The Leopards, Skinners’

Not Going To Plan
'Not Going to Plan' is a fantastic book. Written in Tia Fisher's iconic verse, the story follows two main characters: Marnie Staedler, a 'bad girl' with a disrespect for the rules of society, and Zebedee Donovan, a nerd who has an amazing talent for physics. Marnie (terrible at science but great at art and languages) and Zed (amazing at science but awful at languages) don't like each other, but they need each other to pass their GCSEs. But at Marnie's first ever house party, she has s*x with someone who only pretended to wear a condom, resulting in her getting pregnant. As the story unfolds, Marnie and Zed end up becoming friends, with a side storyline involving Zed coming out as queer. It is told from both characters' perspectives, helping us understand them more, and in parts, the verse forms pictures to convey emotions better. Riveting, irreverent and heartwarming, 'Not Going to Plan' is easily a 10/10 from me.

Evan

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Diary of a lizard nobody is nothing if not a confusing book. So a lizard who lives in an animal world has a country of humans on his knee? Although, I do enjoy how Ness manages do disguises themes of discrimination and racism in a kids book. Overall an interesting book, to say the least.

Artie

The Boy I Love
I really enjoyed the Boy I Love. However, I distinctly hated the epilogue. I felt that the book would have worked much better if it ended without the epilogue. I felt that the epilogue was sitting on the fence and that either they should have both died or they should have both survived and been together for the rest of their lives. I think that the storyline worked well and that the plot twist with Captain Jackson being gay was extremely well thought out, unexpected and definitely contributed to the plotline and made the story better. If you enjoy books about War and love then this entertaining history read is one for you.

Ben

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
The Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody was a very entertaining book that, although funny on the outside, contains very deep messages about depression and how to overcome it. Many children would find this book funny, while also possibly understanding deep morals about anti-bullying. The storyline involves the main character, a monitor lizard called Zeke, and his two best friends who are assigned the role of hall monitor. His nemesis? A vain pelican (also the school bully) who plots to rule the entire world and attack France which is on Zeke's knee. However, the ending of this book was kind of written before the middle, and was therefore very predictable- you can almost guess the ending just from this basic information. However, I will refrain from any spoilers for now. Putting this aside, if you are looking for a funny book that will entertain you, I would recommend reading this for its humorous and laugh-out-loud nature and anyone else who is looking for an 'easy read'. I am sure many young children would love to read this book.

Jay

Birdie
A great and moving book, focusing on a black girl named Birdie from Yorkshire after the end of ww2 (1950s) living all her life in an orphanage for non-white children, she gets a chance to get a family of her own with her great aunt and uncle but will have to lose her childhood friends and the kind Mr and Mrs Dudley (the cares of the the orphanage) however the book felt childish and unrealistic however it is compassionate and about kindness making it a heart-warming and nice book. I would recommend to people who like horses and moving stories

Dima

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Great book that, though meant for younger readers, has underlying themes of discrimination, grief and racism quite easily spotted to an older reader's eye. Despite the younger target demographic, you can see Patrick Ness' experience writing for older readers shining through, not to say that writing books for younger readers is bad. It is slightly bizarre but it is easily read and enjoyed if you (willingly) suspend your disbelief. The lasers at the end felt unnecessary but other than that I loved it!

Newton