Wetherby Prep Book Club
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I love this book because it is very deep and emotional. I also like it because it is humourous.
Mivaan
Wolf Siren
I realised the narrator is so similar to the author. I enjoyed the simplicity and idea of the book on how it has an expanded version of little red riding hood. I found it interesting how the roles of gender were flipped and infact the men were the ultimate problem.
Yet, one thing i didnt enjoy is the childish behaviour and odd behaviour of the narrator like hiding the painting, though intruiging, I found it confusing and took me to a different part of the story.
Conversly, the idea of shapeshifter wolves being in love with humans portraying forgetfulness of identity.
In contrast, the beginning fifty pages I found dull because of the simple description and lack of creativity.
Yet again, the rest of the book had a more philosophical approach of unity and peace between the forest, wolves and humans, having a more tragic resemblance of hope in war.
Overall, fantastic job by the author to take a classic story into a true resemblance of life and change in power. Beth O' Brien did an excellent job.
Esa
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
This book is a very funny, passionate and creative story. Its filled with funny jokes and all kinds and types of animals with different characteristics. Its an amazing book and I think everyone should read it!
Well done Patrick Ness and Tim Miller!
Carlo
Wildful
Firstly I mean the pictures in this book are absolutely incredible! I read this book carefully tracing every finger on each dramatic page and it just made me want to keep reading! This book is great if you want a picture book with absolutely no words. It made me really focus on everything more with no words as it created a sort of emotianal feeling between me and the pictures especially how often we get disracted sometimes with our phones and music and we forget to look up and see the real world. In this book it showed a lot of nature and that's what I loved about it! Beautiful book it illustrates, describing in detail also the fact it had no words and Kengo described it in such detail making me and some other readers understand it exceptionally. Brilliant book.
Angelo
Wolf Siren
Amazing book overall. Fantastic wording and I love how it links to feminism as it shows the power of woman standing up to wolves to make them stand down. My personal favourite character is Red, she has so much courage in this book and so has her grandma. Absolutely brilliant if you want a climax book, I mean it doesn't get better than this! Plots emerge in every single chapter, building tension. Beth has done a great job. It also contrasts with the little red riding hood! One of my favourite fairy tales of all time. Anyone looking for an amazing, climax and fantastic book overalll this is for you! This is the best book I've read in 2026 hopefully you agree too when you read this book.
Angelo
Birdie
I just finished reading Birdie and it was actually really good and super emotional. The way it was written made me feel exactly what the main character was going through, especially during the sadder parts. I couldn't put it down because I just needed to know how it would all turn out.The main character was really relatable and I loved how she found her strength in the end. The setting was vivid, and I felt like I was actually there with her. It made me think a lot about family and growing up, which is pretty cool for a book. Overall, I totally recommend reading this if you want something that makes you think and feel. It is definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Ulysse
Birdie
I find Birdie to be an inspiring book that resembles resilience and upbringing into a new life. Birdie is a character that is mature and kind-hearted that makes the book very warm and friendly.
If I had to give a negative it would be the sadness of Birdie leaving her happy life in Leeds to then feel disturbed in her new community.
Thank you!
Zach
Wildful
This book is interesting. Firstly, let’s admire the artwork: it’s stunning. I really enjoy the details, especially the lighting, the truly capture each moment vividly and is a pleasure to see. I love the way it feels animated though it is shown in jerked movements, everything feels connected and so real.
Furthermore, the lack of speech is used well. The author is clearly an amazing artist and a prolific writer. The reason of the lack of speech is because (maybe) nature is somewhat beautiful and calm, it doesn’t need human interaction and when there is human interaction, the lack of speech shows the narrators admiration.
Conversely, despite all the amazing aspects of this wonderful book, it was a quick read (I read it in one sitting lol). Though I did somewhat rush the book (I do regret it :/) I feel it was fast paced which isn’t necessarily good for graphic novels or artistic books because it will end soon. And why’s this a problem? It causes a lack of attachment to characters and makes it less emotional.
Yet again, this book, through sublime art, highlights a very significant and, somewhat, depressing reality of death. In the book, spoiler ahead though this won’t matter much since the book won’t be long, the grandmother does die and causes the mother’s extreme isolation, despair and detachment from reality. This point is also further intensified through the young girl starting the book on her phone and taken into the suddenness of nature. I believe this likens the unhealthy, unnecessary attachment to mobile devices to the beautiful, scenic view of nature and its soothing nature.
Overall this book would be five stars, I’m sure, but only because of my, unfortunately, quick reading and shortness of this book causes less depth and emotional attachment to characters. Though, I would recommend if you don’t have a big pile of books to read BECAUSE you must take this book slowly and enjoy the journey. This is truly a great artwork and book by a prolific writer and imaginative artist.
Esa
Birdie
Fantastic book in overall.
I just realised this was a real experience for the author and reflected her life experience, making it more emotional and relatable.
It still lacked some emotion and required a bit more depth to attach to the characters. Though I did enjoy the journey (and how they vividly express Birdie’s curious and somewhat stubborn character), the ending was a bit rough and felt like an average children’s book ending. There isn’t any tension unrelieved at the end, it doesn’t make us question back to the end. Everyone basically is her ally. Yet, it’s still a good read and I would recommend to a younger audience.
I enjoyed the introduction of the home for black kids and the slow build up of knowledge and realisation. I honestly disagree with people who say they do not enjoy because it seemed unrealistic on how Birdie doesn’t notice the difference in colour because it is shown in a child’s perspective and she was raised with people of same colour, she would be too young to understand and feel emotionally hurt. It’s like a young seed in a field of roses who doesn’t know it’s growing up to be a sunflower rather.
Conversely, I didn’t enjoy the lack of emotional attachment to the characters nor the convenience of having someone helping her at any moment. Sometimes it would be better if she was helped by the pony or faints and wakes randomly, that way it would feel less realistic that there is a farm house going to save them.
Yet again, the themes weren’t represented directly like in To Kill a Mockingbird, but rather, slowly and through a series of dangerous looks and confusion, which builds in her mind something is wrong about her, though she doesn’t understand why, perfectly representing how children who experience racism feel.
Though this book is in the Carnegie medal shortlist (and is very interesting ) it’s not one of my top picks because I thought it should be more realistic. Not all of them have a happy, conclusive ending. Some continue being bullied and (unlike the priest) the other people may not help them in struggle, even if they’re religious figures.
Overall, great (almost five stars for the first 3/4 of the book) book and definitely recommend to anyone who feels agitated or feels bullied, this book will help as the experiences are relatable. It is amazing for people who are unkind (like the bullies) or people who have been treated unkindly, like Birdie to realise everyone is the same and deserves to be loved.
Esa
Birdie
This was a wonderful read, filled with lots of memorable characters. I loved learning about the cared for children in the UK after the war. It was hard to read about the prejudice they faced and how they were treated by members of the community. I loved how the bond between Mr Duke and Birdie helped her through and how it mended the broken hearts of her aunt and uncle.
Shireen