Moon over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Abilene Tucker is not impressed. Her father has sent her to Manifest, the town that he grew up in. However, this old, hardworking, run down town does not match the glittering, modern city her father told her of. But even in peaceful villages like this, accidents do happen. Abilene soon finds herself in debt to the village diviner, and the history of Manifest slowly rolls itself out like a long lost map. Could her father be involved? And why does mysterious Miss Sadie never reveal the whole of the towns secrets?

I would recommend this book for 9+, with a rating of 5/5, due to the complications of the tale in certain  places. 

Bottersnikes and Gumbles by S.A. Wakefield

Deep in a dusty plain the Bottersnikes lurked, lazy, bad-tempered creatures who liked nothing better than snoozing all day. However, there was another animal that lived in this hot habitat. The Gumbles are just the kind of creature you want to play with all day, the exact opposites of the Bottersnikes. Therefore, they clash, and the Gumbles are sought after to be slaves to the Bottersnikes.  Can Tinkingumble have enough tinking ideas to slide them out of the mean clutches of the Bottersnikes? And can Willigumble, who is always late for everything, get Tinkingumble's thinks unstuck?

I would recommend this book for ages 6+, because everything is funny and exciting, even when the Bottersnikes sit on each others heads!  4/5

The Wolves Chronicles by Joan Aiken

Book 1 - The Wolves of Willoughby Chase

Miss Slighcarp, a cousin to Sir Green, has come to look after Bonnie while her parents are abroad trying to improve the health of her mother. Silvia, Bonnie's dearest cousin has also come to stay. However, when Miss Slighcarp is seen mysteriously miles away from the house, can Bonnie, Silvia and their good friend Simon pull each other out of trouble?

I would give this book 5/5. It is only suitable for ages eight and upwards, because of slightly scary parts, including the hardship and capture of the girls.


Book 2 - Black Hearts in Battersea

When Simon sets off to learn more about his greatest love, art, things don't quite go as expected. He lodges with Dido and her family, but how can anything be normal when neither of them guess the evil plans of her parents, Simon discovers his best friend is related to him in royalty, and then ends up rescuing the King in a balloon?

I would give this book 5/5 for eight and upwards, because of the mystery of hidden identity is quite exciting.

Book 3 - Night Birds on Nantucket

Dido Twite finally wakes up from a year long sleep, calling for Simon. She makes a new friend, sees a pink whale and goes to live with her friend's supposed Aunt. However, Miss Slighcarp is building an even stronger plan than before, so can Dido and her new friend stop the firing of a long gun that could blast the island of Nantucket to pieces?

I would give this book 5/5 for eight and upwards because of the excitement of finding out new things, and trying to make sense of new people.
   

A Little Princess by Frances Hogdson Burnett

 

A little princess is a sad, moving  story, but, although tears may come to your eyes, it has a very happy ending though some sadness still lingers in the story mist. I would call this story a kind of misty story, because you never know what is going to happen or who is doing the foggy actions. When you read this book, you will notice that it is told on Sara Crewe’s side of the story. However, although this book is not from Miss Minchin’s point of view, you can still side with her and, in my opinion, do things cruelly to Sara.

I would rate this book 4/5, due to some boring parts where the author is just complaining about the injustice treatment of Sara. This book, although it may sound appetizing for younger readers, and children only of the older type should read it. This is because I myself would have enjoyed it more if I were older.

Katy's Exmoor Ponies by Victoria Eveleigh

This trio of books is for horse lovers. In Katy's Exmoor, the first of the trio, Katy goes out into the fields to find that one of the Exmoor ponies has had a foal in all the cold and snow! Will Katy be able to save a life and gain a friend? In Katy's Exmoor Friends, the second of the trio, Trifle (the foal in the snow) is sent to the market by Katy's dad! He wonders if the home that Trifle has now will be close so Katy can visit him. It certainly is! But will Katy and her new pony be able to win an award and save Grandad from a terrible accident? In Katy's Exmoor Friends, the last of the trio, Trifle has a foal called Tinker Bell! But it is how this comes to light that is the problem. Can Katy save Moon and find out unexpected problems that lurk in the shadows?


I would rate these books 5/5 for animal and horse lovers.

The Captain Hook Affair by Humphrey Carpenter

Lucy is very sad. She has to go to a children's home because her Grandma is ill and her Mum is also getting ill and doesn't have a good job. But before she goes her Grandma gives her a pencil which, although Lucy doesn't know it, is magic! The pencil takes you into a book once the pencil nib and paper touch. You can also bring characters out of the book you disappear into. The headmaster of Lucy's children's home is sent away in disgrace for pretending that the children had been too naughty to deserve going on their trip to Cornwall. Who can save the children from their new, mean headmaster by getting help from story characters?

I would rate this book 5/5 for readers who like a bit of magical mystery. This book can only be found second hand but is definitely worth hunting down.   

The King of the Copper Mountains by Paul Biegel

The King is very ill. The doctor says that all that will save him now is if he is told a different story every night. But when his trusty, talking dog has used up all his fabulous stories,what will passers-by tell the old king?

This is a story with stories inside it and very exciting stories they are as well! I had a fun time figuring out which pieces of each story fitted together and made a kind of jigsaw. Dragon tells of a mighty battle and Rat tells why it happened and Sheep tells who fought in the battle.

I would rate this book 5/5 for readers that don't get bored when talking dogs are putting breakfast on the table and lions are popping princesses' balloons!