Thursday 30 August 2012

riders from afar

Author: Christine Pullein-Thompson
Pages:160
Age group:9+
Genre: Horses, Americans & English, friendships
First Published: 1954
They galloped furiously, excited and exhilarated. The hounds were hot on the scent. The eluded the horses and the cracking whips. In full cry the crossed the river meadows, while Pat shouted, "Hold up!", galloping vainly after the fast disappearing pack.

Gabrielle was galloping beautifully. Jane - the girl from America - thought it was perfect, better than baseball, or traveling fast in a car, or spending the summer in California. Better than anything else; and the cry of the hounds sounded lovelier to her ears than any of her favourite records.

My review
This book was great! I have grown very fond of the Pullein -Thompson twins books! I want to read their other sister Josephine books as well (when I can find some). Riders from Afar is set in England and is about 4 English children and 2 American becoming friends. The Dauncy children were are real motley bunch, David being the oldest 16y's old, then Chloe 14y's, Hazel & David 11y's. They all seemed a lot younger compared to the Jackson kids.
The Jacksons were very grown up for their age and seemed way older than they really were.Tony was 13y's old and Jane was 11y's old. 
The Jackson came from America and rented the Dauncy's castle for a few months. The 4 Dauncy children were all scowling & whingeing before their guests had even arrived. This meant that they didn't get along at the start but.. gradually they all became the greatest of friends. 
A must read book! I rate it 10 out of 10. I got this book for 25c.

Hope you enjoy yourself,
keep up with your reading,
Courts ♥  

Saturday 25 August 2012

Rivals for the crown

Author: Margaret Simpson
Pages: 169
Age group: 12+
Genre: History, royals

Blurb
Two princesses, born seventeen years apart to the same father but different mothers. Their father, King Henry VIII, is determined that no woman shall ever wear the English crown. But when their younger brother, Edward, dies naming another woman as his successor, the two women take action - in very different ways.
Mary Tudor
Forced by her father and brother to publicly renounce her beloved religion, Mary has a heavy cross to bear. Determined to restore England to the true Church, she decides to take matters into her own hands...
Elizabeth Tudor
Bright, beautiful and highly popular at court, Protestant Elizabeth decides to lie low when Lady Jane Grey is declared queen. But must she lie even lower id Mary gets her own way?
 
There are always two sides to every story...

My review
Rivals to the crown was a great book, it was more of an informative read rather than for pleasure but it was very enjoyable. At the moment I am doing a Medieval assignment for school, so this book tied in well with that which was good, it also showed me the way life was in those days. This book helped me learn more about how kingdoms are run and more so about the rivalry families would have felt toward a relation who was the heir to the throne. I rate Rivals to the crown 7 out of 10.

Hope you have all had a good week,
Take care,
Courtney 

 

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Who stole Kathy Young?

Author: Margaret Goff Clark
Pages: 191
Age Group: 12+
Genre: Mystery, detective

Blurb
"Kathy!" screams Meg, running toward her friend. But it's too late. The van, with Kathy inside, has already disappeared down the road. Who are Kathy's kidnappers? And where have they taken her? 
Meg's investigation leads to an old, abandoned house, and a clue left by Kathy herself! Other clues start adding up, until meg is sure she knows who's really behind the kidnapping. 
But she has to act fast. Can she find Kathy in time?
  My review
Awesome book!! It was a great mystery! It reminded me a little bit of the Hardy boy books. I found it in an Op shop 15cents !! I am a big fan of mystery books and this certainly was very exciting. The two main characters were Kathy & Meg. Kathy had a hearing impairment which made the story quite informative. It was very interesting to learn how it would feel to not be able to hear anything. I rate it... 10 out of 10
Very good storyline and written beautifully!!

Hope you enjoy this amazing mystery!
see you all soon,
Courts


Monday 20 August 2012

#7 The legend of Annie Murphy

Author: Frank Peretti 
Pages: 151 
Age group: 10+ 
Genre: History, Mystery, Adventure,

In 1885, the Murphy mine struck gold. According to legend, Annie Murphy killed her husband out of greed, but just before she was to be hanged for the murder, she escaped. Now, a hundred years later, there have been sightings of Annie Murphy's "ghost." The Coopers unwittingly become involved in a mystery that finds them caught between the past and the present.
My review
I rate this book 10 out of 10
I loved it!! So fun to read. It is such a exciting book that I'm sure every would like to read!! Although I'm fourteen I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is an adventure through the past and the present. 
Will Jay,Lila, Mac and Dr cooper be able to solve the Legend of Annie Murphy?

See you all later,
Courtney

Wednesday 8 August 2012

#6 The deadly curse of Toco-Rey

Author: Frank Peretti
Pages:150
Age group: 10+
Genre: Adventure, History, Ancient ruins, Mystery

Lila and Jay Cooper have joined their dad on a mission to the jungles of Central America, where a group of American treasure hunters have already become the victims of the deadly curse of Toco-Rey. Before Dr. Cooper can solve the mystery, his children are kidnapped and his integrity is put to the test. What price will he pay to get his children back? Is the treasure in the burial tomb of Kachi-Tochetin really worth more than gold?
Follow the Coopers as they explore unknown ruins, plunge through dangerous jungles, face hostile natives, and battle ancient evil forces. Will their courage and faith in God bring them through?
My review 
 I rate this book 9 out of 10
The deadly curse of Toco-Rey is the sixth book in the cooper adventure series.
I am reading the seventh book at the moment and I seemed to have whizzed through the book as i am really enjoying it.These books are really exciting and are continuously bringing up the unexpected.  In this book The coopers lives are at risk more than once. They have to find out the secret of the curse and hope they can survive. Will the Coopers find out the truth behind many lies?

 Amazing books, Can't wait to review the cooper series next book.
I will be posting it next week.
See you all soon,
Courtney

Wednesday 1 August 2012

#8 Trixie Belden and the mystery of the Black jacket

Author: Kathryn Kenny (Pen name)
Pages: 236
Age Group:11+
Genre: Mystery, Adventure 

Trixie is intrigued by Regan's problems and the sudden appearance of Dan Mangan, a black-jacket wearing city kid who has come to stay with My Maypenny.  Although the Bob-Whites are busy organizing an Ice Carnival to help out their Mexican pen-pals, Trixie is determined to find out why Dan is here and what is troubling Regan.  When Honey's missing watch is pawned and the clubhouse is broken into, the finger points squarely at Dan.  Trixie's dislike of him is evident, but when she and Bobby find themselves in trouble he is the only one who can save them. Will he save them or not???
My Review 
Of course this was a great read!! I was sucked into yet again another fantastic mystery!! In this book there was another character introduced into the story.
Dan Mangan a curious young fellow has moved from the city to stay with his uncle. Trixie as usual assumes that he is related to Mr.Maypenny but when she comes across a few suspicious clues she begins to think otherwise.
Who is Dan related to?? Is he the mysterious thief or not??

A must read book, read it to find out who Dan really is...
hope you are going well and make sure you enjoy your reading,
at the moment I am reading Rivals to the crown it is a very informative read all about Elizabeth and Mary Tudor, I will post a review of it soon.
Take Care,
Courtney:)