alittlebutalot's reviews
69 reviews

Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll

emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-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

5.0

This is MAGNIFICENT. I’ve cried; I’ve been angry; I’ve been shocked. Cora is SUCH a magnificent main character and this whole premise is FASCINATING. How grief can change how we might think and feel; how science can be our best friend abc our downfall. Man, what a kick in the face. Something Elle does so magnificently is talk about what makes us human, and this book hits the nail on the head.

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm

hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

FINISHED: this was fun. One girls adventure in spending summer with her grandfather while flashing back to some things she’s been through with her family. A good mix of serious and fun in this. A brill message of the importance of speaking about how you feel and not bottling up! 

Doodleville by Chad Sell

adventurous 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

Man, this was a delight! The ending made me particularly happy. I loved all of the doodles and and how each child had their own definite doodle style. I think my class will love this! Friendship, teamwork and a bit of creativity can beat any problem! 

Dragon Legend by Kevin Tsang, Katie Tsang

adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-paced

5.0

Well, if this isn’t just a blooming magnificent sequel and a half. Dragons, friendship, powers, some BAD BAD baddies and full of adventure. This is deliciously good - full of shocked many times and that ending has left me DESPERATE for book 3. The brilliance of book one with even more incredible worlds, strange creatures and darkness everywhere. You can’t not love these kids and their dragons! I need to know what is going to happen next!! 

The Queen's Fool by Ally Sherrick

informative mysterious medium-paced

4.5

Loved this. A brilliant historical novel perfect for UKS2/KS3. Loads of things to talk about in this! Amazing characters with some brilliant notes about being brave and what that looks like. I'm so glad that Cat has a group of people around her who see her for the inside (cause that's what matters!)

VI Spy by Maz Evans

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

5.0

Absolutely loved this. THIS IS A RIP-ROARING SPY-TASTIC ADVENTURE. Mind control, a group of villains and a quest to save the world. Vi is blooming gorgeous and I loved all of the gang in this! This story is like all the brilliant Maz things we love: humour, gorgeous messages and a plot that keeps you wanting to read on! I laughed and I was audibly shocked at one point... beware: you can’t trust anyone!

Comic Classics: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

adventurous funny medium-paced

3.5

FINISHED: While the story of Treasure Island might not be the most imaginative, this version brilliantly done by Jack Noel has added so much to the story with his doodles, drawings, definitions and delights! This made me chuckle and this is such a smart way to make classics accessible to kids especially. What could be a tedious story to get through is now fun! I can’t wait for more! 

Rumaysa: A Fairytale by Radiya Hafiza

adventurous hopeful inspiring medium-paced

4.5

This is a gorgeous retelling of some of our most well-loved fairytales, but with a gorgeous spin! I loved the characters in this and the message: friends will always help you. I liked that there was spins on the other characters too. Yay for stories that show that ALL children can be heroes regardless of where they’re from! 

SilverFin: The Graphic Novel by Charlie Higson, Kev Walker

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

I really enjoyed this! I’m not a big Bond fan, but I really thought this was great. There were loads of intriguing plot points about this! Interesting back story for Bond and a whole load of brilliant illustrations. I’d love more from this series - I think this will be super popular in my class!