Auchinleck Academy Library - Comments and Reviews

The Dead by Charlie Higson

2011-02-28T09:06:00.001Z

A terrible disease is striking everyone over the age of 14. Death walks the streets. Nowhere is safe. Maxie, Blue and the rest of the Holloway crew aren't the only kids trying to escape the ferocious adults who prey on them. Jack and Ed are best friends, but their battle to stay alive tests their friendship to the limit.

It's absolutely brilliant. M.G. (S1) *****

Stars! (Soccer Squad) by Bali Rai

2011-01-24T13:50:00.000Z

Rushton Reds are going to be famous. A TV documentary is being made about the team and Chris, Dal, Abs and Jason can't wait to show off their skills in front of the cameras. But is it more important looking to look like a star, or to play well as part of the team? Will fame go to their heads?

It was very funny, nice and people would love to read it. M.M. (S1)

Wolf Man by Susan Gates

2010-12-13T15:53:00.000Z

A fast-paced mystery adventure story with a spooky supernatural twist.

This book is very very good! S.H. (S1) *****

Invisible Fiends: Mr Mumbles by Barry Hutchison

2010-12-10T14:26:00.000Z

Kyle hasn't seen Mr Mumbles in years. And there's a good reason for that: Mr Mumbles doesn't exist. But now he is back, Kyle doesn't have time to worry about why. Only one thing matters - staying alive.

Fantastic. I couldn't put it down. One of the best books I have ever read. I.R. (S1) *****

Scary, it gave me goosebumps. Dare you to read it at night! :) K.M. (S1) ****

Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

2010-12-03T11:29:00.000Z

When Jason, Piper and Leo crash land at Camp Half-Blood, they have no idea what to expect. Apparently this is the only safe place for children of the Greek Gods – despite the monsters roaming the woods and demigods practising archery with flaming arrows and explosives. But rumours of a terrible curse – and a missing hero – are flying around camp. It seems Jason, Piper and Leo are the chosen ones to embark on a terrifying new quest, which they must complete by the winter solstice. In just four days time. Can the trio succeed on this deadly mission – and what must they sacrifice in order to survive?

Thrilling. Informative. Clever and outstandingly witty. Literally impossible to put down. A great read and a fantastic start to the new series. Riordan continues to inspire and amaze me with his stunning set of stories. I simply cannot wait till fall 2011 for book 2! R.G. (S3) *****

Tommy Sullivan is a Freak by Meg Cabot

2010-11-18T13:56:00.000Z

Katie Ellison can't believe it. Just when she's having the best summer of her life, Tommy Sullivan arrives back in town. Just about everyone hates Tommy for what he did four years ago, and even being seen with him would make Katie a social pariah. So falling in love with him would be the kiss of death. And that's just what happens.

The book was OK but I didn't enjoy it that much because I didn't get what was going on. D.P. (S2) ***

The Enemy by Charlie Higson

2010-11-15T16:04:00.001Z

When the sickness came, every parent, policeman, politician, every adult, fell ill. The lucky ones died. The others are crazed, confused and hungry. Only children under 14 remain, and they're fighting to survive. Now there are rumours of a safe place to hide. And so a gang of children begin their quest across London.

It is really good. I recommend everybody to read it all. N.C. (S1) *****

Greatest book I've read yet. Well done Mr Higson. M.G. (S1) *****

Ice Lolly by Jean Ure

2010-11-15T16:01:00.000Z

Laurel is only 12 when her mum dies and she is shipped off to stay with relatives she hardly knows. Her new family don't seem to care about anything Laurel loves, including books and Mr Pooter, her old marmalade-coloured cat. So Laurel decides that she won't feel anything: she'll become Ice Lolly, the girl with the frozen heart.

I really liked this book as it has a sad start and a happy ending. I liked the part where she went to Stevie's and picked up Mr Pooter and got another two cats at the same time, one called Carrie and the other called Lupin. I highly recommend it to people who love cats. K.A. (S1) *****

Maximum Ride 1: The angel experiment by James Patterson

2010-11-11T14:38:00.000Z

Fourteen-year-old Maximum Ride, better known as Max, knows what it's like to soar above the world. She and all the members of the 'Flock' - Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel - are just like ordinary kids - only they have wings and can fly. It may seem like a dream come true to some, but their lives can morph into a living nightmare at any time - like when Angel, the youngest member of the 'Flock', is kidnapped and taken back to the 'School' where she and the others were genetically engineered by sinister scientists.Her friends brave a journey to blazing hot Death Valley, California, to save Angel, but soon enough, they find themselves in yet another nightmare - this one involving fighting off the half-human, half-wolf 'Erasers' in New York City. Whether in the treetops of Central Park or in the bowels of the Manhattan subway system, Max and her adopted family take the ride of their lives. Along the way Max discovers from her old friend and father-figure Jeb - now her betrayed and greatest enemy - that her purpose is save the world - but can she?

I love this book because there is a lot of mystery and love. You have not lived until you have read Maximum Ride! ;-) T.L. (S2) *****

Grass by Cathy MacPhail

2010-11-09T13:49:00.000Z

It would have been hard to have missed what was written on the wall. Painted in giant whitewashed letters: 'SHARKEY IS A GRASS'. I hadn't a clue who Sharkey was, but I knew one thing. 'Sharkey's a dead man,' I said. Leo knows the value of never grassing and that you never grass on your friends. Everybody, too, knows the gang leaders in town. And you don't grass on them. Not unless you don't value your life - like Sharkey. And then Leo is unlucky enough to witness the murder of one gang leader by another, a man called Armour. Leo is petrified as he realises what he is witnessing and even more petrified when he realises that Armour has seen him. Sure that he is drawing his own last breath, Leo silently says goodbye to his family and everybody he knows. But all Armour does is wink at Leo, very slowly, and leave the scene of the crime. Leo draws a long breath of relief. He has got away with it. But he hasn't - not really. Leo will live to regret that wink and realise that Armour has an insidious hold on him and his family,which will test his family relationships, and his very sense of what is right and wrong. It will take bravery, luck and sheer daring to extricate himself from Armour's deadly web.

A good book and a good author. 'Do not grass on your friend'. G.Y. (S1) *****

The Rescue (The Medusa Project Book 3) by Sophie McKenzie

2010-11-09T13:47:00.001Z

Until recently, the Medusa teens lived under the protection of William's brother, Fergus Fox, at his North London boarding school - Fox Academy. However their existence has now became known to members of the criminal underworld, so they are being taken to a secluded training camp in Spain, where their identities can be kept secret. Now Dylan has been kidnapped, and this time only Ed can help set her free...

It was really good. I didn't want it to end. G.S. (S2) *****

Secret Lives (Darke Academy Book 1) by Gabriella Poole

2010-11-02T12:31:00.000Z

The Darke Academy is a school like no other. An elite establishment that moves to an exotic new city every term, its students are impossibly beautiful, sophisticated and rich. And the more new scholarship girl Cassie Bell learns about the Academy, the more curious she becomes.

This is one of the most beautiful, intense books I have ever had the privilege to read. The use of historic legends is incredibly clever and the descriptions used are fantastic!
C.W. (S2) *****

Hell's Heroes (The Demonata Book 10) by Darren Shan

2010-11-02T12:22:00.001Z

Beranabus and Dervish are gone. Bec has formed an unholy alliance with Lord Loss. Kernel is blind, held on Earth against his will. Grubbs is mad with grief and spinning out of control. The demons are crossing. The disciples are falling. The shadow is waiting. Welcome to the end.

Very good book by a very good author.
Anonymous Reviewer *****

The pickpocket's ghost by Catherine Fisher

2010-10-19T10:42:00.000+01:00

There's a ghost in Sarah's bedroom and he is begging for her help. All he needs is for her to open a box. Will she save his soul or is it a dreadful trap?

Great, scary in some parts, very imaginative.
Anonymous ***

The violet keystone by Garth Nix (Book 6 in The Seventh Tower series)

2010-10-01T13:50:00.000+01:00

Tal and Milla are only one step away from death, while the evil that has controlled their world for so long is about to triumph. If the Veil is lifted, nothing can save the Dark World. Their one glimmer of hope is to confront the monster Sharrakor and regain the violet keystone.

A very good book, particularly the bit about the worm. K.A. (S3) ****

Wasted by Nicola Morgan

2010-09-30T15:41:00.004+01:00

Jack worships luck and decides his actions by the flip of a coin. No risk is too great if the coin demands it. Luck brings him Jess, a beautiful singer who will change his life. But Jack's luck is running out, and soon the stakes are high. As chance and choice unravel, the risks of Jack's game become terrifyingly clear.

This book is intense. It constantly speaks of luck and chance and philosophy. I found it very enjoyable.
R.G. (S3) ***½

This book is a true masterpiece. It brings up so many philosophical questions and entwines fantasy and reality in a beautiful way. I would recommend this to anyone.
C.W. (S2) ****½

Follow Nicola Morgan's blog about Wasted at:
http://www.talkaboutwasted.blogspot.com/

The Ely Plot by Joan Lennon

2010-09-23T10:59:00.000+01:00

You'd think growing up in a medieval abbey, surrounded by nothing but monks and hundreds of miles of swamp, would be pretty boring. Pip thinks so too, until the day he meets Perfect, a small stone gargoyle with a life of her own. Before long, the two find themselves in the midst of an assassination attempt against the new king, escaping into the cold dark night, being chased across the fens by a man bent on killing them ...Boring? Not so much.

An amazing heartwarming story and a true fantasy story. J.B. (S1) *****

Time Riders by Alex Scarrow

2010-09-22T09:46:00.000+01:00

Liam O'Connor should have died at sea in 1912. Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010. Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2029. Yet moments before death, someone mysteriously appeared and said, 'take my hand'. Liam, Maddy and Sal have been recruited by the TimeRiders, to stop time travel from destroying the world.

This book is OK and it has a good story. Anon (S1) *****

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

2010-09-08T09:25:00.001+01:00

For young Private Thomas Peaceful, looking back over his childhood from the battlefields of the First World War, his memories are full of family life deep in the countryside. Mother, his brothers Charlie and Big Joe, and their friend Molly, come vividly alive in his mind. But every moment Tommo spends thinking about his life, means another moment closer to something he cannot bear to think about - a time when the war and its horrific consequences will change his life for ever.

I thought this book was very good and detailed. K.B (S4) *****

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

2010-09-06T12:14:00.000+01:00

The heart-wrenching sequel to the bestselling 'Shiver'. Grace and Sam must fight to stay together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping dangerous secrets. For Sam, it means grappling with his werewolf past - and figuring out a way to survive the future.

It was a little boring at the beginning but, when you got into it, it was brilliant! M.M. (S3) ****

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

2010-09-01T10:26:00.001+01:00

Audrey Cutler is a normal Southern California girl. OK, her cat is overweight, but her best friend is awesome, and her parents might be hippies, but they adore her - because Audrey is funny, charming, and she likes her music loud. So she struggles with dumping her musician boyfriend, Evan. She loves his band, but he's just too self-involved. Audrey needs to move on. Then at one of Evan's gigs, Audrey gets to hear their brand new single and moving on doesn't seem so easy now: the song is called Audrey, Wait and it's all about her, and not in a good way ...The song storms quickly up the charts and reaches the top. Suddenly everyone wants to know: who is Audrey? The media is all over her like a rash, and what started out as annoying is becoming a nightmare! On top of this, it is ruining her chances with James, her colleague at Scooper Dooper ice cream parlour. Audrey's life is veering out of control and there's only one thing for it. She's going to have to stand up and tell the world her side of the story ...

Really really funny. A great read. U.A. (S3) *****

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

2010-08-30T11:47:00.000+01:00

In Ethan Wate's hometown there lies the darkest of secrets. There is a girl, Lena Duchannes. Lena and Ethan become bound together by a deep, powerful love. But Lena is cursed and on her sixteenth birthday her fate will be decided. Ethan never even saw it coming.

Amazing! Must read best book ever! Full of twists! Simply brilliant! M.M. (S3) *****

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

2010-08-23T15:56:00.002+01:00

Things have changed for Ever since she met her beloved Damen, not least because she's got a whole new set of powers courtesy of her new Immortal status. But just as she's getting stronger, Damen seems to be weakening. Panicked at the thought of losing him, Ever finds a path to Summerland where she learns the secrets of his tortured past.

Not what I had expected. The first one was the best, though I want to read the next one.
G.S. (S2) *****

My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey

2010-08-20T12:24:00.004+01:00

The Blakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange's brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a member of the group that has kidnapped her.

This is definitely one of the best books I ever read - I couldn't put it down. Can't wait for more from the Drake Chronicles. G.S. (S2) *****

It was amazing. I loved it! L.M. (S2) *****

Passing Strange by Daniel Waters

2010-08-03T14:23:00.002+01:00

"Karen DeSonne always passed as a normal teenager - and now that she's dead, she's still passing - this time, as alive. When her dead friends are accused of a high profile murder and forced into hiding, she has to prove their innocence."

The third book in the series doesn't quite live up to the heights of the first book, Generation Dead, but it's still a compelling read.
JM, Library

The Broken Bridge by Philip Pullman

2010-06-20T20:58:00.000+01:00

"Ginny's mother is dead, but at 16 she is secure, living with her father in a seaside village in Wales. But one day when the social worker arrives her world cracks apart. Everything her father has told her is a lie. Ginny uncovers the past in a journey that leads her to a mother she never knew."

This book is great! It’s a great read and it’s different.You can’t predict it.

K.G.

Boys on the Brain by Jean Ure

2010-06-20T20:50:00.000+01:00

Cresta's diary starts: "My mum! She has boys on the brain!" She and Charlie are seriously embarrassed by their parents who insist on behaving like teenagers. The girls are serious about their schoolwork and their careers and they are not going to waste their time thinking about boys...

It was so good I just couldn’t put it down.

L.C.

Icefire by Chris D'Lacey

2010-06-15T20:33:00.000+01:00

"The sequel to The Fire Within, Icefire continues the story of student, David Rain, and his life in the Pennykettle household. Life isn't exactly normal lodging at the Pennykettles - not when you're surrounded by hundreds of clay pottery dragons. Fate seems to be dictating an unusual course for David when his university tutor sets him a writing project on the existence - or not - of dragons. The tantalizing prize - a fully-funded research trip to the Arctic - seems just within his grasp. David starts to research the subject and soon discovers a connection between dragons and the Arctic just as it begins to snow. Is it only a coincidence? Or could deeper forces be at work?"

An extraordinarily good book. Better than the first. ****

C.C. S1

Rain by Paul May

2010-06-15T20:28:00.000+01:00

"Rain's hippy lifestyle is now over - she and her mum have left their bus behind and moved into a real house. Rain is attending school for the first time, instead of being taught at home by her mum, but she doesn't understand why she's being bullied just because she's a little bit different."

This is a great book and I enjoyed it! ****

R.S.

Lady Friday by Garth Nix

2010-06-14T09:58:00.001+01:00

"Friday is here! The race is on to find the secret of the Middle House. The fifth eagerly awaited installment in Garth Nix's best selling fantasy series,The Keys to the Kingdom. Arthur Penhaligon's adventures in the House get ever more perilous as the week unfolds."

Recommend book, also recommend that the previous books are read. ****

M.B. S2 (2008)

Bloody Tower: The diary of Tilly Middleton, London 1553 - 1559 by Valerie Wilding

2010-06-14T09:32:00.003+01:00

"The historical diaries in this series are written by fictional characters set in real periods of history. This is the diary of Tilly Middleton, London, 1553-1559. She descibes watching an execution at the bloody Tower of London."

I thought this book was very interesting and had a good storyline. ****C.C. S1

Hurricane Gold by Charlie Higson

2010-06-14T09:23:00.003+01:00

"As the sun blazes over the Caribbean island of Lagrimas Negras, its bloodthirsty ruler is watching and waiting. Criminals come here to hide, with blood on their hands and escape on their minds. On the mainland, in the quiet town of Tres Hermanas, ex-flying ace Jack Stone leaves his son and daughter in the company of James Bond. But a gang of thieves lies in ambush - they want Stone's precious safe, and will kill for its contents. James embarks on a deadly chase through the Mexican jungle. On this terrifying trail of greed and betrayal, only danger is guaranteed ...Survival is not."

Fantastic book full of explosive action, gripping suspense and a handful of twists in the writing. One of my favourite books. *****

Anon (2008)

The Robe of Skulls by Vivian French

2010-06-11T13:38:00.001+01:00

"All is not well in the crumbling castle high above the mountain village of Fracture. The sorceress Lady Lamorna has her heart set on a new robe. It is a very expensive new robe. To get the cash she will stop at nothing, including kidnapping, blackmail and more than a little black magic. But she reckons without the heroic Gracie Gillypot, not to mention a gallant if rather scruffy prince, two chatty bats, the wickedest stepsister ever, a troll with a grudge - and some very Ancient crones."

A great book with three very funny stories. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys books about witches. *****
Anon, S1 (2009)

Maximum Ride: School's out, forever by James Patterson

2010-06-09T14:22:00.001+01:00

"It's 24 hours since Max Ride and her fellow bird-kids escaped the New York Institute, and they're still on the run. But the six companions -- 98% human, 2% bird -- came away with some vital information. If they can decode the garbled words and numbers, perhaps they'll find out where their parents are. There's a lot of trouble ahead for Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman and Angel -- not to mention Total, the talking dog. Their enemies, the fearsome Erasers, have acquired a new skill -- they too can now fly. After an air-battle, the badly hurt Fang ends up in hospital. There the FBI track down the flock, who have even ended up going to school! But that doesn't quite fit in with searching for parents, or with what the insistent Voice in Max's head keeps reminding her - that her mission is 'to save the world'."

Quick, snappy narration & short chapters. A little simplistic in places but an enjoyable read. ***
Anon, (Staff, 2008)

Maximum Ride: The final warning by James Patterson

2010-06-09T14:13:00.001+01:00

"Max, Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy and Angel are six extraordinary kids created by the crazed Uber Director in a twisted laboratory experiment that left them with the ability to fly. They are back for another wild adventure as they try to save the world ...and themselves. The Uber-Director sees the group of friends as his opportunity to become a billionaire: he seizes his chance to cash in that lucrative price tag by planning a worldwide auction with the children being offered to the highest bidder. But first his mutant army must track them down and capture them - which won't be easy. Meanwhile, in hiding from their predators, all six of them wake one evening to find they are being given an important mission - to save the world from global warming. Led by heroine Max, their task takes them in a fast-paced, high-speed chase across the world to the South Pole but, as ever, danger is never far away ..."

Quite a disappointing end to the series. Although it has a valuable message about global warming it isn't what we've been led to expect. **
VB, (Staff, 2008)

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

2010-06-07T19:57:00.007+01:00

"All over the tri-state area, something strange is happening. Teenagers who die aren't staying dead. They are coming back to life, but they come back different - they stutter and their reactions to everything are slower. Termed 'living impaired' or 'differently biotic', there are lots of conspiracy theories to explain this new phenomenon. But as their numbers keep on growing, so does the discomfort of the living people in the community. When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, her best friend and star of the football team, Adam, has conflicting emotions.And when Tommy decides to try out for the football team, it sets off a chain of events that escalates into deadly violence."

This book fascinated me, it was so different to anything I've ever read. It was very enjoyable and I struggled to put it down. Can't wait for the sequel! ****
Review by S.W. (S4, 2009)