Cake a Book Club

Birdie
I really enjoyed this book, as it was a sweet story about Birdie and Mr. Duke's bond. I expected it to be like every other horse story but was pleasantly surprised as it wasn't all just about their bond - it was also about how Birdie was trying to fit in.

Annabel

Not Going To Plan
I really loved this book and would read again. It was interesting and educational whilst still being enjoyable. It explored serious and very real themes but also different relationships such as friendship, family and romantic bonds. It was sad but also heartwarming and had a very wholesome end.

Sophie

Twenty Four Seconds from Now
I really enjoyed this book because it was a heartwarming story about how Neon and Aria met and got into a relationship, and I also liked how it slowly went back in time as the book went on.

Annabel

Ghostlines 
I found it quite a good book, I think it was targeted towards people who like people who fight for their home. It was interesting how the young girl tries to persuade a newcomer to like her home and for them to stay. Maybe there could be a prequel to show what happened to Rowan.

Teddy

Not Going To Plan
This book has quite a few deep topics, and I think it really shed light on some of the problems that teenagers may face when tricked into giving consent. Overall I think it is a very important book to read as a young person living in today's society

Annabel

Birdie
I quite enjoyed this book, I was skeptical at first but it turned out to be very wholesome and a bit sad. It explored interesting themes of identity and race while capturing the exciting element of horse adventures. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others.

Sophie

Twenty Four Seconds from Now
I really enjoyed this book and going back in time and seeing how Neon and Aria's relationship has changed. I thought that it was great for young adults. I thought that the way that Neon and Aria met was quite sweet

Cece

Wolf Siren
It definitely took a while to get going but it was very creative and interesting to read about Red's discovery of her wolf heritage. I enjoyed reading this book and I would definitely recommend this to students!

Annabel

Wolf Siren
A twist on the Red Riding Hood fairy tale that took a while to get going but once it did it rocketed along! There was an interesting set of female characters, all well developed which put the male characters rather in the background. Slight hints of The Handmaid's Tale in that only women could access the woods and one ends up with the woodcutter role of harvesting and bringing wood fuel to the village. Also the women don't seem to get the respect they deserve for what they do and no one wants to get on the wrong side of the Mayor. Loved the Wolfwomen concept and how that developed also a visually impaired author having a visually impaired main character in Red.

Mrs P

Not Going To Plan
It's good for inspiring people to be themselves and take on challenges brought on by their different personality traits. It wasn't that interesting/exciting which is the genre I would go towards with adventure, thrills, etc., but I understand why people would enjoy it. It made me question people's views and made me curious what would happen from a social/emotional perspective rather than an action, thrill seeking viewpoint. The story was motivational in making people stand up and take ownership of themselves and don't be afraid to say no and respond to others' harmful actions.

Jasmine

Twenty Four Seconds from Now
This YA book goes from the end to the beginning then to now for the final chapter. Confused? You will be but having said that you will meet amazing characters on the way. Neon and Aria have been in a relationship for 2 years and are ready to take that further. The couple are from different worlds: Neon's father owns and runs a bingo hall and his mother is involved in her late father's door knocker manufacturing shop. Aria's parents are professional musicians with a talented younger daughter. Neon and Aria meet by accident at the funeral of Neon's grandfather when at the graveside Aria's runaway dog creates chaos. In between this Big Decision about their relationship is the creation of a video year book for High School, realistic parental advice for Neon, and friendship scenes. I likes Neon's father's advice on taking relationships further: "Don't bring no babies in here unless they can count money. I don't need no grandchild. I need an accountant to help with the bingo book."

Mrs P

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and exciting to read. I loved the humour, but would have preferred a bit more description of each characters. My favourite character was Miel, the hawk, as I liked how he had to use his senses as he was blind. Overall, it was a brilliant book, but I would have enjoyed it a bit more if there was more detail, and I could build a picture in my head

Joseph

Wolf Siren
At the start, everything was a bit jumbled but it did get better. It was a good book altogether except the end basically went as a fairytale ending: everyone lived happily ever after. Other than that I quite enjoyed it once I got time to get into it. The author could make a sequel for another one.

Teddy

Ghostlines 
Born and brought up on the island of Ayrie, everything is familiar to Tilda as she and her family have lived there for generations. Enter Albie who has come from the mainland with his mum who remembers happy holidays on the island and plans to stay awhile. Tilda initially cannot understand why Albie doesn't take to the island as she does but gradually gains understanding of the feeling of being uprooted from another life and the need to be somewhere else. We gradually learn how Tilda's older brother Rowan felt stifled by the island way of life. Does Albie settle? Find out after a hair raising adventure during a storm!

Mrs P

The Boy I Love
I really liked this book. I felt that it explored mature but interesting themes and has a fantastic plot line.

Sophie

Ghostlines 
It was very interesting and full of adventure. I liked how Tilda and Albie's relationship progressed as the book went on, with Albie opening up about what he missed about the mainland. I also really enjoyed the ending and thought it was rounded off well, leaving me content with it.

Annabel

Not Going To Plan
I thought that the book is quite sad and has mature topics but it can help people learn and understand about teen pregnancy

cece

The Boy I Love
It was very interesting and I loved how deep it went into the history of what happened. However, I would say that the ending felt slightly unfinished, with Danny and Stephen having quite a rushed reunion. I would’ve liked to see more about their life together. Other than that, it was a very good book.

Annabel

Wolf Siren
I enjoyed the plot line for the book and ending but it did make me cringe at points

Cece

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I first read this as a proof copy and was amazed how this author could turn his hand to a middle grade read about a school populated by animals when you consider his other books! Anyway they might have been talking animals but their speech and behaviour was just what you would find in any middle school. The issues faced were also similar in awkward home lives, challenges the monitors take on, bullying, etc. I loved the anarchic Pelicarnassus and his mighty fighting machine that destroys the school! Miel the eagle showed that his visual impairment wasn't going to get in his way. Brilliantly mad read!

Mrs P

Birdie
I read Birdie in its proof copy form and enjoyed both the story and the historical background. I'd been curious about these children of mixed parentage as a friend born in 1954 found herself with a similar origin story to Birdie, being fostered from a Barnardos home and taken to live in a rural town also in Yorkshire. Birdie's resilience is enviable as she just wants to be accepted for who she is and not judged on her background. I loved the relationship between Birdie and Mr Duke the retired pit pony, both outsiders in their own way.

Mrs P

Ghostlines 
I loved the world building of the island and the relationship between Albie and Tilda. I also enjoyed the mystery of Rowan. I want a sequel with a time skip of a few years so they can find out how they feel about eachother.

Cece

Popcorn
How can one day at school go so wrong for just one person? While Andrew's friends can laugh off or accept what occurs (see Kendrick's canteen ketchup incident) he finds it difficult and the anxiety levels rack up till the corn of his brain is literally popping. My opinion of Andrew changed throughout the book as the sources of his anxiety come to light and the worry that he will turn out like his absent father Dan, a fastidious yet angry person. The support Andrew receives from his friends and school staff is phenomenal and he finds a kindred spirit in Mr Kellerman the art teacher. Loved the apt illustrations too. This book should be in school wellbeing and learning support settings as well as the Library.

Mrs P