Month: February 2019

 

 

‘I promised myself this time would be different. I would stand up for myself.’

Fifteen-year-old Muzna Saleem is used to being invisible. So no one is more surprised than her when Arif Malik, the hottest boy in school, takes a sudden interest.

But Arif is hiding a terrible secret and, as they begin to follow a dark path, Muzna faces an impossible choice: keep quiet and betray her beliefs, or speak out and betray her heart.

I Am Thunder is the debut novel from stunning YA voice, Muhammad Khan, which questions how far you’ll go to stand up for what you believe.

 

Isla, Y8 says:

I really enjoyed this book as it kept you on edge for the whole story and made you want to keep reading. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read a brilliant book that keeps you on the edge.

 

Harriet, Y8 says:

Thunder is a very inspirational story. I really liked it but thought it was quite predictable. It is about a young Muslim girl who is caught up in trying to become a better Muslim.

 

Twins Finch and Birdie Franconi are stars of the flying trapeze. But when Birdie suffers a terrifying accident, Finch must team up with the geeky new kid, Hector Hazzard, to form an all-boys double act and save the family circus school.

Together they learn to walk the high-wire of teen life and juggle the demands of friends, family, first love and facing up to who they are – all served up with a dash of circus-showbiz magic.

Cerys, Y8 says:

This book is about real-life issues and problems. It really gives a great insight into modern circus life. I found it relatable and even when I’d read it my head still wants to be reading about it!

Bethan, Y7, says:

This book is actually really good. It was recommended to me by a friend and I didn’t think I would enjoy it. I started reading it and I couldn’t put it down! I enjoyed it very much and would recommend it to everybody!

 

 

Stella Starflake Pearl is eagerly anticipating her next expedition. Suddenly disaster strikes when Stella’s father, Felix, is snatched by a fearsome witch. Stella must bring her magic ice princess tiara to Witch Mountain or she will never see Felix again! But no one ever returns from Witch Mountain . . .

Stella, Ethan, Shay, Beanie and reluctant Jungle Cat explorer, Gideon, set off into the unknown. They will face chomping pumpkin patches, vampire trolls, poisonous rabbits, outraged vultures and deranged broomsticks in their quest to rescue Felix.

Eleanor, Y7 says:

I think this was a good book. People who like adventures would like it. The adventure was intriguing and fun with lots of ups and downs. My favourite Character was Stella.

 

Ciara, Y7 says:

This book is alright. I found that some parts were aimed for 11 year- olds and some parts for younger readers. Some parts of the plot were quite disappointing and at times tedious. But overall, it was creative and well-written.

 

The Martian for teens – an epic, highly original space thriller with real science and heartbreaking beauty.

Leo has never set foot on Earth. Born and raised with twins Orion and Libra on the Moon 2 Space Station, they have grown up together in the most extraordinary of ways.

Now, they are preparing to make their first trip home – their first journey to Earth. But Leo, Orion and Libra cannot possibly imagine the irreversible consequences that their return will set into motion..

 

 

Zack, Y9 says:

To be honest, this book is boring! It’s a spin-off of The Martian. However, it didn’t work. The whole book is in text-speak so it’s a nightmare to read. I found it too long and some bits are just waffle. I didn’t like it!

 

There are stories about people who want to live forever.

This is not one of those stories.

This is a story about someone who wants to stop…

Alfie Monk is like any other nearly teenage boy – except he’s 1,000 years old and can remember the last Viking invasion of England.

Obviously no one believes him.

So when everything Alfie knows and loves is destroyed in a fire, and the modern world comes crashing in, Alfie embarks on a mission to find friendship, acceptance, and a different way to live…

… which means finding a way to make sure he will eventually die.

Scott, Y9 says:

I enjoyed this book a lot and think the concept is great. However, the switch between perspectives is quite off-putting as the only noticeable difference is that the font is slightly different. People of most ages would enjoy it and it is generally a good book.

 

Evie, Y7 says:

The story was interesting but hard to follow at times when it switched between two people’s perspectives.

 

Nelly, Y7 says:

Alfie Monk is basically a teenage boy, except for one thing. He can remember the day the Vikings invaded Britain, in person! When everything he loves goes up in flames, the modern world fills him up and eventually, like everyone else, he needs to die.

 

Caitlin, Y8 says:

This book is about friendship and although it is impossible for anyone to live for 1000 years the author makes it seem very real and possible.

 

Tommy, Y7 says:

I really liked this book. It was about trying to fit in. At times it was funny, yet really deep at others. It was really interesting reading a book where the character has 1011 years of memories.

 

Secrets and lies . . . secrets and lies . . . Fourteen-year-old twins, Kaine and Roxy, used to be close, but now they can hardly bear to be in the same room. Roxy hates the way her brother behaves – Kaine might be brilliant at football but he’s always in trouble and cares nothing about his family. And Kaine despises the way his supposedly-perfect sister, dominates their parents in her ambition to reach Wimbledon. But the twins are both hiding dangerous secrets of their own, secrets that could destroy everything they are working towards – and both Roxy and Kaine’s survival hangs precariously in the balance. Gripping, twisting, and real, this book is UNSTOPPABLE

Eden, Y7 says:

I thought this was a really good book. At the beginning I wasn’t too sure but it got really interesting and I couldn’t stop reading it. I felt the end was a bit sad but overall it was a fantastic book. I’d say 10 or 11+.

Bethan, Y7 says:

This book is AMAZING! One of the things I love about it is that it is told from two different points of view, Roxy’s and Kaine’s, who are twins. Kaine’s dream is to play football and Roxy’s is to play tennis but then a tragedy happens…

 

Zack, Y9 says:

It’s a very real-time book about the life of a family in a poorer part of London. It shows the ups and downs and how, if you make the right decisions, you can go far in life. 10/10, very good. This is is the second-best one I’ve read.

 

 

 

Dads leave home all the time. It’s not that unusual, really. Leon’s dad walked out. So did Mo’s. But Archie’s? Well, that’s a different story – a story that Archie must keep secret at all cost. Archie knows he should accept Dad for who he is, so he hides his turmoil until he can stand it no longer. With nowhere else to turn, he finds himself at the railway track. The track has been calling to him, promising escape, release. The only problem is, it’s been calling to someone else too…Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 13+

Eliza Y7 says:

The last days of Archie Maxwell is a truthful, upsetting and relatable book. I recommend it to those looking for a more serious 11+ book. I think it is very much worth reading because the plot draws you in for more.

Toby, Y7 says:

It’s a very interesting book and sad at the end, but a very good story. I would read it again.