Students Librarians The library runs a Student Librarian training programme. The students are taught library operations including shelving and issuing and returning books. If you would like to train to become a student librarian, please contact Mr Harvey or Ms. Viegas in the library. Students’ Corner
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundelly reviewd by Sophia Berni-Wright in 7FB
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Book Review by Scarlet Friars 7HB
Title: One of Us is Lying
Author: Karen McManus
Started: 26th June
Finished: 3rd July
Brief summary: One of Us is Lying is an excellent book about a detention, with Simon, Nate, Bronwyn, Addy and Cooper, only four leave alive. This twisted tale of who killed Simon is an excellent murder drama. This book is split into chapters and characters’ point of view of a life of which has been ruined because of what happened in detention. They are all suspects and possible murderers. All the secrets that Simon didn’t leak on his app called ‘About That’ have been shown to the public and not a single private secret is left in the pile. As the story continues, Bronwyn and Nate become quite close and have a thing for each other, Addy used to be a well-known popular girl, obsessed with makeup and has the most handsome boy in the school. However, when one of Addy’s secrets get revealed, they break up and Addy completely changes. Cooper, at the time, is dating a girl called Keely. But, as his secrets get exposed from Simon’s unpublished gossip entry, we discover he is gay, and it completely changes his relationship with his friends and mostly his father. The story becomes more and more dramatic. I will tell you no more, too much information.
Favourite moment: The ending (NO COMMENT)
Least favourite moment: The part near the end with Addy and Jake (her ex)
Would you recommend this book: Yes, I would recommend this book because it’s one of the best I have read and it’s so dramatic! I would only recommend this book to someone who is okay with slightly smaller writing and strong language (WARNING: This book is a 12-14)
Rating out of 5: 5/5
Title: One of Us is Lying
Author: Karen McManus
Started: 26th June
Finished: 3rd July
Brief summary: One of Us is Lying is an excellent book about a detention, with Simon, Nate, Bronwyn, Addy and Cooper, only four leave alive. This twisted tale of who killed Simon is an excellent murder drama. This book is split into chapters and characters’ point of view of a life of which has been ruined because of what happened in detention. They are all suspects and possible murderers. All the secrets that Simon didn’t leak on his app called ‘About That’ have been shown to the public and not a single private secret is left in the pile. As the story continues, Bronwyn and Nate become quite close and have a thing for each other, Addy used to be a well-known popular girl, obsessed with makeup and has the most handsome boy in the school. However, when one of Addy’s secrets get revealed, they break up and Addy completely changes. Cooper, at the time, is dating a girl called Keely. But, as his secrets get exposed from Simon’s unpublished gossip entry, we discover he is gay, and it completely changes his relationship with his friends and mostly his father. The story becomes more and more dramatic. I will tell you no more, too much information.
Favourite moment: The ending (NO COMMENT)
Least favourite moment: The part near the end with Addy and Jake (her ex)
Would you recommend this book: Yes, I would recommend this book because it’s one of the best I have read and it’s so dramatic! I would only recommend this book to someone who is okay with slightly smaller writing and strong language (WARNING: This book is a 12-14)
Rating out of 5: 5/5
Book Review by Scarlet Friars 7HB
Title: Good Girl, Bad Blood
Author: Holly Jackson
Started: 22nd June
Finished: 25th June
Brief summary: Good Girl, Bad Blood is an excellent sequel to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (I have already written a review for that one). It’s about an 18-year-old girl who thinks her investigating days are behind her, but until one of her close friends go missing. There are many things in this book which make it so excellent like the last one. I don’t want to tell you too much because it truly is an excellent book and I do not want to give any juicy details.
Favorite moment: The fire at the Farmhouse! (A bit of a juicy detail)
Least favorite moment: THE ENDING (I didn’t want it to end) 🙁
Would you recommend this book? YES, I would it’s good for those people who love crime documentaries and don’t mind a bit of older language. Also, this book and the one before this one is rated a 14+ so yeah, whoops!
Rating out of 5: 5/5
Title: Good Girl, Bad Blood
Author: Holly Jackson
Started: 22nd June
Finished: 25th June
Brief summary: Good Girl, Bad Blood is an excellent sequel to A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (I have already written a review for that one). It’s about an 18-year-old girl who thinks her investigating days are behind her, but until one of her close friends go missing. There are many things in this book which make it so excellent like the last one. I don’t want to tell you too much because it truly is an excellent book and I do not want to give any juicy details.
Favorite moment: The fire at the Farmhouse! (A bit of a juicy detail)
Least favorite moment: THE ENDING (I didn’t want it to end) 🙁
Would you recommend this book? YES, I would it’s good for those people who love crime documentaries and don’t mind a bit of older language. Also, this book and the one before this one is rated a 14+ so yeah, whoops!
Rating out of 5: 5/5
Book Review by Scarlet Friars 7HB
Title: The Darkling Plain Author: Philip Reeve
Started: 19th May
Finished: 21st June
Brief Summary: This book is the fourth and last in the Mortal Engines series. This book has 568 pages and wonderful if you’d want a long read. The story starts with Tom and Wren flying in the Jenny Havier to Harrorbow where they meet the ‘trustworthy’ Wolf. Tom was traditionally always a Londoner and lived there right until the city was destroyed. Wolf had been exploring there and got sent back to his home in Harrorbow and never set foot there again. Tom and Wren really wanted to go and see the destroyed city and the citizens of the London wreck show them New London, Wolf runs away to get his city to destroy their new city. Meanwhile, Hester, Shrike, Oeone and Theo find their way to Airhaven and nearly encounter Tom and Wren. While they are onboard Pennyroyal spots Tom and Wren, Wren gives him a letter to put into the post for Theo. Then, Pennyroyal goes off with Hester, the stalker, Lady Naga and Theo himself. The story is a bit complicated to explain in a small piece of text so I would recommend you read the whole series and trust me you’ll like this world Philip Reeve has created. The Mortal Engines movie is also quite good. Not as good as the books.
Favorite moment: The fight between Theo and Wolf, while Theo tries to protect Wren.
Least favorite moment: When Tom dies because of his heart and when Hester drives a knife through her heart.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, I would, it’s one of those books you can get lost into for hours at a time. YOU HAVE TO READ THE OTHER BOOKS FIRST OTHERWISE IT WILL NOT MAKE SENSE!!!!
Rating out of 5: 5/5
Title: The Darkling Plain Author: Philip Reeve
Started: 19th May
Finished: 21st June
Brief Summary: This book is the fourth and last in the Mortal Engines series. This book has 568 pages and wonderful if you’d want a long read. The story starts with Tom and Wren flying in the Jenny Havier to Harrorbow where they meet the ‘trustworthy’ Wolf. Tom was traditionally always a Londoner and lived there right until the city was destroyed. Wolf had been exploring there and got sent back to his home in Harrorbow and never set foot there again. Tom and Wren really wanted to go and see the destroyed city and the citizens of the London wreck show them New London, Wolf runs away to get his city to destroy their new city. Meanwhile, Hester, Shrike, Oeone and Theo find their way to Airhaven and nearly encounter Tom and Wren. While they are onboard Pennyroyal spots Tom and Wren, Wren gives him a letter to put into the post for Theo. Then, Pennyroyal goes off with Hester, the stalker, Lady Naga and Theo himself. The story is a bit complicated to explain in a small piece of text so I would recommend you read the whole series and trust me you’ll like this world Philip Reeve has created. The Mortal Engines movie is also quite good. Not as good as the books.
Favorite moment: The fight between Theo and Wolf, while Theo tries to protect Wren.
Least favorite moment: When Tom dies because of his heart and when Hester drives a knife through her heart.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, I would, it’s one of those books you can get lost into for hours at a time. YOU HAVE TO READ THE OTHER BOOKS FIRST OTHERWISE IT WILL NOT MAKE SENSE!!!!
Rating out of 5: 5/5
Book Review by Scarlet Friars 7HB
Title: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Started: 6th June
Finished: 18th June
Brief Summary: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a wonderful book about young Jacob, who is peculiar. The book is a lot like the film although the film does lack quite a few pieces of detail. For example, in the film Olive is the girl that can ignite fire from her hands and likes Enock. However, in the book the fire conjuring girl is called Emma and likes Jacob. Another example, in the film the levitating girl is called Emma and Jacob and Emma have a thing for each other, in the book the girl who can float is called Olive and is only about 10. So, there are some differences, but overall, it’s a good book. Later, in the story, hollows find their way to the island where the loop is to Miss Peregrine’s house of children is along with the people with white eyes. The people with white eyes take Miss Peregrine and another injured bird to try another experiment on them and could potentially kill them. This is a wonderful book and I don’t want to give any spoilers...
Favourite moment: When Jacob meets all the different peculiars.
Least favourite moment: When the invisible boy gets shot.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, I would. I would say it’s a bit violent and I would say it’s only good for people who can take a bit of blood mentioning.
Star rating out of 5: 4/5
Title: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Started: 6th June
Finished: 18th June
Brief Summary: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a wonderful book about young Jacob, who is peculiar. The book is a lot like the film although the film does lack quite a few pieces of detail. For example, in the film Olive is the girl that can ignite fire from her hands and likes Enock. However, in the book the fire conjuring girl is called Emma and likes Jacob. Another example, in the film the levitating girl is called Emma and Jacob and Emma have a thing for each other, in the book the girl who can float is called Olive and is only about 10. So, there are some differences, but overall, it’s a good book. Later, in the story, hollows find their way to the island where the loop is to Miss Peregrine’s house of children is along with the people with white eyes. The people with white eyes take Miss Peregrine and another injured bird to try another experiment on them and could potentially kill them. This is a wonderful book and I don’t want to give any spoilers...
Favourite moment: When Jacob meets all the different peculiars.
Least favourite moment: When the invisible boy gets shot.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, I would. I would say it’s a bit violent and I would say it’s only good for people who can take a bit of blood mentioning.
Star rating out of 5: 4/5
Read a review of Journey to the River Sea by Sophia Berni-Wright in 7FB
BOOK REPORT BY SUMMER SANDERS 7HB
BOOK: DORK DIARIES TV STAR
AUTHOR: RACHEL RENEE RUSSEL
Dork Diaries TV Star is a really good book as it has moments where you feel on edge and parts when you’re relieved and surprised about what has just happened. There are also bits where the vocabulary makes you think you’re there and you’re apart of all the drama or when all sadness fills the air. My favourite part of the book is when their CDs go missing for their parts but they still find a way to still go forwards and contine the party so every one is happy apart from Niki’s enemy Mackenzie. Although all her tricks work in this book, we see a different side from when Makenzie’s sceams don’t work and she makes a fool of her self.
I would recommend this book to people who like reading fantasy books or like to read diary-type books as it is really good and you will enjoy it more.
BOOK: DORK DIARIES TV STAR
AUTHOR: RACHEL RENEE RUSSEL
Dork Diaries TV Star is a really good book as it has moments where you feel on edge and parts when you’re relieved and surprised about what has just happened. There are also bits where the vocabulary makes you think you’re there and you’re apart of all the drama or when all sadness fills the air. My favourite part of the book is when their CDs go missing for their parts but they still find a way to still go forwards and contine the party so every one is happy apart from Niki’s enemy Mackenzie. Although all her tricks work in this book, we see a different side from when Makenzie’s sceams don’t work and she makes a fool of her self.
I would recommend this book to people who like reading fantasy books or like to read diary-type books as it is really good and you will enjoy it more.
Book review of The Girl who Speaks Bear by Larissa Victoria Bocian (7OA)
Book Review by Scarlet Friars 7HB
Title: The Map from Here to There
Author: Emery Lord
Started: 18/04/2020
Finished: 29/04/2020
Brief Summary: The Map from Here to There is a wonderful book about a girl called Paige, who is 17, lives in America with her family and friends. During the story Paige is together with Max (who is also in her year) and they go through quite a rocky time while trying to keep their relationship alive while tackling the difficulties of choosing colleges and going off into the world alone. Also, during the duration of this books settings Paige’s parents, who were divorced for serval years moved back in together. Cameron (Paige’s little sister) gets very excited at this part of the book because she thinks their dad is going to propose. However, Cameron’s imagination is miles away from the reality. Nearer the end of the book, Max and Paige get into a fight about colleges e.t.c and have a ‘break’, which Paige finds very hard because of her depression of losing another boyfriend (her boyfriend before Max, Aaron, sadly gets drowned in a terrorist attack, which is one of the biggest reasons of Paige’s depression, anxiety and bad water-related nightmares. At the end of the book Paige, Max and a bunch of other friends go to L.A to celebrate Morgan’s birthday on the beach, where in the end Max and Paige are together again stronger than ever.
Favourite character: Paige
Favourite moment: The ending when Max and Paige are on the beach
Least favourite moment: When Paige and Max fight
Would you recommend: Yes, I would recommend to anyone with a sense of humor, can deal with depression filled books and doesn’t get too weepy and can at least by sensible about swear words.
Star rating: 5/5
Title: The Map from Here to There
Author: Emery Lord
Started: 18/04/2020
Finished: 29/04/2020
Brief Summary: The Map from Here to There is a wonderful book about a girl called Paige, who is 17, lives in America with her family and friends. During the story Paige is together with Max (who is also in her year) and they go through quite a rocky time while trying to keep their relationship alive while tackling the difficulties of choosing colleges and going off into the world alone. Also, during the duration of this books settings Paige’s parents, who were divorced for serval years moved back in together. Cameron (Paige’s little sister) gets very excited at this part of the book because she thinks their dad is going to propose. However, Cameron’s imagination is miles away from the reality. Nearer the end of the book, Max and Paige get into a fight about colleges e.t.c and have a ‘break’, which Paige finds very hard because of her depression of losing another boyfriend (her boyfriend before Max, Aaron, sadly gets drowned in a terrorist attack, which is one of the biggest reasons of Paige’s depression, anxiety and bad water-related nightmares. At the end of the book Paige, Max and a bunch of other friends go to L.A to celebrate Morgan’s birthday on the beach, where in the end Max and Paige are together again stronger than ever.
Favourite character: Paige
Favourite moment: The ending when Max and Paige are on the beach
Least favourite moment: When Paige and Max fight
Would you recommend: Yes, I would recommend to anyone with a sense of humor, can deal with depression filled books and doesn’t get too weepy and can at least by sensible about swear words.
Star rating: 5/5
Letters to the Lost – Brigid Kemmerer
A review by Polly Ward 7HA
Letters to the Lost is about two people who are going through hard times and they exchange letters about their pain anonymously; however, when their lives collide the truth may tear them apart. As the book continues their lives become harder and the power of truth turns their worlds upside down. They each discover more and more about their lives and the darkness in them, which could tear them apart and ruin their friendship forever.
Letters to the Lost is one of my favourite books because of how descriptive it is about the characters emotions and how well it demonstrates feeling/emotions. What I like most about the book is how the author dives into the characters’ heads and explains how they’re feeling indirectly and through powerful language. I also love the storyline of the book and how well it’s thought through, it really connects with the reader and makes them understand the pain the characters are going through. I would really recommend this book especially for people who love books about emotions.
A review by Polly Ward 7HA
Letters to the Lost is about two people who are going through hard times and they exchange letters about their pain anonymously; however, when their lives collide the truth may tear them apart. As the book continues their lives become harder and the power of truth turns their worlds upside down. They each discover more and more about their lives and the darkness in them, which could tear them apart and ruin their friendship forever.
Letters to the Lost is one of my favourite books because of how descriptive it is about the characters emotions and how well it demonstrates feeling/emotions. What I like most about the book is how the author dives into the characters’ heads and explains how they’re feeling indirectly and through powerful language. I also love the storyline of the book and how well it’s thought through, it really connects with the reader and makes them understand the pain the characters are going through. I would really recommend this book especially for people who love books about emotions.
Book Review by Scarlet Friars 7HB
Title: One
Author: Sarah Crossan
Started: 22/03/2020
Finished: 30/03/2020
Brief summary: One is a really touching story about 2 conjoined twins called Tippi and Grace. In the story they stop being homeschooled and start going to a school with lots of different kids they don’t know. When they first arrive at school they feel like they are zoo animals in a zoo being stared at by kids with their faces pressed up against the glass. Well, that happened a lot until Tipi and Grace meet Yasmeen and John, who are two very kind individuals and protect Tipi and Grace when they are being judged or bullied. However, later on in the story Tipi starts taking drugs and alcohol when it’s dangerous for both of their health. Eventually they end up in hospital and end up separated with Grace with a heart that is failing and Tipi with lose of lots of blood. In the end Tipi sadly passed away and Grace used Tippi’s heart to continue her life and lived happily with Tipi’s working heart.
Favourite character: Grace
Favourite moment: When Grace and Tipi stay in Yasmeen’s uncles house with Yasmeen and John.
Least favourite moment: when Tipi sadly passed away.
Would you recommend it? I would only recommend it to people who can deal with the sad story contained in one and that like short chapters.
Star rating out of 5: 4/5
Title: One
Author: Sarah Crossan
Started: 22/03/2020
Finished: 30/03/2020
Brief summary: One is a really touching story about 2 conjoined twins called Tippi and Grace. In the story they stop being homeschooled and start going to a school with lots of different kids they don’t know. When they first arrive at school they feel like they are zoo animals in a zoo being stared at by kids with their faces pressed up against the glass. Well, that happened a lot until Tipi and Grace meet Yasmeen and John, who are two very kind individuals and protect Tipi and Grace when they are being judged or bullied. However, later on in the story Tipi starts taking drugs and alcohol when it’s dangerous for both of their health. Eventually they end up in hospital and end up separated with Grace with a heart that is failing and Tipi with lose of lots of blood. In the end Tipi sadly passed away and Grace used Tippi’s heart to continue her life and lived happily with Tipi’s working heart.
Favourite character: Grace
Favourite moment: When Grace and Tipi stay in Yasmeen’s uncles house with Yasmeen and John.
Least favourite moment: when Tipi sadly passed away.
Would you recommend it? I would only recommend it to people who can deal with the sad story contained in one and that like short chapters.
Star rating out of 5: 4/5
Book Review by Scarlet Friars 7HB
Title: Uglies
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Started: 15/03/2020
Finished: 21/03/2020
Brief summary: Uglies is a book about a teenage ugly called Tally Youngblood. In Tally’s world when you turn 16 you have a life changing operation to make you a pretty, which means making yourself a lot more attractive, having perfect skin and limbs and sometimes brain surgery to change your entire personality. After the operation you live in Pretty town where all pretties live after the operation and live the dream world while looking like a barbie doll. In the story Tally meets Shay, who strangely has the same birthday (September 9th) and although Tally is looking forward to becoming a pretty and joining her best friend/crush Peris. However, Shay is the complete opposite and wants to run away to the mysterious Smoke with her boyfriend Dave, who seems to be highly dangerous. When the day of Shay’s and Tally’s operation Shay has already run away expecting to meet Tally at the gateway of the unknown but Tally isn’t taken in for her operation, she is taken to talk to evil Dr Cable.
Favourite Character: Tally Youngblood
Favourite moment: Whenever Tally goes on their hoverboards!
Least Favourite moment: The feeling of the bare feet on the roof of the shed or on the hoverboards.
Would you recommend it? : Yes, I would recommend Uglies because it is such a joy to read and I love the mystery behind it all that I think other readers with my sort of taste in books would enjoy.
Star rating out of 5: 5/5
Title: Uglies
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Started: 15/03/2020
Finished: 21/03/2020
Brief summary: Uglies is a book about a teenage ugly called Tally Youngblood. In Tally’s world when you turn 16 you have a life changing operation to make you a pretty, which means making yourself a lot more attractive, having perfect skin and limbs and sometimes brain surgery to change your entire personality. After the operation you live in Pretty town where all pretties live after the operation and live the dream world while looking like a barbie doll. In the story Tally meets Shay, who strangely has the same birthday (September 9th) and although Tally is looking forward to becoming a pretty and joining her best friend/crush Peris. However, Shay is the complete opposite and wants to run away to the mysterious Smoke with her boyfriend Dave, who seems to be highly dangerous. When the day of Shay’s and Tally’s operation Shay has already run away expecting to meet Tally at the gateway of the unknown but Tally isn’t taken in for her operation, she is taken to talk to evil Dr Cable.
Favourite Character: Tally Youngblood
Favourite moment: Whenever Tally goes on their hoverboards!
Least Favourite moment: The feeling of the bare feet on the roof of the shed or on the hoverboards.
Would you recommend it? : Yes, I would recommend Uglies because it is such a joy to read and I love the mystery behind it all that I think other readers with my sort of taste in books would enjoy.
Star rating out of 5: 5/5
Book Review by Scarlet Friars 7HB
Title: After the Fire
Author: Will Hill
Started: 31/03/2020
Finished: 18/04/2020
Brief summary: After the Fire is a dramatic story about a 17-year-old girl called Moonbeam and she was part of the Lord’s Legion. The Lord’s Legion is a society of people young and old who live in a patch of land in the Texas Desert and is only allowed to leave if they lose faith in the Lord. In this story it tells the tale of Moonbeam when she was inside and outside. During the book you would find out that there was a fire inside the fences of the Legion when the police from the outside come to save the children from the unfairness of the way Father John treated the children and adults inside the chicken fences. This story is told by Moonbeam from a hospital in Texas, where she is taken care of by Nurse Harrow and questioned by Doctor Hernandez and Agent Caryle. Nearer the end of the book Moonbeam eventually kills Father John and he goes to sit beside the Lord up above. At the end of the book Moonbeam is rejoined with her mother that got banished by Father John for writing in her diary about trying to get away from the Lord’s Legion while taking Moonbeam with her.
Favourite character: Moonbeam
Favourite moment: When Moonbeam kills Father John
Least favourite moment: Honey being locked in a box and the fire itself
Would you recommend it? Yes, I would definitely recommend this book. However, I would only recommend it to people who can tackle the craziness of this book and is sensible about a couple of swear words.
Star rating: 5/5
Title: After the Fire
Author: Will Hill
Started: 31/03/2020
Finished: 18/04/2020
Brief summary: After the Fire is a dramatic story about a 17-year-old girl called Moonbeam and she was part of the Lord’s Legion. The Lord’s Legion is a society of people young and old who live in a patch of land in the Texas Desert and is only allowed to leave if they lose faith in the Lord. In this story it tells the tale of Moonbeam when she was inside and outside. During the book you would find out that there was a fire inside the fences of the Legion when the police from the outside come to save the children from the unfairness of the way Father John treated the children and adults inside the chicken fences. This story is told by Moonbeam from a hospital in Texas, where she is taken care of by Nurse Harrow and questioned by Doctor Hernandez and Agent Caryle. Nearer the end of the book Moonbeam eventually kills Father John and he goes to sit beside the Lord up above. At the end of the book Moonbeam is rejoined with her mother that got banished by Father John for writing in her diary about trying to get away from the Lord’s Legion while taking Moonbeam with her.
Favourite character: Moonbeam
Favourite moment: When Moonbeam kills Father John
Least favourite moment: Honey being locked in a box and the fire itself
Would you recommend it? Yes, I would definitely recommend this book. However, I would only recommend it to people who can tackle the craziness of this book and is sensible about a couple of swear words.
Star rating: 5/5
Read Amelia Duong’s (Year 7) heart tugging creative writing piece based on the book Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan here.