Category: Book reviews by kids

Posted in Book reviews by Gabriel, Book reviews by kids

Book Review: Countdown to Yesterday

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's novel: Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr

REVIEWED BY GABRIEL, 13, NSW

Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr, Penguin Australia Pty Ltd, ISBN 9781761340598

The publisher provided a review copy of this book.

Countdown to Yesterday by Shirley Marr introduces James, a 10–11-year-old boy whose world unravels when his parents suddenly divorce. The narrative unfolds with the aftermath of this disruption, as James grapples with the emotional fallout and the breakdown of the life he once knew.

Through Shirley’s skilful writing, the story delves into the mind of a young soul. “Countdown to Yesterday” becomes a heartfelt exploration of the fragility of happiness and the intricate interplay between past and present. Shirley’s narrative invites readers to empathise with James’ struggle while prompting reflection. He meets someone who has a time machine. But the past isn’t always what it seems. Layers and years of secrets buried in the past are uncovered.

With its relatability and emotional depth, Countdown to Yesterday is 5 out of 5 stars, leaving readers with a memorable and contemplative experience. I would recommend this book for children ages 9+ and who enjoy true stories with a touch of sci-fi.

Gabriel is a regular book reviewer at Alphabet Soup. You can read more of his reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, check out 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

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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!

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Positively Izzy

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

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC

Positively Izzy by Terri Libenson, HarperCollins Publishers, ISBN 9780062484963

Aashi reviewed her own copy of this book.

Positively Izzy is about two girls – one named Brianna and the other named Izzy. It is a beautiful story that takes you through the ups and downs of two interlinked stories.

Izzy is a girl who loves drama but isn’t the best at other subjects. She has been preparing for a talent show for months. Her mum is a nurse who works weird shifts so Izzy and her sisters must do lots of chores. Lately, Izzy has been getting bad grades and since her mum is all about grades, it is not going well for her.

Brianna, on the other hand, enjoys academics and always gets good grades. Both her parents are teachers, her dad works at a local high school while her mum works at Brianna’s school! Her mum is a fabulous drama teacher who everybody loves. She is always encouraging Brianna to join the Drama club.

Positively Izzy is a fun book to read as it provides the reader with a good sense of humour and gives two different but linked stories. It could improve on giving a bit more information about Brianna.

The age group I would recommend this book for is 9–10-year-olds. They will enjoy it and cherish it. I rate it 4.5 out of 5.

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 kids, Book reviews by Reuben

Book Review: Secret Agent Mole Book 2

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
Secret Agent Mole (Book 2), a graphic novel by James Foley

REVIEWED BY REUBEN, 10, WA

Secret Agent Mole, Book 2: The Boar Identity by James Foley, Scholastic Australia Pty Ltd, ISBN 9781761200168

Reuben received a review copy of this book.

When I found this book in the mail I thought it would be about a secret mission where they had to break into a place and had to disguise as a skunk and a fox. And I was right!

My favourite character is Neil Hamstrung because he is a pig version of Neil Armstrong. 

This book can make you laugh your butt off. Anybody who likes graphic novels, space, ham, bugs, and naked mole rats will love this book.

I would rate this book 5/5 premium rib eye steaks. XD

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 Ayaan, Book reviews by kids

Book review: The Midnight Manor

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The cover of the book The Midnight Manor by Fionna Cosgrove.

REVIEWED BY Ayaan, 12, VIC

The Midnight Manor by Fionna Cosgrove, Lightning Source Inc., ISBN 9780645723304

Ayaan received a review copy of this book.

The Midnight Manor is the first book in the twisted trails series and was published in 2023. It was written in a ‘choose your own adventure’ style, sharing the story of the Manor and the Game.

But this is not like other stories of the same genre. Cosgrove has written the scenes out in impeccable detail and interesting side comments. Can you escape the manor before you are trapped for all eternity? Or will the mist take you all?

You must weave your way through the manor facing wolves, zombies and a creepy old innkeeper. And if you don’t like the way your story turned out, you can always go back to the start and have a do-over.

I would rate this book 5 out of 5 as its description makes me feel as if I am really in the manor. You should definitely read this book.

Ayaan is a regular book reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of his book reviews here. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by kids

Book review: Indigo in the Storm

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Indigo in the Storm by Kate Gordon. The cover is dark blue with the silhouette of a child with one arm raised.

REVIEWED BY BELLA, 11, WA

Indigo in the Storm by Kate Gordon, Yellow Brick Books, ISBN 9780645218039

Bella received a review copy of this book.

Indigo in the Storm is a wonderful book from the award winning Kate Gordon. Kate Gordon has won many awards for this series. One of her unbelievable, award-winning books is Indigo In The Storm and I can see why.  This is a book you can’t stop reading because of how interesting, surprising, and hysterical it is. 

Indigo In The Storm is an unpredictable book about a sad girl, called Indigo, struggling to find her happiness once her mum had left her. Not much happens until an annoying boy, Liam, comes along. My favourite part about the book is when Indigo and Liam are having fun together, drawing things and writing quotes. 

 A funny part about Indigo In The Storm is when Indigo doesn’t like what her only/not really friends are doing so the unpredictable happens … 

The saddest thing about this book is when her Mum is a bad influence and they become very close together and then her mum leaves! This made me think of how it would make me feel if that happened to me, I would be very sad and angry. 

I like this book because when I was getting a bit bored early in the book, I read on and I’m glad I did because yet again the unpredictable brought it back to a 4 star rating in my opinion. 

Overall, I liked this book because of the use of creativity within the story and I love the story because I find sad books the most interesting, but most of the time, the story has a happy ending! 4/5 stars.

You can read another of Bella’s reviews for Alphabet Soup here. To send us YOUR book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Aashi, Book reviews by kids

Book review: Queen Narelle

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
the cover of a children's book: Queen Narelle

REVIEWED BY AASHI, 9, VIC

Queen Narelle by Sally Murphy, illustrated by Simon O’Carrigan, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781760655334

Aashi received a review copy of this book.

Meet the Queen, her name is Narelle. Her subjects shall bow to her, whenever they greet her. She’s the keeper of the kingdom, ruler of the domain, and, most importantly, Maddie’s best friend.

Narelle is a cat and is the queen of her household. The household includes Narelle (The Queen of the household), Will (The Noisy Person of the household), Mum (The Court Counsellor of the household), Dad (a respected subject) and Maddie (Narelle’s princess and best friend).

Narelle is wise and caring. She loves all her subjects and makes sure they are happy. However, when Maddie’s friends, Nicole and Samira, become bullies because of a silly fight, Narelle is Maddie’s only friend.  Nicole and Samira were writing mean and nasty notes in class about Maddie. When a subject is sad it is Narelle’s job to make them happy, but, in this case, Narelle is not sure what to do. Poor Maddie!

I rate this book 5 out of 5. Sally Murphy once again wrote a fabulous book. The book was detailed covering different opinions and perspectives. I recommend the book for 7 to 9-year-olds, they will truly love it. I loved it because it had a beautiful ending. It also showed that love is very important and that someone will always love you no matter what happens.

Once again, I enjoyed reading this book and I hope you will read it too.

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 kids, Book reviews by Rory

Book review: Mermedusa

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REVIEWED BY RORY, 11, WA

Mermedusa by Thomas Taylor, Walker Books Australia, ISBN 9781529502138

Rory received a review copy of this book.

Prepare for a wild, mysterious and funny adventure in Mermedusa, the final book in the Eerie-on-Sea book series. Join Herbie and Violet as ghostly things begin happening in the seaside town of Eerie-on-Sea. First podcasters coming to investigate the creepy myths of the town and next giant sea-monsters from the deep depths of the ocean trooping through the town!

When an eerie, hypnotic hum begins to resonate around the town and when Sebastian Eels – the friends’ worst enemy – starts driving his boat out into the stormy ocean at midwinter time, the most dangerous time of the year, Herbie and Violet instantly know something is up.

Suddenly everything starts coming into place: could the deepest secret of Eerie-on-Sea be close to getting revealed?

I rate this book a 10/10! It’s just so good with descriptive language, cliff-hangers, mysteries and more. There’s literally nothing bad about it! I think this book would be great for 9-year-olds and above. I read this book all night long and I know that you will too!

Rory is a regular reviewer for Alphabet Soup. You can read more of his reviews here. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!