Author: Miss McGill

Tom Gates: A tiny bit lucky by Liz Pichon

tiny bit luckyWill Tom and his band DOGZOMBIES be LUCKY enough to win the Rockweekly Bandbattle competition?
They just might be if they could find time to practice!
But with inspectors in the school, an amazing new cartoon on TV, caramel wafers to eat and a stray cat getting in the way, Tom’s a bit too busy having FUN!

I really enjoyed this book and I liked the way that the author went to another book. MW (S1) *****

After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven E. Wedel

After Obsession is no ordinary paranormal romance, with alternate chapters written by two authors – Carrie Jones and Steven E. 9781408818275Wedel – who present the story from both the boy’s and girl’s point of view. Aimee and Alan are two teens who are in touch with spirits. But after a misguided experience with a ouija board, their friend Courtney invites a ghost into her life… one that doesn’t want to leave. Can the two friends exorcise Courtney’s demons, and their own? A great read for Maggie Stiefvater fans aged 12 and over.

It was very good and interesting. RF (S2) ****

 

Dark Spell by Gill Arbuthnott

15-year-old Callie Hall has just found out she’s a witch, and things keep going wrong. Sometimes her mind seems to make things happen, things she can’t control. She can set fire to things without a match, and when she’s angry people can get hurt.
Her friend Josh understands she’s a bit weird, but it’s only on a dark and dangerous visit to the tunnels under the ruins of St Andrews’ Castle that he realises just how strange she really is. Something comes back with Callie — in Callie — something she can’t escape. Can Callie control her power long enough to send back the darkness, before it takes over her life? And will Josh ever understand her secret? A brilliant, engrossing teen fantasy from the author of Winterbringers and The Keeper’s Daughter.

It is a really gripping book and I would recommend it. (S1) *****

Intriguing, mysterious & good. (S1) ****1/2

White Dolphin by Gill Lewis

‘The white dolphin is a sign that Mum’s out there …’ When they first meet, Kara and Felix can’t stand each other. But on discovering an injured dolphin calf on the beach they know they must work together to save it. Now friends, they set out to find the truth behind the disappearance of Kara’s mother, and to protect the nearby reef.

 But powerful people don’t want them to succeed. And with the odds stacked against them, how can Kara and Felix make their voices heard?

 I thought it was an amazing book. I could read it again and again. I felt I was there the whole time.

LH (S2) *****

A Medal for Leroy by Michael Morpurgo

Michael doesn’t remember his father, an RAF pilot lost in the war. And his French mother, heartbroken and passionate, doesn’t like to talk about her husband. But then Auntie Snowdrop gives Michael a medal, followed by a photograph, which begin to reveal a hidden history, a story that will change everything – and reveal to Michael who he really is.

A very touching story. Well described characters. L McC (S1) *****

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney

The ugly truthGreg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all it’s cracked up to be? Suddenly Greg is dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older. And after a fight with his best friend Rowley, it looks like Greg is going to have to face the “ugly truth” all by himself…

It’s really funny. It made me read more. BC (S1) *****

Better than what I thought. Not too long to read and its really funny. GB (S1) *****

 

Ferryman by Claire McFall

When teenager Dylan pulls herself free from a train wreck and emerges onto an almost deserted Scottish hillside, she believes she is the only survivor. Seeing the figure of a boy on the bank she enlists his help. But Tristan is no ordinary passerby, and Dylan soon learns that instead of being the only survivor of the wreck, she is in fact the only fatality.

 And, Tristan is no normal teenage boy – he is her ferryman tasked with guiding her through the wasteland to her afterlife. As the pair journey further together through the dangerous wraith-infested wasteland, they fall deeply in love. When they reach the other side, Tristan promises to cross over with Dylan, but when she steps across the threshold and turns back, he is not there. Confronted with life without Tristan, Dylan vows to find him, but that means traversing the dangerous wasteland without a guide.

I thought this book was great. I loved the story and the characters. This is a book well worth reading. P (S1) *****

Not my kind of book but I may buy it for somebody else maybe, but not me. J (S2) ****1/2

The Book of Doom by Barry Hutchison

There’s panic up in Heaven. They have mislaid the Book of Doom – the most important object in existence. Oopsy. They think Satan might have stolen it, the sneaky little devil, so to save the world – plus, you know, quite a lot of embarrassment, fifteen year old Adam and his angelic guide Angelo are sent to retrieve it.

I really enjoyed this book. There are lots of details and it’s really funny. I would really recommend this book. J (S2) *****

This book is confusing but its very good and interesting. I (S2) ***

It was an awesome book you don’t want to put it down. I would recommend this book. 😛 J (S2) ****

The Seeing by Diana Hendry

The second world war is over in the quiet town of Norton. When wild, dangerous, break-all-the-rules Natalie arrives, thirteen-year-old Lizzie is drawn irresistibly to the new girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Desperate for Natalie’s friendship and respect, Lizzie soon discovers a side of the town – and of herself – that she had never imagined.
As the girls grow closer, Natalie and her strange, eerie brother, Philip, reveal a shocking secret. For Philip has a second sight, and all around them he sees evil – ‘left-over Nazis’ lying in wait until the time is right for revenge. Natalie and Philip believe it’s up to them to root these people out of Norton.
Lizzie is swept up in what starts as a thrilling game – but the consequences of Philip’s ‘gift’ quickly spiral into disaster.

It was OK. Beginning was very slow & about the middle something happened which made me think that it mught actually become exciting but I was wrong. This book was boring and (did not) grip me at all. Suitable for ages 9 or 10 up to 13, I think.  L (S2) **1/2 

It was a dark out of the ordinary book in a good way. I (S1) ****

I thought the start was a bit creepy but it got more interesting later in the book. I (S1) ***

It is a good book but I don’t really like it because that isn’t the kind of book that I like. J (S1) ***

Exciting. Keep wanting to read on. J (S2) ****

Good book but very slow. J (S3) ***