Good Reads: Victoria Junior School

Chosen by pupils at Victoria Junior School, Workington, Cumbria, 2013 UKLA Literacy School of the Year.

Thanks to Tony Clayton, Literacy Lead Teacher.

The BFG

Roald Dahl, Puffin, 978 0141346427, £6.99. pbk

The BFG is one of the most entertaining, funniest books I have ever read. Initially a girl named Sophie wakes up during ‘witching hour’. In the distance, she sees a tall dark figure. As it comes closer, she sees it is something she thought didn’t exist; a GIANT! But Sophie not only sees him, HE sees HER. She is under the covers in her bed, yet still she is carried away with the giant to be sizzled like a rasher of bacon, or so she thought… Although when she gets there, she discovers he is a Big Friendly Giant who blows dreams into sleeping children’s rooms. In addition, there are also nine other giants who eat people. So begins a wild adventure to save the children around the world from them. Sophie, with the help of the BFG, ‘whiz poppers’, ‘snoozecumbers’, and the queen of England, she saves the world from devastation. I would give this book 10 out of 10

Reviewed by Abigail aged 10

Goodnight Mister Tom

Michelle Magorian, Puffin, 978-0140315417, £5.99 pbk

This book will be the top of your list. It is about a little boy called Willy who got sent to a man with no social life because his wife died a few years before. As they live together, Willy breaks out of his shyness and Tom deals with his mourning. But Willy has to go home again to his crazy mother who beats him.

I’m not saying anymore you will have to buy It! But trust me it’s worth it!

Reviewed by Kristi aged 9

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 978 0747562184, £6.99 pbk

I read the best book called Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! It is the sequel to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. J.K. Rowling, the author, is very descriptive and mysterious and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole story. It’s the best fantasy book I’ve ever read. I normally don’t like fantasies, but this one is one that everyone should read. You walk away from it feeling like you’re Harry Potter, off to save the world with magic! I also am usually scared of witches and things like that, but this one’s so much fun and you know it’s not true, but you still feel excited. Rowling does a great job not giving away the answers to the mysteries. After you find the solution to problems, you are so surprised! I would give this book a 10 out of 10.

Reviewed by Connor aged 10

Pokemon: Night in the Haunted Tower

Tracey West, Scholastic, 978 0439137423, O/P

Ash goes on an exciting journey to Saffron city and battles the gym leader but loses. He loses because Sabrina, the gym leader, uses telekinesis, which controls Pokemon. Team Rocket go to a tower with ghost Pokemon in it and as soon as they see the Pokemon they run away. Ash, Brock and Misty enter the tower and go into a dark room, some candles flicker and then turn on, then they saw a table ready for dinner with no-one sitting at it. Then the ghost Pokemon slowly appear. Ash tries to catch a ghost Pokemon but he realises that all they want is just some friends. I give this book a 10/10 rating because Ash keeps trying to win the gym battle but fails and believes in his Pokemon.

Reviewed by Owen aged10

Charlotte’s Web

E.B White, Puffin, 978 0141317342, £6.99 pbk

I think Charlotte’s Web is a great book. It’s all about a spider who lives in a farm. It’s a fantastic book because there are happy moments, sad moments and I care about the characters. It’s a funny, cool and exciting book to read. It is for all ages. I give it a 10/10 and if you don’t have it go to the shops and buy it.

Reviewed by Emma age 10