Good Reads: Glenthorne High School

Our Good Reads were chosen by young people at the Glenthorne High School, Sutton. Thanks to the pupils and to the school’s librarian Lucas Maxwell.

Warcross

Marie Lu, Penguin, 978-0-2413-2142-3, £12.99

5 stars

Warcross is the best book ever! Hanie is my favourite character, as she is kind, funny and I love the way she can practically read someone’s mind. I also like Emika’s father, even though he is dead for the whole book. I like him because he is creative and caring.

My least favourite character is Ren as he is always portrayed as the villain. My favourite points in the book are when Emika hacks into both the opening ceremony and the final battle. This is because there is the most suspense and action. I also liked when Emika finds out that Zero is Sansuke who got kidnapped and the bomb drops. However, I didn’t enjoy when Heidio controlled people’s mind with the Nero-link or the pirate’s den as they had a little too much suspense.

By G.I.

Word Nerd

Susin Nielsen, Andersen Press, 978-1-7834-4460-1, £7.99

5 stars

Word Nerd is an amazing book because it can teach you about real life situations. It is about a boy called Ambrose who has had a near-death experience. He is pressured by bullies (nicknamed the three stooges) along with the stress of not having a father. His neighbour’s son Cosmo has just come out of prison and Ambrose notices one thing they both have in common: they both play Scrabble! Cosmo secretly drives Ambrose to Scrabble club every week but soon it all goes out of hand.

By L.N.

The Book of Dust

Philip Pullman, Penguin Random House and David Fickling Books, 978-0-3856-0441-3, £20.00

4 ½ Stars

The Book of Dust is about a boy called Malcom and his daemon Asta. He takes a dangerous journey to help unravel a challenge that will change his life.

This is an amazing book as it shows life from a much different angle. This prequel to the books His Dark Materials could not be any better. Recommended for everyone, this book is a must-read!

By K.G.

The Guggenheim Mystery

Robin Stevens, Puffin, 978-0-1413-7702-5, £9.99

4 ½ stars

This book is packed full of adventure. Ted and Kat visit the beautiful art museum where a priceless painting is stolen. Their aunt Gloria is arrested. Ted and Kat travel around America to find clues and prove Gloria’s innocence…

By K.M.

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Ransom Riggs, Quirk Books, 978-1-5947-4902-5, £9.99

3 ½ stars

This book is about a boy growing up, listening to all of his grandfather’s stories and believing them. When he gets older, his grandfather gets very ill and forgets things, having lots of mental breakdowns about monsters trying to capture him. One night, the boy travels to visit his grandpa Poertman at his home. He finds him covered in blood and wounds, dead in a wood. His grandpa said some weird last words, telling him to go to an island where he will be safe from the monsters. The boy has lots of nightmares, trying to figure out what his grandfather meant. None of the doctors or his parents believe him and think that he has gone crazy. The boy doesn’t know whether to listen to what his grandfather said or just ignore it. This is a great story.

By J.A.