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Endling: The Last, Katherine Applegate

Byx is the youngest member of her dairne pack. Believed to possess remarkable abilities, her mythical doglike species has been hunted to near extinction in the war-torn kingdom of Nedarra.

After her pack is hunted down and killed, Byx fears she may be the last of her species. The Endling. So Byx sets out to find safe haven, and to see if the legends of other hidden dairnes are true.

Along the way, she meets new allies–both animals and humans alike–who each have their own motivations for joining her quest. And although they begin as strangers, they become their own kind of family–one that will ultimately uncover a secret that may threaten every creature in their world.

Building on the success of her critically acclaimed novels The One and Only Ivan, Crenshaw, and Wishtree, while also returning to her action-packed fantasy roots of Animorphs, the Endling series is Katherine Applegate at her finest. With its enthralling characters, unique setting, and gripping adventure, this series is the perfect next read for fans of Rick Riordan, Brian Jacques, and Tui T. Sutherland

 

Tommy, Year 7 says:

I really enjoyed this book! All of the characters were so great and so was the land they explored. It was  like a world quickly turning into dystopia.

I would have liked the author to have done more justice to the many characters though.

 

Ciara, Year 7 says:

Overall, this is a very good book which I would recommend to anyone who likes to read about real life problems written as fantasy. The moral is to help endangered animals. With Tobble’s loyalty, Khara’s sword, Gambler’s claws, not to mention Renzo the thief, Byx has plenty of help in her struggles. The only bad thing about the book is that you can’t put it down!

 

 

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Skeleton Tree, Kim ventrella

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When Stanley Stanwright finds a bone poking out of the earth in his back garden, he is determined to take a picture of it and send it to the Young Discoverer’s Competition, thinking it will help bring his dad back home. But the bone begins to grow, reaching up out of the ground until it turns into a skeleton – a skeleton with an unusual interest in his unwell younger sister Miren.

As time wears on, Miren’s condition worsens, and the only time she is truly at peace is when she is playing with the skeleton. But Stanley is wary of him, especially when he finally manages to get a picture, and spots a scythe at the skeleton’s feet. . .

Skeleton Tree by Kim Ventrella is a whimsical, heartfelt story about a boy who finds a friend in Death with the help of an unusual tree growing in his back garden. With black line illustrations throughout by Victoria Assanelli.

Ciara, Year 7 says:

“I loved this book from start to middle, but not to end! Princey, the Skeleton Tree, is a friendly Grim Reaper. You need to read the whole book carefully to discover the dire fate that awaits Stanley. I almost cried reading this book, it’s so strong. Did Ms Francine know it would happen? See if you agree with me.”

 

Tommy, Year 7 says:

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was so hard to put down. I think it was just the right mix of spookiness and comedy. If I were to change it, I would give it a happier ending. I found it a bit of an anti-climax! I think that anyone could enjoy this book!

 

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Love, hate and other filters, Samira Ahmed

Molly Y8 says:

This book is perfect for secondary school students. It has lots of important issues but they are not always solved, for example Maya being treated as a Muslim. I believe her parents were very harsh not letting her go to Film School. I liked the ending because it proved that you CAN do what you want when it means so much to you. 

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Moonrise, Sarah Crossan

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They think I hurt someone.
But I didn’t. You hear?
Cos people are gonna be telling you
all kinds of lies.
I need you to know the truth.

Joe hasn’t seen his brother for ten years, and it’s for the most brutal of reasons. Ed is on death row.

But now Ed’s execution date has been set, and Joe is determined to spend those last weeks with him, no matter what other people think …

From one-time winner and two-time Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Sarah Crossan, this poignant, stirring, huge-hearted novel asks big questions. What value do you place on life? What can you forgive? And just how do you say goodbye?

Zack Y9 says:

Man! This book is basically emotions on a plate. It’s about the life of Joe Moon and it hasn’t always dealt him a good hand. His brother has been framed for killing and is on Death Row.It sucks back to memories of when Joe was little, and his Mum didn’t care much for him so Ed was his Guardian. 

I can’t find any negatives about this book, however I bet you won’t be able to not cry by the end of it. 

 

 

 

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The Book of Dust, Philip Pullman

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The Blurb:                                                                                                                                      Malcolm Polstead’s Oxford life has been one of routine, ordinary even. He is happiest playing with his daemon, Asta, in their canoe, La Belle Sauvage. But now as the rain builds, the world around Malcolm and Asta it seems is set to become increasingly far from ordinary.

Finding himself linked to a baby by the name of Lyra Belacqua, Malcolm is forced to undertake the challenge of his life and to make a dangerous journey that will change him and Lyra for ever . . .

Zack, Y9 says..

“It is set before His Dark Materials (a bit like Star Wars) and takes a very long time to get into. But, by the end, it all makes sense and the penny drops. You can’t just read the words, you have to dig deeper. However it is nowhere as good as His Dark Materials.” 

 

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