The Five Vanderbeeker kids live in the downstairs apartment of a big brownstone. Their life is happy and peaceful. They may not have much money but it doesn’t matter too much to them. Then one November day they get the worst possible early Christmas present, the family are being evicted. The kids set out onContinue reading “The Vanderbeekers by Karina Yan Glasser”
Author Archives: Katie B
Magnus Chase: And the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
Magnus Chase, a homeless orphan knows nothing about Mythology – Norse, Greek or Roman. He finds himself in Hotel Valhalla, where he finds fallen heroes from any and all ages. They are all waiting for the final showdown between the gods and Loki with his minions at his back. Magnus and the team he acquiresContinue reading “Magnus Chase: And the Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan”
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Nick Allen is the king at asking the best time-wasting questions to get the entire class out of homework. That is until he meets Miss Granger, or the “Lone Granger” as the kids call her. He launches his first (and last) ever time-waster bomb in her class – “Why does the word dog means theContinue reading “Frindle by Andrew Clements”
Cheaper By The Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. And Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
This one had my entire family in stitches. Frank Bunker Gilbreth is a Time and Motion Efficiency Expert and where better to practice his ideas than on his twelve children? He himself is a bit bonkers (my word of the week right now) and comes up with ingenious ways to enhance his kids’ lives withoutContinue reading “Cheaper By The Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. And Ernestine Gilbreth Carey”
The Eleventh Orphan by Joan Lingard
Elfie, a homeless 11 year old girl living in Victorian London, is picked up by Constable O’Dowd after being caught thieving. Thinking that’s it for her – she’s going back to the workhouse – Elfie’s surprised to be taken to an Inn. The Pig and Whistle is run by Ma and Pa Bigsby who’ve takenContinue reading “The Eleventh Orphan by Joan Lingard”
Murder Most Unladylike: Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens
Hazel Wong left something in the gym. Going back to retrieve it she finds something more gruesome: the corpse of Miss Bell the science mistress. She rushes for help only to come back and find the body gone. All but one other girl at Deepdean School for Girls believe the lie that Miss Bell resigned.Continue reading “Murder Most Unladylike: Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens”
Roman Quests: Escape from Rome by Caroline Lawrence
This awesome story starts with Juba being woken in the night by his mother telling him they’ve been denounced and he must flee now with his three siblings. He may be the middle child but they all know he’s the leader. The kids manage to flee and get to the port before guards come forContinue reading “Roman Quests: Escape from Rome by Caroline Lawrence”
Rangers Apprentice: Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan
Young orphan Will has always dreamed of joining the battle school and learning to be a soldier, but he’s rejected due to his small stature. Instead he gets apprenticed to the mysterious Ranger, Halt. Not knowing what’s he’s getting into, he learns to shoot, be a tactical advisor to his superiors, track and hide. He,Continue reading “Rangers Apprentice: Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan”
Alex Rider: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider is an orphan who lives with his uncle Ian Rider. One day, Alex’s life is thrown into chaos, when he gets the news that his uncle died in what are very fishy circumstances. Alex digs deeper to uncover the truth to find out how his uncle really died. The trail of clues leadsContinue reading “Alex Rider: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz”
Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden
It’s the Second World War and the children are getting evacuated from London. This story follows two children; Carrie and Nick Willow. They find themselves in a sleepy, ex-mining Welsh village and get taken in by Counsellor Isaac Evans and his sister. While waiting for Miss Evans they meet Albert Sandwich, a strange boy who’sContinue reading “Carrie’s War by Nina Bawden”
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