Category: Book reviews by Aashi

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Real Friends

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham, Roaring Brook Press, ISBN 9781626727854

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this graphic novel memoir.

REVIEWED BY AASHI, AGE 10, VIC

Meet Shannon, a girl who has four siblings and lives in a squishy, noisy house. She wants her best friend, Adrienne, all to herself. She has a challenging middle school, trying to fit in. Shannon has problems with finding people to play with, every day.

Jen, the leader of Shannon’s unstable friendship group, always has lining where she orders her favourites to her least favourites. Everybody in the friendship group must always listen to Jen, or else. One day, Shannon had enough! She was ready to make a revolution, but would it work?

Shannon enjoys playing imaginary games, with herself or others. Everyone loves the games except for Jennifer, Jen’s best friend. Jennifer has never liked Shannon, and never will. Jennifer gossips and is mean to Shannon for no reason, could things get worse?

Real Friends is an inspiring book showing love and loyalty. This is a great book, showing how Shannon keeps hope, even when things get tough.  I would recommend Real Friends for young readers who enjoy friendship and drama.

Take a sneak peek inside 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: Remarkably Ruby

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson

Remarkably Ruby by Terri Libenson, HarperCollins US, ISBN 9780063139183

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this graphic novel.

REVIEWED BY AASHI, AGE 10, VIC

Remarkably Ruby is a book about Ruby and Mia, two girls who used to be friends.

Ruby is a kind and shy girl who loves poetry. Ruby has irritable bowel syndrome, which means she must go to the bathroom at random times! It is hard for her to make friends as people tease her for rushing to the bathroom. She wants friends and to show people who she is.

Mia is a girl who is popular and outgoing. She is even running for school president. She is nice, sporty, smart and a perfect candidate for school president. She soon starts to notice how her friends are leaving her out and doing after-school activities without her.

Do Ruby and Mia need each other? Are they destined to be friends forever?

The book is very nice and inspiring. It shows true teamwork and kindness, even after fights and disputes. I would recommend the book to anyone who loves friendship and inspiring stories. The age group is 8-14 as it is a fantastic read.

Ask for Remarkably Ruby at your favourite bookshop or local library.

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: A Pinch of Magic

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison

A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 9781471124297

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.

REVIEWED BY AASHI, AGE 10, VIC

Meet the Winddershin sisters, Betty, Fliss and Charlie, girls who have a taste for adventure. Betty is an adventurist and wants to explore the world. Fliss is very pretty but has a mind of her own. Charlie is always hungry and loves animals.

These girls have never been outside their home island, Crowstone. Most people who live in Crowstone are descendants of people locked up in prison or families who want to move closer to the prison.

Betty, whose birthday is on Halloween, decides to leave Crowstone and go to a nearby island to see a fair on Halloween night. She takes Charlie with her but soon discovers a curse haunting Winddershin females for years.

A Pinch of Magic is a very interesting story full of forgiveness, trust and loyalty. The book kept you on the edge of your seat as the girls went through life-or-death situations. I recommend it for 9-12-year-olds as it is a fantastic read. The author, Michelle Harrison, did a great job in keeping the readers entertained and suspenseful. It is a truly inspiring book for young people.

I rate the book 5 out of 5 stars as it is a great book for anyone who loves adventure.

Ask for A Pinch of Magic at your favourite bookshop or local library.

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: How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's novel: How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade 5

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five by Carla Fitzgerald, ISBN 9780702268717, University of Queensland Press.

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

Sam is an eleven-year-old who loves world records. Sam isn’t the smartest and his mum thinks he needs to focus on school more than his records. Sam can spend hours or even days reading a world record book. Even at school he and his best friend are called the world record guys.

Sam’s world is a world record. When a class project is assigned or presenting to the class your proudest moment, Sam can’t think of anything. This makes him want a world record even more. All the people he knows are good at something; his best friend Vihaan is a great artist, his sister is a soccer superstar, and even his classmate Leah is a champion at spelling. This is Sam’s chance to have the spotlight. Soon Sam’s world falls apart. The people important to him get annoyed with his obsession with world records.

The story also touches upon the importance of friendship and the support of loved ones. As Sam navigates through the challenges of school and personal aspirations, he learns valuable lessons about determination and the true meaning of success. The journey of Sam’s pursuit of a world record and his experiences in fifth grade are both heartwarming and inspiring. It’s a story that resonates with anyone who has ever dreamed big and faced obstacles along the way.

I rate the book five out of five and I think it is a must-read and keeps you on your seat. Carla Fitzgerald, the author, did a wonderful job of entertaining the reader while teaching important life stories. I hope you enjoy the book if you read it.

How to Break a World Record and Survive Grade Five is out now! Ask for it at your favourite bookstore or local library.

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: Wongutha Tales

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Wongutha Tales: Bawoo Stories & Badudu Stories by May L. O’Brien, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760993412.

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 10, VIC

Aashi received a review copy of this book.

Wongutha Tales are stories from May L. O’Brien’s childhood and Dreamtime stories.

My favourite Bawoo story was ‘Why Emus Can’t Fly’. ‘Why Emus Can’t Fly’ is about the emus who would always brag about how they flew but when the other animals got annoyed they lost their power of flight. The moral of the story was: don’t brag, instead treasure and be humble with your gift and you will keep that gift. I enjoyed reading Wongutha Tales and learning about the Dreamtime stories. The message of the ‘Why Emus Can’t Fly’ story is so important and teaches a valuable lesson about humility and gratitude. I think it’s a great reminder to appreciate our talents and not boast about them.

It’s amazing how stories like these can contain such timeless knowledge. Wongutha Tales provides a unique perspective on life and nature, and the Dreamtime stories are deeply rooted in Aboriginal culture. I believe learning from different cultures and their teachings is crucial to broadening our understanding of the world. These stories have certainly left a lasting impression on me, and I look forward to exploring more indigenous literature.

I rate this book 5 stars out of 5 as it was a fascinating read. I enjoyed learning about the stories. I found the storytelling to be captivating and engaging. The way May L. O’Brien shared her childhood experiences and the Dreamtime stories was truly amazing. I was drawn into the world of Wongutha Tales and felt like I was alongside the characters as the tales unfolded.

Overall, this was not just an entertaining read, but also a fascinating one. It’s a book that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in Indigenous culture, storytelling, and valuable life lessons intertwined in captivating narratives.

Take a sneak peek inside Wongutha Tales.

Download a Wongutha Words activity sheet.

Download the Teachers’ Notes.

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: Outlaw Girls

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's novel: Outlaw Girls

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC

Outlaw Girls by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman, Text Publishing, ISBN 9781922790231

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

Outlaw Girls is a great adventure story by Emily Gale and Nova Weetman. It is about two girls. Ruby, who only trusts her closest friends and family, and Kate, a sibling of Ned Kelly who lives in 1878. These two girls are up for an adventure and are ready to break the rules.

Ruby and her friends shoplift chocolate bars regularly. Kate brings supplies to her brother, Ned. When a surprise comes to Kate in the mountains, their two worlds collide. Kate does not want trouble when she meets Ruby so she lies about her identity. As these two girls become friends, they realise they share a common interest: horse riding. They soon are bound to a ride of friendship, courage, and adventure.

Outlaw Girls takes you through the interesting lives of Kate and Ruby. It is interesting to see how they live more than a hundred years apart yet share similarities. This book is never dull and keeps you on your seat. I highly recommend Outlaw Girls to anyone who enjoys adventurous and heartwarming stories. The bond of friendship that develops between Kate and Ruby is truly inspiring, and the way their lives intertwine despite living in different periods is fascinating.

The authors – Emily Gale and Nova Weetman – have created an exciting narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The themes of courage and adventure are beautifully woven into the story, making it a must-read for anyone looking for an exciting and adventurous story.

Read our earlier interview with the authors of Outlaw Girls!

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: My Strange Shrinking Parents

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's picture book: My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder.

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC

My Strange Shrinking Parents by Zeno Sworder, Thames & Hudson Australia Pty Ltd, ISBN 9781760761233

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.

My Strange Shrinking Parents is a great book by Zeno Sworder. His book Is a fantastic read with an important moral at the end.

The moral of this book is the circle of love. This means that when you are younger your parents give to you by giving you good food, education, and their time. But when they grow older you give to them by giving them food, medical care, and time they need. My Strange Shrinking Parents do that. When they want their child to have something, but they don’t have enough money, they give height. An example is when the giving parents wanted their child to go to school but then they didn’t have enough money the principal said, ‘Three inches of height for each year of school’. Then there were uniforms, school books, and many more items, so again they gave away height. Once the young boy grew into a handsome man and had his children, he was responsible for looking after his parents. He used cedar branches to carve a wooden house with little furniture. His parents lived happily in there watching their son grow.

I think My Strange Shrinking Parents is a book for ages 6 to 10. It teaches you morals and important lessons. I rate it 5 out of 5 stars! It engages you through the perspective of the parents and the boy. The book makes a spectacular read.

Read some sample pages from 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: Samara Rubin and the Utility Belt

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's book: Samara Rubin and the Utility Belt

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC

Samara Rubin and the Utility Belt by Sharon Giltrow, illustrated by Thu Vu, Clear Fork Press, ISBN 9781950169887

Aashi received a review copy of this book.

Samara Rubin and The Utility Belt is a heartwarming story about a girl named Samara Rubin who is obsessed with geckos and faces bullying and teasing from her classmate, Toby King. Samara always wishes she could be granted one wish, standing up to Toby King.

On her eleventh birthday, Samara is gifted with a peculiar utility belt. It has strange tools called for example ‘The Restorer’ and ‘Cryptographic Sequencer’. But it comes with a catch, You have seven days to use all tools. You must meet this deadline. Otherwise …

I rate Samara Rubin and the Utility Belt 5 out of 5. It was a great book full of suspense and mystery, keeping you on the edge of your seat. It has a clear protagonist, kind and loving Samara, whose story is beautifully written. It also features an antagonist, Toby King, who adds depth to the story.

Overall, Samara Rubin and The Utility Belt is a charming and inspiring book that is perfect for young readers. It is a must-read for ages 8–11. I highly recommend it.

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: Gangsta Granny

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's novel: Gangsta Granny

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC

Gangsta Granny by David Walliams, HarperCollins, ISBN 9780007371440

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.

Ben’s granny is your typical granny. She knits, loves Murray Mints, has fake teeth, loves Scrabble, has white hair, and is obsessed with cabbage. Ben reckons she’s the most boring person in the whole, wide world. Ben goes to Granny’s every Friday after school while his parents go and watch Strictly Stars Dancing live. Ben’s parents love ballroom dancing and say they discovered their love of ballroom dancing too late, so they got boring jobs at a nail salon and a security guard at a shopping mall. They want Ben to be a professional ballroom dancer, but Ben has other interests like becoming a plumber.

When Ben goes to Granny’s one day, he goes to get a chocolate biscuit but finds something thrilling instead. He is mind-blown by this discovery and is determined to find out more about this mystery. Ben is on the case!

This fabulous tale by David Walliams is a stupendous book and I rate it 5 out of 5. Walliams has made a thrilling tale that has so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat! It’s a great book and I recommend it for 6–9-year-olds, it will surely be loved by them. Once again it was a stupendous book, and you should surely read it. I hope you read Gangsta Granny as your next novel.

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: Wonder

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC

Wonder by RJ Palacio, Random House UK, ISBN 9780552565974

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.

Wonder is a multi-award-winning book by RJ Palacio. It features August Pullman, a boy with a facial deformity. August faces bullies, fake friends, and lots more disastrous, catastrophic events. How will he survive fifth grade?

August doesn’t just face bad stuff; he also faces good stuff. He has a loving family and a courageous dog who will always be there for him. He is a lovely character who has challenges.

I loved reading Wonder and I recommend it to 8–12-year-olds. They will truly love reading about August’s story. It teaches kids about important life lessons which they will never forget about.

I hope you read Wonder as it is an amazing book. I’m sure you will love it!

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!