The Perse Carnegians
Popcorn
When I read this book I felt that the story was too short. I did not like how the whole story was only set over one day. I thought that I didn’t really know the characters very well and I would have preferred if there was a bit more of a build up in the plot. My favourite character was by far Jonesy, I liked her calm attitude and how she always helps Andrew. When she said that she only played basketball for fun it gave me a sense that she is very calm and laid back. I did not really like Andrew although throughout the book the author tries to make the reader feel bad for him. I felt that his overreactions were a bit over the top and that if I was in his position I wouldn’t have cared about some of the things that he was really worried about. I think this book should be aimed at children going through anxiety.
Nathen
Birdie
In my opinion, Birdie is a heart-warming novel that starts off quite slow and then speeds up. Birdie arrives at Barrington Dale after being summoned by her aunt from a home for brown babies. She is very sad to go as she has many friends. Once she arrives, she is treated very badly by everyone and even her aunt (who is called Mrs Winterbottom) is surprised when she sees her. I think that this is a very sad bit of the book as Birdie has left a place she likes and now is being discriminated against because of the colour of her skin. Things get more optimistic when she meets Mr Duke, who is a pit pony in the mines. However, when she finds out that Mr Duke is going to be killed, she tries to run back to the orphanage, but comes back. One of my favourite parts of this book is when Birdie tries to steal some mushy carrots from the church for Mr Duke and the vicar tries to stop her, but she talks to the vicar about Mr Duke, but finds a way to say that Mr Duke does need help, but doesn’t mention the fact that he’s a pony not a human. Overall, I think this book is a very intriguing book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It explored themes of racism, new beginnings and acceptance. It was a bit fast towards the end, especially when she runs away with Mr Duke. I feel that that part could have been a little bit longer because of the amount of emotion that was enclosed in one or two chapters. Other than that, it was pretty much perfect.
Siddharthan
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
In twenty-four seconds, Neon is supposed to be in bed with his girlfriend Aria, but is freaking in the bathroom, nervous about what he is doing and whether all will go right. Then he thinks about twenty-four seconds before that, when he rushes to the bathroom. And before that, twenty-four minutes ago, when Neon brought home a gift of chicken tender to Aria's house from the bingo place that he worked as an assistant for his dad, who runs the place. To twenty-four hours, when Neon's big sister Nat gives him some advice about having sex and what to do. To twenty-four days before, when he accompanies his grandmother to her husband's grave, to pay her respects, and received some advice from his mother about the importance of being a virgin. To twenty-four weeks before that, when Aria and their friends play bingo at his dad's bingo place on Halloween. To twenty-four months ago, when he and Aria first met after Neon's grandfather's funeral.
I really enjoyed this book because of the way the plot was structured - it is one of the best books I have ever read! My favourite character would be Aria's sister Rosin, who is affectionately nicknamed "Turtle" as she is musical, supportive, and occasionally demanding, which makes her family paint their house often. Finally, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn a bit about relationships.
Ibsan
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I thought that this book was very funny and I found it very interesting but it would not be a book I would read for my own enjoyment. I could see that it was set for younger children but I thought that the jokes and other funny bits were amusing.
I think that the whole list of characters are made so they won't be believable characters because Daniel would not really act like that in real life. The plot was very believable, which made it a bit boring, but other than that the whole thing was fun to read.
The story plot about Zeke's mum is not very relevant because it doesn't give much to the story and I didn't really understand who the black dog really was. They weren't key parts of the story but they weren't important one's as well.
Overall, this book was funny, a bit boring, and highly enjoyable. I would pitch it to younger readers because the jokes and the fact that the author often states the obvious would be enjoyed by young children.
Ruby
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Zeke, Daniel and Alicia were school hall monitors at their school. They were doing great until Pelicarnassus, the son of a supervillain and the school bully, gets Zeke stripped off his role. Things were not looking great for Zeke, but he makes a new friend called Miel, who likes to emphasise it meant "honey" in French, but yells all the time because falcons can only yell (and is blind so has to adapt using his other senses and wear sunglasses). Pelicarnassus broke Zeke's window to have revenge on him by attacking France which is literally on Zeke's knee but Zeke's French planes drove him off. But that wasn't all that. When Zeke was showing France during a Geography lesson, Pelicarnassus invaded the school and intended to destroy it using a giant robot suit. Zeke and his friends managed to destroy the robot suit and save the school, while Pelicarnassus gets his computers banned by his mum because she wanted to deal with him instead of Principal Wombat and had always firmly forbidden him from destroying his school. Thankfully, Zeke gets his Hall Monitor role back.
I really enjoyed this book, even though it is aimed a a younger group because it was random and extremely funny in many aspects - it might been the funniest book I have ever read! My favourite character would be Miel, because despite his blindness, is understanding, friendly (despite being loud!) and a good friend to have. Finally, I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something random or funny to read.
Ibsan
Popcorn
Andrew hoped that he would have a perfect day for school photograph day. However, things go wrong. First, he gets his shirt collar ripped by a bully after not letting him cheat in a maths test, then he gets a bad cut on his nose while playing basketball. After that, he gets his shirt completely stained from a ketchup rocket mixed with baking soda.
Andrew was dealing with anxiety all this time, and he could have panic attacks. It was getting closer and closer... can he prevent it from happening?
I really enjoyed this book because it talked about people like Andrew who dealt with problems similar to his and it gives me a new perspective about people like him. My favourite character was his art teacher because he was funny, calm and kind. Finally I would recommend this book to people who want to learn about everyday problems that may occur to anyone.
Ibsan
Wolf Siren
I enjoyed Wolf Siren because it was exciting and emotional. The atmosphere was dark and mysterious, which made the story interesting to read. I liked how the main character changed throughout the book and came to understand herself better. Some parts were intense and suspenseful, and the fantasy world felt believable. It feels like the perfect overlap between fantasy, suspense, and dystopian stories. I liked the focus on wolves and how many people thought they were aggressive, but they were just misunderstood. I think the story's mystery is thrilling, and I like this book. I think it would be more developed and comfortable for the reader if the story were set across more than one book, and I would love to read a sequel! Overall, I would rate this book an 8.5/10.
Felix
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
At first, this book was not enjoyable; the writing style clunky. In my head, I pause every time I reach a full stop, as if to take a breath but, in some areas of the book, the full stops felt too often and, therefore, the book felt slow and tedious. Another feature I did not enjoy, was the lengthy/non-existent paragraphing. I would be unsure whether to start the next section or not because of timing. I would feel I would want to finish the section rather than end on a random page. I felt that the telling the story backwards was a great idea but just wasn’t used to its full potential.
Nina
Ghostlines
To say I liked this book would be lying. I absolutely loved it! The description made me feel as if I really was on Ayrie. The characters felt well introduced and realistic enough that you could relate to them without it breaking the magic of the book. If you ask me, then I would tell you it was a good balance of fairy-tale descriptions of the island’s scenery and gripping action scenes. In all honesty, I found it impossible to put this book down! To me, the idea of ‘following the ghostlines’ is genius and the way it was weaved in through the story equally amazing.
Nina
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
Twenty-four seconds from now is a must read for all young adults. I loved the format of the book, and the fact that the chapters were going back in time made the book really engaging and exciting. The book focuses on topics like relationships, pressure and growing up, so because of this, I would probably say it is for teenagers aged fourteen or over. I liked reading about their backstories and how they met and my favourite character is probably Jeremy because he brought them together! This book wasn’t my favourite but that doesn’t stop it from being very well written.
Jana
Birdie
I think Birdie is a must read for all ages. It is an engaging, well written book set in the 1950s and carries extremely important messages like racism, belonging and animal rights. The end had me gripped and I was so happy that Mr Duke survived (even though I don’t know how realistic it is). One thing I might change is the overused word ‘thou’ because even though it might have been said at that time, it was not very common, and it was used a bit too much. But overall, I really loved this book, and Birdie is very well written.
Jana
Popcorn
I really enjoyed Popcorn! It was funny, engaging with its entertaining illustrations but also went through important themes like living with people who have Alzheimer's disease and dealing with anxiety. One of the things I liked about the book was that the book was basically the authors story of living with anxiety except twisted and made into a funny novel! One thing I might improve about the book is the fact that all these things happen in one day, and the whole day is very stretched out. But on the other hand, that is the plot of the book! Overall, this was a great read!
Jana
Popcorn
I enjoyed this book. I liked the way the action all took place across one day in the life of Andrew, a boy suffering from anxiety. It is school photo day, so he is trying very hard not to get messy, but over the day various accidents involving a basketball, ketchup, a bully and a rogue science experiment conspire to make him increasingly unpresentable. The physical mess seems to represent his mental state as the day goes on. Andrew is caught between these pressures at school and the ones in his home life. His grandma with Alzheimer’s has gone missing and his mum isn’t responding to his calls. Andrew uses “the popcorn scale” to describe his anxiety levels, which I thought was a clever way to show the build up of pressure and its effect on the anxiety sufferer. The writer uses humour to explore quite a heavy subject matter, making it clear that it can happen to anyone.
Magnus
Wolf Siren
Personally, I thought Wolf Siren was an exhilarating read: certainly a keeper. Set in a community far from modern society, we, as readers, are introduced to a girl called Red, who lives on the outskirts and is unpopular with many. But as the story builds on, we learn this is due to her roots of being a werewolf - something very much taboo and feared in this given world. Key themes explored in this novel are, I would say is sexism as throughout the story, Red is strained from releases and showing her true ability simply due to her gender, which simply isn't fair. I would rate this book a solid 4 out of 10, due to the vividness of the described characters and anticipation. One key factor pulling the book back was the badly timed pace of the story - the buildup was anticipated, but certain actions done by the main character were more than questionable. I would've expected a more finely worked-out plot, but it seems that this is not present. It would've been better if the book were two books, allowing the world to be delved into more deeply and allowing the plot to truly flourish. Overall, this was a lovely read - with a few more years, I'm sure Beth O'Brien is destined to be the next Jane Austen!
Ryan
Not Going To Plan
The novel Not Going to Plan by Tia Fisher certainly is a curious read. At first, upon looking at the words, Fisher ingeniously displays them in a way rarely used: poetry. Moreover, the emotions conveyed are subtly foreshadowed through word art and changes in font. Indeed, this book is a thrilling read, with a whole array and cast of lovable, almost lifelike characters, ranging and diverse in every way possible. Furthermore, it explores themes such as teenage pregnancy, teenage love, and romance in general. I would rate this book very highly due to Fisher’s immense imagination displayed here.
Ryan
The Boy I Love
I thought that this book was very interesting but it wasn't very exciting until the very end of the story, which made it a bit hard to keep reading. I think that the reason that it was very slow was because they were at war and it gave you the feeling of waiting for your first or next battle and until you die.
The character of Danny was a nice and believable but I thought that the story about his mother didn't give the story anything and all it did was explain Danny a bit and push him into a bad light because up till then he was nice and normal but he then told his whole story which complicated him a bit.
The rest of the platoon acted as you would imagine twentieth-century soldiers to act. When the Germans put up a sign about their doom, some of them responded with saying they could sort out the whole of the war over a pint of beer. Why were Stephen and Danny the odd ones out? It made them seem a bit unreal.
I think that the fact that the main character, Stephen, was a Second- Lieutenant and he was only nineteen was very interesting because he had had so much more experience than all the other men who were twice his age.
Overall, I thought that the characters were very believable and the plot was made on the basis of an actual story that happened in World War 1.
Ruby
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody was a fantastic book that covered the concept of how to deal with bullying and what to avoid if you are being bullied. This is shown when Zeke (the main character, a lizard) has to deal with Pelicanarssus (a pelican bully). I enjoyed how all the characters were animals which meant the reader had to read the book in a different perspective. Additionally, the book covered the topics of friendship, valuing one another and the importance of family. Finally, I liked this book because there was a lot of action especially towards the end of the novel.
Sotiris
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
Twenty-Four Seconds from Now is a very unusual and creative book, with an interesting structure that moves backwards in time. I think the author does a good job of building tension and exploring the main character’s thoughts and emotions in a unique way. However, although the idea is original, the storyline can feel a bit confusing at times because of the non-linear structure. Some parts of the plot feel more developed than others, and certain side details are not fully explored. Also, it is very focused around relationships and intimacy, meaning it is probably aimed for older teenagers (13+). Despite this, the book does a good job of focusing on themes like pressure, relationships, and growing up. In conclusion, this book is very slow and fast-paced at the same time, with it's unique back-in-time structure. I think it is great for older teens, about decision-making and thoughtfulness. Overall, I would rate Twenty-Four Seconds from Now a 7/10.
Felix
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Very chaotic book; I think the author did a great job with his imagination in this book. However, although the story starts normally, it slowly loses its plot and storyline. Many of the side-characters are very undeveloped (Only a few of the characters are developed) and many elements of the story, such as Zeke's mum, start well but slowly fizzles out. This book is probably best suited for children younger like ages 7-10 because it's better for someone who would rather have good ideas than a good plot. Overall, The Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody is a 7.5/10.
Felix
Popcorn
I think that Popcorn was an amazing book because I thought that some of the references to real life were very relatable, especially the feeling of anxiety but not that extreme. I liked the use of a popcorn kernel in hot oil to symbolize the feeling of growing anxiety. I really liked it at the end when Andrew gained confidence and stood up to Gene. I think that was an amazing end to the story. It also made a much more lighthearted ending after the panic attack, which was quite nerve-racking. I also really liked the ending with the photo where his glasses were completely wrecked.
Sam
Wolf Siren
Wolf Siren is a revisionist retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with a dark twist. In the Prologue the main character, Red, sees her grandmother and she teaches Red how to summon her own wolves. And then, what really kicks the story off is when they find the woodcutter, Caragh, missing and they discover she’s dead. One day when Red is delivering parcels to somebody who everyone thinks is a witch, she realises that she and her grandmother can actually transform into wolves and this is a big secret they have to keep because if people find out it’s true she could be possibly imprisoned. I liked the world building in this story and all the fantasy aspects of it. I liked how characters had really clear goals and motivations and secrets. This also had really key themes for a book like misogyny, family and friendship. However, one thing I didn’t like that much about the book is how the author made Red visually impaired. I fell like it wasn’t that relevant to the story and that it’s just there. But it doesn’t take away how much I enjoyed this book. In summary this is a book that is a dark twist of Red Riding Hood that could be read by people who like wolves or even just fantasy!
Leopold
Birdie
Birdie book review
Birdie was a captivating book and a heart-warming story. It has a main message of no matter your skin colour, you can always make difference. Set in 1952, just after the war ended, Birdie Bagshaw lives in a brown babies orphanage. She loves all her friends and when her great auntie calls for her to leave, she is devastated. When she arrives at Barrington Dale, she wishes even more that she could come home. Her auntie doesn’t like her, neither do the villagers, even her teacher thinks she is incapable. But after she narrowly escapes some bullies, she meets a beautiful pit pony, and the moment Birdie sets her eyes on her, she falls in love. Birdie slips away every day to see her beloved Mr Duke and she soon forms a great bond with him. However, when someone whom Birdie doesn’t know comes to her aunt and uncles house telling them that Mr Duke will be killed, Birdie decided to run away with Mr Duke, only to come back the next day and save 2 people that are stuck in mine that collapsed.
I think that this book was a great reminder of the difficulties some people have faced because of the colour of their skin. It was a story of adventure and love and resilience. I would recommend this book to others: I found it a real page turner and hope other readers do too!
Harry
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I really enjoyed the chronicles of Lizard Nobody because it was such a funny, engaging, playful book filled with cute little cartoon illustrations. I have to say that I was a bit confused when I read that ‘France was on Zekes knee’ but soon understood later on in the book. Even though this was a book aimed for younger readers I found that the language used was quite advanced and sad moments like Zeke's ill mother that made the book even more exciting. The action was also very well written and very entertaining! I would definitely recommend it to younger readers!
Jana
Wolf Siren
I thoroughly enjoyed Wolf Siren; it was extremely well written and very engaging! It also included very important topics like disability, gender roles and sexism. I also loved the fact that Beth O’Brien took the story of the red little riding hood and turned it into something completely new! This book also made me feel a rainbow of emotion and made me cry (which never happens). If I could improve this book in any way, it might be writing different chapters from different characters perspectives. I would definitely recommend this book to children, teenagers and adults alike!!
Jana
Birdie
This book drew me in really quickly, in comparison to the Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody, where I was hooked after about the first fifty pages or so. By page 10 on Birdie, I decided I must read this book in two or less sittings! The style of the writing is very captivating, and one thing I really love is how the obvious problem of racism that the reader is expecting isn't addressed directly at the beginning. Birdie is raised in an all-black, or brown, orphanage, without much outside-world contact, and so she is very inexperienced in the ways of the adult, divisive world. Her skin colour is not explicitly mentioned, showing the reader that Birdie does not care, does not know that people can be divisive simply based on the colour of their skin. Upon arriving at the Winterbottom household, she begins to face racism, and, as a reader, I think it was a very realistic description of a young girl trying to figure out why everyone would look down on her upon sight. J.P Rose trusts the reader to piece together what is happening before Birdie does, and I find it creates a highly intimate connection between us and the events of the book. The themes of the book were handled brilliantly and with a lot of unsaid depth, shown and not told. However, I find the interactions slightly too hurried, for it's almost as if Birdie talks to someone once, they are racist to her, she talks to them again, and the other person apologises. As a reader, I personally would have enjoyed some more interactions of Birdie with said character, in which said character learns about who Birdie is as a person and the colour of her skin does not matter. I find the way Birdie keeps on going to the pit pony slightly unrealistic, but I think it provided enough interactions for the relationship to be created in depth and for me to actually care about what happens to Duke (the horse). I think the story represents innocent minds being victim to these divisive historic societal beliefs in a very historically accurate and emotional way, and of human and animal connection in a very raw and true manner. Overall, a highly interesting read and I would definitely recommend!
Roosha
The Boy I Love
The boy I love was a book filled with love, death and the hard times of the first world war. I thoroughly enjoyed the language the author chose, really depicting what those times might have sounded like. Another thing that surprised me was the fact that the book was not only about love, but the war too, it made the book exciting and expanded my knowledge. If I could improve this book in any way, it would be to have a name glossary because for me, I find it very difficult to remember all the people's names and surnames! Overall, I really enjoyed!
Jana
Not Going To Plan
Not Going To Plan by Tia Fisher is a book written in a creative verse format that explores themes of consent, breaking taboos, teen pregnancy and abortion.
The story is about Marnie Staedler, a rebellious and brash “scholarship girl” who is expelled from her posh all-girls private school for constant troublemaking.
At her new school, she meets Zed, the class nerd who cannot stand hugs or the smell of Marnie’s vapes.
At a party, Marnie sleeps with a boy (Harry) who was only pretending to wear a condom (and who only did it with her to make his girlfriend jealous!)
Eventually, she finds out that she is pregnant, and needs Zed to help her decide what to do.
This book was really enjoyable. The poem format makes the story better paced without having to worry about making the sentences too detailed, and interesting pictures and shapes were also made from the words on the page.
I liked the subplots in the story such as Luca and Zed’s situation, which made the characters feel really real and consistent. I really enjoyed the development of friendships and characters – it felt relatively realistic when Marnie and Jessica teamed up on Harry whilst not becoming sudden best friends like in kids films.
My favourite character was probably Luca because of his easygoing nature and how he supported Marnie during the abortion.
The book covers challenging and tabooed themes but it was written just right: neither treated as an unspeakable topic nor as something to be joked about or glossed over.
yuding
Popcorn
Popcorn was a very creative book that reflected on the topic of anxiety. The main character of the book had severe anxiety and imagined himself as a kernel that started off well but when he got more anxiety the kernel got hotter and hotter until it popped. It also covers the topic of kindness; when the main character, Andrew, gets a panic attack in the middle of an art class because his grandma has disappeared his friend, Aisha, helps with finding her. I really enjoyed this book because it was based on a real-life scenario but it also was a very original way to look at it.
Sotiris
Birdie
I would rate birdie a 3/5 because I don't like the plot. I think the plot being the horse lives in the very last page of the book isn't the kind of plot I like. For example I would have liked it if it were to be spread across a chapter maybe two. I am also not a fan of the old language, I know it fits the scene but some of the key sentences don't make sense for someone like me who don't read old language books. It would have been nice if they had made a key. Also I would've liked it more if they hadn't spent so many chapters on birdie giving Mr Duke food. although these negative comments the one big thing that gives it this ok score is the message, showing that all people should treated the same is a very key message and I like that.
Arya
Popcorn
I think that Popcorn is a good book for people with Anxiety. Popcorn is about a boy called Andrew who has anxiety and he goes to middle school. It’s photo day and Andrew is really anxious because he wants a good photo but throughout the book there are some things that ruin his appearance. I liked how it mentioned certain characters and kept on mentioning them throughout the book and assigns different roles to them. I also liked how it explored themes of bullying, anxiety, panic and friendship. I also really liked how they put pictures of teachers on each chapter so readers knew what they looked like before reading about them. Overall, this is a great book about overcoming anxiety.
Leopold
Wolf Siren
Red was told by her mother not to go to the woods because they were dangerous and possess strange magic. Back in the village where she lives, men and boys were vulnerable to wolf attacks unlike the women, who the wolves won't attack.
It has been three years since Red's grandmother had disappeared in the forest, and Red was determined to find her, no matter the cost. But Red has a terrible secret which she shares with Aerona, her younger sister, and their shared secret could have a devastating effect on their village.
I loved this book because it tells you about the beauty of nature when you don't realise it. My favourite character would be Red herself because she is overprotective, stubborn and brave. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys leaning about the powers that animals have in the wild.
Ibsan
Birdie
Birdie Bagshaw has never really known anyone but her mother in her life, who gave her up after she was born. But when she was sent to live with her great-aunt in Barrington Dale, a place based on mining, everything becomes different. The people there treats her differently and unkindly with suspicion, until she meets a pit pony, who she calls Mr Duke. Birdie eventually forms a bond with Mr Duke, but has to now try to save his life when the slaughterhouse comes to try and kill him.
I really enjoyed this book because it helped me understand the cruelty that animals like Mr Duke were experiencing and these kind of things still happen today worldwide. My favourite character was Mr Duke because he was gentle, brave to rescue some of the men trapped in the mines and is friendly to Birdie.
Ibsan
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
This book was enjoyable although I was surprised because it was very different to other Patrick Ness books I have read. This one is light hearted and funny but it does have some serious ideas running through it such as bullying, prejudice about other people’s differences, and mental health. The book has some black and white illustrations, they are well drawn but on the whole I don’t think they added to the experience and the book would have worked without them. It tells the tale of Zeke, a monitor lizard. He and his friends, also monitor lizards, are chosen to be hall monitors at their school. The school is full of all kinds of animals, so the question they ask is, why are just the monitor lizards chosen to be monitors? I think that the writer is making readers think about issues of stereotyping. Zeke is insulted by a bully, Pelicarnassus, because of the fact that he’s been made a monitor. Zeke punches him and the conflict escalates over the plot of the book. There is a weird element where the country of France exists in real time on Zeke’s knee due to a family curse. I think this relates to his burdens – his dad has died, his mum is depressed, she stops eating and eventually has to go into hospital. At the end there is a showdown between Zeke and the pompous bully Pelicarnassus who turns out to be the son of a supervillain and has plenty of back up, including a giant robot pelican suit that he has built. He tries to destroy the school. However, Zeke discovers that he also has a lot of support that he doesn’t realise he had, both the other monitors and his new friend the blind hawk Miel. They defeat Pelicarnassus. It turns out that you can be strong enough without armour if you believe in yourself and have good friends. Overall, I thought the book had some good themes about friendship, standing up for yourself and that more people than you think have hidden struggles.
Magnus
Popcorn
Popcorn by Rob Harrell is a story about anxiety, told in a comical, lighthearted way.
It is set in a regular middle school and follows Andrew Yaeger as he navigates an increasingly disastrous day, his anxiety (or his “popcorn kernel”, as he calls it) getting closer and closer to “popping”! In the end, he does have a panic attack. But he comes out of the ordeal, in one piece, and learning that he is not alone in his struggles, and that people are always here to help. Issues with a bully are also resolved, and all in all, the book leaves nothing hanging or unfinished.
The book balances emotion and humour well, and the representation of anxiety seems authentic enough, without getting too dark or painful. Characters seem consistent, and the book retains a cartoonish element throughout (in writing style as well as illustrations).
The ending was realistic and positive. The story didn’t seem overly clichéd, but nor was it especially thrilling.
In my opinion, it was a good book but the emotional depth and originality/element of surprise was not enough for my personal taste. I think it’s suitable for all ages, but best perhaps for under-12s.
To conclude, this was a well-written book, but more suitable for fans of comedy and lighthearted reads than those of books high in emotional depth, fantastical elements and/or thrilling plots.
yuding
Popcorn
I found this book very informative in the way that it showed how the day in the life of someone with anxiety is when they are having a rough day. It also embodies the main theme of anxiety and overcoming in a nice story, where many things are happening and the main character, Andrew, has to deal with it. I also found it imaginative where there are 'half' chapters which give new information and reflect on Andrew's therapist visits; I did not always enjoy this aspect of the book since it breaks the flow of an exciting chapter. Overall, I would recommend this book to teenagers, because the book seems relatable and informative.
Buddhan
Not Going To Plan
When I first picked up this book, I thought that I wouldn’t enjoy it, but I have been proved very wrong! This book is a must read for all young adults. It contains extremely important subjects like teenage pregnancy, consent and friendship. I love Marnie and Zeds friendships; they are so different but still the perfect match! I also love the fact that this was a verse novel, I know I sometimes feel bored of the words going across the page and this book changed that! The playing of words and visual reading was so engaging and I loved it!
Jana
Ghostlines
This was such a mesmerising book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The writing was written beautifully, with descriptive language and carefully crafted sentences. Tilda’s story was one of adventure and her love of the Ayrie is so heartwarming. The book also made me feel intrigued, like when Tilda talks about her brother Rowan. The fact that she didn’t tell us who he was at first was extremely effective as it got me thinking about the book, who was he? And made me finish the book very quickly! I would definitely recommend this incredible book to anyone; it is the most wonderful read.
Jana
Not Going To Plan
When Marnie gets expelled by her independent school and sent to Downham College, she was put to sit next to a boy named Zed, a nerd who does not accept mistakes. The two of them require help from one another. Marnie, who is good at Spanish and art but not at Physics, and Zed, brilliant at maths and Physics but not Spanish, need to help the other to get their GCSEs. But when Marnie has sex with a boy at a party who pretended to wear a condom, she needs Zed’s help to overcome her problem.
I like this book because it broadens about how you can rely on others to help overcome your problems and fears, instead of hiding it and making the problem worse. My favourite character in that book would be Luca, who is a friend of Zed’s, because he is funny and understanding about Marnie’s issues. However, I would recommend it to people from Year 10 upwards because it includes some strong language (etc. swear words) and topics that you would cover at a later age, such as consent. In conclusion, this book is a good book to read if you are looking to understand teenagers.
Ibsan
Wolf Siren
Wolf siren was a really interesting book to read, with the plot being a clever twist on the original fairy tale. The book was an insight into the fairy tale, masterfully re-creating the story from Red’s point of view. O’Brien focuses on the fact that whereas in the original tale of red riding hood, the wolves were evil and scary, she portrays them as loyal companions of Red, who are misunderstood by the rest of the village. The story was a dramatic and slightly mysterious read, although I felt that Aerona’s death was slightly unexpected, it created a beautiful ending to the story.
Zoe
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is a beautiful story in my opinion. It is about a boy called Neon who, at the start of the book, is going to have sex with his girlfriend in twenty-four seconds from now and he’s really nervous. Then we’re taken further and further back into Neon’s life as he gets advice from his parents and the development of the thoughts he has at the beginning of the book. This book was a bit mature for Year 7s, I would reccomend this to teenage boys as it teaches them about how it’s OK to express your emotions and to have intense emotions and that there’s always someone to talk to
Leopold
Popcorn
After I finished reading this book, it was like breathing a gulp of air. Everything that happened in the book was very quick and unexpected and it was a relief when the book slowed down to a steadier pace towards the end. Although it was quick and fast-paced, it was quite relatable to my own everyday school-life, such as rogue basketballs and failed science experiments. Overall, this was a great book-8/10-but I think it would have more effect on the reader if the story was stretched across multiple days, because since this book is about school, it’s quite unrealistic and would feel less constricted if the story was stretched along even just two days. I think that at the end, Andrew Yaeger was very brave to take the school photo, considering his incredibly gloomy day, his lost Grandmother, his panic attacks and his new shirt being messed up, he showed that he truly learnt at the end of the book by braving the school photo. This also shows that even with disabilities, you can still overcome anything. I think the moral of this story is to never give up and stay positive.
Felix
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I found this book extremely humorous and with new additions to the plot around every corner. I especially loved how the author incorporates each animal's behaviour in real life into this book - e.g. the lions are very proud. My favourite character in the book is actually Miel because the way that he acts is very funny since he screams every word he says. However, I think that the main character, Zeke, fighting the main antagonist of this book, Pelicarnassus, should be longer because it shows how someone that isn't really that strong or talented defeats someone who is very devious and cunning with his friends. One thing that I would change in the book is the fact that France is on Zeke's knee, which seems a bit over-the-top and bizarre, but it still is something that is very comical. The age group that I would recommend this book to is about ages 7 - 10.
Overall, this was a fun read.
Buddhan
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
24 Seconds From Now is a great book that makes you feel a rollercoaster of emotions. It shows how one moment can change your life. The story moves fast. It makes you think hard about the moral dilemmas and the complex characters while not taking away from the gripping and tense story. The author does a great job of making you feel excited and also making you ponder. Some of the surprises may be predictable but still makes you feel great. The book talks about what happens when we difficult make choices and how people connect with each other. You think about these things even after you finish reading the book. While still engaging me, the pacing was sometimes uneven, important moments were cut short and some things might have dragged on for too long, and he story, while tense, could have been more developed. Overall, quick yet an impactful and great read. Would recommend to others.
Bowen
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
In my opinion, Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness is a fun and thoughtful story about trying to fit in while still being yourself. The main character, Zeke, is easy to like, and his struggles with friendship and identity feel real and relatable. Ness uses humour throughout the book, but also includes more serious moments that add depth to the story. It is an easy read, with the text being simple and clear. This makes it more enjoyable and easier to understand. Overall, the book has a balanced mixture of comedy and meaningful ideas about confidence and belonging.
Charlotte
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
I thought that this book was a little boring because I though that Neon was a little unbelievable because he seemed to be scared about an unnecessary amount of things. I thought that Aria was the most believable because she is like a real person and I can imagine people acting like she does in real life. She expresses her emotions in a nice way, whereas neon bottles his all up until the last chapter where he tell Aria what he thinks about having sex. The rest of the book is quite simple and I think that apart from the last and first chapters, everything is fine and appropriate for younger children. The plot is simple and that makes it a bit easy to read.
Overall, I liked the book a bit, but I would probably not pick it up again.
Ruby
Not Going To Plan
I thought that this book was very interesting because it was something I had never read something like it before. I thought that the main characters were interesting because they weren't your natural idea of heroes or heroines. I thought that Marnie was a very believable character but I think that becoming pregnant with a boy you know nothing about is not a life- like situation. I think that she goes through the whole story in a good way because she asks for help from people, which not everyone would do because they can be too scared to tell the truth to people. I like that Zed overcomes his fear of people to help Marnie through everything. The character of Zed's mother is a bit unbelievable because she is so pressurising and she doesn't add a lot to the story apart from not being very supporting to Zed and Marnie. In the end, I liked that Marnie and Jessica joined forces to get back at Jessica's boyfriend, who made Marnie pregnant in the first place. The end part, where Marnie and Jessica speak together is an exciting time and my overall favourite part of the book.
Overall, I think that this book is very good and I would definitely go back to read it again.
Ruby
Birdie
Overall, Birdie is a very interesting and well-thought book that highlights the topic of dealing with prejudice and racism. Even when her family did not accept her, Birdie persevered and managed to change their attitude. The book also stresses the value of caring for each other. This is shown when Birdie doesn’t stop caring for the pony and even when the pony is very ill and about to die, she does not give up on trying to get help. The description of the ‘raincloud over the village’ and the families’ discussions about their loved ones who had died in the war was fascinating. I enjoyed this novel a lot; the idea behind it is very original.
Sotiris
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody is a humorous story about a lizard named Zeke. Zeke has two lizard friends called Alicia and Daniel and they go to a school which animals attend and animals teach there. One day, Principal Wombat makes them hall monitors and whilst hall monitoring they meet an ambitious pelican named Pelicarnassus. Pelicarnassus is a bully and through out the story, frequently picks on Zeke for his size. Along with being humorous and having a bully pelican, this story touches on themes like racism and bullying and finding your hidden strengths. Patrick Ness hid these themes in a funny story for kids which I love because it introduces young kids to these themes early on. Another thing that made this book so great was the illustrations. The illustrations along side the text really immersed me into this world. In summary, this is a funny story for kids that introduces strong themes like racism and I’d recommend it for animal lovers anywhere!
Leopold
Ghostlines
I enjoyed Ghostlines! It was surprisingly short, which I thought didn't provide enough space for the characters to grow and develop- but I did like how Tilda got to see Rowan again. I initially disliked Albie, but he grew on me and I thought it was super sweet that he wanted to save the baby puffins. I didn't really find that there was that much tension, or that there was a problem that needed to be solved like in most books, and I think this was a book that is better suited to younger age-groups. However, overall, the descriptions of the natural world and the environment were excellent, and the author managed to encapsulate a 12-year-old girl's thoughts very accurately.
Jackie
Wolf Siren
The Wolf Siren by Beth O’Brien is an interesting and slightly spooky story that blends folklore with real emotions. O’Brien creates a strong atmosphere in the woods, describing Red’s view as a blur of autumn colours. The main character, Red, is a feisty girl facing the challenges of growing up, learning who she is, and figuring out where she belongs, which makes her easy to relate to. Some parts of the story are slower, but this helps build the mood. Overall, The Wolf Siren is an engaging read, especially if you enjoy a touch of mystery and a darker tone.
Charlotte
The Boy I Love
I really loved this book. I loved the fact that even though it is a book about the second world war, it has beautiful moments, described in beautiful ways. One thing that I found extremely interesting is the way that they talked about the Germans. Sometimes they talked about them as the enemy, and sometimes, such as the time when they invaded the German trench and talked to the German soldier, they don’t distance themselves from them that much. I loved all the characters, especially Stephen, Danny and CO Jackson. The only thing about the book that I didn’t like was the ending. I think it was abrupt and didn’t make sense with the way the rest of the story was written.
Iris
Wolf Siren
I really enjoyed reading this book, and I would definitely recommend it to other people who haven’t read it yet. I think that my favorite moment in the book was when Red first summoned her wolves. I loved this moment because it felt powerful and it made me feel that Red finally had people in her life who wouldn’t judge her and would be by her side no matter what. If there is anything I don’t like about the book, it is that Aerona’s death was a bit sudden. I think, though, that it is countered by the haunting beauty of her funeral, which is a fitting ending for a simply beautiful book.
Iris
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
To me, the book "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" was an amusing, simple read, with a very much children-based setting and directed for - once again - children, perhaps much of the time with a younger age. Looking into the plot, personally, I find it unbelievable, and if anything, a touch too fantastical, turning a regular cold-hearted bully into a fully blown supervillain. Furthermore, certain aspects are perhaps unrealistic and far-fetched, making the reader lose touch with the characters Zeke, Daniel and others. Building on this, all characters were developed and expanded on beautifully, except for the brief touch on the black dog - we are unsure whether it is a pet of the family, a stepfather for Zeke or even anything in between; making it deeply troubling and confusing about the "black dog." Building on this story for a sequel, hopefully, we will see more about this once vaguely touched character.
Ryan
Popcorn
Popcorn was an interesting book! I really liked how it talked about anxiety, OCD and germophobia without sounding preachy and textbook-like. It was an interesting mix of a graphic novel and a book– and I really liked the analogy of a kernel of corn getting hotter as things go wrong throughout the day. However, I did find that it would have been better suited to a younger audience as I didn't find it challenging at all. The storyline also seemed very busy and didn't really allow that much space for characters to develop– all of the events happening in the space of one day seemed rather implausible. Overall, I would recommend it to a younger child– but the descriptions of anxiety and OCD were very well written.
Jackie
Birdie
Birdie by J. P. Rose
Birdie is a historical fiction about a girl named Birdie Bagshaw who is living in a children’s home for “brown babies,” as said at the end of the book, and is sent to go live with her great-aunt, Mabel Winterbottom, in the Yorkshire Dales. She meets a pit-pony in a coal mine after running into the forest from being bullied and forms a strong bond with the pony.
My opinion on this book was that it was very fun and whimsical. It got very fast-paced at the end parts.
Along with being a fun book with pit-ponies, this book also touches on heavy themes such as bullying, racism and standing up for what you think is right.
Overall, I think this book is a fun and whimsical story for any animal-lovers (specifically ponies) out there!
Leopold
Wolf Siren
I really liked this book! I found that it was an innovative twist on the classic fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood, that focused more on empowering women rather than a scared little girl faced with the wolf. I also found it interesting how the roles were essentially reversed- in the original fairytale, the wolf is the antagonist and the woodcutter saves the day, but in this version, the wolves were the protagonists and the woodcutter was the one being shunned. My favourite part was Red describing her reaction to getting her cycle for the first time, and thinking that she was going to die! One small inconsistency I found was that Red was allegedly visually impaired, but until the author told us this, she seemed to see things just fine. However, in general this was an excellent read with a moving plot.
Jackie
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I thought this was a sweet, short book, that is probably for a younger age-group. It was well-meaning and had heart-warming themes of friendship and family love, but I did find some parts quite random that missed the mark a bit. For example, the sub-plot about the entire nation of France being on a lizard's knee was odd and seemed unnecessary, and the super-villain that everybody feared was equally strange. I did enjoy that the characters were animals- it made the book fun and lively! Overall, I would say that this is a cute book, but not something that I would have read voluntarily.
Jackie
Twenty Four Seconds from Now
Twenty-Four Seconds from Now really stuck with me because of how deliberately awkward and honest it makes Neon and Aria feel. Reading it, I kept thinking that their relationship only works because it doesn’t feel neatly polished. Neon’s overthinking and nervous self-awareness feel almost uncomfortable at times, but in a way that’s painfully familiar rather than annoying. Aria, too, isn’t written as an idealised love interest—she feels grounded, real, and sometimes just as uncertain as he is, which made their connection feel earned instead of slightly romanticised to me. What I found I really liked is how the reverse structure sharpens everything you already know as a reader. I felt like I wasn’t discovering what happened so much as discovering why it mattered, and that really made all of the small acts that Neon did for Aria matter more to me– like buying her chicken tenders!
Jackie
Not Going To Plan
Not Going to Plan by Tia Fisher is a book I found both gripping and quite eye-opening. I really liked Marnie as a character because she feels believable and human—she starts off quite sure of herself and in control, but then has to deal with something that completely knocks her off balance. I also liked Zed, who at first comes across as quite closed off and awkward, but over time you see him become someone she can actually rely on. What stood out most to me was how the book handles serious issues in a very honest way. The part about stealthing was especially informative for me, as I didn’t fully understand what it is before reading the book. It didn’t feel like it was there just to shock the reader either—it felt real, and it made me properly think about consent and how easily boundaries can be crossed.
Jackie
Birdie
I found this book very heartwarming because the main character, Birdie, is forced to go to a new place where not everyone accepts her. Then, by some sort of destiny, she meets a pony called Mr Duke, who she vows to save. Slowly, people start to accept her and time is ticking to save Mr Duke. I like the part where they run away but are forced back because they only need each other. My favourite character is Birdie great uncle, who she calls Mr Walter, because he was the first person who was actually kind to her and also saved Mr Duke.
Buddhan
Birdie
Personally, I thought the book "Birdie" by J.P. Rose was an exhilarating read of highs and lows of being two ethnicities - accurately reflecting on perhaps the author's own personnel experiences making the piece feel truly authentic - of what was regarded perhaps taboo in the period that Birdie is set in, and the hardships Birdie endures becoming stronger and more true to herself by the end, with the other characters around her embracing her for who she truly is ; not trying to get her into society's norm. Despite this though, I feel as if the book is seeming hollow, lacking true emotive quality and a gripping plot ; with much of the book only being the build-up to the actual main event. Furthermore, certain characters such as the teacher of birdie and the boy that we meet in the book are only briefly touched on, which as a reader we are given an inkling clue of a possibly romantic relationship - possibly needing more character development. But overall, the novel "Birdie" is a great read for all!
Ryan
Birdie
Birdie by J. P. Rose is a thoughtful and emotional novel that explores themes of belonging, racism, and resilience. I found Birdie a sympathetic and engaging character, and her friendship with the pit pony adds warmth and hope to an otherwise difficult story. I really liked when she described his colour as if he was “dipped in a can of paint”–it made me imagine exactly what she saw, I think. While the story is endearing, certain parts felt slightly predictable and the story seemed to progress too quickly in some places, in my opinion. I really wished that the author had focused more on Birdie running away with Mr Duke, because I loved how free and happy Birdie seemed then– it was my favourite part!
Jackie
Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
The first part of the book was quite interesting but not the most interesting so that I would immediately be hooked, however I was invested in the story by the first 50 pages because of the comedy and the interesting representations of insecurity, depression and also by the general idea and plot. The world, in a practical sense, is obviously very unbelievable, but it works really well to depict the idea of stereotypes surrounding different races or classes (or in this case, species). The pacing was good, easy to read and flowed very naturally - I didn't realise I was finished until I put the book down and picked up my pen to write this review. The idea and theme behind the story and its depictions is definitely something I haven't seen before and I don't think I will see this way of representation again. The themes were well-explored in the small amount of pages there were and I found it having a large impact on my thoughts on metaphors. I really liked the idea of the black dog showing depression and I absolutely loved the ending in which Zeke comes home from school to see his mum waiting for him instead of sitting in her bedroom. I think it really brings the relationship between those two full circle. Talking about relationships, I really enjoyed how the characters all interacted with one another and the use of comedy to make the book more fun to read for children and teenagers alike. The small cast of main characters (Zeke, Daniel, Alicia, and Miel) made the story much easier to read than if it had more characters and we needed to delve into each of their stories. I loved the way the main trio of Zeke, Daniel and Alicia were shown to have an equal relationship rather two of them being closer to each other than the other and the way that all of them depended on each other in a way. Throughout the story, I also liked how Zeke's thought process began to challenge the idea of stereotypes surrounding species (mentioned before) and how although everyone shares some things in common, everyone is their own individual and have their own characteristics. The characters definitely feel very real - their interactions really jumped out of the page! The use of comedy in the dialogue and overall writing style was also a good idea to keep in line with the unusual, more child-like representations of heavier themes. Aimed more towards children aged 8 - 12, the humorous and informal style kept the tone playful yet thought-provoking in a way I didn't expect it to be. Overall, a very compelling read indeed.
Roosha
The Boy I Love
I found The Boy I Love a very powerful and hard-hitting book. To me, it highlights the prejudice faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community while also vividly capturing the horrors and brutality of the trenches during World War I. William Hussey writes with emotional depth, making the characters feel real and their struggles and flashbacks poignant. The contrast between love and violence is especially striking, and Stephen and Danny’s bond is strong, but their need for secrecy creates constant tension and heartbreak. Beyond love, the story explores friendship, loyalty, and courage under pressure. By writing from Stephen’s point of view, Hussey immerses readers in his thoughts and feelings, creating a deep sense of empathy for his experiences. Overall, the book is unforgettable, thought-provoking, and leaves a lasting impression.
Jackie