August 2014 BRILLIANT BOOKS S1 & S2
Transcript of August 2014 BRILLIANT BOOKS S1 & S2
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BRILLIANT BOOKS S1 & S2
August 2014
Grange Academy Library
Inspiration
Favourite books &
Favourite food
Godzilla better watch out!
Barry Hutchison
Welcome Welcome to the first issue of “Brilliant
Books.” This will include blurbs and re-
views on books we have in the school li-
brary. If you would like to add a review to
this magazine or even a drawing of your fa-
vourite book cover. Please see me.
Miss J. Reid
School Librarian
In this issue:
Barry Hutchison 2
Adventure 3
Books made into Films 4
Books that make you think! 5
Classics 6
Crime 7
Family 8
Fantasy 9
Horror 10
Humour 11
Romance 12
Sport 13
Sports 14
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BARRY HUTCHISON
What inspired you to write The 13th
Horseman?
I was sharing a flat with three RE-
ALLY annoying people at the time,
and I thought that being one of the
Four Horsemen would be a bit like
that – the others would be getting
on your nerves all the time, and
you’d always be looking for things
to do in order to make time pass
more quickly. That’s why they’re
always playing board games, just to
try to stave off the boredom and
stop themselves going mad.
What is your favourite book (not the ones that
you’ve written)?
That’s tricky. I love most of Neil
Gaiman’s books – American Gods
is a good one for adults, or The
Graveyard Book is great for both
adults and children. Growing up I
read a lot of American comics –
Spider-Man, Batman, Superman,
The Incredible Hulk – all that stuff. I
still love reading comics, and some
of my favourite stories are in graph-
ic novel format.
What is your
favourite food?
Easy – seafood. Prawns,
crab, lobster, mussels, scal-
lops – pretty much anything
that comes out of the sea,
really. If a giant sea monster
rose up out of the ocean
tomorrow I’d be after it with
a fork and a slice of lemon.
Seriously, if Godzilla ever
emerges from the deeps,
he’d better watch his back.
What is your favourite book that you’ve
written?
My favourite is
The 13th
Horseman,
although I’ll
always have a
soft spot for
the Invisible
Fiends series,
with them be-
ing my first published books. I had
a lot more freedom in Horseman
to do anything I liked, and I loved
setting my imagination loose. The
Fiends books are very story driv-
en, so you’re always racing from
one thing to the next. It was nice
to be able to slow down a bit and
sometimes include scenes or con-
versations that don’t really matter
much to the plot.
This full interview can
be found at:
www.bigbooklittlebook.com/2012/0
3/author-interview-barry-hutchison/
This site also has excellent books
reviews.
Our library has all the Mr. Mumbles series and “the book of Doom” is coming soon! 2
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ADVENTURE
Please see Miss Reid to reserve books or check the East Ayrshire Public Library catalogue.
Avenger
Andy McNab
Ex-SAS explosive expert Fergus
Watts, Danny and his friend Elena
are sucked into an undercover
operation to find and destroy
Black Star. The trail soon leads
them to New York and into spiral-
ing danger.
Double or die
Charlie Higson
http://www.charliehigson.co.uk/
Murder and mayhem. It’s just an
ordinary day for an extra-ordinary
boy. Young James Bond must
solve the cyptic clues to rescue
the professor kidnapped at gun-
point.
Girl, missing So-
phie McKenzie
“Who am I?” I sat at the comput-
er in mum’s office and stared at
the essay heading.
Lauren had always known she
was adopted but her world falls
apart when she discovers a
shocking secret. She believes
she was snatched from an Ameri-
can family, as a baby.
The recruit
Robert Muchamore
They call them “cherubs.” Secret
agents aged 10-17 who slip under
the adult radar. Secret agents
who can become friends with ter-
rorist’s children and plant bugs.
Secret agents who can save the
world…. before breakfast! Day
one is training day...
“If anyone is accusing me of cru-
elty, I remind you that the fences
that surround us are not to keep
you in, but to keep your little
chums from slipping in and giving
you a helping hand or a tasty
snack.”
Loved these?
Try these authors:-
David Almond
Enid Blyton
Tim Bowler
Robert Cormier
Catherine MacPhail
Robert Swindells
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BOOKS MADE INTO FILMS
Remember to look at the “book of the week” at the librarian’s desk.
Another me
Catherine MacPhail
“What would be the most terrify-
ing thing that could come out of
the fog? And suddenly, here on a
dark December afternoon I had
the answer. The most terrifying
thing that could come out of the
fog was…”
Millions
Frank Cottrell Boyce
Two brothers find a massive bag
of money and only have days to
spend it. So what will they do?
Buy unlimited pizza or go for
world peace.
Percy Jackson and the lightning thief
Rick Riordan
Percy always felt and knew he
was different. When he acci-
dentally vapourizes his maths
teacher, things can only get
stranger….
“ I had weird dreams full of barn-
yard animals. Most of them want-
ed to kill me. The rest wanted
food.!
The Hobbit
J. R. R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who
lives in Bag End and enjoys eat-
ing breakfasts at least twice a
day. When Gandalf the wizard
and his dwarf friends arrive. Bilbo
Baggins is soon persuaded to
set off on a journey to steal
Smaug, the dragon’s gold.
Loved these?
Try these :-
Alice in Wonderland by Lew-
is Carroll
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan
The hobbit by J. R. R Tolkien
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s
Stone by J. K. Rowling
Holes by Louis Sachar
Millions by Frank Cottrel Boyce
Mrs. Frisby and the rats of NImh by
Robert C. O’Brien
The Bad beginning by Lemony
Snicket
Miss Reid
“Another classic by this author. Try Cathy’s book, “out of the depths ” about Tyler Lawless. A girl who has a very special
gift!”
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BOOKS THAT MAKE YOU THINK!
The new book section is next to Miss Reid’s desk.
The boy in the striped pyjamas
John Boyne
When Bruno makes a new friend,
Shmuel, he is introduced to a
whole new world. In which his
father plays a powerful role.
Traitor
Gudrun Pausewang
When Anna finds an escaped
Russian prisoner of war, she
knows she should hand him to the
authorities. Her brother in the
Hitler Youth would see it as his
duty. But Anna decides to hide
and take care of him.
Ways to live forever
Sally Nicholls
“MY name is Sam. By the time
you read this. I will probably
be dead.”
Sam wants to know about UFOs
and horror movies and ghosts
and scientists, and how it feels to
kiss a girl. He also needs an-
swers to the questions nobody
will answer.
War horse
Michael Morpurgo
When Albert’s dad buys a thor-
oughbred horse he is delighted.
He and the horse become insepa-
rable and Albert is broken-hearted
when Joey is sent off to the “front
line.” But Joeys’ adventures are
just beginning...
Miss Reid
“If you read one book. Make it this one! A moving and powerful book. Which will make you think about the world, your family and
friendship.
Private Peaceful
Michael Morpurgo
When Charlie and Tommo, best
friends, enlist they are sent off to
“the front” in World War One.
What they find can only be de-
scribed as “pure Hell.” Soon they
are fighting for their lives and both
wonder whether they will make it
home.
The Tulip touch
Anne Fine
Nobody likes Tulip, except Na-
talie. She’s rude and tell lies. As
Tulip’s games become more dan-
gerous. Natalie soon realises
things are going too far….
Miss Reid
“Sad. Have tissues
nearby.”
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CLASSICS
Also try little women by Louisa M Alcott & White Fang by Jack London
Black Beauty An-
na Sewell
Follow Black Beautys’ adventures
as she grows up and meets many
owners. Some are kind who take
care of her and some are cruel.
The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe
C. S. Lewis
Four children are evacuated and
bored in the big old house until
Lucy discovers a magic wardrobe
that transports them to a magical
other world. A magic world full of
talking animals and a witch who
has cursed the land. N. B. “The
Magicians Nephew “ is the first in
this series.
Call of the wild
Jack London
Buck the St, Bernard, enjoys a life
of luxury until he is stolen and
sold off. When he joins a sledge-
dog team hunting for gold in the
Klondike. He soon realizes he
must fight to survive or die.
Alice’s adventures in wonderland
Lewis Carroll
When Alice follows the white rab-
bit down the rabbit-hole. She
soon discovers a world full of
talking animals, mad Queens and
tea parties.
Treasure island Rob-ert Louis Ste-
venson
Billy collapses and dies, when
handed a “black spot” by Blind
Pew. When searching through
Billy’s chest, Jim discovers a
treasure map and finds himself
setting off to find the treasure with
the local squire and doctor. Un-
fortunately, a mysterious cook on
board known as “Long John Sil-
ver” seems to know the crew. Al-
Charlotte’s web
E. B. White
When Wilbur the pig’s life is under
threat.. There is only one friend,
who can save him. Charlotte the
spider.
“I don’t want to die!” screamed
Wilbur, throwing himself to the
ground.
“You shall not die, said Charlotte,
briskly
What? Really?” cried Wilbur.
“Who’s going to save me?”
“I am.” said Charlotte.
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CRIME
Love reading on your kindle! Try daily cheap reads or ereaderiq.uk
Wheels
Catherine MacPhail
James is convinced he has seen
the man who killed his father.
The man who caused the crash.
The man who put James into
wheelchair. Everyone else says
he’s wrong….
Final lap
Malcolm Rose
A new sports centre is being built
but someone keeps sabotaging
it. When the manager vanishes,
Luke and Malc are called in to
investigate.
Tins
Alex Shearer
Fergal is a happy tin-collecting
nerd. Until….. He finds a bloody
finger in one of his tins followed
by a help note in another. Detec-
tive? Fergal is soon on the case
to track down the factory sending
out these tins.
Skulduggery Pleasant
Derek Landy
When Stephanie inherits a mas-
sive mansion from her uncle. She
also inherits a massive problem.
An evil horde who are hunting
down a mysterious key. Only one
man can save the day— The
dead famous Skulduggery Pleas-
ant. A crime-cracking detective,
gifted at playing dirty tricks and
skilled in the “noble” art of burgla-
ry.
The rag and bone shop
Robert Cormier
When Alicia is murdered. Every-
body believes the last person to
see her alive, Jason, is guilty. An
interrogator who is famous for
always getting a confession is
called in. Will Jason reveal the
truth or lie?
“Better be careful, Jason, he
warned himself”.”
Malarkey
Keith Gray
Malarkey has been accused of
stealing report cards and he’s
innocent. The only way he can
prove he is innocent is by finding
Mary Chase and he only has 24
hours. Unfortunately, he soon
discovers that his school is not
run by the teachers!
Miss Reid
“If you enjoy this. Try Dark water by the
same author.”
Miss Reid
“Tight plotting, credible clue
trails and last minute twists
make this real edge of the seat
reading.’ Schools Library
Association.”
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FAMILY
Looking for more suggestions. Ask your librarian, Miss Reid.
The Defender
Alan Gibbons
When Ian finds two men on the
doorstep looking for his father.
He is about to invite them in until
he sees the gun. Ian runs for his
life and while on the run he starts
to unravel the mystery of who his
father really was and what he did.
Set in Northern Ireland.
The edge
Alan Gibbons
Cathy and her son have had
enough of the fists and fights.
They decide to run away from the
man they call “the animal.” When
they escape to Cathy’s parents.
They soon realize Danny’s grand
father and the bullies at school
hate him because of his colour.
The white darkness Geraldine
McCaughrean
Sym has an imaginary friend and
advisor. Captain Titus Oates an
Antarctic explorer. So when her
“Uncle” Victor offers her a dream
trip to the Antarctic. She accepts
not realizing he has an evil plan in
mind.
Birthday blues
Anne Cassidy
Julie has been dumped by her
boyfriend and he is now seeing
her best friend, Sara. When Julie
finds a new friend, Tina. She
soon realizes that Tina has an
even bigger problem of her own.
A problem which she has been
hiding from everyone and desper-
ately needs help with.
The forbidden
Judith Waite
Elinor has always been one of the
chosen and will be bonded to
their leader when she turns 16.
Everything changes though, when
she meet Jamie, an outsider. Will
she leave the chosen or will she
convince Jamie to join her?
Holly Starcross
Berlie Doherty
Holly hasn’t seen her dad, after
she and her mum left him. But in
her new family she feels very
lonely and starts asking ques-
tions. Could the mysterious
stranger who has appeared. Help
her?
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FANTASY
Also try Garth Nix, Jonathan Stroud or Angie Sage.
Inkheart
Cornelia Funke
Meggie loves stories but her Fa-
ther refuses to read to her. Which
seems strange until Meggie dis-
covers when her father reads a
story aloud the characters step
out of the book and into the real
world. Could this explain why
Meggie’s mother disappeared
mysteriously years ago.
The Blackhope
Teresa Flavin
When Sunni’s step-brother Dean
vanishes into a painting she soon
realizes he may be in big trou-
ble… As
“They found the last skeleton in
the 1800s. It was a man dressed
in clothes from a hundred years
earlier. He was lying in the mid-
dle of the maze like the others.”
Mister Monday
Garth Nix
When Arthur collapses during an
asthma attack. He is visited by
two strangers who give him gifts
with extra-ordinary powers.
“Mister Monday spoke too quickly
for Arthur to make out what he
was saying. He didn’t slow down
until he reached the final few
words. And so let the Will be
done.”
The fire within
Chris D’Lacey
The advert read:
Lodgings available—£40 per
week. Nice room in pleasant fam-
ily house. Meals and laundry in-
cluded. Suit clean, tidy and quiet
student. Please write to: Mrs.
Elizabeth Pennykettle, 42 Way-
ward Crescent, Scrubbley. P. S.
Must like children and cats and
dragons….
The golden compass
Philip Pullman
When Lyra begins an extraordi-
nary journey that will take her to
the frozen lands of the Arctic,
where witch-clans reign and ice-
bears fight. The destiny that
awaits her will have immeasura-
ble consequences far beyond her
own world….
Eragon
Christopher Paolini
When Eragon is out hunting for
deer. A blue stone falls from the
sky, narrowly missing him. This is
no ordinary blue stone. It is a
dragon’s egg. When the egg
hatches and Eragon forms a bond
with the dragon. He becomes a
dragon rider and the fate of the
kingdom lies in his hands.
http://www.alagaesia.com/
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HORROR
Remember to look at the Horror display case at the bottom of the library
The vanished
Celia Rees
Dark tales are being sent to the
student newspaper. Tales of
plague graves, forbidden forests
and hidden steps leading to a de-
caying underworld. But they’re
just horror stories—aren’t they?
“Cassie paused, gooseflesh
creeping up her arms as she re-
membered the terror she’d felt
crossing the rotten wooden slats,
not daring to look down in case
she met the cold unblinking eyes
of the dark slimy thing…”
www.celiarees.com
Demons and shadow
Robert Westall
A collection of short stories featur-
ing;-
An empty rocking chair filled with
the souls of the dead and
a kitchen streaked with blood.
If you enjoyed this…. Try
Clay
David Almond
There are many tales and ru-
mours about Stephen Rose. The
stranger in town. One things is
certain: There’s magic in the
weird creatures he makes with
clay.
Cirque Du Freak
Darren Shan
Darren Shan lives an everyday
life in an ordinary town with nor-
mal friends. That is, until his
friend Steve gets tickets to the
banned freak show that’s arrived
in town. He is amazed by the
wolf man, the snake boy and the
goat-eating tarantula. And even
more amazed by Mr. Crepsley,
the resident vampire.
www.darrenshan.com/books
The Creeper
Pete Johnson
When Lucy and Jack listen to a
tape they find in a bookshop they
release a horrible creature seek-
ing revenge. “Remember you
Miss Reid
“I especially enjoyed “a walk on the wild side” and will never look at cats the same
way again!
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HUMOUR
These authors and others are available in the librarys’ LOL display.
The Bad beginning
Lemony Snicket
There is nothing to be found in
these pages but misery and des-
pair. I cannot fathom how you will
cope with the greedy and repul-
sive villain, itchy clothing, disas-
trous fire, plot to steal their for-
tune and cold porridge for break-
fast. It is truly too much for one
person to handle!
Billionaire boy Da-
vid Walliams
Joe’s dad invents a luxury product
and becomes a billionaire. Joe
loves his robot dog from Japan,
his roller coaster and his F1 race
track in the garden. But when his
birthday comes, there is one thing
he wants that money can’t buy.
Diary of a wimpy kid
Jeff Kinney
Greg finds himself in a new year
and a new school where weak-
lings share the corridors with pu-
pils who are taller, meaner and
already shaving. Everything is
ok, as long as Greg has his trusty
un-cool side-kick, Rowley. When
his sidekicks’ popularity soars.
Greg plans to use it for his own
plans…...
Artemis Fowl
Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl is 12 years old and
has a career as a criminal genius.
He’s planning to get back the
family fortune with a spot of cor-
ruption and kidnapping. Artemis
is planning to kidnap a fairy. Un-
fortunately, he doesn’t realize
they are armed and dangerous.
There’s a boy in the girls’ bathroom
Louis Sachar
No one likes Bradley. Except Carla. She thinks Bradley is sen-sitive and generous and even en-joys his far-fetched stories. Carla knows he can change, if only he weren’t afraid to try.
Miss Reid
“David Walliams has a wicked sense and anyone who has ever read Roald Dahl will
love this book.”
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ROMANCE
Also try Karen McCombie, Cathy Hopkins and Megan Hooper
Voices
Sue Mayfield
When Al is dumped by her arro-
gant boyfriend. She decides to
throw a bottle with a message into
the sea. When fun and friendly
Duncan finds her note. They start
to email each other and Al’s bro-
ken heart starts to mend. Until
Duncan is reported missing at
sea.
Never ever
Helena Pielchaty
Liam loves living on the estate—
life’s great! He’s the king around
here. The boys respect him and
the girls fancy him… The new girl,
Erin, won’t be able to resist his
charms.
Erin hates living on the estate.
She could do without stupid Liam
hanging out around too— He
might be good-looking. But that’s
about all he’s got going for him.
Noughts & Crosses
Malorie Blackman
A mature love story set in a world
where white people are seen as
inferior. A world where a white
boy should never fall in love with
a black girl. Welcome to Callum
and Sephy’s world.
The Awakening
L. J. Smith
Elena is used to getting what she
wants and she wants the mysteri-
ous new boy, Stefan. But Stefan
is hiding a deadly secret - a se-
cret that will change Elena’s life
for ever ....
Angus, thongs and full-frontal snogging
Louise Rennison
Georgias’ life is a disaster. She
has spots and needs to know how
to replace her eyebrows she ac-
cidently shaved off.
Miss Reid
“I read the entire book in school! I couldn’t tear myself away from
it.”
Miss Reid
“A roller-coaster ride of a book. I couldn’t
believe the ending!”
The opposite of Chocolate Ju-
lie Bertagna
Sapphire is pregnant and every-
body is trying to tell her what to
do and nobody is listening to what
she wants. She feels alone in the
world until she meets Gil who lis-
tens to her. Unfortunately, Gil
has a secret…..
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SPORT
Browse the sports section for non-fiction books at 796
Kick off
Dan Freeman
Jamie Johnson has got so much
to prove. He wants to be the
schools’ star football player. Why
aren’t his family, teacher and best
mate supporting him? The pres-
sure is on! Has Jamie got what it
takes?
“This was Jamie’s chance to
prove himself. This was what
he’d waited six months for.
Kingsfield School didn’t know who
Jamie Johnson really was. They
didn’t know the kind of talent he
head. Now he could show them.”
www.danfreedman.co.uk
Fatboyswim
Catherine Forde
Inside, Jimmy doesn’t feel like
fatboy swim. He’s just normal.
His feet stink and his rooms a
mess. If any classmates talked to
him, they’d find he was just as
clued up as they were on films,
books, and even sport. But he
won’t tell them his secret talent is
cooking. But Jimmy has another
secret that he won’t reveal to any-
one. A secret that will change
him forever.
Keeper
Mal Peet
Paul Faustino, South America's
top sports writer, sits opposite the
man they call El Gato “the Cat”
the world's greatest goalkeeper.
On the table between them
stands the World Cup... In the
hours that follow, El Gato tells his
incredible story, how he, a poor
logger's son, learns to become a
goalkeeper so good he is almost
unbeatable. The man who teach-
es him is the mysterious Keeper,
who haunts a football pitch at the
heart of the claustrophobic for-
est...
Like football books?
Try these authors:-
Neil Arksey
Terence Blacker
Tony Bradman
Michael Coleman
Dan Freedman
Alan Gibbons
Michael Hardcastle
Tom Palmer
Robert Rigby
James Riordan
Ter-
ence Blacker The
transfer
Stanley loves football and using
his mother’s top secret inventions.
When, he creates a super-football
player for his local team. Things
K. O. Kings
Alan Durant
Are you always getting deten-
tions? Do you like playing foot-
ball? Have you got loads of mon-
ey? If the answer to the first two
questions is yes, then, Bad Boyz
is the team for you! (If the answer
to question three is yes, then lend
me a fiver!)
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AWARD WINNING BOOKS
If you want more suggestions. Try good reads, fantastic fiction or lovereading4kids online
These books are available in the library. If you would like to read other award winning books. Please check
these online:-
Scottish Book Trust Red House Awards
Blue Peter Awards Carnegie
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