Larkmead
Ghostlines
Tilda lives on Ayrie, where everyone knows everyone. The big event of the year is the puffins’ migration. Then the tourists leave and the Silent Season begins. It’s perfect for Tilda. One day, however, when the Silent Season is just beginning, a new boy, Albie, arrives and Tilda feels curious. There’s a mystery about this new boy. He refuses to join in with the Ayrie kids’ activities and he’s not interested in anything! Except for the secret island. The haunted one. The forbidden one. So Tilda agrees to go on the adventure of their lives.
I loved Ghostlines. I was wary when I read the title, because I thought it might be a ghost story and I don’t like ghost stories as much as adventure or mystery stories. To my delight, however, despite the title, it is absolutely an adventure story and not a ghost one. Therefore, if you haven’t read Ghostlines yet, because you don’t like books about ghosts, I’d absolutely recommend reading it.
Ghostlines has so much in it. There’s adventure, mystery, family drama and animals all in the same book! This is the first book I’ve read by Katya Balen and I shall definitely be reading more! I couldn’t put it down.
Erin
Birdie
Birdie follows the life of Birdie Bagshaw, a young girl desperate to find her family. When a letter arrives for Mrs Dudley at the children’s home, Birdie is sent away to her great-aunt and great-uncle, who live in the Yorkshire Dales. As soon as she arrives, she finds that people treat her differently. Unkindly. But when she meets Mr Duke, a pit pony left down in the mines, she realises she has a mission. A mission to save him.
Birdie is a beautiful story that explores opinions and prejudice in the 1950s, much of which has been left untold until now. It gently explained the history to younger readers and yet managed to delve in deeper too. I think it was good that it almost had two storylines – the historical side and the main story, looking at Mr Duke and Birdie’s friendship. I loved Mr Duke – he was such a sweet pony!
I think this book reminded me of The Shadow Pony by Olivia Wakeford, which also looks at the pit ponies. If you enjoyed Birdie, I would recommend reading this, as it looks at the pit ponies’ history but from life today. Overall, this book was a sweet story, which treated big topics with tenderness, and included a charming pony.
Erin
Not Going To Plan
The book ‘not going to plan’ by Tia Fisher is a 14+ thoughtful and engaging explanation of what happens when life refuses to follow the script we have written for it. Through a mix of relatable characters, unexpected twist and honest reflections. The story follows a girl named Marnie how she meets a guy named Zed and they go to a party, and she ends up doing something she is not supposed to do. The story highlights the reality that success and happiness are often found in unplanned moments rather carefully designed ones. One of the books greatest strengths is its realism. Tia captures the frustration, disappointment and uncertainty that accompany setbacks while also showing how these experiences can lead to growth and self-discovery. The writing style is accessible and reflective, balancing humour with emotional depth also the way its layout helps with the reading because sometimes books that are usually with lots of words on the page makes it very overwhelming and seems like it is a long book even when it like only 100 pages. A particularly memorable aspect of the book it is emphasis on resilience. Rather than presenting failure as something to be feared it encourages readers to view obstacles as opportunities to learn. This message feels both timely and inspiring in a world where many people feel pressure to have everything figured out. Overall, I rate this book 8.5 out of ten because I think this book is telling you to be careful and don’t let people take advantage of you.
scarlet
Birdie
Birdie lived in Leeds, until her aunt adopted her, going to live in the town of Barrington Dale. She is bullied just because of the colour of her skin and runs away to the mines. she meets a pony and becomes friends with the pit pony and when his life is in danger, she is the only one who can save him.
If you like stories about friendship, horses and adventure, this book is for you.
Anna
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
It was quite an easy read, I enjoyed the book but I would have liked something more challenging, as it felt like something you would read in year 4 or year 5. the book followed Zeke through a while at school, and had some confusing things in it, like France on Zeke's knee, and had lots of elements to the story which when you were reading it made it annoying and hard to follow.
If you like to read funny, silly, weird and unusual books, this book is for you.
Anna
The Boy I Love
Take yourself back in time to a world many years ago.
It’s World War One and Lieutenant Stephen Wraxall is going back to the front after injury. On the train, he meets Private Danny McCormick, a new recruit. Stephen realises he has a mission – to save this boy from war. But as their friendship grows into something more, will their love save them or destroy them?
The Boy I Love gives a very different outlook on World War One. It realises the horror of the whole thing – these boys fighting for a country that condemns them. You learn a lot of history unconsciously through reading this book, I think. It was interesting to hear more about these battles that we’ve all been taught about – The Battle of the Somme particularly. They lived in this book as they’ve never done before and it feels very real.
I’ve read The Fights That Make Us before, which also looks at LGBTQ+ but from today’s perspective. If you enjoy The Boy I Love, I think you would also enjoy The Fights That Make Us. Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo also looks at WW1 and the soldiers at the front, which I’d recommend if you want to know some more about WW1.
The Boy I Love is a touching story of love and loyalty and I would definitely recommend reading.
Erin
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
Twenty - four seconds from now is a book about 2 people - Neon and Aria - building up to having sex. It went back in time from present to when they met and ending in the present again.
I found this book quite difficult to understand at points as it kept changing when the time was. I also wasn't that interested in it because of what it's about. My favourite parts was when they first met, when Aria and her dog - Denzel Jeremy Washington - interrupt Neon's grandads funeral as it was funny - not the person dying, the interruption -. I probably wouldn't recommend it, and I would rate it a 4.66562346/10.
Lydia
Popcorn
Pop corn is a book about a person called Andrew Yaeger who has anxiety and OCD. He is trying to make his day go perfectly - for photos, but fails. Lots of things like: bullying, science experiments and his grandma 'G' going missing cause Andrew to have a panic attack and explode.
There were some parts of this book that I enjoyed and a few where I lost interest with. My favourite parts were the description of the panic attack and what happened after because it was described well and in a way that made sense. I liked that it showed what it's like to have OCD, anxiety and have family with dementia, I would probably recommend it because of how it explains how someone's life could be like. I would rate it a 6.253/10.
Lydia
The Boy I Love
The Boy I Love is a book set during The Battle of The Somme in WW1 and is about the relationship between Stephen Wraxhall and Danny McCormick. It was a time when relationships between two men was illegal. The two soldiers had to keep their relationship secret while doing their jobs and fighting Germans.
I enjoyed this book because of the descriptions of trench warfare and how soldiers lived as well as showing people who had to hide their feelings. It's not a book genre that I would normally choose but I liked this book. My favourite parts was when they went across no - mans land for 'The Push' as it was suspenseful if they would survive or not. I would recommend it to people who enjoy books about: warfare and love between people of the same gender. Overall I would rate it a 7.5/10.
Lydia
The Boy I Love
The Boy I Love is an interesting story that shows a historical aspect being set in WW1.
This made me enjoy the book because it felt a bit of a change to what I have read previously.
I really liked the way that the author made it balanced between the brutal war, a loving relationship, and LGBTQ+.
I feel like the author could have also made the start a bit more exciting. At the start of this book I really struggled to get through it which almost made me think the rest of the book would not be good. (it was very good though!)
Spoiler alert!!
My favourite moment in the book was when Stephen woke up and found out that Danny was still alive!
I would recommend this book to people who want to learn more about LGBTQ+ and also people who want to read books set in very important times. I do also not agree with the age rating and think it should more be 12+.
Overall I would give this book a 3/5.
Milo T
Birdie
The book Birdie by J.P Rose is a moving and heartfelt historical book that combines friendship, courage, and social justice in a story that is both emotional and inspiring. The book is set in 1950s Yorkshire, it follows a girl named Birdie Bagshaw, a young mixed-race girl who leaves her home to live with her relatives that she has never met before. Instead of receiving a warm welcome that she hoped for she faces loneliness and bulling in her village. Everything changes when she meets a pony that she comes to name; Mr Duke. the friendship develops between them which forms an emotional core to the story. Their bond shows kindness, loyalty and resilience. The readers will quicky be interested in both characters and their struggles to find acceptance and freedom. One of the books strengths is its mention of racism and identity, Rose does a good job of making that clear. Birdie is a courageous and loveable person whose bravery shows even in difficult situations. Her determination to help Mr Duke stand up for him self makes her a very inspiring character. J.P’s writing is accessible but powerful, creating an emotional story that remains engaging throughout the book. Overall, Birdie is a touching book that explores friendship, belonging and power of hope. I think this book is good for readers who like animal stories, historical fiction and stories about overcoming adversity. I give this book an 7 out of ten because I like how memorable it is and how it has a meaning to it but it is not my favourite.
scarlet
Not Going To Plan
“Not going to plan”- the main theme of this book is in the title! The story is told from two sides- Marnie, a girl who has been expelled from her old school and is bad at numbers , and Zed, an introvert who is good at numbers but not languages (Marnie’s strong suit). However, when some condom-free sex takes place, the two have to work out what to do when things really don’t go to plan. Overall, this was a great story about consent. It really highlights the issues that can come from not following it. I also loved the way the story was written- the verse makes it look more powerful and when the words form pictures it looks fantastic. If you’re okay with strong language and hard topics, then definitely give this book a read!
Sandy
Popcorn
School can be horrifying for many people who have mental illness. In Popcorn, Andrew has to make it through school picture day with mounting problems and worries, including (but not limited to): a bully attack, a cafeteria experiment gone wrong, and grandma problems. Will he make it through the day while avoiding his biggest fear, and stay tidy for the photos? I loved the way the book shows topics that can really affect people’s lives for the worse, giving it the full seriousness it needs while still making the story an enjoyable read. I also loved the way the story ended: it was definitely the best part of the book! I would give it an 8/10-you should definitely read it if you want a laugh and/or a look into life with OCD and anxiety.
Sandy
Wolf Siren
Wolf Siren is an empowering story about sexism, injustice and disability. It follows the story of a girl, Red, who loves the woods. However, in her village, it is frowned upon. This is because, if a man went in, he would probably be killed by the wolves, and they think that it is showing off for a woman to go. But when the woodcutter disappears, Red finds out why, and in the process finds out more about the woods, the wolves and herself…
Overall, I loved this story. It has a brilliant main character, a brilliant plot, and a brilliant message. Personally, I didn’t quite see the connection to little red riding hood, and found it quite a different story, but definitely worth reading if you are a fan of fantasy, wolves, and the forest. 9.5/10 and a very good story.
Sandy
Ghostlines
The book ‘ghostlines’ by Katya Balen is a very nicely written book that combines adventure, friendship and emotional growth. The story follows a girl named Tilder that lives on an island and found out a boy named Albie moved onto her island and struggles with the change from moving from the mainland. They both go to an island that it is believed to be haunted but becomes both an actual adventure but also adventure of belonging, loss and friendship. One of the book’s strengths is its vivid image of nature. Balen’s description of the sea, wildlife, weather and island life creates an atmosphere that the island is an actual character. The book also handles emotions with sensitivity. Tildas feelings about her brother moving to the mainland and Albie’s difficulties with moving into the island are written with honesty and depth. Rather than just making the book about the adventure, the story explores how people carry memories, connections, and a sense of home with them – a theme that reflected Tilder’s idea of the ghostlines and traces of journeys and relationships that remain even when people move on. Overall, I think that this book is an emotional but adventurous novel, telling people that you should see the best of everything even if you don’t like it. I give this book and 9.2 out 10 because I think that it was an interesting book and appealing for people that like mystery books like I do.
scarlet
Ghostlines
Imagine, an island. Not a craggy, rocky, foreboding skerry, a serene, grassy isle with cottages nestled at its heart. With a vibrant island community, stunning sea caves, and teeming rockpools, this place is a sight to behold. This is the astonishing island of Ayrie.
We turn our attention to two individuals: Tilda and Albie. Tilda is a helpful person who always tries her best. She loves life on Ayrie, and everything is perfect until Albie, a boy from the mainland, arrives to live on the isle with his mother. Because he is the newcomer, Tilda wants to welcome him and show him all the island’s wonders, but Albie does not like one thing about it and was quite rude to her at some points. Tilda finds this hard to comprehend but then she forgot about one thing; the forbidden island, the one that’s haunted. Albie eventually grows to like Ayrie like I grew to like him.
I recently read October, October and it was wonderful! In my opinion, Katya Balen is one of the best writers of this generation. I liked this book because it wasn't too complicated. It was quite a nice, straightforward read. My favourite part was the night with the puffins when Albie started to see the beauty of Ayrie. I would recommend this book, not just for fans of Katya but for everyone. This is a beautifully crafted book, and I will give it a rating of 9/10.
Jacob
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
‘24 Seconds From Now’ is an intriguing read that takes its audience back in intervals throughout the protagonist’s life. Neon (Nee, to his friends) is in his girlfriend's bathroom. He is nervous, he wants to be perfect, he wants everything to be perfect, but he is not sure what “perfect” is. He is wondering if he is enough to be her partner.
Flashback to 24 hours earlier when Nee is wondering whether to listen to his friends, who have absurdly weird concepts, about how to treat girls or to take his older sister’s advice who probably has more years of experience than all Nee’s friends combined.
Skip back 24 months to when he first met his girlfriend, Aria, at his grandad’s funeral.
This book is a heartfelt, romantic read with moments that are solemn and some moments that are downright hilarious! This book was confusing at times when the whole story was moved back in intervals but overall, a great read. 6/10.
Jacob
Wolf Siren
Wolf Siren by Beth O'Brien is a spin off the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, The book follows Red on her journey through the ups and downs of life. This book definitely pulled my heartstrings; when reading I felt sympathy for Red. I felt like I was 'experiencing' her life as the words created vivid images. The book follows her journey through the woods where the trees help her to navigate through as her eyesight has never been the best. I loved this book through the ups and downs. I would never have picked this book up if not for the Carnegies! I would give this 5 out of 5
aurora
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody is a funny book that, in my opinion, was aimed at a younger audience, maybe 8-10 year olds. However, I did enjoy it, I found that it was an enjoyable book to lift me up on a difficult day. I enjoyed some of the funnier parts, like when we are told that hawks can only yell. Another thing I liked was that Zeke had France on his knee. How it got there is very interesting, but I won’t say any more here – you will have to read it to find out! I liked this book, but it was not my personal favourite because I felt it was for an audience younger than myself.
Emma
Birdie
Birdie by J.P. Rose is about a girl called Birdie Bagshaw. She grew up at a children’s home for mixed race children where kindness was all she ever knew. Until she is finally wanted by her great aunt who lives in the Yorkshire dales. As soon as she arrives, everything changes. The air smells different, the people unkind and life unfair. On one unfortunate day, bullies come for her but she runs and runs and runs until she reaches the mines. Down in the dark, she feels scared and lost but then she comes across a pit pony. Will it be the friend she needs?
Birdie made me think about how much world views have changed and how much we still need to change. I liked the storyline and themes of belonging. Sometimes, I found it hard to understand some of the older language (thee, thou, etc.) but it made the characters feel more real to the era in which it was set – 1950s. Overall, it was a good read but not the best. 7/10
Alice
Birdie
Birdie was an ok book. It wasn’t my favourite, as I found it boring and unengaging. What I didn’t like about it was that the chapters felt too long in relation to what was actually happening in the story, which made it feel like it was dragging on a bit; if the chapters were shorter I think it would have been more engaging. I thought it was a heartfelt story, but I felt like not a lot happened in it. There were a few things I did like about it, such as Birdie’s love and devotion to Mr Duke. My favourite part was Birdie’s reaction when she saw that Mr Duke was ok, but what I didn’t like was when Mr Spivey tried to take Mr Duke from the mine to be killed. All in all, this was not my type of book, but I feel that other people might enjoy it more than I did, particularly if their day is going too fast or is too hectic for their liking.
Emma
Birdie
Can you imagine Experiencing racism and not realising it.
This book is about a girl who experiences racism but at first doesn’t know it’s racism when moving to a new home. She then meets a pit pony and becomes friends with it. The majority of the story is spent on her going to visit the pony, and promising to save it. It is a wonderful heartfelt book, however, for the first 50 pages it was not the most exiting of books, also the use of regular English and English words from up north which also seemed like old English was quite confusing but also helpful!
I would never have picked this book up because I really struggle with books with complicated words as I am dyslexic so this book pushed me out of my comfort zone. While I was reading it I felt sadness, excitement, happiness and outrage at how people can be so judgmental BUT outrage overall. I love this book. I would give it 4.5/5 and I recommend it for 10 to 14 year olds to give it a read.
Aurora
Ghostlines
Imagine living on a Scottish island that is paradise. You can hear the sound of waves breaking as you drift off to sleep after a long day kayaking and exploring. You can taste the salt in the sea breeze. You can see the miles of churning waters home to many sea creatures. This is the life of Matilda. She loves living on Ayrie with puffins and a tight community. For her, life couldn’t be better. But Albie thinks otherwise. In his view, Ayrie was the worst decision for his mother to make. Away from the safety of the mainland and through rough seas to a place with storms and power cuts. He feels isolated and trapped. Will he ever be able to fit in?
I loved Ghostlines! Katya Balen’s way of writing draws you in from the first sentence and keeps you transfixed until the last. She lets you imagine what the island looks like without overdoing the amount of detail and pulls on your heart strings. The themes of belonging and adventure are showed really well and I liked how the chapters were a good length so you could easily stop without being midway through one. 9/10
Alice
Wolf Siren
The book ‘Wolf Siren’ by Beth O’Brien is a fantasy book that reimagines the classic book of Little Red Riding Hood. The story follows a little girl called Red that lives in a village surrounded by a magical mysterious wood with wolves that live in it. Red is amazed by the forest but was always told to stay away from it. She ignores the mayor to try and investigate the disappearance of her grandmother, and she uncovers hidden secrets about her family. Red is a relatable and inspiring character whose bravery and curiosity drives the story forward. O’Brien creates different challenges for Red to complete so she can be successful even though she loses people on the way. The atmosphere of the book is another highlight. The magical forest is very well described, creating a sense of mystery and wonder which made me more interested. The fact the difference Beth made between the wood and the village was another touch. The village was all safe while the wood was free and unpredictable. The writing type Beth uses is easy to read making it a perfect book for pre-teens. The pacing is steady and she balances moments well. Overall, it is a nice book with interesting plots and twists in it and how it shows the reader how life is unfair and it may cost things you love to find the truth. I give this book and 8.5 out of 10 on how it is set and its meanings.
scarlet
Wolf Siren
Wolf Siren by Beth O’Brien is a reimagination of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood. Red is a strong, young woman who loves adventuring beyond the village walls to the wolf-inhabited woods even if it’s illegal. As family secrets spill and Red starts her cycle, more pressure mounts up until it’s too late.
This book was amazing. I loved how the trees were magic and were like real people. Although it didn't grab my attention right from the start, as the book went on, I was sad when having to stop reading it. I felt like it was great for this age range and had moments that you could connect to even though Red’s world is different from ours. 8.5/10
Alice
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Zeke is a monitor lizard and with his friends, Daniel and Alicia, he becomes a hall monitor. However, this brings its challenges: Pelicarnassus the bully. Pelicarnassus is a pelican who wants to be a supervillain and tries to destroy the school! Will Zeke be be able to save everyone?
I liked this book because it was funny – Zeke having France on his knee - and the style was different to my normal reads. However, I felt it would be better for younger readers (7 – 10). Saying that, I like to read funny books like this after reading a more serious one so 'Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody' would be perfect for that.
Overall, this book is good but slightly childish for me. 5.5/10
Alice
Birdie
Birdie lived in a children's home called Fitzwilliams where she was left by her mum when she was a baby. When her Great Aunt says she would like to look after her, Birdie goes on the train to Barrington Dale. There, lots of the locals insult her and chase her because of her skin colour. She starts to hate it there and become homesick before she meets Mr Duke - a pit pony.
I didn't find this book that interesting as the dialect was confusing and the character made illogical decisions, but there were some parts I enjoyed. One of my favourite parts was when Birdie was being chased and she went down to the mines where she met Mr Duke for the first time. The book covers issues of racism, attitudes towards unmarried parents and animal welfare. It also shows about trying to feel welcome and belonging. I would probably rate it a 6/10 as it was a good story but sometimes I found it a bit less engaging. I would recommend it to people who like books about social issues and animals.
Lydia
Birdie
Birdie is a heartfelt story that shows what it is like to be a girl who faces racism and how nature can change someone’s life from nothing into something!
At the start of the book we are introduced to a young, black, girl called Birdie who is leaving her foster home to go to her great aunts house. She travels on her own to the town her great aunt lives in!
She then had to walk to her great aunts house who was utterly surprised to see her.
Throughout this book we can see that Birdie makes a loving relationship with a pony that she nicknamed Mr. Duke!
I would highly recommend this book to people of all ages and anyone who likes/loves animals and nature! Overall I really enjoyed this book and would give it a 4/5
Milo T
Popcorn
I thought the story line of 'Popcorn' was really great and the sort of thing I would love because stories about American schools and what goes on inside are my thing. I still stand by that but I don't think the plot was told in a a page- turning way that kept me interested. I found it hard to stay motivated in finishing it as well. Although, I did find some of the messages very important - like how to deal with anxiety and supporting family and friends. I just would've preferred if it was executed in a better way. I would probably rate this out of
Anthea
Not Going To Plan
If I am completely honest, I was not looking forward to reading this because of the subjects I was told would be in the book. I was also sceptical because I assumed the 14+ would be quite inappropriate and I felt out of my comfort zone being persuaded to give it a go. Despite this, and the challenge of how it was written - in verse- I have grown to love ‘Not Going To Plan’ and my opinion has completely changed. I really love how different it is to other books, spreading awareness and compassion. It also added perspective by being written in verse and helped me to learn how to accept and read things that are slightly outside the box. I think so much of the book is about being different and spreading your message. I also think that it highlights how important it is to learn from mistakes and dealing with the consequences of your actions. I also liked how realistic and relatable it was like stressing about exams and dealing with things at school. I think the target audience is 13- 17 year olds because it feels so relatable and truthful at those ages where you could struggle with so many of the things in this teenage book.
Anthea
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
‘The Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody’ is a silly and humorous yet interesting book about a monitor Lizard (Zeke) and his friends. It is full of silly nonsense that is very entertaining, like having France on your knee or fighting a mean pelican bully. However, this book is an amazing example of hidden meanings because despite its childish appearance, if you look deeper into the book's meaning, there are more fragile subjects mentioned such as deppression. This is why I find Lizard Nobody an interesting and slightly confusing book. On first glance it seems very clearly aimed at younger children but if you fully understand it, you will notice that there are some topics inside that only older readers would understand. Personally, I feel that the story is too silly for me and I would not usually pick it but I was surprised to find it was also enjoyable - which I didn't expect. I would recommend it to 10+ readers who like funny and creative books filled with jokes!
Anthea
Wolf Siren
Meet Red, a curious yet fearless girl with many secrets. She lives in a village in the very middle of a wolf-populated forest. People, other than the woodcutter Caragh, are not allowed out of the village walls due to the danger of being attacked. Red has always had a strong connection to the magical forest, and its inhabitants, so she frequently takes secret trips out into the woods. But one day, the woodcutter is declared missing.
I liked this book because it highlights feminine injustice within a fairy-tale beautifully. Although it was not my type of book, I could see how it can appeal to others with its bold and powerful storyline. Wolf Siren is a worthy contender for the Carnegie Awards. I would rate this book, a strong, 8/10.
Jacob
Ghostlines
Ghostlines is a lovely well written book; it tells the intricate story of Tilda and Albie on the island of Ayrie where everybody knows everyone but nobody knows Albie and his ma. Tilda reaches out to become friends with him. At first, he refuses but she is persistent. What seals the deal was when they go to an island which is said to be haunted. Thankfully, it brings them closer together. After they went to the island, during an unforgiving storm, Tilda gets hurt. Her brother comes from the main land to see her. It is a lovely thoughtful lesson about bridges in family being rebuilt. I would rate this book a 5/5. I would recommend this book to 7 to 13 year olds
aurora
Not Going To Plan
14+ Not Going To Plan
Nourishing literature
Open book
Thrilling novel
Grown up content
Opposite of boring
Intricate
Nerd called Zed
Genuine book
Teaches some important, complex topics
Originally written
Plucky girl called Marnie
Lucky to read it
Abortion
Not going to stop reading
A captivating novel that shows the complex realities of growing up and showing the impact of teenage decisions at a party. I really enjoyed this book as it taught me some very important lessons. I would only recommend this book to over 14s who appreciate good literature. Overall I would rate this book a 6.5/10.
Milo T
Popcorn
Popcorn – by Rob Harrell – is a book about a boy called Andrew who struggles to control his anxiety. He lives with his hardworking mum and Grandma who has Alzheimer’s. It tells the story of picture day and everything that goes wrong.
I found the topic of anxiety and panic attacks very relevant to the modern day and it let me imagine what it must be like to have anxiety. However, I felt that you could easily predict what was going to happen next from the blurb and front cover. I liked the funny moments like when Andrew is in the nurse’s office and teachers come in all asking about the ‘secret’ stash of snacks.
Overall, this book was a good short read but not one for older readers who might like something more complicated. 2/5
Alice
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
The book Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody is a strange but funny book, but it also has a good meaning to it. The story follows a lizard named Zeke who becomes the hall monitor at school but then finds he is being bullied by Pelicarnassus a student at his school who wants to rule the world while Zeke has struggles at home with his mum. Even though it is full of ridiculous moments and talking animals it also explores grief, loneliness, friendship and prejudice in a meaningful way. One of the best parts of this book is its humour. Patrick Ness creates a bizarre animal world that keeps this story entertaining and unpredictable at the same time the characters feel realistic, especially Zeke, who struggles with feeling invisible and different from everyone else. This make the story more relatable for younger readers that are starting to understand how life works. The fact that Patrick added the fact that Zekes mother was a little bit depressed made the story more real too! I would give this book a 7 out of 10 because in my opinion it was a little bit childish but I love that it had a true meaning to it.
scarlet
Popcorn
The book ‘Popcorn’ is a funny but emotional book about anxiety, friendship, and family struggles. The book follows a seven grader who is really stressed about picture day when everything goes wrong. As the day becomes more stressful for Andrew, readers start to see how he struggles with his anxiety while coping with family problems (like his grandmother’s Alzheimer) and friendships at school (Gene his school bully). I think that the best parts of this book are how real Rob Harrel makes Andrew’s anxiety a problem in his life but slowly through the book he learns how to deal with it. Harrel does a good job at showing people how anxiety affects people’s life and how small problems can seem so big but balances the book with humour and cool pictures! Overall, this book is not just about anxiety. It is a book about trying to hold yourself together when life falls into messy and unpredictable situations. It is about family, fear, embarrassment, friendship and learning that when you need help it does not mean you’re weak. I give this an 8 out of 10 because of its deep meaning and it changed my mind about people with anxiety.
scarlet
Not Going To Plan
Not Going To Plan is a bold and inspirational book that shows the consequences of adolescent pregnancy and the importance of consent. When I started reading this book, I found the concept of a verse novel hard to understand; but as the story continued, it seemed correct to make the novel in that format because I actually got to see the story from two sides, literally. To start off, Marnie and Zed are like two opposite people, but as each of them have skills that the other direly needs, their partnership turns into a strong friendship. This book highlights teenage pregnancy and I agree with it's age rating of 14+. Personally, if I were to rate this book, I would give it an 8/10. This is probably one of the strongest and most powerful books out of the entire shortlist.
Jacob
Birdie
Birdie is a nice book about a girl who moves away from her home to live with her aunt. It is a heartwarming story filled with love for horses and learning to accept new things and people. However, I found that the story was a bit shaky at the start and didn't have me very engaged or interested. I was also sceptical of the book from its blurb. The words ' spirited little pony' made me think it was a book for younger readers. Some of the language like 'any road' was also hard to get used to at the start. I recommend it to readers who like animals and a bit of historical writing told in a compassionate and child friendly way.
Anthea
Ghostlines
Ghost lines is a book about finding a place for someone who doesn’t have one.
The book is set on the island of Ayrie, and follows the story of Tilda, a girl who has lived there her whole life, and Albie, who has just moved there from the city. Tilda has a job to show Albie around and interest him in the area. When that fails, she takes him to the secret island. The one that is haunted. The one where kids are forbidden to go…
It was a very good story, and had an interesting plot . I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in story’s about friendship and adventure.
Sandy
Ghostlines
I absolutely love this book.
I love the plot.
I love how Tilda and Albie have such a connection.
I love how it doesn’t go too much in to ghosts.
It was suspenseful when Moses ran off.
I also love how it’s based in nature and everyone knows everyone.
However, I felt bad for Albie when he felt like an outsider, until he didn’t!
I love this book so much it’s a 5/5 book.
I absolutely love and recommend it!
Aurora
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I found this book comical but I found there was too much crammed into one book. I would spilt it up into two books. It was slightly childish so I did end up reading it to my little brother; he really enjoyed it! Overall I would give it a 2/5 stars. It was also very confusing and comical that the main character ended up having France on his knee. Also when the bully ended up trying to invade France he could of just put his wing on the knee and then it would be taken over so I would recommend it to younger readers (aged 5-10) as maybe their first read. It was good but it was just too childish in my opinion. Other people may disagree but do give it a shot and give it a read!
Aurora
Popcorn
I really enjoyed this book.
It was so funny.
My favourite bit was when a bottle of ketchup became a rocket.
My least favourite bit was Gene (the bully).
I like how it deals with anxiety since lots of people deal with it at least once in their life.
Overall I would give 4/5.
I would recommend it seeing as it’s a funny read with hidden meaning.
I would recommend it to ages 8-15.
Aurora
Wolf Siren
Wolf siren is an amazing, atmospheric and beautiful novel. I absolutely adored it. I love how it is written to be similar to Little Red Riding Hood but totally different at the same time. The fact that the main character is a child with a sight problem makes the book feel just that bit more like life. Also, usually children’s novels have a nice happy ending and I love that this book is an exception to that.
Highly recommend reading.
Caitlin
Ghostlines
Tilda lives on Strike where Albie and his mum move to. Albie doesn't like the island and is angry about the move until they go to the forbidden island. During a storm Albie runs away to the island, where Tilda finds him after following the ghostlines (past boat routes) to arrive.
I liked this book as I could follow it; it was suspenseful with adventure. My favourite part was when they were stranded on the island although it was disappointing that no-one suffered as they got themselves in a dangerous situation without consequence. I also liked the part of them letting the puffins fly off the island as it showed a time when Albie had found something he liked about Ayrie. The book was written in the present tense which was occasionally confusing but didn't affect most of the book. This book also resonates with teenagers who have had a struggle with moving or change as Albie was struggling after moving and a lot of change. Overall I think that this book was interesting and would recommend it to people who enjoy books about adventure and nature.
Lydia
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
14+ it’s a mature read since it’s about love and a boy losing his virginity. It’s a great book. I love how the author uses the quote “ black boys deserve love too”. It’s slightly confusing how it travels backwards in time. I would give 3/5 stars. I appreciate how it deals with sensitive topics with so much compassion. I like how it’s about taking your relationship to the next level although I couldn’t relate to quite a bit as it’s aimed at older readers. I’m too young to understand most of the context. It’s a nice read but I quite like to relate to books I read. It’s way off from the books I would usually read. Overall, I would actually recommend it!
Aurora
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I didn’t overly enjoy this book because i found it a bit childish, at least for my taste. I feel the constant wars between pelicarnasuss and Zeke were just too much and made the book slightly less enjoyable. I really loved the hidden meaning behind the black dog and how it interacted with Zeke. I would recommend this book to 8-11 year olds.
Caitlin
Ghostlines
Ghostlines is a beautiful, heartfelt story of family, friendship, adventure, and, like so many other stories, loss. It is set on the island of Ayrie, a fictional land off the coast of Scotland (In fact, the name Ayrie is a play-on-words of aerie (or eyrie) which is a high-altitude nest, usually found up a tall tree or cliff).
Ghostlines is about a young girl named Tilda, who has lived on Ayrie her whole life, and Albie, a boy of about Tilda’s age who has just moved to Ayrie from the mainland. Unfortunately, everything that Tilda loves about her island – the wildness, the freedom, and the fact that everyone knows each other – Albie hates. But Tilda isn’t going to give up on trying to make new-boy Albie fall in love with the island; she has an idea. She decides to take Albie to the secret island. The one she and all the children of Ayrie are forbidden to visit. The haunted one. The one that will change the pair forever…
I loved the way that this book was laid out, I thought the short chapters set a good pace. I also liked how Tilda and Albie’s friendship developed throughout the novel, and how they went from hardly knowing each other to best friends. It was interesting to see how Albie’s reluctance to integrate into Ayrie’s community sparked Tilda’s determination to make him part of the island’s family.
Emma
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
This book turned out to be much more enjoyable than I expected. I found it funny and entertaining, and the plot kept my interest throughout. That said, it was clearly aimed at a younger audience, and I think it works really well for that age group. While I personally tend to prefer more mature reads, I appreciated the chance to try a different style of book. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience, even if not exactly my usual choice.
Amelie
Birdie
I had mixed feelings about this book. I found that it was aimed at a slightly younger audience than me, which made it an easy read but also a bit outside my usual interests. However, I really enjoyed the focus on nature, especially the bond and relationship with the pony, as well as the presence of animals throughout the story
Amelie
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
The Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody is a funny book that addresses problems in a way that younger readers can understand. For example the black dog represented depression and it lingered around Zeke's house. In the end, the problem was solved but the black dog was still there hinting that bad feelings don't go away, they just get smaller. There were also some parts that were quite humorous like Principal Wombat's "bottom of steel" shielding Zeke and his friends from the falling pelican suit. However, on the topic of France, even though it was funny that Zeke had the whole country of France on his knee, I did not think that it fit with the storyline that much. This book had amazing illustrations and is perfect for children aged 7-10.
Jacob
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Imagine a world where lizards go to school, your principal is a wombat and a fellow student is a pelican who wants to take over the world? That’s the world in which The Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody exists! A vividly-imagined story, it follows Zeke the monitor lizard and his friends Daniel and Alicia through their life at school, starting when Principal Wombat makes them hall monitors. But with Pelicarnassus, the pelican with a dream of world domination, ready to make their lives miserable, how long will they keep their posts for? Along the way, they meet Miel, the hawk who talks loudly, and who is more than willing to help. Will the four friends defeat Pelicarnassus? Or will Pelicarnassus win the battle? A heartwarming story, about standing up for your friends and never giving up.
I found this book a very entertaining read. It has a fun sense of humour and I loved the characters. If I had to choose a favourite, it would probably be Miel, the hawk, but I found all of them (even Pelicarnassus) fun and amusing. I liked the extra backstory of France on Zeke’s knee, and how you heard about it, and then had to wait a few chapters before you actually found out about the story of it. I think I liked it because I enjoyed the story even more when I was waiting in suspense to be told about something I was very curious about. It gripped me and made me want to read on!
I would say that this book would be a good read for anyone over eight years old but if you’re not yet eight but quite a confident reader, then I’d say go ahead! It is hilariously funny and a lovely read for anyone. But if you’re not yet sure whether this book is for you, then let me ask you this question. Do you like comedy and funny books? If the answer is yes, then you’ll absolutely love this book! If the answer is no, then you never know! It might be that this is the perfect book to get you interested!
Perfect for fans of David Walliams and books like Dork Diaries, I would recommend this book to anyone of any age. Summed up in one word: hilarious.
Erin
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Zeke and his friends Daniel and Alicia become hall monitors at their school. But Zeke gets demoted from hall monitor because of Pelicarnassus who holds a grudge that gets very dangerous.
I found this book quite confusing as the idea of animals going to school and being in a hierarchy because of what they are. I liked the part of the black dog representing grief and that it would fade over time but never really go. Overall I didn't really like this book and probably wouldn't recommend it.
Lydia
Popcorn
Popcorn follows the story of a boy called Andrew Yaeger on his school's photo day. He suffers with anxiety and school is a daily challenge for him. Andrew refers his levels of anxiety to a popcorn kernel, it "pops" when he experiences an anxiety attack. All he wants is a nice picture for his mum, but as the day goes on, that option starts to disappear.
In my opinion, this book did not resonate with me as much as other books I have read. However it does share Rob Harrell's interpretation of anxiety which could relate to lots of other people.
Jacob
Not Going To Plan
This book was really good. I loved how it also used events which could happen to anyone. I also relate to Zed not wanting to label his sexuality nowadays everything has a label so I like how he says 'We all assume that everyone's got to be something. We all have to be neatly boxed, with tags to define us but what if none of those tags applies to me? What if I am neither this nor that nor the other one.'
Aurora DT
Wolf Siren
Red lives in a village that blocks out the forest because of wolf attacks, but she loves going into the woods and seeing the wolves and nature.
I think this book is good and easy to pick up. Some parts you can predict what will happen next but there are a few surprising parts. Overall I think it is quite good and would recommend it.
Lydia
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Can you just imagine a school that has animals as students? Well I can’t!
But once I read this book the thought would not leave my head! The main theme of this book is that Larry has just become a hall monitor but then very soon after he loses it to an animal called palicarnaussas who is the villain. Ever since then he wanted his job back and is doing everything to get it!
I found this book very comical and enjoyable. It showed a range of different emotions throughout it! The author wanted to make us feel like this book was unrealistic so then it was very comical ( this includes France in Larry’s kneecap)! An example of a very funny part in the story was when the stock lady wrote no children allowed on a sign!
What the author did very well in the book was show a range of different times throughout the story. I also think the author wanted to make the audience feel like this book was meant to be enjoyed as a fun book.
One thing the author could have improved on was making the dramatic end hold out a bit longer.
I would recommend this book to people under the age of 10 and specifically who enjoy animals and comedy. But on the other hand I would not say this is a good book for the writing shortlist as the book feels aimed for more younger people.
Overall I would give this book a 6 out of 10.
Milo T
Milo T