Kids Blog

Amulet. Book one, The stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi.

It is very exciting for all ages.

Knife / R.J. Anderson

It’s really interesting and makes fairies very different to other books I have read. It’s a fantastic book that heaps of people should read!

5 stars

Review by Eve

Hetty Feather by Jacqueline Wilson

In which Hetty is abandoned as a baby, brought up in a foster family, sneaks off to visit the circus, dreams her real mother is the beautiful lady with the performing horses and has to face the drab reality of life in a foundling hospital; the hideous uniform, the terrible food, the being locked in an attic. Fans will enjoy.

Don’t Pat the Wombat by Elizabeth Honey

In which a group of year 6 boys head off to have the time of their lives at camp, only to have the school’s cruellest teacher come with them. But even “The Bomb” can’t stop the practical jokes, and other hilarious misadventures in this true blue aussie tale.

The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

In which Joe, Beth, and Frannie introduce their cousin Rick to their many magical  friends who live in the enormous tree, they have plenty of adventures together and eat lots of delicious food.

The Complete Peanuts by Charles Shultz

In which you get to hang out with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Schroeder, Lucy & Linus and the rest of the gang for 313 pages. Don’t be put off by that number of pages, seriously,  you can read that many comic strips!

Captain Underpants and the invasion of the incredibly naughty cafeteria ladies from outer space (and the subsequent assault of the equally evil lunchroom zombie nerds) : the third epic novel by by Dav Pilkey
In which Harold, George, and Captain Underpants use Wedgie Power to save the universe from the evil aliens, disguised as dinner ladies. Actually I got all that from our catalogue, because this is a book that no grown up would ever read. Which is maybe why you should?:-)

Illustrated Mum by  Jacqueline Wilson

Jacqueline Wilson fans, of which there are legion, will find this book to their taste, with a gritty subject matter, in this case a Mum’s mental illness, family relationships that are tested, and of course a feisty spirited girl narrator.

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos Takes Off by Jacqueline Jules & illustrated by Miguel Benítez

In which Freddie Ramos comes home to find shoes that give him super speed. But is being a hero too much responsibility for a little kid?

Fading Echoes by Erin Hunter

Book #2 in Warriors: Omen of the Stars series sees Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovepaw having to use their different talents to work together for the sake of ThunderClan. But when one of these three dreams of greatness, can the clan survive the dark shadows that surround them?

This series is a best seller with 6 million books sold.

Legacy of Blood by Michael Ford

In this, book #3 in the Spartan Warrior series, Lysander a young Spartan warrior is sent to Southern Italy to put down a rebellion. But he what he discovers there sends him on a journey he never imagined.

If you like gory, historically accurate, action adventure you will probably enjoy this series.

Runaway Rascal by Ben Baglio

Andi, Tristan and Natalie have to track down a dwarf rabbit in this instalment of the Pet Finders Club , a series in which clues, clubs and cute animals combine.

Zapato Power: Freddie Ramos takes off  by Jacqueline Jules & artwork by Miguel Benítez

This book does not have hard words. It is fun to read.  I liked the pictures. I liked the story.

15 out of 5 stars

Review by Teddy

Wow!  Good news for all you series fans; each one of this month’s Kids’ Choice is part of a series, so each one of these books could lead you on to loads of great reading.

Percy Jackson and The Sea Of Monsters Rick Riordan

Book number two in this fabulous series which a 13 year old demigod ….  I could tell you the story, or you could should just read it!

I spy treasure hunt Jean Marzollo & Wick Walter

This I Spy book has a linear story that you follow through the book. That sounds boring, it isn’t, it’s really very cool. Spend some time hunting through it yourself.

Lessons for a werewolf warrior Jackie French

This is the first book in a new series, School for Heroes. Tag along with Boojum Bark and discover how to open a wormhole,  how to defeat bogeys armed with only a zombie sausage, and why heroes need to wear pants.

Just Shocking Andy Griffiths/ Terry Denton

More outrageous fun with Andy.  This is the sixth and last book in the phenomenal Just series, of short stories with cool illustrations. This book is worth reading for the list of 101 dangerous things alone.

Spylet on Ice Jill Marshall

Book #5 in the popular Jane Blonde series. Copernicus is up to no good can Jane save the world again? Another rollicking adventure from this kicking spylet with plenty of snowy goodness.

Runaway Rascal The Pet finders Club #9 by Ben Baglio

This is really exciting and gives you lots of ideas. It also has great pictures.

5 stars

Review by Isabella from Brooklyn

Legacy of Blood by Michael Ford

It’s a thrilling adventure which got me hooked into the book. I want to keep continuously reading the book over and over and over again. I enjoyed this book and I don’t see a reason why others shouldn’t enjoy it too.

5 stars

Lessons for a Werewolf Warrior by Jackie French

It’s a really great book of why heroes should wear pants. A lot of imaginarity* has gone into this book.

5 stars: Review by Claudia

*a fake word made up by the reviewer displaying a great deal of imaginarity herself!

Hey, we received tons of Kids’ Choice reviews this month. Keep them coming in. You can enter your choice online or pick up a Kids’ Choice form from your local library.

Here are this month’s Kids Choice winners.

Raiders’ Ransom also called Reavers’ Ransom by Emily Diamand.  Same book; two different tiles. (Reaver is an old English word meaning meaning raider or robber)

Set in the 23rd Century when most of Britain has been flooded, and people live a life like back in the Viking era. The bloodthirsty Reavers (or Raiders, depending on which title you read) come and kidnap the Prime Minister’s daughter, from Thirteen year old Lilly Melkun’s village.

Lilly decides to free the child. Off she sails in secret with a ransom – an ancient jewel. Along the way she befriends Zeph, son of the Chief Reaver (or Raider.) Together they try to unravel the secrets behind both the kidnapping and the ransom.

Whether you like history or sci-fi, if you like adventure you will enjoy this rollicking yarn.

The miraculous journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo ; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted china rabbit, loves only himself until one day he is lost overboard during a sea voyage. There follows his miraculous journey. He travels across the country, through several owners, losing all his finery, but he discovers so much more. A beautiful story with universal themes.

Just tricking by Andy Griffiths; illustrated by Terry Denton

Is this the right book for you?

Take the TRICKING TEST and find out.

1. Do you ever pretend that you are dead to get out of going to school?
2. Do you like to ring up people you know and pretend to be someone else?
3. Do you leave banana skins in the middle of busy footpaths?
4. Do you own any of the following items: fake dog poo, rubber vomit, gorilla suit?
5. Do you wish that every day could be April Fools’ Day?

SCORE: One point for each ‘yes’ answer.

3-5 You are a practical joking genius.

You will love this book.

1-2 You are a good practical joker.

You will love this book.

0 You are not a practical joker.

You are what practical jokers call a `victim’.

You will love this book.

(from the publisher)

The Recruit by Robert Muchamore

One of the most popular books of the last decade, and still in the top 10 most borrowed books in libraries all round the world. This book has all the right stuff.

12 year old James Choke is the latest CHERUB recruit. James has been in a lot of trouble, but he is a maths genius, and CHERUB needs him.

The CHERUB kids are normal everyday spies. Trained professionals who just happen to be kids able to use their talents, and some pretty cool gadgets, to foil terrorists, and save the country.

Of course for official purposes; these children do not exist.

You’ll want to read the whole  CHERUB series

Dear dumb diary, never underestimate your dumbness by Jim Benton

The wedding Dear Dumb Diary readers have been anxiously anticipating is about to become a reality: Jamie’s aunt and Angeline’s uncle joined together until death do they part — or until the divorce Jamie has been feverishly wishing for since they started dating finally happens. Now, three of Jamie’s most dreaded nightmares are about to be combined into one unbearable event:

• Very VERY poofy brown dresses
• Wedding clogs
• A lifetime of being related to Angeline, a.k.a. Blondewad

Jamie has just one word for this kind of horror:

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”

(From the publisher)

If you like this one check out the rest of the Dear Dumb Diary series