Cherwell: The Story Hoard

Review: Stone Cold, by Robert Swindells

Review by Suketaka Kanomata

When this book was first handed out in class I wondered what it could possibly be about. Is it about stones? Is it about the cold? It turned out to be a book about homelessness.

My mother would always tell me never to judge a book by its cover, or the title, which is difficult, so that is exactly why I ignored the advice and thought “This book is going to be terrible because it has a stupid name.”

  Despite the misleading title, up to page 83, it is rather promising. The realistic storyline grips you and allows you to carry on reading with interest and curiosity. It gets better as the main character encounters many strangers and dangers and explores the world of homelessness with new friends.

Review: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel

Review by Max King

"A great story of human endurance and spirit."

Life of Pi is about a boy with a loving family, just like many families in the world. It tells the story of his journey to adulthood and how he learns new things about the world and how it works. Life of Pi is a great film but I would recommend to anyone that they should still read the book as well. The book has far more detail than the film. A great story of human endurance and spirit.

Review: Wolf Brother, by Michelle Paver

Review by Tom Salter

"I recommend this book because the hero is about my age; I can relate to him and feel empathy for his situation."

There are 6 books altogether in the series called the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness. In this book, the main character is called Torak. He is around 12 years old and his father is already dead - slaughtered cruelly by a demon bear. Torak has to run for his life, unaware of the difficult journey ahead. He soon meets an orphaned wolf cub and the two of them share a bond. They meet various people, including a girl called Ren, on the way to finding out about his father’s death and trying to hunt down the bear.

Refugee Boy,by Benjamin Zephaniah

Review by Milo Murgatroyd (Year 8)

Refugee Boy is about a young 15 year old boy named Alem Kelo that has a very tough life in his home in Africa. He is having a difficult time because he is half Ethiopian and half Eritrean and they are at war so he is not welcome in any of the two countries.

His parents send him to England until the war has ended and it is safe for him to come back. This book is about Alem's journey in England.My favourite character was Alem's best friend Robert because he is a funny and caring character. I would recommend this to 13-15 year olds. A great read that anyone can enjoy!

Review: Goodnight Mr Tom, by Michelle Magorian

Review by Lotte Ree (Year 7)

This book is set in England in the Second World War. It follows a boy called Willie Beech as he gets evacuated to a village in the country. He is left in the care of old Mr Tom Oakley who isn’t very friendly and had never wanted to have an evacuee staying with him. Over time Willie manages to make friends with Tom, in fact he grows to love him. When Willie gets a summons from his mother to go back home Tom realizes he loves Willie too.

There are some wonderful characters in the book including another evacuee called Zach. But my favorite character is Tom. I think the way his personality changes through the story is delightful. Not only did the story have a gripping content I also learnt a lot about the horrors of World War II.

Review: Face, by Benjamin Zephaniah

Review by Hugh Raj-Morlans (Year 8)

This is a story about a teenage boy called Martin. Martin is well known for being the main clown in his class as well as being the leader of the gang of three. School for Martin is place for him to go to by law. Martin does not enjoy school at all, so the least he can do is to have some fun.

One of the best fiction books I have read. The thing I like about Benjamin Zephaniah is that he puts a lot of action in his books, which makes you carry on reading. I would recommend this book to twelve years and older because of its language.

Review: Vicky Angel, by Jaqueline Wilson

Will Jade cope without Vicky there to comfort her?"

This sad but wonderful tale Vicky Angel is about two best friends Jade and Vicky, their life couldn't be better ...just having each other. Until Vicky has a tragic accident and sadly dies, leaving Jade to live alone in grief. Just as Jade thinks she is going to die she comes across the ghost of Vicky "Vicky angel" Will Jade cope without Vicky there to comfort her? The only way to find out is to read Vicky Angel by Jacqueline Wilson. I recommend this book for 11 years and older.

Review: Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, by Dai Siji

Review by Ella Handley (Year 12)

"You are taken on an emotional roller coaster, full of amusement, pain and regret."

Dai Siji’s Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress is the tale of two “young intellectuals” who are faced with a world miles apart from their home, when in the midst of the Chinese Cultural Revolution they are sent to the countryside to be “re-educated by the poor peasants”.

The transition from city to country life is not easy and the desires for the local beauty – the little seamstress - inflamed by their youth and reading Balzac bring further complications.

Review: I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have to Kill You, by Ally Carter

Review by Esther Greenhalgh-Barratt

"The one lesson they don't teach at the Gallagher academy is love."

This is an exceptional book. The reason I have enjoyed it is because it was so unpredictable and you could easily become hooked on it, which is a sign for me that its is a very good book.

The plot starts at a spy school, where Cammie  (the main character) is starting another term at the Gallagher Academy spy school, where the head teacher is otherwise known as Cammie's mum. Cammie and her best friends, Bex and Liz, are faced with the challenge of a new and mysterious girl having to move into their dorm.

Review: Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins

Review by Karl Eligado (Year 12)

"Throw in a couple of fangs and some fur and we have a Twilight-like love triangle all over again. Ah, young love."

Just by the title, Suzanne Collins had promised us a sweat trickling, lip biting, fist clenching book; and that’s exactly what Catching Fire proved to be. Or at least the second half. The second book in The Hunger Games trilogy did not fail to deliver the same intensity and magnitude as its prequel. Though admittedly, the first few chapters, to be frank, were weak. As we continue to unfold the story of Panem alongside the protagonist Katniss Everdeen, Suzanne Collins had managed to capture her readers' hearts and pull on the strings as the tension and drama rise.

Review: My Sister Jodie, by Jacqueline Wilson

Review by Ruby Alinat (Year 8)

"It is the night of the school fireworks when Jodie and Pearl realise that they need each other..."

My sister Jodie is a fantastic book, I love it and you will love it too. This book shows just how much sisters need to stick together, even when times get tough. It is the night of the school fireworks when Jodie and Pearl realise that they need each other...

Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky

Review by Emily Manley (Year 12)

"I know how hard it is to fit in. I think every teenager does."

The story is from Charlie's perspective. Charlie is in his first year of high school. He is socially awkward but he is intelligent beyond his years. He does not know it yet but he is about to enter the world of first dates, mix tapes, new friends, family dramas, sex, drugs and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Charlie will eventually find that we are all infinite.

I really enjoyed this book. I can relate to it on so many levels. I began to read this at the start of the Christmas holidays and I could not put it down.