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Bloomsbury Book Reviews Page 2
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Ruby Rogers:
In your Dreams by Sue Limb
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9244-0 £4.99
It's just not fair! Ruby's family won't let her have a pet. Well, any decent
pets, anyway. Her dad's got this awful cat allergy and her mum thinks it's
cruel to leave a dog alone in the house all day. Ruby is furious - but
determined. Then she meets Horatio, one of the kittens belonging to Yasmin's
neighbour. It's love at first sight, and Ruby starts making plans for the
arrival of the new secret family member ...
Totz2teens Member Review:
My 7 year old daughter loved reading this, she found it so
funny and could relate with the character quite easy. The book was fun and
edgy.
Totz2teens member rating:
I would definately give this 5/5 a book with attitude
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Ruby Rogers:
Would you believe it? by Sue Limb
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9245-7 £4.99
Ruby's mum is sick ...or is she? It's very upsetting when your parents don't
tell you what's going on. And Ruby's not the only one who's upset. Yasmin
gets a nasty shock when someone sends her an anonymous email. Fortunately
Holly Helvellyn, Goth teen idol and generally Miss Amazing (except for that
miserable boyfriend she now drags around), is on hand to cheer Ruby up, but
even she doesn't have the answers to everything. The truth will out
eventually, though.Totz2teens Member Review:
I really liked reading this book. It was great.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
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Ruby Rogers:
Tell me about it by Sue Limb
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9246-4 £4.99
Ruby's off to the seaside with Mum, Dad and Mum's work friend Deb and her
family. It's soon clear that Ruby and Sasha, Deb's daughter, have absolutely
nothing in common, so when Sasha does decide to take a sudden interest in
monkeys in an evil attempt at one-upmanship, this can mean only one thing:
revenge. It's a good job Dad wants to teach Ruby to swim, as it gives them
both an escape from Sasha and her family. Well, it would be a good idea if
he didn't almost drown her!
Totz2teens Member Review: This whole series is brilliant.
I am so glad that I was chosen to review this book as I really enjoyed it
and didnt want to put it down.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
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The
Falconer's Knot by Mary Hoffman
ISBN: 978-0-7475-8900-6 £6.99
Silvano and Chiara are two teenagers with a difference. Silvano has been
accused of a murder he did not commit. Chiara has been ousted out of her
family as a young woman with no marriage prospects. For these two very
different reasons they are forced to seek refuge in a convent and a friary.
And when they meet they are both instantly aware that they alone are not
accustomed to the religious clothes and customs.And
when not just one murder - but then another, and then another, happens to
both the friars and guests staying with them, Chiara and Silvano cling
together within the terrifying spiral of murder as they and the friends they
make attempt to solve the deadly mystery.
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Message in
a Bottle by Valerie Zenatti
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9044-6 £6.99
After a suicide bomb attack on her local Jerusalem cafe, 17 year old Israeli
Tal Levine send a message in a bottle to Gaza. It is a desperate act,
but Tal hopes that by starting a dialogue with a Palestinian, their shared
experiences could lead to some kind of mutual understanding. her
message is found by a young man calling himself Gazaman and a remarkable
email correspondence begins....
Totz2teens Member Review: To be honest I never would have
chosen to read a book about bombings in Jerusalem. BUT . and a
big BUT this drew me in. I found the story interesting to read and
very powerful.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 4/5
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The boy who set
sail on the questionable quest by Dominic Barker
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9357-7 £5.99
Blart is on a deadly mission to save Princess Lois. Bravely risking
his life for someone he doesn't even like hardly seems fair, but if he
fails, the consequences will be far worse.
Setting sail on the Golden Pig, Blart must cross treacherous seas plagued by
cut-throat pirates and violent storms. But, more terrifyingly, the
Guild of Assassins is after him - and they don't want a cup of tea and a
friendly chat. Blart must summon his courage and pout on his luckiest
socks as he embarks on a remarkable (and very funny) quest.
Totz2teens Member Review: This was a good
book. It was confusing because I hadn't read the other books, but I still
really liked it. it was weird how it was so absorbing. I just could not stop
reading.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 4/5
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Clover Twig and
the Incredible Flying Cottage by Kaye Umansky
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9063-7 £5.99
Clover Twig stood at the garden gate, staring in at the witch's cottage -
and the cottage stared right back. The windows were like black eyes -
small, dark and sunken. Ivy drooped over them like hooded eyelids.
Clover Twig is clever, neat and responsible. her chaotic and lovable
family could really do with some extra money, so when she sees a sign saying
"Wanted, storng Gril to cleen. Apple Mrs Eckles Cottage in the
Woods".Clover knows its the job for her - even
though Mrs Eckles is (perhaps) a witch, the gate (which can talk) is very
rude and the cottage in the woods can, well, fly....
Totz2teens Member review: A super book with great fun
and magic. I was really happy to read this book for totz2teens and
enjoyed it ever so much.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
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Princess For
A Day by Sarah Dyer
ISBN: 978-0-7475-8891-7 £6.99
When Clementine decides that she is going to be a princess for the whole
day, it falls to her little brother, Mungo, to satisfy her every demand.
From sandwiches with their crusts cut off, to a special circus performance
featuring all their best toys, Mungo never flags at any hurdle. When it
becomes clear that the only thing missing from this princess-tinted reality
is a prince, Mungo knows just where to find one. After all, he has read lots
of fairy tales!
Totz2teens Member Review: A lovely book to read with your
child/ren. My daughter and I had a really fun time reading this book.
Being an almost 4 year old girl - the premadonna is almost upon us. We
loved the fact that Mungo did as his sister required and the ending is
really exquisite. We definately recommend this book to other
readers too.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
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Flying High by Titania Woods
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9210-5 £5.99
Glitterwings Academy is the fairy school to go to, and Twink is so excited
to be starting her first term. But she is also a little nervous. Will she
make friends? Will she be able to find her way round the dizzying, huge oak
tree that is Glitterwings Academy? And will she be able to pass the
all-important test for new students - that of learning to fly? "Glitterwings
Academy" is a lovingly created series by acclaimed author Lee Weatherly,
writing as Titania Woods. Readers of the series can be assured of
accomplished narrative, as well as stylish and exciting illustration.
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The Night of the
burning by Linda Press Wulf
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9134-4 £5.99
The story begins in Poland in 1921, set in a little known period of history
- the periods between the World Wars. It's the story of Devorah and her
sister, who escape the Night of the Burning in their village during the
Jewish pogroms, and their incredible journey to safety, led by
philanthropist Isaac Ochberg. Based on a true story, it's a powerful and
utterly compelling first-person account of the trauma experienced by a
child, and her subsequent journey from despair through to hope.
Totz2teens Member review: Poland 1921, After the
terrible Night of the Burning sweeps through Devorah's village, she and her
sister must travel far from everything and everyone they know - but the
future holds more unexpected twists. A man called Isaac Ochberg finds them
and offers them a daunting but rare chance to escape the pogroms. So begins
a journey fraught with danger as Devorah and her sister become part of an
incredible bid for safety in a new land.
Based on real-life events, this is an amazing story which reaches far beyond
the pages of this book. A story which must be told.
Based on a time just after World War 1, driven out by pogroms (a riot
directed towards ethnic groups) a really gripping read and a must for those
who like historical based books. This can be quite painful to read a times
due to the heart wrenching accounts and extreme hardship of living. But I
still enjoyed this. Suitable for age 10 up, bearing in mind that it is a
'Deep' read.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 4/5
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101 Things
you wish You'd invented...and some you wish no one had by Tracy Turner &
Richard Horne
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9198-6 £6.99
Marvel at the sheer brilliance of invention, from glass to underpants,
the noble compass to the humble pencil. Not forgetting, of course, the
undeniably indispensable banana suitcase. Filled with fascinating details
about everything from the most common everyday object to inventions which
changed society, it will also distinguish the strokes of genius from
discoveries of sheer chance, or millennia of evolution ...and reveal the
real reason why Alfred Nobel had to establish a peace prize (tut, tut).
Expand your knowledge of man's accomplishments in the most compelling - and
irreverent - way possible.
Totz2teens Member review: Firstly my part as the MUM.
Thanks. I ended up walking around with a post it note attached to my back -
luckily only at home but at great amusement to my children and husband.
My Eldest son has reviewed this book. He says it is an exciting book
with lots to do. It is nice because you dont have to read each page -
you can pick the bit you fancy doing. The forms are fun to fill in and
make it seem like you are on a mission. I learnt lots of facts and I
found it really interesting. There are lots of parts of this book I
plan to do properly and I think it will be fun.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
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The Littlest Dinosaur
by Michael Foreman
ISBN: 978-0-7475-8984-6 £10.99
A tiny Dinosaur is born to a family of rather huge dinosaurs and
everyone is mystified about why it is so different. As the
littlest Dinosaur grows, it feels left out and at odds with the
world of its huge family, until one day its very size is the thing
that rescues them all. A charming tale featuring every toddlers
favourite, dinosaurs with a sweetly told message about being happy
being yourself.
Totz2teens Member review: The Littlest Dinosaur is a very sweet
story of a family of dinosaurs who are much bigger than one. He feels
very alone and upset that he cant play with the others but then something
happens! We very much enjoyed reading this beautiful story. The
pictures were delightful too.
Totz2teens member Rating: 4/5
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The Bear in the Cave
by Michael Rosen
ISBN: 978-0-7475-7786-7 £6.99
A very happy bear hears the sounds of the city from his quiet home by the
sea and decides to find out what city life is like. Buying the ticket and
travelling on the train is all very exciting. And so is the city! But after
a while the bear finds the city a little too noisy and a little too busy -
and people are beginning to laugh at him. He feels very sad and alone, until
four children find him and show him the way home, with much fun along the
way. A perfect book for reading aloud, with just the right amount of
excitement before a wonderfully calming ending - just right for reading
before bedtime!
Totz2teens Member review: I was excited to see this book as I
am a fan of We're going on a bear hunt. Sorry my little boy is a
fan!!! We placed the CD in and sat eagerly awaiting the story.
The anticipation. I loved having the CD. You know its being read
exactly right when the author is reading it and the little sounds played
just add to the ability to appreciate the storybook. The story itself
is very suitable for the age group and we found ourselves repeating along
with the story so the format is learned pretty quickly which isnt a bad
thing. The pictures are simply friendly and easy to look at. A
really fun and interesting book made all the better with the CD.
Totz2teens member Rating: 4/5
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Mwah Mwah by Chloe Rayban
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9413-0 £6.99
Shipped off to France for Easter for some continental 'culture',
Hannah finds herself staying with her mother's best friend. And
her mother's best friend's daughter. Who happens to be tall,
horribly stylish and has that irritating way of turning a scarf
into the latest fashion accessory. To make matters worse (if
possible) the daughter's friend is coming to stay with them -
doubly bad for the ego, twice the competition for the bathroom.
But then 'Michel' turns out to be a boy Cue rivalry with a
continental flavour in a fantastically scandal-rich and
brilliantly compelling teen coming-of-age drama.
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Nemesis Ride of Death
by Catherine MacPhail
ISBN: 978-0-7475-8271-7 £6.99
Ever since Ram woke up in a tower block a few weeks ago, the deadly and
mysterious Dark Man has been hunting him down. With no memory of who he is
or what has happened to him, the only thing Ram can be certain of is that
time is running out - and not just for him, for everyone. Ram knows that if
he is ever to discover the truth about his identity, the lone bomber and the
terrible threat that faces the world, he must turn the tables on the Dark
Man. The time for running is over. In this shocking conclusion to the
Nemesis series, Ram faces one final confrontation with his nemesis and evil
forces more powerful than he could ever imagine.
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The Declaration by Gemma
Malley
ISBN: 978-0-7475-8774-3 £6.99
Anna Covey is a 'Surplus'. She should not have been born. In a
society in which ageing is no longer feared, and death is no
longer an inevitability, children are an abomination. Like all
Surpluses, Anna is living in a Surplus Hall and learning how to
make amends for the selfish act her parents committed in having
her. She is quietly accepting of her fate until, one day, a new
inmate arrives. Anna's life is thrown into chaos. But is she brave
enough to believe this mysterious boy? This is a tense and utterly
compelling story about a society behind a wall, and the way in
which two young people seize the chance to break free.
Totz2teens Member Rating:
This is a fantastic read. The year is 2140 and
medical science has managed the ultimate in anti aging, people are
aware that Mother Nature will only provide enough if your careful.
So with everlasting life, children are not allowed. If they happen
they are considered surplus and the best they can hope for it to
become useful.
Anna our heroine is a surplus and is working very hard to become
Useful to make up for her crime of being born. She was lucky to be
found early and has spent most of her life in Surplus Hall so
knows her place until one day Peter turns up and turns her world
upside down.
I loved this book, it is well written and you very quickly find
yourself in the world of surpluses. The changes in the world are
massive but realistic and it makes you think. There are twists and
turns in the book and it's a real page turner.
Totz2teens Member Rating: I would give this a 5 out of 5.
It left me thinking and I'm looking forward to the next
installment
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Katie: The Revolting
holiday by Mary Hooper
ISBN: 978-0-7475-8614-2 £4.99
Holidays are supposed to be fun, but a week in a holiday camp with Mrs
Bayleaf - Torture! Out of desperation, Katie seeks refuge in the Kids' Klub,
where she meets a particularly irritating little madam called Antonia who
can't stop bragging about how her family win all the competitions. Katie
would love to wipe the smile off Antonia's face. Perhaps Katie's family, and
even Mrs Bayleaf, might come in useful after all ...Well, there's nothing
wrong with a bit of healthy competition, is there? |
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Katie: The Revolting
Baby by Mary Hooper
ISBN: 978-0-7475-8613-5 £4.99
'Crumbs,' Flicka said as soon as I opened the door. 'Is that the
baby?' She stood back, aghast. 'What've you done to her?' Katie
thought looking after her sister's baby would be easy. But one tin
of golden syrup, some scrambled egg, newspaper print, a whole load
of boot polish, an earwig, half a caterpillar and a dirty log
later, things look very different indeed. Baby Emily is not the
only one in a bit of a mess.
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Daddy's Lullaby by Tony
Bradman
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9232-7 £5.99
The house is darkened and Dad comes home at the end of the week.
Everybody is asleep, except for the youngest baby of the house. So
Dad picks him up and takes him on a journey through the sleeping
house, looking in on the cat, brother and Mum ...until Dad himself
is so tired that he collapses with baby on the sofa downstairs
...to be woken up, still there the next morning by the rest of the
family! This is a supremely gentle and tender story. It is perfect
for parents everywhere.
Totz2teens Member Review: Daddy's Lullaby is one of those
books that you give someone as a sign of appreciation. I think it was
a beautiful book however I am not sure that anyone would really read it to a
child or baby. The illustrations are lifelike almost in that sort of
1950's style but actually modern. I very much think this is a book for
a gift to be treasured or displayed.
Totz2teens Rating: 3/5
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Lulu's Shoes by Camilla Reid
ISBN: 9780747594031 £6.99
Love them or hate them, every toddler has to put their shoes on before
they can get going. Lulu's Shoes is an interactive book all about
lulu's favourite shoes and the fun she has wearing them. Help Lulu
fasten her Velcro buckles and tie her lace, or admire the sparkly shoes that
Lulu's mum lets her try on.
Totz2teens Member Review: Lulu's Shoes is the most delightful book
I have seen for a long time. We loved reading through the book
and playing with the interactive parts on the pages. From Velcro
buckles to soft slippers its just such a super book. Lulu loves her
shoes and we totally appreciated why. This book was full of fun in a
touchy feely way. Brilliant.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
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My Monster by Eleanor Taylor
ISBN: 9780747589914 £5.99
When Louis moves house he settles in quickly, running from room to
room and shouting into all the empty cupboards. But on his first
night in the new house Louis hears a monster crying under his bed.
The monster is sad and frightened about all the noise that the new
family is making, so Louis holds his hand and reassures him. Then
when Louis has to be brave and meet all the children in the
playground for the first time, he finds that encouraging the
monster to be brave really helps him a lot too. This is an
upside-down tale of getting to grips with the new by a popular
artist.
Totz2teens Member Review: Moving house can be scary but
imagine finding a monster under your bed. Thats what happens to Louis
in this story. Luckily the Monster is more scared of Louis than Louis
is of him and Louis accepts him as a friend. The go through the
journey of going to new places and making friends. I think my child
was able to understand this story and he seemed pleased that Louis and the
monster had made a friend at the park. An enjoyable book.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 4/5
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Does a Sea Cow say Moo
by Terry Webb Harshman
ISBN: 9780747587347 £5.99
Cow in the sea. Cow in the field. Does a sea cow say "Moo", and
eat grass for its meal?" Does a Sea Cow Say "Moo?"" - Oh, that
can't be true! It chirps and it clicks and it whistles instead,
and grazes on sea grass in shallow sea beds. When an alien lands
on earth he is very befuddled by the names of the bizarre
creatures he finds in the sea, and his imagination starts to run
wild with all the possibilities! A little boy soon explains what
the creatures really are with some very funny fish facts, too.
Totz2teens Member Review: WOW this was an informative
book. By taking a Childs confusion between for example a
school and a school of fish this book wades into various different
ocean comparisons. I read this with my younger child and
then also with my 7 year old and this bought about some very
interesting conversations. We loved reading the Silly sea
facts about the different animals mentioned in the book. I
think this book would be a lovely book to read with tiddlypeeps
who have a thirst for knowledge and fun.
Totz2teens member Rating: 5/5
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Sovay by Celia Rees
ISBN: 9780747592006 £10.99
Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and its impact
on British politics, this action-driven novel shows once again
that Celia Rees is one of our very best writers for teenage
readers. Wild and beautiful, spoilt and wilful, Sovay finds that
her cosseted life in rural England has not prepared her for life
as a highway robber, for defending the honour of her family or for
trying to save herself from corruption and evil. As Sovay becomes
more and more embroiled in adventures she could scarcely have
imagined, a story of dark intrigue, thwarted passions and sinister
intentions is revealed to her. Will she be able to survive, and if
she does so, at what cost?
Totz2teens Member Review: This was a fascinatingly
interesting story to read and I would happily recommend it to
anyone.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 4/5
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Custardly Wart Pirate
by Alan MacDonald
ISBN: 9780747594673 £4.99
At the Dankmarsh School for poor orphans, the children sleep four to a bed
and exist on watery porridge. Teachers don't last long, and so when a new
one arrives they are intrigued, especially since he has an eyepatch, a huge
moustache and calls himself the Captain. Miss Scrubshaw interviews him for
the post, though he and his cousin 'Mr Mate' seem most interested in the
ancient map on her wall. The Captain introduces new lessons: compass use,
swordcraft and biscuit identification. On a school trip to visit the Black
Barnacle, a ship owned by an 'old pal', the Captain gives Miss Scrubshaw the
slip and it dawns on the children that the ship has cast off, and they are
the new crew! Bound, they discover, for Doom Island and a perilous quest for
hidden treasure, at the mercy of the Captain and his dastardly plan.
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Ditherus Wart (accidental)
Gladiator by Alan MacDonald
ISBN: 9780747594666 £4.99
Based on the dubious members of the Wart family tree, each book will focus
on the adventurous life and turbulent times of a different 'Wart' from
pirate to gladiator as he (or she) experiences the peculiar misfortunes
which befall all Warts throughout the centuries. Book 1 is set in Roman
times. Emperor Porcus Maximus is coming for dinner and so Ditherus and his
faithful slave Punio are sent (by Ditherus' mother) to market for supplies.
But Ditherus is tempted into buying a sword from a mysterious peddler.
Searched by centurion Marcus Furius when he gets home, Ditherus is thrown
into prison when the sword is discovered and sentenced to death as a
traitorous thief (with Punio). At the last minute Gutsus the gladiator
arrives, looking to buy new recruits. Ditherus and Punio are taken to
Gladiator School where the motto is 'Death or Glory - but most likely
Death'. If ever Ditherus needed a cunning plan, it's now.
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Zoe & Chloe out to
lunch by Sue Limb
ISBN: 9780747582731 £5.99
Zoe and Chloe have already survived one threat to their friendship in the
form of the devilish Beast, who toyed cruelly with Chloe's affections. Now
the girls are back on track and hatching a plan to go down to Newquay, rent
a caravan and have a great time. But first they have to earn some cash,
which they do via much back-breaking work growing veg for a Farmer's Market
stall every Saturday. Finally they get to Newquay ...bliss! Freedom! So why
does the terrible Beast have to turn up? Zoe is furious. But does Beast have
a - up till now very much hidden - soft centre? Time to have a rethink on
the nature of the Beast ... |
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The Highest Tide by Jim
Lynch
ISBN: 9780747595090 £6.99
It is not unusual for thirteen-year-old Miles O'Malley to sneak out and
explore the tidal flats of Puget Sound by moonlight. When he discovers a
rare sea creature one night, he becomes a local phenomenon hounded by people
curious to know whether he is an observant boy or an unlikely prophet. But
Miles is just a kid on the verge of growing up, infatuated with the girl
next door, worried that his bickering parents will divorce, and struggling
to keep his world intact. In this captivating novel, we witness dramatic
changes for both Miles and the coastline he adores over one unforgettable
summer.
Totz2teens Member Review: The Highest Tide describes how Miles
managed to face the lowest and highest tides of his life. The ‘lowest tide’
of Miles somehow illustrates his relationship with Florence - giving him the
wisdom to understand the meaning of life; his friendship with Phelps - the
value of companionship and sense of humour; his secret admiration to Angie -
the importance of patience, inspiration and friendship. His ‘highest tide’
on the other hand includes his struggle to accept the separation of his
parents - the importance of a family; and the death of Florence - the lost
of a friend that taught him the true meaning of trust and confidence!
This is an emotional story yet humorous too. I felt it captured the
right level of both.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 4/5
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Captain Wag and the Big Blue
Whale by Michael Terry
ISBN: 9780747592549 £6.99
Captain Wag the pirate dog and his friends One-Eye Jack and Old Scratch are
marooned! Somehow they have to escape from their lonely treasure island and
find a way home. Perhaps they can, with a bit of ingenuity and help from an
unexpected quarter ...A rollicking piratical story that finds Captain Wag
defying the scoundrel Pirate Ginger Tom yet again.
Totz2teens Member Review: Captain Wag is a pirate dog, he and
his friends are trying to get off an island to get home. They manage to make
a boat and set sail. This story tells of their adventures. The
extra nice bit about the book is the stickers and scene that can be re used
time and again. We liked the story and the pictures are large and fun
too.
Totz2teens member review: 4/5
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What! by Kate Lum
& Adrian Johnson
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9775-9 £5.99
Poor Granny, what can she do as Patrick sets her yet another task just so he
can stay out of bed.
Totz2teens Member Review: Granny & Patrick are having a
sleepover. BUT Patrick cant settle for numerous reasons. This is
a really sweet book and easy to follow. I loved saying WHAT!
really loudly which in turn my daughter really enjoyed this too. Super
Duper story.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
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Stravaganza City
of Secrets by Mary Hoffman
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9250-1 £6.99
Matt is dyslexic and extremely intelligent. When he is unexpectedly
transported to the Scriptorium of Padavia (real-life Padua) University, he
discovers he is a Stravagante who can travel through time using his
talisman, a leather-bound book. Together with Luciano, now studying at the
University, and Arianna, in disguise as a boy, he must fight the dangerous
di Chimici clan who are on the verge of making a terrifying breakthrough
into our world. This is a breathtaking and thrilling novel that will delight
all Stravaganza fans.
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Birth of a
Warrior by Michael Ford
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9387-4 £6.99
Lysander had to leave his roots as a Helot slave far behind
him, when he discovered his true identity as the descendant of
a Spartan warrior. The training is ruthless and now he faces
his toughest challenge. Sent to the mountains with nothing but
a goatskin flask, he and two other boys must prove their
ability to survive before they can return. Facing starvation,
wild animals and the elements, Lysander discovers that his
real enemy is in fact one of the other boys, sent to sabotage
his trial. From his vantage point in the mountains, Lysander
can see another threat on the horizon - the Persians are
invading. He must prove his worth as a Spartan and return to
the village as soon as possible in order to warn of the
attack. But who is Lysander fighting for - to save Spartan
honour, or to protect the Helot slaves, whom he used to live
among?
Totz2teens member Review: Birth of a Warrior is a
fast paced action adventure. The action is non stop
from beginning to end and is exceptional in the detail.
This is the 2nd in the series but you dont have to have read
the first one which is great. I would recommend this
to any teenager that wants a bit of adventure.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 4/5
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Marvin gets MAD!
by Joseph Theobald
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9486-4 £5.99
One Perfect morning Molly eat the very apple that Marvin wanted.
Marvin is CROSS. So cross in fact, he rampages through the
countryside, ending up in a very dark place, all alone. Who will be
able to calm Marvin down and lead him back up to the sunny Meadow?
Totz2teens member Review: Marvin the sheep gets very cross because
he cant reach an apple in a tree but his friend Molly ate it whilst he was
asleep. Marvin gets very upset and some strange things happen to him.
The story tells of what happens to Marvin whilst he is so cross and how he
gets calmer again. The illustrations are bright and fun and there are
even some stickers too for added entertainment. We found Marvin Gets
MAD a delightful book to read.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
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Cathy's Key by
Stewart Weisman Brigg
ISBN:978-0-7475-9481-9 £12.99
When the laboratory technicians working for Ancestor Lu discover the key to
the immortality genetic structure, Victor names it the 'Cathy Key' in honour
of his quest to make Cathy immortal. Ancestor Lu humors him. But when events
go fatally wrong and a Fortune Teller's grim prophecy comes true, soon a
homicide investigation is underway and Cathy, once again, is a little too
close for comfort Cathy's Key is a brilliantly involved mystery thriller, a
love story and an entirely interactive experience with further developments
to the websites and phone numbers and online activity which makes this
package so unique and special.
Totz2teens member Review: I enjoyed reading this book.Cathy's
key is a follow on from Cathy's Book where she finds her boyfriend is
immortal. Cathy's Key is fun to read. The book comes with a pack
of bits and pieces which was interesting to look through and helped involve
me in the story more. I recommend anyone should read this book.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5 |
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Dino Egg by Charlie
James
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9226-6 £5.99
Ok. Here's a question: If an egg hatched into a dinosaur on your kitchen
table would you: Lock it up in a secure room, and then run for the hills as
fast as you could? Or, Hide it from Mum and try to keep it as a pet? It is
Ned's bad luck that his brother Bill decides to go for option 'b'. So when a
seemingly innocent boiled egg on the breakfast table starts to shake, change
colour and say 'cheep' and then hatch out a dinosaur, it is up to Ned to try
to shake some sense into his totally irresponsible brother, all the while
keeping his eagle-eyed mum in the dark ...Totz2teens member Review:
I liked reading this book. It made me laugh. I liked the
pictures which are funny and it wasnt too long either which was good for me.
Totz2teens Member rating: 4/5
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Moi &
Marie Antoinette by Lynn Cullen
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9774-2 £5.99
As a little girl in Austria, Marie Antoinette had nothing more
stressful to think about than what to eat next. When she was just
a little older she was taken to France to marry the future king,
and life became a lot more serious! Relishing the details of
courtly life and narrating the pressures of becoming one of the
world's most famous - and infamous - queens, this delightful and
beautiful book brings a real historical figure to life.
Totz2teens member Review: We found this book very
encapturing. I wouldnt think a toddler would understand this one.
Its for tiddlypeep. I loved the fact the story is written from the
viewpoint of the dog. This was a surprisingly interesting and
beautifully illustrated book.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 5/5
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Island of
the Phantoms by Stephen Alter
ISBN: 978-0-7475-8500-8 £6.99
When three children break into the town library to read from a book of
sorcery, little do they realise they are about to raise the dead. But the
ghosts they conjure up aren't your average ghosts. These spirits were
captured long ago on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean - Ilhas dos
Fantasmas - a place where the living and the dead once coexisted peacefully.
But all that ended when a visiting missionary trapped the image of the
spirits with a special camera nearly eighty years ago. Now confined to the
pages of a few dozen library books, the ghosts must rely on the three
children and a determined librarian to work out how to free them.
Totz2teens member Review: Island of the phantoms- what a
funny,spooky book perfect for children that like supernatural tales. It
keeps the readers interest throughout it is a very interactive book because
the story is also told through letters and diary entries.
Totz2teens Member Rating: My son loved it would definitely give this
5/5
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The Glitch in
Sleep by John Hulme & Michael Wexler
ISBN: 978-0-7475-9332-4 £6.99
Ever wondered if the world around you was not as it appeared? That there was
something bigger going on you couldn't quite put your finger on? Welcome to
The Seems, a secret organization that makes sure our world keeps running.
From weather, to sleep, to nightmares, The Seems is behind everything,
keeping things ticking over. Unless there's a Glitch, which is where Becker
Drane comes in. Becker has the coolest job of any 7th grader - he works as a
Fixer for The Seems. When a Glitch is reported in the Department of Sleep,
Becker is dispatched to fix it, but he's not so sure this is a routine
mission. Could the Bed Bugs, who are behind our Worst Nightmares, be
responsible for the problems? Or may be it's The Tide, an underground
organization bent on destroying The Seems. No matter what, Becker's in for
an adventure, and it'll take all his training, a little luck, and the
coolest Tools known in (or out of) The Seems to Fix the problem.
Totz2teens member Review:
My 8 year old could not really get on with this book, Ithink its because
she didn't understand some of the jokes. I on the other hand thought it was
brilliant well written a lot of double entendres kept me entertained from
chapter one.
Totz2teens Member Rating: 4/5 but definitely for older children
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The Princess
Bride by William Goldman
ISBN: 9780746590583 £6.99
Beautiful, flaxen-haired Buttercup has fallen for Westley, the
farm boy, and when he departs to make his fortune, she vows never
to love another. So, when she hears that his ship has been
captured by the Dread Pirate Roberts (no survivors) her heart is
broken. But her charms draw the attention of the relentless Prince
Humperdinck who wants a wife and will go to any lengths to have
Buttercup. So starts a fairy tale like no other, of fencing,
poison, true love, hate, revenge, giants, bad men, good men,
snakes, spiders, chases, escapes, lies, truths, passion and
miracles, and a damn fine story. Totz2teens member Review:
How exciting was that book. I read it so quickly because
it was so interesting and it includes so many parts to make it
an exciting book. Totally recommend. Totz2teens
Member Rating: 5/5
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Kiki Strike - The Empress's Tomb by Kirsten Miller
ISBN: 9780747589617 £6.99
With Oona taking the lead this time, the latest adventures follow the
Irregulars as they protect New York City and its secret underground world,
doing battle along the way with Manhattan's gangsters, rodents, diamond
merchants, society figures, and assorted forces of evil. Some of the
Irregulars will have to come to terms with deadly secrets from their own
pasts, and each of the girls will find her unusual skills and her
friendships put to the ultimate test.
Totz2teens member Review: The Empress's Tomb is the 2nd in the
series of Kiki Strike books. It has memorable characters. The
books is very well written, fast paced, exciting, touching and even funny.
There is some great information on how to know if your house is haunted, how
to take advantage of the power of scent, and much more besides. I
found this book easy to read and enjoyable too.
Totz2teens Member rating: 5/5
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