Category: Book reviews by Aashi

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Riding Gallery

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's verse novel: The Riding Gallery

The Riding Gallery by Sally Murphy, illustrations by Martina Heiduczek, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760657345

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

Alphabet Soup provided Aashi with a review copy of this book.

The Riding Gallery is a beautiful book that is written in verse. It is historical fiction with poems that bring it to life. The book, written by Sally Murphy, is set in St Kilda. St Kilda is a busy place, in Melbourne,  that is right by the sea shore. When you read the book you can almost feel the sand grind between your feet, and the sea roar. 

The book features a German engineer, Anton, with a dream. His dream is to build a steam powered merry-go-round. He works on it day and night, carving wood and painting the horses. As he works on it, he realises not everyone trusts him since he’s German.

Evelyn, is the daughter of a newsagent. She wrinkles her nose when her dad tells her they are moving to St Kilda. She is quite reluctant to move to St Kilda untill she hears that her neighbours have a son, her age.

There is also a boy named Rory. He is Evelyn’s neighbour. Rory has a hard time choosing what is right. He wants the Allies (Australia’s side) to win especially because all three of his brothers are fighting. Rory also thinks all Germans are bad, unlike Evelyn.

Soon Anton’s ride is complete. At first, everyone is excited about the new ride. But when the war starts, things change. People get scared. They think Anton is bad, even though he has done nothing wrong. Evelyn tries to understand. Rory feels confused and worried about his brothers. Some people are still kind, but others are not. 

Will Anton’s ride become a hit or go down in flames? Will Rory’s brothers make it home? Will Evelyn find friends?

The book is beautifully written. It gives insights for all the characters and their feelings. The pictures by Martina Heiduczek give a great visual interpretation.  I would recommend the book for anyone in upper primary school. 

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Crunch

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Crunch by Kayla Miller, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760655181

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.

I recently read Crunch and I LOVED it! It is a must read for any avid readers from the age 8 to 12. This graphic novel is part of the Click series. The whole Click series is about Olive, a smart and kind sixth grader.

Olive loves to try new things with a positive attitude, so she signs up for many things. Between film making, homework, scouts and even a fashion show, Olive feels overwhelmed. Olive begins to wonder if she really can juggle all of her actives or will she fail at everything?

One of the best things about Crunch is the pictures. They are full of colour and pop. It makes you want to keep reading. The pictures look really good and make you feel like you are in the book.

Olive is not perfect, no-one is, and this made me really like her. She is really brave and outgoing. By the end of the book she learns how to say No and how to juggle her life.

I think that anyone who loves friendship and school stories will enjoy Crunch. Be sure to check out the rest of the Click series.

Happy Reading!

Take a look inside Crunch.

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Act

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of Act by Kayla Miller

Act by Kayla Miller, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760654931

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this title.

You should always stand up for what you believe, right? Olive thinks that it is unfair that kids have to miss out on field trips just because they are expensive. She knows she has to fix this problem but she doesn’t know how.

Olive knows she has to act and change the problem (this is why the book is called Act). She decides to run for the school council. She works really hard and makes really cool posters, speeches and talks to her peers about why the problem matters.

Olive is running against two of her best friends. She did not tell them that she was going to run and they felt betrayed. This makes things awkward between her friends and she gets discouraged but does not stop trying.

I really liked Act because it shows you that you do not have to be an adult to lead. You may be a child but you have a powerful voice that you can use. It also shows perseverance and determination.

I would rate the book 5 out of 5 stars. It is so good and is suitable for all young readers between the ages 9 to 13.

I hope you enjoy the book!

Read some sample pages of Act.

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Funny Kid Belly Flop

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's novel: Belly Flop by Matt Stanton

Funny Kid: Belly Flop by Matt Stanton, HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN 9780733340604

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.

Meet Max, a professional prankster. He is always trying to make people laugh and have a blast. This means he gets in trouble a lot.

Max is on another adventure where he is going to the Red Hill Pool for swimming lessons. Max does not think it is fair that he has to be in his undies in front of his whole class while jumping into a pool.

Max’s enemy, Abby, is up to no good. She fakes notes to get her out of swimming, which is completely unfair. Finally, Max has had enough and challenges Abby to a hard competition.

Belly Flop is a funny book with lots of jokes. It made me laugh so hard. This is a book suitable for ages eight to ten. It is best for people who love humour and friendship.

If you have read David Walliams books including Gangsta Granny, World’s Worst Parents and World’s Worst Children, then you will love Belly Flop. All these books include humour, exaggeration and friendship.

Happy Reading!

Read a few pages from Funny Kid: Belly Flop.

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Thea Stilton and the Chocolate Sabotage

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Thea Stilton and the Chocolate Sabotage by Elisabetta Dami, Scholastic, ISBN 9780545646567

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10 VIC

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.

The Thea Sisters set off on an adventure to Ecuador. They are visiting Paulina’s old friend, Antonio, who runs a chocolate factory. He runs Choco Loco with his cousin Hector. 

Choco Loco is in the running for the Chocolate Cup award. The award is very prestigious so the competition is tough. Out of the blue there are multiple malfunctions in the factory. The Thea Sisters start to wonder if it is sabotage. Join them to solve the case.

The book is full of interesting and exciting scenes. Every Thea Sister is good and loves different things and together they are unstoppable. Colette loves fashion and is great at designing clothes. Violet is shy but so smart and great at classical arts. Pamela is talented at mechanics and cooking, she loves eating. Pauline likes technology and loves travelling. Nicky is enthusiastic about sports and fitness.

My favourite character is Violet because even though she is shy on the outside, in the inside she has such cool ideas and is so talented at many things.

Thea Stilton and The Chocolate Sabotage is a good fit for people who want to solve a mystery. You will definitely enjoy it if you enjoyed Sherlock Holmes. If you get stuck trying to solve the mystery, there are clues to help you.

I recommend the book for people aged seven to ten as it has some tricky words but lots of colourful pictures to illustrate it. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars as it could have had some clearer explanations.

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Secret of the Stone

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

The Secret of the Stone by Kathryn Lefroy, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760994648

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

The Secret of the Stone is an exciting book about adventure and loyalty, packed with surprises. When Olive and her friends discover a mysterious stone, they realise it has the power to grant wishes. They know that they should use it for good purposes. However, they can’t resist having a little fun with it first!

Since the stone is so powerful and magical, other people with malicious intentions want to possess it. Olive and her friends must protect the stone no matter what. 

I really liked Olive who was always kind and sympathetic to her friends. She was a good friend who tried her best at everything.

This book is great for people who liked the books Keeper of The Lost Cities or The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage. Kathryn Lefroy used lots of exciting vocabulary and great imagery.

The book is amazing as it teaches you about loyalty and friendship. The book is suitable for ages eight to ten. I recommend the book to anyone who loves adventure and excitement. 

Read the first few pages of The Secret of the Stone.

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage

The Sugarcane Kids and the Empty Cage by Charlie Archbold, Text Publishing, ISBN 9781922790996

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

The Sugarcane Kids face a crisis: animals are mysteriously disappearing all over town, including Gloria, a beloved pet. Although the kids have their suspicions, the adults refuse to listen. It’s time for the kids to take matters into their own hands and embark on an adventure to solve the mystery.

The Sugarcane Kids and The Empty Cage is not just a story about solving a mystery; it’s a narrative that encourages young readers to take action, work together, and approach challenges with a growth mindset. This heartwarming tale will leave readers with smiles and a sense of hope that echoes long after they turn the final page. It’s a must-read for any young adventurer at heart!

The book is perfect for kids between 7 and 10 years old. I hope you get a chance to read this great story.

Happy Reading!

Read our earlier interview with the author.

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Penny Draws a Class Trip

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
Penny Draws a Class Trip by Sara Shepard

Penny Draws a Class Trip by Sara Shepard, Text Publishing, ISBN 9781922790712

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

Sara Shepard has written a great story about Penny Lowry, a girl who loves drawing and writing. Penny is 11 years old and in 5th Grade. She was delighted to find out that her class is going to meet and work with a best-selling author, Billy J Plumberry.

Penny is thrilled that she will be spending the weekend in the big city. Penny is also nervous about the different things in the city like falling pianos or aggressive pigeons.

The thing that worries Penny most is being Violet’s buddy. This means she will have to spend the whole trip with Violet. Violet Vance is her ex-best friend.

The story is very funny and heartwarming. I loved how Sara wrote the story through Penny’s eyes and how the doodles connect with the words.

I would recommend this book for 7–12-year-olds. I think this would also be a good class novel. I hope you read the book.

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Journey

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's book: The Journey by James Norbury.

The Journey by James Norbury, Penguin Books Ltd., ISBN 9780241585382

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.

James Norbury has written a fantastic story about Big Panda and Tiny Dragon. These best friends are always there for each other and help each other every day by being themselves.

Tiny Dragon and Big Panda live in a temple that had seen better days but they did not care. They had a fun and adventurous time in the temple until one day, Tiny Dragon said that he felt incomplete.

Big Panda said that it was time to go on a journey to clear some weeds by the riverbank so flowers could grow once again. Together these friends embark on a magical journey teaching them important lessons. Nothing can stop true friendship.

The book was wonderful and heartwarming. I rate it five out of five stars for it taught me many lessons. I loved reading the book and thinking about the questions that the friends asked. It was a great tale.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to choose their journey. James Norbury made this book for all ages and all the stories apply to anyone and everyone.

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Camp Crypt

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's novel: Camp Crypt

Twisted Trails: Camp Crypt by Fionna Cosgrove, published by Fionna Cosgrove, ISBN 9780645723342

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

Aashi received a review copy of this title.

You pull off a prank, only meant to teach a boy a lesson, when the boy almost dies. The next thing you know, you are on a bus to a camp for youths who have committed crimes. You have no idea why your parents sent you to this camp, but you know you were not supposed to break someone’s neck.

At this camp, you notice some weird things, like why does the bus driver have horns or the camp director shimmer and glow? You have many ways to escape, others where you die.

Camp Crypt has twelve possible endings. I kept on trying to find a possible ending where everyone lives happily ever after. Whether you read very little or a lot you will still find satisfaction. The book keeps you on your seat and is a thriller.

I would rate the book 5 out of 5 because I thought it was great whether you made it out alive or not.  It was a fun book and I would recommend 9-12-year-olds to read it. Fionna Cosgrove has once again created such a wonderful book about wishes and pranks, vampires and criminals, and most importantly friendship and loyalty.

Camp Crypt is out now! Order a copy direct from the author.

Aashi is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!