Tag: fictional diary

Posted in Book reviews by kids, Petersham Public School NSW

Book review: The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks

Posted on by Alphabet Soup
The cover of a children's book The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks.

The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks by Katie Kirby, Puffin (Penguin UK), ISBN 9780241460887

REVIEWED BY CLEMENTINE, 9, NSW

The Lottie Brooks series is a funny, day-to-day diary written and illustrated by Katie Kirby. 

Lottie is 11 years old going on to high school but doesn’t want to start without her best friend Molly because she moves to Australia. She is all alone. But shortly after she starts school she makes three best friends, Amber, Jess and Poppy. 

At the start of the book she creates a plan so she can be popular by changing her look and personality. She gets involved with all the school drama and you won’t be ready for all the twists.

My favourite part of the book is when she first started high school and made her new friends. And when people give her funny nicknames.

I love this book because it is hilarious and entertaining. It made me laugh over and over again. It is great for ages 9–13.

The Lottie Brooks series is all about school drama, day to day life, best friends, sleepovers and most importantly extremely embarrassing moments that everyone has experienced.

We’re pleased to be sharing a series of book reviews by Petersham Public School students, NSW. This is Clementine’s first book review for Alphabet Soup. To send us YOUR book review, read our submission guidelines. Happy reading!

Posted in Book reviews by Joseph, Book reviews by kids

Book review — Refugee: the Diary of Ali Ismail

Posted on by Alphabet Soup

Refugee: The Diary of Ali Ismail by Alan Sunderland, Scholastic Press, ISBN 1865049190

refugee (cover)

REVIEWED BY JOSEPH, 11, WA

Joseph borrowed this book from his school library.

Refugee is the diary of a 14-year-old boy who leaves his parents in Afghanistan to get freedom in Australia. He arrives on a boat that almost sank during the journey. It’s not easy for Ali when he gets to Australia either — he’s sent off to Woomera, which is a detention centre. Will he ever be free from Woomera and live a normal Australian life?

I didn’t know much about refugees other than bits I had heard on the news and I was interested in this story. I’d read some other My Australian Story books and when I was looking for some more on the library shelf I came across this one. I like books written as a diary because it feels like it’s really from that person’s point of view and it seems like Ali’s story is actually true. This was a great book. It was quite a long one too, and I learned that sometimes children are refugees all on their own and it’s so hard for them.

This book is pitched at boys and girls who don’t mind books that aren’t humorous. Kids that like history, current affairs and books about human rights would like this book. It’s best for readers aged 11+.

—

Joseph is one of our regular book reviewers. His most recent review (if you don’t count this one) was of Celebrating Australia: A Year in Poetry. If YOU would like to send us a book review, check out our submission guidelines. Happy reading!