Summer reading
Book ideas to keep you busy over the
holidays
It might not look like it, but it is finally summer. Nearly two
months of freedom beckon for Scotland's young people. But how do
you fill seven weeks? Very easily, you might say. But if you do
find yourself with some spare time over the holidays, you might
want to check out some of these new books which have been reviewed
by Daily What News readers.
Dead Time by Anne Cassidy. Out now
The world of step-brother and sister Rose and Joshua is turned
upside down when their parents disappear. The first in a series of
thrillers from this author.
Review
This is a great book that captures your imagination. Its exciting
plot makes you want to read on to find out what happens. There are
a lot of twists to the story so you have no idea how it is going to
end. Suitable for teenagers or adults who are interested in mystery
or crime dramas.
Score:8/10
Mhairi, 14, Kilwinning Academy, North
Ayrshire
The Great Dog Disaster by Katie Davis. Out
now
Suzanne is thrilled to inherit a dog from her Great-Great Aunt
Deirdra, but when Beatrice the Newfoundland arrives she is a big
disappointment - smelly, old, miserable and doesn't like walks or
catching sticks. Can Beatrice be turned into a proper dog before
Suzanne's dad gets fed up and sends her away?
Review
It took a while to get into, but I think it's a really good book -
a lot of funny bits and quite sad too.
Score:9/10
Eve, 10, Carolside Primary School, East
Renfrewshire
Iggy and Me and the New Baby by Jenny
Valentine. Out now
Iggy is obsessed with babies and wants a new baby brother or
sister more than anything else in the world. Her mum is far too
tired to have another baby, so when Iggy's Auntie Kate comes to
visit from America with some very special news, Iggy can't believe
her luck.
Review
I already have the first Iggy and Me book and so I was really
looking forward to reading this. I really enjoyed this book - it
keeps you guessing right until the very end!
Score:8/10
Pippa, 9, Lochfield Primary School,
Renfrewshire
The Night Sky in my Head by Sarah Hammond. Out
5 July 2012
Mikey Baxter isn't like other fourteen-year-old boys. Since his
accident he has had a remarkable gift: the ability to go back in
time and witness things that hide in the shadows. Can he find out
the truth about his dad's disappearance?
Review
This is a thrilling novel with surprising twists throughout.
Quite unexpected at every corner. A fantastic read!
Score:8/10
Alyx, 14, Buckie Academy, Moray
Secret Breakers: The Power of Three by HL
Dennis. Out now
The Voynich Manuscript is an ancient manuscript that no one has
ever been able to decipher, but Brodie Bray is a girl who likes a
challenge. With real codes, real mysteries and real danger, this
book has been billed as a Da Vinci Code for kids.
Review
This book took a little bit too long to get into the story for me.
It jumps about into different parts without any warning so at the
start you will be flicking back pages to see if you missed
something. But I would recommend this book because once you get
into it, it is very interesting and the twists keep you on the edge
of your seat and make you want to read on.
Score:8/10
Eilidh, 15, Kilwinning Academy, North
Ayrshire
Tilly's Moonlight Fox by Julia Green. Out
now
When Tilly moves to a big, old house with her mum and dad, she
can't wait to start exploring. There, deep in the garden, she finds
a mysterious, hidden gate. Led by a wild fox, Tilly discovers the
magical secret that lies beyond the gate and nothing is ever quite
the same again.
Review
This book is aimed at younger readers but it really is quite a
touching tale. I would certainly recommend it if you like a
loveable plot.
Score:7/10
Ben, 15, Buckie Academy, Moray
Velvet by Mary Hooper. Out July 2012
Set in Victorian times, this book follows the story of Velvet, an
orphan rescued from her back-breaking work in a steam laundry by
the glamorous Madame Savoya who invites her to be a maid in her
home. But Madame Savoya is not all that she seems and Velvet's life
is in danger…
Review
I would recommend reading this book as it is very interesting. I
didn't want to put it down it was such a good story. I think this
book is suitable for teenagers as Velvet is a teenager
herself.
Score:7/10
Jennifer, 14, Kilwinning Academy, North
Ayrshire
White Dolphin by Gill Lewis. Out now
Frustrated at school and haunted by her mother's disappearance,
Kara only feels truly alive when she is sailing the ocean's waves.
But when she and Felix make a startling discovery on the beach, it
sets in motion a dramatic chain of events. And soon they must make
an impossible choice: risk their own lives or face losing
everything . . .
Review
I would highly recommend this book. It is very exciting from the
beginning. Gill Lewis's description of Kara's hometown and the
surrounding sea is very beautiful. Kara's fight to save what is
important to her is what makes this a fantastic book. The
storyline's twists and turns keep you guessing. I think the story
also has an important message about protecting the
environment.
Score:10/10
Katie, 16, Eastwood High School, East
Renfrewshire
Click on the What's more tab at the top of the story to
read an expert's tips on picking a good book.
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Summer reading
How to pick a good book, by the Herald newspaper's
expert bookworm Anne Johnstone
Why not choose some books to read during the summer holidays?
How often do you hear that? But faced with a bookshop crammed from
floor to ceiling with scary books, funny books, animal stories,
how-to books, information books, historical fiction, pretty picture
books, adventure stories and lots more, how do you choose? It can
be quite tricky, especially if an adult is standing there, telling
you to hurry up.
Maybe I can help. I've been writing about children's books and
young adult fiction for The Herald newspaper for about 25 years.
It's one of the best bits of my job. Every day the postman usually
brings two or three books from publishers who want me to write a
review. If you're a bookworm like me, it's like having a birthday
every day.
As there isn't time to read every one from cover to cover, I
have to pick a selection. "Never judge a book by its cover," we are
told. But it's hard not to, isn't it? After all, book jackets are
designed to catch your eye. Each one tries to shout out "Pick me!"
Certainly covers can give you a rough idea of the age group a book
is aimed at and some publishers print age group recommendations on
the back cover. The problem with that is that reading ages can vary
a lot. Some children like reading books aimed at people older than
they are. Others like re-reading books they've read and enjoyed
before. My favourite books are like old friends.
Publishers like to print nice things that children or reviewers
have said about the story on the back cover, like "I exhausted a
whole set of torch batteries reading it after I was meant to go to
sleep". Beware. There's nothing to stop publishers making up these
quotes. I sometimes find my own name on the back of a book, under
highly complimentary comments I don't recognise.
Often publishers send proof copies in plain covers, so making
snap judgments based on appearance isn't an option. Instead, I read
the short summary on the back, then open the book at random and
read a short passage. Does it make me want to turn the page to find
out what happens? Is it written in a stylish or witty way that's
enjoyable to read? Could this book become my friend? Some authors
always catch my attention because I've read their other books and
enjoyed them. So when it came to selecting summer reading this
year, I was delighted to see Mary Hooper's Velvet, a historical
novel for teenagers that's so packed with atmosphere that you feel
you can almost smell Victorian London.
Then there's White Dolphin by Gill Lewis. Last year she wrote a
beautiful, moving story about ospreys called Sky Hawk. It reminded
me of the way Michael Morpurgo writes about the special bond
between children and animals, so White Dolphin went straight on my
"Yes" pile. Anne Cassidy is an author who has won several awards
(usually a good sign), so I decided to try her latest thriller Dead
Time and found it really gripping.
As well as old faces, I'm always looking for new talent. That's
how I stumbled on a manuscript for part of a book called Harry
Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in early 1997!
For summer reading, I always include some titles for readers who
are fairly new to chapter books, because I know it's easy for
children to slip back in their reading over the long holidays. This
year I chose The Great Dog Disaster by Katie Davies, for
primary-aged boys and girls, because it's so funny. Also the
sentences are short without seeming breathless and there are
illustrations on each page. Another choice is Jenny Valentine's
Iggy and the New Baby about a girl who is obsessed with babies.
It's illustrated with line drawings that help give the book a lot
of character.
If you are just about to start your summer holidays, I hope this
has given you some ideas. Then, even if it rains almost every day,
you can get away from it all by curling up with a good book and
letting your imagination take you on a journey. Happy reading.
Click on the What tab at the top of this story to see
reviews of some of these books by Daily What News
readers.
Click
here to try our book match quiz
Lesson ideas and
suggestions
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Watch us LIVE on Glow TV