Reviews+by+Year+10+Students

** Liam __Gordon__ - Green Mile Book Review **
 * __The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins__** The Hunger Games is a novel written by Suzanne Collins. The story takes place in the future of a country called Panem where 12 districts fight each other to the death for food and money on national television. This novel is suitable to most teenagers to young adults because there are situations in the book that a teenager or young adult can relate too. I liked the book because the characters felt real in a sense that you can relate to them easily and it’s also packed with action, romance and drama. The good thing about this novel is that you never know what to expect __next__, and so I rate this book a 10 out of 10.
 * Please Daddy No, Stuart Howarth** My book Please Daddy No written by Stuart Howarth is from the author’s point of view and is about the author’s life. I think the author was trying to explain to the reader that there are a lot of broken families out there just like his was, some people live a hard life and not to judge people because they may have a harder life than what they seem to show. The intended audience in my book would be late teenagers through to adults. I never thought much of what goes on in other people’s lives and how different some people’s lives can be until I read this book. It definitely has made me appreciate the world and my life a lot more because my life may not be as perfect as I would like it to be, but at least I don’t get abused for about 15 years of my life. This is a book I would definitely recommend to anyone. Courtney Cranage

The Green Mile is a book written by Stephen King and is set in a fictional mountain prison on death row. The main characters are Paul Edgecombe and John Coffey. John Coffey is a tall black man who has been convicted of murder and rape of two young girls. Paul Edgecombe is a head prison guard on death row, also known as the Green Mile because of the green linoleum on the path to the electric chair. This book explores the theme of racism, where in the early nineteen hundreds, how a negro man couldn’t get a fair trial. I really liked this book because it had the supernatural part in the story, and the regular dramatic story, that most of King’s books have. It stacks up well to his other books, and has even been made into a Hollywood movie. I’d definitely recommend it to everyone that enjoys Kings books. Domonique Rodel Sarah __Graham__
 * Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs ** The book ‘Bones to Ashes’ by Kathy Reichs is a compelling murder mystery novel. It captivates you from start to finish. The dedication and passion of Temperance Brennan and Andrew Ryan to solve the ‘unsolvable’ is inspiring. Temperance is a brilliant forensic anthropologist who solves the toughest cases. There are many victims involved in this novel all killed in many different ways. Tempe has to find out why these people died. There is however the main case which involves a few missing girls and a pornography ring. This is an excellent book that keeps you sitting on the edge of your seat. It is definitely one of Kathy Reichs best works! She hits the target audience of young adults and older readers spot on and I think anyone willing to learn some new things would enjoy this book.
 * The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins** ‘The Moonstone’ by Wilkie Collins is a mystery about the theft of an extremely valuable diamond shortly after it was inherited by a young woman called Miss Rachel Verinder. The story follows the investigation of the theft and the lives of the characters involved through the duration of the investigation. I enjoyed this book because it was gripping and exciting and there were twists and turns around every corner making you want to read more. This book is an easy read with the language not being too difficult yet interesting enough to keep the reader engaged. ‘The Moonstone’ is aimed at adults who are interested in crime and mystery novels. It is a thoroughly enjoyable book well worth a read.

**Contest by Matthew Reilly**
Contest is an exciting novel by Matthew Reilly. It is a great read for 13 – 30 year olds. This novel features a regular man named Stephen Swain who, along with his daughter Holly, is whisked into an intergalactic fight-to-the-death called the Presidan. The Presidan is a millennial fight-to-the-death between the seven intelligent races of the universe and this year it is to be held on earth; or more specifically, the New York State Library. The way Matthew Reilly uses rising tension makes this a fast-paced adventure that is an excellent novel. Matthew Reilly's language makes this an enthralling tale that will draw you in. This novel is written for teenagers and older but I would highly recommend this book to all sci-fi and adventure fans. Jack Nelson =//**Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets**// **by J K Rowling**= Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling is a very interesting and thrilling novel. The book is about a twelve year old wizard named Harry Potter who is living with his non-magical relatives. During Harry’s second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry he finds himself caught in the middle of a group of attacks, on Hogwarts students. Harry begins to put his life in danger as he tries to untie the truth about how and why these attacks are happening. I enjoyed this novel as it was very creative and it also had many more scenes that were not included in the movie. Children starting from the age of 10 may enjoy reading this novel; however the age range can go to many older people. The target audience also depends on whether the reader enjoys reading fantasy books. I rate this book 10 out of 10 and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read. Amber Lillyman Claudia Bossio =**The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton.**= Personally, I found The Outsiders to be a very interesting and detailed book. The author S.E. Hinton is very talented and has been from a young age. As this was her first novel published, it clearly shows her passion for writing. The Outsiders is a brilliant short novel as there is always a new twist on every few pages. I especially enjoyed how Hinton portrayed each character in detail showing their relationships with one another in the gang. The Greasers get in trouble with both the law, and Socials. All the incidents which occurred during the novel from the movie theatre with Cherry to the Rumble in the park all had meaning to the story. For me, the ending of the novel was the best part. Hinton tied up the loose ends, and explained the reasons for specific events occurring and the reason Ponyboy was telling the story. Daniel Cluse
 * __ The Shunning by Beverly Lewis __** The Shunning by Beverly Lewis is a novel with a compelling story. With its twists and turns this story will leave you wanting to read it more than once. When reading this novel I discovered the main character Katie had so many people around her who expected all kinds of thing from her, I even found myself crying and laughing as I went along with the book. With the controversies; Katie’s lost relationship with Daniel Fisher to struggling with who she wanted to be and who she was expected to be; Beverly Lewis’s novel The Shunning will leave you speechless. I would strongly recommend this novel for anyone from the age of 13+.

**What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger by Archie Thompson and Michael Winkler**
Archie Thompson ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger’ is an autobiography about the life of soccer striker Archie Thompson. The book is co-authored by Archie Thompson and Michael Winkler. The book portrays the early life of Thompson from where he started playing to Thompson turning his life around to be a professional athlete after dropping out of school and relinquishing his junior soccer career. Thompson also gives an insight into nutrition, physical fitness and psychology. It is an outstanding book because of the way that Thompson describes events from his soccer career so clearly that it can be pictured in the reader’s mind. The target audience for this book is adolescents up as passionate about soccer passionate people as the book is about Thompson’s soccer career not his life in general. A must read for soccer lovers. Anthony Cox =//The Lovely Bones// by Alice Sebold = The Lovely Bonesby Alice Sebold is a very unique and fascinating novel. It is about a young girl, Susie Salmon who after being raped and murdered by her neighbour, Mr. Harvey, watches from her own personal heaven to see her family and friends struggle with her gruesome death. I liked how the novel teaches you a valuable lesson, that grief can tear people apart and in order to continue, you need to put the tragedies of your past behind you. I also liked the suspense and how it made you want to continue reading to find out what happens next. I really enjoyed reading this novel and would recommend this book to mature, older teenagers and adults, due to the language and events that occur throughout the novel. You would also quite enjoy this novel if you like sad murder mysteries or suspense. Brianna Burton

Nicolette Rasmussen =Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer = The book Extremely Loud and Incredible Close by Jonathan Safran Foer is about a nine year-old boy named Oskar Schell. Oskar discovers a key high up in his father’s closet. This key starts his journey all around New York. He meets many new people, some become friends and others stay strangers. The target audience for this novel would range from young adults through to older people. I liked this book because it’s different and original. I like how it has incorporated past events such as World War II and 9/11. The novel is also unpredictable and well written, gives good descriptions and details, as well as having unique and interesting characters. Cassidy Burton
 * The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge ** The Quickie by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge is a compelling read. Set in Manhattan we see that life isn’t always straight forward. The characters, ones we grow to care about, are faced with life-changing decisions and the consequences aren’t always for the better. Lauren Stillwell is an ordinary woman facing a midlife crisis worst than most; her husband is having an affair. That seems almost normal but when Lauren sleeps with colleague, Scott Thayer, their night of passion is turned into a night of terror. Lauren witnesses a murder and now she has to decide what to do. Turn in the murderer and lose someone she cares about to prison, or risk losing her job and possibly life to protect the people she loves. This book will keep readers wondering what is going to happen until that last page. I’d recommend this novel to anyone with a love for action and crime.

**Saving June By Hannah Harrington **
The book I read was ‘Saving June’ by Hannah Harrington. The audience for the book is young adults and the book is set from the point of view of a sixteen year old, Harper Scott. Harper’s older sister, June, is found dead in the back of her car just weeks before she was to graduate high school. When Harper’s divorced parents decide to split June’s ashes into two urns, Harper decides to take matters into her own hands and steal the urn and take June to the place where she had always wanted to go, California. Saving June follow the journey of Harper, Laney and Jake as they try to save June. I liked Saving June because it was a wonderful book to read. Saving June is an eye opening book but Saving June can also be funny and interesting at times. Saving June is a book that many people will love. Jessica Gaedtke Maddison Cuk =Watermelon by Marian Keyes.= Exhausted after giving birth to a daughter, the 29-year-old Claire is shocked when her husband leaves her for another woman. The stunned Claire, with new baby, and feeling as big as a watermelon goes back to her family in Dublin to sort out her life. Claire tries to forget about James and his "other woman". And drunken anguish does have its rewards, for in no time Claire sheds her extra weight, thanks to a steady liquid diet and nights spent on the family rowing machine fantasizing about James. But it is only when Gorgeous Adam comes into the book that Claire begins to recover. Adam is a nice guy who starts to take interest in Claire. Watermelon was an excellent book, it wasn’t too difficult, and was an easy read, even though the book looks long it doesn’t take long to get through such a great book.
 * The Help by Kathryn Stockett** ‘The Help’ written by Kathryn Stockett, is set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960’s, and tells of a young woman, named Skeeter who writes a book about the lives of African American maids in Jackson. During this time, writing such a thing was dangerous as so many people hated the African Americans, and those who fought for their rights were usually punished. Even with so many people telling her what she’s doing is wrong, Skeeter perseveres in hope to raise awareness about the serious issue of racism. All three main characters are relatable, brave and admirable women with interesting and moving stories to tell. ‘The Help’ was entertaining, confronting, informative and at times hilarious. I’d definitely recommend it to any teenage or adult with a social conscious or an interest in racism and equality.

Allison Jones. =Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K Rowling= Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is written by J.K Rowling is a novel about a young boy who lost his parents when he was a year old. He lived with his Auntie and experiencing the cruelty after his parents died. An example of that is that he always do every chores in the house and receiving an old clothes from his Uncle and cousin. His parents died by the hands of a deadly and powerful wizard of all named Voldemort. When he turned 11 years he then received a letter from an unknown person, a letter from Hogwarts, the school of magic. He met Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger who would help him through searching the Philosopher’s Stone. Harry Potter and his friends overcome different challenges before getting the stone and helping each other throughout. I really like this novel because it is such a very interesting book and as one of my favourite genres of the book is magic and fantasy. The author used different sorts of language and style. This novel is suitable to children about 8 and above. Other teenagers also enjoy reading this book as I know some of my friends in the same age enjoyed this.

Andrea Del Rosario
=Inside by Julia Jarmen= //Inside// by Julia Jarman is a story about Lee Mercer, a 17 year old boy who gets arrested for robbing and assaulting an elderly woman. He is sent to Parkhall Youth Detention Centre which he thinks will be easy but turns out to be a nightmare. Lee meets Sharpey who he has met before; Sharpey has spent a few years in Parkhall and knows how to survive. He seems to be Lee’s friend at the start but as the story progresses he shows his true colours. Julia Jarman writes the story in first person, from Lee’s point of view. I enjoyed this because it shows you what Lee is thinking and how he is coping with being in prison. I also enjoyed the way that the author manages to show a lot of emotion throughout the story. People from the age of 15 and older would enjoy this novel. It includes some mature language in it so it may not be suitable for anyone younger. I would rate this book 9 out of 10 and would recommend it to anyone. Caleb Stacey =**Uglies by Scott Westerfield**= Uglies by Scott Westerfield is an excellent, thrilling book, the first of a short series, It is set in the future, after the present population was wiped out because of a huge virus that caused all petrol to combust on contact with air. The government invented a radical new type of cosmetic surgery which the person can choose how they wish to look. Tally is the main character, at 15 years old, and wishing for the day she turns 16 and is allowed to have the surgery. Tally meets Shay, who asks her to run away with her to a small village in the wilderness, along with lots of other old ‘Uglies,’ to escape the authorities, who they think are practicing un-orthodox procedures (planting mind control chips in people’s brains to gain complete control.) When the authorities find out, they force Tally to travel to the village, and betray her friends. Tally faces many challenges along the way, and the terrible choice whether to betray her new friends, and whether sacrificing their lives is enough, just to become ‘Pretty.’ I give this book a 9/10, as it had lots of action and a great storyline.This book is written for teenagers and young adults, and I would definitely reccommend this to anyone. Brianna Hieatt
 * Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen ** Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen begins with Joey alone and naked in the Atlantic Ocean, lucky to survive the fall from the ship, cursing her husband, and trying to figure out why he found it necessary to kill her instead of divorcing her. Despite being a champion swimmer in her college days, she knows her chances of survival in the ocean are slim. I really enjoyed the book and the story line was quite interesting to read. I quite liked how the author made the characters in the novel speak their mind. I think the book had a lot of unexpected twists and turns and i really got into it. Overall i thought the book was good, but i probably wouldn’t read it again, because i’m sick of it now. I would rate it a 8 out of 10.

**Ice Station by Matthew Reilly**
‘Ice Station’, is an action packed book created by the famous author, Matthew Reilly. This book is all to do with a discovery that has been made in the ice underneath Wilkes Ice Station and it is made of metal. This discovery is in a layer of ice that it more than 100 million years old. Shane Schofield and his team of elite Marines must go to Wilkes and protect the discovery for America. When Schofield and his team arrive at the station there is more that is going on then they expect. Shane Schofield is an elite Marine who is accompanied by his crack team of Marines, and together they must face challenges that only a few have made it through. Matthew Reilly has done a great job with this book. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action and adventure. Nathan Merritt BOYZ ‘R’ US – By Scott Monk. I thought that Boyz ‘r’ us was a fantastic novel, it covered so many everyday issues for boys my age and a little bit older, as well as the gang warfare and violent themes. This is what made the book so enjoyable. In my opinion the author has an amazing style and the fact that you know exactly what the whole book is about after reading for not even five minutes and then for the story to never get boring I find brilliant. And even know I hate reading so much I thought this book was brutal. Most of the things that happened to Mitch in the book have happened to me so it fairly easy to relate to, so that’s probably why I liked the book so much, and to hear the perspective of someone else my age kind of sums up how lucky we are. Over all I thought it was so so so good and would recommend it to anyone. J Jake Barton. __**Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone - JK Rowling**__ We meet young Harry as a poorly treated orphan living with his seemingly horrible aunt, uncle and cousin in Little Whinging, Surrey, England. Through a series of events that result in an unusually large, scruffy looking man barging into a hut on a rock, Harry learns that he is a wizard and to his delight is shipped off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he will make good friends along with some unexpected enemies. He also learns of a secret hidden within the walls of Hogwarts that will change his life forever. Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone is the first in a series of several books written by JK Rowling and is a fantastic book suited for almost anyone who fancies fantasy stories, though younger people around the ages of 12-18 years may appreciate it more because of the more childish air and sense of humour used.

//I really enjoyed reading all of your Book Reviews, and now I am encouraged to go and find these books and read them myself. Sally Johannes//