There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom by Louis Sachar.

Bradley Chalkers is a troubled boy. He picks fights with girls and lies. One day a new councellor comes to his school. This is the start of a chain of events that changes Bradley into a nice, sweet boy rather than a boy that has serious behavoiur problems. By the end Bradley starts making friends rather than enemies and gets to go to a birthday party. This is all thanks to Carla, the councellor. Unfortunately Carla is moved to a nursery after other children's parents think she's a bad influence on their kids. I enjoyed this book even though it took me less than a day to read. The last book I read from Loius Saachar was Holes (has been blogged) which I read in class. Overall I give this book 8/10.

MB

I am very quickly becoming a fan of Louis Sacher.  The books that he writes are inspirational for kids and adults alike.  I know that this was written for a childrens audience however there is a lot you can learn from this as an adult.  The books strength lies in its ability to delve into the simplicity of childhood friendships and relationships.  How children make friends and why is the recurring theme through the book.  The relationship between the main character and the adults is very interesting and gives a clue into the child psychy.   I give this a 9/10

JB

I liked this book because it was about a normal school life and about how it can hurt you when people are mean to you. My favorite part of the story was when Jeff got a black eye. The bit I wasn't that keen on was Bradley's first meeting with Carla. I liked this book alot. I am giving it 8/10.

RB

Overall 8.5/10

Nemesis

Nemesis by Catherine MacPhail.

First book in the Nemesis series.

Ram wakes up in a council flat corridor with no memory of how he has got there or who he is. He moves down the corridor and to the lift. But when it opens there is a man lying there with blood all over him. He trys to say something to Ram but it is too late. The man is dead. Ram is now a murder suspect and he is on the run. He doesn't have anywhere to go and no-one to trust. He also needs to prove his innocence before the Police can arrest him but it will be hard. In the shadows, someone is watching. I read this book whilst I was on holiday in France. It took two days to read and I enjoyed every minute of it. I enjoyed the bit where he is hiding in the attic of a school and he scares three kids away that are around a year older than him by dressing up as a ghost. There are three more books in this series but I don't think I need to read them. I thought that this book was enough even if he does find out his identity in the next couple of books. Overall I am giving it 7/10.

MB

This was a very interesting read and a very interesting style of writting.  The narrative switches between the various characters.  The style also changes from first to second and even third person.  The story moves along at a cracking pace, with a lovely twist to the tail at the end.  Don't worry I wont spoil it for you.  I recomend this read as it is well scrpited and well thought out.  I agree that as a story it stands alone, however it has been developed into a series which continue the story of Ram and the discovery of who he is.  I give this an 8/10

JB

Overall 7.5/10

Ark Angel

Ark Angel by Anthony Horowitz

Sixth book in the Alex Rider series.

Alex Rider wakes up in hospital after being shot by Scorpia in his last adventure. This isn't any old NHS hospital though, this is a private one where millionaires go to be treated. The staff are kept quiet and the place has guards. Except for one night. This night is the night that four armed killers break into the hospital and attempt to kidnap the son of Drevin, a billionaire who is launching the first space hotel in a few wekks time. Alex steps in and gets kidnapped. They then attempt to murder him but he escapes. Drevin is pleased with him, he takes him on holiday to his mansion in England, then to his flat in Miami and then to Flamingo Bay where the launch is taking place. This is when it all starts to go wrong. The Alex Rider Books are brilliantluy written each time and i enjoyed this all the same. I liked how it continues off from the last book. In the last book he was shot which made you want to read the next book. Overall I am giving this a 8/10.

MB

I as usual enjoyed this romp through the experiences of a teenage secret agent.  Even for Alex Rider however this story does go a little bit OTT.  The style is comfortable and easy to read and keeps the reader fully emersed in the story.  Alex Rider again is a child who is underestimated by the adults he meets and as usual comes out on top.  I must admit that this series goes from strength to strength.  I also feel that the author is becomming even more comfortable with this character.  I wonder what he thinks now about the first book in the Alex rider series now and if he would write it any differently?  I am looking forward to the next installment which MB has already read and is by the side of my bed for me to read.

I give this an 8/10

JB

Overall 8/10