Good Reads: Mill Dam Junior Infant and Nursery School

Chosen by readers at Mill Dam Junior Infant and Nursery School, Pontefract, West Yorkshire

Thanks to Althea Samuels, Literacy Co-Ordinator

Bob, No Ordinary Cat

James Bowen, Hodder, 978-1444764901, £6.99 pbk

This book is really intriguing and I couldn’t stop reading it! It is the autobiography of James Bowen and Bob, James’ loving companion. James was a drug addict, it left him homeless, and he turned to busking to make a living. Walking back to his flat, James and his friend saw an injured ginger tom blocking a door. James bent down to stroke him then carried on walking, expecting the cat to go. The next day when James went out busking the cat was still there. The cat is known as Bob and he loves James to bits! He follows him busking sitting on James’s shoulder and sometimes walks attached to a lead!

In the middle of the book are pictures of Bob growing up that is a particular favourite part of the book for me. Overall I would definitely recommend and read this book again.

Evie Mulhern aged 10

Percy Jackson, The Son of Neptune

Rick Riordan, Puffin, 978-0141335735, 544pp, £7.99

The son of Neptune is an exciting book. Percy is a demi-god (half human, half god), he is lively and a keen sword fighter. Together with his friends he defends the Gods of Olympus and defeats monsters, including the mighty Polybotes giant of the Earth. It is packed full of drama and tension all rolled into one. The author makes it believable by making use of historical facts. The adventure begins with dramatic tension before the heading into the main part of the story, for example it starts with Percy loosing his memory, being chased by Gorgans and sliding down a hill on a tray. This is part of a series of books that always end on a cliffhanger to get the reader to carry on reading until they have read the whole series.

This is suitable for ages 9-18. Both boys and girls would enjoy this book and the series.

Deaven Butler aged 9

The Hundred-Mile-an-Hour Dog

Jeremy Strong, illustrated by Nick Sharratt, Puffin, 128pp, 978-0141322346, £5.99

Streaker is a 100 mph dog, she’s a rocket on four legs and her owner is Trevor. Streaker is not an ordinary dog. She is mixed with a bit of Ferrari and a whirlwind.

Trevor is being bullied by Charlie Smug who has made him accept a bet. The bet is to train Streaker to behave properly by the end of the holidays because Streaker keeps knocking Charlie over and she’s fed up of it. If he fails he has to deal with a slimy surprise. FROGSPAWN!!!!!!

In my opinion this book is suitable for children of any age, also it’s a really good book to read any where at any time. This book can help children learn how to deal with bullies. I have really enjoyed reading this book. This book is written by Jeremy Strong and illustrations by Nick Sharratt, they are really good at what they do.

Jayden Smith aged 10

Who was Alexander Selkirk. Survivor on a Desert Island

Amanda Mitchison, Short Books, 160pp, 978-1904095798, £4.99

This book is about an old man called Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor and adventurer. He spent nearly four years on a hot desert island waiting to be rescued by passing ships, but none came.

When a ship finally arrived the seamen had no idea what or who he was. After questioning they worked out he was human and what had happened to him. Taking him to a village on a mainland the sailors sent letters to the villager asking if they would offer him a job, they did. He had to clean the chimneys of the ferries moored at the docks.

It does not tell you why he was on the island but the author has based the book on Robinson Crusoe and this book explains why he got there and what he did on the island to survive. I would recommend this adventure book to children aged 8 and over.

Alison Flanagan age 10