Author: Miss McGill
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
When robot Roz opens her eyes for the first time, she discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island. She has no idea how she got there or what her purpose is – but she knows she needs to survive. After battling a fierce storm and escaping a vicious bear attack, she realises that her only hope for survival is to adapt to her surroundings and learn from the island’s unwelcoming animal inhabitants. As Roz slowly befriends the animals, the island starts to feel like home – until, one day, her mysterious past comes back to haunt her.
The Wild Robot is sad but also happy. SM (S1) ****
Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett
Life is a whole lot messier than the movies… Bailey Rydell has found the boy of her dreams. They share a love of films and talk all day – Alex is perfect. The only pro
blem? They haven’t actually met… When Bailey moves to sunny California to live with her dad, who happens to live in the same town as Alex, she decides to track him down. But finding someone based on online conversations alone proves harder than Bailey thought, and with her irritating but charismatic (and potentially attractive?) colleague Porter Roth distracting her at every turn, will she ever get to meet the mysterious Alex?
Really loved this book, got it in October and could NEVER put it down! Absolute must read! SA (S2) *****
A good girl’s guide to murder by Holly Jackson
The case is closed. Five years ago, schoolgirl Andie Bell was murdered by Sal Singh. The police know he did it. Everyone in town knows he did it. But having grown up in the same small town that was consumed by the crime, Pippa Fitz-Amobi isn’t so sure. When she chooses the case as the topic for her final project, she starts to uncover secrets that someone in town desperately wants to stay hidden. And if the real killer is still out there, how far will they go to keep Pip from the truth . . . ?
It was amazing. SM (S2) *****
Dark and shallow lies by Ginny Myers Sain
When seventeen-year-old Grey makes her annual visit to La Cachette, Louisiana – the tiny bayou town that proclaims to be the
“Psychic Capital of the World” – she knows it will be different from past years: her childhood best friend Elora went missing several months earlier and no one is telling the truth about the night she disappears. Grey can’t believe that Elora vanished into thin air any more than she can believe that nobody in a town full of psychics knows what happened. But as she digs into the night that Elora went missing, she begins to realize that everybody in town is hiding something—her grandmother Honey; her childhood crush Hart; and even her late mother, whose secrets continue to call to Grey from beyond the grave. When a mysterious stranger emerges from the bayou – a stormy-eyed boy with links to Elora and the town’s bloody history – Grey realizes that La Cachette’s past is far more present and dangerous than she’d ever understood. She doesn’t know who she can trust. In a town where secrets lurk just below the surface, and where a murderer is on the loose, nobody can be presumed innocent—and La Cachette’s dark and shallow lies may just rip the town apart.
Brilliant book, took you on many twists and turns. Amazingly written but heartbreaking ending. OBM (S3) *****
Thing by Chris Powling
Black button eyes. Zig-zag mouth. Stitched body. Thing. It used to be Robbie’s best friend. Now it’s become his enemy.
Gave me the chills. Amazing book, would recommend. GB (S1) *****
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Double Down by Jeff Kinney
The pressure’s really piling up on Greg Heffley. His mom thinks video games are turning his brain to mush, so she wants her son to
put down the controller and explore his ‘creative side’. As if that’s not scary enough, Halloween’s just around the corner and the frights are coming at Greg from every angle.When Greg discovers a bag of gummy worms, it sparks an idea.Can he get his mom off his back by making a movie …and will he become rich and famous in the process? Or will doubling down on this plan just double Greg’s troubles?
The best book I’ve read in ages. Takes about 2 hours but its worth it. GB (S1) ****1/2
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there.
In school, Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is a loner.
But when the two strike up a conversation – awkward but electrifying – something life-changing begins. Normal People is a story of mutual fascination, friendship and love.
It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find they can’t.
It’s a gread book. Really interesting. I love Sally Rooney books. HB *****
Mr Stink by David Walliams
Chloe sees Mr Stink every day, but she’s never spoken to him. Which isn’t surprising, because he’s a tramp, and he stinks. But there’s more to Mr Stink than meets the eye (or nose) and before she knows it, Chloe has an unusual new friend hiding in her garden shed.
This book is hilariously funny and has amazing word choice! E.J. (S1) *****
Maximillian Fly by Angie Sage
Maximillian Fly wants no trouble. Yet because he stands at six feet two, with beautiful indigo wings, long antennae, and more arms than you or me, many are frightened of him. He is a gentle creature who looks like a giant cockroach.
This extraordinary human wants to prove his goodness, so he opens his door to two SilverSeed children in search of a place to hide. Instantly, Maximillian’s quiet, solitary life changes.
There are dangerous powers after them and they have eyes everywhere.
But in this gray city of Hope trapped under the Orb, is escape even possible?
A good book, do not be put off by the cover. It has the usual plot twists and everyone is happy in the end (except the bad guys). LD (S1) ****1/2
