-
Bad Habits – Flynn Meaney
Alex is a rebel from the tip of her purple fauxhawk to the toes of her biker boots. She’s tried everything she can think of to get expelled from her strict Catholic boarding school. Nothing has worked so far – but now, Alex has a new plan. Tired of the sexism she sees in every corner of St Mary’s, Alex decides to stage the school’s first ever production of The Vagina Monologues. Which is going to be a challenge, as no one else at St Mary’s can even bear to say the word ‘vagina’ out loud… *** Bold and stubborn, Alex is a feminist rebel in a strict Catholic boarding…
-
Space Detectives author Mark Powers on his Favourite Literary Detectives – Space Detectives blog tour
There’s something very satisfying about a good detective story, isn’t there? Especially when the ending is revealed and you pretend you noticed all the clues and worked it out yourself. Tales of detectives and their investigations reassure us that no matter how intractable our problems may appear, with the application of a little brainpower (what Agatha Christie’s Poirot refers to as his “little grey cells”) wrongs can be righted, the lost found and order eventually restored to a chaotic universe. But while we enjoy the twists and turns of the investigation, what brings us back to the detective story time and again is the personality of the sleuths themselves. They’re…
-
In The Book Review – Personalised Winnie the Pooh
Spike loves books and I love reading with her. When I found out about In The Book I knew a collection of beautiful stories, with her name throughout, would make for an amazing gift. Thankfully I was able to choose one of the collections for her to tell you all about it! Read on to find out what we got and all about it. In The Book is a service that offers personalised, breathtaking collections of stories. The books are top quality, designed to be treasured forever. They are a perfect keepsake for any child and you can choose form a whole range of stories. I loved the Winnie The…
-
The Invisible – Tom Percival
The Invisible is the story of a young girl called Isabel and her family. They don’t have much, but they have what they need to get by. Until one day, there isn’t enough money to pay their rent and bills and they have to leave their home full of happy memories and move to the other side of the city.It is the story of a girl who goes on to make one of the hardest things anyone can ever make…a difference.And it is the story of those who are overlooked in our society – who are made to feel invisible – and why everyone has a place here. We all belong. It’s not…
-
The Book of Dust Vol 2: The Secret Commonwealth – Philip Pullman
The second volume of Sir Philip Pullman’s The Book of Dust sees Lyra, now twenty years old, and her daemon Pantalaimon, forced to navigate their relationship in a way they could never have imagined, and drawn into the complex and dangerous factions of a world that they had no idea existed.Pulled along on his own journey too is Malcolm; once a boy with a boat and a mission to save a baby from the flood, now a man with a strong sense of duty and a desire to do what is right.Theirs is a world at once familiar and extraordinary, and they must travel far beyond the edges of Oxford,…
-
Killing The Dead – Marcus Sedgewick
1963. Foxgrove School near Stockbridge, Massachusetts. One of the oldest and finest academies in the country – but what really goes on behind closed doors? Nathaniel Drake, the new young English teacher, Isobel Milewski, the quiet girl who loved to draw spirals, her fingers stained with green ink, Jack Lewis, who lent Isobel books – just words, just ink on paper, Margot Leya, the girl with those eyes – who are they, what part have they played in killing the dead? Follow the dark, dark path Into the dark, dark woods To the dark, dark bridge By the dark, dark water. Linger. Let the ghosts of heaven tell their story. A stylish and creepy story…
-
One Seriously Messed-Up Week-End in the Otherwise Un-Messed-Up life of Jack Samsonite – Tom Clempson
Jack Samsonite is back. Its been two years since his messed up week and his life has been pretty normal. However, it’s Thursday, and now 17 year old Jack has until Monday to complete his coursework and complete his personal statement. But 17 year old Jack has other things on his mind. His film coursework needs a kissing scene, and he needs to be the one to deliver it. Because he needs to lose his kiss virginity. Or his actual virginity.Now to find the girl for the job… *** I remember laughing my head off at the first Jack Samsonite book. So I expected great things from this book. And…
-
This Careless Life – Rachel McIntyre
Four best friends with perfect lives. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Who can resist the call of fame and fortune?Liv, Hetty, Jez and Duffy are auditioning for a new reality TV show. Producer Cassandra has warned them the process might be tough, but they are excited and keen to get on with things, confident that they can handle anything.But when Cass produces a photo of a body, everyone realises that they may have something to hide after all… *** I wasn’t sure about This Careless Life when I started reading. Liv seemed self-absorbed and something felt a little odd. But as soon as Liv’s interview started, I was hooked.…
-
The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily – Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Dash and Lily have been dating for nearly a year, but when Lily’s beloved grandfather falls ill, the repercussions take their toll on everyone. Even though they are still together, somehow the magic has gone out of their relationship and it’s clear that Lily has fallen out of love with life.Action must be taken! Dash teams up with Lily’s brother and a host of their friends, who have just twelve days to get Lily’s groove back in time for Christmas.A warm, wintry read that is guaranteed to be a favourite Christmas book for many years to come. *** So I read Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares years ago and fell in…
-
Brand New Boy – David Almond
“Mam, did you think George was,” I say, “a bit … weird?”“Weird? Yes, I suppose so. But you kids are all a bit weird if you ask me. And to tell the truth, it’d be weird if you weren’t.” When a new boy joins the class, everyone thinks he’s a bit strange, but he’s brilliant at football and loves crisps, and that’s all that matters to Dan and Maxie. However, the truth about George is stranger than anyone could have imagined … and more sinister, too. Can his new pals help him to become truly free? *** As an adult reading this book you have to understand that it loses…
