helendipietro's reviews
237 reviews

And Everything Will Be Glad to See You by Ella Risbridger
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.

Only received a 32 page sampler of this book! Buy the hardback!! 😀

A Hugh Dunnit Mystery: Taking Shelter by Guy Bass

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Packed full of puns, similes and humour, this book will have you smiling to yourself with its clever word play! It’s a great crime caper (a goofy little joke or prank, a crime, or a ridiculous adventure) where we follow Hugh Dunnit on his mission to crack the case of the shredded maths homework! This is a great starting point for conversations around language and well known sayings! It’s also the perfect mix of comic and chapters to keep a child engaged throughout! 


My students favourite lines:

- Rain had started to fall. It was heavier than my tummy after a baked potato. 

- When bad things happen, they don’t often let you know they’re on their way. They sneak up on you like a soundproofed ninja in soft socks. 

- This is the last straw - and she chewed my last straw!

- The pause hung in the air like damp laundry. 

- Her words were as sharp as scissors, and her meaning was as blunt as safety scissors. 

- Her words rang in my head like an unanswered telephone. 

- By the end of the day, I’d drawn a blank. Then again, I never was very good at drawing.

- Suddenly, a thought hit my brain like a fly on a windscreen. 

- He definitely wasn’t about to come clean - not with that smell coming from his nappy. This stinks, I thought. 

- Even though if given it to them straight, Mum looked bent out of shape. 

- I felt cold and hot at the same time like a sink with both taps running. 

- The truth, like a sweaty wrestler, was hard to get to grips with. 

- It was a lie and Dad saw through me like I was a window.

- Then it hit me like a badly thrown frisbee. Something had happened! 

- Words can’t hurt me unless they’re painted on a sword!

- And that meant committing the crime right under, or relatively near, my nose! 

- If I tried to convince Pearl to talk, she’d clam up like a mussel.

- We were different, Mum and me, like chalk and a different colour chalk. 

- My mind raced faster than a dog chasing a cat chasing a mouse! 

- My train of thought was derailed, like a car skidding off the road into a derailed train.

- I was already more nervous than a pumpkin on Halloween! 🎃 

- She must have thought I was born yesterday. Well she was off by nine years, three months and one week. 

- Like Shelter with a tennis ball, I wasn’t sure I was ready to let go!

- Like an owl with a stuck neck, I was going to have to watch my back! 

The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough by Chas Newkey-Burden

inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

4.0

This was lighthearted, quick and fun to read! A great toilet book! I liked the format and I learnt some interesting things about David Attenborough - what a life he’s had so far! 

Pelé: The Autobiography by Pelé
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.

Moving house and had other books on the go! Was enjoying it though so definitely get round to reading it!

Recitatif by Toni Morrison

mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

Unique, thought-provoking and reflective. I craved more but understand that it’s shortness adds to the effect. 

I ended up reading Zadie Smith’s introduction after reading the story and I’m so glad I did this; I got to have my own reading experience with my own thoughts first then take the time afterwards to reflect with Zadie. Both pieces were interesting and engaging to read. 

This book is one that I can imagine reading again and one that I can imagine being studied. It’s full of unanswered questions, up and downs, time changes so it’s definitely a unique one for sure!

This was my first Morrison so I will of course be reading something else! Perhaps Sula and Beloved! 👌

5* for how clever and unique it is but 4* for my enjoyment of this reading experience. 

Nightshift by Kiare Ladner

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

3.5

This book is definitely a page turner and it’s easy to read! I liked certain parts of it and thought bits were clever but overall it didn’t feel developed enough. Definitely a dark one though!

The Poetry Pharmacy Forever: New Prescriptions to Soothe, Revive and Inspire by William Sieghart

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

5.0

Love that I picked this up as it came at the right time for me! I needed a little hope and this Poetry Pharmacy sure did give me that. It makes you feel soothed and less alone. Often I enjoyed Sieghart’s writing more than the poem itself; he add so more meaning and understanding to the reading experience. Loved it!  

Claude at the Palace by Alex T. Smith

funny lighthearted 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

4.0

Great stepping stone from picture books! Love Claude’s character, the humour and of course the illustration style! Perfect for 5 and 6 year olds I’d say!

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

This is my first Keegan and I will definitely be reading more of her work now. I’ve been finding short stories to be rather refreshing! This one is emotional, poignant and impactful; I also like the character of Furlong. I, too, was reminded of ‘Of Mice and Men’ when reading this. The setting and general atmosphere is done so well; I would have liked just a bit more character development. I’m glad I read this and will be looking more into this tragic history + I’ll watch the film! 

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

• 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

4.5

Wow! Loved this! Beautiful, poetic writing with such control over every sentence! It’s emotional, reflective and will definitely make you feel something! The last few pages were a little confusing to me so I may re read this but overall it was fantastic!