Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

For young Private Thomas Peaceful, looking back over his childhood from the battlefields of the First World War, his memories are full of family life deep in the countryside. Mother, his brothers Charlie and Big Joe, and their friend Molly, come vividly alive in his mind. But every moment Tommo spends thinking about his life, means another moment closer to something he cannot bear to think about – a time when the war and its horrific consequences will change his life for ever.

I thought this book was very good and detailed. K.B (S4) *****

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway

Audrey Cutler is a normal Southern California girl. OK, her cat is overweight, but her best friend is awesome, and her parents might be hippies, but they adore her – because Audrey is funny, charming, and she likes her music loud. So she struggles with dumping her musician boyfriend, Evan. She loves his band, but he’s just too self-involved. Audrey needs to move on. Then at one of Evan’s gigs, Audrey gets to hear their brand new single and moving on doesn’t seem so easy now: the song is called Audrey, Wait and it’s all about her, and not in a good way …The song storms quickly up the charts and reaches the top. Suddenly everyone wants to know: who is Audrey? The media is all over her like a rash, and what started out as annoying is becoming a nightmare! On top of this, it is ruining her chances with James, her colleague at Scooper Dooper ice cream parlour. Audrey’s life is veering out of control and there’s only one thing for it. She’s going to have to stand up and tell the world her side of the story …

Really really funny. A great read. U.A. (S3) *****

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

Things have changed for Ever since she met her beloved Damen, not least because she’s got a whole new set of powers courtesy of her new Immortal status. But just as she’s getting stronger, Damen seems to be weakening. Panicked at the thought of losing him, Ever finds a path to Summerland where she learns the secrets of his tortured past.

Not what I had expected. The first one was the best, though I want to read the next one.
G.S. (S2) *****

My Love Lies Bleeding by Alyxandra Harvey

The Blakes are rather different to your usual neighbours. They are vampires and some of the members of the family date back to the twelfth century. One of the children, Solange, is the only born female vampire known and, as such, she poses a direct threat to the vampire queen. Her best friend Lucy is human, and when Solange is kidnapped Lucy and Solange’s brother, Nicholas, set out to save her. Lucy soon discovers that she would like to be more than just friends with Nicholas. But how does one go about dating a vampire? Meanwhile, Solange finds an unlikely ally in Kieran, a member of the group that has kidnapped her.

This is definitely one of the best books I ever read – I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for more from the Drake Chronicles. G.S. (S2) *****

It was amazing. I loved it! L.M. (S2) *****

Passing Strange by Daniel Waters

“Karen DeSonne always passed as a normal teenager – and now that she’s dead, she’s still passing – this time, as alive. When her dead friends are accused of a high profile murder and forced into hiding, she has to prove their innocence.”

The third book in the series doesn’t quite live up to the heights of the first book, Generation Dead, but it’s still a compelling read.
JM, Library

The Broken Bridge by Philip Pullman

“Ginny’s mother is dead, but at 16 she is secure, living with her father in a seaside village in Wales. But one day when the social worker arrives her world cracks apart. Everything her father has told her is a lie. Ginny uncovers the past in a journey that leads her to a mother she never knew.”
This book is great! It’s a great read and it’s different.You can’t predict it.
K.G.

Boys on the Brain by Jean Ure

Cresta’s diary starts: “My mum! She has boys on the brain!” She and Charlie are seriously embarrassed by their parents who insist on behaving like teenagers. The girls are serious about their schoolwork and their careers and they are not going to waste their time thinking about boys…
It was so good I just couldn’t put it down.
L.C.

Icefire by Chris D’Lacey

“The sequel to The Fire Within, Icefire continues the story of student, David Rain, and his life in the Pennykettle household. Life isn’t exactly normal lodging at the Pennykettles – not when you’re surrounded by hundreds of clay pottery dragons. Fate seems to be dictating an unusual course for David when his university tutor sets him a writing project on the existence – or not – of dragons. The tantalizing prize – a fully-funded research trip to the Arctic – seems just within his grasp. David starts to research the subject and soon discovers a connection between dragons and the Arctic just as it begins to snow. Is it only a coincidence? Or could deeper forces be at work?”
An extraordinarily good book.  Better than the first. ****

C.C. S1