'The Red Ribbon' by Lucy Adlington

JYHS Library monitors got the chance to read 'The Red Ribbon' by Lucy Adlington.

What was the book about?
"The Red Ribbon is a story about love, loss and most importantly hope."

What did you think of it?
The general consensus was that it was a slow start but well worth reading on.

"I surprisingly liked this book. It had compelling characters and an interesting plot."

"It was really good. I didn't want to stop reading it. I liked the historical accuracy."

"...as the story developed I became more immersed."

"This book had me grinning then crying the next minute I can't recommend reading it enough."

"I thought it was a brilliant book with with a powerful meaning and was extremely moving."

"I really connected with all the characters and felt what they felt!"

"This was the best book I've read so far, I loved it!"

"...the actual book is perfect."

"...she needs to do a sequel to The Red Ribbon"

Fancy reading it yourself? Pop into JYHS Library and borrow a copy.

#TheRedRibbon @HotKeyBooks

David's been reading...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins *****
Great book - highly advise reading.

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian *****
Great book, st during WWII about a scared, frail boy who finds a home with a once bitter old man.

The Vampire Rites Trilogy by Darren Shan *****
Three books in one about how Darren becomes a vampire prince after doing the trials of rites.

Amy's been reading...

I Did Not Eat the Goldfish - Roger Stevens *****

Poem book - very funny.

Kiss by Jacqueline Wilson *****

It was about Sylvie and Carl's glass collection. I loved the book.

Horrible Histories: Groovy Greeks by Terry Deary ****

All about Ancient Greece - funny and comical.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney *****

I love the book. It was very funny.

The White Horse of Zennor by Michael Morpurgo **** 1/2

Lots of short stories. My favourite story was the 'White Horse of Zennor' story because it was emotional but it had a happy ending.

Dustbin Baby by Jacqueline Wilson ****

It was a very good book, a life story.

David's been reading...

WORLD WAR HULK  by Greg Pak, Peter David, John Romita Jr *****
The Hulk got shot off planet by the Illuminati, on his return he is on the verge of destroying the planet. Can the Sentry stop him? Can anyone?
Amazeballs book - can't stop re-reading it.

Marvel Encyclopedia by Dorling Kindersley *****
More than 1,200 of Marvel's most memorable characters are featured. It's an amazing insight.

David's been reading...

The Broons, Beno and Oor Wullie by D.C.Thomson *****

I've been reading a mix of golden age classics and the more modern annuals. They are all great for the family. Perfect for reading on a cold day wrapped in a cover.

Hannah's been reading...Lorien Legacies series

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore ****
It is about aliens trying to save their planet. It was very good and I'd definitely recommend it.

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore ***
This is the second book in the Lorien Legacies series but wasn't as exciting as the first book (I am Number Four).

Why I think Watchmen is the best graphic novel in existence by Grant

Besides being one of Time Magazine's 'Top 100 Novels Ever Written' the Watchmen series has enormous fan following. So big in fact that it's famous 'smiley blood spatter' has become an iconic part of pop culture and is referenced in movies, TV and even other graphic novels.



Watchmen was originally published by DC Comics between 1986 and 1987, written by Alan Moore with the iconic art being provided by artist Dave Gibbons and colourist John Higgins. Watchmen is beautifully drawn and well written and is, in my opinion, like the Holy Bible of comic book fiction.

Almost every fantasy or sci-fi graphic novel written since Watchmen was first published has taken at least a bit of inspiration from the book, yet, Watchmen still stays its own book - unique to any other.

What makes the Watchmen novel unlike any other comic book or graphic novel is its complexity, in its narrative and its political, moral and ethical commentary on war, injustice and the value of human life. Are our doings throughout history and in everyday life are truly justified? If we do something for the 'greater good' do we really consider the impact on all dimensions of life and reality? Is it better to tell ourselves and others the same lie in order to keep balance or should we tell the cold, unwanted truth to sustain innocence and morals?

Basically you could apply and compare this book to any political, moral or ethical situation on Earth right now (especially right now) and you'd find more similarities than differences.

David's Top 5 Reads

1. Tenth Man Down - Chris Ryan

2. The Hobbit - J.R.R.Tolkien

3. Super Fudge - Judy Blume

4. Cross - James Patterson

5. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

Grant's Top 5 Books

1. Carrie by Stephen King

2. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

3. Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

4. Batman: The Long Hallowe'en by Jeph Loeb

5. Holes by Louis Sachar

Gemma's Been Reading..

King of the Cloud Forrest by Michael Morpurgo ***
Not the best. Entertaining at times but felt like it went on and on.

How to Fossilize Your Hamster: And Other Amazing Experiments for the Armchair Scientist edited by Mick O'Hare **** 
Great experiments to try.

Mr Stink by David Walliams *****
It was amazing, funny at times.

The King's Curse by Philipa Gregory *****
Amazing.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott *****
I love reading as it captures my imagination.

My Head Teacher is a Vampire Rat by Pamela Butchart *****
It was hilarious I loved it.

Alix has been reading...

Tom Gates: Everything's Amazing (sort of) by Liz Pichon *****
"It was like a diary and I found it interesting because there were a lot of illustrations and things."

Find out more about the World of Tom Gates on his website.

Molly, Heather and Aimee have been reading...

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne **** 

"It is quite a sad story but it's an amazing storyline." - Molly
"It is a bit emotional and sad." - Aimee
"I think it was quite emotional and it was very deep."- Heather

Dead Romantic by C J Skuse 

"It was good but it was a wee bit inappropriate like at the end but it was good. 3/5" - Molly
"I think it was a great book. I don't think it is appropriate for people under 11 it has some rude parts but overall it was great. 4/5" - Heather

Extraordinary Dogs by Elizabeth Wilhide *****

"It was heart warming to see all the dogs helping their owners and helping the world." - Molly

David's been reading...

I had a Black Dog by Matthew Johnston *****

It's a great help book about depression and it really helped.

Ian's been reading...

House of Robots by James Paterson *****
It's about... a boy who brings a bro-bot to school
What did you think of it? Really really cool

Big Hero 6: Book of the Film by Irene Trimble ****
It's about... a 14 year old boy whose big brother dies in a mysterious fire.
What did you think of it? Not bad, could have some pictures.

Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl *****
It's about a fox who out smarts 3 evil farmers and their 108 men! Fantastic (Mr. Fox!)

George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl *****
It's about a small boy and his mean grandma. I like the four different effects the medicine has: #1 Tall #2 long legs #3 long neck #4 tiny

The Twits by Roald Dahl*****
It's about two evil people - nothing but hilarious.

Gemma's Been Reading...

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke 5/5
Scipio was a thief and it follows him around.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K.Rowling 5/5
It was amazing I loved it.

A Brief History of Pants by Kjartan Poskitt 3/5
It was hilarious.

Ancient Greece 3/5
It was very informative.

Amy's been reading

Dear Olly by Michael Morpurgo 4/5 - It was very emotional I cried.

Have a Little Faith by Candy Harper 3/5 - The book seemed to go on forever. I wouldn't recommend it.

Best Friends by Jacqueline Wilson 5/5 - It was about two best friends. I ♥ it.

Ian's been reading...

Roald Dahl is one of my favourite authors.

The BFG by Roald Dahl 5/5
It's about an orphan girl who is kidnapped by a 24 foot giant. 5/5 Amazing!

Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl 5/5
A coinless boy who finds out his Dad's deepest, darkest secret. Superb.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl 5/5
It was about a poor kid called Charlie Bucket who finds a golden ticket! I loved it.

Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl 5/5
Charlie inherits the Wonka Chocolate Factory! Fantastic.

Matilda by Roald Dahl 5/5
A 6 year old bookworm girl finds she has a secret power. Magical.

Eilin's been reading...

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 4 out of 5
It's about a girl called Katniss and a boy Peter who get chosen to go into the Hunger Games. I thought it was a very cool and fun book to read.

Fire Starter by Catherine Forde 4 out of 5
It is about a 16 year old called Keith who was in his house baby sitting for a week, but on the second day a strange boy went into the next door neighbors house from then on it became a catastrophe. Very good book.

Tim the Tiny Horse by Harry Hill
Tim the Tiny Horse at Large by Harry Hill
3 1/2 out of 5
They are about the life of a horse that is tiny (and blue). Funny and good book for young children under 10.

Mystery of the Burnt Cottage by Enid Blyton 3 1/2 out of 5
Five kids and a burnt cottage. Nobody knows who lit the cottage on fire and the kids try and figure it out! Good book for kids who are just getting into reading chapter books.

Middle School: Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson 3 out of 5
A boy called Rafe who wants to brake every rule in the school rule book. I thought this book was good but it trailed on a bit too much.

Laura's been reading...

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky ****
This book is about a boy who just watches life around him pass, and seems to find it quite hard to be 'normal'. He is very thoughtful, introverted and lets things happen to him, but we won't know why for a very long time. I loved this book. Charlie was a character that I could understand and enjoyed following his thoughts. I love how everything makes sense in the end, but before that, his life is still so interesting. The only downside is that I didn't find it overly thought provoking.

Treasure Island by R.L.Stevenson ***
The story is of a boy who finds a treasure map and goes out to find it. It is well known classic, yet I felt it lacked in some sense. For the genre it is, I felt it lacked an exciting story, which was there in a way, but I would have liked more adventure.

Looking for Alaska by John Green
This book is about a boy who meets a girl, but finds out he might not have known who she really was/is and tries to figure out this girl. I felt as though the storyline was a bit boring. Also, I can't seem to enjoy any of John Green's books as his style of writing doesn't work for me. The way thoughts and feelings are portrayed make them hard for me to relate/empathise with them. I kind of liked the ideas of the book, however.

David's been reading...

Hulk: Banner D.O.A. by Mark Waid and Mark Bagley *****
Bruce Banner has been shot in the back of the head twice causing brain damage and when he hulks out, Abomination attacks him. Great book loved it completely.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown *****
Professor Robert Langdon tries to solve the Da Vinci Code. I really liked it as it has an interesting plot and has great suspense and action at points.

X-Men the Ultimate Guide by Peter Sanderson *****
It is an in depth guide to the X-Men characters, eras and comics and it is an amazing book.

The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket *****
The 10th chapter in the series is about how Violet, Klas and Sunny try to reach VFD by travelling up a mountain. A great book - highly recommend reading.