North East Children's Book Awards
I was so pleased when I discovered that my school are taking part in the NE Book Awards, and even more pleased when I saw the short-listed 6 books as I'd already read 1/2 of them! A few weeks later, and I've now enjoyed them all so here's my blog to let you know my opinions...
Kasia is trapped in her bedroom after an illness just keeps getting worse. Sometimes she is able to get downstairs and even meet with her neighbour, Mrs Gayatri. She dropped out of school a year ago and is worried about being left behind in her work. When she sees an abduction of a woman outside her bedroom, and catches sight of another girl in the house opposite, everything changes.
I like this book because it takes dark subjects - child trafficking and mental illness - and makes an amazing story about them that helps raise awareness. I love how, even though Kasia is stuck in bed for some of the time, she can do the most amazing things with her friends. I love how Penny kept me on the edge of my seat, always wanting to find out more, throughout the novel, and how she has written Kasia as a disabled person, but able to do so much - this filled me with joy.
She Wolf - Dan Smith
Set in Northumbria in December, 866, this is the story of Ylva who sets out on an epic journey in search of the three fingered man in order to avenge her mother's death. Having to cope with the wolves that inhabit the forest as well as the harsh, winter conditions, Ylva must keep her wits about her in order to survive - but can she trust those she meets along the way?
This book is AMAZING!!!!!!! Dan has done it again with a book set in Viking times, a hero who is desperate for revenge and a dog who never leaves her side. Ylva (which means She Wolf) is young and, at first, seems fierce and determined but we soon discover that she is a many layered character and, behind her determined, stubborn exterior, there is a scared girl whose bravery is what drives her on.
I loved how Ylva was courageous, even in the face of her worst nightmares, and faced up to her enemies.
She makes mistakes along the way which is good as nobody gets it right all the time & that is will make her relatable to readers: she's human and often thinks she knows best! I was also particularly fond of the relationship between Ylva and Geri, her dog: the discussion between the pair adds another dimension to Ylva, allowing her to share her inner most thoughts with her best friend.
Ylva's strength in the darkest times made me want to be like her. We should all try to be more like Ylva.
I loved how Ylva was courageous, even in the face of her worst nightmares, and faced up to her enemies.
She makes mistakes along the way which is good as nobody gets it right all the time & that is will make her relatable to readers: she's human and often thinks she knows best! I was also particularly fond of the relationship between Ylva and Geri, her dog: the discussion between the pair adds another dimension to Ylva, allowing her to share her inner most thoughts with her best friend.
Ylva's strength in the darkest times made me want to be like her. We should all try to be more like Ylva.
Boy 87 - Ele Fountain
Meet Shif: an ordinary boy who likes chess, maths and racing his best friend home from school. When soldiers come to his door, everything changes. Now he is forced to leave his family with only his best friend for company, and embark on a very dangerous journey. Will he make it to England?
This book is a gripping story of refugees and best friends, travelling from everything they love to find a new life and a story that makes you realise the cruelty and kindness that there is in the world. I loved how Shif never gave up and always stayed positive, even when all seemed hopeless. I loved how Ele took such a grim topic and made this amazing book about it.
Boy 87 grabs hold of you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go until the very end. Harrowing and heart-breaking in places, whilst heart-warming in others, this is a must-read book!
SeaGlass - Eloise Williams
Lark is struggling when her family decide to take a break in a campervan park for the half-term holiday. Her mother is ill, her sister has stopped talking and she has fallen out with her best friend. To add to that, is a girl in a green dress following her everywhere, or is her sister playing a trick on her?
All will be revealed in Seaglass.
Form the start, I was gripped by the mystery and deception in everyone. I loved how Lark was always protective of her sister and was always scared when she disappeared - and she disappeared a lot! Eloise wrote this so well - from the very beginning, I was gripped with the plot, the characters and the emotions. I loved how Lark was so loving with her mother, and helped her Dad because of it.
This is a fabulous book and I loved it from the start right to the end.
A Darkness of Dragons - S.A. Patrick
All will be revealed in Seaglass.
Form the start, I was gripped by the mystery and deception in everyone. I loved how Lark was always protective of her sister and was always scared when she disappeared - and she disappeared a lot! Eloise wrote this so well - from the very beginning, I was gripped with the plot, the characters and the emotions. I loved how Lark was so loving with her mother, and helped her Dad because of it.
This is a fabulous book and I loved it from the start right to the end.
A Darkness of Dragons - S.A. Patrick
Patch is trying to make his way in the world as a piper when he is sentenced to serve jail time (a very, very long sentence) for playing a forbidden spell on his pipe which endangers those around him.
Whilst in his cell, he uncovers a secret about the evil Piper of Hamlyn and, after the dragons attack the castle where he's imprissoned inadvertently allow him to escape, he must uncover the truth about the Piper of Hamlyn who is on the loose.
Together with his friend Wren (a girl cursed to live as a rat) and Barber (the outcast dracogriff) they embark on a journey to try to save the day.
From the start, this book is high-paced and energetic, so I had to keep reading to find out what happened. I was intrigued from the beginning and I loved it to the end. This amazing read was a page turner and I couldn't stop reading because, towards the end the suspense increased even further!
I loved Wren because she was determined to help Patch and not think about herself first. She was kind to him and helped him escape and wasn't scared about anything. I was surprised at how helpful Barver was to them and how friendly he was.
The Closest thing to Flying - Gill Lewis
100 years ago, a girl wrote a diary. When Semira finds it, she finds her first friend, one she can relate to, one she can inspire to be. A friend who reaches through time to bring comfort and inspiration. Semira is a refugee, brought to England with her mother and being 'looked after' by Robel who claims to be helping them but is very controlling. When Semira stumbles across the diary, it unlocks a new world to her - that of Henritta (Hen) who lived in Victorian Britain. As the similarities become apparent, can they help Semira uncover the secrets of her own past and also help give her the strength to be brave enough to do what's right in this life?
I absolutely ADORED this book! The contrast between Hen and Samira was amazing. I loved how Hen and Katherine were free and didn't care about what people thought of them, even when they were looked down upon. This book is a great book about friendship, love and bravery, and it is a stunning story that should be on every bookshelf.
No comments:
Post a Comment