Grk and the Pelotti Gang

Grk and the Pelotti Gang by Joshua Doder

Third book in the Grk series.

I liked this book but didn't love it. It was about a dog called Grk, two boys called Timothy and Max and a girl called Natasha. (In the first book Grk was found by Tim and then they rescued Max and Natascha from a prison cell. Natascha is Max's sister.) They all find out that a gang of criminals have made it out of jail. The kids decides to go to Rio de Janeiro with Grk and catch the Pelottis. They find out that Tim's parents know where they went and quickly follow them. They are soon found by the police and they stay for a few days. Tim then goes out to have a walk but gets lost. He is then mugged and kidnapped by two street rats who are younger than he is but one has a gun. I liked this book because I like the characters and the plot but I have read better books and the first and second Grk books were better than this one. I am giving it 6 out of 10.

MB

I Enjoyed this book. This is the third one I have read and I must admit it follows a fairly similar formula. Tim and Grk end up on an adventure and stumble across the pelotti gang in Brazil. They go to Brazil because Max and Natascha's father helped capture the gang in the past and it is a matter of family honour to them. Tim helps his adopted brother and sister and Grk just goes along for the ride. It is entertaining and a light read and can easily be consumed in a few hours. I recommedn this book for younger readers as it is exciting and keeps a good pace throughout with some interesting twists and turns.

I give this book 5 out of 10

A total of 5 and a half out of 10

JB

By Royal Command

By Royal Command by Charlie Higson

Fifth in the 'Young Bond' series

This book is not the best from the series but it still kept you on your toes. (Set just before WWII.)After his last adventure in Mexico, James is back at Eton. He then goes on a skiing trip saving his own life and another pupil. When he gets back from Switzerland he meets his old friends and falls in love with a maid. They have a picnic together and she introduces her brother. This brother seems to be nice but is he? He then tries to kill James and the King with one bomb but James gets out of it and stops the bomb and the brother. But now the Police want James' love, and he will not let that happen. They leave the country taikng money and a passport from a friend. They quickly get into Switzerland where they were ambushed by Soviet Union troops. They lock him up in a castle where he finds out that the maid is with the Russians and he has been led into a trap. He escapes, only to get caught in a battle between red Russians, white Russians and The British Secret Service. He survives but is not allowed back to Eton. he has to go to another school where one of is old friends are. I am giving this book 7/10 because it isn't the best Young Bond book I have read.

MB

I enjoyed this book and again like the one before it delivered a pacey and exciting story. James is once again in difficulty and having to deal with not only growing up but also relationships and friendships. The premis for the story is as described above by Matt however Charlie Higson manages to pull together the historical events that were occuring and weave them with the pure fanatasy of the James Bond story. You get a sense of how the James Bond we know from the many books and films became the spy and secret agent. There is lost youth and the grown up world all mixed into one. This is an excellent book for kids and adults who want a bit of escapism. I highly recommend this book and give it an 8 out of 10

Overall score of 7.5 out of 10

JB

Deeper

Tunnels by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams.


This is the first book in an exciting new series. We previously reviewed this book for the King's School Dads and Lads reading competition and our review can be seen at.http://www.kingschoollib.blogspot.com/

Deeper by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams. (Second book in series.)

I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed Tunnels. After being reunited with his best friend, Will thinks everything will be alright. It isn't though. Further under ground Will, Chester and Cal meet new friends and watch others die. They face new fears and conquer others.But Will's mission is to be reunited with his dad who is also underground after being thrown down there by the Styx. I give this book 9/10 as I enjoyed it a lot and I can't wait for the next book to come out!

MB

Like Matt I enjoyed this book. It follows the story of Will Burrows and his friends as they get deeper into the earth on their quest to find Will's father the strange and reclusive Dr Burrows who is on an expedition. The story depicts two societies one on the surface (topsoilers) and those who live in the depths of the earth almost unknown to the people living on the surface. This is a secretive society who have ensured that their existence is unknown to the population who live normal lives like you and I on the surface. The main characters have to put up with a lot of hardship and there is high tension and emotion as friends are hurt or even die. The group of friends are getting deeper into the earths centre and it is interesting how this is depicted. There are also some interesting side stories occuring on the surface which are pulled together to the main thread of the story later on.

It is cleverly written and suitable for a range of age groups. You don't get bored and the story moves along at a fair pace ensuring that boredom does not set in. I was looking forward to this book having read the first story and it did not disappoint. I give this a 7 out of 10.

JB

Overall 8 out of 10

Matt'n'John's Reading Diary



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