Author: BookNook

Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee, reviewed by Leontine

An enthralling story about the bond between a girl and a baby dragon.

What to expect: a baby dragon, friendship, a never-ending waterhole, and a secret cave.

As you step in Pip, Laura and Archie’s world, you will follow Pip as she learns to care for a lost baby dragon with unexpected friends, while escaping her hard family life.

I liked this book as it was a page turner, and it was a book like no other, filled to the brim with a character’s big thoughts. It was also full of tips on how to look after a dragon, so if I ever find a dragon near a waterhole like Pip did, I’ll be prepared!

I would say that this book is suitable for 8+. I would recommend this book to those who liked “A glasshouse of stars” by Shirley Marr. Dragon skin is a great book, you should read it!

About the book

Pip never wants to be at home nowadays. There’s no laughter anymore and her mum isn’t happy. She spends most of her time alone, daydreaming and digging for treasure by the dirty creek.

But one night, Pip finds something incredible – a dragon. Tiny, possibly dying, but definitely a dragon. She quickly realises that dragons don’t come with instructions: what do you feed a dragon? Where could it have come from? And how can Pip cope with the enormous changes this creature will bring into her life? Full of enchanting magic and poignant truths, Dragon Skin is a moving story of friendship, family and finding a way to fly.

Rules For Vampires by Alex Foulkes, reviewed by Ben

Rules for vampires is a book based on a 111-year-old vampire eternally in an 11-year-olds body. At 111 all vampires must complete their waxing moon- to complete this they must hunt and perform a bite on a live human. This was very important especially because Leo’s family is infamous, old and has existed over thousands of years and none of Leo’s ancestors had ever failed yet when the moon rose on her special night she did not rise to the challenge and disaster struck… 

I thought the book was unique, no other book I have read has been remotely similar. Although I may not have picked out the book in a library, I really enjoyed reading it and the strange world it transports you keeps you intrigued. I thought the ending was very wholesome and enjoyed the book till the finish. 

I think this book would be good for the age range 7-12 and people who enjoy the fantasy genre would love this book. Although most of the characters held no place in the real world you could almost feel it is possible. Especially with their magic walls hiding the castle they lived in. 

Overall, I think this was a very good book that can be enjoyed over a range of ages.

All the Money in the World by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, reviewed by Isobel

This is a heart-warming story about social status, privilege and identity. The moral being: Don’t be ashamed of where you come from and who you are. 

In this story the protagonist, Penny Nolan, lives in a place ominously referred to as ‘The Flats’. The flats have poor lighting, rats and a damp problem. Penny feels that people look down on her because of where she comes from, for not having enough money. She longs to escape. 

When Penny befriends Violet Fitzsimons, the mysterious elderly woman living in the large house next door, she feels a sense of escape as Violet teaches her to play the piano and tells stories of her much-loved schooldays at a respectable boarding school called Pearlbourne. Hearing about Pearlbourne makes Penny jealous. It makes her realise, properly, how different she and her friends from The Flats are, and she becomes determined to find a way to attend Pearlbourne herself. However, when Penny eventually finds herself thrust into a world of privilege, her shame about who she is and where she comes from grows.  

This is the story of a poor girl in a rich world. A girl who has to earn respect, rather than be born with it. A girl who feels she has to lie about everything, her friends, her family, and her life, just to be accepted by society. This is the story of someone pretending to be something she isn’t, even though the person she was originally was just as good, in fact, better.  

This is a story of family, friends, lies, secrets, playing, working, acting, hiding and pretending. This is a story of how much good a person can do when fuelled by cold, hard ambition. 

Hide and Seek by Robin Scott-Elliot, reviewed by James

Hide and Seek is a thought-provoking book about Amelie, a Jewish French girl who witnesses her family being taken away by the gestapo during World War Two, and her quest to be reunited with them in Nazi occupied Paris. This is a brilliantly written book that had me sitting on the edge of my seat all the way through and should I come across any other books written by this author, I would definitely be inclined to read them.

About the book:

‘Hide and Seek brings to vivid life the courage of young people who risked all in the French resistance in the second world war.’ OBSERVER

‘Beautifully told’ TELEGRAPH

Thrilling new page turner by Robin Scott-Elliot, author of The Tzar’s Curious Runaways and The Acrobats of Agra.

Paris, 1942. When Amelie Dreyfus hides in her mother’s wardrobe it’s a game; when she comes out it’s a matter of life or death. With her family taken, Amelie has to fend for herself in Nazi-occupied France – she’s no choice but to resist. In the Resistance life hangs by a thread. Betrayed, Amelie’s forced to flee to Britain. But Paris is home and she returns to face one final, desperate mission.

Ways to Be Me by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott, reviewed by Evie

This book is spreading the word on Autism. It is in one word ; Amazing !

It is definitely a page turner because as the reader you want to know what happens next in the life of Tally Olivia Adams. The book is set at school as well as home , but also includes Tallys trips to the doctor. 

Tally is just starting Year 6 – ( so am I ! ) and when she comes to school after the summer holidays everyone seems to have changed…. this confuses Tally;  and as the story progresses she learns more about herself and the reasons she acts the way she does. Tally would like to fit in at school but finds it difficult.

There are some twists that surprised me I won’t give them away….but you will learn if you read this book that Autism comes in different shapes and sizes.

The good thing about this book is that even though there are no pictures I can imagine the appearance of Tally and her best friend Layla. The descriptive writing helps the reader to see through the writers eyes.

Anyone around the age of 9-12 will hopefully enjoy this book as much as I did.

Father Christmas is coming to The Book Nook!

We have some very exciting news! Father Christmas is flying in to Hove for a special visit to meet our Book Nook friends. He is so excited to be able to meet face to face again and is very much looking forward to reading a festive story and having his photo taken with you.

He will be visiting the shop on Sunday 12th December and you can join one of his special festive story sessions at 10:30am or 12:00.

Please order one ticket per child for entrance to Father Christmas story time, a photo opportunity and a gift.

Einstein the Penguin by Iona Rangeley and David Tazzyman, reviewed by Evie

We love this illustrated review by Evie! What a super star!

About the book

Perfect for all readers from 7 to 70, Einstein the Penguin introduces an unforgettable new character in a future-classic and fantastically funny debut for all the family to enjoy. Get ready to welcome the most extraordinary penguin into your own home… When the Stewarts spend a sunny, frosty December day at London Zoo, they’re enchanted by one small penguin.

At the delight of young Imogen and Arthur, Mrs Stewart insists the penguin “must come and stay with them whenever he likes.” But not one Stewart expects the penguin to turn up at their door that evening, rucksack labelled “Einstein” on his back… The family’s new feathered friend helps Arthur to come out of his shell and makes massive demands on Imogen’s amateur sleuthing. But together they must find out why Einstein came to them and they must keep away from the mysterious white-coat man.

And Einstein can’t stay forever, can he…? From stunning new writing talent Iona Rangeley, and illustrated with wit and brio by the award-winning David Tazzyman, this is a book that will be treasured for years to come.

Scarlet and Ivy: The Lost Twin by Sophie Cleverly, reviewed by Sophie

This book is really good because it describes how the characters are feeling at that time. I liked the way the book was written as it was very descriptive and a wonderful read. It is a mystery book about twin Scarlet Grey who disappears from her school, Rookwood and her sister Ivy is invited to take her place. Friendships are made and bonds broken in this epic story. Can Ivy solve the mystery of her missing sister?

This tale of friendship, bravery and (naturally) mystery is a great read for those with a taste for adventure and mischief. I would recommend this book to everyone. 

My favourite character in this book was Ivy because she changes from a timid, shy person to a bold, brave mystery solving girl. 

I can’t wait to read the rest of the series as I know they’ll be great!

About the book

Ghostcloud by Michael Mann, reviewed by Aysha

About the book

‘A superbly inventive and magical debut’  
Piers Torday 

‘Beautifully written and filled with unforgettable characters … a diamond of a book’  
Ross McKenzie 

‘Utterly original, thrilling, strange and cracking good fun … every chapter is packed full of wild imagination’  
Liz Hyder  

Catch the wind. Find your freedom.  

A riveting, magical adventure set deep underneath a richly reimagined London for 9+ readers.  

Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underneath a half-bombed, blackened power station, 12-year-old Luke’s life is miserable. Then, he discovers he can see things others can’t. Ghostly things. Specifically, a ghost-girl named Alma. Alma, who can ride clouds through the night sky and bend their shape to her will, befriends Luke. And with Alma’s help, Luke discovers he is in fact a rare being – half-human and half-something else …

Then Luke learns the terrible truth of why children are being kidnapped and forced to work in the power station, and he becomes even more desperate to escape.

Can Luke find out who he really is … and find his freedom?

Locked out Lily by Nick Lake and Emily Gravett, reviewed by Catherine

Locked Out Lily tells the story of a girl whose mum is having a baby. She’s about to become a big sister but she’s not happy about it! Lily is sent to her granny’s house when her parents go to hospital and that’s when strange things start happening. She runs away back to her house and realises she is locked out. Lily finds a talking crow who tries to help her, along with a band of his friends. Mouse, Mole and Snake are all talking creatures too who each help Lily in their own unique way.

Some of the other characters include the father-thing, the mother-thing and the baby-thing. These are like replacements of Lily’s family but they have empty black eyes and are not all they seem. Nick Lake is good at writing scary scenes with Lily and these demons – you don’t really know what they might do and the reader feels constantly on edge.

My favourite character was Mole because although she can’t see, she still helps Lily as much as she can. It’s not exactly a friendship between Lily and the animals but it is funny when Lily asks Crow if she’s dreaming and he does a poo on her head and asks, ‘Would that happen in a dream?’

Emily Gravett’s illustrations are amazing. I like how they are only done in black and white  but they still look and feel very real. She is famous for her drawings of little mice and some of the best pictures are the ones with Mouse. I wonder if Nick Lake put a mouse in his book for that exact reason?!

About the book

A startlingly original, stunningly-illustrated modern classic about learning to face your fears from the multi award-winning partnership of Nick Lake and Emily Gravett.

Lily just wants things to go back to the way they were: before she got sick, before her parents decided to have another baby. So when she’s sent away to stay with her grandmother while her mum has the baby, Lily is determined to go home. But she doesn’t expect to find people in her house – people who look like her parents, but definitely aren’t … Together with some unlikely animal companions, Lily must face her fears and summon the courage to break into her own house, and defeat ‘The Replacements’ before the night is out. 

Nick Lake’s atmospheric story of family and friendship is brought to spectacular life by Emily Gravett, twice winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal. 

‘A book of such wit and flair and delight: the kind of book you finish and immediately begin again, so that you can live again alongside the characters’ Katherine Rundell, bestselling author of The Explorer