Book Reviews: Week 4

The Dancing Bear by Michael Morpurgo – Review by Yitong (3RA)

This is first person narration. I felt a little sad when I heard a little baby bear was being rescued. There were lots of examples of show not tell, and the author made a sad start to the ending and then it became happy. 

I loved how the bear danced around (I couldn’t even imagine someone writing this!) 

I would recommend this to all.

My Family and Other Ghosts by Lou Kuenzler – Review by Erica (4JL)

Ivy and Ash are twins and their mother left their father. One morning, their grandad, who died when they were born, went to their house and he was ghost so he told them that he lived at Grave Grange and asked them if they could come. He said that their dad could come to Grave Grange because he knew he liked cooking and Grave Grange needed a new cook. When they got to Grave Grange, their dad brought all of his cooking stuff and cooked very nicely and all the other ghosts adored it very much. Their grandpa said that he would meet them in the old library but when they got there he wasn’t there…

I think it is a really good fiction book and it is very interesting. 

I would recommend it to people who like ghosts stories and haunted stories.

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian – Review by Yousef (5VF)

Willie is an 8 year-old living in Deptford, London at the outset of the Second World War. Neglected, scrawny and pale, he is subjected to daily beatings by his cruel mother. Evacuated to live in the English countryside for his own safety, Willie is sent to live with Mr Tom (Thomas Oakley). Mr Tom is a gruff, weary old man, set in his ways. He has forgotten how to be young. When he first moves in, Willie is terrified of everything, including the sheep dog. Poor Willie has never slept in a bed before. Mr Tom begins to understand what a difficult upbringing Willie has endured. Befriended by another evacuee named Zach, the boys have many adventures together. Willie learns to read and write. The story takes a dark turn when Willie is summoned back to London by his mother.

It is a super book. I liked the fact that it felt real. It’s a wholesome story of a developing friendship between Willie and Mr Tom. They are both changed for the better. 

I would recommend it, particularly to those who like historical books. Some topics in the book are harsh and difficult to read, including, for instance, a reference to Willie’s mother taping a baby’s mouth shut to keep it quiet. Ultimately, it is a story of contrasts and of hope.

The Danger Gang by Tom Fletcher – Review by Edith (6MT)

There’s this town called Freaky. One day green lightning hit all the houses and gave all the kids on the street powers! Each month every kid found out their power, for example turning into a shark or speaking baby even a giant guinea pig called Mr Fluffles that loves popcorn!

I enjoyed every bit of the book like when one of the boys enters the girls bathroom! 

I would recommend it to any one who likes action and powers. I would recommend it for any age.

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