Buzzing Book Reviews

Frankel Mouse and the Bestish Lair

By Odo Hirsch

Reviewed by Mhairi Rowbottom, Opoho School, Dunedin

Do you know what a Mousepanic is? Well, cousin Ruthie would tell you.
Frankel, Berrel, Cousin Ruthie, Michel and Steven the newcomer try to find the bestish lair.
I think this book has a sense of adventure, and I know I want to read the first book.
I rate this book 10/10. All ages will enjoy this book.

The Assassins of Rome

By Caroline Lawrence

Reviewed by Philip Trebilco, Opoho School, Dunedin

This book is filled with fun, mystery and wonder. It is about 4 children – Flavia, Nubia, Jonathan, and a mute boy Lupus. They are in the Roman Port of Ostia and are trying to solve the mystery of the assassins of Rome, but they don’t know the full truth. You’ll have to read this book to find out.
This is a book in a series of 7, but they don’t need to be read in order for them to be enjoyed.

Knocked for Six

By Alison Robertson

Reviewed by Ben Lovelock, Opoho School, Dunedin

This has to be my favourite book ever. It is a story about a boy named Tony who lives in Porirua in the North Island. Tony really wants to play for his school cricket team but his Mum tells him that he has to visit his dying Grandma, so he will miss the trials. On top of that he falls off his bike, his best friend goes away to boarding school, his new cricket gear is stolen, the girl he hates most in the world gets him in trouble at school, and his Mum wants to sing in public – how STINK!
Will life improve for Tony? Will he get to play cricket? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
I would recommend this book for anybody who loves cricket, and give it a massive 10/10.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

By J.K.Rowling

Reviewed by Finn Booth, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is not the first in the series, it is actually the 6th, so I would recommend reading the others first.
J.K Rowling is a very good author. This one is when Harry finds out about horcruxes and searches for some of Voldemort’s horcruxes with Dumbledore.
There are a lot of twists and turns and a dynamic finish. I rate this book an excellent 10/10.

Eragon

By Christopher Paloni

Reviewed by Pippi Miller, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is an epic fantasy tale of a moving relationship between boy and dragon. Eragon is a 15-year-old farm boy. He finds a blue stone in the Spine (a ridge of mountains) and brings it home thinking it will at least pay for some food. When the ‘stone’ hatches to reveal a shining blue dragon he is forced to flee from his home village Carvahall, away from the maddened King Galbatorix. You will have to read the book to find out about his choices and adventures.
This is definitely my favourite book and I would rate it 10/10.


Deltora Quest
The Shadowlands

By Emily Rodda

Reviewed by Mana Robinson-Poutama, Opoho School, Dunedin

Emily Rodda is back with her next book ‘The Shadowlands”.
This is a book about Lief, Barda and Jasmine who cross into the Shadowlands to find the third and final piece of the Pirran Pipe. There is lots of trouble, mayhem and life-threatening decisions. Will Lief and his friends get the last piece of the Pirran Pipe, or will they come to their doom? Read this book to find out.
This book is suited for the ages 9-14.

Lizzie Zipmouth

By Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Zoe Liddell, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is one of my favourite books by Jacqueline Wilson.
The book stars Lizzie and her mum. Lizzie has 2 step dads. Her first is all jolly and friendly and buys her heaps of presents when he is in a good mood, but then shouts and fights with her when he is in a bad mood. So Lizzie and her mum run away, and her mum meets Sam with his 2 sons Rory and Jake. Lizzie does not want to be with them. Will Sam have the same bad moods? You will have to read and find out.
This is a good weekend book. I give it a 10/10!

Uncovered

By Paul Jenning

Reviewed by Te Ari

This book explains lots of funny stories like bad rabbits and a kid that goes through a point in his life when he gets teased. It is a great book to read, and has 8 stories in it that are just a good length.
I recommend this book for ages 10-14 years.

One Day at Horrorland

By R.L. Stine

Reviewed by Holly Stringer, Opoho School, Dunedin

“As we entered the gates to Horrorland we had no idea that in less than 1 hour we would be lying in our coffins.”
This book is the best book I’ve ever read! It is about Lizzie, Luke, Clay, and Mum and Dad who get lost going to a theme park and end up at Horrorland. Then the children get lost, and get told by strangers that their parents have left without them.
Will the kids ever see their parents again? I hope so!
I rate this book 10/10 and recommend it to people ages 9-12 years old. I know you will enjoy it if you read it!

Kid’s Survival Handbook

By Claire Llewellyn

Reviewed by Anton, Opoho School, Dunedin

I liked this book because it is fun to read. It has how to survive in rough conditions like in the middle of a hurricane or a vast ocean with stingrays, sharks and jellyfish! It shows you how to tie different knots, and gives medical information that would definitely help you survive. It has extremely interesting facts – for example, if you are waterless in a dessert to look for a shrub and place a plastic bag on it, wait an hour and you will have some water!
If you like interesting facts you will enjoy this book. I give it a 9/10.
Pride and Prejudice

By Jane Austen

Reviewed by Molly McKinnon, Opoho School, Dunedin

It’s the funniest love story in history! When the Bennet family goes to the Netherfield Ball they make an acquaintance with visitors who are going to live in Netherfield – Mr. Bingly and Mr. Darcy.
Read the book and find out about the romantic relationship between Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. At the same time the four other daughters and mother are trying to convince Elizabeth that even though Mr. Darcy is a man of good fortune his manners are disgraceful because he thinks he is high above his company.
My favourite part is when Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth.
I rate this book a huge 10/10.

Lizzie Zipmouth

By Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Grace Kiore, Opoho School, Dunedin

This book is about Lizzie and her mum who are moving in with another man after her mum has just got divorced. Sam, the new step dad, is very nice but Lizzie will not talk to him or his 2 sons Rory and Jake. Lizzie just wants to be happy. The question is do Lizzie and her mum stay with Sam? Will Lizzie ever get on with Sam and his boys?

Monster Mission

By Eva Ibbotson

Reviewed by Sian Stables

On a secret island, three aunts are plotting a wicked crime. Armed with stun-darts, tranquillizers and a large trunk, they set off to capture two boys and a girl, and plunge them into an amazing, thrilling and magical adventure. Are the Aunts trustworthy? You will have to read this book to find out.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes magic, and give it a 10/10.

Pro Wrestling

By WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)

Reviewed by Daymon Houston, Opoho School, Dunedin

This book explains about the sport of World Wrestling Entertainment, filmed in the United States. This sport is all re-enacted but the injuries are real. The great thing about this book is that it tells you all about the wrestlers when they were younger and how they got into this sport.
I would rate this book 10/10 and to the ages 11-17.

The Miserable Mill

By Lemony Snicket

Reviewed by Maddy Kiore, Opoho School, Dunedin

This book is about three orphans (Violet, Klaus and Sunny) who were put in a mill by Mr. Poo. Their parents died in a house fire, and Mr. Poo is the guardian of the huge amount of money left to them. This evil man wants the money for himself and will not stop until he gets it!
This is the fourth book in the series, and I recommend reading the books in order. I believe this is a great book for 8 years and older.

The Dare Game

By Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Kezia Bates, Opoho School, Dunedin

I think this Is Jacqueline Wilson’s best book yet!
Tracy Beaker is back in The Dare Game, a book about a 10-year-old girl and all the adjustments she is tired of making in her life. Read about how she deals with her poxy social worker ‘Elaine the Pain’, her new school, foster mum, friends, and her ups-and-downs with her real glamorous mum! Will it all work out for her?

The Bad Beginning

By Daniel Handler (written under his pen name Lemony Snicket)

Reviewed by Amy Jones, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is a nail-biting story. Three children, Violet, Klaus and Sunny are the survivors of a tragic fire which kills both their parents and they are sent to live with Count Olaf. He is a terrible man who will do everything to get the fortune that was left for the Baudelaire orphans.
Travel through the series to see if Count Olaf gets the fortune.
I rate it 10/10.
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator

By Roald Dahl

Reviewed by Jack Cho

WHOOSH into SPACE! Charlie’s family and Mr. Wonka went up to space mistakenly inside of the glass elevator. Some aliens appear and aliens chase Mr. Wonka’s glass elevator.
If you want to know what happens to Charlie’s family and Mr. Wonka, READ THE BOOK! Then you will find out what happens.
Book of World Records

By Scholastic Books

Reviewed by Matthew Dukes

311 pages of facts! Nature facts, human made records, science and technology facts, money and business records, sports records, popular culture records. So as you can see – a big bunch of records! And the best thing is they also name the 4 runners-up!
I give it a 10/10

It’s Great To Be Eight

By Beverly Clearly, Roald Dahl and others

Reviewed by Chris Gillet

This book has 12 stories about being eight. I think this book has fabulous stories, some of the best stories in the world, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I give this book a great 8/10.

Candyfloss

By Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewed by Fa’ao’o Lale, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is one of my ultimate favourites! The main character is Floss. Her stepfather Steve gets a promotion and has to go to Australia but Floss does not want to go, so she decides to stay with her Dad. He’s not much good at ironing or putting up swings, but they muddle along on a diet of chip butties and candyfloss. But then disaster strikes and they find themselves homeless. You’ll have to read the book to find out what will become of them?
My opinion is that this is an amazing book. It is a bit sad, but also gives you lots of giggles. I definitely give this a 10/10.

A Series of Unfortunate Events
The Wide Window

By Lemony Snicket

Reviewed by Ezra King, Opoho School, Dunedin

This is the third in a long series of eight books. In this book the Baudelaire children are in the care of their paranoid Aunt Josephine who is tricked into being charmed by one of the many dessing of Count Olaf. But what will Count Olaf do to gain control of the Baudelaire orphans and their fortune? Read to find out!

Shadow of the Whale

By Celia Davis

Reviewed by Casey Wheeler, Opoho School, Dunedin

Shadow of the Whale is a great book. It is about a boy called David who is 13 and hates his family. Emma, his bratty 10-year-old sister who is a miss goody good, tries everything to get him in trouble and it works! His Mum and Dad don’t do much to help him out.
But then everything changes when a bus hits Emma and David. David looks at Emma and her eyes are closed and there is blood running down her face. Will David ever talk to his sister again?
This book is one of my favourites, and I recommend it.

Framed

By Frank Cottrell Boyce

Reviewed by Alex McMillan, Opoho School, Dunedin

I feel Framed is a very funny book. It is all about a boy called Dylan who is the only boy in Manod, a small town in Wales. Manod is an ordinary town until strangers from London arrive and have a secret up in the old quarry up the mountain. Is it the Ninja Turtles lair? I’m not going to tell you. You’ll have to read the book. But I will tell you that Manod slowly changes because of the visitors.
I rate it a 9/10 for funniness. You should be around 10-13 years old to understand the humour.