September reviews from the Albert Park club...

Dread Mountain by Emily Rodda - reviewed by Alex G.

This is the 5th book in the Deltora Quest series. The three children, Lief, Jasmine and Barda, have to climb Dread Mountain and find the fifth gem. On the way they drink from a dreaming spring, are trapped by Dread gnomes and guards (monsters) try to kill them. It is adventurous, exciting and has lots of fantasy. I'm giving it...

Rated:  5 - "I think 7-12 year olds will like it!"

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling - reviewed by Caitlin

This is the final book in the Harry Potter series. It is mainly about 3 wizards and Harry Potter trying to find and destroy the evil Lord Voldemort. There are magic spells and it is very interesting. I love the Harry Potter series a lot.

Rated:  5

Clarice Bean spells trouble by Lauren Child - reviewed by Jo

Clarice is a girl who is always getting into trouble and does not get along with her teacher. She is trying to practice her spelling for a spelling bee and trying to get into the school play. It is a fun story. This book can be funny at times, but it's not my favourite book.

Rated:  4

The saddle club by Bonnie Bryant - reviewed by Emma

This book has two stories in it - 'Horse play' and 'Horse show'.

In 'Horse play' Stevie, Carol and Lisa think their stable is going to be taken over by their worst enemy's father. They organise a riding display to make money to buy the stable.

In 'Horse show' the girls get to go to a famous U.S. horse show in New York. They help a famous actor learn to ride a horse for his upcoming movie.

Rated:  4.7 - "I love them! I love horses, the books are exciting and the girls get to solve problems!" - suitable for 7-12 year olds.

Playschool (bk. 2 of The Floods series) by Colin Thompson - reviewed by Annabelle

It's about the Floods when they are at school. They have to travel halfway around the world to go to a school called Quicklime College for wizards and witches. It's funny and interesting because there are nine members of the family who are either wizards or witches.

"I'm giving it 4.9999 - almost a 5 but not quite - because it is not the best book in the world."

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl - reviewed by Alex W.

James is an orphan - his parents were killed by a giant rhinoceros when they were shopping in London. After this James has to go and live with his two mean aunties. They make him do all the chores and are always mean to him. James gets some magic but drops it near the peach tree, and the peach on the tree grows and grows until it is huge. This is when James' adventure starts....

Rated:  5 - "I love Roald Dahl - he is really good and funny."


Ruins of Gorlan (Rangers Apprentice series) by John Flanagan - reviewed by Jade
Will is an orphan who has been raised in a castle. He has to choose a 'craft' and become an apprentice. He wants to be a knight but doesn't make it. Instead he is apprenticed to Halt who is a Ranger and is able to move around without being seen and use special weapons. He has to prepare for war and prevent the king from being killed. I like it because it is adventurous!

Rated:  4 - "because there aren't many funny bits!"

The friendship matchmaker by Randa Abdel-Fattah - reviewed by Kerstin

Laura Zany is the self-appointed friendship matchmaker at her school. She spends all her time helping others to find, make and keep friends and resolve disputes. But Laura avoids making friends herself (we find out why later in the book). When a new girl, Emily Wong, starts school and refuses her help, they decide to 'compete' to see who can find a friend for the most difficult kids in the school. It is a funny book and I enjoyed it. It deals with issues such as bullying and difference in the school yard in a humurous way.

Rated:  5 - "I think Grades 4-6 will like this book."