Book Reviews
Could you write a book review? Imagine you are talking to a friend and telling them what you think about a book you have just read.Ideally a book review should tell us enough about the book so that we get a feel for it, but not so much that it spoils the story. It is useful to know what the reader liked and (most importantly!) why and it is also useful to know what (s)he didn't like. Again and why.
Have a look at the book reviews here and see which ones would help you to choose a book to read. Our editor might choose some book reviews to publish in Young Writer.
Publishers need to know what YOU, the children and yong people who read their books, think about them. Also, people who want to choose a book to buy or to read want some advice. So we are looking for book reviews by children and young people. If your teacher gets in touch with us we can send along a box of books for review and the school library gets to keep them all for FREE! Ring us on 0113 200 2929 or email youngwriter@writersnews.co.uk
Li Fu’s Great Aim by Karen Wallace, reviewed by Kieran Jones (8)
In this thought-provoking mystery book set in China during the Qin dynasty (219 BC), Li Fu is a boy whose great aim is to join the army and dedicate his life to serving the first Emperor as an archer.
Although the story is fictitious, it is historically correct, being based on events occurring when the first Emperor was building his terracotta army. However, when it is found that he is the only one that can calm the Emperor with harp music Li Fu uncovers a plot to assassinate the Emperor and has a race against time to prevent this. WARNING – this story is written in the first person and is a page-turner, which draws you into Li Fu’s mind! The author really does deliver what she promises and more.
You should choose this book because it draws you away from television and brings you into another world. It is beautifully illustrated by Helen Flook - including the attractive cover, which encourages you to look inside. The author, who is Canadian, has written many children’s books and often visits schools and libraries to present her work. I hope that she will visit my school sometime, as I would be interested to meet her.
Kieran Jones (8) St Nicolas’ School, Portslade, East Sussex