Diamond Girls, by Jacqueline Wilson
THIS IS NOW MY FAVOURITE BOOK! Though I suggest the age rating of 9+ since it has bad influences. This book is about a poor family that move into a house provided by the council. The mum is a pregnant single mum to 4 girls. She thinks that her 5th child is going to be a boy. Is it?
5 stars
Reviewed by Avin from Johnsonville, 11 years old
No stars to wish on, by Zana Fraillon
This is a very interesting book! I am really hooked into finding out the ending! It is about a boy who has been taken from his family and taken to a childcare with nuns Will they be nice to him? This book is highly suggested by me!
5 stars
Reviewed by Avin from Johnsonville, 11 years old
The boxcar children, by Gertrude chandler warner
This book is about the four Alden children, who’s parents died. They are supposed to live with their grandfather but they hear that he is mean and they run away. They make a house in a boxcar so that must be were the name Boxcar Children comes in. They have fun until one of them gets sick. The one who gets sick is called Violet. Luckily they know a doctor. But will their grandfather find them? It is a good book. Go on and read it . . .
4 stars
Reviewed by Kohaya from Brooklyn, 9 years old
Term 2 is well under way, so take some time to sit back, relax and enjoy some of these fantastic new kids fiction books available through your local library!
Stanley will probably be fine by Sally J Pla
After fainting during a school assembly, Stanley uses his time in a safe room to begin drawing a comic book superhero and then enters a treasure hunt so that he can win passes to Comic Fest.
Stonebird By Mike Revell
When ten-year-old Liam moves house to be closer to his dementia-suffering grandma, he’s thrown into an unfamiliar place, with a family that seems to be falling apart. Liam doesn’t remember what his grandma was like before she became ill. He only knows the witch-like old woman who snaps and snarls and eats her birthday cards. He wants to fix it, but he can’t. Walking his dog one day, Liam discovers an old stone gargoyle in a rundown church, and his life changes in impossible ways. The gargoyle is alive. It moves unseen in the night, acting out Liam’s stories. And stories can be dangerous things…Seeking revenge against the bullies at his new school, Liam tells a story about the gargoyle attacking them. When one of them ends up in hospital, a regretful Liam vows never to go near the gargoyle again. But his grandma’s illness is getting worse, his mum isn’t coping, and his sister is skipping school…What if the gargoyle is the only thing that can save Liam’s family?
The wishmakers by Tyler Whitesides
Ace unwittingly releases a genie from a peanut butter jar and gets unlimited wishes that he must learn to use with their consequences before all the world’s cats and dogs turn into zombies who will eat mankind.
The short but brilliant career of Lucas Weed by Chrissie Walker
“Lucas Weed hasn’t really made any friends at his new school, so when the ‘cool kids’ suggest he carry out a prank in class, Lucas thinks it might be his path to being accepted. And when the pranks keep getting more and more outrageous – and with videos uploaded to YouTube – Lucas Weed’s popularity soars! But after an embarrassing stunt that doesn’t quite go according to plan – in front of a very important person – Lucas decides it’s time to call it a day. But how?”–Publisher information.
Nothings fair in fifth grade by Barthe De Clements
A fifth grade class, repelled by the overweight new student who has serious home problems, finally learns to accept her.
Cave bear mountain by Jo Sandhu
At Cave Bear Mountain, Tarin is given tragic news about his Clan, and wants to return to them immediately. But Kaija and Luuka have discovered an astonishing truth about their mother. It seems the friends will be divided. But when the wolf cubs are kidnapped to fight in the Bear Festival. Only together will they have a chance of saving them.
Star friends: Secret spell by Linda Chapman
“Do you believe in magic? Maia and her friends do! And when they meet the Star Animals, a whole world of magical adventure unfolds. Lottie and her star animal, a squirrel called Juniper, must use their special powers to stop the forces of dark magic. Someone in the village is using dark magic and the Star Friends need to work together to figure it out who it is. But things keep going wrong! Sita is convinced a Shade is following her, Lottie is sure she’s going to fail her piano exam and Ionie thinks the others don’t want to be her friends. Only Maia seems her usual self. She needs to find out what is happening and how to stop it! Perfect for fans of My Secret Unicorn and The Rescue Princesses, and for Rainbow Magic readers looking to move on to a more challenging adventure.” –Publisher description.
Wings of fire; a winglets collection by Tui T Sutherland
“In Pyrrhia, every dragon has a story … Before the dragonets, beyond the war of the SandWing queens — the dragons of Pyrrhia each have their own story to tell. Like Fierceteeth, stuck in a SandWing prison, obsessed and full of thwarted ambition. Deathbringer, at the very beginning of his journey, desperate to prove himself. And Six-Claws, a loyal SandWing who will soon find out that loyalty comes with a price. Fly further into the dangerous territories of Pyrrhia than ever before to learn the secrets behind Wings of fire”.
The Ersatz Elevator, by Lemony Snicket
I think this book is really good. It is about the Bauldaire orphans are taken in by people who are rich and their names are Esme and Jerome Squalor. If you have read the previous book, the Austere Academy you would know that the Bauldaires new friends Duncan and Isadora Quagmire have been kidnapped by count Olaf. Here Count Olaf tries yet again to steal the Bauldaire fortune. This time posing as a man named Gunther he befriends Esme Squalor. I liked this book because there is a lot of action and there is also a funny pun. See if you can find it. Go on and read it . . .
4 stars
Reviewed by Kohaya from Brooklyn, 9 years old
Mary Poppins, by P. L. Travers (1899-1996)
The original best-loved classic about the world’s most famous nanny – Mary Poppins.
When the Banks family advertise for a nanny, Mary Poppins and her talking umbrella appear out of the sky, ready to take the children on extraordinary adventures.
Mary Poppins is strict but fair, and soon Michael and Jane are whisked off to a funfair inside a pavement picture and on many more outings with their wonderful new nanny!
But, Mary has only promised to stay until the wind changes…
4 stars
Reviewed by Keya from Central City, 11 years old
Beyond the grave, by Jude Watson
Betrayed by their cousins, abandoned by their uncle, and with only the slimmest hint to guide them, fourteen-year old Amy Cahill and her younger brother, Dan, rush off to Egypt on the hunt for 39 Clues that lead to a source of unimaginable power. But when they arrive, Amy and Dan get something completely unexpected – a message from their dead grandmother, Grace. Did Grace set out to help the two orphans . . . or are Amy and Dan heading for the most devastating betrayal yet?
5 stars
Reviewed by Keya from Central City, 11 years old
The sword thief, by Peter Lerangis
Amy and Dan Cahill have been located once again, this time in the company of the notoriously unreliable Alistair Oh. Could they have been foolish enough to make an alliance?
Spies report that Amy and Dan seem to be tracking the life of one of the most powerful fighters the world has ever known. If this fearsome warrior was a Cahill, his secrets are sure to be well-guarded . . . and the price to uncover them just might be lethal.
5 stars
Reviewed by Keya from Central City, 11 years old
One false note, by Gordon Korman
THIS JUST IN! Amy and Dan Cahill were spotted on a train, hot on the trail of one of 39 Clues hidden around the world. BUT WAIT! Police report a break-in at an elite hotel, and the suspects ALSO sound suspiciously like Amy and Dan. UPDATE! Amy and Dan have been seen in a car . . . no, in a speedboat chase . . . and HOLD EVERYTHING! They’re being chased by an angry mob?!? When there’s a Clue on the line, anything can happen.
5 stars
Reviewed by Keya from Central City, 11 years old
The maze of bones, by Rick Riordan
When Amy and Dan Cahill’s Grandmother, Grace Cahill, tragically passes away, the siblings are tossed into another world. At Grace’s funeral, Grace herself talks to them from a video. They either get to keep a million dollars and go, or join the hunt of the family, for 39 clues. Amy and Dan give up their million dollars for the race, but you never know what lies in wait for them.
5 stars
Reviewed by Keya from Central City, 11 years old