A gathering light / Jennifer Donnelly

This book is about a girl called Mattie. She works in a hotel. During her time there she finds some letters about a woman called Grace Brown. Grace is found dead in the lake. Mattie cannot bring herself to burn the letters. But Mattie has problems enough of her own as she is growing up and trying to decide on her future.

An incredible and brilliant coming-of -age drama set at the turn-of-the-century in the USA and based on a real murder. I would recommend it for children aged 12+.

Izzy H.

Blood ties / Sophie McKenzie

Theo and Rachel were two very different individuals from two very different families. As Theo uncovers the mystery of his family and the real reason he has a body guard, it becomes clear he is no ordinary teenager. Can he find Rachel, the missing piece in his puzzle? Can he piece together what really happened to his father?

This gripping thriller is a great read for any teenager. Sophie McKenzie writes great thrillers for children aged 12+ and I highly recommend reading any of her books.

Sophie H.

Molly Moon's incredible book of hypnotism / Georgia Bing

Take an ordinary orphan and a book on hypnotism, put them together and you get a bang. Molly Moon was an ordinary orphan who lived at the grim and gloomy Hardwick House. But her ordinary life takes a new turn as she finds a mysterious book which teaches her about her amazing gy-t - the power to make people do whatever she wants them to. Molly escapes from the orphanage and flies to New York to find fame and fortune. But her hypnotic powers lead her into danger.

This book is the first of a five part series. I would recommend it to children aged 10+. It is full of light-hearted humour and thrilling adventures. You will not be able to put it down.

Lucie W.

The ruby in the smoke / Philip Pullman

This book is set in the 1870s in the rough parts of London. Sally Lockhart's father has just been drowned at sea, and she receives a mysterious letter from an unknown sender. Sally is determined to find out what the message means and the truth behind her father's death. She is swept up into a dangerous plot which endangers her life.
I recommend this book because you will never be bored. The clever plot keeps you guessing. Philip Pullman is an excellent writer for children 11+. This is the first book of the Sally Lockhart Quartet.

Naomi J.

Marley / John Grogan

Marley is a golden labrador and is always getting into trouble. He quickly grows into a large, powerful dog. The people in the neighbourhood call him "The worlds worst dog". His family love him so much as he brings so much joy to their lives. When Marley is one he is kicked out of obedience classes for running off. When left at home with a dogsitter during a thunderstorm Marley runs riot and wrecks the house. There are many more amusing anecdotes. This is a heartwarming and unforgettable tale of a much loved dog.

Alice R.

Trials of death / Darren Shan

Book 5 in a series of exciting books about a half vampire.
Darren has arrived at Vampire Mountain, but to gain the respect of his fellow vampires he must pass The Trials. Seventeen ways to die unless the luck of the vampires is with you. He must pass five of the fearsome trials to prove himself or face the stakes in the Hall of Death. Unknown to most though, there are secrets hidden in the mountain.

Darren Shan captures every emotion in this thrilling read.

Madelaine S.

Twilight / Stephenie Meyer

Twilight is about a girl called Isabella Swan who moves to a dark and gloomy town called Forks. She meets the mysterious Edward Cullen. Her life isn't the same again! But what Isabella doesn't know at first is that Edward has a secret. When she realises she is determined to find out. The closer she and Edward become the more she and others are in danger. Will it be too late...?

Anyone who is into the supernatural will love this book. The series continues with "New Moon" and "Eclipse". The series is now an international bestseller.

Lucy Cr.

Maximum Security / Robert Muchamore

Maximum Security is one of the books in the CHERUB series. Cherubs are kids, mainly orphans, who have been trained to work undercover. They live on the Cherub campus which is a secret facility hidden in the English countryside.
I recommend this book and the series because it's exciting, thrilling and you cannot put it down once you've started. You will also wish it was true...

Elle H

Girl missing / Sophie McKenzie

A 14 year old girl named Lauren Matthews is adopted and lives with her adoptive family in London. She is set a homework with the title "All about me". She feels that it is time to find out about herself. She researches on a website about missing children. Lauren reads about Martha who she believes could be herself. Lauren convinces her Mum to take a holiday near to her birthplace. Does she run away? Is there a kidnapping? Who is responsible?
It looks at some sensitive teenage subjects and highlights some of today's risks.
I really enjoyed this book. It is a great read for 12+.

Chinese Cinderella and the Secret Dragon Society / Adeline Yen Mah

This story is about a little girl Xian Ye, who feels that she is in a Cinderalla story with no happy ending. One day she meets three boys who are acrobats. They belong to the Dragon Society of Wandering Knights. With Japanese soldiers invading, it falls to the Chinese Cinderalla and her new friends to save Shanghai.
A read for 11+.

Hannah-Mei G.

Malorie Blackman / Noughts and Crosses

Sephy is a Cross, Callum is a Nought. They are best friends and spend all their time together. But things start to change and they are not allowed to see each other...
Why? Why is the world split into two? Can't everyone be together?

And then the bomb explodes....

Emily G
Upper 4 Blogger

Stephanie Meyer / Breaking dawn

This book is quite long but it is such a good follow up from the others (Twilight and Eclipse). You can't stop reading it. It carries on the story of Bella Swan who loves a vampire but also loves a werewolf, Jacob Black. She has many decisions to make and many thrilling and sometimes scary moments. I really enjoyed this book. It's a perfect teenage love story.

Flora M.
Upper 4 Blogger

Hilary McKay / Saffy's angel

Saffy, which is short for Saffron, lives with her adopted mum. She has a half-sister called Caddy and another called Rose. She also has a half-brother called Indigo. Saffy runs away with her next door neighbour to find what her grandfather left her. This is a gripping story to read with lots of different characters, making it very humorous but tense. If you want to read more of Hilary Mckay's books, she has written "Caddy ever after", "Indigo's star" and "Forever Rose". This is a great series examining the views and characters of different siblings.

Amy O.
Upper 4 Blogger

Robert Muchamore / Maximum security

Maximum Security is the 5th book in the series about a boy named James Adams. James lives at CHERUB campus with his sister Lauren and friend. He may seem an ordinary boy, but really he is a British spy and a black belt in karate!

James has been on 4 missions already, but this will prove to be the hardest mission yet. How will he fare when locked up in Arizona Max Prison. Will it really live up to its name...Maximum Security.

Abigail A.
Upper 4 Blogger

Louise Rennison / Knocked out by my nunga-nungas

This book is about the confessions of Georgia Nicolson. She starts to feel more and more obsessed about how she looks after meeting her "sex god", Robbie. She tries to make him jealous by pretending to like Dave the laugh, but all goes pear-shaped after he says something about her most annoying body part.

This is a very funny book with some sensitive treatment of mother / daughter bonding. Louse Rennison is a brilliant author for children aged 12+ with excellent writing about a teenager in crisis.

Upper 4 Blogger

David Clement-Davies / The sight

'The sight' is a fantasy and adventure novel. It is primarily about wolves, although it is also about other animals. It is set in Transylvania. It is about a pack of wolves who are almost ripped apart by a prophecy, a legend of men and wolves. They are haunted by it and now their lives will never be the same again.

I recommend this book for children and teenagers from 12 and above. It is utterly enthralling and makes you aware of life that doesn't revolve around humans.

Upper 4 Blogger

Daphne Du Maurier / Rebecca

Rebecca is a haunting tale of a young girl who is desperately in love with a widower. But the memory of his dead wife, Rebecca, is engrained in every room of her house, Manderley. The heroine strives to learn who Rebacca was, and the mystery surrounding her death.

I would recommend this book to everyone who loves a mystery and a story of confused love.

Upper 4 Blogger

Geraldine McCaughrean / Peter Pan in scarlet

Dreams are leaking through from Neverland, and Wendy, John and the lost boys, now grown up, decide something must be done. Stealing away in the dead of night, they make their way to Neverland. Awaiting them there is a very different Peter Pan to the one they remember...

I would recommend this book because it is dramatic, exciting and occasionally scary. Furthermore, it is wonderful to learn more about the world of Neverland, and the Boy Who Never Grew Up.

Upper 4 Blogger

Anne Cassidy / Kiling time

Patsy, a young journalist, struggles to piece together a rather unusual murder case in this novel. Kelly Ford was being stalked and not long after, she fell from a 16 storey building onto concrete. Was this suicide? Or did someone push her to her death? Find out in this tension filled , curious novel. Your eyes will be glued to the book from the moment you open the first page. Don't miss out, it's a great read.

Sophie R.
Upper 4 Blogger

Anthony Horowitz / The Falcon's malteser

I read this book when I was younger and I remember finding it really funny, scary and fast-paced. The Falcon's Malteser is the story of two men who have obtained a package worth over £3 million through fatal circumstances. Now they have it, they have become the most sought after people in the city. Every mobster, criminal and gangster is after them and their package. It's filled with action, thrills and comedy. I would definitely recommend this book.

Helen G.
Upper 4 Blogger

Ember Fury / Cathy Brett

Hi Girls
Very exciting news! Cathy Brett came in to school on Monday to talk about her new book - Ember Fury. You can read all about it in 'Latest News' on the library website. But her publishers are running a competition at the moment. The winner will be included in Cathy's next novel, Scarlet Dedd. She is a graphic novelist, so a caricature of you will be drawn by her and appear in the book. Why not have a go...

Visit: http://www.the-b-word.co.uk/article/58753/ember-fury-competiton-win-a-cartoon-you-get-your-face-in-a-fantastic-book

The Kevin and Sadie Books

Joan Lingard
Terrifying times in Belfast. Joan Lingard has written a series of books about a Catholic boy, Kevin and a Protestant girl, Sadie who fall in love. Her books are set at a time when fear and suspicion between Catholics and Protestants was deep and violent. So what happens when Kevin and Sadie insist on seeing eath other? Each book stands on its own or can be read as part of the series.
In reading order:
1. The twelfth day of July
2. Across the barricades
3. Into exile
4. A proper place
5. Hostages to fortune

'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen

Mandy
Pride and Prejudice is a book that most of you have probably heard of. It was written by Jane Austen, and is one of my favourites! It is amazing! The plot is basically a love story, but it is very different from modern ones.
The heroine is called Elizabeth Bennett. She has four sisters called Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. The book begins when a wealthy man named Charles Bingley moves into their neighbourhood, together with his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy. (The movie 'Bride and Prejudice is based on the book!!)
So, back to the story. The book focuses on Darcy and Lizzie's relationship, which would have run perfectly smoothly were it not for the 'odious Mr Collins'....
Yes. So. Read it! It is on the top shelf of the senior fiction section in the library.

I have a favour to ask...... A group of us are attempting to write stories on line.
Please, if you have time, visit my story link and review it! http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4862010/1/Camira
Perhaps you might like to attempt one yourself.
xx
Mandy the strange and wonderful blogger :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Jeni
Just to say, please read and review some stories on fanfiction.net. Because they are written by regular people who will probably not become proper authors, and they deserve to be recognised. Seriously, I write on there too, and I know how annoying it can be to spend ages writing and have no encouragement or appreciation.
Thanks a bunch!
Jeni

'The Boleyn Inheritence' By Phillipa Gregory (blog by Mandy!!)

The book is about the fourth and fifth wives of Henry the Eighth and the fight for the throne of England. The book starts just before the marrige of Henry and Anne of Cleves, and is told from the viewpoints of Anne, Katherine Howard and Jane Boleyn, and focuses on Katherine's journey to the throne, and Anne's journey from it.

The book is very well written and the story is very easy to get into. I really recommend it. In some places it is a bit....adult, but you can skip these parts!! The book really opens up the character of Katherine, and looks into what Anne would be feeling, and Jane's memories of the first Queen Anne and her brother.

So, read it!! I'm not just being silly (well, this is a matter of opinion, but I am being less silly than usual)
Lots of love
Mandy (the almighty)


THIS BLOG IS APPROVED BY JENI!!
:) (:

Trudi Canavan - Priestess of the White

Priestess of the White, By Trudi Canavan

{1st book in the trilogy 'Age of the Five'}

This book is set in an imaginary land called Northern Ithania, and its main character is called Auraya. She is chosen to be one of the 5 head priests, or 'White', and the book is all about her first years as one of them and the challenges that she faces.

We think that this book is a really good because...
a) Auraya is a very interesting character, and as strange as her situation is, it is very easy to relate to her.
b) all of the other characters are very well formed and believable.
c) the book has a very good plot which will entrance you within the first chapter.
and, finally,
d) Auraya has a really cute pet, called Mischief!!

So, read it!!

Amazon says.....

In a land on the brink of peace—watched jealously by a ruthless cult from across the sea and beset by hidden enemies—five extraordinary humans must serve as sword and shield of the Gods.
Auraya is one.
Her heroism saved a village from destruction; now Auraya has been named Priestess of the White. The limits of her unique talents must be tested in order to prove her worthy of the honor and grave responsibility awarded to her. But a perilous road lies ahead, fraught with pitfalls that will challenge the newest servant of the gods. An enduring friendship with a Dreamweaver—a member of an ancient outcast sect of sorcerer-healers—could destroy Auraya's future. And her destiny has set her in conflict with a powerful and mysterious, black-clad sorcerer with but a single purpose: the total annihilation of the White. And he is not alone . . .

from
The Almighty Mandy (Skirrow)