What did you think of that book you read recently? Any book, any type, we want you to tell us all about it! Three from each age group will be selected to feature online, and the best reviewer aged between 5-7 years, 8–12 years, and 13+ will each receive a pack of books courtesy of Scholastic NZ. The top three reviews will also be published in The School Library, the Book Council’s reviews publication sent to member schools. There is a word limit of 200 words on all entries.
The next entry deadline is: Monday 21 May at 5pm.
Please email entries to schoolmembers@bookcouncil.org.nz, or fax them to (04) 801 5547
Review by Pyone Aye
A crooked family history untwines, as the pieces of Harriet Vanger’s disappearance are found. Solving the mystery that has overshadowed the Vanger family for years is a cold case like no other. Every family member is a suspect. Anyone one of them may have the cruel intentions that lead to Harriet’s disappearance, or maybe even, her murder.
Mikael Blomkvist is a journalist devoted to exposing corruption. He is convicted of libel against Hans-Erik Wennerström, a figurehead in the financial world. This took a toll on his reputation. To his surprise Henrik Vanger, former C.E.O, and patriarch of Vanger Enterprises, assigns him to a freelance assignment to look into the disappearance of his niece. The strange journey took Blomkvist to an outcaste town named Hedeby. As he begun to dig deeper into the roots of the family history there was no turning back. The investigation demanded more detectives. Lisbeth Salander proved to be an extraordinary investigator, but also a very unusual person.
Each page reveals more and more clues, all leading up to the end. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is only the first book in the bestselling trilogy. After reading this book it will leave you searching for more.
Review by Finlay McNaughton, 11, Southland Boys' High School
Is it possible to escape from a Black Hole?
You can find the answer out in this book. George¹s secret key to the universe is a combination of fiction and non-fiction writing. It contains lots of information about the universe.
George is a nine year old boy who is very curious. George¹s parents are very eco friendly and don¹t think much of electronics. But George really wants a computer but all he has is a pig for Christmas from his grandma.
One night his pig was gone from his pigsty and then the adventure begins...
He meets his interesting neighbours Annie and Eric. Eric is a scientist with a very powerful computer. The computer¹s name is Cosmos it can speak and respond to people. It can also open windows that show space and doors to go into space. But there is someone else that wants Cosmos...
This book was very interesting because it had heaps of facts about space.
I would recommend this book for someone who likes adventures and wants to know more about space.
Review by Lucy Drake, age 14, Palmerston North Girls' High School
Your murderer stands, watching, a few feet away from your father while he is beaten with a baseball bat. You cry out and want to be able to rescue him. No one can hear you, no one can see you but you can see and feel the pain of your loss in the ones you love back on earth. You are in heaven. Trapped in a perfect world.
Susie Salmon was just 14 years old when she was murdered, December 6th, 1973. In Susie’s heaven she could have everything she wanted, except to be back down on earth with the ones she loved. But Susie finds it impossible to let go of her life she had on earth. To see her friends and family grow up, fall in love and do the things that she didn’t get to do herself. Over time Susie finds a way to touch others hearts in a way that she never did on earth and finds a way to be free in her perfect world.
A very moving book that will make you appreciate the life you’ve been given. Once you start you won’t be able to put it down.
Review by Summer Fell, 11, Tuakau College (winner)
End of the alphabet is a story about Ruby, a girl in her teens with a learning problem – she can’t read or write very well. Written by a New Zealand author and set in New Zealand, this book is different to the teen novels we see today in that it’s from a unique point of view: the girl having learning problems. The family also intrigues me, how the mother copes with the stress of her family is particularly interesting. I like all the odd things that Ruby hates, but can’t pluck up the courage to talk about, eg, how Ruby’s teacher always says her name at the end of the roll: ‘and Ruby Yarrow’.
She’s also a ‘doormat’ when she comes to her family. She looks after her younger brothers, cooks, and cleans up after her brother, Max. All of this doesn’t bother Ruby: she knows her family relies on her to help out. But one day Max stage-handles her two little brothers to move into her room. Her best friend Tia has to say something, “You know what, Ruby Yarrow, I’m not talking to you until you stop being a doormat.”
Review by Alex Dinniss, Age 13, Palmerston North Girls' High School (Winner)
So you’re seventeen and living on a bus with your drunk Mum and your canine companion Bobbie Big Boy. Life is good. You’ve got friends (canine and human) and you make an awesome omelette. So when your Mum is murdered you have to keep smiling right. Cos you’re sorta like a rock star.
Amber Appleton is a very positive person, a hope spreader. She helps out at the old folks home, teaches English at a Korean church and runs KDFC (Korean Divas for Christ). Amber helps everyone but refuses to be helped. Her Dad left when Amber was a baby. Amber never complains though; she has her dog and her friends, Ricky (the autistic), Ty (the only black boy at school), Jared (the stutterer) and his little brother Chad (the paraplegic with a head the same size as his body). When Ambers’ Mum is murdered Amber’s not so sure if she can be the rock star of hope anymore.
This is a book that makes you laugh, cry and everything in-between. It makes you want to join a Korean choir just because. With its odd characters and inspirational storyline, it shows you that Amber is sorta like a rock star.
