WAVE ME GOODBYE by Jacqueline Wilson

“September, 1939. As the Second World War begins, ten-year-old Shirley is sent away on a train with her schoolmates. She doesn’t know where she’s going, or what’s going to happen to her when she gets there. All she has been told is that she’s going on ‘a little holiday’. Shirley is billeted in the country, with two boys from East End London, Kevin and Archie – and their experiences living in the strange, half-empty Red House, with the mysterious and reclusive Mrs Waverley, will change their lives for ever.”

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I saw the book I knew right away I was going to like it because it was a book by Jacqueline Wilson and I always love her books. I also knew I was going to like it because a year ago I had seen one of my friends reading it and telling me how much she liked it and, like me, she was also a fan of books by Jacqueline Wilson, so if she was enjoying it I was sure that I was really going to love reading it too. And guess what? My thoughts were definitely right!

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was Shirley because of the way she loves books, like me, and when she had to go away and she had to choose just one, she couldn’t, so even though she wasn’t allowed, she packed all of her books into her case, which was definitely something that I would have done. She was also quite a determined and kind child, running away to London when her friend was going to be sent away, not caring whether she would get told off too or not only wanting to stay with her friend.  I also loved when Shirley understood when Mrs Waverly showed her the doll’s house and told her how she felt, because even though Shirley was a quiet girl, she was also quite a smart girl and knew how much it meant to her and that it was very special.

Would you recommend this book?

I enjoyed every single page in the book, the sad parts as much as the happy parts. I would happily recommend this book to people who have enjoyed other Jacqueline books and are around the age of 10 to 14.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)

An amazing story that will tell you a bit about what life was like for a little girl during World War 2.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

FOXCRAFT - THE ELDERS - by Inbali Iserses

“Isla’s search for her missing brother, Pirie, has brought her to the vast Wildlands. The forest is a treacherous place for a fox cub, but Isla is talented in foxcraft – ancient arts of cunning know only to her kind. Skilled though she is, Isla’s grasp of foxcraft is still new. And she is not alone… A cruel and mysterious fox stalks the forest, with the power to enslave others to his will. In order to survive, Isla must learn to trust in the rustic Wildland foxes. But there are tales of others – a council of Elders who are masters of foxcraft, and who warily guard its most potent secrets. If Isla wishes to master her gifts and find her brother, then finding the Elders may be her only hope.”

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

At first I didn’t think I was going to read the book because I didn’t really enjoy the first book but I decided to give the series a second chance. My first thoughts of the book where, BORING, because it was a very slow-moving book and I found that her adventure wouldn’t get to the end. Finally her adventure started to get a little more intriguing, finding him was the only thing that mattered to Isla and it seemed to get very difficult. She wanted to be happy again and I never thought she would. I enjoyed this book better than the first book - THE TAKEN - because it didn’t take as long to develop into the adventurous part of the story, I reviewed this book on a different blog.

Who was your favourite character and why?

My favourite character is still Isla because she doesn’t give up; she is determined to finish her adventure and live life she had started with, I admire this quality and I think that this is the best thing about her. She perseveres every time something blocks her path and will do anything she had to in order to get over every hurdle thrown her way. I still don’t know whether her adventure turned out how she wanted but I really hope it does because I think she deserves to get a happy ending.

Would you recommend this book?

I personally didn’t like this book like this book as much as others but I would recommend you to try this book to children from age 11 up- especially if you enjoyed THE TAKEN or any other books involving animals.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)

A very adventurous story ready to pull you in to take part.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

HETTY FEATHER’S CHRISTMAS by Jacqueline Wilson

“It’s Christmas Day at the Foundling Hospital and Hetty Feather receives and unexpected present. But Hetty’s delight sparks jealousy, which soon turns to trouble, and the dreaded Matron Bottomly is thrilled to exclude Hetty from the Christmas festivities. Poor Hetty is distraught – but just when it seems that all is lost, a dear friend arrives to whisk her away for a Christmas like no other…”

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I thought the book was going to be as amazing as other Hetty Feather books. So far I have read every book involving Hetty and can’t wait to read more. By reading the blurb I couldn’t really tell what the book was about apart from that it happened in Christmas. Hetty looked happy in the front cover, but when I started reading the first pages -that weren’t part of the actual story- I found out a lot more about the life in Victorian England, and it looked like that Hetty was going to have a very different and unusual Christmas rather than just the usual breakfast, lunch and Christmas present- an orange and a penny. Reading those few pages made me want to read it even more than I already did.

Who was your favourite character and why?

In this book I have two favourite characters Hetty Feather and Rose Rivers. I like Hetty because she is adventurous and funny, I also like her because she doesn’t try and hide her feelings and she is very outgoing, she doesn’t care about what others think of her. She shows people that it doesn’t matter what your background is, you are just as good as anyone else! I like Rose for very different reasons, she is kind and caring to others no matter who they are, even if other people specifically tell her to not to talk to that person because they are a servant and she is more important than them. I also loved the descriptions of the Rivers great big home, it was lovely!

Would you recommend this book?  

I liked everything about this book; it would be very difficult for me to choose just one thing as it was all amazing. I would recommend it to anyone over the age of 10 and upwards who likes books about the Victorian times.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An amazing story that brings you the spirit of Christmas in Victorian times.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE GIRL WITH THE WHISPERING SHADOW by D.E.Night

“Even a secret town cannot protect Ivy from a mysterious darkness...
Only hours after Ivy discovers that she is the fulfillment of the Moonsday promise, she is whisked away from her beloved school to Belzebuthe, a secret town for only those with magical blood. Ivy sets out on a mission to uncover the second facet of the Kindred Stone while eluding the Dark Queen’s wrath. But even when she’s supposed to be safe, something is shadowing Ivy. She will need all her natural-born magic and more as she battles to find the rest of the Kindred Stone and return to the Halls of Ivy.
Before it’s too late...”

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When I got this book I immediately wanted to start reading it because I had read the first book and was left on a cliff-hanger wanting to read more. I knew I would like the book because of how much I enjoyed the first one and knew that it was going to be just as good. I wasn’t sure where the adventures in the book were going to take me but I was extremely intrigued to find out, the second I opened it I knew that this book was going to be great and full of new mysteries.

Who was your favourite character and why?

My favourite character is still Ivy because in this book she showed her bravery not letting the dangerous situations get to her. She is also king and clearly cares about other people because even though she is always the one in trouble, she still wants to protect her friends and keep the adventures that her past leads her into away from them. I think that Ivy’s curiosity and courage is the perfect match because without her courage the adventures she finds would be a big struggle for her and without curiosity she would never be crazy enough to get involved in these things. I think that the best thing about Ivy is that she always wants to know more and when she has questions, she will climb over any mountain to find the answers.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was definitely when Ivy finally figured out who was causing all the problems and who was after her. I liked it because it was a very important part of the book as a very big question I had was answered, when that final clue appeared it was the best part of the entire book because all the other clues began to piece together and the very confusing puzzle was finally complete. The best part in that chapter was that there was more to it than that, this book wasn’t like all those other mysteries books where once you figure out who it was everything goes back to normal, the adventure wasn’t over just yet.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I think the book was amazing and I really liked following Ivy on another magical adventure. This book had a big mystery and, as I love mystery books, this book has become one of favourites. As a whole the book really pulled me in making me feel like I was another one of Ivy’s friends, and at some parts Ivy herself, going with her and helping her solve the puzzle, I can’t wait to read the third and hopefully finally give Ivy’s story a proper, cliff-hanger free ending.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

The second book was great but I think that if I had to choose I would pick the first book (The Crowns of Croswald) because in this book Ivy learns a lot about her past and to me that is very important because during the beginning of the book I was a bit confused but once Ivy learnt about who she was, everything started to make sense. Before even reading the beginning of the book I already knew that Ivy was going to be important because she was the main character, but once I finished the book I understood why she was important and what it meant. Although, overall, the best book was the first, I think that I prefer the ending of the second because the first book had a cliff-hanger that really got on my nerves because I didn’t have the second book yet and I really needed to read it.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this book for ages 11 and up, it is a great book and if you have read the first book and enjoyed it then this is the book for you.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict) 

A magical adventure with danger coming around every corner.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE CROWNS OF CROSWALD by D.E.Night

"For sixteen years Ivy Lovely has been hidden behind an enchanted boundary that separates the mundane from the magical.  When Ivy crosses the boarder, her powers awaken.  Curiosity leads her crashing through a series of adventures at the Halls of Ivy, a school where students learn to master their magical blood and the power of Croswald's mysterious gems.  When Ivy's magic - and her life - is threatened by the Dark Queen, she scrambles to unearth her history and save Croswald before the truth is swept away forever."

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

My first thoughts about this book were that I have never heard of this author and I don’t like the look of the actual cover of the book, but it all changed after the first chapter. At first I was confused about what was going on but then I got into it and finally understood what was going on. I was dragged into the book and had to read on and on until there was no more, and I hope that I can read the second one soon because after this book I need to read more after I was left on a small cliff hanger with questions to answer.

Who was your favourite character and why?

My favourite character was Ivy because she showed me to never give up on my dreams and that anything is possible. She was brave and courageous no matter what crazy problems she dragged herself into, and she would always want to know more, even if she was forbidden to learn anything about it. She would do anything, even if everyone thought it would be impossible to do it; she was persistent and always managed to prove everyone wrong! The only reason she was able to survive was because she didn’t give up and put her mind to it with no distractions. She would need to have an answer to her question and if no one could give it to her she would find a way to obtain it.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories with mystery, fun and adventure at the age 11 or over. If you don’t mind being left on a cliff hanger wanting to read more, do not hesitate to read this book.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict) 

A very magical and fun story that makes you feel as if you are with Ivy going through every step of her life.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego