Book reviews by kids

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.

–

* 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!

–

* 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.

–

* 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!

–

* 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.

–

* 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.

–

* 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!

Book reviews by kids, Yidarra Catholic Primary School

Book review: Ready, Freddy! Tooth Trouble

Posted on August 3, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Ready, Freddy! Tooth Trouble by Abby Klein, ill. John McKinley ISBN 9780439555968, Scholastic

Reviewed by Lachlan, 9, Yidarra Catholic Primary School*, WA

When I first got this book I was thinking it is a bit long, however—I took the book. I also got another book in case it was too hard. However, it wasn’t hard. It only took 3 nights to finish.

Freddy is the only one in his class who hasn’t lost a tooth yet. So he has a problem. He wants to write his name on the big tooth poster at school. It isn’t an ordinary tooth, it is a big poster tooth. Every time you lose a tooth, you write your name on the poster with a special pen with a tooth on the end. The next day Freddy gets into a fight with Ben. Freddy wanted Ben to hit his mouth so that his tooth falls out. Freddy gets a fist to his stomach instead.

Should I tell you the ending? No—what about you find out by reading the book.

–

* Yidarra Catholic Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. The book reviewed here was Lachlan’s own copy.

Book reviews by kids, Yidarra Catholic Primary School

Book Review: Who Am I?

Posted on July 6, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

My Australian Story: Who Am I? by Anita Heiss, ISBN 9781865043616, Scholastic Australia

Reviewed by Giorgia, 9, Yidarra Catholic Primary School*, WA

I read a fascinating book called Who Am I? It is a diary of Mary Talence. It was so interesting.

Amy Charles was an Aborigine who was taken away and her name was changed to Mary Talence. She grew up in Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home. She was there from 5–10 and was the oldest of her brothers and sisters. Then Matron Rose tells Mary she is going to a family in Sydney called the Binkes. But when she gets there she is surprised she is the only one with brown skin. She is teased and doesn’t understand why she doesn’t fit in.

I definitely recommend this book to people who love history. I give it a rating of 10/10. The best bit is the end for me but I am not going to ruin it.

–

* Yidarra Catholic Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. The book reviewed here was Giorgia’s own copy.

Book reviews by kids, Yidarra Catholic Primary School

Book review: Dulcie and Dud and the Really Secret Secret

Posted on July 5, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Dulcie and Dud and the Really Secret Secret by Carol Ann Martin, ill. Janine Dawson. ISBN 9781862915114, Omnibus Books

Reviewed by Madeline, 9, Yidarra Catholic Primary School*, WA

I read a book called Dulcie and Dud and the Really Secret Secret. It was just plain weird!

The story is about two young children called Dulcie and Dud. The setting is mainly at school. They live in a town called Waddigong—it is a beautiful town but something fishy goes on every time I read this book!

I recommend this book to kids who want to know what happens next?! My favourite part is when people kept on asking “Who’s muriEl?” and Dulcie said “You’ll see!”

People who are in grade 1 to 4 would love this book. I’d give it five stars!

–

* Yidarra Catholic Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. The book reviewed here was Madeline’s own copy.

Book reviews by Celine

Book Review: Rotters and Squatters

Posted on June 28, 2012January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Fair Dinkum Histories: Rotters and Squatters (1820 – 1850), by Jackie French, ill. Peter Sheehan, ISBN 978741693157, Scholastic Australia

Reviewed by Celine, 9, Yidarra Catholic Primary School*, WA

Rotters and Squatters is the third book of the series ‘Fair Dinkum Histories’ written by Jackie French. No one wants to read a boring history book but this is not just about Australian history. Rotters and Squatters includes funny jokes and illustrations. I’ll quote a few:

‘Are you idle?’

‘No, I’m Sebastian.’

‘How do you make an apple crumble?’

‘Torture it for 10 minutes.’

‘It’s the votes that should count not the Counts that should vote!’

Who ever knew Australia was full of deserts and almost impossible not to perish on the journey through the Great Australian Bight? Guess who completed the journey? Have you heard of Edward Eyre?

Learn about Yagan the Noongar man from Western Australia and how he was decapitated and taken back to England for display. It was offensive and it is history.

My opinion about this book is that it is intriguing yet fun to read. The book is suitable for Year 4s and up. I will give it a rating of 7/10.

–

* Yidarra Catholic Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. The book reviewed here was Celine’s own copy.