Tuesday 23 April 2013

Spooks' Surprise


Title:  Spooks' Surprise
Author: Karen Dolby
Genre:  Fantasy, Humour
Reading Age: 9 Years
ISBN:  0 7460 5180 8

Have you ever thought you saw a ghost?  Well, a whole family of them live in this house.  Their problem is that it is for sale and they might have to share with Horrible Humans! To cheer themselves up they plan a birthday party for Grandpa Spook but they get more than they bargained for!

This book is really easy to read and has heaps of pictures.

The Barbarossa Brothers and the Pirates of the Mediterranean



Title:  The Barbarossa Brothers and the Pirates of the Mediterranean
Author: John Malam
Genre:  Informational, 
Reading Age: 10+ Years
ISBN:  978 1 84835 8047

Check out the contents page to decide on 'Pirate Attack, Galley Slaves or even 'The Captain who changed sides!'.  This is a book full of pictures, maps and a few interesting facts.  See if you can find out what Barbarossa means!

There are a few interesting words in this book like ... turbans, papal, plundered, merchant and reis.  Finding out their meaning is easily solved by looking in the glossary at back of the book.

This is a book for the blood thirsty who love the thought of breaking all the rules to win the treasure!


Katie Kazoo Switcheroo: A Whirlwind Vacation



Title:  Katie Kazoo Switcheroo: A Whirlwind Vacation
Author: Nancy Krulik
Genre:  Fantasy
Reading Age: 10+ Years

Have you always wanted to see all the places around the world that your only ever read about in books ore see on television like seeing the changing of the guard in London, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, a flamenco dance on Spain or ride a gondola in Venice?  

Well you can do that with Katy Kazoo but watch out because when that 'Magical' wind blows, she becomes someone else and it really does get her into trouble.

This is a book where you never know what might happen next.  

Monday 22 April 2013

Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves

Title:  Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves
Author: Retold by Katie Daynes
Illustrator:  Paddy Mounter
Genre:  Traditional Tale
Reading Age: 8-9 Years

This is a really easy and exciting book to read, full of pictures to keep you interested.

It is the story of a poor woodcutter who tricks a band of thieves to get a whole cave full of treasure.  It is cram packed with 'magical words' like merchant, galloping, sesame, treasure and reveal.   

The story is all about adventure, taking risks, finding treasure and getting revenge.  It should only be read by the brave!

The One and Only Ivan


Title:  The one and only Ivan
Author: Katherine Applegate  
Genre:  Fantasy, Animal
Reading Age: 10 - 11 Years

This book keep making me cry.  The chapters are short and swap between the characters - Ivan, the one and only gorilla and his friends Stella, the old elephant and Bob the stray dog.

Ivan thinks it is normal to live in a cage, watching TV, painting pictures and remembering trips in a convertible car to McDonalds.  It wasn't until Ruby arrived, the baby elephant stolen from her family, that Ivan recognised that things needed to change, but who was going to change them?

My whole class loved this book and there are lots of classes blogging about how amazing it is.  Check out the official book blog.

http://theoneandonlyivan.com/