Review by Artem Kotlyarov: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Rasom Riggs

Genre: Mystery; Horror

Suitable for: Y8+

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is an amazing fantasy book which, once you start reading, you can’t stop.

The book tells the story of a young boy who finds out that he’s peculiar and goes to another country to find that home, but as he goes to find it, he encounters many monsters and villains. One of them is his own therapist, who can shapeshift into anyone he wants to. In the end, Miss Peregrine gets kidnapped by his therapist, and instead, they save her brother. I would recommend this to people who like mystery books, plot twists, and monsters. It's a book so good you can’t put it down.

Review by Vanessa Ho: Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Genre: Magical Realism, Time Travel Fiction

Suitable for: Y8+

Have you ever dreamed of time-travelling? Well, for the characters in this heartwarming, light fantasy book (1 of 5), it isn't just a dream: it is a reality.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is centred around a cafe located in Japan that allows you to time-travel. However, there are several rules one must follow to do this: for example, they cannot change anything regardless of what they do in the past or future they time-travel to, and they have to travel back to the present before the coffee gets cold (title drop!). Each chapter of this series is a unique short tale delineating the experience of one of the time travellers, ones that each share the same longing to venture away from the present, although for vastly different reasons.

Kawaguchi describes this cafe with so much craft, transporting me deeper into this fictional world with every turn of the page—the cafe felt so cosy, so familiar, so fleshed out, making me feel as if I myself were a frequent visitor to it.

Even though each chapter follows a different character, it felt very cohesive due to the setting and the few characters that appeared each time (e.g. the cafe owner).

I would recommend this series to those who have quite a busy schedule and don’t have much time to read. Even after a long break from this novel, you can simply pick it up from where things have left off, without any confusion, as each chapter is a completely different tale and the premise of how the time-travelling works is outlined each time. However, something that frustrated me was the repetitive nature of the writing, especially when describing the rules for time travelling and the setting, especially as someone whose reading style is often long hours of reading in one sitting. 

Overall, if you are looking for a heartwarming and cosy read, I strongly recommend you try it out. As it was originally written in Japanese (but later translated by Geoffrey Trousselot), it also provides insight into Japanese culture. Picture reading this in the heart of Japan, sipping on rich coffee, and seeing everything written in these books come to life before your eyes–  Before the Coffee Gets Cold transforms fiction into something of reality.

Review by Ted Kwan: The Land of Roar by Jenny McLachlan

Genre: Fantasy

Suitable for: Y6+

The Land of Roar by Jenny McLachlan is an awesome, engaging fantasy book where monsters, beasts, and dragons reside. This exhilarating story pulls you into the intense adventure of Arthur and Rose as they face evil creatures who try to destroy them. The book is full of thrills, action, and fear. The author makes you feel like you are right there in the Land of Roar, adventuring through unexplored locations. It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in fantasy, action, or mystery books; The Land of Roar is guaranteed to give you a great time!

Review by Chloe Ng: The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

Genre: Fantasy

Suitable for: Y6+

The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer is one of those rare books that you can’t forget. It transports you to a world of magic, good and evil, filled with adventure and thrill, pulling you into the lives of the main characters, Alex and Conner.

The author describes the story with perfect detail, leaving you feeling as if you actually experienced it. You feel the hatred, the love, and the thrill of the story along with the characters. Any fan of action, fantasy, and fiction would love this series. It is the most captivating series ever—you must give it a try!

Review by Chloe Ng: The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer

Genre: Fantasy

Suitable for: Y6+

The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer is one of those rare books that you can’t forget. It transports you to a world of magic, good and evil, filled with adventure and thrill, pulling you into the lives of the main characters, Alex and Conner.

The author describes the story with perfect detail, leaving you feeling as if you actually experienced it. You feel the hatred, the love, and the thrill of the story along with the characters. Any fan of action, fantasy, and fiction would love this series. It is the most captivating series ever—you must give it a try!

Review by Angela Yu: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemon Snicket

Genre: Mystery

Suitable for: Y6+

A Series of Unfortunate Events is a series that keeps you on the edge of your seat, gripping you with its hooks to find out what happens next. The story details the sad lives of three orphans, with an evil man chasing after them to steal their huge fortune.

I personally really enjoy the unique narrative style of the series because it feels like the author is talking directly to you! The author does a great job showing that stories don’t always have a hero or end happily ever after. If you’re tired of repetitive, boring fairy tales, then you should give this book a try!

Review by Joeye Chan: Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy

Suitable for: Y6+

The third installment in the Percy Jackson series is an absolutely thrilling, mythological experience. This book transports you to a world where myths are real. Follow Percy Jackson as he attempts to figure out why a monster has taken his friend, conquer the Titan lord, and uncover a deadly secret.

As the story progresses, you feel like you’re right there with him, slashing through any danger. Perfect for mythology lovers and readers who prefer action, this book is impossible to resist. Whether or not you’ve read the first two books doesn’t matter. Just grab it and start reading!

After reading it, I've gained a wealth of knowledge about Greek myths and developed an obsession with rereading it. I absolutely love this book and highly recommend it—you won’t regret picking it up!

Review by Jack Wei: Percy Jackson and the Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy

Suitable for: Y6+

Percy Jackson and the Chalice of the Gods, by legendary author Rick Riordan, is an exciting story with an unexpected plot. It follows Percy and his friends on a quest to retrieve the stolen Chalice of the Gods. Riordan's use of literary devices creates a realistic world, making you feel like you are the main character. Whether you enjoy fantasy and are interested in Greek mythology or not, you will definitely enjoy this book.

Review by David Entwistle: Spaceboy by David Walliams

Genre: Fantasy, Humour

Suitable for: Y6+

Spaceboy by David Walliams is an action-packed adventure about a girl called Ruth and a mysterious spaceman. Ruth spends every night gazing at the stars and dreaming of adventure. Then, one night, she spots a flying saucer blazing across the sky. The author makes you feel like you are right there with them on their journey. Whether you like mysteries or just want a good read, Spaceboy is the perfect pick.

Review by James Wong: Railhead by Philip Reeve

Genre: Science- fiction, Dystopia

Suitable for: Y7+

Philip Reeve's Railhead is an action-packed and thrilling sequel that takes you on a journey into the future.

The book immerses you in a sci-fi world where a young thief named Zen faces many challenges to achieve his dream. The author’s writing makes it easy to imagine every single detail. Full of suspense and exciting events, I would highly recommend this book to everyone. It teaches valuable lessons about making tough choices and overcoming challenges in life. Reading it is an exciting journey, as the book is filled with rich details and descriptions of a new world.

Review by Diamond Man: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Genre: Fantasy

Suitable for: Y6+

This is a story about a young boy named Percy Jackson who starts off with a boring life at his school. He was expelled from six schools and did not have any friends except for a boy called Grover. One day, on a school field trip, strange things started happening. One of his teachers turned into a terrifying demon from Greek Mythology, and Percy realised his favourite teacher was a centaur. As the story continues, Percy realises that he is a demigod and even stranger things start happening to him. I highly recommend this book filled with action, flighting, and Greek mythology. Once you start reading it, I guarantee you will not want to put it down. So why not give it a try?

Review by Amber Xie (Parks): Grit by Angela Duckworth

Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help Book

Suitable for: Y6+

Grit by Angela Duckworth is a passionate book that provides an empowering analysis of what drives us into doing what we do. 

In Duckworth's book, she attacks conventional notions that innate talents by birth are the secrets to success, bringing up her own perspective of how passion and resilience are indispensable to pursue long-term success. As if this was not enough, this book also offers credible advice on how to cultivate grit into our everyday lives by reinforcing sustained hard work and dedication into the formula: 'Talent x Effort = Skill, Skill x Effort = Achievement.' 

Throughout this secret formula to success, Duckworth makes you as if there are always infinite chances to nurture your passion and take advantage of your failures. Overall, Grit is a book which teaches us how to sustain our passion, endurance, and the formation in which we develop our efforts.

As long as you are willing to be part of a community 'in which everyone thrives', missing the book "Grit" is like a thundercloud displaced above your day. For most, being In the position of a person endeavouring for both sociological and psychological demands, your life will eminently face a difference after you read "Grit", by Angela Duckworth!

Review by Avonlea Young (Parks): Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

Genre: Historical Fiction

Suitable for: Y6+

Imagine being a young soldier reflecting on your life in World War One. This is the story of Private Peaceful, written by Michael Morpurgo—a tale that will make you think deeply about family and bravery.

This book is about a young soldier named Thomas “Tommo” Peaceful, who recalls his regrets and his life while sitting in the trenches during World War One. As he remembers his happy childhood living in the countryside with his family, we learn about his close bond with his older brother Charlie and his love for their friend Molly. The author’s writing makes you feel like you are experiencing Thomas’s journey with him. The story shifts between his childhood memories, full of playing and laughter, and the serious moments he faces as a soldier.

Once you start reading, you can never stop. This book is packed with surprises, suspense, and tension. It is perfect for children aged 9 to 12 who enjoy stories about friendship, family, and history.

Review by Yawen Pan (Y6 Parks): The BFG by Roald Dahl

Genre: Fantasy

Suitable for: Y6+

The BFG by Roald Dahl is a fantasy adventure book that takes place in a fictional land where nine giants roam. The main character, Sophie, discovers a giant in her city and is then taken from her bed at something called the witching hour. The giant is later known as the BFG (the Big Friendly Giant) and tells her all about the nine other giants that eat humans. Sophie embarks on a mission to take out the other giants.

They journey to the dream country, a hidden place on top of a foggy mountain near a tree, where they catch dreams to blow into children's bedrooms during the witching hour. Later in the story, Sophie finds herself in England on Queen Elizabeth's balcony, ready for her to wake up from a dream they gave her to reveal the true faces of the giants. With Sophie's and Queen Elizabeth's help, they manage to trap the nine giants in a hole and stop the human-eating giants. The book has a wonderful ending, and once you read it, I bet you can't stop!

Review by Gabu Iwasaki (Y6 Darwin): The Battles that changed History 

Genre: Non Fiction

Suitable for: Y6+

From a F-16 in Operation Desert Storm or from a Panzer tank in Normandy, Battles that Changed History is an interesting book that provides an in-depth exploration of some of the most significant battles throughout history. Highlighting key turning points, strategies, and outcomes, the book offers a valuable insight into how battles have shaped the course of human history, you can immerse yourself in the battlefields of Stalingrad or Iwo Jima, fighting for your country as a general, soldier or commander.

I loved the book which provided a deep understanding of the most important battles of our history. I believe that it is important to acknowledge these conflicts to understand our world.

Review by Tin Kin Lee ( Y6 Darwin): Varjak Paw by S.F . Said

Genre: Fantasy

Suitable for: Y6+

Varjak Paw by S. F. Said is like a deep dive in the city downtown! This wonderful book takes you to the middle of a thriving city, and it’s filled with action, suspense, and gangs of cats. The story starts with Varjak, a house cat, which he later meets Holly and Tam, who had been living in the streets for a long time, as they navigate the treacherous city alleys and encounter other cats - who might not be so friendly. The author makes you feel the pain and tension with the cats, experiencing the horrors of being a street cat. It’s a book that teaches us about fear, bravery, hope, and the nature of gangs in the city. Whether you’re interested in action in cats or just love a gripping story, ‘Varjak Paw’ is a must-read. You wouldn’t be able to put it down!

Review by Davyn Kwok (Y8 Darwin): The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

Genre: Action packed Fantasy

Suitable for: Y6+

The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro is an action-filled novel! This book is set in the world of Percy Jackson, where two of the most popular characters, Nico di Angelo, and Will Solace, who are currently dating, agree to go on a quest together to free Bob, one of the Titans who turned from evil to good. Riordan and Oshiro explore Nico’s trauma and events that happened in his past. They make readers feel that they are experiencing some of Nico’s memories and listening to him tell his stories directly as shown by the flashbacks Nico experiences. Riordan and Oshiro also use lots of imagery and switch between the points of view of Nico and Will. The Sun and the Star teaches us the value of having empathy for everyone and the importance of embracing emotions, even ones like fear and anger. It also teaches us about accepting members of the LGBTQ society into our community. If you are interested in action-packed novels or romantic action ones, this book would be enjoyable to everyone! 

Review by Vanessa Ho (Y10 Anderson): Crying in M Hart by Michelle Zauner

Genre: biography, autobiography

Suitable for: Y8+

How does someone show love? For Michelle Zauner’s mother, it was through food. She would remember if you liked extra noodles, less spice, or no tomatoes. But when her mother dies from terminal cancer, she is forced to deal with incredible grief and unexpected loss. She turns to food to mourn that loss and appreciate her mother. This thought-provoking and heart-wrenching memoir explores the author’s identity, her relationship with her mother and how food helped her deal with loss.

I hate to admit I didn’t have high hopes for this book. Time and time again, I have been told not to judge a book by its cover, but did I listen? No. Should I have? Absolutely. I got the impression that this book would be quite cliché and surface level and almost didn’t pick it up solely because of the cover. How wrong I was to doubt it. At the start, we follow the author on her journey to H Mart. One page in and the reader is already bombarded with the most beautifully crafted- albeit poignant- recounting of H Mart and the memories it brings back. “When I go to H Mart, I’m not just on the hunt for cuttlefish and three bunches of scallions for a buck: I’m searching for memories”. I like that. A lot. There is also a strong narrative voice; it made the book all the more intimate, especially knowing it was written first-hand. Moreover, much like any great book, food plays a big theme in this memoir. The author’s descriptions of jjigae, tteokbokki, and other Korean delicacies were mouth-watering and vivid; it was almost as if I could taste the food off the page.

Crying in H Mart? More like crying everywhere: my copy of the book definitely had some blotches that looked suspiciously like tear stains left from the emotional roller coaster I went on. Thus, if you are looking for a book that is tender and candid and might make you bawl your eyes out for weeks on end, I can’t recommend this book enough. Even as someone more inclined to pick up a novel instead of a non-fiction book, I suggest you give this book a try. I can confidently assure you the author has not only met my expectations but surpassed them!

Review by Taylor Wong (Y9 Anderson): Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wonder by R.J Palacio is a touching story that lures readers of all ages. Introducing the eyes of a young boy named Auggie, born with a facial deformity, this book explores the theme of empathy, friendship and self-acceptance. The author's storytelling is very engaging, making it suitable for both young and adult readers. The characters are very relatable and sometimes emotions are invoked rage from laughter to tears. This novel’s message and modal is of kindness and understanding, not judging others before getting to know them. It reminds us to look beyond people’s appearances and embrace the diversity of human experiences. This book “Wonder” is an incredibly inspiring book that teaches us a lot, leaving a lasting impact. Encouraging us to choose empathy and kindness in a world that needs it most.