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Posts tagged ‘Friends’

Bridesmaid in Training

I received this book from the publisher

bridesmaid-in-training.jpgBy: Meg Cabot

Notebooks of a Middle School Princess Bk 2

Olivia Grace is now in residence at the palace in Genovia where she is doing all she can to help out with her half sister’s upcoming wedding. There is so much to learn being a new princess, with all those table settings which one is for what or whom? Then to make matters worse she has to start school, during the last week, not something she wants to do at all. Starting a new school is hard enough, let alone if everyone at your school is a noble of some sort, and your distant cousin is doing all she can to make you feel uncomfortable. Let’s hope that everything for the wedding goes smoothly.

This is a fun story. Even being set in the world of princesses it remains very relatable, Olivia’s issues are ones that most kids can identify with; friends, new schools, learning new skills and an beginning interest in the opposite sex. (Not that Olivia is, really.) The story moves at a good pace, the text is broken up by occasional simple illustrations. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Recommended.

Publisher : Pan MacMillan

Published : 21st April 2016

Key Words : Fun, Humour, Family, School, Friends

Age : 8+

ISBN : 9781447292487

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Sean

I received my copy from the publisher.
stuff-happens-sean
By: William Kostakis
Part of the Stuff Happens series

Sean has been hauled across the country by his parents and now he had to figure out how to make new friends and survive school without the friends he has had forever. His parents finally relent and allow him a phone to contact his buddies, but he blows it and has it confiscated. How is he going to prove he is responsible enough to get the phone back. Fortunately he has managed to make a couple of friends who are willing to help him out.
Another bite sized real life instalment of this series. Starting at a new school is something many can relate to and is a situation fraught with all sorts of things to navigate. It can be hard making new friends and you need to make sure you don’t do the things that will turn you into an immediate outcast. It doesn’t shy away from the awkward bits but shows that it isn’t all bad and life after moving away form old friends does actually exist and can be good.
As a concept this series shows a lot of promise, relatable short stories make for reads that fit into a lifestyle that is filled with other activities, also the brevity of the books means they don’t look intimidating or time consuming.

Publisher: Puffin
Publication Date: 27th August 2014
Format: Paperback 92 pages
Key Words: Friends, Family, School, Moving
ISBN: 9780143308119

Category:

Uncategorized

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Playground Pets

I was sent this by the publisher.
playground-pets
By: Rebecca Johnson
Illustrated By: Kyla May
Juliet Nearly a Vet bk 8

Juliet is ten and has a real passion for animals. Most schools don’t have many pets but hers does and that is just fine with Juliet because she loves animals and wants to be a vet when she is older. Also she loves to help out. One day they get a replacement teacher for science class, Miss Fine, but it turns out that Miss Fine doesn’t know very much about looking after animals so Juliet and her best friend Chelsea volunteer to help her. All is going well until it isn’t and then they lose someone and some babies might be coming early. It seems it is going to take more than two of them to get things back on track.
This is a real team story and as such a good addition to the series. The story itself is fun filled, with silly things than can happen when animals are involved. Scattered throughout are also plenty of little facts about different animals that are part of the story, so the book could also be a teaching device but shhhh, don’t let the reader know that. There is even a short quiz at the end of the book. A good little read particularly if the reader likes animals.
PUBLISHER: Puffin
FORMAT: Paperback 96 pages
PUBLISHED: 27th August 2014
KEY WORDS: Animals, Friends, School
ISBN: 9780143308270

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Zookeeper for a Day

I received my copy from the publisher

zookeeper-for-a-day-

By: Rebecca Johnson

Illustrated By: Kyla May

Juliet Nearly a Vet bk 6

Juliet loves animals, so much in fact that she is certain one day she will be a vet. Juliet entered a competition to be a zookeeper for a day and she won. She is so excited. She’s so happy that it is an experience she gets to share with her best friend Chelsea, who wants to be an animal trainer and groomer. There are so many jobs at the zoo and some the girls really weren’t prepared for, the most exciting thing though is that a baby elephant is due to be born.

This is such a charming story about a young girl who is incredibly passionate about animals and her dream job and she does what ever she can to work towards that goal. Juliet’s passion and positive attitude are contagious and she is ably assisted by her best friend. They have an exciting day at the zoo and I’m sure readers will find the easy language and fun pictures a good way to learn a little of how a zoo might run behind the scenes.

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 28 May 2014

Format: Paperback 96 pages

Categories:  Animal Stories, Friends

ISBN 13: 9780143308256

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Uncategorized

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Stink and the World’s Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers

I was sent this by the publisher.

stink-and-the-world-s-worst-super-stinky-sneakersBy: Megan McDonald

Illustrated By: Peter H Reynolds

Stink is super excited to be going on the school excursion because they are going to the Everybody Stinks exhibit at the Science Museum. Whilst there Stink discovers he has an amazing gift, he has a really good nose, he can tell the difference between all sorts of super smelly things.

Stink decides to enter his stinky sneakers in the competition for the worst smelling sneakers but his sister Judy ruins his plans. This is when Stink sets out to make his shoes as stinky as they used to be. Then he discovers that his gift gives him an amazing new opportunity.

Stink is a lot of fun, a good match for his sister Judy Moody. The stories are fun filled and even have snippets of interesting information. The language is perfect for young readers and the illustrations complement the stories wonderfully. A great little series.

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Published: 12 February 2013

Format: Paperback 130 pages

Categories: Family, Humour, Fun, Friends,

ISBN 13: 9780763664244

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Stink and the Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker

I was sent my copy by the publisher

stink-and-the-incredible-super-galactic-jawbreakerBy: Megan McDonald

Illustrated By: Peter H Reynolds

Stink uses his money to get himself a jawbreaker, but he soon finds himself disappointed as it doesn’t break his jaw. Stink decides his best course of action is to write a letter of complaint to the company that makes the jawbreakers. This turns out better than he hoped because he gets a huge box of jawbreakers sent to him. Due to his success Stink decides to write a whole lot more letters in the hope he will get more stuff sent to him.

Grandma send Stink some glow in the dark pyjamas to wear to the school sleepover, even when things goes wrong it’s not so bad because Judy does something cool to fix it. Then it seems his best friend Webster isn’t talking to him and Stink doesn’t know what he has done wrong. Turns out that Stink in his excitement at getting big things in the mail overlooked a very important small letter.

A fun instalment from the world of Stink. These stories show what you can do and what some important things are that may be easy to miss. Stink is a bright character, who is proactive in things he does. The stories are a lot of fun and perfect for early readers who want the challenge of a chapter book that isn’t too tricky for them.

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Published: 12 February 2013

Format: Paperback 118 pages

Categories: Family, Friends

ISBN 13: 9780763664206

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

 

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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The Great Monster Hunt

9781848950238By: Norbert Landa

Illustrated by: Tim Warnes

Duck hears a funny noise early one morning whilst still in bed. Scared she runs outside and tells Pig. As it goes from animal to animal the story of the noise gets scarier and scarier, until they are convinced that Duck has a monster under her bed. Together the friends get prepared to hunt this monster down and save Duck. What they find is not at all what they expected.

I love books by these guys. Landa’s stories are fun and somehow always engaging. There is plenty of action and text to keep the older picture book reader/listener engaged. There are also plenty of sound words to allow for interaction. Warne’s illustrations are expressive and compliment the story so well. This combination of creators never miss.

Recommended.

Publisher: Little Tiger Press

Published: 01 February 2011

Format: Paperback 32 pages

Categories: Animal Stories, Monsters, Friendship

ISBN 13: 9781848950238

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.

 

Category:

Picture Books

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The Copycat Kid

By: Sally Rippin

Part of the Billie B Brown series

Billy is very excited. There is a new girl in school and Billie has been asked to be her buddy and show her around. Billie puts on a very special outfit to mark the special occasion. Billie is in for a big surprise though. The next day the new girl starts copying everything Billie does, even the clothes she wears. Billie starts to get angry about this. Is there a way for this problem to be solved?

A fun addition to the popular Billie B Brown series. Billie is a wonderfully real character who isn’t always nice and struggles with things like her temper, sometimes, that single fact makes Billie a great series. It gives girls an independent female character to read about and one who learns lessons that are valuable to that age. Rippin has done a great job with these books.

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont

Published: 02 April 2012

Format: Paperback 60 pages

Categories: School, Friends,

ISBN 13: 9781742971414

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on side of page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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The Robot Blues

By: Sally Rippin

Hey Jack series bk 4

Jack has been invited to his friend Jem’s costume party. He has made a really awesome Robot from Outer Space costume but he is worried the other kids will think it’s lame. Also he doesn’t know anyone but Jem and can’t help thinking about what will happen if all the other kids have wonderful store bought costumes. Jack is feeling wobbly and nervous in his tummy and he’s not sure he even wants to go to the party any more.

This is a great little story about taking a chance even when it makes you nervous. Also how sometimes being a little different pays off. Both of these are good lessons to learn. The text is easy to understand and the story is honest fun and totally relatable. Rippin writes a good book for readers just beginning the path to chapter books.

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont

Published: 01 February 2012

Format: Paperback 60 pages

Categories: Friendship,

ISBN 13: 9781742971278

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on side of page

Category:

Picture Books

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The Scary Solo

By: Sally Rippin

Hey Jack series bk 2

Jack loves to sing and he is going to try out for a solo part in the school production. Things don’t go as planned though and his best friend Billie gets the part instead. Jack is so mad because she knew he wanted the part. Jack manages to realise his feelings aren’t good about this and manages to apologise and then help Billie practice. When the day of the concert arrives things once again go wrong and it is up to Jack to save the day.

A fun little story about getting over disappointments and supporting a friend. The text is simple and fun. Moods go up and down as Jack goes through different experiences and feelings. A good little tale about apologising and still being friends. An enjoyable read for a beginning reader.

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont

Published: 01 February 2012

Format: Paperback 60 pages

Categories: Music, Friends,

ISBN 13: 9781742971261

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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