Pale by Chris Wooding (Young Adult, reading age 8)

 

 2012, Barrington Stoke
76 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Intended Age: Young Adult

Reading Age: 8 

 

Themes: bullying, gang mentality, fear, persecution, tormenting others, prejudice, wearing someone else's shoes, finding new friends, slums, kindness of others, some moderate violence

Summary from Barrington Stoke

The Lazarus Serum can bring you back from the dead. Only thing is, you come back as a Pale. An outcast. Jed can't imagine anything worse, but then the choice is taken out of his hands
 

Nayuleska's thoughts
 

This wasn't a light read (no pun intended!) and its quite horrid (bear in mind I mostly need lighter reads at the moment), but I think it shows bullies & those who stand by while they hurt others that life on the other side of the fence isn't all that different. I love the concept of the pales and hope maybe there will be a sequel to this 9/10 read. It was a bit too dark for my tastes but will suit those loving dystopians.

Suggested read 

If you like this try another Barrington Stoke book The Dying Photo by Alan Gibbons

My Scorching Summer Diary by Kelly Ann, by Liz Rettig (Young Adult)

5th April 2012, Corgi
314 pages, Paperback
Review copy
 

Themes: summer work placement, reality at odds with initial impression, life in a hotel, severe misjudgement, lies, deception, insanely unfortunate & hilarious events, big life lessons, true friendship, overindulgence, teen romance, occasional language

Summary from Random House Children's Books 

 Seventeen-year-old Kelly Ann leaves behind her boyfriend, family and friends in Glasgow to live and work in a London hotel for the summer. But losing her luggage and fending off tube gropers on her first day isn't a good start. Almost being arrested for stealing men's underwear on her second isn't any better. However she does manages to make friends, even though, to impress her new pals, she pretends to be older and more sophisticated than she is, with a doctor boyfriend. London life is fun, even though she has to work in a steaming hot kitchen all day. But her made-up life starts to get very complicated, and she has rely on old friends to save the day.

Nayuleska's thoughts

For most of the book I thought Kelly Ann was extremely dizty, like me. As the farce continued, I realised she has a lying problem. I can understand why she did it - that's her biggest character fault, not being herself & thinking too much of how other people view her. She should have partied less & put more effort into her passion for dance. The end proves that although life can take away dreams in one breath, it can grant a different path to dreams in another. I laughed a lot and felt sorry for Kelly Ann in this 8/10 read.

For more info on Kelly Ann head over to Liz's website 

Suggested read

For another teen who loses the plot somewhat, try Rockaholic by C J Skuse

It's all about the pudding

(read further down as to why it says caramel - pretend it's mocha, ok? I bought it myself, and get zero benefits from posting a short review on it)

I loved waking up this morning - I've been really excited about work as quite a lot of people are away so I'm free to attempt to get on top of a few tasks. The photocopier didn't play up, so that was a huge bonus. I stuffed a lot of letters into envelopes for a colleague, with only 1 paper cut! 

After work I headed out to a certain upmarket store to get their mocha frappe (frappee? frappees? I'm not googling the spelling!). I'd bought two yummy strawberry ones, because they were the low fat variety so family would eat them. I got home, realised I hadn't checked their vegetarian status...and they had beef gelatine in. Yuk. No pudding for me Friday. 

I haven't been without pudding, but I was looking forward to the fruit frappe/frappee/frappees so after work I popped in and picked up the mocha ones. Nomilicious!

Okay, so it's mocha, not the caramel one as shown. I couldn't find a photo of the mocha one. & my camera is in my room, so I'm not going upstairs for it just yet. Pretend it says mocha and looks more chocolately. And I was correct the first time with the spelling. I've had half today - will have half tomorrow, then eat the other over 2 days (small appetite rather than being good). 

Pudding makes everything better, don't you think? 

This afternoon I have...

....dashed to the post office to post a parcel....

....admired Katara in Book 2 episode 9 of Avatar series as she starts getting through to the Earth Master who name eludes me that Ang needs a little positive encouragement in his training....

 (Bloom crying - not sure which episode this was from)

...wanted to cry as the Winx believe Tecna is lost forever in season 3, and try to fight Valtor. 

This evening I am....

(I thought she looked sweet, even if she's not reading the book) 

..going to read over my work so far on Doodle Girl, so I can carry on writing it tomorrow

...going to read fun books! 

I hope a book gets to feature in your day (and pudding!) Have a good evening :) 

What are you reading? #109

What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Rachel at Home Girl's Book Blog where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.

  

Books I've read this week

 

The Horse Road by Troon Harrison

Children's, Historical

(You really don't want to stand between a girl and her beloved horse - not Kallisto!)

9/10

Jasmine Skies by Sita Brahmachari

Young Adult

Release Date:  April 2012

(You will not have all the answers to Mira's problems at the end of the book, but that's just like life...)

9/10

The Railway Rabbits: Barley and the Duck Race by Georgie Adams

Children's, 5 years +

(This is an undeniably adorable read with illustrations that scream cute and fluffy!  My review...)

10/10

My Own Special Way by Mithaa Alkhayyat retold by Vivian French

Children's, 5 years +

(A hilarious and true example of a girl finding her unique way to wearing the headscarf and being like her older sisters...)

10/10

The Magnificent Moon Hare by Sue Monroe

Children's, 7 years +

(The tale of how a royal little madam finds a few manners and starts to take are of her things...see my review for more....)

10/10

Books I've reread

Violet Wings by Victoria Hanley

Children's, 10 years +

(I adore this fairy series and reread in preparation for the sequel Indigo Magic...)

10/10

Books I'm rereading

Ballet for Drina by Jean Estoril

Children's

(This is a series I haven't reviewed here yet, but I read it heaps when I was little and finally have my own set of them!)

10/10

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Young Adult

(I've got book 2 and I really want to reread book one first. I'm starting this tonight).

10/10

 So how was your week in books?  Feel free to share in the comments below!

The Magnificent Moon Hare by Sue Monroe (Children's, 7 years +)

March 2012, Egmont
198 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: good and bad behaviour, adults behaving like children, seriously deranged royal family, a very hungry and at first ignored dragon, being taught manners, chess (which become the symbol for a break in a chapter), caring for pets, wants and likes, mild peril, lots of humour

Summary from Egmont

'I want fun and games and jokes and tricks and lots of fantastic STUFF!'

P.J. Petulant likes presents, crisps and getting her own way. But the pampered princess gets more than she bargains for when the magnificent Moon Hare whisks her off on a breathtaking adventure. With the help of Sandra the dragon (who’s actually a boy), can P.J. rescue her father, King Winston, before he has his head cut off?

Nayuleska's thoughts 

Every sentence in this book had me howling with laughter (in my head as my family were watching tv). PJ is quite a character, as is her father who is to blame for the mess he finds himself in. PJ is rather bratty, but when shown how to do things instead of just being told them she pays attention to the mysterious and equally odd Moon hare. I loved the different fonts used in the text which together with the funny illustrations make this a 10/10 read.

Suggested read 

For another hilarious tale try I don't Believe It, Archie! by Andrew Norris (Is it a coincidence that both books have turquoise covers?)

The Railway Rabbits: Barley and the Duck Race by Georgie Adams (Children's, 5 years +)

March 2012, Orion
96 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: closeness of family life, hide and seek, hidden danger, protecting loved ones, Chinese whispers, pet shows, helpful new friends, quick thinking, lots of cute moments, very mild peril

Summary from Orion

 Meet the Railway Rabbits! Join the irrepressible Longears family as they get in and out of scrapes, meet new friends, and perform daring rescues. But Burdock the buzzard and the terrifying Red Dragon, are always on the lookout for naughty rabbits who stray too far from home...
 

When a large number of yellow plastic ducks come bobbing down the River Ripple, Barley is sure they mean trouble!

Nayuleska's thoughts

I love bunnies and thought this looked a cute read. I'm bowled over by just how cute it is. The map at the beginning reminded me a little of Winnie the Pooh maps. The story is sweet with lots of action by brave animals. I love how the bunnies have the odd item of clothing. The biggest aww facror which had me thinking aw all the time are the ink like illustrations which make the animals look cute fluffy and so adorable! The cuteness radiates out from this 10/10 read.

Suggested read

For a more adventurous bunny who is a pet rather than wild, check out Tamsyn Murray's Harriet Houdini series which start with Stunt Bunny: Showbiz Sensation  (Fourth book down) 

Hattori Hachi #2: Stalking the Enemy by Jane Prowse (Children's, 10 years +)

 June 2010, Piccadilly
236 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Themes: ninja life, keeping secrets, prisonners, exploring surrounding envirinment, water, freindly rats, quick thinking, lots of surprises, a bit of fighting, anime like scenes, awesome weapons, a tissue is needed at the end

Summary from Piccadilly

Hachi is drawn deeper into her history, as the story continues . . .

Hang-gliding high above the vast forest, silently swooping through the darkness towards the enemy camp, I felt powerful, free . . .
 

Schoom! An arrow tore through one of the wings, and suddenly I was plummeting down, fast and vertical. The ground was coming up to meet me as the air was forced from my lungs by the pressure of the wind. Only a miracle would save me now.

A summer camp in the heart of Kielder Forest is not what it seems, and Hattie Jackson soon discovers more about the history that has led the evil Kataki ninjas to the point of war against her family – a family full of dark secrets and terrifying legends that cannot be allowed to come true.

Nayuleska's thoughts
 As awesome as Hattie was in this adventure, by far my favourite character was Neena. My wish that she would play a big role in future stories came true in an epic way. Neena was an actress, an escapologist, used her greatest skill of intelligence, neve panicking when to do so would cause problems. She reminds me so much of Tomoya, who is Sakura's sidekick in Cardcaptor Sakura anime. Neena made this a 10/10 read (Hattie is awesome to, & I enjoyed her dad playing a role too).

For more information, check out Hattori Hachi's website.

Suggested reading
Check out book 1, Hattori Hachi The Revenge of the Praying Mantis