Staff Reading Challenge

Congratulations to all the members of staff who completed the reading challenge.  Mr Chris Aikman was announced as the winner at briefing and received his prize of a box of chocolates.



As promised the reviews, written by staff and students, have been gathered together to produce The Carnegie Award Reading List

CARNEGIE Staff Reading Challenge 2015 – Book Reviews

	My Brother’s Shadow by Tom Avery   My brother’s shadow is a terribly sad story about a girl called Kaia, who loses her brother. She finds it hard to cope with her loss, feels frozen in time and unable to move on from this awful tragedy. Her friends don’t know how to help her and leave her on her own. An imaginary friend appears who helps her overcome her sadness. It as a beautiful and deeply emotional story that is likely to cause you to shed a few tears. (Mrs Irwin)
	When Mr. Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan   An excellent book, although not one for younger readers. Very funny and heart-warming, it treats its main characters with respect, and in Dylan Mint, Brian Conaghan has created a narrator full of humour, honour and wit. A must read. (Mr Aikman)   The novel focuses on Dylan Mint, a 16-year-old with Tourette syndrome, and his struggles managing his condition at home, and in his SEN school. In addition to this, Dylan believes that he has a life limiting condition and only has a few months left to live - will he be able to achieve everything on his bucket list?   The novel deals sympathetically with how a teenager facing the trails of a teenage life, also copes with additional problems, but the nature of his condition means the language used in the novel is not suitable for younger readers. However, at times the characterisation can be a lacking in depth, and Dylan can come across as seeming much younger than his 16 years. (Mrs Lundie Hill)
	Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan   This was a well written story which gets the reader emotionally invested in the main character’s journey right from the start. I think the author painted a realistic picture of how school life can be for a girl of Apple’s age, especially one for whom family life is so far from ideal. I felt a sense of hope throughout because of the English teacher’s passion for his subject and compassion for Apple. He helped her to process her own feelings through the use of poetry. (Mrs Clamp)   This is a lovely book about the traumas of being a teenager along with the stress of trying to work out where you belong. Very easy to read with very accessible characters. (Mrs Dean)   In the book, Appolina Apostopolou, or Apple as she calls herself, goes on a heart-warming journey from living with her Nan to living the “rock star” life with her mother. I believe that this book is the best book of the Carnegie shortlist 2015 of the seven books that I have read so far because of its, well everything! I would recommend this book to any avid readers from young and old; I have already mentioned it to my mum! To conclude, I think that Apple and Rain is an amazing book that all should read. I hope that you read it too. (Charlie Bolam 7S)   I really enjoyed reading this book. In terms of style I liked the way that the author weaved poetry into the story. I could also really relate to wanting something a lot but finding that what you thought you wanted is flawed. (Mrs Hawkins)   It's a great book that is impossible to put down. During the book you feel like you're on a journey with Apple and watching her overcome the obstacles in her life. It also has many sad endings but better beginnings. (Isla Pennifer 8N)   I thought it was a tear jerker, but it was really sweet. It was as if someone took the sweetest thing and salt and mixed them together. (Fionnuala Cassidy 7E)   I loved reading this book. I felt sorry for Apple when her mum abandoned her. I also felt sorry for her mum and her sister. It was a truly amazing book and I read it in one day. (Kayleigh Cooper 8R)   This book is fabulous! What I particularly liked about it is the writing style. It’s written in simple language yet the story is written in a way that the characters come alive – you feel for them, you care for them and you are emotionally involved.  This book is a winner! (Mrs Mayer-Khan)
	The Company of Ghosts by Berlie Doherty   I love the way Berlie Doherty writes – she creates believable and interesting characters. Ellie – teenage girl is resourceful. Great description of the island, gives a powerful sense of place. Highly recommended. (Mrs Webb)
	The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss   A well-paced story with a believable main character who is struggling to deal with the death of her mother, unexpectedly. Moving and absorbing. It is nice to see her maturing in understanding. (Ms Hopkin)
	Tinder by Sally Gardner   A well illustrated, odd but slightly pretentious book. It’s fairly slow-paced, which in this case isn’t a bad thing, and written in a style found more often in older books. The characters are a little thin however. (Mr Aikman)   I thought Tinder didn’t have a point, but that made it more interesting. When a man gets on the wrong side of Death he ends up realising how much he should have given up to him. (Lily Donaldson 7E)   It was very hard to get into, sometimes confusing, but it was a good book. The story line was very different and obscure. (Clare Baker 8R)   Fantastic illustrations and an amazing story. Death, horror, romance and fantasy. The boy is an orphan (sort of) and he travels to a wolf town and on his way falls in love with a girl and is accused of murder. (Caius Datt 7S)
	Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge   A bit of a slow start, while it set up the story. Is a mystery/fantasy, so not clear at start what is happening. However, soon gained pace. Interesting plot line and easy reading. 7/10 (Miss Jackson)   I really enjoyed this book and I especially liked how the reader discovered the story from “Fake Tris’s” point of view. (Beth Dickinson Macrae 8R)   I really enjoyed this gripping fantasy/history. It had a great plot, lots of twists and very well developed characters. I never wanted to put this book down. (Luke Nixon 7N)   A slow start and a rushed ending don’t detract too much from an otherwise good read. I went into it not knowing what to expect and found a nicely creepy and mysterious story, full of unpredictable twists and turns. (Mr Aikman)
	The fastest boy in the world by Elizabeth Laird I was really drawn in the story. The author described the setting (Ethiopia) in vivid detail. Although Solomon’s life was very different from that of a British eleven year old, his dream is surely shared by many Beaumont students. (Mrs Lutz)   I was touched when the boy’s grandad collapsed and shocked he beat the bus. The book was truly amazing. (Kayleigh Cooper 8R)   Very good book. The book was very inspiring because the boy had a tough family life and he completed a challenge in a great way. (Ellie Thomas 8N)     It was very interesting and fun. I really enjoyed the fact that it was a type of book I have not read and I just could not put it down. I could really connect with the character. (William Anstey 7N)     Short but amazing and shows that anyone can chase their dream. (Natasha Johnston 7S) A charming little book which provides a nice snapshot of life in Ethiopia. Written with younger readers in mind, it is an easy book to get in to. (Mr Aikman)   I really enjoyed how the story was built chapter by chapter with twists and turns. A really nice short, quick read with a style available to a wide range of ages. (Miss Rolfe)
	Buffalo Soldier by Tanya Landman   Charley is a young slave girl, freed after the US Civil War. Finding that “freedom” means anything but for African Americans, she poses as a man to gain entry to the US Army. Deployed on the frontier she and her friends see the awful brutality of America’s expansion first hand. A powerful tale, it doesn’t shy away from the violence and racism of the time. The ending feels a little rushed and the book often skips forward in time abruptly, but this doesn’t distract too much from what is an excellent book. (Mr. Aikman)   This was a gripping story – you never know what is going to happen next. I was blown away by the level of authentic historical detail and I was shocked by the horrors depicted: the treatment of slaves, the civil war, the opening up of the prairies for settlement and the persecution of the Native Americans. (Mrs Papanicola)   A thrilling story, got me hooked. I love history and I learnt several new things whilst reading this. (Berenice Laurant 9S)     I’ve never read a book like it before, the idea to write a book about this subject was brilliant. It was beautifully written and it was obvious that the author loves to write about that period in history. I would rate this book 5 stars and recommend it to everybody! (Sian Appleyard 8L)
	Scarlet Ibis by Gill Lewis   I really liked this book – I read it all in one morning! Some parts were quite sad, such as when Red tries to make Little Red fly away from the fire. Scarlet was so mature in looking after her family and I was glad when she was able to enjoy her childhood with her foster family and friends in school. She was a very open-minded young girl, so it made me happy when her school friends accepted her once they knew the full truth. I would recommend to young adults (mature). (Mrs Rosler)   I really enjoyed this book, even though I didn’t expect some events to happen. Like I didn’t think Scarlet’s friend would be so nice and offer her food and clothes. I also didn’t expect Baba Yaga to “betray” Red and Scarlet. It was  very cute that Red called himself “Bird Boy”. (Zofia Dybowska 8L)
	The Middle of Nowhere by Geraldine McCaughrean   Really enjoyed this book, it was a wonderful insight into the Australian outback during the very late 1800’s (almost 20th century) and just what it was like to live there. The story is told through the eyes of “Comity”, a young girl living alone with her father after her mother’s unfortunate death. It tells the reader all about friendship, love and determination during hard times (with a bit of light humour thrown in). Comity is a feisty young lady who you end up really liking and respecting by the end of the book J. (Miss Kent)   Despite an often tough subject matter (a young girl loses her mother in the Australian Outback) it is an uplifting tale about growing up and realising that every action, no matter how small, has a consequence. (Mr Aikman) I liked the book as it featured a lot of twists. It was very enjoyable. I would recommend this book to people who don’t like waiting for a book to get going. (Thomas Flury 7N)   This is a story about a girl in the Australian outback who meets the Aboriginal Fred and her adventures through her mother’s death, Quartz Hogg and Morse messages. It’s a beautiful and poetic book and the girl is very admirable. She is able to stay strong and brave through all the different events. It also teaches you about Fred’s  religion and how he thinks. In conclusion it is a beautiful book yet slightly unrealistic. (Natasha Johnston 7S)
	Hello Darkness by Anthony McGowan   I loved it! The book had a constantly changing twist of events, the characters in the book are all described in detail but are still all completely different. The main character is particularly interesting as he had mental problems in the past and is now badly bullied. (Eden Calvert 7E)   I think the book was really good. I like how there was a big twist at the end.  (Niamh Gallagher 7E)   I found the book o.k. I like the twist at the ending. I found the dwarf story funny but the rest of the book was a bit boring. Out of the 3 books I read, this one has been the worst. (Jennifer Evans 7E)   I thought that Hello Darkness was a great book. I liked how the book was being told like a story by a real person. I really liked the plot about the animals dying, not the deaths but the story line. (Leon Walcott 7E)   I am not sure about this book and I think it doesn’t get to the plot quick enough. I don’t understand some of it. (Jess Warwick 7E)
	More than this by Patrick Ness   I thought it was really thought provoking and increasingly mysterious as the book went on. I couldn’t stop reading and my eyes were glued to the words on the pages. Each page was packed with  a new surprise and I just wanted to find out what it all meant. It was like I had solved a puzzle when I finished the book; I was so satisfied. This book is amazing! (Heather Magee 8N)   I loved “More than This”, as the book plunges straight into the plot, only filling in pieces of the story as it goes. I thought this lead to an entirely thrilling read and the ideas explored were remarkably thought-provoking (not to mention the ending, which nearly killed me). (Raya Tan Ward 9E)   A very well written book about life, death and reality. A great page-turner with brilliantly described characters. Dystopian fantasy in the not too distant future. (Mrs Hicks)   I liked the use of two worlds and flashbacks because they create tension and mystery. However, I feel that the ending was not as dramatic as the rest of the book. (David Robins)   More than this is a really gripping book that takes you through every emotion there is and contains action, adventure and tragedy. It’s one of the best books I’ve read. (Isla Pennifer 8N)   An incredibly thought provoking book that has been written expertly. I enjoyed the balance between past and present, I only wish that the ending was more satisfying! (Laura de Havvilland Llewellyn 8R)   A punch at every corner, but at the end there is a killer blow. An amazing book. (Charlie Bolam 7S)
	Close your Pretty Eyes by Sally Nicholls   Really good read, but not an easy one!  Two plots: first about a girl called Olivia, longing to be loved, but goes from one foster home to another. Sub plot: Olivia is haunted by Victorian baby farmer – a real person born in 1837 and hanged for the murder of over 400 babies. Probably suitable for Year 11, 12 and 13. (Miss Findlay)   Good for an older reader (Sixth Form), nice short chapters – easy to read. Well written – I was able to sympathise with the character even though her actions are wrong! Good subplot! Great read! (Sarah Nicholson 13SLU)
	Trouble by Non Pratt I loved it. It was an easy read but as I have teenage children I was really ‘into’ it. It tackled teenage issues and I particularly liked the parent/child relationships and teenage friendships. (Mrs Travis)   I liked the book. I thought it tackled the subject of teenage pregnancy well and also showed the impact of “having a reputation” (the substance of which may or may not be true) along with friendship issues and the need to be in with the “popular crowd”. (Mrs Parsons)
	Picture me Gone by Meg Rosoff An original and interesting story, reflecting the sometimes strangely muddled relationships and good intentions of adults as observed by a very bright and likeable teenager, who has friendships of her own to deal with. (Mrs Romain)   I think “Picture me Gone” is an ok book with an interesting story line. At the start, the disappearance of Matt could have been made more dramatic as I felt it was very boring. In the middle  of book, nothing major seems to happen, so the book starts to get boring. However, the end was interesting, but there was no build-up to it, so wasn’t amazing. (Alex Gray 9A)
	Smart by Kim Slater   An interesting first person account. It shows what goes through an autistic person’s mind (I believe the character is autistic) and how never giving up can bring great rewards. Highly recommended. (Berenice Laurant 9S)   An engaging piece of teen crime fiction. It gives the reader an insight into the world of a young man dealing with learning difficulties, who solves crime while coping with a dysfunctional home life headed by a violent and abusive stepfather. That said, it was still an enjoyable and easy read. (Mrs Leonard)
	Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith   A hard book to get into initially because of the odd tempo of the writing, I eventually tuned into the rhythm of it and found myself engrossed. It is an often touching and funny story of the confusing ‘jungle’ that is the teenage years. (Mr Aikman)   I am a huge fan of dystopian/apocalyptic fiction and enjoyed the 21st take on dystopia such as “Unwind” but I remain unimpressed. There is only so much “dick in a jar” that one can take. The explicit invectives meant that I found it difficult to pass the book on. Nothing against giant praying mantises – honest! (Mrs Janoskova)
	Monkey and Me by David Gilman   I really enjoyed the book. David Gilman draws the reader into the perceptions and perspectives of a 9 year old boy on a mission to rescue Malcolm the chimpanzee from the cruel and confusing world he finds himself in. The story of both Beanie and Malcolm is gradually revealed with lots of action, humour, quirky characters and a satisfying conclusion. This would make a great film. (Mrs Vine)   I couldn’t take my eyes of the book when I started reading it. I enjoyed it because I liked the story. It was an absolutely brilliant read. (Kayleigh Cooper 8R)