Some of our students have been working through their Reading Challenge documents and recently sent me these wonderful reviews. It is always good to have peer reviews, so here's what the kids say are their favourite and most recent reads:
Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Words on fire is a great book for anyone who enjoys history, war, action, and a sweet and small love story on the way. It’s about a young girl named Audra, who is an illegal book carrier, trying to keep the Lithuanian culture alive. It is about an adventure she is on to save her parents who have been taken by the Russian government and she meets another book carrier as part of the adventure. In no parts of this story was I ever bored, and it always kept me interested and on the edge of my seat. I always thought romance was my genre until I read Words on Fire. I just wish the ending was longer and that the future of the characters wasn’t explained in one page. Overall, this was a 5-star read and I recommend this book to everyone.
Reviewed by Miley.
The Famous Five Collection by Enid Blyton.
The Famous Five is about 4 kids and a dog going on adventures! The oldest of all the kids was 13 years old when they first met and the kids soon became very good friends. Though they always accidentally fall into an adventure they never disappoint. The ending is a little repetitive, and it would have been better if the ending of a few books were a cliffhanger so the adventure could be way more exciting as there is more space to go into detail. But, the current story is satisfying enough for young readers from 5 to 9 years old. And it isn’t too boring for slightly older readers from 10 to 12 years old.
Considering the first book of the series came out in 1942, it still holds up really well as a fun story. I recommend it to families with young children as the book is a good length for kids.
I give it four stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Reviewed by: Noah B
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.
A boy discovers his father’s identity which ends up changing his life, doing many unnatural things and learning new life skills. This novel kept me entertained the entire way not losing interest once in this series whilst learning many new things. I would highly recommend this book or series since its very fascinating with many relatable feelings. The targeted age is around 12-year-olds.
I gave it 4/5 stars.
Reviewed by Otto
Horrible Science: Fight or Flight
The book Horrible Science: the Fight For Flight shows us how flight was made and all the fails the people had to go through to obtain flight. This book is fun to read because the information is easy to understand. This book made me feel happy because I understood the information .
I highly recommend it to people who are 13 years old or under.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed by Edward
Brother's Keeper by Julie Lee.
I felt sad about this story because of how much they had to endure in the cold weather and the chase from the North Korean soldiers. I loved it because it taught me a lot of things and it was very interesting; I couldn’t take my eyes off the book.
This is also one of my favorite books I've read. Everybody should read it.
Really Recommended.
Reviewed by Zoe Q.
Arsenic For Tea by Robin Stevens
The main character, Hazel Wong goes to her friend Daisy Wells’ house to spend the holidays, but on Daisy’s birthday one of the guests mysteriously dies.
Hazel and Daisy decide to investigate this mystery and find the murderer. The pouring rain floods the lands, and they are trapped inside the house with a dead body and murderer. They must find the murderer fast before they strike again.
This is a mysterious and adventurous book. After I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. Millions of problems keep on coming up and it is interesting to see how the Detective Society will resolve all the problems and find the murderer.
I really enjoyed Arsenic for Tea, and I would recommend it to people who enjoy reading murder mysteries. I would give this book a 5 star rating as I personally really enjoy murder mysteries and this is one of the best ones I have ever read.
Reviewed by Candy.
Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker
This romance-oriented Sci-Fi novel is ideal for readers aged 15-20. It has a shifting point of view and is inspired by a combination of Emily Brontë's ‘Wuthering Heights’ and William Shakespeare's ‘Romeo and Juliet’, assuming they had alternate endings. It’s the best character development I’ve ever seen in a book- and I would highly recommend it. 5 stars.
Reviewed by Michelle
Legend, Prodigy and Champion by Marie Lu.
"Legend" by Marie Lu is a dystopian action series set in a future where two teenagers, June, and Day, from opposite sides of society, uncover a government conspiracy and fall in love.
This fast-paced romance explores the themes of inequality and revenge, with an alternating point of view between the two main protagonists. The author highlights the characters’ relationships well- with a very innovative dynamic.
This is one of my favourite series of all time- with ‘Champion’ really standing out. The books get progressively better as the series goes on.
5 stars.
Reviewed by Michelle
Book review: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The novel “Hunger games” is written from the point of view of the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, and is set in the Capitol of the nation of Panem. The Capitol is a harsh and cruel place which sends one boy and one girl from each district to go participate in the “Hunger Games”. It is a fight to the death and the last one standing wins the whole thing. Katniss Everdeen at the age of Sixteen sees this as her death sentence. As she steps up for her sister’s place in the Games. But if she is to win, she brings glory and fame to herself and her family.
I liked this book, as it is an adventurous and violent book! It is of interest to children that enjoy a jarring and violent story. I rate this book 5 out of 5 and recommend it to young adults from 12+.
Reviewed by Elvies
Holes by Louis Sachar
Holes is an exciting adventure story that follows a boy named Stanley Yelnats. Stanley is sent to a strange place called Camp Green Lake for a crime he didn't commit. But this is no ordinary camp, there's no lake, and the kids there have to hard labour digging big holes in the ground every day.
As Stanley and his friends
dig, they uncover secrets about the camp's history. Together Stanley and his
friend Hector Zeroni are challenged to save their lives.
Rating = ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewed by Sofia.
Haikyuu! Vol. 4 By Haruichi Furudate.(Graphic Novel)
The volleyball training camp kicks off. Hinata and his teammates train in preparation for the practice game against Nekoma, but they’ll need to polish their receiving skills if they want to win. After all their hard work, the moment they’ve all been waiting for finally arrives—the revival of the long-standing rivalry between the Cats (Nekoma) and the Crows (Karasuno, Hinata’s team)! I like the new relationships that Hinata makes with the new characters and the new characters themselves as they provide more comedic relief. I like the determination and build up that Karasuno displays even though its just a practice game because when reading it made me fired up and curious as to who will win the game. I would recommend this book to all ages anyone who enjoys slice of life and comedy. If you like this book I would also like to recommend watching the anime and reading and watching the series Blue lock.
Review by Lena.
The Fault in our Stars by John Green.
This romantic drama follows Hazel Grace and her star-crossed lover, Gus. Hazel Grace is diagnosed with cancer at 13 years old. 3 years later, she meets 17-year-old Augustus Waters at a support group.
With the love of the same book and author, they fly to Amsterdam to meet the estranged author – Peter Van Houten.
I loved this book; it shows the importance of the common phrase ‘You only live once.’ It also displays the important ideas of friendship, love, family, life, and death.
I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars. Green has conveyed emotions and scenarios well, the only thing I would change about this book is some of the characteristics of Peter Van Houten, even though his personality is extremely important in the story.
I recommended this book for people aged 14+.
Reviewed by Kacey.
The boy who stepped through time by Anna Ciddor.
This book is very exciting because it kept my on the edge of my seat and it made me want to keep reading. You learn about the Romans and how they live. I thought the character was very cool because he is very calm and cool even while being transported through time.
I think that people aged 9-14 would enjoy this book.