THE TREASURE HOUSE

THE TREASURE HOUSE
By Linda Newbery
224 pp. Orion. £8.99. (Ages 11 and up)

ISBN
9781444003437

Rating: ? Stars


            This book had an eye-catching front cover, and an alluring story summary and title, which is appropriate because it was actually a really good book. This book has a really good mix of mystery, excitement, and adventure that makes you tell your parents "I have to finish this book today" and "just one more page" (although you end up reading ten more pages, then one hundred more, until it's finished).
            Meanwhile this book is actually about a girl called Nina whose mum goes off without telling anyone, only leaving a note behind. This causes her dad to go off in search of her so Nina is left alone and slowly she uncovers the mystery of where her mum is and why.
            Reader, I think that after you have read this book you will agree with me that ages eight to twelve will enjoy reading this book. The reason I think this is because most little kids like the story to happen more quickly, and most grown ups and teenagers like longer, more boring books where you fall asleep while reading them.
            This book has a lot of very good morals and I shall tell you about my favourite one in my next sentence. My favourite one is that you shouldn't go off in search of someone and leave your child at home with their aunts, because it is likely that your child will find out where that person is before you do.

THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY

THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY
By Trenton Lee Stewart
512 pp. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. $6.99. (Ages 9 and up)

ISBN
9780316003957

Rating: 5 Stars

      I am not sure if this book would appeal to everyone but it certainly appealed to me! I must say that when it says (behind the front cover) that this book is like Lemony Snicket’s books, the Harry Potter series and Roald Dahl’s books, it is definitely true.
      Meanwhile I really like how the writer blends clues with adventure and fantasy. However this story isn’t exactly all fantasy. First of all it is true that most teachers are treated badly by parents if their children don’t get a perfect grade. Last of all TV does actually control your brain because of COMMERCIALS. Have you ever noticed that after seeing TV you run to the shop and buy something? Well if you have it’s because of commercials.
      Anyways the actual story in this book is about four children called Kate, Reynie, Constanse and Sticky. These four children do the same contest and all of them win. They then must go on an adventure to try and destroy the whisperer which is controlling everyone's minds, but I shall leave the rest for you to find out.
      Whether or not you would like this book depends on what type of person you are. For example if you like those books I mentioned at the beginning and you are six then you should read this book, and if you like those books and you are eighteen you should still read this book. I really enjoyed reading this book and I hope they will publish the rest of the series in England.

THE QUEEN

THE QUEEN
By Richard Brassey
24 pp. Orion. £4.99. (Ages 7 and up)

ISBN
9781444001273

Rating: ? Stars


      This story is not really about anything I could say without giving away the story. It is basically about the queen, in longer words it is about the queen's childhood, as she grew up and turned into queen.
      What really caught me and half made me laugh was when the queen and Crawfie (her governess)  disguised themselves as normal people and went for tea. The funny thing about this was that when they went there they had to carry their own tea and that even though they made good efforts people still knew who they were and they were stared at. I really liked Queen Salote of Tonga because she ignored the rain and waved cheerily from an open window.
      I think the average age to read this book (or have it read to) is five. The reason I think the average age is five is because it is not exactly a baby book but it isn't really a big kid book either.

(communicated by Agustinia ligabuei; written by Bellusaurus sui)

DEAD END IN NORVELT

DEAD END IN NORVELT
By Jack Gantos

352 pp. Yearling. £5.99. (Ages 12 and up)

ISBN
9780440870043

Rating: ? Stars

      I read this book because it was winner of the Newbery Medal 2012. Also, it had a good front cover so that made me want to read it. However, I did have a problem with it. That was because there weren't any skeletons eating cookies in boxes, unlike the cover. My other problem was that Jack wasn't actually dying of boredom (like a skeleton) but was starting to have fun in other ways.
      This book did have a bit of an interesting story towards the end though, I must grant it that. The actual story in this book is about a boy called Jack (just like the writer). First Jack gets in trouble for playing with his dad’s guns. Then he gets in trouble for mowing the corn lawn because even though his dad tells him to do it. His mum does not want him to do that, and then he is grounded for all of his summer. However Miss Volker needs his help for writing newspaper obituaries for the dead but what happens when she is suspected for crime?
      If you like books that are mysterious and in which people die, then you should read this book. If you like books where you know what is going to happen and where no one but the bad guy dies, then definitely don't read this book. This story has a few morals so I shall not describe every single one of them. The one I shall tell you about is this: Do not think you shall catch someone’s love by accusing them of something you did yourself because it shall just make it harder to get them.

WONDER

WONDER
By R. J. Palacio
320 pp. Knopf Books for Young Readers. $15.99. (Ages 8 and up)

ISBN
9780375869020

Rating: ? Stars

  This book's theme is about a boy with an unusual face who turns out to be a nice person in personality. This book is quite interesting, because the writer writes about it from different characters’ perspectives, so that none of the story is missed out.
  The story is mainly about a boy called August, who has an unusual face and is treated unfairly at school. Although I leave it to you to find out if it always stays that way or if he is finally treated fairly!
  When I got up to the part where some people started to act kind to August, a smile appeared upon my face because I felt happy for him.
  My mom bought this book for me in America, because I had finished reading the book I had brought with me and needed a new book. My mom also gave me this book because she likes to buy me famous books and this one was very famous.
  You can see that the writer really wants the reader to know the moral of this story, because only blind eyes wouldn't see the moral of this book.