Hamlet - retold for kids

The book I have just read is called Hamlet and it is a Shakespeare story retold for kids by Andrew Mathews.  

I chose this book because I’ve read other Shakespeare stories like Macbeth, which I liked. Macbeth is also about a king who was murdered. 

The plot of Hamlet explores the themes of death and justice because Hamlet is seeking revenge for his dad, who was murdered.  The problem is made worse because it was Hamlet’s uncle who committed the murder, in order to take his own place on the throne and marry Hamlet's mum.  

I enjoyed reading the dramatic sections of this book, for example where the ghost of Hamlet’s dad tells him to take revenge so he can move on.  

Overall, I have found this book to be interesting and entertaining. I thought it had similarities with the story of Macbeth because Hamlet’s uncle murders the king, and Macbeth also murders King Duncan. Both stories explore the effects that murder can create in a castle setting.   

I believe teenagers would enjoy this book if they like dramatic events and ghosts.

I give it 4 stars out of 5. JH

Weirdo - Hopping Weird!

The book I am currently reading is called Weird - Hopping Weird and is written by the author Ahn Do. It is a fiction text and has 160 pages.

Weirdo’s cheery face is on the cover of the book, so I knew immediately that he is the main character. The plot also centres around Weirdo’s mum, who works at an animal hospital. She looks after the animals to help them get better, and she sometimes even takes them home.

I have found this book to be entertaining and full of humorous events. An example is the boy who dressed up as an animal to help find out what kinds of things the animals eat. 

I believe other young people aged 7-13, who enjoy stories about animals and friendship, should read this book. CE

Bride’s Story

The book Bride’s Story is a graphic novel set in a far away village in a nameless desert where it is very hot. The main character is an assassin-princess whose family and village are all high-ranking assassins. 

The princess runs away from her past and village to a big town where she won’t stand out from the crowd. There she has to hide her real identity and history, and especially the mark on her forehead that marks her as an assassin. She wears a bandanna to cover it.  In the new town, the princess is accepted by a family because she goes out of her way to help them when they are hungry. She hunts animals for their food and shows the young family members how to hunt for themselves. Eventually the family offers her a home and she marries the older brother, who she has fallen in love with.

The story explores the themes of friendship and acceptance.

Overall, I only give it 50/100 because I felt there wasn’t enough action, and it was more of a romantic story. I will, however, read the next book find out if the black figure is a messenger from the assassins.

I think other teenagers who like graphic novels would enjoy this story.

James and the Giant Peach - Roald Dahl

I am currently reading James and the Giant Peach, which is written by the author Roald Dahl. It is a fiction novel.

I chose this book because I have seen the movie and Roald Dahl is one of my favourite authors. 

James and the Giant Peach is about a young boy who escaped a violent, cruel home where he has been living with his two mean aunts. He escapes in a giant magical peach, and travels across the world with his new friends, and discovers the joy of freedom and friendship along the way.

The theme is that it’s not too late for James to make new friends, even though his parents have passed away and his aunts have been cruel and mean to him. He is still willing to make friends that care about him the way his aunts don’t. The story shows his perseverance because he does not give up even though he is in a tough situation.

My rating is 5 out of 5 ✰!

The Babysitter's Club - Claudia and the new girl

The book I am currently reading is called The Baby-Sitters Club and is a graphic novel based on Ann M Martin’s novels. It is a fiction text. 

I chose this book because the cover has bright colours and I liked that it is about two girls my age.

The story is set in a school and at Claudia's house, and explores the themes of friendship. An example of this is when Ashley first comes into the class and Claudia feels a good connection between the two and wants to be good friends with Ashley. 

So far, the complication in the story is that Ashley has to decide and make a decision to go either to art or the BSC meetings with Claudia. I predict that next Ashley will make a decision about letting go of her art career and she will go to the baby-sitter’s club with Claudia. 

Overall, I have found this book to be a great read and I give it 4 stars out of 5.

Weirdo By ANH DO

The book I am currently reading is called Weirdo 8, Really Weird. It is written by the author Anh Do and has 151 pages.

I chose this book because I knew it would be funny and enjoyable because of the picture of the boy on the front cover.  This made me laugh because he is hanging upside down above grandma, and a chicken is laying an egg beside him.

The story follows the life of Anh and tells about the crazy things which happen to him. He asks his crush out and dances with her, but then the light shut down and because he is wearing a fluoro pair of overalls, everyone looks at him and laughs. One of the kids scream out, “I always knew you were the brightest student in the class!” This is a joke because there are two meanings of bright: one means happy and smart, and the other is pointing out his glowing overalls.

One interesting part of the book is when Ahn Do‘s grandma can't pronounce words, so she acts it out instead.  It made me laugh so much because the pictures show her funny stances, for example a crouching crab.

I like this book because it is entertaining and it make me laugh. I give it 100/100! I think this book would be good for teenagers who like comedy. TA

The Giver by Lois Lowry

 The Giver is a novel about a young boy living in a utopian world, there is no war, no struggles, no fear until Jonas find some secrets and uncovers the truth.