Tag: Family and Friends

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Ella on the Outside, Cath Howe

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Ella is the new girl at school. She doesn’t know anyone and she doesn’t have any friends.

And she has a terrible secret.

Ella can’t believe her luck when Lydia, the most popular girl in school, decides to be her new best friend – but what does Lydia really want? And what does it all have to do with Molly, the quiet, shy girl who won’t talk to anyone?

A gripping story of secrets, lies and friendship..

Caitlin, Y8 says:

A very good book with lots of surprises. Ella’s secret isn’t told until quite far into the story and it changes things a lot. I would recommend this to someone who likes life stories with a twist.

 

Nelly, Y7 says:

When Ella moves into her new school she has trouble fitting in, so she doesn’t make any friends. No friends means that she has to keep her secret to herself. Lydia, the most popular girl, wants to be her friend but it’s odd for her and it has something to do with someone else…

Georgia, Y7 says:

I really enjoyed the book because it had drama, comedy and lots of other things. It was about a girl called Ella whose dad was in prison. I would recommend it to anyone. I really enjoyed it.

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Kick, Mitch Johnson

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Budi’s plan is simple…

He’s going to be a star, instead of sweating over each football boot he makes, each stitch he sews, each box he packages. He’s going to play for the greatest team on earth, rather than in the square behind the factory where he works.

But one unlucky kick brings Budi’s world crashing down, because now he owes the Dragon, the most dangerous man in all Jakarta. Soon it isn’t only Budi’s dreams at stake, but his life.

A story about dreaming big, about hope and heroes, and never letting anything stand in your way…

Toby, Y7 says:

Football fans would like this book as it has all the qualities of a good book and an exciting read. 

 

Tommy, Y7 says:

I wouldn’t normally pick up a football book to read but I liked the look of this one. The cover shows a boy on a mountain of shoes. This book was actually really good. It also seems to have a deeper meaning, that life is very unfair. It touches on how footballers would earn as much in an hour as the main character would do in a whole year!

 

Jack, Y8 says:

A good book and i enjoyed it very much but the end sort of spoiled it. This was disappointing but the rest of the book was great.

 

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Love, hate and other filters, Samira Ahmed

Caitlin, Y8 says:

A brilliant book about a Muslim girl with strict parents who dreams of going to film school. It is a really good book and relates to real things. I would definitely recommend it.

Love H

 

Lara, Y7 says:

Maya Aziz dreams of going to film school in New York, but when an unexpected bombing occurs it is all jeopardised. Despite the bombing Maya tries to pursue her dreams. Will she get to New York or will her dreams be shattered?

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I am Thunder and I won’t keep quiet, Muhammad Khan

 

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‘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.

Bethan, Y7 says:

I really liked this book because it is narrated by a teenage girl called Muzna who is Muslim. Most books don’t focus on characters that follow a religion which made it interesting. I also liked how the author wrote the story; I could see it all in my head. 

Caitlin, Y8 says:

Muzna has alot of courage and bravery to do what she did. A book that you won’t put down. 

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Flying Tips for Flightless Birds, Kelly McCaughrain

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Mrs Gibson says:

“Every so often a book steals your heart, wrings it out and then refills it with love, wonder and hope. You are left, almost grieving that it has finished. 

This book is for those who enjoy a slow, deep exploration of characters, those who feel out of sync with others around them, who are unusual but witty and creative, just lacking the confidence to show their true colours. 

And it is character that Kelly McCaughrain focuses on, the story moves slowly but is carefully constructed. Although the main voice belongs to Finch, we hear his twin sister’s voice through her blog even when she is lying in hospital in a coma after a trapeze accident (several posts were conveniently scheduled to appear after this). Colliding with their close sibling and trapeze-flying relationship comes Hector, the archetypal geek – or so we think – one should never judge by appearances!

A story of circus tricks, love and relationships, honesty and bullying. A warm tale which will have you laughing out loud (particularly at the self obsessed Bond Girls and whisky drinking Grandma), catching your breath and rooting for those you wish would be true to themselves and win through the complexities of growing up. Kelly McCaughrain’s first book displays her skill for dialogue, at portraying school and family life realistically and gentle humour. I loved it and miss it already!”

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Everything All At Once, Steven Camden

An achingly beautiful collection of poems about one week in a secondary school where everything happens all at once. Zooming in across our cast of characters, we share moments that span everything from hoping to make it to the end of the week, facing it, fitting in, finding friends and falling out, to loving lessons, losing it, and worrying, wearing it well and worshipping from afar.

In Everything All At Once, Steven Camden’s poems speak to the kaleidoscope of teen experience and life at secondary school.

‘All together. Same place.
Same walls. Same space.
Every emotion 
under the sun
Faith lost. Victories won.
It doesn’t stop. Until the bell. 
Now it’s heaven
Now it’s hell.
Who knows?
Not me
I just wrote what I can see
So what’s it about? Here’s my response
It’s about everything
All at once.’

Tommy, Year 7 says:

“It was a nice change reading lots of short poems rather than a massive novel. It’s a shame it was so short as I’d have liked to read more. I liked the rhymes and the verses as well.”

 

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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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