Friday, 16 December 2016

Protocols for publishing posts and comments on the blog.

This is a school document and should be treated as such.  Anything posted on this site will be treated the same as anything written or said at school.  If in doubt think "Would I write this in my book at school?"  Posts and comments should be written using our JDIs and appropriate images and language used.  Abbreviated language or slang is not acceptable.

 I encourage you to comment on posts but remember that any criticisms should be positive.  If you think somebody could improve what they have written explain how it could be improved.  For example..."I found it hard to understand what you were saying and think that using punctuation will help next time."

Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to add their comments.  Your experiences are valued and when we are discussing books your recommendations will be greatly received.

Please ensure you include your name when you make a posting.

Thank you

Miss Startup

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Love That Dog

Georgia Perry
24/11/2016
9/10
16/20
Sharon Creech

" I don't want to because boys dont write poetry, girls do." First sentence of this poem collection book. This is about a boy writing , listening and understanding poetry, while he is writing his poems he doesn't want his poems to give away who he is because he is a boy, and boys don't write poetry. As the poems and book goes on he says his opinions about  the poems that he hears and his thoughts on them. Soon when he needs to write a poem about a pet he rants on how he doesn't have one but he did but he doesn't want to write about it, but then he gets a yellow, silent black eyed dog.

I loved this book, I listened to it by audio and i was hooked, and it was truly interesting to me. Its written in a diary format  with dates included. And i bet its better in the hard copy. I liked how it was a boys vision changed so they knew that everything's not separate.

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Tuesday, 22 November 2016

Tenth Of December

Harsimar Dugh
Book: 17/20
Author: George Saunders
Genre: Collections of short stories

This book has collections of short stories. It has 10 good stories but my best story would be victory lap. Its about a young girl who gets kidnapped on her birthday, and a boy name Kyle who sees the incident happening and decides whether he should help her or not to stay safe.

I liked this book because there was different stories to choose from and they were interesting to read.
I give this book a rating out of 8/10

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Sunday, 6 November 2016

Jackson

Alex Rider, Snakehead
Author: Anthony Horowitz

Alex is yet again put into the dangerous world the government tries so hard to hide form the media by the Australian Secret Service to play the roll of a child (as he is one) that is to be exported over to Australia illegally by the criminal organisation: Snakehead. They don't know that while they are "transferring" him he is infiltrating there organisation and figuring out a way to prevent this from happening due to the overflow of immigrants in Australia.  how ever during this operation he stumbles across the information that a bomb has been stolen by them and they are planning on using it! He is on his own yet again to prevent them from blowing up somewhere with the nuclear bomb they have attained but how will he do this?

This book was smartly written and quite possibly planned out very carefully done with a lot of research (it was very smart as stated above). I also like the way the author describes things (situations, objects etc.) I recommend it and the series is great.

Genre: fiction, spy, action, damn good
Rating:8/10

Jackson

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire:
Author: J.K Rowling

Harry is back at Hogwarts for his fourth year but he has no idea what this years got in store for him. The triwizard tournament has come to Hogwarts after it being banned for over 100 year due to the many deaths that took place because of it! The tournament consists of 3 champions each from different schools that are old enough to compete but what will harry do when his name is spat out of the goblet of fire and is forced to take place in the historic event?

I believe this book is beyond great and is very gripping just as much as indulging leaving you wanting more. It was hard to put down which I believe is a good sign and also includes an interesting story, plot etc. I highly recommend it and hope others will pick it up as it is worth your time.

Genre: fiction, fantasy, magic, damn good
 rating:9/10(at times it dragged on/not to put you off)

Saturday, 5 November 2016

Under The Mountains

Harsimar Dugh
Book: 16/20
Author: Gee Maurice
Genre: New Zealand Literature

This book is about 2 twin teens, Rachel and Theo that are sent to live with their relatives in Auckland because their mother had passed away. They come across three alien races that lived across from them, in a old, dreadful house. The aliens wanted to kill all humans and take over the Earth. But to stop the aliens they had to use firepower on them. Only twins can unleash the the firepower from a set of magic stones at one of the volcanoes.

Image result for under the mountain book

Friday, 4 November 2016

Through The Woods

Harsimar Dugh
Book: 15/20
Author: Emily Carrol
Genre: Graphic Novel

This book is a graphic novel. It has five horror stories that get you wanting to read more and more. Also each story ends of with a mysterious ending, that gets you thinking what might happen next. There is also really good quality of pictures in the book as well. The book has a story that always has a setting in the woods.

I really enjoyed this book because the book has a wonderful twist at the end. I give this book a rating out of 9/10.

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Monday, 31 October 2016

The Vintner's Luck

Harsimar Dugh
Book: 14/20
Author: Elizabeth Knox
Genre: Historical Fiction

This story is about a man called Sobran Jodeau in the year 1808, that goes out to drown his love ones in his family's vineyard.. But during the incident he trips over an angel. Once he got over his shock, he decides that Xas the male angel will be his guardian. But Xas turns out to be a mysterious character.

I liked this book becuase it seemed interesting to read. I give this book a rating out of 8/10

Image result for the vintner's luck book

Thursday, 20 October 2016

Paper towns

Brooke Wilson
Book 12/20
Paper Towns
Mystery
John Green
Rate 9/10

This book is one of my favorite books. It take you through Quentin's journey to find Margo when she suddenly leaves without any notice. He had to piece together the clues to find her . The book describes an amazing journey and keeps you wanting to read more. It one of those curl up and read book,. I rate this book a 9/10  

Monday, 17 October 2016

Paris Of The West

Harsimar Dugh
Book: 13/20
Author: Karen McMillan
Genre: New Zealand literature

This is a New Zealand authors novel Karen McMillan's. The story opens in the year 1948, with the second world war over. But with many victims suffering injuries that cannot be seen, Injuries to the mind, as well as to the soul. It is a novel of love and loss, betrayal and forgiveness, and having the courage to start over.

I enjoyed reading this novel because it was interesting to read.  I give this a rating out of 8/10.

cv_the_paris_of_the_west

Wednesday, 12 October 2016

Goosebumbs

Josh Clifton
Goosebumps the werewolf of fever swamp
Book 16/20
The Werewolf of Fever Swamp is the fourteenth book in Goosebumps, the series of children's horror fiction novellas created and authored by R. L. Stine. ... After a swamp deer is murdered, his father believes Grady's dog is responsible, but Grady is convinced a werewolf is the culprit.
I Found this book very entertaining and it pulled you back in when it started to get boring. Irate this book 7/20

Payback

Josh Clifton
Payback
Book 15/20

Thirteen- year- old Riley has a skateboarding accident and discovers that he has a serious delay in bone development. He also has a run in with Vince, an all round tough guy, who plays in his softball team and now seems to be hanging out with his ex-girlfriend.

This book was very interesting and I recommend it for ages 11+.
Irate this book 7/10

Tuesday, 11 October 2016


Susannah McFarlane: EJ12 Girl Hero - Drama Queen.
EJ12 is a special agent who now needs to gain access to a movie set and stop the water supply from being contaminated. While the latest action movie is being filmed the water supply is secretly being tampered with, while everyone focuses on the movie. I think doing that will be super easy for her and her friend Emma Jacks because they have done so much already so what's stopping them from succeeding now. This book was very...... It was a good book to read, so give a go and test it out and what do you know you might even like the book. I will be rating this book a 8/10 and recommended for people over the age of 10 - 16. Timara Stevens-Lett, 11/10/2016

R. L. Stine: Goosebumps - The Werewolf Of Fever Swamp.
When people find out that there's something very dreadful going on in Fever swamp. weird noises and ripped apart animals is how people say it all began but how far will it go. But everyone is blaming Grady's ( a boy living in Florida ) dog for the incidence happening around the area. But Grady strongly Believes that his dog isn't responsible for the vicious and vile things that has happened. Personally I quit like horror books, movies, ect. If you're also interested in horrors then R. L. Stine is your writer. My rating would have to be 8/10 and my age recommendation is ten to sixteen years of age maybe but it's a good book. Timara Stevens-Lett, 11/10/2016


 Meredith Badger: Go Girl! Bestie's - Beach Break
 Mia is a young girl with her two best friends and she is so excited for them to come over and stay in the holidays. But Shae and Michiko both are acting very unusual, Mia is so frightened that her best friends will like the beach house neighbours more than her. No one knows whether the three best friends will stay best friends forever, after fighting and arguing all night. In my perspective this book is averagely good but I wouldn't recommend this for the twelve plus. My rating would have to be a 7/10 because I don't think this book is for me but if you're into drama and maybe a little bit of mystery this could be the book for you. I don't know about you but just try it out and see how you feel after the first two chapters.
Timara Stevens-Lett, 11/10/2016

Sunday, 9 October 2016

The Lion the witch and the wardrobe

Erena Clarke-Boyle
This book is about 4 children Lucy,Peter,Susan and Edmund who all enter into a magical world called Narnia.All through a wardrobe.They meet magical creatures such as talking animals and fauns.I'm the midst of it all Edmund leaves the 3 and other companions that were with them in search of the wicked witch who controls the land.Leaving his 3 family members to search for him alongside there new friends.Overall this book was good and I liked it.

Rating:8/10
Book:15/10
Genre:---
Author:C.S Lewis

Beach Break

9/10/16
Meredith Badger
15/20
6/10
classic literature/ Known books

Mia is at her beach house for the holidays. her 2 best friends are coming to stay with her as well but when they get there the seem a little bit strange. Mia is scared that her best friends will like her neighbors more then they like her and with them acting strange shes sure of it. But the question is will they?.

This book is all about friends and friendship but is on a lower reading level for me. It took a little while to read but it was a good read. I wouldn't recommend it to people who are on a higher reading level. Although it was in a lower reading level i still enjoyed it and it takes up a good amoun of time if you aren't doing anything.

And also this book is one of the many books in this series.

Georgia Perry
yImage result for beach break go girls

Saturday, 8 October 2016

What About... the natural world?

9/10/16
Miles Kelly
14/20
6/10

Have you wondered what animals are made of?. How they live and how they survive in the wild?. And also how plants survive and what is the biggest land mammals are?. And discover everything you may need to know about our growing animal life.

This book is bursting with questions, Answers facts and everything you want to know. I would recommend this book for a project about animal life or if you just like animals. This book is 1 of a few explaining different subjects with facts and answers as well. I think this book is good but i wouldn't read it as like a fantasy book.

Georgia Perry
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Stories Gogo Told Me

Stories Gogo Told Me Josh Clifton

By Lisa Grainger

Genre: Collection of Short Stories

Book 14\20

In almost every village in Africa lives a storyteller. Telling stories is not her official job. By day she may be a Gogo (or granny), a teacher, a farmer or a seamstress. But by night, round the fire, she will sit, surrounded by young children, old friends, neighbours and travellers, and will tell you of how it was in the olden days, when the Earth was young, when man was a hunter-gatherer, and when animals roamed wild throughout the continent. The author spent several months hiking around the villages, towns, farms and deserts of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa, asking people who can't read or write to tell her their favourite stories. The result is this children's treasury of legends and fables, of witchdoctors and kingdoms of strange creatures and talking animals, which celebrates Africa and its ancient storytelling culture.

Image result for stories gogo told  meThis book is very special to me as it was given to me as a Gift from my Granny and Grandpa who live in South Africa. I love all of the stories in it, especially the one called Why Lightning Strikes. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good story. I rate this book 10/10.

Danny Champion of the World

Danny Champion of the World By Josh Clifton

By Roald Dahl
Book 
Danny champion of the world is a very interesting book.
Danny, the Champion of the World is set in the 1950s and written from the perspective of a nine year old boy.
Danny’s mother died when he was four months old, leaving him to be brought up by his father. They live in an old and cosy gypsy caravan behind a petrol station where Danny’s father works as a car mechanic. The story explores their relationship when Danny discovers “the deepest, darkest secret” of his father’s life: a love of poaching pheasants.
Together they devise the “Sleeping Beauty” plan to drug two hundred pheasants in Hazell’s wood by filling raisins with powdered sleeping pills and distributing them for the pheasants to eat. This local wood belongs to the detested, corpulent, exceedingly rich and obnoxious snob, Mr Victor Hazell. Danny and his father have a violent dislike of Victor Hazell, and they hope their plan to poach all his pheasants will ruin his annual pheasant shoot, held for all the nobility and “fancy folk” in the county.
Their plan succeeds and they escape under the cover of darkness with two gigantic sackfuls of sleeping birds that they leave with the local Vicar’s wife. Danny is crowned "Champion of the World" by his father for setting a new world record for poaching pheasants. The Vicar's wife hides the birds in her baby’s pram in order to return them to Danny and his father the following day. But on the way the sleeping pills wear off and pandemonium ensues as the pheasants escape.
Although their plan is not quite as successful as they had hoped, Danny and his father still manage to exact their revenge on Victor Hazell, who is forced to watch all the birds he raised to be killed at his infamous shooting party fly away. Danny and his father are left with just a few heavily-drugged pheasants to eat with their friends while they contemplate their next adventure.