Author: BookNook

The Yearbook by Holly Bourne, reviewed by Abi

Whilst the cover is very bright and colourful, this book isn’t always super cheery, in the best way possible. Of course there are sweet moments of fun sprinkled throughout, but some of the main themes are quite a bit darker. The Yearbook is about drama at school, but it’s also about why you may act the way you do at school; how your life is affected by what your home is like; why you are the way you are. I honestly could not put this book down. It really felt like it was written about some of the things that happen at my school. I really recommend this to anyone who enjoys teenage drama.

The story is about Paige who is a year 11 girl who is on the school newspaper. She is very shy, she has no friends and her older brother has just gone off to university. Paige sees how the kids are cruel to the weaker children and what they do. She hates it. She doesn’t want them to get away with it, so she keeps a record of everything she sees in notebooks which she keeps under her bed. But she never says a word because she is scared they will then turn on her. Paige has learnt to blend into the background, to not be noticed by anyone, which she thinks is the best way to survive secondary school and her home life, which is another story altogether! However, one day she spots some red pen in a school library book and writes her own comment underneath….‘I exist’. This is the start of a whole rollercoaster of events that will change her life and change her.

I have two sisters, both are younger than me (I’m the oldest child). I’ve lived in Brighton and Hove my whole life. I live with both of my parents and siblings.  I have 6 cats which can be very stressful at times. I’m currently in Year 10 but I only have a few months till Year 11. When I’m older I want to become and English teacher, I want to inspire young people to follow their dreams.

About the book

Finding your voice. Speaking the truth. Falling in love.

All the biggest drama happens in high school…

Mean Girls meets To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before in this hugely relatable high-school takedown from the queen of UKYA.

Paige is used to staying quiet in the face of lies. Like how popular girl Grace is a such an amazing person (lie). How Laura steals people’s boyfriends (lie). How her own family are so perfect (lie).

Now Grace and friends have picked their “best” high-school moments for Paige to put in the all-important Yearbook. And they’re not just lies. They’re poison.

But Paige has finally had enough. And as she starts to find love through the pages of a book, she finds her voice too. Now she is going to rewrite her story – and the Yearbook is the perfect place to do it.

Paige Vickers: Most likely to…bring down the mean girls

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell, reviewed by Sophie

In this book, you will embark on an exciting adventure. Join Fred, Con, Lila and Max as they crash in a plane heading to Manaus. Flinch as they almost die whilst climbing a tree for honey. Murmur as they meet The Explorer, as he trains them to live in the jungle. Scream, when something happens that threatens their entire existence…

My favourite character was Con because she appeared to be tough with no feelings but really, she was a gentle character who had lived with her mean aunt for years. The language the author used made me feel like I was there with the characters and I could feel the fear and excitement that they experienced. 

The few black and white illustrations in the book really set the scene and added to my enjoyment of the book.

This book is thrilling and unpredictable and I would recommend for boys and girls above the age of 7.

I would love to know what happens next, please ask Katherine Rundell to write a sequel!

My name is Sophie and I am 9. I live in Essex with my family: my younger brother and sister, mum and dad and not forgetting my 10 month old hamster. As well as reading I enjoy lots of other things. Some of my hobbies are reading, writing, drawing, playing the violin, drama, swimming and gymnastics. At school I am in year 4. My favourite lessons are art, music, drama, ICT and English. My not-so-favourite lessons are maths, science, history and geography. 

About the book

Go on an adventure with Katherine Rundell … Winner of the Children’s Book PrizeWinner of the Costa Children’s Book Award 2017Winner of the London Book Fair Children’s Travel Book of the Year’I loved The Explorer’ Jacqueline Wilson’Rundell is now unarguably in the FIRST RANK’ Philip Pullman’Read everything she writes’ Daily MailFrom his seat in the tiny aeroplane, Fred watches as the mysteries of the Amazon jungle pass by below him. He has always dreamed of becoming an explorer, of making history and of reading his name amongst the lists of great discoveries.

If only he could land and look about him. As the plane crashes into the canopy, Fred is suddenly left without a choice. He and the three other children may be alive, but the jungle is a vast, untamed place.

With no hope of rescue, the chance of getting home feels impossibly small. Except, it seems, someone has been there before them …

One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus, reviewed by Mel

Watch Mel’s TikTok video review:

@melslibrary

one of the most fast-paced mystery books I’ve ever read 🙂 #booktok #fyp #bookreview #oneofusislyingbook

♬ original sound – mel 🥰✌️
As I kid I always adored reading, and it was my number one hobby. That filtered away for a bit when I started secondary school, but since getting back into it again over lockdown I haven’t been able to stop. My mums an english teacher, so
she’s always encouraged me to read and help me understand how amazing it is. I am an optimistic, chatty, kind person with a big love for animals and treating the planet kindly. I took Early Modern History, Psychology, and English Lang/Lit(combined) for A level to help myself gain a better understanding of the reasons behind people’s actions.

About the book

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER Five students go to detention. Only four leave alive.

Yale hopeful Bronwyn has never publicly broken a rule. Sports star Cooper only knows what he’s doing in the baseball diamond. Bad boy Nate is one misstep away from a life of crime. Prom queen Addy is holding together the cracks in her perfect life.

And outsider Simon, creator of the notorious gossip app at Bayview High, won’t ever talk about any of them again. He dies 24 hours before he could post their deepest secrets online. Investigators conclude it’s no accident.

All of them are suspects. Everyone has secrets, right? What really matters is how far you’ll go to protect them. 

A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab, reviewed by Farrah

Going into this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  The concept sounded fascinating, but the execution was even better.

‘A Darker Shade of Magic’ follows Kell and Lila within a world of multiple dimensions.  As a traveller, Kell is one of the only two people who can travel between the world’s London’s: Grey, Red and White.  Black London has long since been destroyed.  Kell and Lila have a chance meeting and from that moment their story unfolds, as they attempt to save Red London from the darker forces attempting to penetrate from Black London.  

I found the world immersive, the characters three-dimensional and the story action packed from the very first page.  I read it in two days and have already continued on with the trilogy.

Book Review by Farrah Hoskins.

I’ve set myself the challenge of reading seventy five books this year & already I’ve read forty five. I hope this gives you an insight into how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE reading.  I’ve been reading more YA fantasy novels through my @readbyfarrah BookTok & have become obsessed with the series written by Leigh Bardugo, Victoria Aveyard, Sarah J. Maas, Alice Oseman, Cassandra Clare & V.E. Schwab.  As a staunch Gryffindor, my all time favourite Harry Potter book is The Goblet of Fire, oh & The Deathly Hallows…I can’t choose between those two: you can’t have one without the other six!  I credit Harry Potter for igniting my love of fantasy novels, but I love to fall down the rabbit hole of classics & crime fiction.  My Grandpa introduced me to Sherlock Holmes at a young age & I’m a massive fan of who dunnit novels by Agatha Christie, Robin Stevens & Karen M. McManus’ ‘One Of Us Is Lying.’

My current favourite book is ‘The Song of Achilles’. I defy all my reluctant reading friends not to be crushed by Madeline Miller’s masterpiece.   My passion for Greek Mythology started with a beautifully illustrated Usborne children’s guide, which has certainly influenced my choice of GCSE Classics.  Moving forward, I hope to study it at A Level, & fingers crossed at university along with English Lit.  I’ve read Stephen Fry’s fantastic ‘Mythos,’ Natalie Haynes’ ‘A Thousand Ships’ & Mary Beard’s Ancient Rome book entitled ‘SPQR.’ Even though I tend to steer clear of horror stories I do actively seek strong female role models & stories with good representation from the lgbtq plus community & books by authors of colour. 

If you need to reach me, I’ll be in my room ‘manifesting’ the third Six of Crows book!  

Amelia Fang and The Barbaric Ball by Laura Ellen Anderson, reviewed by Mia and mum Kate

Mia says:
Amelia is a vampire with a cute pet pumpkin, Squashy. Her friends include a Yeti and a Grim Reaper.Amelia, Florence and Grimaldi have been brought up with terrifying tales of Angel Kittens, glitter, and Unicorns!In this first book, Amelia’s parents host their boring annual Barbaric Ball. The King finally makes an appearance, but brings along the spoilt Prince Tangine.Will he be a friend or foe?
There are seven books in the series plus a WBD book. I enjoyed them so much that I’ve read them all six times! I love the illustrations, adventures and characters. It’s funny and quite gross!
I’ve just got my copy of Laura Ellen Anderson’s new book, Rainbow Grey, which I’ve already started and cannot wait to review!


Mum Kate says:I love the twist on the stories they are told, instilling in them a fear of kittens, glitter and unicorns. We discussed how silly this seemed and how easy it can be to believe things we are told, but which aren’t necessarily true. Amongst all the fun and gross stuff, there’s a lovely theme of friendship and acceptance.

Hello! My name is Mia, I am 8 and live in Harrogate. I like writing stories and drawing pictures. I am a Brownie and also help with Rainbows. I enjoy performing, and have dance, piano and mandarin lessons. Obviously I absolutely love reading!
Mum Kate reviews books with Mia as the_inkdrinkers_library on Instagram.

About the book

A GORGEOUSLY GOTHIC, WICKEDLY FUNNY NEW SERIES FROM WITCH WARS ILLUSTRATOR LAURA ELLEN ANDERSON

Welcome to the world of Nocturnia, where darkness reigns supreme, glitter is terrifying, and unicorns are the stuff of nightmares! Amelia Fang would much rather hang out with her pet pumpkin Squashy and her friends Florence the yeti (DON’T CALL HER BEAST!) and Grimaldi the reaper than dance at her parents’ annual Barbaric Ball. And when the King’s spoiled son Tangine captures Squashy, Amelia and her friends must escape the party to plan a daring rescue! In their race against time, they begin to realise things in Nocturnia may not be quite what they seem … Join Amelia on her very first adventure. She won’t bite!

This gloriously ghostly new series from the creator of EVIL EMPEROR PENGUIN is perfect for 7-9 year olds and fans of THE WORST WITCH and WITCH WARS. Amelia Fang is a modern Wednesday Addams – but much more loveable!

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, reviewed by Alex

Title: Throne of Glass

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Length: 403 pages

Year published: 2012

Age: 13+

Book #1

Reviewed by: Alex Kingston

A thrilling book with an enticing storyline and complex, well-written characters. The story follows Celaena Sardothien, a teenage assassin who has been sent to slave away in the filthy salt mines of Endovier by the King of Adarlan. But after a year’s worth of slavery and abuse, Dorian Havilliard, the Crown Prince of Adarlan, offers her a deal: her freedom, in return for one huge sacrifice…

Overall, I would give this book ★★★★☆.
​

I am intelligent, funny and a very enthusiastic reader. I enjoy reading action-adventure and crime novels. My favourite book series is Skulduggery Pleasant, but I have also read The Inheritance Cycle, Alex Rider, The Hunger Games and the Scythe series. When I’m not reading I like to draw and especially write.

About the book

The book that started the phenomenon. Sarah J. Maas’s global #1 bestselling THRONE OF GLASS series has taken the world by storm.

Meet Celaena Sardothien. Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness. In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake.

She got caught. Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament – fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land.

Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?

Genie and Teeny by Steven Lenton, reviewed by Niamh

Hello! My name is Niamh and I’m aged 8. I’m an avid reader and some of my favourite authors and illustrators are Laura Ellen Anderson, Steven Butler, Steven Lenton, Sophy Henn and Sophie Anderson. I want to be an author and illustrator when I’m older and I love to write and draw in my spare time. I like to recommend books to my friends at school and believe you can never have too many books, even though I’m running out of space on my bookshelves! 

About the book

Meet Grant the genie, and his best friend – the puppy Teeny… The first in a series of magical adventures from the renowned illustrator, Steven Lenton, winner of Waterstones Picture Book of the Month and the Times Children’s Book of the Week. When Grant the Genie is cast out of Genie World, he lands on Earth with a big, fat bump! Without a lamp to call home, he has to settle for an old cracked teapot instead.

Grant is very lonely until he meets the puppy, Teeny. Then Genie and Teeny are kidnapped by the evil purple-loving Lavinia Lavender, and find themselves on-course for a rollercoaster of an adventure – when all they really want is a place to call home…

Otherland By Louie Stowell, reviewed by Alma

I love a book with a really good setting and this has a very detailed world.

Otherland is a fantasy story about a baby girl, Shilpa, who’s taken by the fairy queen. Two friends participate in the deadly Knight Games to win her back. But this is a world with no logic and you don’t know what is real…

At first the lack of logic was a bit confusing, but I soon got used to it. And I liked how the two characters are always arguing at the start but by the end of the book they are very good friends.

Loads of bits were very funny and made me laugh – a lot!

Hi, I’m Alma and I live by the sea with my Mum, Dad, sister and tortoise. I love Harry Potter and anything dragon. I am passionate about the environment and want to be a marine biologist when I grow up. I love art and drawing, but more than anything I love writing and reading stories. I like fantasy or contemporary books but love to read almost anything.

About the book

Otherland is a dangerous magical underworld – a place where appearances can be deceiving and anything can happen. A world of gods, vampires, and fairies. It’s also…horrible.

When life-long friends Myra and Rohan discover that Rohan’s baby sister Shilpa has been stolen and taken to Otherland, the only way to rescue her is by taking part in a deadly game – three impossible challenges set by the Fairy Queen of Otherland. Win the game, and Rohan and Myra can go home with Shilpa – but lose, and they’ll be trapped in Otherland forever…

A darkly funny, action-packed fantasy adventure, perfect for fans of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency, Malamander, and The Land of Roar, from the author of the highly-acclaimed Dragon in the Library series.

Kat Wolfe Investigates by Lauren St John, reviewed by Leontine

This is an amazing book, perfect for mystery lovers. An adventure full of surprises, discovery and more.

Kat Wolfe investigates is hard to put down, twists and turns fill the pages as you read this fantastic story.

It’s beautifully written with main characters who are resilient, courageous and have a fierce friendship. You’ll follow Kat Wolfe, an animal loving girl as she solves a thrilling mystery with her best friend Harper Lamb. You’ll also meet unforgettable animals along the way (e.g. Toby the golden retriever). This engaging read is set in idyllic Bluebell bay where you’d never expect a dark secret to occur…but it did.

If you enjoy this book there are other Wolfe and Lamb books to read: Kat Wolfe takes the case and Kat Wolfe on thin ice.

This Wolfe and Lamb mystery is a must read, exciting, adventurous and unique, I recommend this book to ages 9 plus. 

My name is Leontine, I’m 10 years old and I live in Hove with my French mum, my Italian dad and my annoying little brother, who is 7 years old. I love reading books especially books about adventure, magic, myths and mysteries. I also enjoy reading comics with my brother.

About the book

Join brave Kat Wolfe and her animal sidekicks in this first mysterious adventure filled with friendship, freedom and a fierce wild cat!Kat Wolfe loves her new home in idyllic Bluebell Bay, especially as it comes with a resident wildcat. But when she starts pet-sitting for pocket money, she finds that beneath the town’s perfect surface lie some dark and dangerous secrets …

After a pet owner vanishes from his clifftop mansion, Kat turns to her new friend, Harper Lamb, for help. What began as mystery-solving holiday fun quickly turns deadly for Wolfe and Lamb. Can they count on their unruly animals to save their lives?

Kat Wolfe Investigates is the first in a compelling middle-grade mystery series from bestselling author Lauren St John. Continue the adventures in Kat Wolfe Takes the Case.

Pizazz Vs The New Kid by Sophy Henn, reviewed by Niamh

Hello! My name is Niamh and I’m aged 8. I’m an avid reader and some of my favourite authors and illustrators are Laura Ellen Anderson, Steven Butler, Steven Lenton, Sophy Henn and Sophie Anderson. I want to be an author and illustrator when I’m older and I love to write and draw in my spare time. I like to recommend books to my friends at school and believe you can never have too many books, even though I’m running out of space on my bookshelves! 

About the book

The super (like, actually, with powers and stuff) series from the amazingly talented Sophy Henn, award-winning author and illustrator of Bad Nana! The perfect read for children aged 7, 8, 9 and upwards, and for fans of Dork Diaries, Tom Gates, Amelia Fang, Wimpy Kid and Dog Man.

“A SPECTACULAR superhero story that fizzes with fun on every page!” – Liz Pichon, bestselling author of the TOM GATES series.

BEING A SUPERHERO IS THE BEST THING EVER, RIGHT? WRONG! HELLO! My name is PIZAZZ and I’m a superhero … You probably think that’s really AWESOME, and while it can be, it’s also REEEEEEEAAALLLLY annoying.

I guess it was sort of going OK (I say, “sort of” – I still have to wear a silly cape and save the world all the time) until this NEW KID showed up, and started WOWING everyone with their super powers. Yep, SUPER POWERS – just what this town needs, another super . . . Who just happens to have the coolest name ever: Jett. And now, because of Serena and her gang of Populars, I have to compete against Jett in an almighty and ultimate SUPER-OFF.

But it’s fine. I mean, even if I lose, there’s space for two SUPERS in this school, isn’t there?!

Hilariously narrated by reluctant superhero Pizazz, and brimming with Sophy’s distinctive illustrations and comic-book strips.