'Girls Heart Books' blog

I hope I don't get accused of sexism here, but I found a great book blog I wanted to share with you. It's called 'Girls Heart Books' and has articles written by loads of different children's authors. If you're stuck for a good book to read, there's a book-finder page which sorts books by genre. Here's the web address for you:

http://girlsheartbooks.com/

Fear (part one) by Imogen

Imogen wants 'to make people read more, because I think it will make whole new worlds and possibilities come to life'. Here's the first part of her short story. 

Fear

 Sometimes fear is something you can't escape. Its iron fists can hold you tight, and it suffocates you with its cold grip. That's just something, something that I'm going through right now. My blood pumps through my veins quicker than I could imagine it ever could. But, suddenly, I feel strangely sick. Dizzy. The whole world spins around. I close my eyes just hoping it is not happening. But deep inside, I know it is. I shut the curtains in my room, darkness. Peace. I block the sound of the rowing downstairs out, just wishing it could end. The door slams and I watch my dad walk down the path towards his car, and drive away. 

People can say whatever they want, pat me on the back, whatever. But it will never bring my dad back into the family. He's never coming back. Ever. But, I suppose I just have to be optimistic. Optimistic? Why should I be optimistic! There is nothing to be 'optimistic' about. He's gone, Amy, just face up to the facts! But the truth is, the facts aren't encouraging, they don't have any hope, just hopeless disaster ahead.

 To be continued. 

Photo courtesy of: APatterson/freeimages.com

Enid Blyton

At the latest 'Not a Reading Club', many of you told us how much you love books by Enid Blyton. Maggie Mae is a huge fan of the Famous Five books, which she says she'd recommend because of all the adventures (although she thinks there should have been another dog in the stories!). Other people liked the Secret Seven series, the Malory Towers school stories and the books about the Faraway Tree. 

I found this website:

http://www.enidblyton.net/

which includes quizzes and information on all of her books.

This link from the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/blyton/

tells you about Enid Blyton herself. Did you know that, in 2008, she was voted the UK's best-loved writer?

I used to love reading Enid Blyton's books - my favourites were the ones in the Adventure series. I think she was the author that got me to love reading and I'm lucky to have lots of hardback books that my dad gave me from when he was young. 

Do you have a favourite Enid Blyton book?

The Summer Reading Challenge

Some of you have asked about this year's Summer Reading Challenge. This year's theme is the 'Mythical Maze' and focuses on myth and legend. You can find more information here:

http://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/

or ask at your local library. 

Opal Plumstead: a new book by Jacqueline Wilson

Darcy, one of our librarians, wants you to know about a new Jacqueline Wilson book which will be published this September. Here's what the official Jacqueline Wilson website has to say about it:

The brilliant new story, starring Jacqueline Wilson's most outspoken, fiery and unforgettable heroine yet: Opal Plumstead, schoolgirl, sweet factory worker and Suffragette.

Opal Plumstead might be plain, but she has always been fiercely intelligent. Yet her scholarship and dreams of university are snatched away when her father is sent to prison, and fourteen-year-old Opal must start work at the Fairy Glen sweet factory to support her family.

Opal struggles to get along with the other workers. But Opal idolises Mrs Roberts, the factory’s beautiful, dignified owner, who introduces Opal to the legendary Mrs Pankhurst and her fellow Suffragettes. And when Opal meets Morgan - Mrs Roberts’ handsome son – she believes she has found her soulmate. But the First World War is about to begin, and will change Opal's life for ever.The brilliantly gripping new story from the bestselling, award-winning Jacqueline Wilson.

Another librarian, Molly, says, 'I think my favourite book is probably My Sister Jodie by Jacqueline Wilson. It made me laugh and cry. We don't have a copy in school but I would be happy to lend it to anyone. My copy has gotten a bit tatty after me reading it about a thousand times, but it is still well worth the read. Oh yeah, and if anyone is running out of books to read, come and ask me or any of the librarians and I'm sure we can find you something out of the library, or I shall have a look through my collection at home for you to borrow.'

Thanks for that, girls. I'm going to have a look through my bookshelves tomorrow as I think I've got some Jacqueline Wilson books to bring in and add to our school library. I'll get them labelled up and they should be ready by the end of Tuesday!

Enjoy your extra day off this week!

What are you reading?

What are you reading (apart from the blog, of course)? Is it a book? Magazine? Comic?

Mrs Dale said she's reading a novel called Half Bad by Sally Green. I've looked it up on-line and think I may have to ask if I can borrow it - it's all about witches! I'm meant to be reading a book for a course I'm doing, but it's a bit hard going, so I'm taking some time out and reading Stargazing by Peter Hill. It's the autobiography of someone who used to be a lighthouse keeper on the islands around Scotland. 

Leave us a comment and tell us what you've read recently!

Warriors - Into the Wild

Imogen has written a review for Erin Hunter's book, Warriors, Into the Wild:

I highly recommend this book to children aged 9 or older. It is not a picture book but the way Erin Hunter describes the setting and characters is just amazing! There are three series so far and I'm reading the first one all over again, they're just so good! Firepaw at first is a pet cat, but he meets wild cats who encourage him into their clan. This story will have you begging for more!

A great review, Imogen, thank you! Did you know there's a website that tells you all about the books? It includes quizzes, games and extra information about the settings and characters. You can find it at: http://www.warriorcats.com/books.

Paige the Pantomime Fairy

Grace has a book to recommend. She writes:

1. I love this book it is called Paige the Pantomime Fairy. The author is called Daisy Meadows. This book is about some goblins that take and steal some of Paige's things.

   
   

   This book has got three stories in one !!!!!!! It has got exciting adventures. The 1st story is called The Ballet Slipper Slip Up, the 2nd one is called More Missing Magic, the last one is called The Show Must Go On. I like this book because I love FAIRIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Thank you for your review Grace. I know several people who love these fairy stories!

Short story starter - The Cornish Box

My daughter found this wooden box in her attic. Can you write a story about it? Where might it have come from? What's inside it? Who does it belong to? She lives in Cornwall - is it to do with smuggling?

These ships are from nearby Charlestown. Have they got anything to do with the mystery?

Can you write a short story that explains everything? 

You can add ideas as comments, or give me your story after the Easter break and I'll put it on the blog. 

The Worst Thing About My Sister

Darcy reviewed The Worst Thing About My Sister, by Jacqueline Wilson:

'Travel through life with Marty and Melissa, but don't expect an easy ride!

Marty is a Tom-boy who knows what she wants, while Melissa would die for a new pair of shoes. Marty has a different kind of imagination, but her mum doesn't always see that as a good thing.

This story is easy to relate to. Every word shows a moment from the girls' lives. Jacqueline Wilson has written a diary all about the wonders (and lows) of being a sister.

So join Marty and Melissa. Enjoy it, but watch out! Trouble might be about! Find the sisterly love!' 

Thanks for your review, Darcy. 

Have you read any of Jacqueline Wilson's books? Which would you recommend?