Changeling by Delia Sherman

Book title: Changeling

Author: Delia Sherman

Page numbers: 289

Star Rating: 5/5

Date: 04/12/’10

Overview: Neef is a changeling, a human baby stolen by fairies and replaced with one of their own. She lives in "New York Between," a parallel Manhattan of elves, fairies, demons, and mythological spirits. Neef has always been protected by her (rat) nursemaid,Astris, until she winds up breaking Fairy Law. Now, unless she can meet the challenge of the Lady of Central Park, she’ll be sacrificed to the bloodthirsty Wild Hunt. But Neef is a native New Yorker, streetwise and sharp, and she’s determined to beat the rap. The acclaimed Delia Sherman’s first novel for younger readers turns both Manhattan and storytelling inside out!
Comments: A superbly written novel with an utterly ridiculous but on the contrary extremely interesting plot of a little fairy girl called Neef breaking a fairy rule that she didn’t even know of and was forced into going on a quest to enable herself to be again protected by the queen of the fairies. She had a thrilling but overall fun adventure, it includes meeting the evil mermaid queen and taking her mirror and other exciting events in the story.

I think Neef, overall, was quite a good girl and I think she was really nice and kind, although quite naughty sometimes, I can really feel what Neef felt, like her eagerness to go back home and how she tried to explain the rules to changeling but she didn’t understand. Sometimes, I could even feel that I was Neef and I am on this ridiculous quest! I love this terrific book and I recommend it to everyone who loves adventure!

The Castle Corona by Sharon Creech

Book title: The Castle Corona

Author: Sharon Creech

Page Number: 304 pages

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: Pia and her little brother Enzio are peasants in the Corona town, and they have a very aggressive and mean master named Pangini, they don’t know who their parents are, where they come from or how they had gotten into the hands of the perilous Pangini. Therefore, they often dream that they were the prince and princess in the Castle Corona, where the King Guido and his wife Queen Gabriella lives, living a magnificent and sorrow and anxiety free live.

However, at the very moment that Pia and Enzio finds a missing leather pouch, their lives begin to turn an unexpected and shocking turn that will change their life forever! The leather pouch belongs to the king of the town Corona, so with the magnificent discovery, twelve year old Pia and ten-year-old Enzio are thrown into chivalrous and luxurious life. And soon they discovers that their dreams of living in the castle Corona is finally going to come true! But soon they found out that their dreams and ‘if onlys’ are not very different from the ones that they thought lives a perfect live………………….

Comments: I think this book has an excellent beginning as well as a terrific ending, the author clearly describes how bad the lives of Pia and Enzio is and how they are always hoping and hoping that they could live in the castle. In this magnificent story, we do not only see worlds collide and mysteries unfolded, but also lives that were lived to their exciting prospective and potential.

I really like how Pia and Enzio were always positive despite the rude ways that their Master Pangini treated them, and I also like the way that they don’t complain much, instead they just finish their work without a groan or a moan. I also think that are very nice and kind kids because Pia and Enzio felt guilty when Signora Ferrelli went near, due to that when they found the leather bag they didn’t give it to her immediately.

The moral of this book is that: “Sometimes you envy rich or outstanding people, but you never know if they might be envying you, too!”

This book has certainly taught me quite a lot of things and I believe it would teach you a lot too, after reading it; therefore, I truthfully recommend this adventure-packed and full of moral book to you all!

The Sleeping Sword by Michael Morpurgo

Book title: The Sleeping Sword

Page number: 118 pages

Author: Michael Morpurgo


Genre: Fiction

Star Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: When Bun Bendle stumbles one day into a creepy underground tomb which contains a beautiful and ancient sword and shield. He was drawn towards to the sword because he feels somehow the sword has magical and supernatural powers. Sure enough, when he touched the hilt of the sword, Bun’s whole body was gripped an incredibly amazing, and centuries-of-age power! It is a power that will turn his life from a dull and dark world into a colourful and interesting world! Prepare for an interesting adventure with Bun Bendle to step into a world full of magic and coincidences!

Comments: I think this book is truly amazing, magical, supernatural and breath-taking; it makes you unable to take your eyes off it! I especially LOVED the ending when Bun could see again; I also liked the quest that they went to! I like Bun because he is quite a positive boy; I also liked Arthur, high king of Britain. This is certainly a book that I would highly consider of reading it again, so I recommend it to everyone I know and I promise you would like it as I do! ENJOY!

Kaspar Prince of Cats by Michael Morpurgo

Book title: Kaspar Prince of Cats

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Illustrator: Michael Foreman

Page Number: 207 pages

Genre: Fiction

Star rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: Johnny Trott was an orphan who works in the Savoy Hotel in London as a bell boy. He lives a perfectly ordinary life; until one day a Russian countess gracefully comes to London and stayed in their hotel, accompanied with her was a sleek and beautiful black cat with a handsome name of Kaspar, the countess proudly told Johnny that Kaspar is the Prince of the cats. Before long, the countess began to have an affection on Johnny because of his excellent behaviours, so she decided to ask Johnny if he could kindly take care of Kaspar in the morning when the countess go to have rehearsals. Johnny promised immediately because he really likes Kaspar. After some time, he and Kaspar began to have affection for each other and finally Kaspar accepted Johnny as his friend and equal. One ordinary day, when the countess crossed the road to the opera, a car crashed into her and before you could say abracadabra, she was as dead as a dodo. After being very sad for a long time, Johnny decided to secretly take Kaspar to his rooms since the head housekeeper doesn’t allow anyone to keep any kind of pets in the bell boy rooms. One normal day, when Johnny got back from work at lunch break, he discovered that the little girl the Stantons (one of the customers of the hotel at that time) have was in his room feeding Kaspar; she was drawn into his room when she heard a cat’s cry. After some time, they began to know better of each other and made very good friends. A lot of months later, Lezziebeth (the Stantons’ girl’s name) and her family are going back to America on sail of the Titanic and Johnny actually stowed away on the Titanic because he could bear to let Lezziebeth go back to America. I believe everyone knows what happens to the Titanic……….would the Stantons and Johnny sink with the Titanic?

Comments: I really like this heartwarming book, I especially like Kaspar because he is not only an extremely intelligent cat, but also he is very cute. I sincerely think that they are very fortunate to survive the sinking of the Titanic. I also think that when the author- Michael Morpurgo wrote that Johnny saw the reflection of the countess in her room, it is really mysterious and I think it is very amazing that somehow they can all sense her existence. I am also extremely sad when at the end Kaspar died of old age, however when I thought again, I also think that Kaspar died, he still stays in the heart of everyone who loves him. This book is a very heartwarming book indeed, therefore I sincerely recommend this book to everyone and I am almost definite that everyone would like it!

Good and beautiful sentence (s) from the book: “A great joy surged through every one of us, giving us new strength and new determination. Not that any of us cheered, but when we looked at each other now we could manage a smile. We knew we had a chance to survive. Those lights of hope, lights of life, for that’s what they were for us, drove away the darkness of our despair.

Doctor Cuddles of Giggle Glade by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddel

Book title: Muddle Earth Book 3: Doctor Cuddles of Giggle Glade


Author: Paul Stewart and Chris Riddel

Page No.: 153 pages

Genre: Fiction (Fantasy)



Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: In this third book of the interesting Muddle Earth series, Joe Jefferson the warrior hero, Randalf the wizard, Veronica the budgie, Norbert the Ogre, Henry the dog and some new companions this time- Brenda the warrior-princess and Sniffy the big cat are on a perilously dangerous adventure to Giggle Glade, for stopping the sinister and fiendish plans of Doctor Cuddles, a very wicked sorcerer. Doctor Cuddles had kidnapped all of the wizards in Muddle Earth and he is conjuring up an extremely wicked plan of conquering the whole of Muddle Earth. However, Joe Jefferson, also known as Joe the Barbarian, is going to do everything he possibly can to defeat this wizard and get back the Great Book of Spells back in order for him to get back home to where he belongs- the normal Earth. Nevertheless, the group of people soon got into some trouble in the middle of Elfwood, some naughty trees had trapped them and wouldn’t let them go! Now even getting to Giggle Glade is a gigantic problem, how could the group possibly defeat the sinister sorcerer called Doctor Cuddles who knows more tricks than anyone? Prepare for an excellent battle between good and evil!

Comments: I really like this book because it is full of exciting adventures, unable to be estimated ending, some marvellous and humorous jokes and, last but not least, an extremely wonderful and happy ending! The author used a lot of incredibly descriptive and remarkable vocabularies and some beautiful sentences to be highly admired! I also like the author’s use of language that keeps dragging you deeper and deeper into the story until, eventually, the happy ending is revealed!! I also liked that, in this story, even the evil sounded less evil with the funny and entertaining jokes the author wrote which made me be led up to meaningful afterthoughts after finish reading the story. The Muddle Earth series is truly amazing so I recommend this series to you!

Here be Dragons by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddel

Book title: Muddle Earth Book 2: Here be Dragons

Author: Paul Stewart and Chris Riddel

Page Number: 143 pages

Star Rating: 5 out of 5


Overview: In this book, Joe Jefferson (the main character), Randalf the Wizard, Veronica the budgie and Norbert the ogre got an invitation from the Horned Baron to his garden party, apparently, the invitation is not directed to Randalf, it is directed to another wizard whose name is Roger the Wrinkled (who is very wrinkled as you can see by his name: ). When they arrived at the garden party, they found that it is very interesting indeed, with strange and weird shops selling super extraordinary things such as snuggly wugglies, bird baths, etc. Suddenly the Horned Baron, who was not a very nice person, ordered poor Randalf to check things out when a person was shouted on the megaphone to find the Horned Baron. Without any warning, when Randalf went to investigate, he was caught into a net; furthermore, a dragon suddenly appeared and angrily snatched Randalf away to its stinky cave! The instance Joe heard the kidnap of Randalf; he is determined to save him! But is he able to save him or will he be eaten?

Comments: I really like this book because in this superior sequel to “Muddle Earth Book 1: Engelbert the Enormous”, like the first book, this book is also very exciting, adventurous, breath-taking and let you unable to put down the book until the last word is read and the last page is turned! I like all the characters in this book because they are all very humourous, especially the sarcastic budgie Veronica. Rather than me saying too much, why not you can read it yourself? I recommend this book to everyone who likes adventurous stories!

A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'Engle

Book title: A Swiftly Tilting Planet


Author: Madeleine L'Engle


Page Number: 304 pages


Genre: Science- Fiction


Rating: 4 out of 5


Overview: In this sequel to A wind in the Door and A Wrinkle in Time, Charles Wallace- now a fifteen-year-old boy shouted out an ancient rune that was actually meant to ward off the dark in desperation, a very magical and intelligent creature appears out of mid air, it is an unicorn to which the name is Gaudior. Gaudior is not only a supernatural creature, it is also a superb time traveller, too. In this adventurous book in Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quintet series, Charles Wallce and Gaudior's adventure is to travel into the past on the winds in time to ry and find a Might-Have-Been, which is a moment in the past when the entire course of events leading to the present can be damaged, and the future of Earth, a small and rapidly ti,ting planet. But can the fiften-year-old Charles Wallace accomplish this difficult mission, or would the earth be destroyed forever?


Comments: This is quite a fascinating and adventurous book for me, but I think this book is not as good as the first and second book in the Time Quintet series- A Wrinkle in Time and A Wind in the Door. However, I also think this is a interesting book to read because it is full of imagination. I think the author- Madeleine L'Engle is really skilled at writing stories because she uses beautiful sentences and extremely exciting and adventurous events that lets you unable to put down the book until it is fully read and finished. I think this series is truly a masterpiece so far, especially the award-winning first book. I recommend this book to you all to enjoy!

Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton

Book title: The Famous Five: Five on a Treasure Island

Author: Enid Blyton

Page Number: 183 pages

Genre: Adventure

Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: This book started with a group of brothers and sisters going to their cousin's house because their parents are going to a trip to Scotland. At first, they discovered that their cousin was so weird that she does not only likes to be on her own all the time, but also, she likes to pretend that she is a boy and she likes others calling her George, instead of Georgina (her real name)! However, eventually they discovered that she was actually quite nice, although she has a weird temper just like her father's. She also took her cousins to Kirrin Island (which she claimed that it was hers) and they met a horrible storm. During the storm, they discovered that a shipwrecked boat has been lifted up from the bottom of the sea, and has lodged it on some sharp rocks. After that they had great fun exploring the ancient shipwrecked boat, and they discovered an ancient piece of parchment with the map of the castle on Kirrin Island when it had not turned to a ruin, they also found out that there are ingots (gold) hidden somewhere in there. Nevertheless, astonishingly, they soon discovered that they were not the only ones after the ingots and whoever that was also finding them was certainly not kind people. What can they do?


Comments: This book was first published in 1942, it was certainly a very terrific and adventurous book. It completely draws the reader in the book and lets them hold their breaths until the last page is turned over and read. I really liked the four children- Julian, Dick, Anne and Georgina (or should I say George) because they all have a kind heart and they are helpful children. I am especially glad to see that George changed from an ignorant, arrogant and selfish girl to a kind-hearted and helpful girl. This book gives us a moral that most of the time, sharing your things with someone else is far happier than just having them ourselves and not share with the others. In 1942, most families have at least more than one children, which makes George quite unusual, but nowadays, a lot of the families have only one child which makes most of them dislike or not used to share things with others. But, in my opinion, sharing your happiness and joy is a really good thing to do, it does not only make you happy, it also makes the person that was shared the happiness become happy, too. Now, I am sharing my comments of this wonderful book to you all! And I sincerely hope you will enjoy it.

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle

Book title: A Wind in the Door

Author: Madeleine L'Engle

Page Number: 240 pages

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: Before the horrrible event of Charles Wallce Murry- Megerate Murry's little brother going deathly ill, he sees dragons in their brothers- Sandy and Dennys' vegetable garden. But the dragons turned out to be only one creature which is called Proginoskes, a cherubim made out of a lot of wings and many eyes, wind and flame. In this sequel to The Wrinkle in Time, Meg, Proginoskes, and Calvin O'Keefe's mission is to save the life of the six-year-old Charles Wallace. To save his life, they need to travel deep within Charles Wallace into his farandolae which lives in his mitochondria and defeat the sinister Echthroi- those who hate, and bring back the brilliance of harmony and joy to the happy rhythm of creation, which is known as the song of the universe. But before she knew it, Meg was face to face with an Echthro and discovered they were the most sinister creatures on Earth, are they able to stop them getting Charles Wallace or would they turn to a part of Echthroi themselves???

Comments: I think this book is just simply terrific! It is a science fiction book but the sentences are written beautifully and the grammar was great! The author describes scenes very well and she lets me able to clearly imagine every part of the story and every move of the characters. And they were all so dramatically written! I especially loved it when she knew the word mitochondria and farandolae at the year 1973 when a lot of people don't even know what it is now (like me, but you probably know!)! It is just utterly ridiculously excellent! I likes Meg more in the second book than in the first book because she thinks more possitively than in the first book! I really LOVED the ending when everyone is safe, including Charles Wallace and it is all back to normal. I just simply cannot wait to read Madeleine L'Engle's third book which is called "A Swiftly Tilting Planet" and find out what Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace's adventure is next!

Running Wild by Michael Morpurgo

Book title: Running Wild

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Page Number: 348 pages

Genre: Animal Stories

Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: This book is about a boy named Will who went on a holiday to Indonesia with his mother, but going to Indonesia wasn't just an ordianry holiday. It is an escape or a new start of a chance to forget all the tragic things that had happened to them over the past months- things like the death of Will's father. At first, it seemed to be that it is just perfectly what they needed to be- in a quiet place where they would have the opportunity to forget. But when suddenly, Oona- the elephant that Will was riding on when the tsunami came stampeded wildly into the safety of the jungle without warning, Will's life began to turn upside down. Before he knew it, the tsunami came and hit the coast where Will's mother was swimming on the beach. And at only about a month or so, Will had lost both his mother and his father. What is he going to do and who is he going to turn to......after all, he had to survive in the dangerous jungle where tigers and leeches lived?

Comments: At first, this story began with the tragically event of Will's father dying, I was completely drawn in by the sad events that happened to Will that I just had to read on!! I think this is a truly moving book that makes me unable to put my eyes off it! There are a lot of good language and vocabularies in this book and the author- Michael Morpurgo described every movement of every character in the book so well that it makes you feel that you were actually Will himself. I think Will is a really strong boy in his mind because even though he lost his parents, he still has the determination of living and he still holds hope and never thought on the bad side, but always the good side. I am very glad the ending of this book was wonderful and extremely happy (I won't ruin your desire of reading this adventurous story by telling you the ending, if you want to know, find out yourself)! Again, I think this book is truly and absolutely touching that I wouldn't care to read it again and again, it made me stunned there for so long at the ending, playing the whole story over my head again and again! Michael Morpurgo is always one of my full-time favourite authors and I think this is the most moving book that I have read so far! I learnt from this book that no matter how hard or difficult life is, you always have to work hard to make yourself alive and be happy despite how bad the tragedies are, just like Will did. I also learned, from this book, that some things we cannot control, like the tsunami and other natural disaster, but the only thing we can control is ourself. I sincerely recommend this story to you all!

Dogs Don't Tell Jokes by Louis Sachar

Book title: Dogs Don't Tell Jokes

Author: Louis Sachar

Page Number: 209 pages

Genre: Funny

Rating: 4 out of 5

Overview: Gary Boone knows that he is born to be a really good comedian, but no one actually laughs at his jokes and everyone doubts his jokes! Everyone thinks his jokes are stupid! Then his school has a talent show and suddenly before he knew it, Gary Boone was the first one to sign up for the talent show! But good times don't last- some days before the talent show, his best friend- Angeline suddenly rang up and told him that she has a bad feeling that the talent show will turn up to be a disaster! Would the talent show turn up to be a disaster or would it not and turn into a comedy after all?

Comments: I think this book is very funny and sometimes I laughed at the jokes. But in my opinion, this is a really boring book because it just kept saying how Gary had trouble making friends AND making up jokes for his talent show! This book was written by Louis Sachar, who wrote the book 'Holes' I was quite surprised to believe that he had actually written this book! But still, I think this book has its good ways and that is at the jokes, Louis Sachar had certainly thought a lot of good jokes for this book (if he hadn't found them off a joke book) and he certainly linked them together really well at the part of Gary's part in the talent show. As usual, Louis Sachar made the ending fantastic but I don't understand why Gary cried at the end. I give this book a 4 out of 5 rating because most of the jokes are quite good and it has a happy ending and a moral. I recommend this book to joke lovers but I don't recommend it to people that are very serious! This moral to this book is:
'If you want to do something, no matter if you succeed or not, but you just have to do your best at everything, then you wouldn't be sad anymore.'
I like this book in some ways, though.

Little Foxes by Michael Morpurgo

Book title: Little Foxes

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Page Number: 200 pages

Genre: Animal

Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: Billy Bunch, a child that is bullied at school, often nagged at the apartment in Aunty May's, there is only one place that he truly feels at home- the wilderness by the canal. In there, he could watch a lot of little animals in their everyday lives and he can see beautiful cygnets on the water and can save a family of fox clubs. But good days often doesn't last long- one day he heard that the neighbourhoods had discovered the fox cubs and have already gotten rid of three or four of them. Sad and frustrated, he dashed immediately to the wilderness and found nothing. Just when he thought that he has completely lost any little light of hope, he found out that one of the fox cubs are still alive, he quietly brought it home with him; however it was quickly discovered by the animal hater- Aunty May. Now she threatens to throw him out of the house....... since he is an orphan, he has no one to turn to and no one to help him. Where is he going to go?

Comments: At first, I thought that Billy was a naughty child because of his awful attitudes toward everything, but afterwards, I found out that he is just a poor child who has got no family to care for him except for the nagging of Aunty May. And I think he is actually quite intelligent but he just doesn't like school, instead he likes nature and the fox family that he cares for in the wilderness. I really liked the ending of this book although it is really sad that the little fox cub has to go into the wild and cannot return to Billy, but I also think that what Joe did was the right thing because after all, a fox is a fox and they have got to be put into the wild or they will lose their ability of hunting and would die eventually. On the other hand, I LOVED the ending when Billy found a family that actually belongs to him now and he won't feel left out anymore. I also really liked at the last paragraph, the author described how the swan which Billy saved some time ago had accomplished its mission of finding Billy a new home that he likes. I truly think Michael Morpurgo is a really talented author because he writes really heartwarming books for us to enjoy and the quality of his work is unbelievably excellent! I truly recommend this heartwarming book to all animal lovers and I think most of you are.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Book title: A Wrinkle in Time

Author: Madeleine L'Engle

Page Number: 232 pages

Genre: Science Fiction

Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: One dark and stormy night, an extraordinary visitor with weird clothes visited the Murry's house in the middle of the night and beckons Megarette Murry, her younger brother- Charles Wallace Murry and their friend that they met by accident- Calvin O'Keefe on to a most dangerous, indescribable and supernatural journey or adventure which will truly threaten their lives. They also found out that they were not only on a quest to save their father, but also our dear planet- Earth.

Comments: In this excellent and breath-taking book that leads us into an utterly extraordinary adventure, the author- Madeleine L'Engle precisely described every movement and action of the characters with great tension, suspense and the use of interesting vocabularies and quotes are just simply amazing! I truly like this book because it is not only an ordinary fiction book, but also it tells about some of the science and I also learned a lot of new vocabularies and phrases from this book. I also like the characters in this book very much because they are all tender-hearted and I especially like Charles Wallace because he has the heart of a child but a wise mind of an adult, the only thing I don't like about him is that he is sometimes too confident and a little arrogant too! I think Meg is okay but I really think that she gets angry too often. This is certainly a very interesting and great read from Madeleine L'Engle's classic Time Quintet. I truthfully recommend this time-travelling adventure story to you all

The Hunted by Alex Shearer

Book Title: The Hunted

Author: Alex Shearer

Page Number: 284 pages

Star Rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: Tarrin is a boy who is born into a world where the petrifying nightmares of medical science has all come true. People's appearance are younger than they actually are and most of them lives up to a hundred and either looks like they are only in there thirties or forties, or even in their childhood. Real children are very rare, most people are not fertile so most people tried to get hands on children on the street, or children that is not well protected, even though it means to do something illegal, such as kidnapping! Children are bought and sold, won and lost, some were even stolen, most children lives in fear of being stolen, or even worse. Tarrin was one of the rare children that you would find, he does not have a family and every day, he is stalked by the horror of being taken. Would he be able to find his lost family or would he be kidnapped again or sold to someone else? It is up to YOU to find out!!

Comments: I think this is a really moving book by Alex Shearer. I really take pity on Tarrin because of the longing of his family. When I am reading this book, I think about myself and how I have a family and go to school, etc; I suddenly felt I was so lucky! In this marvellous book, we can see how the human beings wants to break the life rule- born, old, die, but we will lose the rate of growing population when fewer dies; we will gain something, however, we will also lose something, too! I think it is quite true when the author says that it is the world's revenge and found it quite true if the things that happened in this book actually happened to us in real life. I truly pities Tarrin, on the other hand I totally dislikes Deet because he makes Tarrin his meal tickets and uses him to earn money for himself, he is really selfish and only thinks about himself. Deet also makes Tarrin go to other people's houses for rent for one or two hours and he earns money, whereas Tarrin had to be the boy that the couple wanted him to be. I think this is a sad book and a moralish book, too. 
The moral to this book is that:

• 'Cherish the life that you have now and feel yourself is lucky because, somewhere in the world, there's got to be a person that could be in a worse situation in you.'

and the other moral is:

• 'When you are angry with your parents/family, think about Tarrin and some other people around the world who has not got a family and they would love to have one when you are not satified with your family when you have one.'

This book is really moving and sad. I absolutely recommend this book to everybody, whether children or adults! I am very touched and I give this book a 5 out of 5 star rating!

Night at the Museum by Leslie Goldman

Book title: Night at the Museum

Author: Leslie Goldman

Page Number: 140 pages

Genre: Magic+ Fantasy

Star rating: 5 out of five

Overview: At his very first night as security guard at the Museum of Natural History in New York, Lawrence Barley was astonished to watch all the exhibits, from the tyrannosaurus rex bones to Attila the Hun, come to life. Later, he tells his son Nick all the amazing things that he saw at the museum. At first, extrememly reluctant to believe his crazy father's words, he accompanied his father to work one day and began to feel proud of his father when all the exhibits actually came to life. But suddenly before they knew it, they were surrounded by the ex-night guards who were trying to steal the tablet of Akhmenrah, to which was the beginning of all these extraordinary events. Can they save this museum or do they just have to helplessly see all the precious things to be stolen away?

Comments: I think this book contains a super amazing story that makes you unable to get your eyes off it for it is packed with adventures that you surely cannot miss! I think although Larry was very bad at his business, but he also has a talent which can coordinate people (at least the exhibits in the museum!) and he is not completely worthless as some people thinks so about him. Most of you might have watched the movie already but, in my opinion, this book is more excellent than the movie. I like it! I recommend this book to you all, including the ones who has seen the movie already!

Spider Sparrow by Dick King-Smith

Book's title: Spider Sparrow

Author: Dick King-Smith

Page Number: 163 pages

Genre: Farm story

Star rating: 5 out of 5

Overview: John Joseph Sparrow (known as Spider) was an abnormal and extraordinary boy and he has always been so. He was abandoned as an infant and adopted by a kind-hearted shepherd couple. However this boy cannot talk walks or goes to school to learn like other children and even worse, he grows up to be mentally slower than the others of his age. But Spider has a talented gift; he could imitate the sounds of all the animal he had heard perfectly, causing animals drawn to him naturally. Although the world was sometimes difficult for Spider, he does his best to survive the teasing of other boys and his sometimes hard life; he lives his days with enthusiasm, happiness, courage and actively. Causing those who has met Spider will never forgive him.

Comments: This excellent story tells a boy with problems with his speaking and communicating with others who managed to survive with joy and happiness, without complains. At first, I thought this book was absolutely tedious because of the author Dick-King Smith's long descriptions of the farm and the weird ways of Spider's walking, etc. 


But afterwards, I realised that this book has some very deep morals hidden within this seeming boring book, the morals are:

• "One must keep doing their best to survive and one must be always improving oneself."
• "One cannot deny someone just because their are abnormal or somehow different from us, everyone must have their own talents that others might not have, too!"

This book has an ending which made me thought about it for a long time. At the end, Spider sadly died of a heart attack. At first, I thought this was very sad, however when I thought again, I think that letting Spider dies could also be a relief for him because, one day, the shepherd couple would die and he would be left with no one to help him to face this cruel world that might come to him. Therefore I think that Dick-King Smith is a very considerate author who makes ending of his books as perfect and heartwarming as possible. I think Dick-King Smith is an excellent author who writes heartwarming and moralish books to children and with reading discover the great things about life, for example, kindhearted. Therefore I give this book a 5 out of 5 star rating for the great morals that he taught everybody who has read it. I sincerely recommend this heartwarming book to you all!

Dragon Slayers' Academy by K.H.McMullan

Book's title: Dragon Slayers' Academy

Author: K.H.McMullan

Page Number: 280 pages

Genre: Adventure & Fantasy


Star rating: 5/5

Overview: Wiglaf was a twelve-year-old boy who was very nice, tender-hearted and very short for his age. He lived a miserable life with his parents and his twelve mean brothers all cramped up in a small tiny cottage with one room. His brother always teased him about his height, carrot-coloured hair and his tender heart for he cannot bear to see the sight of even one single blood or kill one single innocent animal (not even a fly). One cold and rainy day, a cold and poor minstrel knocked on their front door and from that day on, Wiglaf's life has changed forever! Wiglaf (the kind-hearted boy) persuaded his mean parents to let the old minstrel stay so the he didn't only told him interesting stories about mighty heroes, but also taught him how to read and write. After the old mistrel has gone away for good, Wiglaf and his family saw a sign saying about a 'Dragon Slayers' Academy'. Wiglaf thought that this is the right path to become a hero, so he managed to persuade his parents to let him attend this school which only cost them seven pennies. At the Academy, Wiglaf met a lot of friends that helped him on a mission to slay ferocious dragons, at this very minute, Wiglaf know that his adventures to become a hero has begun! (This book is a three-in-one book with three exciting stories all about Wiglaf!!)


Comments: I think this is a great, adventurous and humourous book. It is really well-written and I totally liked it. It was so good that I read it in one day! I really liked Wiglaf because he had a kind heart, unlike his rude and cruel brothers and I also like Eric (or Erica) because she is enthusiastic and she works very heart to be a true dragon-slayer. This book taught us a moral: "Don't deny somebody because their lack of experience and ability, instead encourage them so they will improve more quickly. This is certainly a very excellent read from this book and I absolutely recommend this humorous and adventure-packed book to you all!

The Sandman and the Turtles by Michael Morpurgo

Book title: The Sandman and the Turtles

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Page Number: 94 pages

Genre: Fantasy+Magical

Star Rating: 10 out of 10

Overview: When Michael went back to Wales to have a summer holiday with Dadci's interesting stories about the Sandman and his Turtles, the Old Russian sea captain and the blood-red dragon in his lair. Polly (Michael's cousin) actually believed every word of the story and she is very determined to make them all come true. But when one day the Sandman actually was woken up and the grandson of the Russian sailor turned up with his submarine, their adventures have just begun.

Comments: This is a magical and wondeful book convincingly told by the famous author- Michael Morpurgo! At first I didn't quite like Polly and thought she was a nuisance, but afterwards, I think she is quite cute too! I like Michael (or Mickey) because he is a nice boy that tried to make everyone happy by doing things that they wish. This interesting book taught me a moral: "Don't always disbelieve what little children say, sometimes they could be right too!" I truly recommend this interesting book to you

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles & Mary Lamb

Book name: Tales from Shakespeare

Author: Charles & Mary Lamb

Pages: 278 pages

Publisher: Warkworth Calssics

Genre: Classical Stories

Star Rating: 5 out of 5 (Excellent!)

Overview: This an excellent book about some of the famous tales from the famous Shakespeare which are retold in modern English mixed with a bit of Shakespearean English, too.

Comments: In most of the stories, there are a moral accompanied with it and I think all of the stories are all really good and they all teaches you something, for example, 'Don't completely believe what others say except when you have proved it right yourself, or the innocence would suffer greatly.'. Some of my favourite stories are: King Lear, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Cymbeline, All's Well That End's Well, etc. Although I really liked this book, I think some of the stories are still a bit difficult for me to understand some of the Shakespearean English, but overall I still liked it a lot and I have learned a lot of things, such as interesting morals and exciting vocabularies in this book. I really enjoyed it and recommend you all to read it!

The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Keatley Snider

Book name: The Witches of Worm

Author: Zilpha Keatley Snider

Page Number: 183 pages

Genre: Fantasy

Star rating: 10 out of 10

Overview: This interesting and mysterious book is about a teenage girl named Jessica who found an ugly and skinny kitten in a cave and brought it home with her. She named it Worm. But afterwards, she found out that cat is not an ordianry kitten. Firstly, she heard an evil and menacing voice coming from it. Secondly, it frightened the neighbourhood cats so they would not come put to play anymore. Now Worm even started to tell Jessica to play wicked tricks and lie to peopleQ Before she knew it, she discovered Worm was a witch's cat. Would she be bewitched by that evil kitten and be controlled by it forever?

Comments: I think this book s supremely written with tension and suspense about who actually Worm is at the beginning. Although I like this book, I dislike Jessica because she is stupid and foolish to listen to Worm all the time. I especially liked the story's ending when Brandon and Jessica became friends again. I think this book tells us that oin everyone's mind there lives a demon of some shape and form, and the challenge is to defeat it and you will becaome yourself again.

Eve of the Emperor Penguin by Mary Pope Osborne

Book title: Eve of the Emperor Penguin

Author: Mary Pope Osborne

Pages: 100


Star rating: 5/5

Overview: This is the 40th book in the Magic Tree House series which is written by Mary Pope Osborne. In this book, Jack and Annie from Frog Creek, Pennysylvania goes on a mission to learn the final secret of happiness for their sad friend in Camelot- Merlin. This time, the amazing magic tree house spinned and whisked them away in to the freezing-cold continent- the Antarctica! It is full of ice- ice cliffs, icebergs, ice sheets, ice shelves, etc. They are supposed to find the mysterious Cave of the Ancient Crown, but before they know it, they were mistaken for adults and were stuck to a group of reporters, researchers and scientists! How are they supposed to continue with their mission? Will they be able to find the fourth secret of happiness in time before their friend Merlin was taken forever away by grief and despair?

Comments: This book is very exciting, breath-taking and fantastically written with excellent description to help you picture every scene. I especially loved the part when Merlin saw Penny (a cute and little orphan penguin that they took with them from Antarctica) he laughed and all his sorrows and grief are gone. I think Jack and Annie are a perfect team because Jack likes to research more than adventure, but Annie is exactly the oppsite! I think Jack is really intelligent to solve the confusing rhyme that Morgan gave them at the beginning of the mission. I also loved the ending when Merlin was not sad anymore. I like Penny- the cute little penguin and it gives people joy. I really like the Magic Tree House Series because those terrific books not only makes you think about yourself on how to behave well, think about others, not to be selfish, etc, but also teaches you a lot of information while you are reading the book. I totally recommend this book to adventurous-story lovers!

The Fire Within by Chris D’Lacey

Book title: The Fire Within

Author: Chris D’Lacey


Star rating: 4/5

Overview: This book is about a person named David who moved in with Elizabeth Pennykettle and Lucy- her talkative eleven-year-old daughter. As he begins to get used to some strange thoughts and reactions of the Pennykettles about clay dragons, he gradually discovers a collection of clay dragons that come to life. The Pennykettles even made David his own special dragon named Gadzooks, who inspired him to write a story that will solve a mystery. However, in order to save his dragon and reveal the mystery, David has to be able to control the magical fire within- not only with his hands but also with his heart........... will he be able to do it?

Comments: I think this book is filled with imagination! I like David because he is really nice to Lucy and has a caring heart for animals. I also like Gadzooks but I think he gets upset too soon. I give this book a 4 out of 5 star rating because I think some parts are a bit confusing. I recommend this book to people who have excellent imagination