Megan's Reviews

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Skellig
By David Almond

Published by: Hodder Children's Books
ISBN: 0340997044

When a move to a new house coincides with his baby sister's illness, Michael's world seems suddenly lonely and uncertain.

Then, one Sunday afternoon, he stumbles into the old, ramshackle garage of his new home, and finds something magical. A strange creature - part owl, part angel, a being who needs Michael's help if he is to survive. With his new friend Mina, Michael nourishes Skellig back to health, while his baby sister languishes in the hospital. But Skellig is far more than he at first appears, and as he helps Michael breathe life into his tiny sister, Michael's world changes forever. BUY IT ON AMAZON

 

Review: Skellig is about a family who had just moved house to Falconer Road. The house was in disrepair and unsafe. On top of this the family were also troubled about their youngest child who was critically ill. Their eldest child, Michael, was in despair and started to gradually explore the garden to escape his emotions. He came across a crumbling garage and found a mysterious creature living there. As the story progresses it shows Michael’s emotional journey of friendships with Mina, the baby’s health and helping the creature with its problems.

When I first looked at this book and read the blurb I thought it would be quite boring, but as the story started to unfold it became more and more exciting and I started to enjoy reading it more. The ending left me with mixed emotions and was surprising. I would recommend that you read this book and stick with it, as I promise it does get better.

The Tapper Twins go to war (with each other)
By  Geoff Rodkey

Published by:  Orion Children's Books
ISBN: 1444014986

Wars are terrible things. I know this because I've read about a lot of them on Wikipedia. And also because I was just in one. It was me against my brother, Reese. That might not sound like a war to you. Trust me. It was. This is the story of the terrible war between twins, Reese and Claudia Tapper.

It began with a cruel and senseless sneak attack in the school cafeteria on Monday, September 8th, at approximately 8:27 a.m. Or possibly it began in the Tapper family kitchen, earlier that morning, with the greedy guzzling of the last brown sugar cinnamon toaster pastry. What really happened? It depends on who you speak to. BUY IT ON AMAZON

 

Review: This book is about two twins Claudia and Reese, who do not get along. The book begins with Claudia and Reece setting the scene in the present day. The rest of the book is where Claudia tells the story of what has happened in the past through interviewing people, extracts from texts and flashbacks. Throughout the book we find out more and more about their relationship. The book is quite humorous as it describes their arguments. As these escalate they start to do horrible pranks on each other, such as Claudia putting a mouldy piece of dead fish into her brother’s backpack which is quite funny.

The way the book is laid out is a bit confusing until you get your head around the fact that everything has happened in the past. Once you have understood this it is easier to read. I would recommend this to younger children as the content is more appealing to them as it reminds me of the stories of Horrid Henry. However they may find the structure of the story hard to understand at first.

The Burning Shadow (Gods and Warriors Book 2) 
By: Michelle Paver 
Published by: Puffin 
ISBN: 0141339292

'If an Outsider wields the blade, the House of Koronos burns...'

A boy on the run.

A deadly prophecy.

A race against time.

Hylas the Outsider is captured by slavers. Set to work in the terrible underground mines of Thalakrea, he learns to his horror that he's now closer than ever to his murderous enemies, the Crows. He has to escape before they find out he's here. Pirra, the daughter of the High Priestess, is also on the run. When Fate reunites her with Hylas, their survival depends on ancient magic and an orphaned lion cub - unless the Gods have other plans... BUY IT ON AMAZON

 

Review: This is the second book in the Gods and Warriors  series but even though I had not read the first, it was easy to follow. It tells the story of Hylas, an Outsider who is trying to find his sister. He gets caught by slavers and after a series of events meets up with Pira, his friend from the previous book .

My favourite part of the book is where Hylas makes friends with a lion cub called Havoc. The author has cleverly described things from the lions point of view, such as calling water ‘the wet’ and the moon ‘the lion in the sky’. She plays with Hylas like a kitten and misunderstands lots of things Hylas does and makes funny mistakes – definitely earning her name.

Hylas has been named in a prophecy as the one who will overcome the Crows – the evil family who run the mines and are taking over the land. Will he succeed?

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be buying the rest of the series to find out more about Hylas and his adventures.

The Map to Everywhere
By 
Carrie Ryan

Published by: Orion Children's Books
ISBN: 1444010549

Master thief, Fin, is unusual - when he's out of sight, everyone forgets he exists! He needs to find his mother - the one person who might remember him. Schoolgirl, Marrill, boards a pirate ship in a car park and is carried off to another world. She needs to find her way home. Fin and Marrill are on a wild adventure to find the Map to Everywhere, but can they escape the Oracle - a dark and powerful wizard who seeks the map to fulfil a terrifying prophecy? BUY IT ON AMAZON

 

Review: This book is about a young boy called Fin who is a master thief. He is a very unusual character, which is why he never gets caught for stealing, because when he is out of sight he is instantly forgotten by everyone. He is on an adventure to find his mother who is the one person who may remember him. He needs to find the map to everywhere and in his quest for the map, stumbles upon a school girl called Marrill, who needs the map to get home. Their journey is full of pirates, wizards and strange events.

I found this story fast paced, with lots of adventure. It is very imaginative and I think children of all ages will enjoy it. This is book one of a series and I can’t wait to read the rest.

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