Good Reads: Fernwood School, Nottingham

Chosen by Year 7 (11-12 year-old) pupils from Fernwood School, Nottingham.

Thanks to Carol Williams, School Librarian

Artemis Fowl

Eoin Colfer, Puffin, 978 0 14 131212 5, £6.99 pbk

Artemis Fowl is a one in a million book, which is also part of a brilliant series consisting of seven or eight books. Artemis Fowl is a simple, well-trained fictional spy who along the series has many missions to eavesdrop on secret confidential meetings, ending with big mysteries and lots of trouble. He has his own personal mentor, who teaches Artemis about the masters of the spy game and how to eavesdrop on secrets.

This book is read by many people – do you want to be one of those people who enjoy spy games and the thrill of being caught at any time? I recommend this book to everyone, especially people who love spies. My personal opinion of this book is brilliant. I think it is the best book in the world and I would give it full marks, 10/10.

Shayan

Born to Run

Michael Morpurgo, HarperCollins, 978 0 00 723059 4, £5.99 pbk

This is the story of the many lives of one amazing dog. Rescued as a pup from drowning, Best Mate goes through life. He is a pet, a hero, a legend, and a friend for life. Change is always around the corner for Best Mate.

This book really brought out my emotions. It made me yell in triumph, and cry in despair. This book really touched me. I would recommend the book to anyone who likes triumph and despair, a book that makes you read on in hope, and anyone who likes animal stories. I think the book would be good for anyone over seven, and I would give it 10/10. My favourite part was not knowing what was next.

Josh

Malice

Chris Wooding, Scholastic, 978 1 407 10394 5, £6.99 pbk

Have you ever thought that when you read a comic book it could be real? Well… you haven’t read Malice, a world of adventure, losses beyond your belief, creatures, fear and death. They are all trapped! Trapped by a chant of terror ‘Tall Jake take me away, Tall Jake take me away’, but of course this couldn’t happen – or could it? A man living in a city of terror with the worst kind of creatures – man-eating lizards, metal tiger, killer gorillas. My favourite part is when they make the potion so they can enter Malice, but (as I know) they are making a big mistake.

My favourite character is the metal tiger, because he is the most feared, but somehow keeps the children safe from many of the killers around the iron city of doom and death.

Alec

The Declaration

Gemma Malley, Bloomsbury, 978 0 7475 8774 3, £6.99 pbk

I really enjoyed this book, although it is a bit sad at times. It is about a girl in the future, in the year 2140. Scientists have invented a drug which can make people live forever. If you take this drug, you are not allowed to have children, because of the population. Grange Hall is a place where children are sent if their parents were taking the drugs when they are born. The children at Grange Hall are not treated well. There is a girl called Anna who lives at Grange Hall. They are taught to hate their parents, but then a boy comes, Peter, and he tries to change Anna’s mind about the world.

I think this book is brilliant. It is aimed at boys and girls. I think the age group is 12-15, and I would give it 9/10.

Emily

The Spook’s Apprentice

Joseph Delaney, Red Fox, 978 1 86230 853 4, £5.99 pbk

The Spook’s Apprentice is an interesting and sad book. It is about a boy, the 7th son of a 7th son which makes him hear and see things that others cannot. When he gets a job as the spook’s apprentice (the spook being a hated man who does dangerous jobs) he is desperate to go home, but when he goes back home he isn’t very sure he wants to stay.

My favourite character is the spook, because although he is seen as a baddy, he is a good person with a sad history. I recommend this book to 8 to 99 years, as it might scare very little kids. My favourite part is where the boy goes down to dinner early because it was quite funny. Normally, when you go early to dinner, nothing should happen, but when he goes down early… I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes! Overall, this was a very good book and quite emotional.

Sumeyye