Welcome to Scoil Mhuire’s Review Crew book recommendations! Our lunchtime bookclub ‘The banana bookclub’ have written reviews of some of their favourite recent reads to help you pick out the perfect Christmas gifts. We hope these suggestions make it easier to find a great book for family, friends, or yourself. Happy reading agus Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir!
Book title: Ruby Redfort (look into my eyes)
Author: Lauren Child
Reviewed by Máiria Murphy, 9,
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I chose this book because my cousin gave it to me. She recommended it for my age or older. This story is about a thirteen year old girl who is really smart and an amazing code cracker. She finds out that a secret agency called ‘Spectrum’ needs her help to track down the baddest guys in business.
My favourite part is when Ruby pops toast out of the toaster and there is writing on it. It gets really interesting from then on…
The book made me gasp at every page. It was so good that I couldn’t put it down.
I would recommend this book to people who like mysteries and secret agent books.
TIP: I would wait until you are over ten to read it.
Rating: ***** 5/5 stars
Book title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone
Author:J.K Rowling
Reviewed by Máiria Murphy, 9,
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I picked this book because it looked very interesting and is popular. This story is about a boy called Harry who learns he is a wizard and goes to a school called Hogwarts. My favourite part was when Hermione said ‘It’s Leviosa, not ‘leviosaur.’ I thought that was hilarious. My favourite character is Hermione Granger because she was smart and at times a bit silly. The book made me giggle and then really focus again because I didn’t want to miss a word. I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes magic and adventure.
Rating: ***** 5 stars and 10/10
Book title:
The completely chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks
Author:Katie Kirby
Reviewed by Máiria Murphy, 9,
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I picked this book because the cover was bright and colourful. This story is about a girl called Lottie Brooks who loves Christmas. She’s planning to have a quiet one but things DO turn around! My favourite part is when Antoine from France randomly invites himself to England. I loved the character Jess and how she lightens up the mood. I couldn’t stop laughing when reading this book. It is hilarious and you do not expect what happens next. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the ‘Diary of a wimpy kid’ series as they are similar.
Rating: 100 stars!
Book title:
Star Friends: Hidden Charm
Author:Linda Chapman
Reviewed by Erin O’ Neill, 9,
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I picked this book because it is full of mysteries and magical friendships. My favourite part was when Mary pretended to be Mystic Maureen. My favourite character was Alfie as he was so silly. The book made me curious and I wanted to read more. I recommend this book for aged 7+ and it is good as a bedtime story.
Rating: 5 stars! *****
Book title: The owl in the office
Author:Lucy Daniels
Reviewed by Dylan Stanley, 12,
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
The reason I chose this book was because I like books about animals and it looked interesting. Mandy and James find an owl out of its nest and bring it to an animal shelter. When they get there they find out that the animal shelter is closing due to a lack of funds so they put on a pet show to raise money. My favourite part was when they had to collect prizes for the show. Mandy really loved animals and it really shows in the story and James helps Mandy along the journey. It was a book that had a twist and you keep wanting to read on. I would recommend it to 9-12 year olds as there was a lot to read. It was a very good book and I would definitely recommend.
Rating: 8/10
Book title: Esio Trot
Author:Roald Dahl
Reviewed by Emily Tierney, 9
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I chose this book because it looked interesting. I’ve read other books by Roald Dahl that I also enjoyed reading. The book is about a man called Mr Hoppy who is in love with Mrs Silver, but she had someone else that she loves -her pet tortoise called Alfie. Mr Hoppy comes up with a plan to try and make her fall in love with him. My favourite part was when Mr Hoppy bought 140 tortoises but only ended up using 10 of them for his plan. Mrs Silver was very silly. I found it funny that she actually believed that Mr Hoppy was doing true magic. She was my favourite character.
I found some parts funny. I was confused why Mr Hoppy still only used ten tortoises. I felt bad that the real Alfie had to go live with someone else.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes funny magic tricks and cute tortoises! Rating: 4.5/5 stars!
Book title:
Say Hello to the snowy animals!
Author:Ian Whybrow
Reviewed by Nicole Faherty, 10
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I picked this because I love animals and snow! The story is about a husky that says goodnight to every animal in the land of ice and snow. My favourite part was when the husky says ‘What a lovely snowy night!’ The book made me think of Christmas when it is snowing. I’d recommend this book to anyone that likes snow or animals.
Rating: 5 STARS
Book title:
The summer I robbed a bank
Author:David O’Doherty
Reviewed by Caoimhe Feeney, 10
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I picked this book because it looked cool and it was our bookclub book. Rex and his uncle Derm robbed a bank in Achill. My favourite part was when they stole the bank van. The characters are all really funny but Kitty is my favourite. The book made me feel weird and it made me laugh. I would recommend this book.
Rating: 10/10
Book title: No ballet shoes in Syria
Author: Catherine Bruton
Reviewed by Cara Hegarty, 10,
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I chose this book because we were reading it in book club and because I wanted to learn more about refugees. Aya arrived in the UK with her brother and Mum after leaving their home in Syria. She starts a ballet class and is soon offered a chance for a place at a ballet school but Aya worries about friends, family and her home. My favourite part is when Aya dances her dance with her bits from her journey. My favourite characters were Aya and Ciara. Aya is strong, brave and keeps going all through the story. Ciara is mean to Aya at first but then she admits her problems. This book made me feel happy and sad at the same time but at the end of the book I felt I knew more about refugees. I recommend this book to anybody who wants to learn more about refugees and anybody who likes dancing.
Rating: 100%
Book title: The girl who speaks Bear
Author: Sophie Anderson
Reviewed by Lua Collins, 9,
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I chose this book because it looked really exciting and interesting. This book is about a big, tall girl called Yanka and she goes on an adventure to find her backstory. My favourite part was when Yanka goes to the ‘House of Chicken legs’ and finds out a lot about her past. I loved the storyteller Anatoly because he always told loads of stories that were mysterious and half true. This book made me feel like I was on an adventure with Yanka. I’d recommend this book if you like adventures and old fairy tales.
Rating: 5 stars *****
Book title: Explorer
Author: Katherine Rundell
Reviewed by Aoibhí Ní Fhátharta , 8,
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I picked this book because it looked really good and the name looked interesting. The story is about a bunch of kids who get stranded in the Amazon. My favourite part is when they climb up a tree for honey but come down with a sloth! My favourite character is Lila because she is kind and adventurous. The book made me fell excited, adventurous and made me think what happens next. I recommend this book for kids aged 9 upwards. If you like Enid Blyton books, you’ll like this!
Rating: 5 stars *****
Book title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone
Author:J.K Rowling
Reviewed by Leila Smith, 9,
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I picked this book because my mum read it and said it was great. The book is about a wizard named Harry Potter who has to stay with his aunt and uncle and then finds out he is a wizard. My favourite part was when Harry, Ron and Hermione became friends. I loved Ron the most because he was funny and good at chess. I kept trying to guess what would happen next. It also made me feel happy, sad and even scared at times. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fun adventures. If you like Enid Blyton, you’ll love this. There is also a movie but I recommend you read the book first.
Rating: 10/10
Book title: No ballet shoes in Syria
Author: Catherine Bruton
Reviewed by Sienna Curtin, 9
Scoil Mhuire, Maigh Cuilinn
I picked this book because I joined the book club ad I joined the bookclub because the book looked interesting. Aya escapes Syria which is in war and moves to Manchester signing all the forms and translating for her mum because she doesn’t speak English. Aya and her mum and brother are trying to find a home. My favourite part is when Aya starts ballet and I also like when Aya first meets Dotty. Dotty, like her name, is dotty and crazy but can be great at listening if her friends need her to. The book made me feel happy and sad at the same time. I would definitely recommend this book if you like books about wars that are not fact books.
Rating 5 stars *****