The Next Chapter

Handle With Care
The novel Handle with care by Louisa Reid explores a thrilling but sad story including birth, neglection and depression. Set in secondary school history class, the author addresses the theme in a way that spellbinds the reader with an unexpected story line. From the very first page, I was drawn to what will happen to the baby and the secrets the main character concealed from everyone close to her. The story follows Ruby the main character, who gives birth to the baby that she didn’t even know she had and Ashley, Ruby’s best friend who also closely tells the story. At its heart, the book is about the sadness and depression that Ruby goes through that ruined her life and her hopeful academic success. The plot unfolds as the father of Ruby’s baby is revealed and the people close to her are tangled in web of uncertainty and an unanticipated surprise that will change their lives forever. One of the strengths of this book is that it really attracts the reader to read more even with its sad ending, it still shone for me as a great book. I particularly enjoyed the way the author is very detailed with the description of Ruby’s emotions and pains and that it made the reader feel the exacted same way as her. While I enjoyed the story, I found that the story could of had a happier ending, some bits felt down heartening particularly at the end I found it too sad and just made you feel depressed and made you feel like the book wasn’t very good because of its last expression. I wish that there would have been more happy and joyful parts of the book that would off made the book more dramatic. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy romance and young adult drama books. If you liked reading Handle with care I would recommend reading Trauma Land by Josh Silver. Overall, I would give this book 8/10 stars because of its a gripping storyline and amazing journey it takes the reader on. I really love this and can see why it might not be for everyone, but I think that it just really makes you think about what you would do if you were in that position.

Charlotte

Handle With Care
Handle with care is a heart aching novel. The author really considers how young people feel when put under pressure. And writes the story from Ruby's perspective and Ashes perspective. This one will be for you if you like drama, romance and a bit of mystery. When I read the blurb, I knew I would adore this book inside out. What I expected to happen in the end did not to my surprise. It could have been 5 stars although I chose 4 stars because it did really make me feel sad. Thank you for taking the time to read my review and happy reading.

Florence

Not Going To Plan
Not Going To Plan by Tia Fisher is a coming-of-age story in which Marnie discovers she's pregnant and the struggles she has to go through.  We follow Marnie's journey through school, dealing with friendships and the bullies. She transitions from someone who makes mistakes to someone who has to deal with a lot and grow up fast. I liked that it was written in verse with shape poems, it made it an interesting read, you could see the difference in Marnie's voice and her friend Zed. The overall message is that you don't need to copy others or give in to peer pressure if you don't want to. You can be yourself and it's important to understand that. Marnie does stand up for herself and although I know she will be all right, it's left me thinking what she did with her life after she left school.

Asia

Wolf Siren
The book wolf siren is a very intense and adventurous that I would defiantly recommend to anyone who like tension when reading The book follows Red (main character) who adventures into the woods despite her mother warning her about the woods as there known for being full of dangerous magic and blood thirsty wolfs. However throughout her adventures she finds that the woods make her fell at home but along the way a villager is found dead and red is suspected to be involved but red keeps finding dark secrets about her family and why villagers are truly scared of the woods . This book is a great read and keeps making you wonder more.

Rose

Shrapnel Boys
Stealing Happy - Book Review I would highly recommend this title to anybody who has a deep sense of humour, who enjoys problem-solving, and for those who give adoration for drama. Sonny, the main character in this book has Tourette’s, which the author has done to add a sense of humour to the story amongst the hardest of times. His mother is in a bad state financially, and his father is suffering from the effects of COVID-19. This modernised novel shows that no matter if you are disabled, in this case with Tourette’s, anything is possible, even for the greater good. I would rate this a 4/5 on the Likert because this made me smile all the way from beginning to end. To the next person who reads this book after me, have fun!

Ben

Shrapnel Boys
I THOROUHLY ENJOYED READING THIS PURELY EXCEPTIONAL NOVEL BECAUSE OF SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS. ONE BEING THAT THE STORY BRINGS A DEEP FEELING OF UNCERTAINTY AND HUMAN SENSE. THE AUTHOR DISPLAYED THIS PERFECTLY THROUGH THE STRONG USE OF EMOTIVE LANGUAGE THROUGH CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BOOK WHICH TELL HARD TIMES WITHIN THE STORY AND THAT GIVEN THIS BOOK WAS SET IN THE DISTRESSING NATURE OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR AS WE KNOW IT, THE BOOK GIVES SOME UNDERSTANDING AND POSSIBLY SOME THOUGHT TO READERS ABOUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO THE FORSAKEN CITIZENS OF GREAT BRITAIN IN ONE OF THE HARDEST TIMES SINCE THE GREAT WAR THAT OUR PREDECESSORS HAVE EXPERIENCED AND THAT THINGS WEREN’T AS EASY AND FREE AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. PERSONALLY, I LIKE THIS NOVEL BECAUSE I AM SORT OF WAR AND HISTORICAL PERSON, AS WELL AS NON-FICTION (DEPENDING ON WHAT THE BASELINE OOIF THE STORY IS), AND THIS VERY NEATLY FITS INTO MY PREFERENCES. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO THOSE WHO ARE INTERSESTED INTO WAR NOVELS AND MYSTERY. I WOULD GIVE 5 STARS FOR THIS TITLE

Ben