Nevermore by Linda Newbery

The title “Nevermore” is not to be confused with Edgar Allan Poe’s work. The title actually comes from a small, wooden sailing boat in the story. The story is about Tizzie, who moves with her mother to Roven Mere, in the middle of the countryside. Tizzie is used to moving around, her mother is always getting new jobs in different urban areas. She has to leave her home, school and best friend Kamilah, as her mother got the job as Roven Mere’s cook. As soon as they arrive, they meet Mrs Crump, who works at Roven Mere and her grandson Davy. Tizzie and Davy become friends and he takes her around the place. Roven Mere is like a huge museum and Tizzie is amazed with its grandness, but she gets the feeling that it’s waiting.
Roven Mere belongs to Lord Rupert, who has a daughter called Greta. Tizzie is puzzled that Lord Rupert owns the house, but he is never there. No one knows when Lord Rupert and Greta will come home, but the rather strange and hermit-like Finnigan, who lives in a rusty caravan and seems to take charge of the place, always has hope and keeps reassuring Tizzie that Lord Rupert and Greta will come soon. Soon never comes, or maybe it was there all along.
Novermore is a tale about mystery, curiousity and identity and Tizzie discovers who she is and why she was brought to Roven Mere. A must read for a fan of Linda Newbery or for fans of dark and mysterious tales.

Reviewed by: Jessica Bracken aged 14

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

On Friday 2nd March, a group of chosen people and Ms Loy went on a magnificent trip to meet the author of “How I Live Now”, Meg Rosoff. We travelled by public transport and everyone was anxious but also excited to meet her. When we arrived at the bookshop, we didn’t expect to meet her all crammed up in a small space. Even though it was a small room we still had plenty of space to see her and that was the greatest part. When she started, she talked about her life. She said how she had done badly at school and had never intended to work as a writer. Meg had started her career working in advertising. When she was about 30 yrs old she decided to become a writer. We weren’t expecting to find out so much about her life. We also didn’t expect that she would look like anyone you would see on the street. But she did have the spark to influence many of us. When she told us about how she gets her ideas, we were very interested because we hadn’t expected it to be that extraordinary. Meg then talked about her books and the one she was about to write. Then,after that, we were allowed to ask questions. At last we got on the bus home from an enjoyable day. Apart from being crammed into one room, the trip was excellent, leaving some of our minds buzzing with interest.

Reviewed by: Haseeb and Charles, Stoke Newington School

Scared to Death by Alan Gibbons

Here is my review of "Scared to Death"

I thought the book was very well written, it was incredibly scary and really descriptive of all the gory bits. I couldn't put it down, i
just had to keep reading to find out what would happen to Redman.
It was the best book I have ever read! Brilliant.

Thank you for letting me proof read this.

Reviewed by: Mac

The Cure by Michael Coleman

This book is a good and thrilling adventure story, it is gripping too. The Cure is a tale which holds many exciting parts, it pops out at you like a 3D show.

In this book there is a boy who lives about seventy years in the future. You may think the future is hover cars and space ships but not in this book, the future is just a simple nowadays structure but there are changes, there are no monks and things like churches and crosses.

The Government think that a religious group set off a massive bomb and destroyed a city so all religion was banned. People who don't believe in science are sent to an island and they are treated as being mentally ill.

The book is about a boy who is an unbeliever and him and his sister get sent away to the crazy hospital. But its not the kids who are crazy, its the people who run it.

The last page of The Cure left me unspeakable because the end is so tense. I would recommend it to people about the age of 12 for it is a bit complicated. If it is being read to you you will probably enjoy it.

Reviewed by: Louis Modell

The Aztec Code by Stephen Cole

The Aztec Code was a very good book. I liked it because you can sort of feel how the characters feel. I recommend it for children that are aged between ten to fifteen. Parents might not like the swearing bits. It makes you not want to put the book down. If you like thrillers you'll love this. Some bits are fun others funny. If you're interested in the Aztecs you'll enjoy this book.

Here is my favourite bit:
"eu sou portgesethe" the driver offered. "He's from Portugal". Con was jogging over to the family saloon that had stopped further up the highway. "Try what saia caminhao do, oh sod it". Patch pulled out a large pistol from his jacket pocket and aimed at the mans head. "How about hasta la vista baby".

Reviewed by: Louis Modell

Girl, 15, Flirting for England

I have just finished reading one of the books that you gave me a couple of weeks ago, it was the one called "Girl, 15, Flirting For England". I finished reading it on Friday and when I finished, I realised that it was one of the best books that I have ever read. I highly reccomend this book for anyone my age (12) or older! The book was really easy to get into and I had a lot of late nights because I just couldn't put it down!

Its all about a girl who was due to get her French exchange student. She had to send him a photo but she wasn't looking her best at all, so she got her friend Fred to digitally enhance her photo! When she got his photo, the letter and photo made out that he was a real hunk!!! But when he came he wasn't at all, he was a little weedy boy that didn't speak to her. Later on she realises that he had a crush on Jess (the main character) but she doesn't have one on him! The story ends with her best friends all in a fight because her friend Jodie's french exchange student is flirting with all the girls. Who does this 2 timing French boy fancy????? Read it to find out!

When I just described the ending above, it may sound a little confusing, but really its not when you read it!

Reviewed by: Polly

Stone Heart by Charlie Fletcher

Stone Heart is about a boy who unleashes a new world, when he breaks a statue of a dragon's head in a fit of anger.

In this book, he must put wrong back to right, with the help of a soldier statue called the Gunner, and an odd girl call Edie, who is the only human (besides George) who can see the gargoyles and statues coming to life.
Throughout this story, George and Edie become friends, each sacrificing something for the other.
But there is a catch; if George does manage to save the world, he will be forced to go back to his boring mundane life, leaving his only friend behind. Will he be able to put his personal feelings aside? Or will he let them take over?
If you want to know, you'd better buy this book, because I give it 10 out of 10! I would recommend it to all older readers who like both fantasy and adventure and extremely good books!

Reviewed by: Lily Taylor

The Clique by Lisi Harrison

Meet the Clique...Massie, the queen bee; Dylan - Massie's second in command; Alicia - as sneaky as she is beautiful, and Kristen - she'll insult you to tears faster than you can say 'my haircut isn't ugly'. The Clique seems perfect until 'Kuk-laire' aka Claire Lyons comes along. Now Massie and her posse must try to keep Claire out of their social life using some tricks and sneaky IM'ing. The book is great for ages 9-13.

I thought the book The Clique was really realistic and it's very popular in New York where I'm from. I've suggested the book to all my friends and they LOVED it! It's a series so the books just keep getting better and better.

Reviewed by: Jessica and I'm 10.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

An upsetting story with a loss at the beginning and it doesn't get any better. Sunny was a baby and lost something very important. Her two siblings Klaus and Violet also lost that special thing. Their only relative, evil Count Olaf gets put in charge of the kids and their fortune. If you don't like scary stories then this won't be a series to try. If you don't mind scary stories then you will love it!

Reviewed by: Jessica, aged 11, from Reigate.

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

An exhilarating story. Harry doesn't have a normal life, he has a famous scar on his head and no family. That scar was given to him, and his family was taken from him by an evil man Voldermort. Voldermort also got some bad luck. And now he trys to get back at Harry. An amazing series with friendships and fallouts. A great one to read!

Reviewed by: Jessica and I'm 10.

The Roman Mysteries by Caroline Lawrence

The Roman Mysteries are a series of books set in the roman times. They are real historic events like: the eruption of Vesuvius as the basis of the stories, which makes them a good read and difficult to put down.
All the books contain the children Flavia, Jonathan, Nubia and Lupus.
As the books are a series it allows the author Caroline Lawrence to steadily reveal the past and personalities of the main characters.
The first book introduces Flavia Gemina the resourceful motherless daughter of a Sea Captain who frequently leaves her to be looked after by his slaves and their friends and neighbours Jonathan, his sister Miriam and their father the Doctor. Flavia's other friends are her African slave girl Nubia (who is bought in the 1st bookand freed in the 3rd) and the Greek mute Lupus who they find up a tree hiding from the dogs of the graveyard in book 1. Read book five to discover why Lupus is so secretive.
All the books stand-alone as good read, but they are even better when read in this order:

1) The Thieves of Ostia
2) Secrets of Vesuvius
3) The Pirates of Pompeii
4) The Assassins of Rome
5) The Dolphins of Laurentum
6) The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina
7) The Enemies of Jupiter
8) The Gladiators from Capua
9) The Colossus of Rhodes
10) The Fugitive from Corinth
11) The Sirens of Surrentum
Still to be published: The Charioteer of Delphi and The Girl from Jerusalem

Reviewed by: Jack Goodall aged 12