National Bookshop Day 2013

It is that time of year again where we celebrate bookshops!! How fun is that!! Here is the line up for the events happening at our store!

Reviews By You - Eric Vale Epic fail by Michael Gerard Bauer (Reviewed by Amber)

Ever Had a stupid nickname?
A rotten run of bad luck?
A best friend who just looks on the bright side-even when the bright side is black?
Well, Eric Vale's got all three, and they're pushing him towards the Epic-est of all Epic Fails!

Eric Vale Epic fail by Michael Gerard Bauer

Eric Vale is a kid at primary school trying to fit in. He gets an awful nickname and does everything in his power to get rid of it. Every time he stuffs up something everyone yells out, “Eric Vale Epic fail!”

I love the moral of the story. While I didn’t love this book, I felt it was still a good one. The moral of the story is right at the end, I don’t want to give away the ending so I won’t tell you.

The main character is Eric Vale. He made a big mistake and gets bullied about it.  His has a best friend Chewy. He’s very self-conscious and since he was given his nickname, is watching his every move. He loves to write his comic, Secret Agent Derek ‘Danger.’

Like I said before I didn’t really like the book that much. It seems like it would appeal more to boys than girls. I also found it difficult to get as it seemed as though you were being told the story and not that it’s happening right there and then. That’s not a bad thing – it’s just a different way of writing the story. It was a bit weak for me so I wouldn’t say it’s in my top ten or even twenty but maybe my top thirty.

I think people who liked reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid will like this because it’s based on the same thing of life being a kid and the book is set out being as a diary.

                                                                                                

Reviewed by Amber (12 years old)

Reviews By You - Middle School - Get Me Out of Here by James Patterson (Reviewed by Nishant)

After sixth grade, the very worst year of his life, Rafe Khatchadorian thinks he has it made in seventh grade. He's been accepted to art school in the big city and imagines a math-and-history-free fun zone.Wrong! It's more competitive than Rafe ever expected, and to score big in class, he needs to find a way to turn his boring life into the inspiration for a work of art. His method? Operation: Get a Life! Anything he's never done before, he's going to do it, from learning to play poker to going to a modern art museum. But when his newest mission uncovers secrets about the family Rafe's never known, he has to decide if he's ready to have his world turned upside down. 

 

Middle School – Get me out of here by James Patterson

Middle School – Get me out of here is about a teenage boy called Rafe who has to move to another school because his Mum doesn’t have a job. In the new school he has to overcome bullies and difficulties with teachers to understand “the truth”.

My favourite part of the story was when Rafe was busted for trying to take revenge on the bullies.

I liked this book because the characters were funny and imaginative. I enjoyed following what Rafe does in Middle School.

The story is pretty good and has a lot of twists. You actually feel sad when you realise what Rafe’s dad has been through. There are also a lot of jokes in the story and that was what made me laugh.

People who like Tom Gates will adore this series. The book’s animation is well mixed into the text to make it a well-balanced book.

Reviewed by Nishant (12 years old)

Reviews By You - The HIdden Monastery by Gabrielle Wang (Reviewed by Gina)

The Abbot said, 'Peng is so powerful he can fill up the whole sky, and yet shrink so small he can sit on a blade of grass without it bending under his weight.'

'No creature on earth can do that!' said Jax.
'But Peng is not from this world,' the Abbot replied.

From the moment Peng fell from the stars as a tiny young creature, he and Jax have been connected. But it is not until twelve years later, when Jax stumbles across a mysterious monastery hidden deep in an ancient rainforest park, that he begins to discover his destiny – and what it means to be a Peng Master . .

The Hidden Monastery by Gabrielle Wang

Jax was lost in the woods when he stumbled upon The Whispering Cloud Monastery. This is when his old and normal life slowly disappeared behind him and he stepped into a totally new world. He meets Yu Yu, an awesome Kung Fu fighter. The Abbot of the monastery and Yu Yu help him fulfil his destiny – to become the master of a beautiful, amazing creature, Peng. Peng and Jax need to be together to overcome a dark, mysterious force, that could kill many.

The main character in The Hidden Monastery is Jax. He has a strange birthmark on his hand, and, at first, has no idea what it means. He finds out in The Whispering Cloud Monastery that it is the mark of the Peng master. The Abbot, once the Peng master, helps Jax learn Kung Fu so that he is ready for the day when he and Peng reunite…

I really enjoyed reading The Hidden Monastery because it was very mysterious. It is a book that you can’t put down, with a lot of twists and turns throughout story, especially at the end. I also liked The Hidden Monastery because it is very unique and different to other things I have read.

I recommend The Hidden Monastery to people who like mysterious, interesting and magical books. Also, those who like their books having many twists and turns in it would probably be interested in The Hidden Monastery.

Reviewed by Gina (9 years old)

Reviews By You - A Very Unusual Pursuit (City of Orphans #1) by Catherine Jinks (Reviewed by Kasey)

Monsters have been infesting London's dark places for centuries, eating every child who gets too close. That's why ten-year-old Birdie McAdam works for Alfred Bunce, the bogler. With her beautiful voice and dainty looks, Birdie is the bait that draws bogles from their lairs so that Alfred can kill them.One life-changing day, Alfred and Birdie are approached by two very different women. Sarah Pickles runs a local gang of pickpockets, three of whom have disappeared. Edith Eames is an educated lady who's studying the mythical beasts of English folklore. Both of them threaten the only life Birdie's ever known.But Birdie soon realises she needs Miss Eames's help, to save her master, defeat Sarah Pickles, and vanquish an altogether nastier villain.Catherine Jinks, one of Australia's most inventive writers, has created a fast-paced and enthralling adventure story with edge-of-your-seat excitement and chills

 

 A very unusual pursuit (City of Orphans #1) by Catherine Jinks

In London, Birdie M^cAdam works for Alfred Bunce, a bogler. As a bogler, it is Birdie’s job to lure bogles (monsters) out of their homes or hiding places. Once out of their homes or hiding places, it’s Alfred’s job to kill them. But one day a woman by the name of Edith Eames approaches them. Soon after, Birdie’s life is turned upside down. Birdie must decide whether to fight for the life she is used to or agree to a new one.

My favourite part of the story is when Birdie escapes from London House (a mad house) and saves her friends from dying.

In this book the main characters are Birdie M^cAdam and Alfred Bunce. It’s mainly about Birdie but Alfred is in most of the book. My favourite character is Birdie because she is the most interesting and unique character.

I really liked this book because it’s really interesting and there are lots of surprises you don’t expect. I really felt for Birdie, especially when she’s in the mad house. This story is really interesting and different all the way through.

I would recommend this book to people who like a little bit of mystery mixed in with monsters and characters who like and sneak around a bit.

Reviewed by Kasey (12 years old)