Category: Book reviews by kids

Posted in Book reviews by Iona Presentation College, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Footprints on the Moon

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, 11, WA (IONA PRESENTATION COLLEGE)

Footprints on the Moon by Lorraine Marwood

Footprints on the Moon by Lorraine Marwood, UQP, ISBN 9780702262838

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

Sharnie Burley is in her early teens and is struggling with the problems of life. The year is 1969, around the time of the first moon landing and the Vietnam war. Sharnie’s sister Cas meets a soldier who has returned from the Vietnam war, after being conscripted. Cas becomes an anti-war protester, which causes conflict within the family …

The story is told through the eyes of Sharnie, as she starts to deal with the difficulties of adolescence. She is beginning her high school journey and finding it difficult to make new friends. It is a story about family relationships and growing up in challenging times.

This captivating and engaging story is easy to read and has an interesting storyline. I think that this book would suit children aged around 10-13 and I would definitely recommend it!

Read our interview with the author of Footprints on the Moon.

Iona Presentation College students are members of Alphabet Soup’s review team. This is Charlotte’s first review for Alphabet Soup. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Iona Presentation College

Book review: Girl of the Southern Sea

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY STEPHANIE, 11, WA (IONA PRESENTATION COLLEGE)

Girl of the Southern Sea by Michelle Kadarusman

Girl of the Southern Sea by Michelle Kadarusman, UQP, ISBN 9780702262937

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

When Nia’s life is turned upside down, can she still find the strength to keep going and persevere? I love how Nia is faced with so many difficult challenges throughout the book and how she gets through them all. 

Her mother died giving birth to her younger brother, Rudi, her Bakap (dad) is always getting drunk and her best friend is making her keep a bad secret. Yet, Nina still has time to work the fritters cart, to help pay the rent, and look after her brother, Rudi. I think Nia is the strongest character from any book I have ever read, she is smart, helps others and is very devoted to her family. 

If I had to rate this book I would give it 100 out of 10,  that is how good it is. I loved learning some Indonesian words, I feel that it was a great touch to put Indonesian words in a book based in Indonesia. Overall, this is one of the best books I have ever read. I hope I can be as strong as Nia when life faces me with challenges.

Read our interview with the author of Girl of the Southern Sea.

Stephanie is a member of Iona Presentation College’s student reviewers’ team. This is her first review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR story, poem, artwork or book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Elizabeth, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Fish Kid and the Turtle Torpedo

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH, 8, NSW

Fish Kid and the Turtle Torpedo by Kylie Howarth

Fish Kid and the Turtle Torpedo by Kylie Howarth, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760652548

Elizabeth received a review copy of this book.

‘Go, Hermie! go’ I whispered.

‘No, mine is going to win,’ said my best friend Emely.

This is Fish Kid and the Turtle Torpedo and it is about Bodhi and Emely. They are on a vacation in the Maldives and they find a turtle that is sick because it can’t swim underwater or dive.

Bodhi (Fish Kid) cannot carry Emely and the turtle back to their island to show Bodhi’s dad who could help. So Bodhi just takes the turtle and leaves Emely behind at the beach island. 

Is the turtle going to survive? Will Emely get home?

I love this book! That is why I give this book 10/10! I love when they help the turtle.  I like that the author introduced real animals in Fish Kid Fact pages such as the spinner dolphins and black tip reef sharks.

Read an interview with the author-illustrator of the Fish Kid series.

Elizabeth is a regular reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of her reviews here. To send us YOUR story, poem, artwork or book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Joshua, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Eddie Woo, Superstar Maths Teacher

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY JOSHUA, 12, NSW

Eddie Woo Superstar Maths Teacher story told by Rebecca Lim

Eddie Woo: Superstar Maths Teacher by Rebecca Lim, Wild Dingo Press, ISBN 9781925893403

Wild Dingo Press provided a review copy of this book.

Eddie Woo, the award winning mathematics teacher, has an intriguing past with lots of surprises. 

But was he always a superstar mathematician when he was young?

‘Catch you later,’ one of the boys hissed over his shoulder at where Eddie lay face down on the ground.

‘Drop you later, you mean!’ another one hooted over Eddie’s head.

Eddie Woo was one of the few Asian kids in his primary school. He was bullied for his short stature. Being known for studying didn’t help either. He had a lot of allergies and eczema which caused him to itch, only to be seen as a distraction in class by his teachers, who sent him to the principal’s office. He felt like no-one cared about him and he was neglected at school. He knew he was left out and overlooked, especially by his teachers. However, he always got high marks in English and History. 

What happened to Eddie that changed him from a victim of bullying to becoming a superstar mathematics teacher? Find out in Rebecca Lim’s captivating biography of Eddie Woo’s life. 

This is one of the most engaging biographies I’ve read because it is filled with surprises. Eddie shows his achievements and also his times of trouble. Throughout the book, you learn about Eddie’s emotions, feelings, thoughts and faith in God. Not only that, Eddie shows a few mathematical diagrams in the back of his book that emphasises how mathematics is everywhere in nature.

I rate this book 5 out of 5.

Read our earlier interview with the author of this book, Rebecca Lim.

Joshua is a regular contributor to Alphabet Soup. Read his 2020 review of Worse Things here. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Book review: WORSE THINGS
Posted in Book reviews by Gabriel, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Gisela Kaplan, bird and primate scientist

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY GABRIEL, 10, NSW

Gisela Kaplan Bird and primate scientist, story told by Emily Gale (book cover)

Gisela Kaplan, Bird and Primate Scientist by Emily Gale, Wild Dingo Press, ISBN 9781925893465

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

How did Gisela Kaplan, a young German survivor of WWII become a world-leading expert in the behaviour of animals?

This book is a biography of Gisela Kaplan written by Emily Gale. Gisela Kaplan had a hard life in Germany after the Second World War. Then after she immigrated to Australia, the book shows how other people helped her along in her career as she played a role in primate and bird science. In addition, there are notes to help explain words you don’t understand.

When she arrives in Australia what jobs could she take? How did she learn a second language, and how does she support her daughter? Read Aussie STEM Stars Gisela Kaplan to find out more and all the answers to these questions!

I like this book and for me, it is five-star rated because it shows an emotional story of immigration. It also shows how much practice has to go into work till you can fulfil your dream, as you can see how she consistently worked away from home, in the work field.   

This book would be for ages ten and up to read by themselves although most children from the age of six to ten can read with someone to help the children understand. Go grab a copy of this amazing book either online or hard copy.

Read a sample chapter from this book

Read our interview with the author

Gabriel is a regular book reviewer at Alphabet Soup. You can read more of his reviews here.

Posted in Book reviews by Gabriel, Book reviews by kids

Book review – Munjed Al Muderis: from Refugee to Surgical Inventor

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY GABRIEL, 10, NSW

Munjed Al Muderis: from refugee to surgical inventor, story told by Dianne Wolfer

Munjed Al Muderis: From refugee to surgical inventor by Dianne Wolfer, Wild Dingo Press, ISBN 9781925893373

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

Obsessed with S.T.E.M. and mechanics, Munjed Al Muderis had a longing to be an osseointegration specialist since he watched the movie Terminator. Soon his dream was coming to reality. He was about to go to America to study. But when he was about to go to Iraq, Iraq stopped the border crossing between America and Iraq. Nevertheless, he found himself training as an orthopedic surgeon in Iraq. Later on, he was forced to flee his homeland of Iraq in 1999 after he refused to cut off the ears of army deserters as a young trainee doctor in Baghdad Hospital. If the government finds him they will kill him for not cutting off their ears.

What will he do? How would he escape the government? Where would he go? Could and would he return home? How will he fulfil his dream to be an osseointegration specialist?

This true and stunning book about Munjed Al Muderis for me is five-star rated because it is an amazing book about how a refugee tries to advance his way up to be an osseointegration specialist. This book will also show you how refugees were treated back then and what would happen to them.

This book would be for ages eight-plus to read. Go grab a copy of this outstanding book either online ebook, kindle or hard copy.

Read a sample chapter of this book

Read our interview with Dianne Wolfer, the author of this book

Read another book review by Gabriel for The Theory of Hummingbirds. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Book reviews by Kobe

Book review: Little Jiang

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Reviewed by Kobe, 9, WA

Little Jiang by Shirley Marr and illustrated by Katy Jiang (book cover)

Little Jiang by Shirley Marr, illustrated by Katy Jiang, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781925816471

The publisher provided a review copy of this book. 

This great novel is a wonderful joy to read. It is about a girl named Mei Ling Pang. Somehow, wherever she goes misfortune is dragged along. An example is when Little Jiang jumps out of his grave right into Mei’s life. Her neighbours have also turned into Chi-sucking jiangshi, which is even worse. This makes this story unbelievably interesting and the opposite of boring. This book is a playground for young readers who will be keen on wondering what will happen next.

This book has happy, exciting and disgusting events – for instance, eating very weird things. The characters in this book are thoroughly described and are beautifully drawn as well. The events are extremely clear and make you feel like you are actually in the book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who I know. In conclusion, this book is a perfect book for young readers who love adventure, climax and emotion.

Read a sample chapter from Little Jiang.

Kobe is a regular book reviewer at Alphabet Soup. You can read all her reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Treehouse Joke Book 2

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY REUBEN, 7, WA

Book cover: The Treehouse Joke Book 2 by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

The Treehouse Joke Book 2 by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton, Pan Macmillan Australia, ISBN 9781760980511

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

This book is hilarious. My favourite thing about the book was being able to tell jokes to people around me.  I love telling these jokes to my friend next door because he always laughs.

The pictures in the book are hilarious – they match the art style so well. Some of the pictures are both funny and weird – like an elephant on a scooter being chased by a mouse!

Take a sneak peek inside the book!

Reuben is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. Check out his earlier reviews here. To send us YOUR story, poem, artwork or book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Elizabeth

Book review: Beneath the Trees

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH, 8, NSW

Beneath the Trees by Cristy Burne and illustrated by Amanda BurnettBeneath the Trees by Cristy Burne, illustrated by Amanda Burnett, Fremantle Press, ISBN 9781760990411

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

The book Beneath the Trees is by Cristy Burne and it is very entertaining. 

Cam and Sophie want to see a platypus. They go with their cousins Jack and Liv to try and find a platypus in the rain forest. Jack tells Cam and Sophie that if they wear the bright yellow ponchos the platypus won’t come to them, but then one tiny platypus does appear! 

The platypus is in trouble because something is stuck around its neck. Then Jack tries to save the platypus but then he gets into trouble because he falls into the river, and Sophie falls in, too. Cam tries to help Sophie, but they all get stuck in the river and need to be saved. Liv tries to save them by going to find the parents. 

I give this book five stars out of five because this is a realistic and amazing story. I like the section when the leeches crawl up the legs of the cousins and they had to try to get them off to survive! I recommend this book for ages 8 and up. 

Read our interview with the author.

Read the first chapter of Beneath the Trees on the publisher’s website. 

Elizabeth is a regular reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read another of her reviews here. To send us YOUR story, poem, artwork or book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Tree

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

REVIEWED BY AIDEN, 7, WA

The Tree by Graeme BaseThe Tree by Graeme Base, Penguin Books Australia, ISBN 9781760897048

The publisher provided a review copy of this book. 

It is a story about a cow, a duck and mooberry tree.
Cow and duck were friends but they became greedy and lost everything. They learnt that through sharing, they receive a lot more.
We love the message from this story.
This is Aiden’s second review for Alphabet Soup. You can read his earlier review of A Crocodile in the Family here.