is about a Tudor girl named Elinor who is one of the ladies in waiting for Queen Catherine of Arag...

MY ROYAL STORY: MARIE ANTOINETTE By Kathryn Lasky 224 pages. Scholastic. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up). ISBN 9781407116181 Rating: 5 Stars       This book tells you of the adventures Marie Antoinette had on her way to becoming a French queen. It is about a young princess called Marie Antoinette who is learning how to be a French queen. Although she hates being away from her family she knows it can't be to bad. On her way to becoming Queen many sad and funny things happen. It is sad when her dance teacher dies, however it is funny when she has to run naked in front of five thousand people! Marie Antoinette is not very happy when she meets her husband because she finds he has pimples, is really fat, and droops a lot. Later on she finds she might be able to make a friend of him. Marie Antoinette hates her main lady in waiting who wears thick red lip gloss, likes to be very proper, and makes the king do what ever she wants him to. However when Queen Marie Ant...

BEDEVILED: DADDY'S LITTLE ANGEL Bedeviled Series: Book 1 By Shani Petroff. Illustrated by J. David McKenney. 240 pages. Penguin Group. $6.99. (Ages 8 and up). ISBN 9780448451114 Rating: 3 Stars It is about a devil.The devil is Angel's dad. Angel's dad gave Angel power.but Angel does not know how to use her power. When she used her power she made a mistake. She put her friends in the zoo, in cages. she's sad because she does not have friends now. Sunday Angel goes to Gabi's house and says sorry for yesterday so on Monday she,ll have friends. On Monday Cole came to school and said to Angel "Friday can we go on a date",I like the book because I love the part when Cole kissed Angel it was so funny.I was sad because Angel did not have friend.

MY ROYAL STORY: CLEOPATRA By Kristiana Gregory 192 pages. Scholastic. £6.99. (Ages 8 and up). ISBN 9781407116174 Rating: 5 Stars This book tells you of the intelligent princess Cleopatra. It is about a young princess called Cleopatra. Cleopatra hates her eldest sister who is called Tryphaena and wants to be queen. When a chest arrives with a pearl necklace that Cleopatra puts on Tryphaena nearly kills her with a dagger. Cleopatra is also worried about her father who is in hiding for people are trying to kill him, and he is waiting for a chance to ask the Romans for help to fight them off. Cleopatra soon finds that her life is endangered to for she is her fathers favourite daughter and when she is swimming she finds a fake of her very own skull from Tryphaena and people being paid to kill her and her father. She then decides to go to Rome with her father but is not impressed at all at there lazy way of eating by feeding each other grapes while lying down on sofas. Cleopatra also h...