Children's Books > Jonathan Swift Children's Books

Advantages: complex characters; interesting city; interesting ideas
Disadvantages: events slightly too signposted in advance

The second book in the 'Wind on Fire' series starts from a less familiar perspective and situation than its predecessor, 'The Wind Singer', which may be why I didn't feel as immediately engaged in the plot. Five years have passed since Kestrel and Bowman Hath rescued the city of Aramanth from the power of the Morah and although life has become more equal, the city is weaker and its citizens less focused. This leaves them ripe for plunder by Ortiz ...
...is only equaled by his pride in his skills. His brisk and merciless attack on the city means the Manth people are enslaved once more and begin the long trek to reach the Mastery, a strange world that revolves around the Master, who, like many despots, believes that he enslaves people for their own good. In the haste, Kestrel is left behind in the dying city, but soon embarks upon a quest to find her people and avenge them by destroying their captor. ... Read review

Advantages: A gripping tale
Disadvantages: it's literally gripping, you'll hate being disturbed

...and down comes the word GOLEM and they are tossed into a game. They go separate ways, Mr. Mullins tries the left doors when Majid chooses the right, now they both are in the adventure but before they get too far the game uninstalls and then they resume their chat and lives. But Majid's class mate, Aisha, has recently seen blue smoke filling out of the cracks in Majid's front door, and when Majid is forced down to the basement, there is this massive ...
...Mr. Mullins get his dream golem (Natasha) to come through the computer and will Majid notice that Mr. Mullins is staring at Natasha weirdly? And what is this mysterious blue smoke? These are the questions that are still in my head and I'll never find these things out until I've finished the second book. As soon as you start reading this book you can't loosen your grip on the book, you can't stand up as you are literally glued to the seat, if dinner's ... Read review

Advantages: brilliant to read very involving
Disadvantages: complex plot

Snakehead by Anthony Horwitz. A brilliant book, to put it in short the final in the Alex Rider series and in my opinion the best. This book seems to be a notch up from the rest in reading quality it has a darker feel to it and its seems much more for adult. It continues straight away from the previous book Eagle Strike a great book to read as well. Alex has just come down from space in the return shuttle. From being picked up by the army and then ...
...Alex(as always with the Alex ride books. The book is a lot more complex and has a lot more twist and surprises than the other books and it finally at the end reveals the biggest secret of all the books. But I am not going to say it because it would spoil it for all of you who haven't read it. Alex rider defiantly becomes more adult and moves on from the kiddie sort of books. I would recommend this books for 12+ as the plot is very complex. ... Read review

Advantages: Memorable characters, appealling to all ages
Disadvantages: Uneventful at times

"Oh no!", another book based on war that I have to teach to an array of interesting and lively pupils. "And it looks quite long!" These were my first thoughts when i came across this book but I couldn't have been more wrong. The teenagers were engrossed throughout - as was I when i first read this book. Mainly because the two main characters (a grumpy Mister Tom who lives in the countryside and the evacuee he takes on- young Willie Beech from London) ... Read review

Advantages: A unique narrator
Disadvantages: A controversial ending

Armed with 60 Year 8 students, i went to the theatre to watch a one man performance of 'Private Peaceful'. A memorable performance by a lovely Irish actor really displayed the poignancy of this book. Told through the eyes of a young lad - it stands out from numerous other fiction books based on the war. The humour and honesty of the narrator is a sign of Morpurgo's talent. I've since read and listened to the book many times and teach it to my pupils. ... Read review