Book reviews by kids

Book Review: Mirror. Reviewed by Winthrop Primary students

Posted on December 5, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Mirror, by Jeannie Baker, ISBN 9781406309140, Walker Books

Reviewed by Winthrop Primary School students, WA

Winthrop Primary School students. The students also collaged their favourite page in the book. (Photo © Winthrop Primary School) — Winthrop Primary School students with the book. The students also collaged their favourite page in the book. (Photo © Winthrop Primary School)

Look at the fantastic artwork these star students created after reading Mirror by Jeannie Baker! The students also sent in some excellent book reviews, which we’re pleased to share here.

First, some selected remarks from the students:

“Mirror is a book that reflects two different parts of the world.” — Jade

“Even though the two boys in the story look different and speak a different language, they are still the same on the inside.” — Ben

“The book has no words and it opens in two directions, with each boy’s life on each side. Jeannie Baker has collaged the pictures … with manmade and natural materials.” — Jared

“I think this book is suitable for 8 years plus. I really enjoyed this book.” — Sharves

And here is the complete set of the students’ reviews:

This book is one of a kind, it is set out with two stories in a mirror image. Once you see inside you just can’t take your eyes off the book. Jeannie Baker compares two different families in her story, one is from Australia and one is from Africa. The two boys in the story may not look alike, but they are deep inside. They both like to belong to a family.

This book is better than your average book, everyone should read this great collaged picture book. The story links the two families with a special carpet that is made by the mother in Morocco, it turns out that the Australian family buys the exact carpet for their home.

Review by: Jenny (9)

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Mirror is about two boys from very different countries; Sydney Australia and Morocco in Africa. They live a totally different life, they eat different foods and their homes are very different.

One day the father of the Australian family buys a carpet from the “Magic Carpet” shop, the mother of the Morroccan boy had handmade this colourful carpet.

The book has no words and it opens in two directions, with each boy’s life on each side. Jeannie Baker has collaged the pictures in her book with manmade and natural materials.

The book is suitable for 7 years plus. I liked it because of its bright colours. The message in this story is even though people may look different and live different lives, you may still have the same needs and wants on the inside.

Review by: Jared (9)

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This book is about two boy’s lives. It shows the two boys and how they are similar and different at the same time. One boy lives in Australia and one lives in Morocco in North Africa. The book is called Mirror because the boys do the same things, but in different ways.

There are two stories in this book. Jeannie Baker collaged fabric and other materials to make the pictures and then took a photograph of each collaged scene to make it look realistic. She used only pictures to tell her story.

A mat that is made by the boy’s mother in Morocco ends up being bought by the Australian boy’s family.

Jeannie was inspired to make this book after she travelled to Morooco on a holiday. The moral of her story is that people may look different on the outside but can still be very alike on the inside. I think this book is suitable for 8 years plus. I really enjoyed this book, it was great.

Reviewed by: Sharves (8)

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Mirror is a book about two families in two different countries. There are two sides to the book telling what the families do at the same time. They both did different things. One family lives in Australia and one lives in Morocco. They dress differently and eat different things. I liked the book, because it has pictures and no words. Jeannie Baker was inspired by going to Morocco and meeting a very friendly stranger. One day the Moroccan family’s mother made a carpet and the Australian family bought it. Jeannie Baker collaged the pictures and then took photos of them to tell her story.

Review by: Rachel (8)

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Mirror is a book about two boys and two families who live in Sydney and Morocco. These two families look very different and they do things very differently.

One day the family from Sydney buys a rug from a carpet shop that the other family’s mother had made. Jeannie Baker has collaged all the pictures in the book, she has made them look real by using real materials.

The moral of this story is that even though you may look different, you can still have the same values on the inside. I loved this book, because it was in pictures and you could feel that the book was very special. It is suitable for ages 8 plus.

Review by: Jerrica (9)

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Mirror is about two boys in two different families and in two different countries. The first family lives in Sydney, Australia and the other family lives in Morocco in North Africa.

One day the dad of the Australian family went to a carpet place and bought a rug that the Moroccan family had made. Even though the two boys in the story look different and speak a different language, they are still the same on the inside.

This book is suitable for ages 5 to 13.

Review by: Ben (9)

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Mirror is about two families from different countries and how they live very differently, but they have some things that connect them to each other. The two countries are Australia and Morocco. It was amazing how Jeannie Baker made the book. She used different materials to collage the pictures.

The story is about two boys in Morocco and Australia. There is a carpet in the story, the family in Morocco made this carpet and the carpet was then sent to Australia, the Australian family bought it. Jeannie Baker was inspired to make this book by visiting Morocco and meeting nice people there.

Review by: Ethan (8)

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Mirror is a book that reflects two different parts of the world. An Australian and North African family both have a boy, they look very different to each other. The Moroccan mother makes a rug and sends it to Australia to sell, the Australian boy’s family buy it.

Even though the two boys look different, they are the same on the inside. The book has two sides, you can read both sides at the same time.

The moral of the story is that even though someone may look different they can still be the same on the inside and like to belong to a family. Jeannie Baker went to Morocco on a holiday, the trip gave her the ideas to write the book. I really enjoyed the book, it was excellent.

Review by: Jade (8)

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* Winthrop Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of Mirror was provided by the publisher.

teachers' resources, Yidarra Catholic Primary School

Book Review: Button Boy

Posted on November 28, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Button Boy, by Rebecca Young, ill. Sue deGennaro ISBN 9781741697971, Scholastic Australia

Reviewed by Year 2G, Yidarra Catholic Primary School, WA

Yidarra Catholic Primary School students with a copy of Button Boy. Photo © K Price — Yidarra Catholic Primary School students with a copy of Button Boy. (Photo © K Price)

The book Button Boy was written and illustrated by Rebecca Young and Sue deGennaro. Button Boy is a fabulous book because it is about being helpful.

Button Boy is about a little boy called Banjo who loves to collect buttons. His grandma sews the buttons onto his jumper. Every day when he’s on his way to school he finds someone who has a missing button and he gives them one. Finally, he has only one button left. Banjo is a kind and giving boy.

We like the book because the pictures are very funny. The best thing about Button Boy is that the main character is a kind little boy. People who like collecting things would like this book. It would be good for boys or girls aged 5 to 8.

You should go and get this book now! It is great.

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* Year 2 at Yidarra Catholic Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of Button Boy was provided by the publisher.

Duncraig Primary School, teachers' resources

Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool: book review

Posted on November 2, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool, by Odo Hirsch, ISBN 9781741757163, Allen & Unwin.

Reviewed by Year 5 students at Duncraig Primary School.*

Darius is worried. Time is running out. Will he and his family ever decide upon this generation’s Bell Gift from the family to the town so they can retain the family house and name? When he and his friends find a mysterious glittering pool in the grounds of the house they wonder if it might provide an answer.

This imaginative book will appeal to some tween readers but does not work as a read aloud book as the detail slows the plot. Quirky, well-developed characters carry the story. Our class thinks it would help retain interest if the author moved between locations and plot lines more frequently. We enjoyed the unexpected plot turns and the overall quest structure.

This acclaimed author has written the much-loved Hazel Green series and others such as Amelia Dee and the Peacock Lamp.

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*Duncraig Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool was provided by the publisher.

Book reviews by Pippa

Book Review – Evangeline: The Wish Keeper’s Helper

Posted on October 11, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Evangeline: The Wish Keeper’s Helper, by Maggie Alderson, ill. Claire Fletcher, ISBN 9780670075355, Viking (Penguin Group Australia).

Reviewed by Philippa, age 9 ½ .*

Evangeline the toy elephant lives a life under the bed of her child, who now no longer plays with her. Evangeline only comes out when she is pushed out by the lady who comes to clean and vacuum every week. But when she is transported Upstairs, she experiences a whole new life, meets lots of new friends and is even selected to help the wish keeper directly to grant wishes. One by one, the toys all get selected for a special job helping to keep the hope in wishes, until Evangeline is the only one left. Will Evangeline’s wish be granted?

This is a chapter book. The writer paints the pictures in your head, and when you turn a page to a colourful illustration, they are just right!

Children aged 7 to 12 would love this amazing story.

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*Philippa is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of Evangeline: The Wish Keeper’s Helper was provided by the publisher.

Beaconsfield Primary School, Book reviews by kids

Where There’s Smoke: book reviews by Beaconsfield Primary School students (Part III)

Posted on September 28, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Where There’s Smoke, by John Heffernan, ISBN 9781862918665, Omibus Books.

Reviewed by Harry, age 11, Beaconsfield Primary School.*

This book is great if you love stories which are based on Black Saturday’s bushfires and even still it’s great for adventure lovers.

Luke and Sarah have arrived at a small town called Edenville. Luke has already had a fight with someone, which isn’t surprising because he’s had fights before at other places. Luke’s friend Tiny had lived in a small town in Russia which had been invaded by Russian troops, so he went to live somewhere else. Tiny has a big heart and predicted that a fire will happen but no-one believed him.

This is such an emotional book it just brings you in. Every chapter makes you want to read more because it leaves a question waiting to be answered. The characters are good because you’ve got all variety like: mean people like Brian, kind-hearted people like Tiny, and just ordinary people like Luke.

I recommend Where There’s Smoke for any gender and for people over nine years of age. I personally rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

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*Beaconsfield Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of Where There’s Smoke was provided by the publisher.

Beaconsfield Primary School, Book reviews by kids

Where There’s Smoke: book reviews by Beaconsfield Primary School (Part II)

Posted on September 28, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Where There’s Smoke, by John Heffernan, ISBN 9781862918665, Omibus Books.

Reviewed by Tyler, age 11, Beaconsfield Primary School.*

Recently my class read a book called Where There’s Smoke. This book is written by John Heffernan and shows you all the qualities you need to live a happy life.

Where There’s Smoke tells the story of a family living in a small town called Edenville where they are on the run from their father and husband. Luke is a regular boy, about twelve years of age, who has a friend named Tiny who is really tall and has a heart as strong as a tiger. Tiny pretends to be Nina’s—Luke’s mum’s—boyfriend so that Nina’s ex husband doesn’t follow or hurt them. When everything seemd to be cruising around well Tiny, who is Russian, gets a bit worried about a bushfire coming. The fire came and it didn’t want to leave. Some people left and some people stayed and fought. Tiny saved a boy and got third degree burns. When everything seemed to be a disaster Luke finally got something he’d waited for, a call.

This book is great and each chapter gives you a thrill of adrenalin and wants you to read more. It is emotional and very descriptive using metaphors and similes that would blow your mind. I hope to be reading more from Mr Heffernan soon.

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*Beaconsfield Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of Where There’s Smoke was provided by the publisher.

Beaconsfield Primary School, Book reviews by kids

Where There’s Smoke: book reviews by Beaconsfield Primary School students

Posted on September 28, 2011January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Where There’s Smoke, by John Heffernan, ISBN 9781862918665, Omibus Books.

Reviewed by Alexandra, age 10, Beaconsfield Primary School.*

For the last few weeks, our class has been reading Where There’s Smoke, by John Heffernan. All or most of the class really enjoyed it.

Where There’s Smoke is about a boy called Luke and his mum, Nina. They had been running away from Luke’s dad until a friend of Nina’s (Tiny Cob) told them about Edenville, the place that becomes their new, safe home. In Edenville Luke makes friends with Sarah and develops a very close friendship with Tiny Cob. But when a bushfire comes, how can Luke help the town of Edenville? The place that he now calls his home.

This book was a great book that I really enjoyed. I think it made me understand things like: The house is the place that people live in, the home is the people that live in it. Where There’s Smoke also is an adventurous story as well as the type of book that helps you learn things.

All together I think that Where There’s Smoke is a wonderful book for all ages, out of ten I would rate it nine and my standard is very high. I would like to read another one of John Heffernan’s books one day.

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*Beaconsfield Primary School is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of Where There’s Smoke was provided by the publisher.

Book reviews by kids, Book reviews by Pippa, Christmas

Book review: Quentin Blake’s A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Posted on December 22, 2010January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Here’s a review from one of our Undercover Readers—just in time for Christmas!

Quentin Blake’s A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, ill. by Quentin Blake. ISBN 9781843651215, Anova Books.

Reviewed by Philippa, 9, WA.*

In this book, a crotchety old man, Ebenezer Scrooge discovered the true meaning of Christmas. But only after he is haunted by three ghosts!

It is written in an old-fashioned style but I like it, it’s a really good story. I especially love the illustrations. Quentin Blake is a great illustrator. My favourite illustration is the Ghost of Christmas Present because he looks a bit like Santa Claus.

I think that 9 to 99 year olds would like this book.

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*Philippa is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. The book reviewed here is Philippa’s own.

Beaconsfield Primary School, Book reviews by kids

Book reviews by Beaconsfield Primary Students

Posted on December 21, 2010January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Today we hear from two year 5 students at Beaconsfield Primary School in WA. We sent the class a copy of Emily Rodda’s The Forests of Silence for review. Here’s what two of the students had to say.

The Forests of Silence, by Emily Rodda. ISBN 9781865046730, Scholastic Australia.

1. Reviewed by Jye, age 11, Beaconsfield Primary School.

The Forests of Silence, a short novel by Emily Rodda, is a fantastic fictional tale of fantasy and is great for eight to nine-year-old readers.

This story begins when prince Endon’s father, the mighty king, dies of a terrible sickness leaving a startled Endon the last surviving member of his great sovereign family and as ruler of the mighty city of Deltora. As “tradition” goes, Endon must wear the magical belt of Del upon kingship. But when his childhood friend, Jarrod, does some research on the mysterious belt, he finds that it must be worn at all times. Jarrod desperately tries to warn Endon but the evil governor, Prandine, stops him in his tracks. Upon banishment, Jarrod is forced to take refuge in the strugglingly poor city of Del.

Many years later, Jarrod marries but still awaits the king’s great and famous golden arrow; a call for help. One day, finally, a glimmer in the morning sky excites Jarrod and he joyously sprints to the castle walls to find a cleverly disguised map. He quickly follows it to his old friend. But something has gone terribly wrong and all hope for Del is almost lost for the seven stones on the belt of Del have been scattered across the land to far away and dangerous places.

This book is of the quest for the first gem. The quest is left to Jarrod’s son, Leif, and with an unlikely companion, he sets off to his first destination of danger; The Forests of Silence.

I found this book a bit short for I like to read the two hundred pages or more novels. I also thought it was kind of kiddie and predictable for a ten year old but it was alright.

I might have liked to read it on my own. It was rather short for my tastes and I think almost everyone in my class thought it was very predictable. But it was alright and it had a good storyline. I give it a five out of ten.

2. Reviewed by Erin, age 10, Beaconsfield Primary School.

The Forests of Silence is about a boy named Lief who is told he has to go on a quest to find a precious gem to defeat the Shadow Lord.

This is an adventure-filled novel about two young boys named Jarrod and Endon who grow up together as young boys in a palace till they are men. Endon’s dad, who is king, died and straight away Endon was crowned king.

Jarrod is told to leave the palace for something he didn’t even do. About ten years later Jarrod and Endon married a lady each and later Jarrod and his wife tell their son Leif he will have to go on a dangerous quest to seek seven precious gems to defeat the Shadow Lord.

The Forests of Silence is a fantastic story if you like adventure and fantasy. It is a short and easy to read. From about the age seven to ten children will love this book. I enjoyed it but it is easy to predict in some parts of the story.

People will enjoy the Forests of Silence. It looks like a book for boys but I enjoyed it. I would not read the whole series because I’m not into fantasy books. I hope everyone who reads this book will like it as much as I do, maybe more.

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*Beaconsfield Primary is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. A review copy of The Forests of Silence was provided by the publisher, Scholastic Australia.

Book reviews by kids, Duncraig Primary School

Book reviews by Duncraig Primary: Day 5 pt 2

Posted on December 20, 2010January 6, 2015 by Alphabet Soup

Duncraig Primary School (in WA) has sent us some year 5 students’ book reviews.* We’ve been posting two reviews a day for the last 5 days and this is the final review. Well done to all the students for their fabulous reviews and for sharing some great books!

Pearl Verses the World, by Sally Murphy, ill. by Heather Potter. ISBN 9781921150937, Walker Books Australia.

Reviewed by Lauren, age 10, Duncraig Primary.

This award-winning book is fantastic if you love reading books with characters, through their eyes and about their lives.

This book has won TWO awards WOW! One is a bronze award for a short-listed book and the second award is for a silver award for an honour book.

Pearl is a girl who is very fond of her grandma. She tells us at the beginning of the book that she is alone and that she is a group of one. Some of the groups at school which are not groups of one and are very tight are the ballet girls, rough kids and footy boys. Pearl tells us about her life at home and at her school. She soon finds out that she is really good at writing poems.

The wonderful illustrations that Heather Potter has done really put the picture in your mind, like you are there watching it in your own eyes. So, if you like books that make you feel you’re there watching the story, borrow it from a friend or take it out of the library today or buy it at a local book store.

I loved reading this book because it had poems in it and I especially loved the poem at the end. This book also has a bit of sadness in it, therefore I would recommend it for ages between 8 and 12 years.

I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

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*Duncraig Primary is a member of our Undercover Readers Club. Books reviewed here are the students’ own.