Bassingbourn Readers

Popcorn
I really enjoyed reading Popcorn, and to be honest I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy this book at first. I like how it shows what having anxiety actually looks like and that in the end it’ll be okay. I think that the thing that threw me off at first was most likely the pacing of the first few chapters but after reading more of the book it got better. I think my 2 favourite characters in this book are the Nurse, because of how funny yet kind she was, and the main character Andrew, because of how well his character is written. This book also covers heavy topics such as Alzheimer, bottling up emotions and divorce. Overall, I would really recommend this book if you want a funny yet reassuring read, then “Popcorn” is for you.

Ala

Wolf Siren
I enjoyed Wolf Siren because it had an interesting plot and characters. I also like how you learn what it is like to have a disability and that it has themes of injustice and sexism and that everyone can make a difference and that everyone can stand up for what they think is right. I also liked the twist on the classic Little Red Riding Hood story because it shows you that maybe the evil wolf wasn't evil it was just misunderstood.

Olivia

Wolf Siren
An interesting adaptation on little red riding hood though it does stray away from the original story and is for an older audience. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot twist to this tale. A good book with characters with complicated pasts which slowly are revealed to the reader.

Mark

Popcorn
It was a very fast paced book, probably too much so. I think that the real life coping tips was a good touch. The ending was enjoyable. Overall, a decent read.

Mark

Ghostlines 
Ghostlines was really enjoyable for me because I felt like the storyline flowed quite nicely and was easy to dive back into compared to some of the other denser Carnegie reads. One thing in particular I loved was that although the island of Ayrie seems like quite a faraway world to me (I'm very jealous of it, from the friendly bonfires to the puffins to the sea kayaks to the fairy pools to the community pub nights to the rolling mountains), the way in which the story was written from Tilda's point of view made it seem realistic, while also having an adventure and climax that were exciting and nerve-building while also completely plausible. I think this also comes from how the book is written as if Tilda is actually talking to you, using very long sentences with lots of conjunctions and not many full stops, a technique not often used in literature but very common in conversation, making the story seem more intimate, somehow. Another thing I liked was the description, and how this didn't come too heavily so it didn't feel like a lot to take in, and instead was doled out in such a way that I could picture the scenes perfectly in my head without feeling overwhelmed by how the author wants me too see things, if you understand what I mean. I was intrigued by the different people, who once again were each given just the right amount of explanation as to their character and were referenced in such a way that we gained enough information that we needed to know about them at the same time as it not feeling like Tilda was actually telling somebody else about them and in comparison it felt like she was our friend and talking about those familiar to the both of us. I would absolutely recommend this story to anyone of around 8 to 14 years old who likes to feel the sea breeze blowing across their face whilst getting immersed in an amazing read!

Matilda

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I like this book's ending , the characters and the representation of important subjects such as depression. My top 2 favourite characters were Miel and Alicia because of their personalities and how they treated others, but I liked every character each in a different way. My only bit of criticism is the pacing, before the final battle I felt like we weren't getting anywhere but when it started it only lasted for a couple short chapters. In the end however , it did make me smile seeing Zeke hug his Mum after all that happened. I really recommend this book if you want a book that give you good laugh but can also pull at your heartstrings. If that is what you're looking for then read "Chronicles of a lizard nobody" .

Ala

Ghostlines 
I quite liked this book, it reminded me of books I read when I was younger. The emotional journey is very heartwarming and the atmosphere is clear. I did debate though, over where Ayrie is. I imagined it to be somewhere in the islands of Scotland due to the language used, where puffins are found, and considering the size of the island. I didn't like how the speech was in italics; it confused me at times where it could have been thoughts, exaggerated text, or speech. Overall though, very good book. 4 Stars

Clara

Wolf Siren
I think Wolf Siren is the best book I have read so far because of it's strong storyline and well-thought-of characters. It is set in a village near a wood; nearly every one is scared of the woods because of wolves; every accept Red. This story explores ideas like sexisim, disability and injustice. I like how the magic of the woods guides Red, and the mysterious powers of the wolfs. I loved reading it! 10/10!

Eleanor

The Boy I Love
I found this book very worth reading, and enjoyed the descriptions especially; they made me feel as if I were in the trench. My great-grandfather died in the Battle of the Somme, so this story feels quite meaningful in that sense. However, I sort of missed the storyline a little in some parts, and it was quite a heavy read. Nonetheless this book is definitely one of my favourites so far.

Clara

Ghostlines 
I really enjoyed Ghostlines, as I found that I can relate with the charaters very easily. The only bit of criticism I can give is that it's a bit all over the place but in the end it came together really nicely and I think this book will stick with me for a very long time.

Ala

Wolf Siren
I really enjoyed reading Wolf Siren because it explores fairy tale conventionality, disability, family, prejudice and many other interesting topics. In the author's note at the end, I think that O'Brien made a valid point about how hardly any fairy tales feature disabled characters, although then again I suppose that most fairy tales are more meant to relay the adventure than delve into the characters themselves. Wolf Siren does both beautifully: the characters felt real and the plot was engaging. To talk more about the characters, I think that there was a good mixture of those whose situations and relative opinion on the society that they lived in were explored well and those that were also needed as plot devices to move the story along. In terms of the plot, I found Red's discovery of her unique ability and the prejudice that she faced due to the people's fear of the wolves to be a good and meaningful parallel to real life: no matter who it is that is actually opressing you, you will always fear most those who you are taught to fear, unless others stand by you in challenge of corrupt authority. If there were one thing that I could change about the book, it would be not to spend too long making a few characters into the 'villains', as such, because I think that although they are essential to the overall storyline, it would have suited the narrative well to keep most people in that grey area between good and bad, especially when it comes to how you act as a community towards other communities or individuals.

Matilda

Birdie
This was an excellent book, 5/5. During the book Birdie has to overcome many challenges and being treated badly by the people around her.

Mark

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
There was a good amount of humour in this book however I thought the fact that Zeke had France on his knee was very weird. Overall, I would recommend it as a good read for younger audience around 9 years old. Rating 3/5.

Mark

Popcorn
I think Popcorn by Rob Harrell was a very good book; I liked how the story unfolded and how almost everyone can relate to the main character. The story is about how life has it's ups and downs and is sometimes stressful and that you need to just overcome the obstacles as there will be brighter days; It also includes tips on how to handle stress and anxiety.

Eleanor

Birdie
I enjoyed reading Birdie because the main character Birdie is very courageous even when she is isolated by the rest of the people living in Barrington Dale just because she doesn't look like them. I also admire her kindness towards other people and her ability to forgive people who have upset her. She also had faith in her new friend Mr Duke the pit pony , even when they bad to overcome difficult challenges. However I did not like how at first her Great Aunt refused to accept her even when Birdie had done nothing wrong. Overall I also liked that you learn from the book what life was like at the Yorkshire Dales in the 1950's and how racism had a massive effect on the rules of how you were supposed to live and behave at the time .

Olivia

Popcorn
I expected this book to be a lot better than it was, and I will say I am a little disappointed by it. I didn't expect there to be pictures, and, again, I feel as if this book is aimed at children younger than me. However, I learned a lot about Alzheimer's Disease while reading this book (a topic I am quite new to) and that was a concept I felt was elaborated on enough.

Clara

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I have to be honest, I didn't really like this book. I found it childish, and aimed at readers younger than me. However, I thought Ness' use of the black dog metaphor was very clever, and I congratulate him on that, but not much else in this book.

Clara

Ghostlines 
Good book but changes from one subject to another quickly but well recommended book. Well enjoyed book.

Sophie

Birdie
I enjoyed this book. It gave me an insight to the coal mining industry of Leeds, and, having not known much about the pit ponies before, I feel I learnt a lot about their lives. I also enjoyed how the author has incorporated black history into this, and I felt the racism of the 1950s brought to life by the characters in the novel. My favourite character, however was Birdie’s great-uncle. I loved his commitment, but also his sorrow and heartbreak of before. 4 Stars. Thank you

Clara

Wolf Siren
I very much enjoyed this book. It was well-written, and the font was a good, readable size. I enjoy fairy-tale retellings, and this was a lovely interpretation. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of the village, and learning about their culture in the world of the novel. However, I found the ending a bit rushed, although that might have just been me not wanting the book to end! Also, I personally think Red jumped to conclusions a little bit at the end when discovering who the 'murderer' was. That being said, it was a very good book. 5 Stars. Thank you

Clara