Good Reads 179: St Martin’s Garden Primary School, Bath

Chosen by Year 5 pupils (9-10 year-olds) from St Martin’s Garden Primary School, Bath.

Thanks to Hannah Sackett, School Librarian

Cirque du Freak

Darren Shan, HarperCollins, 978 0 00 675416 9, £5.99 pbk

When Darren Shan gets tickets to go to a freak show, he jumps at the chance. If he had known what would happen, I’m sure he would have thought twice.

Darren falls in love with Madam Octa, a performing spider, and steals her. When Darren shows her to his best friend Steve, she bites him. Steve will die if the venom isn’t treated. Darren has to make a choice. Will he get the vaccine and turn into a half-vampire (!!!) or will he let Steve die and stay as a normal human himself?

My favourite character would have to be Madam Octa. Although she doesn’t do a great deal, the story wouldn’t be the same without her.

Other authors I like include Anthony Horowitz and Charlie Higson. If you like their books, I think you’ll like Cirque du Freak.

Alexander Nettle

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Jeff Kinney, Puffin, 987 0 14 132490 6, £5.99 pbk

I picked up this book, started reading and didn’t want to stop! Set in the USA, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is hilarious, interesting and really gripping. The story is about Greg Heffley, an innocent American who uses this diary to record the crazy events that occur in his everyday life. Not just in writing either, he also uses drawings which add a lot to the story.

It covers the whole year, with lots of twists every month! Christmas and Halloween are the best parts, with loads going on.

Along with Greg, my favourite character has to be Rowley. His ridiculous comics, his constantly open mouth (showing his weird teeth) and his safety conscious Mother and Father make him perfect for the book.

The ‘Cheese touch’, Manny, Rodrick, Creighton the Cretin and Greg himself combine to make this brilliant book. 10/10!

Ethan Rees

The Suitcase Kid

Jacqueline Wilson, Corgi Yearling, 978 0 440 86773 9, £5.99 pbk

I think this book is gripping and as soon as I started reading I did not want to put it down. I felt I was Andrea and that all the things that happened to her happened to me.

Andy (Andrea) has to go through a lot of changes to her family. Her dad moves out and Carrie becomes the love of his life. Carrie has two children, but very soon Andy gets a half-sister… Her mum’s new boyfriend is Bill. Andy has to call him Uncle Bill, but she likes to call him Bill the Baboon. She gets three more stepbrothers and sisters.

Andy has a toy who goes everywhere with her – it is a rabbit called Radish. He is always getting lost or dirty.

I would recommend this book to most girls and some boys of about 8 years+. I would give this book 5 stars out of 5.

Rhiannon George

Estelle (Megastar Mysteries)

Annabelle Starr, 2Heads, 978 1 4052 3248 7, £4.99 pbk

Estelle is a great book about a TV show. The best singer wins the chance to act with a famous actor. But one of the singers has a secret. Read it to find out more!!

I like the plot because it is complicated and really funny. My favourite character is Soph because she has really good dress sense! Soph, Abs and Rosie are the main characters and they solve the mysteries. The book made me feel excited, when I finished a chapter I had to carry on reading!

I think only girls would like this book because it’s based on girly things like clothes and music. I think it’s made for 8+ because of the style of writing and the plot.

I would give it a rating of 10/10 because it’s a really good book!

Toyah-Louise Truckle

Krazy Kow Saves the World – Well, Almost

Jeremy Strong, Puffin, 978 0 14 132239 1, £4.99 pbk

This book is about a boy who wins a school competition about saving the environment. He does this by making a film about Krazy Kow.

I enjoyed this book because it is really funny and I felt I was inside the story. I really liked the part when Jamie records his sister kissing her boyfriend and when Matt gets a pink football kit out of the wash. My favourite character is Jamie Frink, who gets all the action. Reading this book made me feel that I had to read more of Jeremy Strong’s books.

Everybody will enjoy this book because it is really, really, really funny, but I think it is perfect for 10 and 11 year olds. 5 stars.

M Haley