| Warwickshire Secondary Schools Book Awards 2009
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Warwickshire Secondary Schools Book Award is now into its fourth year and has an exciting selection of new titles from the past year on the shortlist. Former winners of the Award are 'Wolf Brother' by Michelle Paver, 'Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief' by Rick Riordan and 'Skullduggery Pleasant' by Derek Landy.
Groups of young people around Warwickshire are currently reading the shortlisted titles and will cast their votes for the best page turner in mid March. The winning book will be announced on Monday the 23rd March in the final event at the Bridgehouse Theatre. One of the shortlisted authors will be joining us for the celebrations.
Have Your Say! - The latest reviews of the 2009 shortlisted titles
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'Cosmic' by Frank Cottrell Boyce
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I personally think that this is one of the best books I have ever read. It is funny, clever, and makes a serious point about parent - child relationships. The book is about an abnormally tall boy called Liam; he is so tall in fact, that he is always being mistaken for an adult. This leads him to winning a competition for which the prize is a trip for a father and his child to visit the 'ultimate thrill ride'. And so Liam and his friend, Florida, take the trip to the theme park and get WAY more than expected.
Josh - Warwick School
What a terrific read! Genuine laugh-out-loud stuff, warm and uplifting but also poignant and moving. Liam is an eleven year old, so tall that he is always being taken for an adult. Engineering a trip in a rocket he becomes lost in space with four children and three ‘fellow’ adults who all end up seeing the world from each others’ perspectives. Enormous appeal for every age group.
Angela
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'The Dragonfly Pool' by Eva Ibbotson
| This book is something out of the ordinary. Tally, a normal little school girl gets pushed into an out of the ordinary school and befriends a prince who hates his life. This book is an epic story that is a truly thrilling read. I was up till 11 reading this! I could not take my eyes of it! The story is full of surprising twists and turns.
Warwick School
When twelve year old Tally receives a scholarship to forward-thinking Delderton School, all that she can think about is the stupid, stupid war and how terrible stuffy boarding school will be. But she is in for a shock. Tally learns to expect most things that life cough's up, but nothing could prepare her for the dark adventure that unfolds when she meets her new friend Prince Karil. You will feel as though you have just leapt into the cover of this classic story. I highly recommend this book for an exhilarating read!
Ani - Polesworth I.L.C |
'Just Henry' by Michelle Magorian
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I looked at this book and thought crumbs, this is going to take some reading, but I was wrong, I just couldn't put it down. Nostalgic maybe, but the characters were so alive and it captured the mood of the time so well. I really liked Henry, he's a survivor and it was great to see him discover and come to terms with hidden secrets of his family and his friends. I was so pleased it had a satisfying ending.
P. Foster - Librarian, Kineton High School
Just Henry is my favourite book of the six. I liked Just Henry because there is a mystery to be solved, and it has lots of twists which completely change everything. Personally I don't think there were any bad parts in this book and I would recommend it to any mystery lovers.
Luke - Polesworth I.L.C
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'Lee Raven Boy Thief' by Zizou Corder
| In the Year 2046, a boy called Lee Raven set off to pilfer the people of London again, but this time, he had stolen something he had never thought existed, something that changed his life forever. It was the book of Nebo, a book that has extraordinary powers. I like the setting of this book. I also enjoyed reading the book because of how the authors wrote it from different points of view. The description created a vivid atmosphere in every chapter and brought it to life.
Justin Chung - Warwick School |
'Ringmaster' by Julia Golding
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Great, at last a girl spy to equal Alex Rider. Just couldn't wait to read the next chapter. action packed and thrilling!
P. Foster - Librarian, Kineton High School
I enjoyed the whole book. It is a really good adventure story, and is interesting and exciting.
Ruth - Polesworth I.L.C
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'Ways to Live Forever' by Sally Nicholls
 | This book should be called ways to read forever. It was a very touching book that I found rather surprising. Normally I wouldn't have picked up this book but I found it highly enjoyable and hard to put down. The gripping story of 12 year old Sam and his friend Felix's battle with cancer and their hope to complete a desperate list is tear jerking and sometimes very funny. I strongly recomend this book to anyone, even if this book wouldn't normally take your fancy.
Bryn - Warwick School
I knew from the first page that 'Ways to live Forever' wasn't going to be a book with a damsel in distress or a knight in shining armour. I knew it was going to be one of the most emotionally gripping books I was ever going to read. It is about and eleven year old boy called Sam and his mental and physical fight with Leukaemia, whilst being surrounded by his loving family and best friend Felix. Each page takes you through a stage of Sam's life. The detail and description in this book is outstanding! This book was emotional, sad and hysterically funny. Through Sam, Sally Nicholls has proven, no matter what or who you are, that you can learn to enjoy your life. Whilst reading this book I tried to live life like Sam having fun. I made clay birds, ran up the wrong escalator, drank hot chocolate and flew down hills layered in snow! And I enjoyed every second. 'Ways to Live Forever' should win the award, it's absolutely mesmerising!
Aimee - Polesworth I.L.C
It was so good! It's such a moving story, I loved it.
Lauren - Kineton High School
Absolutely Amazing! I couldn't put it down. The words chosen were so descriptive it felt you were actually in the book, following the characters around on their journey. I loved Felix's character, he was rather amusing and a bit naughty! One of the best books ever!
Daisy - Kineton High School |
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