header
Shrewsbury International School blogging network

Archives for Book Reviews

Profile photo of Library Team

‘The Outlaw Varjak Paw’ (Varjak Paw #2) by S.F. Said : Junior Book Review

24 July, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

Related image

‘The Outlaw Varjak Paw’ (Varjak Paw #2) by S.F. Said 📖

Having saved the city cats from a fate worse than death, Varjak Paw finds himself the elected and popular leader of a new gang – a gang that supports freedom and kindness for all. But will the pressure take its toll on this brave yet sometimes naive cat?

Soon the city erupts in an all-out gang war as the evil Sally Bones attempts to control the lives of all cats. Horrified and outnumbered, Varjak and the others must fight for their freedom or die trying; can Jalal’s Way really be the best way?

This is another thrilling adventure, eagerly awaited by all Varjak fans, both young and old.

This books is available at JF SAI (library link) and on Overdrive as an Ebook. It is a fan read for Years 4 and Years 5

📖 #SHRLibraryBookReview

tags: , , , , ,
Profile photo of Library Team

‘The Land of Neverendings’ by Kate Saunders : Junior Book Review

24 July, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

Image result for The Land of Neverendings

‘The Land of Neverendings‘
by Kate Saunders 📖

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Award 2019

Emily felt wide awake – but this had to be a dream. A soft light glowed from the middle of Holly’s empty bed. It came from a little tent – striped red and white, not more than knee-height, and with shadows moving about inside it. Never in all her life would Emily forget the strangeness of what she saw next . . .

When Emily’s sister Holly dies, she is surprised to find that she misses her toy bear, Bluey, almost as much as Holly. Bluey was Holly’s constant companion, and Emily used to make up stories about him and his escapades in the magical (and very silly) world of Smockeroon to entertain her. And the only person who seems to understand Emily’s grief is Ruth, her kindly next-door neighbour.

But then very strange things start to happen. Emily dreams of talking toys visiting her bedroom, telling her that they have come from Smockeroon, and have a message for her from Bluey. A terrible black toad, who stinks of sadness, begins to stalk Ruth’s house. And when a parade of penguins wearing plastic moustaches marches through their kitchen – well, Emily has to begin to wonder whether this is all a dream after all. But why are the toys here, and what could Bluey possibly be trying to tell her?

This stunning novel will tickle your funny bones as much as it pulls on your heartstrings, and is a true classic in the making.

A great read for years 5 & 6.This book is available on Overdrive as an Ebook and Audiobook.

📖 #SHRLibraryBookReview

tags: , , , , , ,
Profile photo of Library Team

‘Before We Were Yours’ by Lisa Wingate : Adult Book Review

24 July, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

Image result for 'Before We Were Yours' by Lisa Wingate

‘Before We Were Yours’ by Lisa Wingate

A real page turner. I was gripped from the outset. This is a story of a little known scandal in Tennessee where children and babies were stolen and sold through a corrupt adoption system that was protected by those in power. The abuse, cruelty and neglect are dramatized here in the fictional family of river gypsies who despite poverty are a happy family until the father is forced to leave the 5 siblings on their boat while he unwillingly takes their stricken mother in a difficult labor to hospital. While their parents are away the children are taken and their nightmare life in the homes begins. With edgy writing and a see-saw narration between historical and modern perspectives the plot unfolds in a display of powerful and disturbing narrative.

Available on Overdrive as an Audiobook. This is suitable for parents and older seniors. #SHRLibraryBookReview

tags: , ,
Profile photo of Library Team

“The House with Chicken Legs” by Sophie Andersen : Junior Book Review

24 July, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

Image result for The House with Chicken Legs

Shortlisted for the Carnegie Award this year. “The House with Chicken Legs” by Sophie Andersen is a wonderful adaptation of the old Russian folk tales. It is so rich and evocative that I just couldn’t put it down. Marinka is a reluctant Yaga who loves with her Baba in the house that is alive and can run. She is supposed to be learning how to guide the dead so the she can become the next Guardian. But Marinka is independent, determined and she breaks the rules while desperately seeking her own destiny. But life has a way of surprising us and things go awfully wrong. Marinka has to come to terms with the painful loss of her grandmother and her new role. Life isn’t always easy but good things can come out of bad. 
This book is ideal for year 5-7 and can be found on Overdrive (link) #SHRLibraryBookReview

 

 

tags: , , ,
Profile photo of Library Team

‘Framed’ by Frank Cottrell Boyce : Junior Book Review

24 July, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

Image result for 'Framed' by Frank Cottrell Boyce

‘Framed’ by Frank Cottrell Boyce 📖

A wonderful story packed with subtle British humour and fascinating facts about art. Told from the point of view of Dylan, 2nd child of Team Hughes with an obsession for car details and a desire to help revive his family’s failing garage business in sleepy, remote Manod, a place which doesn’t even have a road sign and which everyone else is leaving. But when the National Gallery stores precious paintings in the disused quarry to protect them from floods this provides the perfect opportunity for a team of master criminals with hilarious consequences.

A great read for years 5 & 6. It is available at JF BOT

You can check status of the book here

📖 #SHRLibraryBookReview

tags: , , ,
Profile photo of Library Team

Piecing me together by Renee Watson : Senior Book Review

24 July, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

Image result for Piecing me together" by Renee Watson

“Piecing me together” by Renee Watson 📖

A Newberry Honor Book thus is the story of Jade who lives in a poor neighborhood in New York but has a scholarship to an affluent mostly white school where she wants to make the most of all opportunities especially if it means she can travel. But life doesn’t always give us what we want no matter how hard we try. Jade enrolls in a new ‘woman to woman’ program but both she and her mentor Maxine have much to learn. This book is ideal for year 8+ and is available in the senior library at F WAT #shrlibrarybookreview 📖

You can check status of the book here

tags: , , ,
Profile photo of Library Team

The Song From Somewhere Else by A.F. Harrold : Senior Book Review

7 June, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

Related image

“The Song From Somewhere Else” by A.F. Harrold 📖

Life for Frank is tough during the summer when she has to face the local bullies alone. But she is rescued by the local weirdo and escapes to his house where she hears the strangest, most compelling music coming from the basement. Life changes as Frank and Nick become entwined in a effort to stop the world being invaded by beings from another dimension and Frank discover how standing up to scary things can make a real difference. A fantasy story about an unlikely but wonderful friendship.

This book is available in the senior library at CC HAR Y7

Check the status of this book here
#shrlibrarybookreview📖

tags: , , ,
Profile photo of Library Team

Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater : Junior Book Review

6 June, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

Image result for mr popper penguins

‘Mr. Popper’s Penguins’ by Richard Atwater 📖

A wonderful story for younger independent readers. Mr Popper, a decorator with a passion for all things Arctic and Antarctic is unexpectedly gifted a penguin. He cares for the bird and even acquires a mate for him. Soon lots of little penguins are playing in the basement of his house. But his pets are expensive and the Poppers find that they need to get creative about both caring for the penguins and solving their financial problems.

This book is available in the junior library at JF ATW

You can check the status of the book here

📖 #SHRLibraryBookReview

tags: , , ,
Profile photo of Library Team

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi : Junior Book Review

5 June, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

Cover image for Aru Shah and the End of Time

Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Quartet, #1) 📖 by Roshani Chokshi

Fans of Percy Jackson will LOVE this adventurous romp through Indian mythology rich with gods, demons and celestial weapons of all kinds. Brilliantly written it was gripping from cover to cover.

This book is available in the junior library at JF CHO 

Check the status of the book here

Or listen to the audio book on Overdrive here

#SHRLibraryBookReview

tags: , , , , , , ,
Profile photo of Library Team

Fish In A Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt : Senior Book Review

5 June, 2019   
Published by Library Team in Book Reviews

22402972

“Fish in a tree” by Lynda Mullaly Hunt 📖

Ally is smart at art and maths but struggles with reading and writing, a fact that she has been clever enough tow hide for years until a new teacher, Mr Daniels arrives and recognizes some of her behaviors as dyslexia. This story is about how with patience, perseverance and grit you can overcome difficulties and even have the self confidence to stand up to bullies. As a semi-autobiographical story this is a compelling read which will help all children and their parents to understand and empathize with learning differences. 
This book is available in the senior library at F HUN

Check status of the book here

or read online  on Overdrive here

#SHRLibraryBookReview

tags: , , , , ,
Page 1 of 4:«1 2 3 4 »