Sunday 22 January 2017

~Review~ Has anyone seen Jessica Jenkins? by Liz Kessler

Title: Has Anyone seen Jessica Jenkins?
Author: Liz Kessler
Publisher: Orion

Jessica has a superpower!

 
Jessica Jenkins was ordinary, but since she got a necklace from her mum's friend, she can turn invisible without thinking about it! Izzy, her best friend, is excited but is it really so amusing? Concealing Jessica's power will be dangerous and where has it come from? What if the wrong people find out?
 

What I think:

 
It's really different and unique, as not many books feature girls with invisibility and for that reason, it was part of the post Books I love; 2016 edition.
Perfect for all genders aged 10+.
 
 
 
 

Thursday 19 January 2017

~Review~ Far Rockaway by Charlie Fletcher

Title: Far Rockaway
Author: Charlie Fletcher
Publisher: Hodder


                                            Cat has just been hit by a truck.



At hospital, Cat is battling a haemorrhage and is whisked into a world full of adventure, excitement and fun. Strange people roam the landscape - some trustable, some not. She doesn't know if she's going to win but she knows one thing: Real Girls rescue themselves.

What I think:

 

I love this book as you will never be able to put it down and be a favourite with everyone!
With a hint of Treasure Island, boys and girls aged 11+ will love this amazing story



Wednesday 18 January 2017

~Review~ Time Travelling with a Hamster by Ross Welford

 Title: Time Travelling with a Hamster
Author: Ross Welford
Publisher: Harper Collins

                                        Al has a time machine


Al Chaudhury has a possibility of saving his father's life. But to do that he has to travel back in time to 1984. With challenges going on in 1984 and the problem of sneaking out every night to break into his old house to get the time machine, will he keep his secret concealed from his family? And will he be successful?

What I think:


I absolutely loved this book as you couldn't put it down, and if you did, you were left wondering what was going to happen next. A fascinating read of saving your family, suitable for any gender aged 9+



Sunday 15 January 2017

~Review~ The secrets of Billie Bright by Susie Day

  Title: The Secrets of Billie Bright
  Author: Susie Day
  Publisher: Penguin

Billie Bright has to do a hero project

 
She has recently started secondary school and in English, she and her classmates have to do a project about someone they admire. She chooses her mum, who died of cancer when Billie was five. But that's the problem - 'Welsh' and 'smelled nice' does not fill up 48 pages. Whenever Billie asks her father, or brothers, about her mum they go quiet. Will Billie get the information she needs for her project? And will she reveal secrets about her mum?
 

What I think:

I think that it's cleverly written and shows that you shouldn't be scared of secondary school. Also people who have lost friends and relatives when young can relate to the story as well.
Perfect for girls aged 11+
 
 

       

Monday 2 January 2017

Books I love; 2016 edition




    It is now 2017, and I was thinking about books I read in 2016. I read loads of good ones, but some stood out more. Such as The Dream Snatcher by Abi Elphinstone and the second book in the series, The Shadow Keeper*. I thought that these stories were fast paced and full of adventure. I got the privilege of meeting Abi during the Edinburgh Book festival, where she signed my books.  Also, to tie in with the theme of adventure and excitement, I loved Alfie Bloom and the Secrets of Hexbridge Castle, and the second one in the trilogy Alfie Bloom and the Talisman Thief*. All books mentioned in this paragraph were exciting and the authors have lots of imagination.



The Moonlight Dreamers by Siobhan Curham was relatable for most teenagers, as it's about four girls being misunderstood.  Also Girl out of Water by Nat Luurtsema, about a socially awkward teenager who finally accepts her tallness. Both books focus on accepting yourself and not letting others get you down.


Kitty Slade series by Fiona Dunbar and Has anyone seen Jessica Jenkins? by Liz Kessler*  are about girls with powers. Kitty Slade sees ghosts and has to help them and Jessica Jenkins can turn invisible when wearing a special necklace. I decided to group these together as they are about magical powers and dealing with them.

Girl with a White Dog by Anne Booth, Butterfly Summer by Anne-Marie Conway and Tangled Secrets by Anne-Marie Conway are very moving and sad. In Girl with a white Dog, Jessie learns about Nazi Germany and how it impacted on her family, right up to the present. Butterfly Summer and Tangled secrets are about sadness when a loved one dies.


I enjoyed reading them and hope you will too!

* I haven't reviewed it yet