Reading+log-+Callum

Back to Callum's page =Thank you for a comprehensive reading log,Callum. I think your responses are perceptive and knowledgeable. I appreciate the effort you have put into this log. LS = **(Achieved with Merit) **

Term 1:



Title: Henderson's Boys No. 3: Secret army. Author: Robert Muchamore. Genre: Action, Adventure, Historical. Plot: Britain, 1941.

Plot: The SOE is being formed. Recruiting agents to work undercover to gather intelligence and sabotage the German war effort. Henderson's Boys is part of that.Formed by Charles Henderson, the team is made up of kids cut adrift by the war. In a training exercise, the team has to parachute into an unfamiliar part of Britain. Their task, to make their way to a factory, find and disassemble an artillery gun, then take it to the lost and found desk at King's Cross Station. They can knock people unconscious but not kill them. If caught they will be arrested and possibly killed. They face teams from Norway, France and Poland in the ultimate war game. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 140%;">In wartime Britain, anything goes.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 140%;">Response: The language used is great, in all of the events from training to the final race, uncovering their <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 140%;">destiny. It keeps you engaged, sitting on the edge of your seat in excitement and a bit of laughter. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 140%;">If I were one of the Poles I wouldn't have been so careless as to not check that I wasn't being followed. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 140%;">I felt empathy with Paul who was always being bullied by Luc. It didn't seem fair since Luc is a giant compared to Paul. <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 140%;">This book shows that you didn't have to be in the thick of World War 2 to face danger. It's just as people <span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 140%;">would picture London in The Blackout.

<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Console',Monaco,monospace; font-size: 140%;">Recommendation: 11+ Contains some light sexual language not suitable for people under 10.



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Title: The Book of Grizzly Tales No.4: Freaks of Nature <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Author: Jamie Rix <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Genre: Humour, Fantasy

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Plot: **Hello. You may not know who I am, but I know who __you__ are. Welcome to... The Hothell Darkness. You and I are going to have such fun together! Now that you are down here, You must acquaint yourself with the others. So meet six sorry souls that foolishly fell foul of the mother that can never be crossed, Mother Nature.** The Night Night Porter manages The Hothell Darkness and punishes the little brats, we're talking about children, of course. So if you are out there and you are a little brat, watch out. The Fire Lord might burn you, The Recyclops might recycle you into something useful, Or you'll be eaten by a Giant Canadian Conker. So remember for your own good, respect nature.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Response: It has some really funny language and the things that happen are either hilarious or a bit creepy. And the mistakes Mr Night Night Porter make are rather interesting e.g: Prison, I mean, Hotel, sorry there, pencil slipped. Some of the things that happen are a bit weird but it's a great book.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">Recommendation: 9-11 Adults might enjoy it too.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">

Title: Solitaire Author: Bernard Ashley Genre: Adventure

Plot: A boy. Stranded, isolated. On a deserted island called Solitaire. With no idea whatsoever of who he is, all that matter is survival. Mike Symonds. World wide entrepreneur. Rich and extremely powerful. Has a frail belief his grandson is alive. He has the grit and determination to find and rescue him. The hunt leads him to solitaire. All of his strength has been used to survive, but now with a millionaire's life, what betrayals shall be exposed when friend becomes foe? His life slowly pieced together, he now knows who he genuinely is and what may be his purpose.

Response: The language used is spectacular, placing vivid images inside you mind and keeping you engaged. The revelations and realisations that are uncovered show that you should never judge a book by it's cover. If I were Pax I wouldn't have jumped off the boat instead I would've left through the boat's door. I felt empathy with Pax after he discovered that Mike makes weapon systems and used to assemble landmines. This book shows what island survival is truly like.

Recommendation: 10+



**Title: Goosebumps Horrorland no.12. The streets of panic park.** **Author: R.L Stine.** **Genre: Horror/Thriller**

**Plot: Sixteen kids have escaped to Panic Park and believe they are safe. But they have been betrayed, and little do they know that the biggest terrors may be right around the corner. Can they stop The Menace, before the panic meter reaches 100, and the park is thrown from 1974 into reality? Let alone escape if the panic meter gets to 0 and the park shrinks away into nothing. Torture, Betrayal, Terror, and lies. Will you survive the horror?**

**Response: Great book with twists and turns that keep you engaged. Lots of descriptive language to form an image in your head. This book takes weird and freaky to a whole new level! Easy to read and perfect for improving your reading skills. Yet another great classic from the master of fright!**

**I felt empathy with all the kids for how they were betrayed by Byron.** **If I was Robby I wouldn't have insulted Dr. Maniac and gotten him all worked up and agitated.**

**Recommendation: 10-13 years.**