Childrens Book Reviews

‘The Legend of Zelda – Ocarina of Time’

by Akira Himekawa

Reviewed by Dominic

I think this book is really good because it is a change from normal reading.  You have to read from right to left because it’s a Japanese Manga-style graphic novel.  It’s about a boy named Link who becomes the ‘Hero of Time’ and defends Hyrule from evil monsters.  The book is great because it sometimes leaves chapters on cliff-hangers – so you look forward to reading it tomorrow.  The book is very exciting and mysterious – and it’s my second favourite book of all time.

‘The Midnight Gang’ by David Walliams

Reviewed by Evie

I would recommend this book to children aged seven and above.  It looks like a long book, but a lot of the pages are full-page pictures.  It is one of those books that makes you want to read more and more.

I really liked the part where an old lady goes flying out of the hospital window – naked ! David Walliams has mad, funny ideas.  I think it is a really good book.

I love ‘The Midnight Gang’ !

‘There is a Tribe of Kids’ by Lane Smith

Reviewed by Aliyyah, Ryan and Grace R

‘This book is about a boy who wanted to fit in and be part of a group.  The glossy illustrations on each page are beautifully done.’

‘We liked it because it’s about bonding together and friendship and adventure.  We would recommend and give it four stars.  We think that it’s suitable for age 5+.’

Aliyyah, Ryan and Grace were members of our Y5 & Y6 Book Club.

‘There is a Tribe of Kids’ by Lane Smith was shortlisted for…..and won:

2017 Kate Greenaway Medal.

‘Virginia Wolf’ by Kyo Maclear and Isabelle Arsenault

Reviewed by Charlotte, Imogen & Lucy

‘One day there was a little girl who woke up and felt like a wolf.  She was making people scared of her.  Her sister tried to make her happy by talking to her and painting a dream land.  Then the wolf turned back into a girl – and was happy again.’

‘We liked the illustrations in this book.  To begin with, they were mostly dull – and then became bright and colourful.  Some pages were just pictures, with only a little bit of writing.  We liked lots about this story – particularly how the girl’s sister made her feel better by painting her a dream land (Bloomsbury).  We really liked pages 21 and 22.  We thought it was clever the way the book showed the thoughts of the wolf.’

‘We think this book would be suitable for age 6+.  It is a very clever story and has lots of amazing pictures. 

We would give it ten out of ten.’

‘The Journey’ by Francesca Sanna

Three members of our Y5 & Y6 Book Club (Ruby, Charlie and Grace) have read ‘The Journey’ by Francesca Sanna.  Here’s their review:

‘We think that there is a lot of suspense in this interesting story and that the illustrations are imaginative.  Parts of the story are sad and very shocking.  It deals with serious, emotional issues – and some of the illustrations add to these feelings.  We think that the blackness in some of the pictures represents war.  At times the story is worrying and scary.  Part way through the story, we realised that there was going to be a solution to the problems that the characters were facing.  This part of the story was exciting – with excellent illustrations, particularly the library pictures.  We liked the way the author used repetition of words and mysterious, magical illustrations.  The story has a wondrous, joyful ending.’

‘We would recommend this book for age 7+.  It’s an emotional story, but the way that it’s written is amazing. 

It’s very interesting and it fills your mind with wonder.’

‘The Journey’ by Francesca Sanna is one of the shortlisted books for the 2017 Kate Greenaway Medal.

During the 2016 -2017 school year, the children in class 4PK  read ‘In the Nick of Time’ by Robert Swindells.  The children jotted down some comments about the story. Here’s what some of them said:

• One of the teachers in the story was given the  nickname ‘Two Biscuits’ – I thought this was funny.
• I like all of the little clues that made me think about what was going to happen next.
• My favourite character in the story was Charlie.
• Some of the chapters were telephone conversations – I thought this was clever.
• I really enjoyed the time slip aspect of the story.
• I liked the way that emotions changed throughout the story.
• I liked the drama and the suspense of the story – and the short chapters.
• The story really made me think – it was mysterious.
• I liked the way the author had two plots running at the same time.