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rebekahy's review
4.0
Very nice little book about everyone banding together to save their school library.
angiew23's review
5.0
This early chapter book is perfect for all book-loving middle grade readers. Broken into about 10 chapters and covers only 69 pages, a great length for readers who are just getting ready for chapter books and aren't quite ready for long and complex books. Chapters include some black and white illustrations which break up longer pieces of text and help with comprehension, two things that will make this book less intimidating and easier to read for this age group. Added to that, the font is fairly large and is really accessible, it even has the true a and opentail g (regular printed letters lol) making it even easier to read.
Enough of that teacher-y reading stuff! Hetty and the Battle of the Books is about a girl and her three (former) friends who work together to try to save their school library (and librarian) which is in danger because of budget cuts. Despite having recently gone separate ways, the group of four bffs, known as the ladybirds, realize that working for a common goal like this one is a great way to get a friendship back on track. The problem in the story is realistic and something that young readers will quickly engage with. This chapter book demonstrates the importance and power of libraries and access to information, and reminds readers that they have a voice and can make change, even at a young age. The main characters are in year 7 (which is about the equivalent to grade 6), which makes them seem older and cooler, and reminds younger readers that even older kids have friendship trouble sometimes and that misunderstandings are common and both can be fixed.
I would highly recommend this book to parents and teachers of book-loving early middle grade readers in the age 6-10 range who are excited to read chapter books! I could definitely see this book fitting well in my grade 3 classroom library. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this lovely book!
Enough of that teacher-y reading stuff! Hetty and the Battle of the Books is about a girl and her three (former) friends who work together to try to save their school library (and librarian) which is in danger because of budget cuts. Despite having recently gone separate ways, the group of four bffs, known as the ladybirds, realize that working for a common goal like this one is a great way to get a friendship back on track. The problem in the story is realistic and something that young readers will quickly engage with. This chapter book demonstrates the importance and power of libraries and access to information, and reminds readers that they have a voice and can make change, even at a young age. The main characters are in year 7 (which is about the equivalent to grade 6), which makes them seem older and cooler, and reminds younger readers that even older kids have friendship trouble sometimes and that misunderstandings are common and both can be fixed.
I would highly recommend this book to parents and teachers of book-loving early middle grade readers in the age 6-10 range who are excited to read chapter books! I could definitely see this book fitting well in my grade 3 classroom library. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this lovely book!
styxx's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
heather_freshparchment's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
martha_benedicte's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
twiinklex's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and heartwarming read about a group of middle-graders who try to save their school library from closing down. At the heart of this novella is a lovely tribute to libraries, books and everyone who has ever found solace in them. It also highlights activism at a level that I think is appropriate for younger audiences. The characters are delightful and Hetty's voice felt very authentic, with some of her lines making me laugh.
The only downside is I wish the antagonist was less one-dimensional. However, I really enjoyed seeing everyone rally together for a good cause.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
The only downside is I wish the antagonist was less one-dimensional. However, I really enjoyed seeing everyone rally together for a good cause.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
cathyaten's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a fun and inspiring read and I think my students will enjoy reading it. Hetty is a student at St. Jerome’s Secondary who loves to read and spend time in the school’s multiuse library. When she and her friends find out the school is going to close the library they work together to stop it.. the book is written from Hetty’s first person point of view and her voice is chatty and ironic in a way that is very relatable. I also think it sends great messages about maintaining friendships, working together for a cause, and the joys of reading and books.
odettebrethouwer's review
3.0
Dit was cute, maar te kort om echt wat diepgang te hebben, of karakterontwikkeling ofzo. Wel een leuke verhaallijn op zich.
poppyflaxman's review
5.0
Anna James can do no wrong. This is an utter delight and as a kid who used to spend every breaktime in her school library I felt this in my bones.
Also my first Barrington Stoke book and it was really cool to see how they are structured.
Also my first Barrington Stoke book and it was really cool to see how they are structured.