“The sweetness at the bottom of the pie“ by Alan Bradley
A pie brings death to Buckshaw
The novel “The sweetness at the bottom of the pie” was written by Alan Bradley and published in the UK on 22nd January 2009. The protagonist, Flavia de Luce, is an eleven-year-old girl in the 20th century, who lives with her family including her father, Mr de Luce, her two older sisters, Daphne and Ophelia, and the Butler, Dogger in the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw. Flavia isn`t a normal girl: she is an aspiring chemist, she has her own laboratory and she has a passion for poison. The other family members are also rather unusual: Her father is a philatelist, her sister Dahne a bookworm, her second sister and the oldest one of the three daughters, Ophelia, is a selfish seeming beauty and Dogger has a personality that nobody really knows.
One day Flavia finds a dead bird on the doorstep with a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak (as you can also see on the cover) and a few hours later she watches a man in their cucumber patch while he takes his dying breath. Since her father is the last person who spoke to the victim, he is the main suspect in this case. So Flavia, who can`t believe that he’s guilty, wants to clarify the mystery. While doing so, her passion for poison helps her a lot.
I would really recommend this book, because when you start reading it is “unputdownable”. I also like the way it is written. It is mostly funny and when it is not funny it is exciting, so you won`t get bored. The story might be a bit complex but if you read carefully you won`t have any problems. Also it’s very important to note that the book is easy to read and that you don`t have to know every word to understand the story. The book is appropriate for people at my age but also for people who are a bit younger or a lot older. And please don`t think it is a novel for little children just because the protagonist is eleven years old. Just as I said: Flavia is not an unusual girl!
Enjoy the read!
Melanie (15)
“The Fault in our Stars” by John Green
How to feel and live as a person who’s suffered from cancer, a deadly disease
The novel “The Fault in our Stars” written by John Green in 2010 tells the reader about it.
Hazel, a-16- year old girl, goes to a support group to get over her depression. She doesn’t enjoy life until the day, when a boy named Augustus Waters “Gus” appears. It’s like a wonder, because he’s a person who changes her whole life: After a while they become a couple and Gus wants to make Hazel’s dreams true.
It is a story which is very close to reality, maybe because it is a real-life story. In fact, the story is also full of emotions because the characters tell you everything about their feelings and thoughts. Sometimes they are happy, and other times they are angry and then sad. You can feel with the characters because it is written in a very realistic way. But sometimes the novel is also difficult to read because there are vocabularies not everybody at my age knows.
All in all, I would say, this book is very, very good, which is also true of the film, and it’s a must-read. The language is pretty feasible because you can guess unknown words from the context. I would definitely recommend the novel to you!
Florina (14)
“Ghetto Kidz (If I grew up)” by Morton Rue
Gangstar's Paradise
"Ghetto Kidz" is about Kalon, a black boy who was born into ghetto life. He lives together with his grandma and his sister in the city's ghetto between warring gangs. Kalon's mother was killed by one of the gangs, so he tries to stay out of them. But after his grandma has lost her cleaning job, Kalon has to do something because his family won't survive without money...
The message of the book is shocking and very sad: If you are born into violence and gangs, you can't stay out of them. Morton Rue did everything possible to give the reader a good insight into gang life. He talked to real gang members, read many newspaper articles and wrote the novel in a style and language that is common in gangs.
Although there are many words you don't learn at school, you can easily understand the plot because some of those words are used here, too.
I would recommend this book to boys at my age (15+) because the story is mostly about Kalon aged between 14 and 18. You learn much about gang life in the USA and if you aren't interested in things like that the story will catch you from the first page on anyway. It's a story about racism, poverty and violence, which is more likely to be interesting to boys.
I tell you: Read it!
Henrik (15)
“The Giver” by Lois Lowry
Important Memories
The novel “The Giver” written by Lois Lowry and published in the US in 1993 centers around a boy called Jonas. Jonas is a top student, he has integrity and courage and he lives with his parents, his sister Lily and his friends Asher and Fiona in a community with many rules and a system of punishment. In the community the children are classified by generation-groups from one to twelve. In the so-called ceremony of the Twelves they get their jobs. As the story opens Jonas is just before his last ceremony in which he is given his job. His job is to be the Receiver of Memories. Jonas is trained by the Giver who was up to this point the Receiver of Memories. During his training he learns about colours, pain and love and he realizes that up to this point his life in the community has been lonely, colourless and emotionless. After a while Jonas discovers a dark secret and he has to decide what to do next…
Lois Lowry wants to show us the importance of memory in our lives.
I think “The Giver” is an exciting novel which is easy to understand. The topic of the story is interesting and the writing style is vivid. However, I think the introduction is too long and the story has an abrupt end which is a pity.
All in all, I can recommend the book to students at my age and to fans of science fiction novels/ stories.
Norman (14)
“The Maze Runner” by James Dashner
Welcome to the glade
The novel “The Maze Runner” was written by James Dashner in 2010. It tells the story of Thomas, a boy who is set out in the middle of a giant maze. But he isn’t alone there. The ‘’Gladers’’ are the other fighters who are allowed in there. The really strange thing is that nobody in the Glade can remember anything but their first name. The walls of the Maze are made out of massive stone but every dawn those huge stone walls slide into each other at some spots and open entrances into the Maze. The Maze itself is an assembling of deadly traps and other things which can easily kill you. Every morning when the gates open, the so-called runners run out and search an exit for the others….
The book it pretentiously-written and generates a huge mass of tension and flashed me for a long time. Because of the fact that the ‘’Gladers’’ were at some point cut off civilization, they designed a different language which makes the book extremely pretentious and you have to have some more experience in reading English novels and texts to understand what’s going on there.
I recommend this book to people who are twelve or older (I was twelve, when I read it) because the plot can be disturbing at times and some scenes are really scary.
I hope you enjoyed reading my recommendation.
Benedikt (13)
“Percy Jackson And The Lighting Thief” by Rick Riordan
A fantasy story in the modern world
The novel “Percy Jackson And The Lighting Thief” written by Rick Riordan and published in the US in 2005 centers around 12-year old Percy who just like Annabeth and a few other kids is a half-blood. The story starts with Zeus announcing a war unless his master-bolt – the most dangerous weapon – is immediately returned. Everybody else thinks Percy has stolen the bolt. But Percy, Annabeth and Percy’s keeper Grover suspect Hades of having stolen it. Percy feels that he has to go to the Underworld to find the bolt and to eventually spare the world a terrible war.
The story is narrated in a very interesting way because the author employs a first- person narrator. He tells us the story through Percy´s eyes. So we know about his feelings and thoughts in great detail. The novel is written in feasible English. Even if you don´t know one word, you´ll still get the plot.
The message of the story is very simple, but you have to keep reading for a while before you discover it: Just the way Percy takes risks in order to save the world, you should sometimes take risks, too if you want to find out about the truth.
This novel is for young people aged between 12 and 14, who are interested in Greek Gods and who like exciting stories. If you find the plot is exciting, you must read the novel.
Annalena (14)
A fight for survival - kill or die!
The novel ''The Hunger Games'' by Suzanne Collins was published in the US in 2009.
The plot is set in the future. It takes place in a country once known as North America and now known as the nation Panem, including twelve poor districts and the wealthy Capitol. Every year a boy and a girl aged between 12 and 18 from every district are chosen randomly to participate in the Hunger Games, a live event that is aired all over the country. In this game all the children have to kill each other until one is left. That is because years ago all the districts started a rebellion against the Capitol. But in the end the Capitol won and as punishment the cruel games were created by them. The protagonist Katniss Everdeen, a brave girl aged sixteen from District 12, volunteers for the Hunger Games to take the place of her little sister Prim, who had actually been called to enter the deadly competition. Katniss does not believe she will come out alive, but she is not going down without a fight!
The book uses language, so people without huge knowledge of English are able to also understand everything. The book was written in the present tense, so while reading it, the story will seem very realistic. Furthermore, the plot has amazing and unique characters. The message of the book might be that you should not let people push you down, but that you should always defend yourself and not give up.
This is the second time I read the book. And since reading it the first time, I knew that ''The Hunger Games'' is the best book I have ever read. I could easily get into the story, even the second time of reading. I recommend the book to young people between 14 and 16 and hope they will love the book just like I do!
Ke Katharina (14)
"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
Let the Games begin...
The novel "The Hunger Games" was written by the American author Suzanne Collins and published in 2009. It’s the first part of an amazing trilogy, which is named “Hunger Games Trilogy”.
The main character is Katniss Everdeen, who lives with her little sister Primrose and her Mother in a country in North America. The country is divided into 12 districts and every year all the districts have to send one girl and boy aged between 12 and 18 to the Hunger Games which is a fight to the death on live TV and it takes place in a huge area, which looks like a big jungle. Katniss volunteers to take the place of her little sister, whom she loves, and the boy tribute (Tributes are the chosen people) is Peeta Mallark. Those two will be sent to this “Killing – competition” and after they have learned how to make a fire, the Hunger Games start. But there can be only one winner, who can survive....
The 384-page book contains much violence and strong emotions so younger people may find it rather disturbing. But you should not underestimate the message of the book and it will take you a time to understand it. It says that you will live only once, and you should use your chances and never give up.
The language used is rather difficult but you will understand them for sure once you get into the story. It also has many very good recommendations from well-known writers such as Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight Saga, who commented “I was so obsessed with this book (...)”.
On the one hand I think the book is very brutal and includes much violence, but on the other hand I think the English sounds great and the novel will teach you something for your life.
“The Hunger Games” is a “Must-read” and I definitely recommend it to you! You won’t regret it and after you have read it, you can watch the film, which is also very exciting!
Catarina (14)
A fight for survival - kill or die! The novel ''The Hunger Games'' by Suzanne Collins was published in the US in 2009. The plot is set in the future. It takes place in a country once known as North America and now known as the nation Panem, including twelve poor districts and the wealthy Capitol. Every year a boy and a girl aged between 12 and 18 from every district are chosen randomly to participate in the Hunger Games, a live event that is aired all over the country. In this game all the children have to kill each other until one is left. That is because years ago all the districts started a rebellion against the Capitol. But in the end the Capitol won and as punishment the cruel games were created by them. The protagonist Katniss Everdeen, a brave girl aged sixteen from District 12, volunteers for the Hunger Games to take the place of her little sister Prim, who had actually been called to enter the deadly competition. Katniss does not believe she will come out alive, but she is not going down without a fight! The book uses language, so people without huge knowledge of English are able to also understand everything. The book was written in the present tense, so while reading it, the story will seem very realistic. Furthermore, the plot has amazing and unique characters. The message of the book might be that you should not let people push you down, but that you should always defend yourself and not give up. This is the second time I read the book. And since reading it the first time, I knew that ''The Hunger Games'' is the best book I have ever read. I could easily get into the story, even the second time of reading. I recommend the book to young people between 14 and 16 and hope they will love the book just like I do!
Ke Katharina (14)
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J. K. Rowling
The magic begins
The novel „Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was written by J. K. Rowling and published in September 2014. It is about Harry Potter and his journey to Hogwarts School. Harry Potter’s parents are dead and because of this he lives with his grumpy uncle Vernon and his aunt Petunia and with their aggressive son Dudley.
One day he receives a letter from Hogwarts, the school of magic. With the help of Hagrid, who works in the school, he eventually gets there. There he meets Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. But the real story about the Philosopher’s stone starts in the school. There are many ghosts and Harry Potter and his friends must fight with a monster in the bathroom.
The novel is written by a third person narrator. The message of this book is not easy to make out, but one could be that you can solve any problem when you are confident and believe in yourself and as long as you have friends.
The novel is written in easy English and the vocabulary is feasible. I would recommend the novel to people between 8 and 16, because it’s easy to read and more importantly, it has a very exciting and captivating plot.
Eric (14)
Just a mask?
The novel "Looking for Alaska" by John Green was published in March 2005. 16-year-old Miles Halter leaves Florida for a boarding school in Alabama and finds good friends for the first time in his life, which means very much to him. One of them is Alaska, clever, funny, sexy, screwed up and utterly fascinating which makes Miles fall for her. Hard.
The message of this novel is that you shouldn't let society pressure you and you should find out who you really are and what you want to be. It's also about how other people can change the way you see things.
The language is pretty colloquial and feasible, which makes me recommend the novel to literally everyone (no matter how old they are).
Ilayda (14)
“Looking for Alaska“ by John Green
The young adult novel “Looking for Alaska“ by John Green was published in March 2005.
The protagonist Miles Halter changes to a boarding school. In the novel he is called “Pudge“ by his friends at his new school. Making friends means a lot to Miles because he did not have any friends at his old school. The four friends Miles, Alaska, Colonel, Lara and Takumi play tricks and pranks. But after an accident nothing is ever the same.
Green wants to show us that dreams can become real and things can change so quickly. The themes of the novel are love and friendship. It’s an interesting and real-life story. Green might be talking about his own life because he is said to have experienced similar things in in his youth.
The story is written in easy English. Therefore, I would recommend it to people at my age and older.
Kiril (14)
The novel "Looking for Alaska" by John Green was published in March 2005. 16-year-old Miles Halter leaves Florida for a boarding school in Alabama and finds good friends for the first time in his life, which means very much to him. One of them is Alaska, clever, funny, sexy, screwed up and utterly fascinating which makes Miles fall for her. Hard. The message of this novel is that you shouldn't let society pressure you and you should find out who you really are and what you want to be. It's also about how other people can change the way you see things. The language is pretty colloquial and feasible, which makes me recommend the novel to literally everyone (no matter how old they are).
Ilayda (14)
“Every Day” by David Levithan
What would it be like, if you had a new life every day?
The novel “Every Day” written by David Levithan and published in the US in 2013 is about 16-year-old “A”.
Every morning A wakes up in somebody else’s body regardless of which gender. Every day (s)he has a new life. Over the years (s)he has learned to never get too attached, until one day (s)he wakes up in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin’s girlfriend Rhiannon. From that day on his problems start. A wants to see Rhiannon again, but trying to meet a person is really difficult when you don’t know in which body and where you will be the next day. And how can Rhiannon love a person with a changing appearance?
This is a novel about tolerance, because often A is in the body of outsiders, gays or addicts. Then he makes observations about life which only an outsider can make. The novel shows us how happy we should be with our lives. Also this novel makes you think about the connection between humans and the universe.
In fact, this story is really sad because you pity A. But it’s also an optimistic and encouraging story. For although A gets into desperate situations again and again, (s)he doesn’t give up and sticks to his/her impressive character traits.
The story is exciting being told by a first-person narrator and it’s relatively easy to read. I would recommend “Every Day” to people around my age. “Every Day” is a “must-read”.
Franziska ( 14)
“I'd tell you I love you, but then I'd have to kill you” by Ally Carter
A Girls’ Book for boys
The novel ''I'd tell you I love you, but then I'd have to kill you'' was written by Ally Carter and published in April 2006. It's about a love story between a girl and a boy and the difficulties when you want to meet somebody but you are not allowed to.
Cammie Morgan attends the Gallagher Academy for exceptional young women. It is not easy to be one of these Girls as you have to learn 14 languages and you have to know how to kill a man with uncooked spaghetti, and how to hack secret computer systems of foreign countries, just to name a few things. But one day at a training mission at night, Cam falls in love with Josh who is not in the Academy, and I can tell you, it is not easy to love somebody and meet that person if you are a Gallagher Girl. Their love story could have turned out to be really romantic but the rules are tough and …
But read the book if you want to know more.
Friendship is one of the main topics in the novel and its message is that one should always be proud of his friends because they can be of great help in difficult situations.
The book is funny but also sad and it has an interesting plot. And actually it’s a real girl’s book. But don’t get me wrong. It can also be of great interest to boys because they can see why girls act the way they act and what’s on their minds when they have fallen in love with a boy.
The novel’s English is not very easy to understand which is why I’d recommend it to readers aged 15 or older.
Max (14)
