Latest book review
The Suitcase Kid by Jacqueline Wilson
Tags: Girls, Y5, Y6
Date: 11th January, 2010
Now, I know this looks like a book for girls, but it isn’t. Not just for girls anyway. I read it to the whole class last year and everyone loved it. And the girls brought in their own copy and read along as well!
Some teachers don’t like Jacqueline Wilson’s writing style, which is really chatty. I think that as I long as you learn when a chatty writing style is okay, and when it isn’t, why shouldn’t you sometimes write like Jacqueline Wilson! You could do a lot worse!
Anyway, I’d heard The Suitcase Kid was a really good read and that it dealt with an issue a lot of children face nowadays: parents getting divorced. The story centres on ten-year-old Andy, whose parents have split up and moved in with other people. No longer living in her idyllic Mulberry Cottage, Andy now lives out of her suitcase – one week with Mum’s new family and the next week with Dad’s.
It’s a lovely story which deals with a lot of the emotions and troubles experienced by children whose parents are separated or separating.
I’d recommend this to any child in Y5 or Y6. Although I can’t see many boys reading it (the publishers changing the cover, might help), I would encourage them to do so if experiencing problems at home, and all girls will probably like it. I think it is a great book to read to a class. For children, I think Y5/Y6 would be the ideal age and girls, in particular. Strong readers in Y4 might also enjoy it.
Judge Dredd: the complete case files 01
Tags: Boys, Y5, Y6
Date: 8th January, 2010
For almost thirty years, one man has dominated the British comic scene. He is judge, jury and executioner, a merciless far-future lawman delivering justice with an iron fist on the mean streets of Mega-City One. He is Judge Dredd!
I was really excited when I saw that the stories from the comics had been put into a series of books. I ordered the first book, immediately. Judge Dredd is the kind of character I wish I’d known about when I was younger, but, unfortunately, only encountered during my late teens. Basically, he’s a sort of really tough super-policeman in a crime-ridden, futuristic city.
The stories are all in black and white, but the artwork is brilliant. Each episode covers several pages each, and some are linked to form larger stories. Dredd starts off in Mega-City One before taking his turn dealing out justice on the moon, about halfway through the book. The baddies are a mixed lot, as are the crimes and the criminals either end up dead or in prison. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this first book and will be ordering the next in the series.
I think this is essential reading for all boys in Y5 and Y6, but particularly those who like graphic stories, action or science-fiction. I was initially worried there might be too much violence to recommend it, but having read the whole book, I’m pleased to report there’s nothing I deem unsuitable for this age range. Boys: you must at least try this book!
It’s not going to get five stars, though, just in case the next book is better!
Godhanger by Dick King-Smith
Tags: Y6
Date: 6th January, 2010
Dick King-Smith is known for his animal stories, such as The Sheep-pig. Godhanger is another animal story, which isn’t a genre I’m particularly fond of, so I was really surprised to find I was taking this book with me wherever I went. It’s a really good story.
The setting is Godhanger wood, where a gamekeeper rules, shooting anything that moves. And then appears a huge, mysterious bird known as the Skymaster. What does this bird want? Why is he there? It’s such a great story! It’s thrilling, dark and utterly compelling, and it is superbly written.
Who should read it? It’s quite gory in places, so I’m thinking older children in Y6 upwards, perhaps boys. The darkness and mysteriousness of it might be difficult for them to appreciate but it’s still an accessible book if you are a strong reader. Actually, I think everyone over the age of eleven should read it.
Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver
Tags: Boys, Girls, Y5, Y6
Date: 20th December, 2009
It was originally the design of this book which excited me. The graphics represent ancient script from cave walls and inside the cover is a lovely map with place names which made me want to find out more.
The star is Torak, a member of the Wolf Clan, whose father is killed by a bear possessed by a demon. Torak’s job is to reach the Mountain of the World Spirit and stop the demon taking over the world. It sounds fantasy but it’s more of an adventure. The Stone Age world is described beautifully and I really wanted to keep reading on as Torak passed from place to place, following him using the map at the front. It’s a riveting book, and well worth a read, although I was hugely disappointed with the ending, which seemed wholly inadequate for the grand adventure told in the rest of the story.
Having read half the book to my class, I know it will appeal to both Y5s and Y6s. Interestingly, of the children in my class who have gone on to complete the book on their own, the Y5s have been girls and the Y6s have been boys. The reason for the lack of Y6 girls reading it? It isn’t a challenging text, and the storyline might not be mature enough for them, I suspect.
Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Tags: Boys, Girls, Romance, Supernatural, Y6
Date: 19th December, 2009
Having seen several of the older girls in my class reading the series of books this one belongs to, and then hearing they are being turned into films, I thought I’d check out what all the fuss was about. I must admit I had no idea what to expect…
Immediately upon picking the book up, I was hooked. Even with the teenage angst, which kicks off the story as our character (Isabella) goes to live with her father in the rainiest place in the US, the narrative is appealing and beautifully written. Isabella expects everyone to hate her at her new school, but things don’t turn out that bad. She soon falls in love with a strange-looking, yet beautiful, boy who turns out to be a vampire. What follows is a battle between their emotions and the vampire’s desire for her blood, before something goes catastrophically wrong and they have to get out of town.
It’s a really gripping story and the best book I’ve read this year. To fully appreciate and enjoy the story, you’ll need to be a strong Y6 reader and also be mature enough to understand or possibly relate to the emotions of a teenager – so boys may wish to wait until the end of Y6 or Y7 before picking up this book. Yes, it may be romance, but for older boys it would be a great read – trust me…
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Tags: Girls, Y5
Date: 19th December, 2009
This is an interesting book, almost a first-hand recount of the First World War, by a horse. From ploughing the fields to the frontline, our character works for numerous different ‘masters’, each with their differing personalities and methods of working.
It’s nothing remarkable (despite being a runner-up for the Whitbread Award), yet provides an interesting history lesson and some children will enjoy the many encounters with different characters in the story and the horse’s opinion of them.
I’d say it would make an ideal read for Y5 girls and maybe girls in Y6 looking for an easy read. It’s also something different, which could be used with the whole class within a topic.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by JK Rowling
Tags: Boys, Fantasy, Girls, Y5, Y6
Date: 12th December, 2009
If you haven’t heard of Harry Potter, you must’ve been living in a cave for the last several years, but it’s only recently I’ve actually read one of the books. Although I’m not particularly interested in the fantasy genre (I’ve tried reading The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but both bored me), I wanted to give it a go and see what all the fuss is about.
The Philosopher’s Stone is the first in the series. The narrative is light-hearted but not chatty, and I’m pleased to say it has been written well. The story is very imaginative and I can see why it is so popular. I love it when children write stories where they immerse themselves in their imagination, and this is what JK Rowling does so well, she immerses the reader into Hogwarts and all the fantasy that comes with it. It’s a really good story, and I can see why it is so popular amongst children. I’m not so sure why so many adults are into it – yes, the creation of the fantasy world is great, and you are beatifully drawn into it, but there’s something missing for me. Maybe it just isn’t challenging enough, or maybe I just don’t like the genre.
Who would I recommend it to? Definitely, to anyone, of any age, who likes fantasy. I also think anyone involved in education should at least try it, even if you don’t like the genre. As for children, I think Y5 upwards, boys and girls, and strong readers in Y4 might also enjoy it.