for the love of reading

The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas - by John Boyne

what the critics thought

“The story builds to a horrifying climax, the innocent’s experience brings home the unimaginable horror” - BOOKLIST

“A memorable and moving story.” - THE OXFORD TIMES

“A book so simple, so seemingly effortless, that it’s almost perfect.” - THE IRISH INDEPENDENT

“One thing is clear: this book will not go gently into any good night” - OBSERVER

summary
Berlin 1942. When Bruno returns home from school one day, he discovers that his belongings are being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion and the family must move from their home to a new house far far away, where there is no one to play with and nothing to do. A tall fence running alongside stretches as far as the eye can see and cuts him off from the strange people he can see in the distance. But Bruno longs to be an explorer and decides that there must be more to this desolate new place than meets the eye. While exploring his new environment, he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different to his own, and their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences.

my thoughts
Personally, I thought that this was an incredible book because literally and figuratively, could not put it down. John Boyne told a adaptation of the Holocaust through the eyes of a naive, innocent boy, who was the son of a Nazi. This is not a light read because of the truth behind this story, but I do recommend it to every age group, even though this is targeted for ages 13-18.

my rating: ★★★and a half

 awards

**sold more than 5 millions copies around the world AND reached number 1 on the New York Times bestseller list, as well as in the UK, Ireland, Australia**

HAPPY READING :)

-kaylee

Swoon At Your Own Risk - by Syndey Salter

what the critics thought

“A light read with an emotional awakening and enough romance to keep fans of the genre interested.” - SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL

summary
Polly’s grandma was a love columist and has now moved in with her. After a junior year full of dating disasters, Polly has sworn off boys. This summer, she’s going to focus on herself for once. No advice column can prepare Polly for what happens when she goes on a group camping trip with three too many ex-boyfriends and the tempting Xander. Polly is forced to face her feelings and figure out if she can be in love—and still be herself.

my thoughts
I am not really qualified to review this book because I only read the first few chapters, then was forced to put it down because it lacked originality. I am not going to lie and say I don’t ocationally enjoy the classic boy-meets-girl tweenybop book, but this was just too much. If I had to assign an age group that might enjoy this book, I would say - 10-14, anybody older might find it hard to read like I did.  

my rating: ★

HAPPY READING :)

-kaylee

My thoughts on “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins

despite the many requests to review the Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay, I will not do it. Yes, I am in LOVE with the books and was second in line for the movie premiere last week, BUT it is becoming over popluated and becoming too twilighty.

are you team peeta? or team gale?
HOW ABOUT TEAM POINT OF THE BOOKS!

rant over.

War Horse - by Michael Morpurgo

summary
this book is about a horse named joey, and a boy named Albert Narracott, and their struggle and triumph throughout World War l. 

my thoughts
after seeing the movie version of this tale in january, I couldn’t stop thinking about the boy from devon and his horse, Joey. So I went to the nearest book store and got the book. The novel is actually a childrens book but personally I think that it is more of an all ages tale. I finished it within the day and pasted it on to my grandpa aka. Poppa Tom, who is originally from Belfast and Keswick, so he got a kick out of it. He absolutly loved it and then pasted it on to my grandma who then pasted it on to their neighbor and so on and so forth. If you dont feel like reading a massive book with multiple story lines and just want a quick read then this is the book for you. Most war-time boks are always told from the point of view of the solider but this book is unique in the fact that you are learning about the war from the view of a horse. I am rambling so, in short - this is a phenomenal tale and I think that everyone would and will enjoy it.

my rating: ★★★★

 awards/about the author

• He has written more than 40 books and has won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Prize, the Circle of Gold Award, the Children’s Book Award, and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times.

HAPPY READING :)

-kaylee 

Wish You Were Here by Barbara Shoup

what the critics thought

“Beatifully written…” - BOOKLIST

“Highly recommended” - VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES

summary
Everything is falling apart for high school senior Jackson Watt.  His best friend Brady disappears without a word.  His mom remarries, which means a new stepdad, a new house…a new life.  He falls in love with the girl of his dreams, and then risks blowing it for good. Throughout this novel you learn how jackson copes with all of his ‘problems’ and in doing so, learns what it means to grow up. 

my thoughts
this is by far one of my favourite books! I have read I on multiple occasions and it just keeps getting better with every read. I highly recommend it for ages 13-19, because it deals with the idea of what it means to grow up and how to overcome the challenges that YA face. 

my rating: ★★★★★

 awards

•  An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

HAPPY READING :)

-kaylee