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‘The Shadow Thief’ by Alexandra Adornetto

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Wright Reading

The Shadow Thief, by Alexandra Adornetto

Age: 8+

Themes: magic, humour, friendship, adventure, fantasy.

The Shadow Thief was written by Alexandra Adornetto when she was only thirteen years old. It is this remarkable fact that influenced me to purchase a copy whilst on holiday in Australia (Adornetto is Australian). Ironically, this remarkable fact also caused me to have some cynicism and rather low expectations when I began reading The Shadow Thief. However, I can honestly say that my cynicism was unwarranted. To write such a novel at the age of thirteen is a truly impressive feat. Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted in 9+, Adventure, Fairy tale, Fantasy, Friendship, Humour, Magic. Bookmark the permalink.

‘The Red Wind’ by Isobelle Carmody

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Wright Reading

The Red Wind by Isobelle Carmody

Age: 9+ (independent reading), 6+ (adult reading to child)

Themes: friendship, fantasy, adventure

The Red Wind is an enchanting, whimsical story which will stay in the reader’s imagination long after they finish the book. I picked it up whilst in a bookshop in Australia, attracted by the beautiful illustrations on the cover and also the gold badge marking it as ‘Book of the Year’ (Children’s Book Council of Australia). Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted in 6+, 9+, Adventure, Fantasy, Friendship. Bookmark the permalink.

‘No Use Crying’ by Zannah Kearns

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Wright Reading

No Use Crying by Zannah Kearns

Age: 13+

Themes: Family; multiculturalism; teenagers; friendship; inner-city.

Synopsis:  Set in Tooting, London, No Use Crying follows the life of 14-year old Niki, the daughter of a single, teenage mum. The story opens when Niki and her mother move from a sheltered, middle-class village near Bath, to a multicultural, working class community in Tooting.

Whilst Niki endures the unforgiving initiation to her new school, she also discovers the life-changing truth about her father. An emotional roller-coaster follows, which although painful, ultimately leads to healing.

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Posted in 13+, Childhood, Family, Friendship, Inner city, Multiculturalism, Teenagers. Bookmark the permalink.

‘Dead Man’s Cove’ by Lauren St.John

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Wright Reading

Dead Man’s Cove, by Lauren St.John

Age: 9+

In this page-turning adventure, Lauren St.John transports her readers to the crashing waves and wild, rugged cliffs of Cornwall. (I was instantly gripped – Cornwall is my favourite place in the world.)

Dead Man’s Cove is the first in the Laura Marling series and opens with 11 year old Laura leaving Sylvan Meadows orphanage and going to live with her kind yet mysterious uncle in the Cornish village of St.Ives. There the life of adventure, which Laura has always yearned for, begins. Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted in 9+, Adventure, Childhood, Family, Friendship, Mystery. Bookmark the permalink.

‘Chinese Cinderella’ by Adeline Yen Mah

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Wright Reading

Chinese Cinderella, by Adeline Yen Mah

Age: 9+

Themes: family, China, autobiography, childhood, rejection, triumph over adversity.

Adeline Yen Mah writes about her own childhood in this moving and haunting true story. It is the kind of book which will leave images and words in your mind long after you put it down.

Chinese Cinderella follows Adeline’s life between the ages of 4 and 14. Adeline’s mother died when giving birth to her, leaving Adeline in the care of her father and his new wife, Niang.

As in the tale of Cinderella, Adeline’s stepmother, nasty Niang, is heartlessly cruel to Adeline and her siblings. Niang greatly favours her own biological children – Adeline’s step sister and step brother. Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted in 9+, Childhood, China, Family, Triumph Over Adversity. Bookmark the permalink.

‘Dragon Rider’ by Cornelia Funke

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Wright Reading

Dragon Rider, by Cornelia Funke

Age: 8 +

This was the first Cornelia Funke book that I read and it made me an instant Funke fan!

Dragon Rider is the story of a young boy, a brownie and a dragon who go in quest of the Rim of Heaven. They are a trio of unlikely heroes: Firedrake the dragon; Sorrell the brownie (you soon learn about brownies); and Ben, a boy who discovers friendship and courage. Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted in 8+, Adventure, Fantasy, Friendship. Bookmark the permalink.

‘The Odyssey’ retold by Robin Lister

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Wright Reading

The Odyssey retold by Robin Lister

Age: 9+

This timeless epic is beautifully retold by Robin Lister. The story is partly written through the narrator’s voice and partly through the earnest voice of Odysseus.

I read this book initially when I was about 9 years old. Remembering how much I had enjoyed it first time round, I was keen to re-read it. Secretly, I was also hoping to glean some mythical inspiration for the story I am currently working on.

Odysseus, ‘unluckiest of men’, has been striving to return to his homeland of Ithaca for many years, ever since the Trojan War. He comes tantalizingly close to Ithancan shores on numerous occasions, but time and again he is pulled away to face hideous battles. Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted in 9+, Adventure, Classical Literature, Myth. Bookmark the permalink.

‘Small Blue Thing’ by S.C.Ransom

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Wright Reading

Small Blue Thing, by S.C.Ransom

Age: 12+

S.C.Ransom captivates her readers with this imaginative and unusual romance set in London. 17 year old Alex finds an amulet bracelet washed up in the Thames. Little does she know when she puts it on her wrist, that the amulet will be the start of her romantic relationship with Callum. Callum however, is no human boy but a dirge – Ransom’s creation of a ghost like spirit trapped between life and death.

As you can imagine, forging a relationship with a dirge is no plain sailing.  Small Blue Thing is the first in the trilogy, recounting Callum and Alex’s determined battle to be together. Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted in 12+, Fantasy, Friendship, Romance. Bookmark the permalink.

‘Noah Barleywater Runs Away’ by John Boyne

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Wright Reading

Age: 9+          Noah Barleywater Runs Away, by John Boyne

Written by the author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, John Boyne tells a very different story in Noah Barleywater Runs Away.

It is magical, quirky and captivating and makes a great read for those who enjoy something a little unusual.

The plot does what it says on the tin – 8 year old Noah Barleywater runs away from home. The reason for his running away is not clear at first but is gradually revealed as the story unfolds. Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted in 9+, Childhood, Family. Bookmark the permalink.

‘Flood Child’ by Emily Diamand

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Wright Reading

Flood Child, by Emily Diamand

Age: 9+

It is easy to see why Flood Child won the Chicken House competition in 2008. Readers will be swept away in the adventures of 13 year old Lilly, a girl living in London in the year 2216.

The setting of Flood Child is both imaginative and also hints at what actually might be…  Great Britain has been engulfed by floods from global warming. Pirates, known as reavers, rule the waters. Read the rest of this entry →

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Posted in 9+, Adventure, Family, Friendship, Global Warming. Bookmark the permalink.
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