Good Reads: Brixington Primary Academy, Exmouth
Our Good Reads were chosen by young people at Brixington Primary Academy, Exmouth. These young critics are the school’s Reading Ambassadors and meet once a month to discuss what they have read and to share recommendations. Thanks to them and Head of School, Stuart Dyer, for these reviews.
Dennis the Menace: A Mission to Menace
Meadowside Children’s Books, 978-1845390952,
This is a different book to what I would normally read. I usually enjoy non-fiction books but I liked this one very much. I especially liked when Dennis wanted to get out of sports day, and when he threw eggs at the other competitors during the egg-and-spoon race…it was really funny! Dennis has a dog called Gnasher and he is always getting into trouble with Dennis. I would recommend this book to children in Years 4 and 5 because some of the language is quite challenging but it’s very funny!
Owen, 10
The Illustrated Mum
Jaqueline Wilson, illus Nick Sharratt, Yearling, 978-0440867814, £7.99 pbk
I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to any children over 8. This book is about a mum called Marigold who is covered in tattoos. She is the wife of Micky, who has left the house, but Marigold is convinced he’ll come back. My favourite part is at the end when Dolphin – the younger sister – decides that, even though she and her older sister – Star – are in foster care, and her mum is in hospital, they are still a family. I’ve read lots of books by Jaqueline Wilson and this is one of my favourites.
Daisy, 10
Happy from Head to Toe
Fearne Cotton, Penguin, 978-0241466711, £9.99 pbk
This book makes me feel really happy. It is non-fiction and it tells us how to find our own happy. It reminds us that other people are going through the same things as we are and is helpful if you are feeling worried. The author, Fearne Cotton, is especially talented and brings along some of her friends to teach us how to make our whole bodies happy. I enjoyed the interviews with famous people like Tom Daley and Tom Fletcher, who explain how they find their own happiness…with knitting, for example! I would recommend it for people older than 7, and I would rate it five stars!
Sophie, 11
The Longest Whale Song
Jacqueline Wilson, illus Nick Sharratt, Yearling, 978-0440869139, £6.99 pbk
Ella is about to get a little brother. Her mum is pregnant but, sadly, after she has the baby, she falls into a coma. It is extremely sad and Ella helps as much as she can. She finds whale music to play to her mum that she hopes will make her feel calm and happy.
I like how Jacqueline Wilson’s stories are always inspired by the truth: this could really happen. She uses powerful description that make you feel all sorts of emotions and she keeps you guessing about what will happen next. Anyone over 8 would enjoy this book. The main character is a girl but it’s a brilliant book for anyone to read.
Chloe, 11
Anna at War
Helen Peters, Nosy Crow, 978-1788004718, £7.99 pbk
Anna at War is about a young Jewish girl whose house is smashed on the night off Kristallnacht. A few days later, her parents make the desperate decision to send her to England on the kinder transport (a train and a boat used to evacuate Jewish children). However, as the train sets off, a lady hands her a basket and says, ‘Look after my baby,’ and Anna wonders how she is possibly going to make it all the way to England and look after a baby! When she arrives, she is welcomed by a kind family. One day, when they are out playing, they find a mysterious man in a nearby barn and this is the start of a great adventure.
I like this book because it’s fun to learn about history like World War Two through stories. It is exciting and once you start reading it, you won’t want to put it down!
Aelfrice, 10
Amari and the Great Game
B. B. Alston, Farshore, 978-1405298643, £12.99 hbk
This is the second book in the series and is about a girl who is invited to a school all about magic and she gets given the illegal powers of a magician. Amari is confident, fierce and strong and, in this book, she meets some new characters but not everyone is who they seem. I really enjoyed it because it explains the origin of disasters from history (such as World War Two) in a magical way. Anybody who has read Harry Potter or The Wizards of Once would enjoy this book.
Jack, 11
Tom Gates: The Spectacular School Trip (Really)
Liz Pichon, Scholastic, 978-1407186733, £7.99 pbk
A boy called Tom enjoys going on a school trip but worries he might be in big trouble when he draws all over a wall that he shouldn’t have. Luckily for him, the owners of the wall are quite impressed by his art work!
I liked this book because there aren’t too many words and lots of pictures to enjoy. It’s really good if you find reading a bit tricky or if you’re a big fan of comics and cartoons.
Aimee, 11
The Christmasaurus and the Naughty List
Tom Fletcher, illus Shane Devries, Puffin, 978-0241407479, £7.99 pbk
I enjoyed this book because it was funny and exciting. I have read all three of the Christmasaurus books and I enjoyed this one the most: I couldn’t put it down! The illustrations are great but I would prefer fewer pitctures, to let my imagination run wild. My favourite character is Gemolina Shine from chapters 28-34. She changed her ways because of the Christmasaurus. I would recommend this book to 8-11 year-olds and would give it 5 stars out of 5!
Sophia, 9
Where the World Ends
Geraldine McCaughrean, Usborne, 978-1474943437, £7.99 pbk
It is based on a true story from Scotland about men who try to harvest different types of birds from a foggy, dark cave called a stack. After their boat fails to collect them for their return journey, they fear that the world has ended and that angels must have taken everyone up to heaven. This leads to some truly gruesome action (I wouldn’t read it just after you have eaten…it may upset your stomach!). It is one of my favourite books I have ever read and I would recommend it to people who like realistic and gruesome stories. I would give it 10 out of 10!
Lincoln, 10
The Last Bear
Hannah Gold, illus Levi Pinfold, HarperCollins Children’s Books, 978-0008411312, £7.99 pbk
April and her father are doing research in the frozen Arctic when she comes across a giant polar bear. When it’s time to leave, the bear becomes an unlikely stowaway on their ship!
Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t stop and just wanted to keep turning the pages. I like reading about animals and I like the theme of rescue. April is a funny character and is also cheeky: she often runs away. She reminds me of myself!
I think that children in Years 4, 5, and 6 would like this tricky book.
Isla-Jayne, 10
The Boy in the Dress
David Walliams, illus Tony Ross, HarperCollins Children’s Books, 978-0007279043, £7.99 pbk
When Dennis was little his mum and dad had an argument and it led to divorce. Dennis loved his mum so much. His dad burnt every picture that Mum was in. But, luckily, Dennis saved one picture of his brother, John, chasing him at the beach with Mum and Dad sat next to each other, smiling. Dennis finds a friend called Lisa who shares his passions for dressing up and looking at Vogue magazines. Lisa has a funny dare for Dennis which sets up the rest of this really funny story. I won’t tell you the dare otherwise it would ruin the story! I rate the story 9/10 stars and recommend it to eight to eleven-year-olds. It’s very funny.!
Cobi, 10
Attack of the Demon Dinner Ladies
Pamela Butchart, illus Thomas Flintham, Nosy Crow, 978-0857636065, £6.99 pbk
This book is really funny and I’d say it is for children aged 7-10. I love funny, adventurous books and this one was perfect.
The characters are really hilarious and silly. I love it where they think something bad will happen but it doesn’t because it’s their crazy imagination. I really like the character Jodie – she’s adventurous and the leader of the pack. I liked the bit when they thought Maisie had been kidnapped by seagulls and when they thought there were eyeballs in the water.
All through the book you are not sure what will happen next; you’ll want to keep reading!
I really enjoy Pamela Butchart books because they are crazy and silly and make me laugh out loud, a lot.
Esme, 10
