Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Amazing Spencer Gray

Posted on June 30, 2013January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

The Amazing Spencer Gray by Deb Fitzpatrick, ISBN 9781922089328, Fremantle Press

Reviewed by Philippa, 11 (A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.)

Spencer Gray, his mum and dad, and his younger sister Pippa live in the country, near Perth. Spencer’s dad loves to fly in a glider over the mountains and Spencer is finally old enough to join him. His mum is not so sure about him going, and then one rainy night Spencer and his dad don’t come back after a flight. It seems that no-one knows where they are or if they are hurt …

I like the pictures this story paints in your mind and the excitement and fear of Spencer’s flights in the glider. You may have read part of this book serialised in the West Australian — and I can recommend reading this longer book version. I think The Amazing Spencer Gray is suitable for 9 to 12 year olds who like a bit of adventure.

Book Review: Maximum Maxx!

Posted on February 6, 2013January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Maxx Rumble Cricket: Maximum Maxx! by Michael Wagner, ill. Terry Denton, ISBN 9781922077806, Black Dog Books

Reviewed by Joseph, 9, WA*

This is about Maxx’s cricket days—it’s all 8 of the cricket books in one book. Maxx has to captain the team to victory against some teams that cheat.

My favourite book in the collection is Tricked. It’s a lot different from the other stories. (Maxx and Rexx find a way to stop The Outhouse Rodents team from cheating at all.)

The illustrations definitely go well with the stories. They make me laugh and I already like Terry Denton’s illustrations from The 13-Storey Treehouse so I knew I would like them here, too.

I think 5 to 9 year olds would like this book because they sometimes have quite big words but in short chapters.

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* Joseph is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Book reviews by kids

Book Review: Show Day

Posted on February 1, 2013March 22, 2013 by Alphabet Soup

Show Day by Penny Matthews, ill. Andrew McLean, ISBN 9781862916890, Scholastic Australia

Reviewed by Jin Xiang Wilson, 7, VIC*

This story is about Lil and her family going to a show. Dad was in the wood-chopping contest and entered his orange marmalade in the Craft and Cookery contest. Mum entered her pumpkin, jam, cheese scones and an iced birthday cake in the show. Henry, Lil’s brother, entered his guinea pig in the Best Pet contest. Lil has a special entry for the Most Unusual Pet but it’s a secret.

I enjoyed reading this book.

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* Jin Xiang Wilson is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) A review copy of this picture book was provided by the publisher.

Book reviews by kids

Book review: Eric Vale Epic Fail

Posted on January 29, 2013March 22, 2013 by Alphabet Soup

Eric Vale Epic Fail by Michael Gerard Bauer, illustrated by Joe Bauer, ISBN 9781862919221, Scholastic Australia

Reviewed by Dalong Xing, 9, NSW*

This book is a comedy fiction book. It is about a boy called Eric Vale who got a nickname—Eric Vale Epic Fail. He got it because he was always doing things wrong. Then one day a new girl named Aasha Alsufi from Africa came to Eric’s class. But the new girl wouldn’t talk to people, so the whole class tried to make her talk or laugh. The class was so excited about the new girl that they all forgot about Eric’s nickname.

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Then one day they had a swimming carnival and Eric wanted to beat Martin Fassbender so he could get a nickname called Eric Vale Epic Win but instead he made it worse. At last someone made the new girl speak and guess who that is?

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I liked the whole book because it was funny and long. There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book. My favourite part was when Eric got a nickname. I liked all the pictures because they were very interesting. I think the book would suit mostly boys because there might be some rude parts. It will suit ages 7 to 12 and my friends will like it.

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* Dalong Xing is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

Book reviews by kids, Book reviews by Matilda, Christmas

Book Review: Heipparallaa!

Posted on December 18, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Heipparallaa! by Liliana Stafford, ill. Elina Järvinen, ISBN 9781921136306, Windy Hollow Books

Reviewed by Matilda*, 6, WA

Heipparallaa means almost hello. This book is about two girls sending emails to each other. One lives in Finnish Lapland in the snow, and one girl lives in Australia. They write about what they are doing. It’s December. One place is snowy and one place is hot. Both girls are telling each other about Christmas in their place. Maaria lives in Finnish Lapland and she said that they make ‘new bread’ called uutisleipä. Alidia goes to Carols by Candlelight.The best bit was the imagination when the girls pretend to send sun and fruit and the cool wind to each other.People who like writing letters and people who like imagination would like this book. I wish that I was the Australian girl and I had a penpal. I think this book is good for kids 6 to 14.

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* Matilda is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) Matilda reviewed her own copy of Heipparallaa!

Book reviews by Celine, Book reviews by kids

Book Review – Blood Brothers

Posted on November 30, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Dragonkeeper: Blood Brothers by Carole Wilkinson, ISBN 978742031897, Walker Books Australia

Reviewed by Celine, 10, WA

Recently I devoured the most exquisite yet enchanting book, Blood Brothers. It is the fourth book in the series ‘Dragonkeeper’. It tells the story of a monk named Tao. He is the only monk in his family for one reason. He is accumulating good karma for his brother Wei. His brother Wei is unable to move his limbs or talk, but Wei has the powers of a dragonkeeper. When Tao and Wei hold hands, some of the powers are transferred to Tao, as Wei cannot use them. Tao can then talk to a dragon that was following him throughout his journey so far.

Kai the dragon is in search of a dragonkeeper. As Tao journeys on from his house, he comes face to face with some terrible bloodthirsty nomads. Will Tao escape? Can Wei survive?

I believe the title is very suitable for this story and you will understand it when you finish the book. Blood Brothers is very hard to put down. I experienced the feelings with the character as if I were in his shoes—sad, relieved, excited and worried.

This book is recommended for ages 9 and above. My favourite part was when Tao called Wei ‘Wei-Wei’. I would rate this book all the stars visible in the night sky.

Now I’m going back to read books 1, 2 and 3!

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* Celine is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) A review copy of Blood Brothers was provided by Walker Books Australia.

Duncraig Primary School, National Year of Reading

Book Review: Then by Morris Gleitzman

Posted on November 16, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

This week we are pleased to be featuring book reviews from students at Duncraig Primary School* in WA. Welcome to today’s guest reviewer, Zak.

Then by Morris Gleitzman, ISBN 9780670072781, Viking (Penguin Australia)

Reviewed by Zak, 10, WA

This type of historical fiction fascinates me. I love to learn about Nazi times.

A boy and a girl named Felix and Zelda have to get away from Nazis and they find a German woman, her name is Genia. She looks after Felix and Zelda who are Jewish and keeps them safe from the Nazis.

My favourite part of the book is when Felix goes into a Nazi camp with a boy named Dove he met through Genia, and together they blow up the Nazis.

I enjoyed this book because it draws you in from the start and it is about war and action and is awesomely cool. There is nothing I don’t like about it. This book would be suited for both boys and girls if they’re into war books and that sort of stuff. All of my friends read this book and said I should read it, so I did and now it’s my favourite book. There is more to the series—Once, Then, and Now. I have read Once and Then but I haven’t read Now yet. I can’t wait to start to read it. I would recommend this book for 9 years old and up.

This book was also an honour book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards.

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* Duncraig Primary is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) Zak reviewed his own copy of Then.

Duncraig Primary School, National Year of Reading, teachers' resources

Book Review: Dork Diaries: Party Time

Posted on November 15, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

This week we are featuring book reviews from students at Duncraig Primary School* in WA. Today’s guest reviewer is Shannon.

Dork Diaries: Party Time by Rachel Renée Russel, ISBN 9781847387424, Simon & Schuster

Reviewed by Shannon, 10, WA

This book is a comedy mixed with a bit of drama. It is about a girl called Niki who doesn’t really get along with the kids at her school. Her biggest enemy is Mackenzie. Niki is in a bit of trouble when she had to organise the high school Halloween party. Will she cope or will she be a normal dork who has a crush on Brandon the hottest boy in 8th grade?

The book is enjoyable, with a bit of love and dorkiness. I loved the way it was like reading someone else’s personal diary and the great tension. I couldn’t possibly stop reading. It had excellent illustrations and they really suited the book. I loved everything about it. I liked the tension and illustrations best of all.

This book would only suit girls because it is packed with a girl’s life story. This book is nine plus. It has great strong characters and a story that can seem real. Just wait and read and you’ll find out more!

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* Duncraig Primary is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) Shannon reviewed her own copy of Dork Diaries: Party Time.

Duncraig Primary School, National Year of Reading, teachers' resources

Book Review: Eleven Days

Posted on November 14, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

This week we are featuring book reviews from students at Duncraig Primary School* in WA. Today our guest reviewer is Chloe.

Eleven Days by Michael Manuell, ISBN 9781865046211, Scholastic Australia

Reviewed by Chloe, 11, WA

Are you looking for a book that drags you in by the first expressive sentence? Well, this is the book for you.

Eleven Days will amaze your socks off. This book is a brilliant book for readers from the age of ten years to teenagers and will suit you any mood you’re in.

Eleven Days is about a girl called Izabella. She is really nice and kind until Izabella comes face to face with kidnappers and gives them all her personal details. She is kidnapped and has no idea what to do. Is she brave enough to escape the danger? I really love this book with all the unexpected twists and turns.

It had fantastic complex sentences that brought out the atmosphere in the story. The very few drawings suited the text exactly. I think this book would suit girl readers most because most characters are women.

I really enjoyed this book and I hope you find a book that suits you soon. If you liked my book review please take the chance and have a go.

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* Duncraig Primary is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) Chloe reviewed her own copy of Eleven Days.

Book reviews by kids, Duncraig Primary School, National Year of Reading, teachers' resources

Book Review: Think Smart, Hazel Green!

Posted on November 13, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

This week we are pleased to be featuring book reviews from students at Duncraig Primary School* in WA. Our first guest reviewer is Lara—welcome, Lara!

Think Smart, Hazel Green! by Odo Hirsch, ill. Andrew McLean, ISBN 9781741141108, Allen & Unwin

Reviewed by Lara, 10, WA

Chocolate dippers! Cherry Flingers! Cream Canoopers! All the delicious pastries in Mr Volio’s bakery. But how about the thought of them being gone … forever?

Will Hazel Green ever find a way to help poor Mr Volio stay in his baker’s shop? When Mr Volio has ended his lease in his shop a mysterious new owner buys it. Who is this new owner? And how will Hazel Green help Mr Volio to stay, and still devour his glorious pastries? Will her mathematical friend Yakov Plonsk (AKA the Yak) use his logical mind to assist her? Hazel will have to think smart for this adventure!

Andrew McLean’s magical black and white watercolour illustrations make the book come alive. You only need to glance at them to understand them. Odo Hirsch’s detailed words and phrases help readers to really understand the pictures.

This is a book suitable for ten and over. The expressive characters in this book will capture any reader’s mind. I love this book because in every page you turn you feel the tension rising through your body.

Odo Hirsch has captured readers internationally with his essence and flair of describing wonderful and capturing characters. This book is the last of the Hazel Green series. The others are titled Hazel Green; Something’s Fishy, Hazel Green!; and Have Courage, Hazel Green, all with clever and satisfying plots.

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* Duncraig Primary is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. (Download information about the club on the magazine’s website.) Lara reviewed her own copy of Think Smart, Hazel Green!