Xan

I was really excited to read this book. I was pretty much hooked from the beginning. The main characters Violet & Finch meet at the top of the school bell tower where they are both considering jumping. Finch saves Violet although this is their secret. They are not naturally supposed to be friends according to their respective statuses at school but after this incident they seem drawn to each other. The chapters alternate between the two characters so you get to see things from both their perspectives which I enjoy. I'm not sure which character I like most. It's such an intriguing story as their relationship develops. They become friends and partners on a class project to explore their home state of Indiana, leading to some unusual outings. I wish I could go wandering like they did. This book is inspiring (who wouldn't want to go wandering?), emotional, frustrating,heartbreaking, thoughtful. I ended the book feeling both miserable yet strangely uplifted. It's a book about survival and the need to continue even when you've faced the worst. It's also about all consuming first love and discovering who you are. It's not a read for the faint hearted. It will most likely affect you in some way. I think you could read this book several times and always come away with something different. I know I will read this book again. It's a 5* read! I absolutely adore it.

I approached this with a little bit of trepidation as the author is an old friend of mine and I was worried about what would happen if I didn't like it but thankfully I did like it .... a lot! 

Jake loves wrestling and his Dad does too. He's a big bear of a man and they begin a winning streak of small, local bouts. Jake's Dad becomes 'Demolition Man' only it's a secret and nobody knows his alter ego.

Then Jake enters his Dad into a Global Wrestling Contest. The bright lights, Vegas, money and glory are all calling. Jake is proud of his Dad and wants the World to be too.

Demolition Man V The Tsunami Terror and if he wins a glittering career awaits, but if he loses?

This is a wonderful book. It's characters are vivid and larger than life. The story grabs you like a grappling hook and whisks you in so that you too are cheering on Demolition Man.

It's a page turner as you can't wait to find out the fate of our hero.  You don't have to like wrestling to like this book. It's a good romp of a tale with lots of heart and is packed full of easy going humour.

For 8+ and phew! I'm glad I liked it :-)

Reckoning by Kerry Wilkinson 

I absolutely loved this book. It is current, exciting, page-turning, sinister and shocking. 

We start with Silver Blackthorn, so named for her silver streak of hair.  She is turning 16 years old and is about to take her ‘reckoning’ which will decide her future role in society.  By a strange twist of fate, Silver ends up becoming an ‘offering’, one of a small number of boys and girls who are taken to the King’s castle at Windsor.  No one really knows what happens to the offerings and most are not seen or heard of again.

The offerings are allocated jobs within the castle but it seems that no-one is to be trusted and no-one dares to get too close to anyone else.  Offerings disappear regularly and Silver is curious to know what is happening to them.

There are regular banquets presided over by King Victor and the Minister Prime. The King is an unpredictable man who relishes engaging his offerings in ‘games’ after dinner, that often end in bloodshed.  This is the creepy, violent part of the story.  I found that I began to dread banquet night as much as the offerings. The pace and excitement was maintained throughout the whole book and I came to admire Silver, as a strong new heroine. 

I am so glad I have discovered this new series; the agony is going to be in the wait for the 2^nd part.  Can I have it immediately please? 

Thank you to lovereading4kids.co.uk for supplying me with a review copy.  It is due to be published in May 2014. 

First up .... thanks to lovereading.co.uk for supplying me with a pre-publication copy of this book. Exciting days :-) 

Here's my review. 

Short review:

This is a book about characters whose lives become entwined, their stories connected in unexpected twists. I found it engaging, uplifting and highly satisfying. 

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I totally enjoyed it and was hooked and absorbed from the beginning. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read it. 

This is a book about people. We are introduced to a range of characters of different ages and backgrounds whose lives are interwoven sometimes majorly and sometimes in a minimal way. They have real depth from Rosa the stinky old bag lady and her mutt Barrell, to Harrison a young man finding satisfaction in getting high to James, watching his lover die in a hospital.  You feel like you can recognise and understand these people, they are richly drawn. 

The character's lives become more entwined and their stories connected in unexpected twists. There are some moments that shock, some are creepy, some tender and poignant. You find yourself drawn in and rooting for certain characters, whilst all the time questioning the motives of others. You wish you could interfere - issue warnings, give help but you are a passenger in this tale and I was curious to see what would happen. 

The Ruby Slippers of the title are a pair of Judy Garland's famous red shoes from the Wizard of Oz. They are found and become central to the story. There is some background about the film and it's era but you don't need to be a fan to be interested. The interest is in the motives and ideals of the different characters as they become drawn to the Ruby Slippers. 

I really enjoyed the journey of this book. The final two chapters draw everything together beautifully and you end the story feeling both satisfied and uplifted.

I would recommend this book. It's unusual and involving.

Thanks again Lovereading.co.uk! 

First up .... thanks to lovereading.co.uk for supplying me with a pre-publication copy of this book. Exciting days :-) 

Here's my review. 

Short review:

This is a book about characters whose lives become entwined, their stories connected in unexpected twists. I found it engaging, uplifting and highly satisfying. 

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I totally enjoyed it and was hooked and absorbed from the beginning. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to read it. 

This is a book about people. We are introduced to a range of characters of different ages and backgrounds whose lives are interwoven sometimes majorly and sometimes in a minimal way. They have real depth from Rosa the stinky old bag lady and her mutt Barrell, to Harrison a young man finding satisfaction in getting high to James, watching his lover die in a hospital.  You feel like you can recognise and understand these people, they are richly drawn. 

The character's lives become more entwined and their stories connected in unexpected twists. There are some moments that shock, some are creepy, some tender and poignant. You find yourself drawn in and rooting for certain characters, whilst all the time questioning the motives of others. You wish you could interfere - issue warnings, give help but you are a passenger in this tale and I was curious to see what would happen. 

The Ruby Slippers of the title are a pair of Judy Garland's famous red shoes from the Wizard of Oz. They are found and become central to the story. There is some background about the film and it's era but you don't need to be a fan to be interested. The interest is in the motives and ideals of the different characters as they become drawn to the Ruby Slippers. 

I really enjoyed the journey of this book. The final two chapters draw everything together beautifully and you end the story feeling both satisfied and uplifted.

I would recommend this book. It's unusual and involving.

Thanks again Lovereading.co.uk! 

Set somewhere in the far East. This is the story of Lu SI Yan who comes from a fairly poor family. After some awful events, her Uncle takes charge and takes her to market to be sold as a servant to a rich family. The story gives you her background and her ordeal of being taken away from her family and sold, it then follows her as she becomes first a servant and then a factory worker.  It's a very sad story and a little sinister in places. Dealing with issues like slavery and child workers (exploitation). it could lead to some interesting discussions. There is a sense of place and the language would extend children's vocabulary. A very accessible read as it's not too long and fairly large print. 

Suitable for Yr 6+ (not younger due to some references to flirting and minor sexual intonations) 

The BEST book that I have read to a class in years! 

This book is a real treasure. It's a story that has humour, quirkiness and heart.  I am currently reading it to my class - YR 4 - YR 6 and it has them totally engaged. Asked the question 'Would you like another chapter or shall I stop now?' they are choosing for me to read on and read on ..... I have had them laughing out loud and cringing in horror.  It has elements of Dahl and the language is simple yet expansive. They are learning all kinds of new vocab without even realising because it's wrapped up in such an easily accessible package.   

Try it. Yr 4 and up. You won't be disappointed! 

Don't read aloud if you are concerned about saying the words 'pee' or 'bottom' out loud in class. It had my class giggling hysterically!!