Looking at the Stars, by Jo Cotterill

Looking at the Stars, by Jo Cotterill, is about Amina Ambrose, a girl with a wonderful gift for storytelling.

When Amina’s father is killed by soldiers working for the country’s dictator, Amina, her mother and her two sisters flee their home. At a checkpoint, Amina and her older sister, Jenna, are separated from their mother and their younger sister Vivie. As they are very worried about their safety and that of their mother and Vivie, Amina and Jenna decide to walk to a refugee camp, hoping to be reunited with them there. 

In the refugee camp, the two girls have the good fortune to meet Cosima and her two sons, Aron and Lemo. When the sisters agree to stay with Cosima’s family in their crude, makeshift tent, Amina and Jenna have to adapt to living in the harsh refugee camp very quickly.  While in the camp, they have to struggle for survival every day. Filled with despair, Amina starts to let her imagination run and she begins to tell stories about the stars. Her stories transport many people’s minds to a wonderful starry world, taking them, just for a while, away from the cruel reality of their lives.  Amina’s stories help the people in the refugee camp. The stories make them hopeful that there will be an end to the war and that they will be happier one day. Will Amina and Jenna ever see their mother and Vivie again?

Looking at the Stars is a book that I will always remember, it pulled at my heartstrings. All the characters are so well written, they seem alive, and the stories that Amina weaved left me star struck.

I’m unsure as to whether there should be a sequel to Looking at the Stars; it’s perfect as it is. However, to learn if the sisters are able to build a new life for themselves would be one book that I’d definitely read.  

Cat O’ Nine Tails by Julia Golding

Cat O’ Nine Tails is the fourth book in the fabulous “Cat Royal” adventure series by Julia Golding.  The main character is Catherine (Cat) Royal, a courageous 14 year old girl who lives in Georgian London.

When Cat hears that one of her oldest friends, Syd Fletcher, has gone missing, she and two of her other friends, Frank and Pedro, decide to search for him. They set off for Bristol, the last known location for Syd. To their horror, when the three friends arrived at their destination, they were kidnapped and taken aboard the HMS Courage- which was heading for post-colonial America!

You should definitely read this brilliant book to find out about all the exciting adventures Cat and her friends have as they try to escape their kidnappers and find Syd.  Will they ever make it back to England?

I thoroughly recommend Cat O’ Nine Tails and I really like this series of books by Julia Golding. These books are action-packed, witty and guaranteed to make you laugh.  Cat Royal is a heroine to look up to.

Cat O'Nine Tails

For a preview of all the books in the series, go to the website below.

Julia Golding

Ask Amy Green by Sarah Webb

          Ask Amy Green is an amazing series of books by Sarah Webb. If you want to read a book that makes you giggle, smile, feel for the characters and always leaves you wanting to know what happens next, then Ask Amy Green is the series for you.

          The series is centred around Amy Green, a caring 13 year old girl, who lives on the outskirts of Dublin in Ireland. Amy loves to help others and to write, and is able to do both by co-writing the ‘Agony Aunt’ pages on The Goss magazine with Clover, her crazy 17 year old aunt.

          Ask Amy Green is a great series for any 11-17 year old girl. It is warm, funny and Amy is a very engaging lead character. Amy and Clover portray the average teenager’s life and all its problems with friends, boys and crazy families. It shows you that as long as you have a kind heart, caring friends and family-however crazy they may be- you can always help someone else with their problems.     10/10.

My favourite book in the series is:

Bridesmaid Blitz

For a preview of all the books in the series, go to the website below.

Ask Amy Green website

 

Books Read In January-March 2014

1. Why the Whales Came,  Michael Morpurgo    2/1/14
2. The Queen's Lady,  Eve Edwards    11/1/14
3. The Quietness,  Alison Rattle    13/1/14
4. Love at Second Sight,  Cathy Hopkins     16/1/14
5. Indigo's Star,  Hilary McKay    19/1/14
6. Caddy Ever After,  Hilary McKay    21/1/14
7. Troubadour,   Mary Hoffman      22/1/14
8. Magic Flutes,  Eva Ibbotson    25/1/14
9. Fairest,  Gail Carson Levine    27/1/14
10. Looking at the Stars, by Jo Cotterill.    4/2/14
11. The Eye of the Horse,  Jamila Gavin.    21/2/14

Books Read In October-December 2013

1. At The Sign Of The Sugared Plum,  Mary Hooper     1/10/13
2. Chocolate S.O.S,  Sue Limb     2/10/13
3. Across the Barriers,  Joan Lingard     4/10/13
4. The Flip Flop Club: Midnight Message,  Ellen Richardson     6/10/13
5. Caddy`s Angel,  Hilary McKay     7/10/13
6. Adventure Island: The Mystery Of The Cursed Ruby,  Helen Moss     8/10/13
7. A horse for Angel,  Sarah Lean     10/10/13
8. My Royal Story: Victoria,  Anna Kirwan     12/10/13
9. My Royal Story: Egyptian Princess,  Vince Cross     13/10/13
10. Here`s To You, Rachel Robinson,  Judy Blume     14/10/13
11. By Any Other Name,  Laura Jarret     16/10/13
12. A Company of Swans,  Eva Ibbotson     17/10/13
13. The Raspberry Rules,  Karen McCombie     19/10/13
14. Frankie, Peaches and Me,  Karen McCombie     20/10/13
15. Absolute Torture!,  Sue Limb     22/10/13
16. The Wedding Planners Daughter: Playing Cupid,  Coleen Murtagh Paratore     23/10/13
17. The Resistance, Gemma Malley     24/10/13
18. The Legacy,  Gemma Malley     26/10/13
19. Prisoners in the Palace,  Michaela MacColl     28/10/13
20. At the House of the Magician,  Mary Hooper     30/10/13
21. By Royal Command,  Mary Hooper     1/11/13
22. The Betrayal,  Mary Hooper     2/11/13
23. Airhead,  Meg Cabot     5/11/13
24. Secrets at St Judes: New Girl,  Carmen Reid     7/11/13
25. Secrets at St Judes: Sunshine Girl,  Carmen Reid     10/11/13
26. Velvet,  Mary Hooper     12/11/13
27. The Fever and the Flame,  Mary Hooper     14/11/13
28. The Remarkable Life & Times of Eliza Rose,  Mary Hooper     16/11/13
29. The Morning Gift,  Eva Ibbotson,     19/11/13
30. Bridge of Time,  Lewis Buzbee     21/11/13
31. The Candymakers,  Wendy Mass     24/11/13
32. The Lions of Little Rock,  Kristin Levine     28/11/13
33. Lily and the Traitors Spell,  Holly Webb     30/11/13
34. Forbidden Friends,  Anne-Marie Conway     2/12/13/
35. Hero On A Bicycle,  Shirley Hughes     5/12/13
36. Secrets at St Judes: Party Girl,  Carmen Reid     8/12/13
37. Billionaire Boy,  David Walliams     12/12/13
38. The Mysterious Benedict Society,  Trenton Lee Stewart     15/12/13
39. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner`s Dilemma,  Trenton Lee Stewart     19/12/13
40. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey,  Trenton Lee Stewart     23/12/13
41. Ask Amy Green: Boy Trouble,  Sarah Webb     24/12/13
42. Ask Amy Green: Wedding Belles,  Sarah Webb     26/12/13
43. The Cate Carlisle Files: Viper`s Nest,  Isla Whitcroft     28/12/13
44. Finally, Wendy Mass     31/12/13    

Books Read In July-September 2013

1. Love, Lies and Lizzie,  Rosie Rushton     1/7/2013

2. Blind Beauty,  K.M. Peyton     2/7/2013

3. Run Rabbit Run,  Barbara Mitchelhill     3/7/2013

4. Lady Jane Grey: Queen For Sale,  Caroline Corby     4/7/2013

5. My Story: The Hunger,  Carol Drinkwater     5/7/2013

6. Dreamer Ballerina,  Sarah Rubin     6/7/2013

7. Fame School: Star Maker,  Cindy Jefferies     7/7/2013

8. Fame School: Summer Spectacular,  Cindy Jefferies     8/7/2013

9. William The Good,  Richmal Crompton     9/7/2013

10. The O`Sullivan Twins,  Enid Blyton     10/7/2013
11. Lucy Willow,  Sally Gardener     11/7/2013
12. Adventure Island: The Mystery Of The Vanishing Skeleton,  Helen Moss     13/7/2013
13. Relax Max,  D.J. Lucas     15/7/2013
14. Nevermore,  Linda Newbery     16/7/2013
15. Olivia`s Curtain Call,  Lyn Gardner     17/7/2013
16. Secret Schemes and Daring Dreams,  Rosie Rushton     19/7/2013
17. The Princess Diaries: Sixsational,  Meg Cabot     20/7/2013
18. The Princess Diaries: Seventh Heaven,  Meg Cabot     22/7/2013
19. The Princess Diaries: After Eight,  Meg Cabot     23/7/2013
20. The Lucy Variations,  Sara Zarr     24/7/2013
21. Girl On The Run: Ringmaster,  Julia Golding     26/7/2013
22. Princess Academy,  Shannon Hale     27/7/2013
23. Kite Spirit,  Sita Brahmachari     29/7/2013
24. Twisted,  Sara Shepard     30/7/2013
25. Secrets,  Jacqueline Wilson     31/7/2013
26. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing,  Judy Blume     1/8/2013
27. Otherwise Known as Sheila The Great,  Judy Blume     2/8/2013
28. Superfudge,  Judy Blume     4/8/2013
29. Fudge-a-Mania,  Judy Blume     5/8/2013
30. Double Fudge,  Judy Blume     7/8/2013
31. The Merrybegot,  Julie Hearn     8/8/2013
32. Lola Rose,  Jacqueline Wilson     10/8/2013
33. Vicky Angel,  Jacqueline Wilson     12/8/2013
34. Midnight,  Jacqueline Wilson     14/8/2013
35. Artichoke Hearts,  Sita Brahmachari     15/8/2013
36. Flyaway,  Lucy Christopher     17/8/2013
37. Sweet Hearts: Deep Water,  Jo Cotterill     18/8/2013
38. The Flask,  Nicky Singer     20/8/2013
39. The Last Leopard,  Lauren St John     21/8/2013
40. The Elephant`s Tale,  Lauren St John     23/8/2013
41. Race The Wind,  Lauren St John     25/8/2013
42. Victoria and the Rogue,  Meg Cabot     27/8/2013
43. The Princess Diaries: Ten out of Ten,  Meg Cabot     28/8/2013
44. The Penderwicks at Point Mouette,  Jeanne Birdsall     30/8/2013
45. Spy Girl: Out of the Shadows,  Carol Hedges     31/8/2013
46. Forbidden Friends,  Anne-Marie Conway     1/9/2013
 

Books Read in April - June 2013

1. A Laura Marlin Mystery: Kidnap in the Caribbean,  Lauren St John     1/4/2013

2. The Medusa Project: Double-Cross,  Sophie McKenzie     1/4/2013

3. Girls Under Pressure,  Jacqueline Wilson     2/4/2013

4. The Story of Tracy Beaker,  Jacqueline Wilson     3/4/2013

5. Starring Tracy Beaker, Jacqueline Wilson     4/4/2013

6. Sapphire Battersea,  Jacqueline Wilson     5/4/2013
7. The Beautiful Game: Lauren`s Best Friend,  Narinder Dhami     6/4/2013
8. Den of Thieves,  Julia Golding     6/4/2013
9. A Laura Marlin Mystery: Dead Man`s Cove,  Lauren St John     7/4/2013
10. The Worst thing about my Sister,  Jacqueline Wilson     7/4/2013
11. Blood Ransom,  Sophie McKenzie     8/4/2013
12. Identity,  Sandra Glover     8/4/2013
13. The Whispering Roads,  Livi Michael     9/4/2013
14. The Queen Must Die,  K.A.S. Quinn     10/4/2013
15. The Beautiful Game: Hannah`s Secret,  Narinder Dhami     11/4/2013
16. My Story: Pompeii,  Sue Reid     11/4/2013
17. The Ingo Chronicles: Ingo,  Helen Dunmore     12/4/2013
18. Bella at Midnight,  Diane Stanley     13/4/2013
19. North of Nowhere,  Liz Kessler     15/4/2013
20. Jane Blonde: Spylet on Ice,  Jill Marshall     16/4/2013
21. The Kite Rider,  Geraldine McCaughrean     17/4/2013
22. Love, Aubrey,  Suzanne LaFleur     18/4/2013
23. Driftwood,  Cathy Cassidy     19/4/2013
24. Olivia`s Winter Wonderland,  Lyn Gardner     20/4/2013
25. Best Friends,  Jacqueline Wilson     21/4/2013
26. 6 Feet Deep,  Rose Impey     22/4/2013
27. Ginger Snaps,  Cathy Cassidy     23/4/2013
28. Angel Cake,  Cathy Cassidy     25/4/2013
29. My Story: Nowhere To Run,  Carol Drinkwater     26/4/2013
30. Ruby Redfort: Look Into My Eyes,  Lauren Child     27/4/2013
31. Loose Connections,  Rosemary Hayes     27/4/2013
32. The Lord God Made Them All,  James Herriot     29/4/2013
33. Every Living Thing,  James Herriot     30/4/2013
34. The Just William Collection,  Richmal Crompton     1/5/2013
35. Bitter Chocolate,  Sally Grindley     2/5/2013
36. Rowan of Rin,  Emily Rodda     3/5/2013
37. Harry and the Wrinklies,  Alan Temperley     5/5/2013
38. My Story: Wartime Princess,  Valerie Wilding     6/5/2013
39. Marley: A dog like no other,  John Grogan     8/5/2013
40. Pony Club Secrets: Mystic and the Midnight Ride,  Stacy Gregg     9/5/2013
41. The Beautiful Game: Georgie`s War,  Narinder Dhami     10/5/2013
42. The Beautiful Game: Golden Girl Grace,  Narinder Dhami     12/5/2013
43. School Friends: Rivalry at Silver Spires,  Ann Bryant     13/5/2013
44. Cat`s Cradle,  Julia Golding     14/5/2013
45. The Chocolate Box Girls: Cherry Crush,  Cathy Cassidy     15/5/2013
46. White Lies and Barefaced Truths,  Cathy Hopkins     16/5/2013
47. The Princess Diaries,  Meg Cabot     17/5/2013
48. The Butterfly Lion,  Michael Morpurgo     18/5/2013
49. Beezus and Ramona,  Beverly Cleary     19/5/2013
50. Ramona the Pest,  Beverly Cleary     20/5/2013
51. Ramona the Brave,  Beverly Cleary     21/5/2013
52. Ramona and Her Father,  Beverly Cleary     22/5/2013
53. Ramona and Her Mother,  Beverly Cleary     23/5/2013
54. Ramona Quimby, Age 8,  Beverly Cleary     24/5/2013
55. Ramona Forever,  Beverly Cleary     25/5/2013
56. Ramona`s World,  Beverly Cleary     25/5/2013
57. Poppy`s Angel,  Rachel Billington     26/5/2013
58. The Eleventh Orphan: The Stolen Sister,  Joan Lingard     27/5/2013
59. River Song,  Belinda Hollyer     28/5/2013
60. Butterfly Summer,  Anne-Marie Conway     29/5/2013
61. The Wreck of the Zanzibar,  Michael Morpurgo     30/5/2013
62. The Hardy Boys: Private Killer,  Franklin W. Dixon     1/6/2013
63. Kick-Off,  Donna King     2/6/2013
64. Gangsta Granny,  David Walliams     3/6/2013
65. The Chocolate Box Girls: Summer`s Dream,  Cathy Cassidy     4/6/2013
66. Riding High,  Donna King     5/6/2013
67. Fame School: Battle of the Bands,  Cindy Jefferies     5/6/2013
68. Pony Club Secrets: Flame and the Rebel Riders,  Stacy Gregg     6/6/2013
69. Star Child,  Cathy Hopkins     6/6/2013
70. Tell Me Who,  Jessica Wollman     7/6/2013
71. Secrets, Lies and Locker 62,  Lil Chase     8/6/2013
72. My Sister Jodie,  Jacqueline Wilson     9/6/2013
73. The Medusa Project: Hunted,  Sophie McKenzie     10/6/2013
74. Wings,  Aprilynne Pike     11/6/2013
75. The Eleventh Orphan: The Chancery Lane Conspiracy,  Joan Lingard     12/6/2013
76. Girls in Tears,  Jacqueline Wilson     13/6/2013
77. Fame School: Reach for the Stars,  Cindy Jefferies     14/6/2013
78. Fame School: Rising Star,  Cindy Jefferies     14/6/2013
79. Pony Club Secrets: Blaze and the Dark Rider,  Stacy Gregg     15/6/2013
80. It`s Not The End Of The World,  Judy Blume     15/6/2013
81. The Princess Diaries: Third Time Lucky,  Meg Cabot     16/6/2013
82. Mirror, Mirror,  Nancy Butcher     17/6/2013
83. The Princess Diaries: Give Me Five,  Meg Cabot     18/6/2013
84. Fame School: Dancing Star,  Cindy Jefferies     19/6/2013
85. Elizabethan Mysteries: Rogue`s Gold,  John Pilkington     20/6/2013
86. Pony Club Secrets: Destiny and the Wild Horses,  Stacy Gregg     22/6/2013
87. Adventure Island: The Mystery Of The Dinosaur Discovery,  Helen Moss     23/6/2013
88. Poppy`s Hero, Rachel Billington     25/6/2013
89. Fame School: Secret Ambition,  Cindy Jefferies     27/6/2013
90. The Princess Diaries: Mia Goes Fourth,  Meg Cabot     29/6/2013
91. By Any Other Name,  Laura Jarratt     30/6/2013
92. Hazel,  Julie Hearn     31/6/2013