Book Reviews.

Book Review for and by children/teenagers

We now have a collection of book review magazines for children and young people. They are located in the children's library at Central.

Magazines include Books for Keeps and Carousel which both have reviews, interviews with key authors and book related articles.

We also have copies of BOOX magazine with book reviews for and by teenagers.

Star Author - Frank Rodgers

Frank Rodgers is the author/illustrator of over fifty books for children from picture books, books for older children and novels for teenagers. After studying Silversmithing and Jewellery at Glasgow School of Art he became an Art Teacher and first became interested in writing when he began illustrating other writers' work including the Mr Majeika books. Frank is responsible for the popular Witch's dog series about Wilfred the heroic witch's dog and his constant battle against sly cat and tricky toad. His latest book is The Witch's Dog and the Box of Tricks. His other books include The Battle for Eyetooth, The Witch's Dog and the Flying Carpet and Robodog and the Big Dig.

New Children's Laureate

Jacqueline Wilson has been awarded the prestigious role of the fourth Children's Laureate. The role is decided every 2 years, the post held previously by Michael Morpurgo, Anne Fine and Quentin Blake. The Children's Laureate is appointed to a British author or illustrator to celebrate a lifetime's contribution. The award acknowledges and highlights the importance of outstanding children's authors in creating the readers of tomorrow.

Jacqueline has written numerous books for young people including:

• Bad Girls
• Double Act
• The Lottie Project
• The Suitcase Kid
• The Story of Tracy Beaker
• The bed and breakfast star
• Cliffhanger
• Girls in love
• Girls under pressure
• Girls out late, and Girls in tears

She has also written a series of crime novels and several plays, which have been broadcast on the radio.

Jacqueline has received countless honours and has won several awards including The Young Telegraph/Fully Booked Award for THE BED AND BREAKFAST STAR, the Smarties Prize, the Sheffield Children's Book Award and the Children's Book Award for DOUBLE ACT. THE ILLUSTRATED MUM was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children's Book Award and has won the Children's Book of the Year at the British Book Awards and the Guardian Children's Fiction Award. GIRLS IN TEARS received the W.H. Smith Children's Book of the Year Award.

Solihull Libraries stock a range of Jacqueline Wilson's books - ask staff for details.

Try these!

You can also write your own book reviews on Stories From The Web

Hey I Love You! by Ian Whybrow

This beautiful book tells the story of one small mouse running after his dad to tell him something important - across the meadow, along the wall and over the stream, all the way to the barn. Meanwhile, the pictures add another layer as we see the bad old cat just waiting to pounce...The two mice, Small and Big, never see him, but somehow always manage to skip out of the cat's way just at the last moment. Children will love to be one step ahead - one moment frightened for the safety of our miniature heroes, the next giggling with delight as they escape once again. Sharing this book with any child will be a richly rewarding experience.

For under fives

The Starburster by Berlie Doherty

Tam isn't keen on his baby sister, Blue. All she does is cry! Tam wishes she'd just go away. But then one terrible night Blue does disappear and an ugly changling is left in her place. Great grandpa knows the secret of how to get Blue back but he is far too old for adventures, so Tam must travel alone to Faery and save his little sister.

For Children 7+

The Little Gentleman by Philippa Pearce

This new book by Philippa Pearce, the author of Tom's Midnight Garden is a compulsive read, beautifully crafted with some historical detail. The story is of a 300 year old mole and a lonely girl Bet, who lives with her grandparents. When Bet is first asked to go into the meadow and read aloud from a book-apparently to no one, she wonders why. But then she realises her audience is a little mole who listens attentively. This mole is 300 years old and has an amazing tale to tell. Living forever has many drawbacks, especially when you have lost your "moleness". The story explores the power of friendship and loyalty, a compulsive tale which is hard to put down.

For children 9+

Not The End Of The World by Geraldine McCaughrean

Every one knows the story of the Flood, the men God chose to survive, the animals that went in two by two. But what about the others that sailed on the Ark, the women and the children? This adventure story asks what it was really like when the heavens opened and the world drowned - and what might have happened in the days that followed. Geraldine McCaughrean asks us to think about what life would have been like on the ark, the hardship, the stench, and all that rain. Noah's family are far from saintly, the animals have their own concerns and does everyone else really perish? A compelling story, which is beautifully written.

For children 12 and over