Good Reads: ABC International School

Good Reads

Chosen by Years 7-10 (11 to 15 year-old) pupils from the ABC International School, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Thanks to Jonathan Guy, Librarian.

Mio, My Son

Astrid Lindgren, Purple House Press, 178pp, 978 1 9309 0023 3, OP

Mio, My Son is a very worthy book to read. Mio is a courageous little prince who has been adopted by a couple who take an extraordinary dislike to him. The book title is an endearing term that his father, the king, usually called him. He is rescued from his miserable life by a genie and taken back to be reunited with his father in a far off land. However, what should be an idyllic ending is compounded by the evil knight, Sir Kato, who has a heart made out of rock and an iron hand. Mio realizes his destiny is to defeat Kato and so sets about this with his best friend, Pompoo, and his horse Miramis to fulfill this prophecy. This is a delightful and touching novel that has a classic fairytale quality to it but which beautifully portrays the themes of friendship, loyalty, bravery and fate. It has a timeless feel and is a book to read and re-read. If you’ve always enjoyed the adventures of Pippi Longstocking you’re sure to love this book too!

Sarah (year 10)

The Lost Island of Tamarind

Nadia Aguiar, Puffin, 448pp, 978-0141323862, £7.99 pbk

The Lost Island of Tamarind is, without doubt, the perfect book for adventure seeking readers. It starts with a family going on an expedition to look for rare, glowing sea creatures that have been sighted by fishermen a number of times. However a fierce and violent storm results in the children – Maya, Simon and Penny – losing their parents and becoming shipwrecked on an unknown island. It is said that anyone who enters this realm can never escape and return to their world. So ensues a gripping and fateful adventure – facing vicious animals, roaming over mountainous terrain, and even encountering vines that eat humans! Will it be easy to get to their parents unharmed? Will they discover why this island is unnamed on any map? These questions were trapped in my head and I could not stop turning the pages in pursuit of the answers. There are plenty of books of this genre on the shelves but the writing in this story is evocative, spellbinding and wholly believable and the plot rattles along at breakneck pace. The characters are well drawn and engaging, and, truly, this book is one you will never forget.

Doan (year 7)

The Ropemaker

Peter Dickinson, Macmillan, 432pp, 978 0 3303 9713 1, £6.99 pbk

This is a book full of magic and wonder; it is the perfect book for fantasy lovers and it represents the true novel of dreams. The author makes me feel like a spectator watching the journey of the story progress. The main character is Tilja who struggles with jealousy as her younger sister, Anja, finds she has the ability to hear the cedar trees in the forest. However, things gradually begin to change as Tilja herself develops an inner strength and discovers that she alone can control the flow of sacred magic where she lives and that she must step up to the challenge of saving the forest valley from dying. It is left to her and her companions to seek the greatest barer of magic in their land – Faheel – to solve this huge dilemma. The plot is deep and labyrinthine, with plenty of twists and turns, but I love the way it is structured and how it ebbs and flows. I believe you will too.

Helen (year 7)

Malice

Chris Wooding, Scholastic, 384pp, 978 1 4071 0394 5, £6.99 pbk

Seth and Kady have regularly heard rumours about the comic book, Malice, but never believed that these legends were true. No one gets taken into a book do they? However, when their friend, Luke, disappears without trace their fears become far more real. Seth and Kady are left with no option but to pursue Luke. So begins a whirlwind adventure as our heroes try to outwit the evil and sinister Tall Jake, amidst treachery, trickery and deviousness. This is an enthralling book – part novel and part comic book – that grips the reader from start to finish and the use of both types of storyline make it a really interesting and entertaining read. The characters are very strong. Seth and Kady are great heroes and Tall Jake makes for a terrifying and sinister adversary. The use of comic book language and graphics helps the reader picture the characters more fully whilst the novel bits of the story really let your imagination run wild. I loved this book and the sequel, Havoc, awaits!

Naila (Year 7)