New Kid, by Jerry Craft – reviewed by Ms Newbury, Largs Campus Library
This entertaining book looks at issues including racism, and fitting in to a new environment, with a very light touch.
A graphic novel about a boy who likes to express himself by drawing in the notebook that he always carries around with him.
Jordon is an Afro-American boy who would love nothing more than to go to art school to develop his artistic talents, but his parents want him to go to a private school where many of the students come from very affluent backgrounds, and other black kids are a rare sight.
The story shows the difficulties Jordan has in fitting in to this very different environment, and the prejudice he encounters, sometimes unwitting, from adults as much as from other kids.
What kind of story is this? A beautifully illustrated graphic novel
Who would enjoy this story? Reluctant readers, as well as anyone who likes stories which include drawings as well as text. Will appeal to fans of the Wimpy Kid series
Additional notes: Don’t miss Class Act, the companion to New Kid, about Jordan’s friend Drew
For more books like this: check the Graphic Novels section in the Campus Library
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Guardians of the Wild Unicorns, by Lindsay Littleson Review from Simon Lamb, Performance Poet
For anyone suffering from over-exposure to fluffy pink unicorns, Scottish author Lindsay Littleson’s got your back: the mythical beasts in her latest book are brutal, muscular and – sometimes – dangerous. It’s a very topical tale, in which two school kids on their residential trip to the Highlands must do all they can to help save the last herd of the fabled national animal.
The quality of writing throughout is wonderful: the descriptions of the unicorns themselves are particularly beautiful, and I adored the image of one’s hooves “cutting the sky”.
This is Littleson’s most assured work yet, and once again she pulls no punches as she delves deep into her leading characters’ previously-hidden home lives to show the resilience the youth of today require.
What kind of story is this? This fantasy story combines lots of excitement and adventure with real life issues including wildlife conservation, and the problems that today’s young people need to contend with.
Recommended Readership: Upper Primary
Book details: Published by Kelpies, 2019. £6.99
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The Parent Agency and The Person Controller by David Baddiel Recommended by Ms Gilmour, Largs Academy
Genre/type of book: funny
Who would enjoy this story? Aimed at upper primary/lower secondary pupils
For more books like this: check these resources on the What to Read next page of the Library
website: https://tinyurl.com/1c7c4jub
and the Funny Stories section in the Campus Library
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The 13-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton Recommended by Ms Gilmour, Largs Academy
Genre/type of book: funny
Who would enjoy this story? Aimed at primary aged pupils
For more books like this: check the What to Read next page on the Your Next Great Read website:
https://tinyurl.com/1c7c4jub and the Funny Stories section in the Campus Library
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Orla and the Serpent’s Curse, by CJ Haslam Recommended by Ms Gilmour, Largs Academy
A funny and spooky story with convincing characters, witches (or pellers), a great local legend/curse, real tension, and a very good dog. I like the main character’s name too.
Genre/type of book: adventure stories
Who would enjoy this story? Aimed at upper primary/ secondary pupils
Additional notes: If you enjoy stories with lots of action and excitement, find out more about the genre and get recommendations for books you’ll enjoy from this page on the Your Next Great Read website
You’ll find lots more books like this in the Action and Adventure section of the Campus Library
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The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Recommended by Ms Gilmour, Largs Academy
It’s old, but I loved it. Set in America in the late 1600s, and there are not actually any witches in it. The main character’s a 15 year old girl but there’s a lot of action and I think it would appeal to boys too.
Genre/type of book: historical fiction
Who would enjoy this story? Aimed at upper primary/ secondary pupils
Additional notes: If you enjoy this book, and stories set in the past, there are loads of other wonderful titles to discover – check the Historical Stories section in the Campus Library
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My Neighbour Totoro: original story and art by Hayao Miyazaki, novel by Tsugiko Kubo, translated by Jim Hubbert Recommended by Ms Gilmour, Largs Academy
Based on the film, which is amazing and everyone should watch it
Genre/type of book: fantasy
Who would enjoy this story? Aimed at upper primary/ S1/2 pupils
Additional notes:
Publisher’s information
“Eleven-year-old Satsuki and her sassy little sister Mei have moved to the country to be closer to their ailing mother. The girls explore their sprawling old house and the forest and fields that surround it. Soon, Satsuki and Mei discover Totoro, a magical forest spirit who takes them on fantastic adventures through the trees and the clouds – and teaches them a lesson about trusting one another”
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PowerPoint slideEverything, Everything, by Nicola Yoon Recommended by Ms Newbury, Largs Academy
Maddy has severe allergies which mean that she is unable to live in the outside world. She has to live her life being very careful about everything she does. This is a full-time job for her mother too, and for the nurse who is employed to look after Maddy. But ill as she is, Maddy’s just like any other girl, and when she gets to know new neighbour Nick, first from her window, and then online, the two fall in love. Suddenly, Maddy is willing to take risks and perhaps put her life in danger to be with the boy she loves…
A beautifully told love story, with a great twist at the end.
What kind of story is this? A story about romantic relationships; also looks at the impact of serious disease and living an isolated life (particularly relevant for the times we’re living in). The story also looks at themes of domestic abuse and parental control.
Genre/type of book: real life issues/ relationships
Who would enjoy this story? Fans of Five feet apart will definitely want to compare the two stories
Additional notes: a movie of the book was released in 2017
For more books like this: check the What to Read next page of the Library website: https://tinyurl.com/1c7c4jub and the Real Life and Relationships section in the Campus Library
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The Spook’s Apprentice, by Joseph Delaney Recommended by Ms Newbury, Largs Academy
A gripping read for those who like their fantasy stories dark and full of foreboding, this is the first book in the Wardstone Chronicles series. The setting of the story is vague, but is probably somewhere in the north of England. As the seventh son of a seventh son, 13-year-old Tom has special powers: he can see things that others can’t like boggarts, ghosts and ghasts, and soon he leaves his family and the farm where he grew up to join the Spook to learn how to get rid of these creatures which terrorise the country around them. But before long, it becomes clear that Tom must use his knowledge and powers, as well as all the courage he can find, to take on the role of Spook himself.
What kind of story is this? A dark fantasy story full of demonic creatures
Who would enjoy this story? The story is creepy and really chilling in some parts. Fans of Darren Shan would probably enjoy books in this series. Not recommended for younger readers.
Genre/type of book: fantasy/horror
Additional notes: The book is first of 13 books in the Wardstone Chronicles series. The book was made into a movie, released in 2014
For more books like this: check the Fantasy and Spooky sections in the Campus Library
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