After moving house recently, I am still stuggling to find the books I want to review. There's just a sea of cardboard boxes full of books on top of my wardrobe, which a) I can barely reach and b) don't want to cause an avalanche of books by moving one box! (Sorry guys, I promise I'll try to do another review soon!)
My exciting feedback is actually the reason for this post. At the weekend I received a message from a published author who gave great feedback on my blog! I was very overwhelmed, having not written much on here, to receive such a positive message. I am very keen to read his books and hopefully will be able to give them fantastic reviews on here in the new year...
I really enjoy discovering new books and am happy to accept recommendations, even if they come directly from the author!
Hopefully will be back with a review next time!
Happy reading...
Laura-Jane xx
Tuesday 20 November 2012
Thursday 8 November 2012
Another quick note... :)
So this again isn't a review, but I wanted to share this with you all anyway! A huge thank you to everyone who has been reading my blog, the views have shot through the roof and I'm very grateful. Thank you for all the positive feedback too - you know who you are! :)
The main reason for this comment though, is just to say that after missing the release date of One Shot Kill (Henderson's Boys 6) by Robert Muchamore and missing his signing in East Anglia (gutted!), I managed to get hold of a pristine 1st edition copy a week late! :) After finishing it in a couple of hours last night I can safely say it possibly beats The Prisoner (HB5) as my favourite in the series. So impressed (as always) by the fantastic storylines - did not see the twists coming! - and really impressed with how much Rob's writing style has improved since his first book... I will forever be a fan!
READ IT!!! You'll regret it if you don't...
I'll be back with my 2nd review shortly (fingers crossed!) so stay tuned!
Happy reading!
Laura-Jane xx
The main reason for this comment though, is just to say that after missing the release date of One Shot Kill (Henderson's Boys 6) by Robert Muchamore and missing his signing in East Anglia (gutted!), I managed to get hold of a pristine 1st edition copy a week late! :) After finishing it in a couple of hours last night I can safely say it possibly beats The Prisoner (HB5) as my favourite in the series. So impressed (as always) by the fantastic storylines - did not see the twists coming! - and really impressed with how much Rob's writing style has improved since his first book... I will forever be a fan!
READ IT!!! You'll regret it if you don't...
I'll be back with my 2nd review shortly (fingers crossed!) so stay tuned!
Happy reading!
Laura-Jane xx
Friday 26 October 2012
CHERUB: The Recruit (Series 1, Book 1 of 12) by Robert Muchamore
So I started writing this review in July, but as always, life got in the way... I've also added edit notes and re-written this many times. Hope it's been worth the wait!
"CHERUB has a fifty-year tradition of mayhem and destruction" (page 122)
My copy of this book is an early edition, as only the first three books in the series were published at the time. I remember getting it signed 'TO LAURA' in June 2005. I own the 7th edition of this book however, I couldn't locate it at the time of reading/writing, therefore this review is based upon the 40th edition book which my dad will shortly be receiving for Father's Day (EDIT: He received it, was pleased but still hasn't read it!). I promise I will try to refrain from giving away too many spoilers for those who haven't read the book, although with 325 pages (including the epilogue, which is quite lengthy for a first novel) it'll be hard to keep all the juicy stories to myself...
CHERUB is an organisation of British child spies. Now many of you will instantly think of Alex Rider books (by Anthony Horowitz), but I'll warn you now, there is no comparison. CHERUB blows it away without the need for silly gadgets and the CHERUB kids even go to the toilet! It's as realistic as a fiction book for children/teenagers/young adults can be - I've seen just about every age at various signings!
Characters:
The book opens with "James Choke hated Combined Science", which makes him instantly likeable as the lead character. Everybody hates at least one school subject when you're a kid, so it gives you an instant connection to him. We are introduced early on to his half-sister Lauren, who is only ever called his sister. They clearly share a close bond over their mutual hatred of her father however, Lauren seems to have inherited a mean streak from him as "...she was looking forward to seeing James suffer" later on in the book.
The character of James is developed slowly at an enjoyable pace throughout the book. We learn that he is smart, shown by excelling at mathematics and his novel ways of hiding money, and also trying to be as classy as an eleven year old can be by picking his favourite football player as his new name - I'm sure every kid has thought about having a celebrity name once or twice! It is a captivating journey of self-discovery he undertakes as he navigates friendships, punishments and first love, all in a very short space of time. (EDIT: Seriously?! I wrote this?!!)
Although James takes the lead role in this book, we are introduced to an overwhelming amount of extra characters too. Kyle is his happy-go-lucky friend, as long as everything is clean and tidy and doesn't smell like James' dirty socks! He seems like a trickster at first by playing a practical joke on James, but he redeems himself for lying about CHERUB by helping James get revenge on another care kid. He also proves his best friend credentials by defending James in a fight. Kyle is slightly older than James and although they seem to be total opposites, they seem very suited to being great friends.
Kerry is James' training partner at CHERUB. We see a huge range of emotions from her throughout the training experience, which is what you would expect from an eleven year old girl anyway, without the added pressure of training! She starts off by bossing James around, which he isn't used to but understands when he realises she can help him. This trait is made likeable however, by also making Kerry vulnerable and desperate when she asks James to help her in return. Kerry's character is a challenge for James as she is everything he's not and she's good at everything. This frustrates him, especially when she's a drama queen - screams when landing on her knee, then says "...no worse than usual" - but his character learns to adapt to her challenges throughout the book.
I'm gonna leave it there for the characters because they will definitely be mentioned again in later book reviews.
Plots and Themes:
There is a steady introduction into James' school and family life, and information is revealed slowly to leave the reader wanting more. James' sister Lauren appears as an unsympathetic character often, yet helps out eventually. This turns into a theme and key trait of her character throughout the books.
(EDIT: This seems to be getting long, a bit boring and far too formal, so hopefully I can make the end of this review a bit more exciting!)
Although you are aware that you are reading a book, you'll never feel as if the plot is farfetched. It feels very realistic throughout. There are many transitions of surroundings throughout the early chapters, which keeps the pace. James gets raced between school, the park, his home, his estate, a care home, a new school and many other places. By half way through you feel nearly as lost as James does!
Many chapters of the book were heavily editied or removed to fit the graphic novel. This was to maintain pace and fit the key story points in. Once of these was from the London mission. Editors initially wanted to remove this classic scene, where Bruce pees on the piano in a swimming pool, from the original story of The Recruit too! Thankfully it was kept when lots of kids complained that it was their favourite part of the book. If you don't read it for any other reason, let this be the part that persuades you to try it, as it is hilariously childish and fun!
I do find the Training section has a difficult to follow pace. We jump from day 1 to 26 to 29 in a relatively short space of time, then we suddenly arrive at the last 3 days out of 100, which we get chapters and chapters on. It seems strange to review this because it seems to just fit the writing style and feel of the book! The huge mission briefing half way through the book is very interesting the first time you read it, however after many re-reads, it can feel like it's dragging a little. It's also very formal which is a complete change from the child-like grammar and occasional swear word which entertains us the rest of the time.
One mistake I spotted had been corrected in the 37th edition was on page 250. Scargill's name was mis-spelled as Scragill in my edition! I wasn't sure if this was a play on the speech or a typo, but from the correction I'm guessing at typo... I also wasn't sure that people in real life could make friends so quickly with the weird kids James has to, but maybe that's just my personal opinion.
Overall I think it's an interesting story. The narrative shows good character development and although there is a clear focus on male perspective, the book appeals to both genders and a huge range of ages. A firm favourite with CHERUB fans and a deserving winner of the Older Readers category of the Red House Children's Book Awards 2005.
Laura's rating: 8/10
"It was beautiful" (page 322)
"CHERUB has a fifty-year tradition of mayhem and destruction" (page 122)
My copy of this book is an early edition, as only the first three books in the series were published at the time. I remember getting it signed 'TO LAURA' in June 2005. I own the 7th edition of this book however, I couldn't locate it at the time of reading/writing, therefore this review is based upon the 40th edition book which my dad will shortly be receiving for Father's Day (EDIT: He received it, was pleased but still hasn't read it!). I promise I will try to refrain from giving away too many spoilers for those who haven't read the book, although with 325 pages (including the epilogue, which is quite lengthy for a first novel) it'll be hard to keep all the juicy stories to myself...
CHERUB is an organisation of British child spies. Now many of you will instantly think of Alex Rider books (by Anthony Horowitz), but I'll warn you now, there is no comparison. CHERUB blows it away without the need for silly gadgets and the CHERUB kids even go to the toilet! It's as realistic as a fiction book for children/teenagers/young adults can be - I've seen just about every age at various signings!
Characters:
The book opens with "James Choke hated Combined Science", which makes him instantly likeable as the lead character. Everybody hates at least one school subject when you're a kid, so it gives you an instant connection to him. We are introduced early on to his half-sister Lauren, who is only ever called his sister. They clearly share a close bond over their mutual hatred of her father however, Lauren seems to have inherited a mean streak from him as "...she was looking forward to seeing James suffer" later on in the book.
The character of James is developed slowly at an enjoyable pace throughout the book. We learn that he is smart, shown by excelling at mathematics and his novel ways of hiding money, and also trying to be as classy as an eleven year old can be by picking his favourite football player as his new name - I'm sure every kid has thought about having a celebrity name once or twice! It is a captivating journey of self-discovery he undertakes as he navigates friendships, punishments and first love, all in a very short space of time. (EDIT: Seriously?! I wrote this?!!)
Although James takes the lead role in this book, we are introduced to an overwhelming amount of extra characters too. Kyle is his happy-go-lucky friend, as long as everything is clean and tidy and doesn't smell like James' dirty socks! He seems like a trickster at first by playing a practical joke on James, but he redeems himself for lying about CHERUB by helping James get revenge on another care kid. He also proves his best friend credentials by defending James in a fight. Kyle is slightly older than James and although they seem to be total opposites, they seem very suited to being great friends.
Kerry is James' training partner at CHERUB. We see a huge range of emotions from her throughout the training experience, which is what you would expect from an eleven year old girl anyway, without the added pressure of training! She starts off by bossing James around, which he isn't used to but understands when he realises she can help him. This trait is made likeable however, by also making Kerry vulnerable and desperate when she asks James to help her in return. Kerry's character is a challenge for James as she is everything he's not and she's good at everything. This frustrates him, especially when she's a drama queen - screams when landing on her knee, then says "...no worse than usual" - but his character learns to adapt to her challenges throughout the book.
I'm gonna leave it there for the characters because they will definitely be mentioned again in later book reviews.
Plots and Themes:
There is a steady introduction into James' school and family life, and information is revealed slowly to leave the reader wanting more. James' sister Lauren appears as an unsympathetic character often, yet helps out eventually. This turns into a theme and key trait of her character throughout the books.
(EDIT: This seems to be getting long, a bit boring and far too formal, so hopefully I can make the end of this review a bit more exciting!)
Although you are aware that you are reading a book, you'll never feel as if the plot is farfetched. It feels very realistic throughout. There are many transitions of surroundings throughout the early chapters, which keeps the pace. James gets raced between school, the park, his home, his estate, a care home, a new school and many other places. By half way through you feel nearly as lost as James does!
Many chapters of the book were heavily editied or removed to fit the graphic novel. This was to maintain pace and fit the key story points in. Once of these was from the London mission. Editors initially wanted to remove this classic scene, where Bruce pees on the piano in a swimming pool, from the original story of The Recruit too! Thankfully it was kept when lots of kids complained that it was their favourite part of the book. If you don't read it for any other reason, let this be the part that persuades you to try it, as it is hilariously childish and fun!
I do find the Training section has a difficult to follow pace. We jump from day 1 to 26 to 29 in a relatively short space of time, then we suddenly arrive at the last 3 days out of 100, which we get chapters and chapters on. It seems strange to review this because it seems to just fit the writing style and feel of the book! The huge mission briefing half way through the book is very interesting the first time you read it, however after many re-reads, it can feel like it's dragging a little. It's also very formal which is a complete change from the child-like grammar and occasional swear word which entertains us the rest of the time.
One mistake I spotted had been corrected in the 37th edition was on page 250. Scargill's name was mis-spelled as Scragill in my edition! I wasn't sure if this was a play on the speech or a typo, but from the correction I'm guessing at typo... I also wasn't sure that people in real life could make friends so quickly with the weird kids James has to, but maybe that's just my personal opinion.
Overall I think it's an interesting story. The narrative shows good character development and although there is a clear focus on male perspective, the book appeals to both genders and a huge range of ages. A firm favourite with CHERUB fans and a deserving winner of the Older Readers category of the Red House Children's Book Awards 2005.
Laura's rating: 8/10
"It was beautiful" (page 322)
Wednesday 11 July 2012
Not quite a review yet...!
Ok, so this is actually my interview for cherubcampus.com, but it's helping me refresh my writing skills ready for my reviews! :P (and due to me being away for a while, I figured posting something quickly would be a good idea!)
■Hello Laura-Jane, could you introduce yourself?
Hi guys, my name is Laura-Jane Harvey and I've just turned 20. I'm from East Anglia, but everyone thinks that's abroad, so I say I'm from Hull, because that's where I study at University. I love reading and have just started a book review blog.
■How long have you been reading CHERUB? How did you discover the series?
I have been reading CHERUB since the start of 2005. I discovered the series because I was a judge for the Red House Children's Book Award, and The Recruit was shortlisted in 2005. I was hesitant to read it at first because it looked like such a boys book, but I loved it instantly and voted for it to win, which it did. I was also at the Award Ceremony the same year to see it win the award in the Older Readers category. At the time, there were only the first three books published, so I bought them all and got them signed.
■What do you like about the series?
Where do I start?! I think the characters are very realistic both due to their likeability and their flaws. The first book wasn't the most well-written piece of literature, but I have enjoyed following Rob's writing develop and think he has created some amazing and inspiring series of books. I'm very impressed that they have connected with such a large audience all over the world! I also like that none of the plots seem too far-fetched or forced, which helps all three of his series flow smoothly. I love reading about relationships from the male perspective too, as some female teenage fiction can get too soppy and far too idealistic!
■How devoted are you to CHERUB?
I honestly don't think I could be more devoted! I own every book (as many as possible are 1st editions!), they are all signed, I have many posters and badges from signings, own a signed copy of The Recruit audiobook and have tons of signed photographs and t-shirts! In February 2012, I also won a goody bag for being 2 hours early to a signing and therefore 1st in the queue - won a cool CHERUB hat and playing cards and other awesome things. I also have a tattoo of the CHERUB logo on my leg, but more on that later...
■Do you think you could live like a CHERUB agent?
I think I would enjoy basic training as I enjoy bootcamp style attempts to get fit, but I almost certainly wouldn't last the whole 100 days though... I also think missions would be really hard as I would probably get nervous and forget my own name! I also tend to injure myself a lot because I'm really clumsy, so I'd most likely spend my entire CHERUB career at the Medical Unit.
■So you have a CHERUB tattoo right? Why that choice? How did Robert react?
Yes, I do! It's on my right leg, just above my ankle. My best friend wanted to race me to see who got a tattoo first and I won because I got mine done the day after our conversation! He still doesn't have one... I wanted something really important to me and something that wouldn't change - a tattoo is for life, not just for Christmas! It hurt a lot, so I wouldn't recommend it. I chose the CHERUB logo because those books had been in my life since 2005. They were a huge part of my teenage years and I know my life would've been very boring without them! Rob initially thought it was fake when I showed him at a signing. He told me he was impressed by my commitment however, the best response came from his publisher who took a photo and tweeted it instantly! My leg tends to become famous around signings, as everybody asks for pictures! I'm hoping to have the Henderson's Boys logo put on my left leg before the series ends next year.
■Have you already met Robert Muchamore? If so, what did you think of him?
As you have probably worked out, I have already met Rob! The first time was back in 2005, at the Book Award Ceremony I previously mentioned. His books sold well that day and I got all three of the first books signed. He visited my school in 2006, for the launch of Man v Beast. It was great to hear about why he started writing CHERUB. He recognised me from the first signing because I had brought along a picture to get signed! We met again in 2008, where unfortunately I didn't bring a picture, so I was therefore unrecognised. Due to the fact that I wasn't wearing a pink dress like the first time we met and had cut my hair, Rob managed to mistake me for a boy! Bluewater shopping centre were the hosts of the Shadow Wave tour 2010 and the People's Republic tour 2011, both of which I attended. The People's Republic tour is where my tattoo was first revealed. In February 2012, I finally attended a Henderson's Boys signing for The Prisoner, where I met some of the lovely people from the CHERUB forums and campuscherub.com. It was great that Rob had started recognising me and knew me as female! I also attended the top-secret reading of his Jet project in May and was pleased to be able to give campuscherub.com all the gossip first. He's really friendly and happy to sign practically anything, so I enjoy going to signings. It's always great to meet other fans too!
■And finally, what is your favourite moment/quote in the CHERUB series?
My favourite quote comes from The Sleepwalker, which isn't my favourite book! I don't currently have it with me but the quote would be the insults Jake McEwan shouts when he rounds up the black shirts for a training exercise. I think it's impossible to choose a favourite moment because all of the books are fantastic, but because The Recruit is the first one I ever read, it has to be the ending with James and his friends in the campus dining hall.
Sorry for such a huge reply. Thank you for having me campuscherub.com and happy reading guys!
Laura-Jane xx
■Hello Laura-Jane, could you introduce yourself?
Hi guys, my name is Laura-Jane Harvey and I've just turned 20. I'm from East Anglia, but everyone thinks that's abroad, so I say I'm from Hull, because that's where I study at University. I love reading and have just started a book review blog.
■How long have you been reading CHERUB? How did you discover the series?
I have been reading CHERUB since the start of 2005. I discovered the series because I was a judge for the Red House Children's Book Award, and The Recruit was shortlisted in 2005. I was hesitant to read it at first because it looked like such a boys book, but I loved it instantly and voted for it to win, which it did. I was also at the Award Ceremony the same year to see it win the award in the Older Readers category. At the time, there were only the first three books published, so I bought them all and got them signed.
■What do you like about the series?
Where do I start?! I think the characters are very realistic both due to their likeability and their flaws. The first book wasn't the most well-written piece of literature, but I have enjoyed following Rob's writing develop and think he has created some amazing and inspiring series of books. I'm very impressed that they have connected with such a large audience all over the world! I also like that none of the plots seem too far-fetched or forced, which helps all three of his series flow smoothly. I love reading about relationships from the male perspective too, as some female teenage fiction can get too soppy and far too idealistic!
■How devoted are you to CHERUB?
I honestly don't think I could be more devoted! I own every book (as many as possible are 1st editions!), they are all signed, I have many posters and badges from signings, own a signed copy of The Recruit audiobook and have tons of signed photographs and t-shirts! In February 2012, I also won a goody bag for being 2 hours early to a signing and therefore 1st in the queue - won a cool CHERUB hat and playing cards and other awesome things. I also have a tattoo of the CHERUB logo on my leg, but more on that later...
■Do you think you could live like a CHERUB agent?
I think I would enjoy basic training as I enjoy bootcamp style attempts to get fit, but I almost certainly wouldn't last the whole 100 days though... I also think missions would be really hard as I would probably get nervous and forget my own name! I also tend to injure myself a lot because I'm really clumsy, so I'd most likely spend my entire CHERUB career at the Medical Unit.
■So you have a CHERUB tattoo right? Why that choice? How did Robert react?
Yes, I do! It's on my right leg, just above my ankle. My best friend wanted to race me to see who got a tattoo first and I won because I got mine done the day after our conversation! He still doesn't have one... I wanted something really important to me and something that wouldn't change - a tattoo is for life, not just for Christmas! It hurt a lot, so I wouldn't recommend it. I chose the CHERUB logo because those books had been in my life since 2005. They were a huge part of my teenage years and I know my life would've been very boring without them! Rob initially thought it was fake when I showed him at a signing. He told me he was impressed by my commitment however, the best response came from his publisher who took a photo and tweeted it instantly! My leg tends to become famous around signings, as everybody asks for pictures! I'm hoping to have the Henderson's Boys logo put on my left leg before the series ends next year.
■Have you already met Robert Muchamore? If so, what did you think of him?
As you have probably worked out, I have already met Rob! The first time was back in 2005, at the Book Award Ceremony I previously mentioned. His books sold well that day and I got all three of the first books signed. He visited my school in 2006, for the launch of Man v Beast. It was great to hear about why he started writing CHERUB. He recognised me from the first signing because I had brought along a picture to get signed! We met again in 2008, where unfortunately I didn't bring a picture, so I was therefore unrecognised. Due to the fact that I wasn't wearing a pink dress like the first time we met and had cut my hair, Rob managed to mistake me for a boy! Bluewater shopping centre were the hosts of the Shadow Wave tour 2010 and the People's Republic tour 2011, both of which I attended. The People's Republic tour is where my tattoo was first revealed. In February 2012, I finally attended a Henderson's Boys signing for The Prisoner, where I met some of the lovely people from the CHERUB forums and campuscherub.com. It was great that Rob had started recognising me and knew me as female! I also attended the top-secret reading of his Jet project in May and was pleased to be able to give campuscherub.com all the gossip first. He's really friendly and happy to sign practically anything, so I enjoy going to signings. It's always great to meet other fans too!
■And finally, what is your favourite moment/quote in the CHERUB series?
My favourite quote comes from The Sleepwalker, which isn't my favourite book! I don't currently have it with me but the quote would be the insults Jake McEwan shouts when he rounds up the black shirts for a training exercise. I think it's impossible to choose a favourite moment because all of the books are fantastic, but because The Recruit is the first one I ever read, it has to be the ending with James and his friends in the campus dining hall.
Sorry for such a huge reply. Thank you for having me campuscherub.com and happy reading guys!
Laura-Jane xx
Friday 8 June 2012
How To Start A Book Review Blog?
How to start a book review blog? Well, like this of course! I didn't want to jump straight in and publish what could turn into the longest and most boring book review ever, so I thought a little introduction might be a good idea...
I learnt to read when I was three. Maybe I could explain it better as my parents discovered I could read at the age of three, when I read my dad's newspaper to him, out loud and upside-down, whilst he was reading it himself! I guess my love of reading started from here. Throughout school I was always an above-average reader. In my Year 7 English class, I remember being given the hardest spelling book in the class, being the only kid who loved the library and at the tender age of 11, having a reading age of 14/15+. Whilst the rest of my classmates would be forced to check-out a book from the age 9 - 12 fiction section, I would happily take myself off to read whatever teenage fiction I could get my hands on, often taking out 5/6 books at a time!
My English teacher and the Librarians clearly took note of my eagerness to read as when I moved into Year 8, I was invited to join Book Club. I thought this was great as it involved students from Years 8 - 11, of both genders and from all backgrounds as long as they loved to read. It got even better when I found out we were actually judges for the Red House Children's Book Award! It was a great year of reading, made even better by the fact that our school had been chosen to attend the prestigious Award Ceremony in London. Every child's name got put into a small yellow bag as we waited nervously with baited breath to find out who was going... Me... ME!!! I couldn't believe it! The Gods must've been smiling on me that day. I was over the moon.
We were then given the shortlist of books to judge: CHERUB The Recruit by Robert Muchamore, The Star Of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson and Eragon by Christopher Paolini (all to be reviewed later!). This was the order of my favourites and the order I judged them in. The Awards Ceremony was phenomenal! I got to meet Jaqueline Wilson (my favourite author at the time) and Nick Sharratt (the illustrator of her books), who both signed my single copy of Midnight! Luckily I had brought along a notepad too, so Nick Sharratt drew me a picture and taught me how to draw a cartoon cat too. I ate my posh lunch with Lauren Child, author of the international Charlie and Lola series. At one point I also got to go on stage and hand Cressida Cowell a portfolio of reviews of her book from all the children judging that year. What an incredible day! To top it all off though, I bought the first three books in the CHERUB series and got them all signed. Little did I know how much books two and three would captivate like the first... But that is another story for another day (and an actual review maybe! Instead of this lengthy introduction...).
I continued reading and judging the Book Awards for many years, predicting the winner each year, even if I didn't vote for it - Skulduggery Pleasant, 2008! I did vote for every other winner however, starting with The Recruit, Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan and Girl, Missing by Sophie McKenzie. Even once my Year 11 exams were over, I still went back on my 16th birthday to keep up with the reading world!
I've found it hard to keep up with good books, especially with the amount that get turned into films and promoted well, but I am determined to keep them in my life - even the ones that get lost on the shelf because more often than not, these are the ones I find and they are gems.
Happy reading!
Laura-Jane xx
I learnt to read when I was three. Maybe I could explain it better as my parents discovered I could read at the age of three, when I read my dad's newspaper to him, out loud and upside-down, whilst he was reading it himself! I guess my love of reading started from here. Throughout school I was always an above-average reader. In my Year 7 English class, I remember being given the hardest spelling book in the class, being the only kid who loved the library and at the tender age of 11, having a reading age of 14/15+. Whilst the rest of my classmates would be forced to check-out a book from the age 9 - 12 fiction section, I would happily take myself off to read whatever teenage fiction I could get my hands on, often taking out 5/6 books at a time!
My English teacher and the Librarians clearly took note of my eagerness to read as when I moved into Year 8, I was invited to join Book Club. I thought this was great as it involved students from Years 8 - 11, of both genders and from all backgrounds as long as they loved to read. It got even better when I found out we were actually judges for the Red House Children's Book Award! It was a great year of reading, made even better by the fact that our school had been chosen to attend the prestigious Award Ceremony in London. Every child's name got put into a small yellow bag as we waited nervously with baited breath to find out who was going... Me... ME!!! I couldn't believe it! The Gods must've been smiling on me that day. I was over the moon.
We were then given the shortlist of books to judge: CHERUB The Recruit by Robert Muchamore, The Star Of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson and Eragon by Christopher Paolini (all to be reviewed later!). This was the order of my favourites and the order I judged them in. The Awards Ceremony was phenomenal! I got to meet Jaqueline Wilson (my favourite author at the time) and Nick Sharratt (the illustrator of her books), who both signed my single copy of Midnight! Luckily I had brought along a notepad too, so Nick Sharratt drew me a picture and taught me how to draw a cartoon cat too. I ate my posh lunch with Lauren Child, author of the international Charlie and Lola series. At one point I also got to go on stage and hand Cressida Cowell a portfolio of reviews of her book from all the children judging that year. What an incredible day! To top it all off though, I bought the first three books in the CHERUB series and got them all signed. Little did I know how much books two and three would captivate like the first... But that is another story for another day (and an actual review maybe! Instead of this lengthy introduction...).
I continued reading and judging the Book Awards for many years, predicting the winner each year, even if I didn't vote for it - Skulduggery Pleasant, 2008! I did vote for every other winner however, starting with The Recruit, Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan and Girl, Missing by Sophie McKenzie. Even once my Year 11 exams were over, I still went back on my 16th birthday to keep up with the reading world!
I've found it hard to keep up with good books, especially with the amount that get turned into films and promoted well, but I am determined to keep them in my life - even the ones that get lost on the shelf because more often than not, these are the ones I find and they are gems.
Happy reading!
Laura-Jane xx
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