alittlebutalot's reviews
69 reviews

Target Practice by Mike Maihack, Cassandra Pelham

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I enjoyed this! Cleopatra is transported from Ancient Egypt to a futuristic planet where she’s destined to save the day. She’s not so sure about all of this, but with her trusty sidekick and some brilliant target powers, she’s somewhat ready! She hates school and ends up going on a mission to prove she is who the prophecies have said she is. The illustrations in this (especially the fight scenes) are brilliant! Will look into the rest of this series!

Paths & Portals by Gene Luen Yang

informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

if you’ve got kids who like coding, this series of graphic novels would be perfect for them! This is a great look at using code and applying it. There’s opportunities throughout for kids to have a think about the code before they see it in action! My kids love these!

Vulture by Bex Hogan

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

 I am a SHELL of the person I was. I have been through it all reading Vulture: joy, mistrust, anger, shock, tears (quite a few tears). Bex Hogan has written an exceptional ending to this series and I am so so sad it’s over. These characters have my whole heart! This book was so incredibly clever. So many twists and turns. So much unexpected. It made me so incredibly happy to be back with the characters I love, but I cried A LOT. The ending was so incredibly fitting and I am not ready to say goodbye to my boy Bronn. Just magic.

The Storm Keepers' Battle by Catherine Doyle

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

4.5

Well, it’s over. I DEFINITELY cried. Catherine Doyle has written a proper epic final book in this series. This series has a massive chunk of my heart and I’ve put off reading this final book because I’ve not wanted to say goodbye to these characters, this magical world of memory filled candles and this enchanting magic. This story has got everything you could want: magic, an epic battle between good and evil, friends, family and a gorgeous sprinkling of humour. There’s such lovely messages in this about the power and bond between siblings that just gave me absolute life too. I’m so sad this series is over, but my gosh, it was a pleasure. 

The Day the Screens Went Blank by Danny Wallace

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

This is wonderfully funny; it’s nostalgic and filled with kindness. It’s the wonderful moments strangers’ kindness and hilarious moments of falling into ponds. It’s Uncle Tony and a bag of marbles. A gorgeous story of a road trip to check on family when the screens go blank. Stella is a glorious narrator and her family just made me smile! The illustrations by the incredible Gemma Correll just made me so happy too!! 

Real Pigeons Fight Crime by Ben Wood, Andrew McDonald

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This was loads of fun! 3 stories about pigeons who fight crimes: saving bats, rescuing humans from stink bombs and figuring out why there are no humans in the parks! This will go down really well at school! Pigeons who are masters of disguise? Love it! Brilliantly illustrated and there’s more in this series so sign me up!! 

The Boy Who Sang With Dragons by Andy Shepherd

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

What a glorious ending to this series. Filled with surprises, magic and that gorgeous bit of love we’ve come to admire about these stories. The relationship between the kids and their dragons is lush. This is full of joy and wonder. 

The Deep-Sea Duke by Lauren James

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 There’s something wonderfully bonkers about this story... in a good way! Great friendships are built on helping each other in times of need and working things out - even when they seem really hard. I liked the ending; I thought it was fitting! Lots of science in this!

The Dog that Saved the World (Cup) by Phil Earle

emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

 My god, this is a gorgeous story. A dog and his family. They’re not a well-off family and when football is the only joy in Elsie’s life, Pickles has to do everything he can to save her smile. So much I loved about this: representation of poor families, girls in football, England actually being good at football (ha!) The portrayal of dad’s struggles with bills really made me sad... but I think it’s so important to have these stories!

The Girl With Her Head in the Clouds by Karen McCombie

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

 I didn’t know the story of Dolly Shepherd before now, and now I do! What a brilliant story - women can do ANYTHING. In a time where women were finding their voices and their strength, Dolly was jumping out of hot air balloons. I loved this! What an inspirational woman!