#GSAReads and Reviewed 2020-21
#GSAReads and Reviewed 2020-21
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We would like to say a huge thank you to the Reading Agency and the following publishers for our Read and Review opportunities this academic year: Walker Books, Simon & Schuster, Nosy Crow and Vintage Books
The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris
“With her election to the vice presidency, her election to the U.S. Senate, and her position as attorney general of California, Kamala Harris has blazed trails throughout her entire political career. But how did she achieve her goals? What values and influences guided and inspired her along the way?
In this young readers edition of Kamala Harris's memoir, we learn about the impact that her family and community had on her life, and see what led her to discover her own sense of self and purpose. The Truths We Hold traces her journey as she explored the values she holds most dear-those of community, equality, and justice. An inspiring and empowering memoir, this book challenges us to become leaders in our own lives and shows us that with determination and perseverance all dreams are possible.”
OUR REVIEWERS SAID...
"This book shows us the opportunities we can take no matter where you are in life, we are valued and noticed. There are no limitations. No false choices. After reading this book I want to make a change, even the smallest changes, be there at the head table and fight for what is justice and for what is right. To not only be inspired but to also aspire."
"My favourite part of this book is when same-sex marriages are legalized, and Kamala Harris performed the ceremony for Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, this part of the story shows how she put love before anything else."
"It was inspiring and an amazing read. It doesn't just talk about the good things that have happened, it also talks about how how she get there"
"It took me a little longer to read this book than it normally does as there is a lot of political and legal talk which was hard to get my head around! I’m glad I read it though as it was very interesting to find out more about the new Vice President and also to read about her family and growing up in America."
Thank you to Vintage Books and the Reading Agency for this #GSAReads opportunity
The Secret Detectives by Ella Risbridger
“When Isobel Petty is orphaned, she finds herself being taken away from her home in India and sent to live with a distant uncle in England. On board the S.S. Mariana, she witnesses a shocking act - somebody being thrown overboard in the middle in the night.
But when the ship's captain insists that nobody is missing, Isobel and her two new reluctant friends must solve two mysteries - the identities of both the murderer and the victim - before they reach England and the culprit has the chance to escape.”
OUR REVIEWERS SAID...
"I liked the mystery element and teamwork created in the book."
"This book made me feel: excited because I wanted to carry on reading and I couldn't put it down."
"My favourite character is Sam because I love how calm he is and he sort of keeps the peace between the girls."
"The Secret Detectives is a mysterious, gripping and intriguing page turner"
"The Secret Detectives by Ella Risbridger keeps you guessing right to the end, and is full of twists and turns that make the story more and more gripping. I really enjoyed reading it and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery. If this book ever turns into a series (which hopefully it will), I would be the first person to read them all!"
"I liked solving the mystery along with the characters - although I found Isobel a bit annoying at times. Sam was probably my favourite character. The cover design was very effective and the gold foil was really eyecatching and pretty. I’d probably recommend this book to year 6 and Year 7, for anyone who likes a mystery or puzzles or stories set in the past."
Thank you to Nosy Crow and the Reading Agency for this #GSAReads opportunity.
All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue
“Maeve Chambers doesn't have much going for her. Not only does she feel like the sole idiot in a family of geniuses, she managed to drive away her best friend Lily a year ago. But when she finds a pack of dusty old tarot cards at school, and begins to give scarily accurate readings to the girls in her class, she realises she's found her gift at last.
Things are looking up - until she discovers a strange card in the deck that definitely shouldn't be there. And two days after she convinces her ex-best friend to have a reading, Lily disappears.
Can Maeve, her new friend Fiona and Lily's brother Roe find her? And will their special talents be enough to bring Lily back, before she's gone for good?”
OUR REVIEWERS SAID...
"After picking it up I could't put it down. The story got more and more interesting and convoluted, going place I really didn't expect...the message this book conveys is so important, be who you are and always think before you act"
"I thought it was amazing, I couldn’t choose a part as a favourite as it would be too difficult. I think this book would be a great read for younger teens and up and I would recommend it to my friends. "
"I liked all the different relationships, the characters and the past/present story idea. It had bits of everything - magic, mystery, relationships, friendship, drama, weirdness .."
"There was lots to keep you entertained and even though there was lots to keep track of, you didn’t feel confused at any point. It covers a lot of issues well and the rep was good. "
"I really enjoyed the book, the characters were well defined and the ending was very different..."
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and the Reading Agency for this #GSAReads opportunity.
Sometimes at the darkest hour, hope shines the brightest…
When Col’s childhood imaginary friends come to life, he discovers a world where myths and legends are real. Accompanied by his guardians – a six-foot tiger, a badger in a waistcoat and a miniature knight – Col must race to Blitz-bombed London to save his sister.
But there are darker forces at work, even than the Nazi bombings. Soon Col is pursued by the terrifying Midwinter King, who is determined to bring an eternal darkness down over everything.
OUR REVIEWERS SAID...
"The blurb was instantly captivating and the images and colours on the cover made it look exciting. The characters were believable and relatable."
"I would give it 9 out of 10 as I read it in a couple of days and it kept me interested and wanting to know what happened next. It's quite sad in places but can also be very funny as well so you get bits of everything!"
"I thought the idea was interesting and the Guardians were very well realised. I would read more books with the Guardians if it was possible! "
"I liked the mix of fantasy, magic and adventure and then setting it within a realistic time during our history."
Thank you to Walker Books and the Reading Agency for this #GSAReads opportunity
Vernell LaQuan Banks and Justyce McAllister grew up a block apart in the Southwest Atlanta neighborhood of Wynwood Heights. Years later, Justyce walks the illustrious halls of Yale University . . . and Quan sits behind bars at the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Center.
Through a series of flashbacks and letters to Justyce, Quan's story takes form. Troubles at home and misunderstandings at school give rise to police encounters and tough decisions. But then there's a dead cop and a weapon with Quan's prints on it. What leads a bright kid down a road to a murder charge? Not even Quan is sure...
OUR REVIEWERS SAID...
"It was a hard hitting read but there were also elements of humour, and love and friendship. It was very emotional to read..."
"I think everyone should read these books so that they can try and understand what happens. Racism and injustice happens everywhere and we all need to do better."
" It was a really emotional book to read because a lot of things that happened to Quan and the people around him weren’t fair. It was good that he had someone like Justyce to help him."
"The book was great as it shows different cultures/ways of life and it really makes me grateful for all the things in my life."
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children's Books and the Reading Agency for this #GSAReads opportunity.
Our first book this year was “My Life as a Cat” by Carlie Sorosiak. Our student reviewers loved the book, giving it at 5 star rating and completing additional tasks about the book. Copies of 'My Life as a Cat' are available to borrow from the library. Thank you to The Reading Agency and Nosy Crow for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Leonard has never had a name. Or a body. Or a best friend. But he was excited to be human. On their three-hundredth birthday, all aliens from Leonard’s home galaxy get to spend a month in the body of an Earth Creature. Leonard was supposed to become a forest ranger. But there was a mix-up. And now he’s stuck as a stray cat. Luckily, he meets a young human called Olive – and they set out on a journey to find home. But will Leonard choose to return to his galaxy, or stay on Earth with Olive – and his new family – forever?
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