Book Reviews

Bob No Ordinary Cat
A review by Gabriella Year 7

Bob No Ordinary Cat is a book about a homeless musician, James Bowen, who finds a street cat named Bob. Together they change both of their lives.  James didn’t have much money; he only had about £30 with him.  It was hard for him to look only after himself for at first he didn’t take Bob (busking) with him.   But then he gave Bob a chance and together they made their way to the top, earning more money.

James plays his guitar on the streets to earn money.  The first time that he took Bob with him they earned more than usual.  If it was a good day James earned £20 but this time many people stopped to see Bob and they earned £66.
This book is really sweet.  I like it because it tells you everything about real, true friendship.  It doesn’t matter if your friend is black or white, animal or human; it is about knowing who your friends really are.  It’s also about trust.  Bob trusted James and it’s about how they were helping each other in hard moments.  I liked the book because for me it was an amazing, true story and I was amazed by how intelligent the cat was.  I loved the end of the story and how James finds out that Bob is famous on YouTube and millions of people know Bob.  I love how at the end the lady asks if he plans to write a book about Bob.  He wrote a book and it’s really famous, that’s how true friendship brought James and Bob to the top.

Bob No Ordinary Cat
A review by Cheyanne Year 9

The book is about a man who met a tom cat ‘Bob’.  The reason why Bob is no ordinary cat is because he helped change his owner’s life.

It all started when this cat was poorly and sitting in front of a doorway in James’ flat.  The man saw it was ill and knocked on the door one day to ask if the cat had belonged to them, but they said no.  The man then took the cat and helped it by taking the tom cat to the vet to make sure he didn’t have any diseases or major wounds apart from the one on its leg which eventually healed.

James then took care of the cat and became its owner.    James does regular busking around Covent Garden to earn money because since everything that has happened in his past he couldn’t get a proper job.  Ever since he got the cat he follows James everywhere, on buses and even to work.  But since he has been following him to work he has been interacting with people and getting a lot of money more than he will get in a week, in a day.  Because now James gets a lot of money he has a special collar just for Bob so he won’t get lost in the crowd.

My favourite part of the book is when ‘Bob’ follows James to work every morning and helps him raise money to buy things that he hasn’t brought before.  I recommend this book because it is very emotional and when you start reading the book you just want to find out more.  Such as how he can manage bringing the cat to work with him every morning and how he can buy so many things for the cat but barely anything for himself.  For anyone who likes cats or emotional stories I think this would be a really good book.

Revision Guides and New Books in the WML

We have a good selection of revision resources available in the WML – come and have a browse or ask one of the librarians.  There are some useful GCSE revision websites listed on the blog, as well as Post 16 resources, which provide A-level revision websites and advice on referencing. 
 

Library inductions for the Year 9s, who are going into KS4, are scheduled for after half term.  Once these have taken place you will be entitled to use the WML.  As well as the non-fiction and quick reference collections, we have lots of excellent new titles including Michael Grant’s Gone series and The Darke Academy series by Gabriella Poole for you to borrow.

 

Award Winning Performance Poet, Adisa, to visit The Ravensbourne School

We are pleased to announce that the amazing performance poet, Adisa will be coming into the school on Friday 24^th May.

Winner of the Apples & Snakes New Performance Poet of the Year award, Adisa will be performing some of his poetry for groups of Year 9 students.  He will also be working with the children to help them create their own performance poems in two poetry workshops.

Adisa has visited the school before and we are very much looking forward to welcoming him back again.

 

Author visit and book signing at TRS

Chris Bradford, the award-winning author of the Young Samurai and BODYGUARD series, will be coming to give an exciting talk to Years 7 and 8 on Wednesday 15^th May.  He will also be signing copies of his books, which can be ordered in advance or purchased on the day.

About the author: 

Chris is trained in karate, kickboxing and samurai swordsmanship, having earned his black belt in Zen Kyo Shin Taijutsu, the secret fighting art of the ninja.  In 2012 he qualified as a professional bodyguard as part of his research for his new book series.

Recipient of 18 book awards nominations, Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior was deemed one of Puffin’s 70 Best Ever Books, alongside Treasure Island and Robin Hood.

For more info on Chris: www.chrisbradford.co.uk

Match the Teacher to the Book

Announcing the launch of our latest Library competition ‘Match the Teacher to the Book’.

To enter simply pick up an entry form from the Discovery Library and link the person with the book you think they are reading.

You can ask them for clues! 

Please remember to include your full name and your form on your entry.

The closing date is 24th May. 

 Good luck!




Winners to be announced after May half term.


 

World book day and beyond

 

Always keen to promote reading and reading for pleasure, the ‘World Book day and beyond’ article in this month’s Books for Keeps outlines some of the ways that we do this.  As well as creating a positive reading culture, where everyone is encouraged to carry a reading book making reading ‘the norm’ and library competitions, we also create interesting displays to entice children to borrow.

The journalist, Laura Fraine, interviewed our Librarian Ms Roberts and other winners of the Siobhan Dowd competition about how to spread the joy of reading.

Convince the Critics competition - Year 9 winners announced

We are delighted to announce the Year 9 winners of our Convince the Critics library competition. There were six winners, who all received a book and a £5 WHSmith voucher. Their winning entries appear below. The six highly commended entries, who received a certificate and a bar of chocolate, were Charlotte 9DV, Marc  9DE, Georgia 9MD, Christopher 9DV, Deja 9DV and Kirsty 9LO.  All entrants were also awarded VIVO points.

Young Samurai by Chris Bradford
Written by Mark L 9ML

I would suggest a book called Young Samuari because I have immensely enjoyed reading it and re-reading it again and again and again.  All eight books are by the author Chris Bradford.  It is about Jack, an English boy who is shipwrecked off the coast of Japan, where he barely survives the onslaught of ninjas that kill his father and crew; he is saved by a famous swordsman who trains Jack to be a samurai warrior.  The books (any of the 8) are extremely fun to read and have extreme action and adventure.

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda
Written by Bradley 9ML

Are you bored of reading the same kind of book with boring plots? Then you should read The Hunt.  It is addictive, terrifying and truly sublime.  Razor sharp prose, a genius plot and a searing pace.  Seriously, this book is magnificent and you have to read it, just think of the Hunger Games, with Vampires.  This book is amazing, gripping and you won’t want to stop reading it!

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
Written by Nicola 9ML

You should read this book because it’s very scary, so if you like horror stories then it’s a good book for you to read.  Also, another good reason to read it is because it’s nothing like the film!  In the film there was a happy ending but the book is very gory.  It’s very powerful and can make you feel real emotion for the characters and that’s why you should read The Woman in Black!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
Written by Amy 9DE

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire  is one of the best books you will ever read.  This thrilling and action packed book will unleash even more secrets and mythical creatures into your knowledge of the wizarding world. When Voldomort returns with a surprise at the Quidditch World Cup, all hell breaks loose.  You must read it to find out what happens.  It is truly spellbinding.

Heavier than Heaven: the biography of Kurt Cobain by Charles R Cross
Written by Layla 9DE
‘Why should I read this book’ I hear you ask?  Well, this isn’t just any old book, it’s the story of a troubled Rock star trying to escape his sudden fame.  You may think ‘Oh, he’s the bloke who shot himself’.  Well my friend you are wrong!  This book is more than just an opinion on Kurt’s suicide.  It gives you an insight into his early life and how he became one of the world’s greatest rock legends!  If you’re a Nirvana fan or are just interested in Kurt Cobain, I suggest that you read this book and remember it’s better to burn out than fade away.

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Written by Becky 9ML

You should read the Hunger Games because it’s creative, realistic and romantic.  It does things such as raises thousands of questions to the mind. Could we end up like this?  If so then when? It even makes you feel for the character.  How she – at the age of 16 – is entered into the Hunger Games because she volunteered so her younger sister Prim wouldn’t have to.  Why would you not read a book that makes you feel and wonder so much? You wouldn’t.  It’s a thrilling read.  It’s a captivating read.  It’s an unmissable read.  I personally enjoyed the book throughout.  It was definitely a page-turner and I had it read in under a week.  Once you have started the book you simply can’t put it down.  Read the Hunger Games trilogy and you will not regret it.