Faster Than Lightning

by Michael Panckridge

Reviewed by Siddharth B. of Year 7

Faster than Lightning is a thrilling book about adventure and horses. It is a great book for people who have an interest in horses. This book is the first of six books by Michael Panckridge and Pam Harvey. The second book “Top of the class” has just been released. This book is about a twelve year old boy by the name of Angus who loves horses. His father is a dedicated horse trainer.

After an odd incident at the track, Angus, with the help of his best friends Hannah, Gabby, E.D. and Ling discover weird things at the stud farm. When a horse, Lightning Strikes, appears to be the exact copy of a dead horse, Gale Force, Angus and his friends know something is not right.
Is this horse apart of a breeding program or something much worse?
You must read the book to find out.

I give this book 9/10.

Everything to live for : a story from Northern Ireland

by Stewart Ross
Reviewed by Daniel C. of Year 10

In war it is the innocent that suffer, everything to live for is part of the survivors books which tell the story of war from the eyes of the children. Everything to live for is about Lizze McCallum a thirteen year old protestant living in Northern Ireland during a conflict between the Catholics and the “prods”. The story tells of how her religion has caused her to be a second class citizen within her country because she was protestant the Catholics hated her and she didn’t know why.

Her life is turned upside down by an explosion on the main street and from there the story develops. She then questions her views. The story is not just about war, it is a story of how one event can change a person’s perspective on life and how with one event we can see if we really have everything to live for.

This book is an interesting read and gives insight into the Northern Ireland conflict. I give it a 7 ½ out of 10 and urge any one who comes by this book to read it - you will not regret it.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

By J.K. Rowling

Reviewed by Marlo B. of Year 7.

The sixth installment of the Harry Potter series does not disappoint; quite the contrary. Although it’s the sixth book to come from J.K. Rowling’s great, imaginative mind, its brilliance has not been wearied.

The mystery behind the Dark Lord’s past begins to unravel, deep pain and sorrow envelope people’s hearts, and a new mystery all together. Who is the Half-Blood Prince?Snape finally gets his most wanted post, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. New potions teacher Professor Slughorn makes a first appearance to the series, an old friend of Dumbledore’s who knows more than he lets off. Harry finds a book which belonged to the “Half-Blood Prince” and helps him breeze through his potions classes, and is commended by Professor Slughorn for his “brilliance” in potions. As well as this, some very sad, sorrowful and unforgettable events take place.

The book has very dark events happening, but it just adds to the thrill of the Harry Potter finale, which is the seventh installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. If you are a Harry Potter fan this is a must read book.

Don’t wait for the movie, the book gives a far better image of what is happening than a movie, as J.K. Rowling does a great job with the text. If you like magic, adventure and action, this book is for you! Rating 9/10

The Day After Tomorrow

By Whitley Striber

Reviewed by Hayden C. of Year 8

The day after tomorrow is a very exciting novel. It is about the movie version but ten times better. In case you have never seen the movie it is about when the world’s climate goes haywire. It is a book that has a very good storyline. It has tidal waves, hurricanes, people dying and the best bit is when everything starts to freeze.

The book is very relevant to today’s world of no one listening to the scientists about climate change until something goes horrible wrong. You should read this book .

McKenzies Boots

By Michael Noonan
Reviewed by James G. of Year 9

Don’t you just get annoyed about being forced to read a novel for English class? What is more annoying is that after you explain to your friends how boring the book is, you discover it is actually quite a good book.

McKenzie’s Boots is the inspirational story of a young man named Rod who was drawn to the action and adventure of the New Guinea Campaign. There was one problem with Rod’s war career, he was four years under the legal age requirement. Rod was only 14 years old, going into war for two reasons; to witness the finest war ships, and for his childhood crush, Brenda King.

Going into war isn’t a walk in the park, especially when you are going into battle trying to protect your true identity. During his war career, Rod encountered many obstacles, including encountering with his former teacher and confrontation with his fellow soldiers about being the right age.

Through the story, Rod encounters a Japanese soldier while he was out catching butterflies. The platoon leader hears about this and sets up a plan to capture a young Japanese man for interrogation, sending him back to Sydney accompanied by Rod who was chosen to lead the Jap safely.

After his short, enjoyable leave, which included a kiss by his crush Brenda King, Rod returns to New Guinea, receiving a medal of bravery and a higher rank.

Later on in the book, after obtaining a new pair of giant boots, Rod gets shot twice while killing the Japanese Commander with his bayonet, a true act of bravery. Rod gets buried, and it is revealed later on in the story that he is not only admired by his fellow soldiers, but also by the enemy.

I recommend this book for anybody who enjoys a good inspirational story, I give this book a 9 out of 10.

Sacrifice

by Eric Shanower

Reviewed by Daniel M. of Year 9

Sacrifice is the chilling story of the historical Trojan War. A battle between Greece, led by the ruthless leader Agamemnon, and Troy, the supposed invincible race of the time.
A young Spartan woman falls in love with Troy’s young but foolish prince, Paris, and leaves Sparta to join the prince in her new home. But unknowingly, death and war soon becomes the very thing that corrupts each of the city’s people with the help of Agamemnon, who so desperately thrives to end the Trojan race and take over the great city.

Sacrifice is a thrilling, twisted and action packed novel which will hook you till the last page.

Golf legends

by Felice Arena

Reviewed by Brandon W.

Year 7

Golf legends is about two boys, Billy and Sam who have been watching golf on TV. They get bored and decide to play golf in the local park but they have no clubs. Billy’s father walks in, throws his clubs and walks off. Billy said, "Let's use my dad’s clubs".

When they get down to the park they bet on who could hit the furthest but they both did no good. Then they tried to hit over the pond but they landed in the pond and lost all the balls. They have to go for a swim in the pond to get the lost golfballs.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

By J.K. Rowling
Reviewed by Diab K of year 10

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows alas, has been put on the bookshelf. Fans all around the world will be pleased to hear that closure may now be brought upon those who read the 7th and final chapter of Harry’s life.

Harry embarks on a journey to sought out the horrid horcruxes in which Voldemort has divided his soul into. Without the Horcruxes, the dark lord will no longer be invincible and will be vulnerable towards all who seek to kill him. Or will he? Secrets about a so called “Elder Wand” will be told. Why did Snape betray Albus Dumbledore and kill him?

Harry has no guidance without Dumbledore and is confused about who to trust. Will he be able to survive with the horrific death eaters on their way to capture him? Where will he hide? How will Harry avenge his parents death?

J.K. Rowling goes in fine detail describing the dramas and troubles faced by Harry, Ron and Hermione as they fight for their lives. Many main characters will be sent off in the arms of death.

The last and final book will see you on the edge of your chair. All will be will revealed as J.K Rowling ends the Tale of Harry Potter.


Reviewed by Brendon D. of Year 9.

At last, the seventh and final book has arrived.

Harry potter and the Deathly Hallows is based on Harry’s seventh year of knowing he’s a wizard, the toughest time of his life.

Voldemort, in his reigning years, split his soul into seven (known as Horcruxes), so that he would be able to come back to life if ever it was taken from him. He hid these in places sacred to him, places he had felt comfort, strongholds that he knew of.

After the sudden death of Albus Dumbledore, Harry is left with a deathly and dangerous task of finding and destroying the seven horcruxes of Voldemort. He is unsure of where to go and what to do. He doesn’t know who to trust.

With this new task in mind, Harry and best friends Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, decide they will not attend Hogwarts: school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but instead, embark on a journey to destroy Voldemort.

There are new spells to be learnt, and new dangers to face. Secrets to be found and stories to be told. Who is the mysterious R.A.B, and why is Dumbledore dead. For all the answers to these questions and more read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

“All will be revealed”, J.K.Rowling.

Catcher in the Rye

By J.D Salinger
Reviewed by John C . of Year 10

At first when I started reading it I started to think to myself “what another boring book to read.” I didn’t want to read it but in the end I had to.

When I was reading through briefly (turning to any page and reading) I started to like it. So I went to the first page and read.

The first chapter I can see myself as Holden when he was failing his subjects because this year I was failing some of my subjects and all I could do was confront them teachers.

The funny part in this book is when Maurice the elevator operator punched Holden and when Sunny the prostitute stole his 5 dollars.

The part I felt that touched me and almost made me cry was when Holden was watching his sister, Phoebe, riding on the carousal in the rain.

I didn’t really like how Holden gets jealous of Stradlater taking out Jane, who is Holden’s Ex on a date and when they came back, Holden asking all these questions to Stradlater then picking a fight with him.

I would recommend this book to yr 11-adults because they would understand this book more than anyone because they may or may not have been in the situation where Holden is in.

The best place to read this book is in a library or a place where you can think about the book.

I would give this book 3 stars out of 5 because the book caught my attention at the start, reminding me as Holden.

Girl Underground

by Morris Gleitzman

Reviewed by Vishal B. of Year 8


Girl Underground is a very fascinating book that continues from Boy Overboard. It is about a girl whose family are smugglers and the girl's parents want her to have a better life and education than they did because her older brother is in jail and there scared it will happen to them. So they send her to a very expensive boarding school where she makes friends with the minister's son, who has a pen friend in a refugee detention centre. So they both try to get him out of the detention centre.

I enjoyed this book very much because it had entertainment and it was adventurous.
I would give this book a rating of 8 out of 10

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

by J. K. Rowling

Reviewed by Manpreet S. of Year 7

This book is so awesome I couldn’t stop reading until I had finished. In this book Harry Potter
starts his 5th year at Hogwarts. The order consists of Mad Eye Moody, Tonks, The Weaselys,
Snape, Lupin, Black and Dumbeldore.

In this book Harry tries to learn Occluemery. Harry Potter encounters Lord Voldermort at the end of the book but unfortunately Lord Voldermort escapes, because the order arrived and Dumbeldore duelled Lord Voldermort. In this book Black dies but leaves Harry a small mirror.

I rate this book 8 out of 10

Shrek : the essential guide

by Stephen Cole

Reviewed by John T. of Year 8

This book that I have read was a really enjoyable book to read because how the author wrote the book. Because the book was about a young ogre who had no friends or no relatives just him and his home. Then one day he went out into the woods and met a donkey named donkey. Through their adventures the best part was the saving of the princess in the tower. It was an exciting book to read and it was a very imaginary book and I hope the next book comes out soon.

Holes

By Louis Sachar

Reviewed by Ben C. of Year 7

Holes is a great adventurous book that has alot of nail biting situations.

The main character Stanley Yelnats is a very unlucky person due to his great, great, great grandfather. He was supposed to carry an old lady up to a stream which would provide any person who drank from it a life of good health. But he moved to America. So the Yelnats family was cursed.

Stanley was walking along and a famous pair of stolen shoes fell from the sky and into poor Stanley's hands. Stan started to run because he thought he was lucky until the police caught him. He was trialled and was guilty. He had a choice to go to juvy or Camp Green Lake. He chose the camp. But it was no ordinary camp. It was a hot desert. Stan and other criminal boys were to dig deep holes.

Stan makes friends and gets betrayed. One camper escapes and Stan takes a gruelling challenge to look for him.

You'll have to read the book to find out what happens!

Rating: 9 and a half out of 10

Reviewed by Rohith of Year 7

Holes is a funny, adventurous and nail biting tale. Stanley Yelnats has bad luck all the time because of the family curse. Soon he gets arrested and has a choice of going to jail or camp. Soon he is on his way to camp. When ge gets there he is sent to D tent. Every day they have to dig a hole five feet deep and five feet wide. By digging the holes can Stanley and his team break the curse.

I would recommend this book to little kids all the way to adults. It is the best book you can read. You would be reading this book over and over again.

Reviewed by Adrian L. if Year 7

8 star rating

Holes was a big seller because the book was interesting. It kept you at the edge of your seat. This book was great, it had an amazing storyline as it was about a boy named Stanley Yelnats who got caught stealing shoes. But he was actually innocent, as you find out, as he just picked up the shoes from the ground and was harshly punished and eventually got sent to a camp called Camp Green Lake, which is where you had to dig holes all day.

Stanley was bullied by his so called mates such as Armpit, and then got the nickname Caveman. He then made a friend called Zero and taught him to read. Zero ran away from the camp and Stanley followed a few days later. Eventually they found a food source and survived, but then returned to find some treasure. Stanley’s lawyer proved him innocent and as well as Zero.

Stanley’s parents opened a new Camp Green Lake which was not a punishment camp but a luxurious camp. I recommend you read this book.

Journey Through Space

by Tim Furniss
Reviewed by Nathan S. of Year 7


I really enjoyed this book because it has a lot of information about space and the universe and it has some great pictures on other planets that you cannot see like Pluto. It even has heaps of information on the big bang, Comets Meteors even Supernovas. It also shows pictures of our galaxy with hundreds more in the background. That’s why I enjoyed this book.

The Book Of Lies

by James Moloney


Reviewed by Joshua M. of Year 8



This is an incredibly complex and mysterious mixture of adventure, children and magic. Marcel is quite young when a “wizard” brings him to Mrs. Timmins’ Home for Orphans & Foundlings. The wizard uses the mysterious Book of Lies to replace his memories with “safer” ones. As the orphans grow up they learn to fear the beast in the wizards’ tower at the Home and this eventually forces Marcel to escape into a much more sinister world filled with greed, betrayal and the Book of Lies.

Remote Man

By Elizabeth Honey

Reviewed by Valery B. of Year 7

I enjoyed this book because it has got humour and a great description of the character. In this book Ned and Kate have a remote to travel back in time. They go on many adventures.

People who like mysteries and love to travel back in time - this is the book to get.

I rate this book 9/10

A Taste of HP7