alittlebutalot's reviews
69 reviews

Field Trip by Aron Nels Steinke

funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

We are firm lovers of Mr Wolf’s Class in my classroom so getting my hands on this is gonna delight! The class go on a residential, have some fallings out and learn about how we can be kind to the environment. Loved this! These just make me smile! As a teacher, I’ve experienced all the things Mr Wolf has to go through... and residentials are always this eventful! 

The Last Hawk by Elizabeth Wein

adventurous challenging informative fast-paced

5.0

Thoroughly enjoyed this. I’m a big fan of WW2 stories. This is a fascinating look into Nazi Germany told through Ingrid’s eyes: a young girl with a stutter who can fly like the best. Found this fascinating and a little shocking at times! Loved Emil a lot - his conscience and Ingrid’s kept me rooting for them... Hanna however, a different matter! 

The Wizard in the Wood by Louie Stowell

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

4.5

This is such a fun series! Young wizards, friendship, fighting evil and learning that bring different is a power! What happens when a new dragon egg is stolen by an evil that might be closer to home than Kit and co can even think? The illustrations by David’s Ortu just make me so happy. Also, a cameo from my man Duncan to make me swoon! Loved this... is there to be more in this series?! I would fully endorse that! 

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m not ready to say goodbye to Grey, but I feel like this was the right way to end it. There was so much unsaid between them that is finally said; so much of the reason for the tension between the characters was their lack of honesty. There was a lovely parallel-ness between the lives of Rhen and Grey here. There’s some truly horrifying acts (Lilith is one of those truly menacing characters in YA) and some true acts of love here. This made me feel lots of things... but ended with a smile!

Kristy's Big Day by Ann M. Martin, Gale Galligan

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

How canny! Two families merging into one... despite a knot of uncertainty from our Kristy! I really enjoyed this - lots of manic looking after children and shipping for wedding outfits! I’ve been part of manic family gatherings, so I know the feeling! 

Dawn and the Impossible Three by Ann M. Martin, Gale Galligan

hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I really love that this series deals with some meaty topics (divorce, moving away, new families etc) in such a brilliant way. This one is done brilliantly by Gale Galligan. The rest of this series have been such a hot in my classroom that I can’t wait to add more! 

Claudia and Mean Janine by Raina Telgemeier

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

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

4.0

 I love these books. In this, Mimi falls poorly and Claudia blames herself. She finds her relationship with her sister a struggle and they have to find their way through Mimi’s illness and trying to understand each other. This is such a great series! Lush messages. 

Goosebumps Graphix #3: Scary Summer by R.L. Stine

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

 I really enjoy these Goosebumps graphic novels. Three short stories in graphic novel form by 3 different illustrators. There’s mysterious camps, ghost children and garden gnomes causing havoc in this edition. This will be a good addition to my classroom graphic novels.

Tommysaurus Rex by Doug TenNapel

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

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

4.0

This was great. A young boy loses his dog and gains a dinosaur (which is a wild thing to happen!). Can the dinosaur be of any use to the mayor? And can the dinosaur stop Ely being bullied by Randy? Enjoyed this! Brilliantly illustrated as ever! 

Escape from the Lizzarks by Doug TenNapel

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.5

This was weird (but not in a bad way!). Brilliant illustrations. A story about a young newt who must leave his village when it is attacked and find his way without his parents. He goes on a quest to find himself (and his legs) while being hunted.