Good Reads: University of Birmingham School
Our Good Reads were chosen by young people at University of Birmingham School. Thanks to these young critics and to their teacher Kevin Cobane.
Poppy the Street Dog
Michelle Clark, Seven Dials, 978-1409195436, £8.99 pbk
This is an amazing book and I was shocked to find out that it was a true story. This book showed me how to have more empathy for people who are less fortunate than me. This story also includes a dog named Poppy and the miraculous journey of Poppy and Michelle (her new owner). I would recommend this book to children who like animals and anyone who wants to learn more about people living on the streets and how Michelle has helped them. Thank you so much for reading this review and I hope you will read Poppy the Street Dog as your next book.
Review by Ivy
The Sad Ghost Club 2
Lize Meddings, Hodder Children’s Books, 978-1444957549, £10.99pbk
If you have ever felt anxious or alone or that you have no friends, then this is the book for you. This book is about two strangers who meet at a party and because they are not like other people and are full of anxiety. They are surprised because they both feel like they don’t belong or fit in as they feel different to everybody else. This meeting changes their lives and they start a secret club for anyone who feels like them. However, when a third person want to join the Sad Ghost Club they don’t know whether to let them in. This is a brilliant book with great illustrations that makes you feel you are not alone. Everybody should read this book.
Review by Lydia
Kereen Getten, Pushkin Press, 978-1782692645, £7.99 pbk
This is an amazing book with a beautiful front cover that makes you want to dive into the story. The story is about a girl called Clara and her friendship with Gaynah but there is a mystery as she can’t remember what happened last summer and is really afraid of the water. It has really good descriptions of Sycamore and the island that make you feel like you are in Jamaica. I really liked the characters and how the mystery is revealed and the story shows how everybody needs the support of their friends and family at some time in their life. The ending is shocking but also perfect. It was twist that I didn’t expect. I would recommend this book to everybody who enjoys a good mystery
Review by Malae
Cath Howe, Nosy Crow, 978-1788000338, £6.99 pbk
This is an interesting and really good book about a girl called Ella and her big secret. I felt really sad for Ella as she has to keep a big secret and can’t tell anyone. Ella, Jack and Mum have to move away and make a new life. Ella has to start a new school and meets lots of different people on her journey but has lots of worries. Ella tries hard to fit in but is worried people will find out her secret. It is a book about friendship and bullies and has short chapters which make it good to read. I loved this book and would recommend it to all my friends.
Review by Jhanavi
InvestiGators
John Patrick Green, Macmillan Children’s Books, 978-1529054378, £7.99 pbk
This is a marvellous book that is perfect for comic lovers. It’s a book about two Crocodiles called Mango and Brash who are Investigators and agents in an organisation called S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams). When Gustavo Mustachio goes missing they have to go to his restaurant which is called Batter Down to investigate and find out what happened. With lots of action and brilliant humour and jokes this book is a great read and is part of a series. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes Captain Underpants or Dog Man.
Review by Colton
Mr Gum and the Power Crystals
Andy Stanton, illus David Tazzyman, Egmont, 978-1405228176, £5.99 pbk
I love the Mr Gum series as they are full of joy and fun. This book is about a girl called Polly who finds two magic crystals in an old Windmill. This is where the story starts to get interesting as Polly and her friends, Friday and the Gingerbread Man Alan Taylor, discover that the crystals were made to destroy their beloved small town of Lamonic Bibber and that Mr Gum and his trusty sidekick Billy William the Third are up to their old tricks. I loved the humour and jokes in this book and would recommend this book and the series to anyone who is need of a laugh.
Review by Amarah
