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Showing posts with label Reading Leaders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading Leaders. Show all posts
12/04/2012
Reading Matters New Website
Take a look at www.readingmatters.org.uk, and get involved:
20/03/2012
Showcomotion Youth Jury
We will be there because we have some exciting events lined up as part of the Showcomotion, Young People's Film Festival; watch this space!
In the meantime, they are looking for to recruit members of the Showcomotion Youth Jury members to watch some great films, and award the Showcomotion Jury Award for 2012.
I think it would be perfect for our Reading Leaders, but great for any young people aged 11 to 18, so why not get involved...
14/10/2011
Sheffield Summer Reading Challenge Volunteer 2011
A few weeks ago we had a celebration event for the Sheffield Volunteers who supported the Summer Reading Challenge in 2011 and their parents. It was a great event. With each of the volunteers presented with a certificate and goodie bag by Dr Sylvia Dunkley, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield.
I agree, it was a lovely evening. Everyone was great!I want to say thanks to you [all] for the ceremony. It was a great and unforgettable experience.
18/08/2011
Peter Pan and Book Drum
I have just finished reading Peter Pan by JM Barrie, can't believe I have't read it before. My motivation was to read it before moving on to Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean
, which has been on the shelf for a while.I really don't know what to make of Peter Pan, I found it a very unsettling 'children's' book. This probably says a lot about me as the reader. Similarly, as many people have said before, Peter Pan is very much about the author's pre-occupations; "the desire for immortality, the urge to shirk responsibility and the role of motherhood". This is quote is taken form the Peter Pan entry on the the wonderful Book Drum website.
Book Drum offers comprehensive reading notes for a growing list of 'classic' books. Each book is covered by a dedicated fan including pictures, videos, maps and music.
I don't think Book Drum is going to be appropriate for the struggling and reluctant readers that Reading Matters supports, but I think our Reading Leaders and Reading Mentors, and anyone with a passion for reading will get a lot out of it.
21/12/2010
Interplay Leeds Volunteer Reading Mentors Meeting 2
I said in my last post about our recent Volunteer Reading Mentors Meeting at Interplay in Leeds, I would share my short presentation. So here it is:
Reading Matters Presentation - Interplay 10-12-09
My overall message was that, despite so many changes, in schools, government and at Reading Matters, the need for us to keep on improving reading skills and changing lives is as great as ever.
Reading Matters Presentation - Interplay 10-12-09
My overall message was that, despite so many changes, in schools, government and at Reading Matters, the need for us to keep on improving reading skills and changing lives is as great as ever.
In fact, the week after our meeting there was a flurry of news stories about how thousands of boys start secondary school 'barely able to read', the BBC report highlighted some of Reading Matters core areas of work. For example, in Rotherham 14% of 11-year-old boys in state schools did not reach level three in their reading tests this summer, this means they were at the level expected of a seven-year-old.
It is true that 'raw data' from the controversial SATS reading tests will not provide the full story, but headlines like these indicate there are still huge numbers of children and young people in primary and secondary schools that do not have special educational needs but still need extensive support for them to reach their full potential in life.
The next part of my presentation shows that through Reading Matters Reading Mentors, Reading Leaders and other programmes, we do reach these young people with simple, targeted and effective support. In fact in the the 2009-10 academic year we supported 3768 children and young people.
The last 12 months we have won a number of awards and accolades that back this up, including the Yorkshire Forward Creating Better Future Awards 2010 and Business Link Social Enterprise Awards 2009. But even more important to me is the feedback form the schools we work in:
It is true that 'raw data' from the controversial SATS reading tests will not provide the full story, but headlines like these indicate there are still huge numbers of children and young people in primary and secondary schools that do not have special educational needs but still need extensive support for them to reach their full potential in life.
The next part of my presentation shows that through Reading Matters Reading Mentors, Reading Leaders and other programmes, we do reach these young people with simple, targeted and effective support. In fact in the the 2009-10 academic year we supported 3768 children and young people.
The last 12 months we have won a number of awards and accolades that back this up, including the Yorkshire Forward Creating Better Future Awards 2010 and Business Link Social Enterprise Awards 2009. But even more important to me is the feedback form the schools we work in:
“The Reading Matters scheme not only improves the reading ability of all students involved, it also creates a fantastic reading culture, promoting responsibility and maturity”. Sheffield School Co-ordinator at
Firth Park Community College.
Like all everyone to continue to meet our objectives, Reading Matters is finding new and innovative ways of working and new partners such as the Summer Reading Challenge, Special Schools and Foster Carers. Having said that, we will be drawing the line at canine support.
Happy Christmas everyone.
16/12/2010
Interplay Leeds Volunteer Reading Mentors Meeting
Last Thursday (9 December 2010) we held our latest meeting for Volunteer Reading Mentors and School Co-ordinators. The first thing to say is that it was very cold and very icy, so thanks to all those people that made it along. Leeds was Frozen.
We are very grateful to Steve Byrne and all the staff at Interplay for hosting us and supplying generous amounts of much needed tea, coffee and cake. The refreshments were not the main reason for travelling to Interplay however, we were there to hear about their latest project, which has potential for Reading Matters to work along side them in schools.
Interplay have been delivering a workshop in Special Schools that is based on the short Story Spit Nolan (Creative Short Stories)
, author of Alfie.
The workshops provide a thrilling and engaging sensory learning experience centred around the construction of old-fashioned go-carts that feature heavily in the story.
We are hoping that as Interplay take the workshops to more schools, Reading Matters will provide Reading Mentors and/or Reading Leaders to sustain and embed the inspiration and enthusiasm generated by this exciting project.
We are very grateful to Steve Byrne and all the staff at Interplay for hosting us and supplying generous amounts of much needed tea, coffee and cake. The refreshments were not the main reason for travelling to Interplay however, we were there to hear about their latest project, which has potential for Reading Matters to work along side them in schools. Interplay have been delivering a workshop in Special Schools that is based on the short Story Spit Nolan (Creative Short Stories), author of Alfie.
The workshops provide a thrilling and engaging sensory learning experience centred around the construction of old-fashioned go-carts that feature heavily in the story.We are hoping that as Interplay take the workshops to more schools, Reading Matters will provide Reading Mentors and/or Reading Leaders to sustain and embed the inspiration and enthusiasm generated by this exciting project.At the same meeting I gave a short presentation about some recent developments at Reading Matters. I'll share these with you in a separate blog post very soon.
23/11/2010
2010 Book Awards - Sheffield Children's Book Award and YoungMinds
Today (23/11/10), I was at the Sheffield Children's Book Award at the City Hall where the 2010 winners were announced. I am sure there will be an official announcement with all the winners, but here is a hint - Morris the Mankiest Monster by Giles Andeae and Sarah McIntyre did really well.
It was a superb event the City Hall was full of kids shouting and screaming and stamping their feet for books and reading! I have never done so much clapping in one hour.
I was at the Children's Book award with some of the volunteers I had trained as Volunteers for the Summer Reading Challenge. Both project are organised by the Sheffield Library Service, who deserve a lot of credit.
Another award I have been involved in was also announced this week. The 2010 YoungMinds Book Award was won by Siobhan Curham, author of Dear Dylan.
There is a lovely post on Siobhan Curham's own blog about the award. She writes about how she struggled with a lack of confidence, and that 'I love being able to go into schools and tell the least confident of kids, ‘if I can do it then so can you.’ It is quite emotional and the blog post after she won is even more so.
I think our Reading Matters Mentors can also play a big part in boosting the self-esteem of struggling students, the comments on Siobham's blog show what a difference it can make.
It was a superb event the City Hall was full of kids shouting and screaming and stamping their feet for books and reading! I have never done so much clapping in one hour.
I was at the Children's Book award with some of the volunteers I had trained as Volunteers for the Summer Reading Challenge. Both project are organised by the Sheffield Library Service, who deserve a lot of credit.
Another award I have been involved in was also announced this week. The 2010 YoungMinds Book Award was won by Siobhan Curham, author of Dear Dylan.
There is a lovely post on Siobhan Curham's own blog about the award. She writes about how she struggled with a lack of confidence, and that 'I love being able to go into schools and tell the least confident of kids, ‘if I can do it then so can you.’ It is quite emotional and the blog post after she won is even more so.
I think our Reading Matters Mentors can also play a big part in boosting the self-esteem of struggling students, the comments on Siobham's blog show what a difference it can make.
23/07/2010
Summer Reading Challenge Sheffield Volunteers
This week I trained 20 young people from Sheffield, who have volunteered to help young visitors to Sheffield libraries take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. It is such a great project to be involved with. This years theme is Space Hop, and the libraries are full of spacey resources, and there are plenty of activities to take part in.
The enthusiastic bunch of volunteers I trained were mainly recruited from schools (Meadowhead, Tapton, Birley and Fir Vale were particularly well represented). They are going to be helping out at the Sheffield Central Children's , Woodseats and Broomhill libraries. So naturally these are the best places to visit, but the Summer Reading Challenge is a national programme, so why not head down to your local library and get involved.
I have just spotted a great article that shows the benefit of summer reading like this, the Kids Lit Blog reports on an American study that has proven that summer reading has a very positive impact for children who participate.
17/06/2010
Them and Us by Bali Rai - Barrington Stoke Book 23
As I mentioned in my last post I am taking the books long-listed for the YoungMinds Book Award to Meadowhead school for the Reading Leaders to review. I thought I would sneak a look at Them and Us
by Bali Rai for my latest Barrington Stoke review.
I am not surprised Them and Us is up for an award. Bali Rai, has a deep understanding of how to construct a thought-provoking story in the quick read format. Them and Us is just 85 pages, (all the other long-listed books are about 200 pages or more).
Bali Rai has written five books for Barrington Stoke with more on the way, he is an expert in writing short, powerful books. Them and Us is no exception. Unusually it starts in a low-key way. Page one is mostly concerned with house work. By page three we get drink, drugs, domestic violence and, crucially, racism.
David moves to a new flat and a new school to escape his abusive father. He is a white kid in a black neighbourhood. He suffers racist abuse, and when his dad catches up with him he must deal with intolerance on both sides.
The subtle details really make the story for me. David lives with his single mum and is often on his own whilst she works shifts. He is amazed at his Asian friend's home of three generations. Similarly the real trouble starts with a silly argument about Christmas.
Them and Us is a great read that handles the difficult subject matter perfectly. It seems like there will be no end to the cultural clashes. The book doesn't offer a happy-ever-after ending, but David and his mates definitely point the way forward for all of us.
by Bali Rai for my latest Barrington Stoke review.I am not surprised Them and Us
is up for an award. Bali Rai, has a deep understanding of how to construct a thought-provoking story in the quick read format. Them and Us is just 85 pages, (all the other long-listed books are about 200 pages or more).Bali Rai has written five books for Barrington Stoke with more on the way, he is an expert in writing short, powerful books. Them and Us
is no exception. Unusually it starts in a low-key way. Page one is mostly concerned with house work. By page three we get drink, drugs, domestic violence and, crucially, racism.David moves to a new flat and a new school to escape his abusive father. He is a white kid in a black neighbourhood. He suffers racist abuse, and when his dad catches up with him he must deal with intolerance on both sides.
The subtle details really make the story for me. David lives with his single mum and is often on his own whilst she works shifts. He is amazed at his Asian friend's home of three generations. Similarly the real trouble starts with a silly argument about Christmas.
Them and Us is a great read that handles the difficult subject matter perfectly. It seems like there will be no end to the cultural clashes. The book doesn't offer a happy-ever-after ending, but David and his mates definitely point the way forward for all of us.
14/06/2010
YoungMinds Book Award Meadowhead School Reading Leader Reviewers
I used to work for a great organisation, YoungMinds, the children's mental health charity. I was with them when their Book Award got started. It was something I loved being involved with (especially as we discussed the books in the local pub).
I am really pleased to get back involved with the YoungMinds Book Award. I have just received a full set of books on this years long list. I will be taking these to Meadowhead School to be reviewed by the Reading Leaders there.
Any young person can get involved by reviewing a book, more details on the YoungMinds website. The 2010 long list is: by Bali Rai on the list because it is Barrington Stoke book, just like those I have been reviewing this year.
Barrington Stoke have been doing very well on the awards front recently. The Story of Matthew Buzzington
by Andy Stanton has been shortlisted for both the Leeds Book Award and the Leicester Junior Book Award. And Night Hunger
by Alan Gibbons was voted best Short Novel in the Hackney School Short Novels Awards.
I am really pleased to get back involved with the YoungMinds Book Award. I have just received a full set of books on this years long list. I will be taking these to Meadowhead School to be reviewed by the Reading Leaders there.
Any young person can get involved by reviewing a book, more details on the YoungMinds website. The 2010 long list is:
- Dear Dylan, by Siobhan Curham (AuthorHouse)
- Desperate Measures, by Laura Summers (Piccadilly)
- Ember Fury, by Cathy Brett (Headline)
- Ice Lolly, by Jean Ure (Harper Collins Children’s
Books) - Inside, by J A Jarman (Andersen press)
- Lottie Biggs is not desperate, by Hayley Long
(Macmillan Children’s Books) - No Way To Go, by Bernard Ashley, (Hachette)
- Running on the cracks, by Julia Donaldson (Egmont)
- Them and Us, by Bali Rai (Barrington Stoke)
- The Truth about Leo, by David Yelland (Penguin)
- When I was Joe, by Keren David (Frances Lincoln
Children’s Books) - Zellah Green, by Vanessa Curtis (Egmont)
by Bali Rai on the list because it is Barrington Stoke book, just like those I have been reviewing this year.Barrington Stoke have been doing very well on the awards front recently. The Story of Matthew Buzzington
by Andy Stanton has been shortlisted for both the Leeds Book Award and the Leicester Junior Book Award. And Night Hunger by Alan Gibbons was voted best Short Novel in the Hackney School Short Novels Awards.11/06/2010
Heritage Park Community School Reading Leader
I have just got back from a Key Stage 4 Assembly at Heritage Park Community School to present a NOCN Certificate to Fiona, a Reading Leader. Fiona, who is autistic, has been a real star and her reading sessions with a younger pupil have been very impressive; organised, fun and really constructive.As well as her great set of reading sessions and gaining the NOCN qualification. Fiona was visited by the people from Chilypep. They wrote a great article for their Positive Image Campaign [pdf]. She also very nearly stole the show from Alan Gibbons at our Celebration event in December 2009.
We hope to run another Reading Leaders course for Heritage Park Community School with other Special School in Sheffield later in the year. Fiona will be a hard act to follow.
09/06/2010
More World Cup 2010 Reading
My previous post about World Cup 2010 Reading has been quite popular. So I have a couple more ideas [thanks to Louise].- Activity Village Word Cup for Kids have a whole host of fun activities, I particularly like the Printables page with bookmarks, trading cards
- Also on Activity Village, Outline Maps perfect for finding out (as Louise says, no need for tracing paper)!
- Raintree World Cup Fever has lots of books to buy and a online quiz
- Skills Workshop have a bunch of FIFA World Cup 2010 activities including lots of reading activities
- iChild have nice drawing and craft based activities
- Love Reading 4 Kids have a nice list of books on a World Cup Theme
- Teacher Planet have a nice list of links (like this one) with even more World Cup activities
Have fun, remember to practice your penalties!
29/05/2010
World Cup 2010 Reading
This week I trained more than 40 students from Meadowhead School in Sheffield to be Reading Leaders. During the training we discussed using events such as the imminent World Cup to engage readers. I've done some research and found a wonderful collection of reading materials on this subject: - Literacy Trust World Cup Resources - Brilliant resources to download and use
- Free Reads from Tom Palmer - Football Stories
- Football Foundation Reading The Game
- Reading For Life - Love Football Love Reading - Ten Top Tips for parents on using the World Cup to encourage children to read
- 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Fact File
- Winning Moves Top Trumps Specials - Fifa World Cup
- Read the Game with Andersen - Order three football books from Andersen Press and receive a free world cup wall chart
26/05/2010
YoungMinds Book Award 2010
I used to work for a fantastic charity called YoungMinds. Whilst I was there in 2003 we started a Book Award, for novels that raise awareness and create understanding of mental health needs of children and young people. It is a super idea, and, despite me moving on, it is obviously going from strength to strength.
YoungMinds are looking for young people to review the 12 books on the long list for the 2010 award. I am sure this is something our Reading Leaders (or any young person) might be interested in getting involved with. If you are under 25 and would like to get involved, there is more information on the YoungMinds website.
YoungMinds are looking for young people to review the 12 books on the long list for the 2010 award. I am sure this is something our Reading Leaders (or any young person) might be interested in getting involved with. If you are under 25 and would like to get involved, there is more information on the YoungMinds website.
12/05/2010
Barnaby Grimes and the Phantom of Blood Alley by Stewart and Riddell - Random House Review by Reading Leader, Sabeela Mahmood from King Ecgbert School
The fith and final review of Random House books by Reading Leader, Sabeela Mahmood from King Ecgbert School
Barnaby Grimes and the Phantom of Blood Alley
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
PLOT
Barnaby Grimes is a tick-tock lad, high stacking his way across the rooftops of his city in search of adventure and mystery. In a fiercely competitive world of early photography, the rewards are immense but so are the risks. After an experiment goes disastrously wrong, Barnaby finds himself on the trail of a mad chemist with a talent for disappearing into thin air…
MAIN CHARACTERS
The main characters are Barnaby Grimes, Professor Pinkerton-Barnes, Will Farmer, Clarissa Oliphant and Laurence Oliphant.
WHAT I THOUGHT
I thought the book was a very good Mixture of gothic and adventure themes. I particularly liked the fact that it was set in early Victorian times. It made the book seem very real. Wrote by the same authors of The Edge Chronicles I didn’t expect any less. The book didn’t disappoint me because of the well thought plot and interesting character. The only bad thing was the book was the fourth in the series! I hadn’t read the first three. But I would definitely recommend this to all my friends. A well thought out book.
By Sabeela Mahmood
Barnaby Grimes and the Phantom of Blood Alley
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
PLOT
Barnaby Grimes is a tick-tock lad, high stacking his way across the rooftops of his city in search of adventure and mystery. In a fiercely competitive world of early photography, the rewards are immense but so are the risks. After an experiment goes disastrously wrong, Barnaby finds himself on the trail of a mad chemist with a talent for disappearing into thin air…
MAIN CHARACTERS
The main characters are Barnaby Grimes, Professor Pinkerton-Barnes, Will Farmer, Clarissa Oliphant and Laurence Oliphant.
WHAT I THOUGHT
I thought the book was a very good Mixture of gothic and adventure themes. I particularly liked the fact that it was set in early Victorian times. It made the book seem very real. Wrote by the same authors of The Edge Chronicles I didn’t expect any less. The book didn’t disappoint me because of the well thought plot and interesting character. The only bad thing was the book was the fourth in the series! I hadn’t read the first three. But I would definitely recommend this to all my friends. A well thought out book.
By Sabeela Mahmood
07/05/2010
Fantastic Sheffield Reading Leaders
Over the last few days I have been meeting some of the Reading Leaders from Sheffield schools. I have been helping them gain the National Open College Network Qualification that they get for their Reading Mentoring work.
I visited Wisewood School a little while ago. This week I visited Seven Hills, Firth Park and Fir Vale and next week I am off to City and Silverdale Schools.
It has been great to hear about the really successful reading partnership work that has been going on. Well done to everyone.
At Fir Vale they had a great display about the project:
I visited Wisewood School a little while ago. This week I visited Seven Hills, Firth Park and Fir Vale and next week I am off to City and Silverdale Schools.
It has been great to hear about the really successful reading partnership work that has been going on. Well done to everyone.
At Fir Vale they had a great display about the project:
06/05/2010
The Immortals by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell - Random House Review by Reading Leader, Sabeela Mahmood from King Ecgbert School
The forth in our set of reviews of Random House books by Reading Leader, Sabeela Mahmood from King Ecgbert School
The Immortals
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
PLOT
The story is about a boy called Nate Quarter who lives on a floating rock called the Edge. He is a miner who mines for powerful phrax crystals. One day he finds out that the mine owner is stealing crystals. He takes them back but then is on the run with his best friend Slip.
MAIN CHARACTERS
The main characters are Nate Quarter, Slip, Professor Eudoxia Prade, Weelum and an old sky pirate.
WHAT I THOUGHT
The book was a fantastic mixture of fantasy and adventure. The Edge is a brilliant world and the description makes it seem very real. This is no ordinary book and I can see why a lot of people have bought copies. The plot is intriguing and mysterious and you don’t know what come next. The writers are total genius’s to come up with a whole new world and write then books about it. The only thing I regret is that I wasn’t able to read the other Edge Chronicle books. A brilliant read.
By Sabeela Mahmood
The Immortals
Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
PLOT
The story is about a boy called Nate Quarter who lives on a floating rock called the Edge. He is a miner who mines for powerful phrax crystals. One day he finds out that the mine owner is stealing crystals. He takes them back but then is on the run with his best friend Slip.
MAIN CHARACTERS
The main characters are Nate Quarter, Slip, Professor Eudoxia Prade, Weelum and an old sky pirate.
WHAT I THOUGHT
The book was a fantastic mixture of fantasy and adventure. The Edge is a brilliant world and the description makes it seem very real. This is no ordinary book and I can see why a lot of people have bought copies. The plot is intriguing and mysterious and you don’t know what come next. The writers are total genius’s to come up with a whole new world and write then books about it. The only thing I regret is that I wasn’t able to read the other Edge Chronicle books. A brilliant read.
By Sabeela Mahmood
03/04/2010
The Lady Grace Mysteries: Loot By Grace Cavendish - Random House Review by Reading Leader, Sabeela Mahmood from King Ecgbert School
The third in our set of reviews of Random House books by Reading Leader, Sabeela Mahmood from King Ecgbert School
The Lady Grace Mysteries: Loot
By Grace Cavendish
PLOT
The story is about a maid of honour serving Queen Elizabeth. It is the day before the Queen’s coronation anniversary when the crown of St Edward gets stolen. Grace must now turn Lady Pursuivant and track it down.
MAIN CHARACTERS
The main characters are Lady Grace, Queen Elizabeth I, Ellie, Mary Shelton and the Jewel Thief.
WHAT I THOUGHT
The book is a great blend of adventure and 15th century life. I thought it was very well written and it had a lot of tense bits making me want to read right through to the end. The descriptions of life then was very detailed and convincing. I would love to read the other books in the series. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends. Overall it was a wonderful and great book to read.
By Sabeela Mahmood
23/03/2010
The Monster Republic By Ben Horton - Random House Review by Reading Leader, Sabeela Mahmood from King Ecgbert School
The second in our set of reviews of Random House books by Reading Leader, Sabeela Mahmood from King Ecgbert School
The Monster Republic
By Ben Horton
PLOT
The story is about a boy called Cameron who is in an accident and finds that someone has made changes to his body giving him amazing capabilities.
MAIN CHARACTERS
The main characters are Cameron, Rora, Dr Fry Carla and The Monster Republic
WHAT I THOUGHT
The book was very good. The plot was fripping. You don’t know what happens until the very end. It is a great way to start off a series. The topic of the story isn’t new but the way it is written makes it unique. The only thing that could be improved is the beginning. It rushes into the story so quickly and it could be longer. Also the character, Cameron, accepts what his is way too quickly. But overall it’s an amazing book.
By Sabeela Mahmood
The Monster Republic
By Ben Horton
PLOT
The story is about a boy called Cameron who is in an accident and finds that someone has made changes to his body giving him amazing capabilities.
MAIN CHARACTERS
The main characters are Cameron, Rora, Dr Fry Carla and The Monster Republic
WHAT I THOUGHT
The book was very good. The plot was fripping. You don’t know what happens until the very end. It is a great way to start off a series. The topic of the story isn’t new but the way it is written makes it unique. The only thing that could be improved is the beginning. It rushes into the story so quickly and it could be longer. Also the character, Cameron, accepts what his is way too quickly. But overall it’s an amazing book.
By Sabeela Mahmood
11/03/2010
The Toymaker By Jeremy De Quidt - Random House Review by Reading Leader, Sabeela Mahmood from King Ecgbert School
A few weeks back I was sent a stack of new books from Random House. I passed these on to King Ecgbert School
To do justice to Sabeela’s reviews I will post them up one at a time once a week or so.
Enjoy!
The Toymaker
By Jeremy De Quidt
PLOT
The story is about a boy called Mathias who finds a hidden piece of paper inside the collar of his dying granddad’s coat. Then he has to run because of the many people who would love to have that piece of paper. Along the way he meets a girl out for revenge, a friend of a strange type of people called Burners and his jealous brother.
MAIN CHARACTERS
The main characters are Mathias, Katta, Koenig, Stefan, Anna-Maria, Lutsmann and Dr Lieter.
WHAT I THOUGHT
The book was an intriguing story. It kept me hooked. The plot had many twists and turns and it’s a book that you can’t put down. The words used by the author are not complicated so it is very suitable for all teenagers. I would definitely recommend this to other readers. The only thing that could be made better was the ending. It isn’t a very satisfying ending. You don’t know what happens to some characters when they leave the building. But apart from that a very worthwhile read.
By Sabeela Mahmood
To do justice to Sabeela’s reviews I will post them up one at a time once a week or so.Enjoy!
The Toymaker
By Jeremy De Quidt
PLOT
The story is about a boy called Mathias who finds a hidden piece of paper inside the collar of his dying granddad’s coat. Then he has to run because of the many people who would love to have that piece of paper. Along the way he meets a girl out for revenge, a friend of a strange type of people called Burners and his jealous brother.
MAIN CHARACTERS
The main characters are Mathias, Katta, Koenig, Stefan, Anna-Maria, Lutsmann and Dr Lieter.
WHAT I THOUGHT
The book was an intriguing story. It kept me hooked. The plot had many twists and turns and it’s a book that you can’t put down. The words used by the author are not complicated so it is very suitable for all teenagers. I would definitely recommend this to other readers. The only thing that could be made better was the ending. It isn’t a very satisfying ending. You don’t know what happens to some characters when they leave the building. But apart from that a very worthwhile read.
By Sabeela Mahmood
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