August Reviews

Sea Country by Aunty Patsy Cameron

Reviewed by Charlie B. MRPS

This book is about a few kids and they live on a island called Flinders Island and they hunt their fish, like King Whiting, Flathead, Garfish and lastly Flounder.
They used wild cherries and wild currents to make medicine and if you’re wondering what what all that stuff is, it’s plants they grew on their own and they also eat them mixed with the fish.
I recommend this book for age 7 and above.
I rate this book a 10/10 because I thought I was very interesting when they grew their plants and caught fish.

Reviewed by Chelsea M. MRPS

In Sea Country, Aunty Patsy Cameron and Lisa Kennedy focused this book on their life story (background life), like how they are Aboriginal and spent their life out side using “bush and creek as their play ground”.
They love to watch the mutton birds, known as the moon birds as the younger generations called them and the older generations calls them yola birds.
I like this book because it’s a great book and it tells you about the author Aunty Patsy Cameron's life and that made the book stand out.
I would recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction and kids around the age of 9 because it has some pretty hard words in the book like mannalargenna. It means a historical and revered leader in their Aboriginal language.
I would rate this book a 9.5/10because I probably rather read this book lots then once.

Reviewed by Archie G. MRPS

Sea Country is about a lot of old and young people who tell the readers all about their history and their lives and what they eat all of the time.
They have a lot of fish like the garfish, King George whiting, flathead and flounder.
I recommended this book for ages 10 and up because there are a lot of big words.
​I rate this book a 10/10 because it is really good and the illustrations are really good.

Reviewed by Bonnie S. MRPS

In this book, Aunty Patsy Cameron and Lisa Kennedy based this book off their childhood.
I really liked the illustrations because they were really detailed and well drawn.
It talks about how the beach and bush were their playground.
They could tell when the bad weather was coming because they would see the black cockatoos fly over the mountains.
I also liked how they included a diagram on one of the pictures.
They called a mutton bird 2 other names which are ‘Yola’ which the older people called them and the younger people called them ‘moon birds’.
The book also included captions as well as diagrams.
I recommend reading this book because it’s for all ages.
I rate this book a 9/10.

Reviewed by Charlie M. MRPS

This book is about a culture where the use shells including oat shells and many more types of shells to make bracelets and many other things.
In their culture they only use there bare hands and spears to catch fish.
There are also many berries around the island they live on like canyon berries which taste like salty strawberries.
The wildlife on the island are mutton birds, but by the older people from the region call them yola birds, but younger people from the region call them moon birds.

Reviewed by Jesse C. MRPS

Sea Country is about Aunty Patsy Cameron and Lisa Kennedy who are a part of the Mannalargenna Parrebeenne Trawlwoolway clan. 
The book states that they feel free to play and practice there cultural practices.
The book is written with diagrams and their daily activities.
They would listen to the nature to predict the weather. They said that the moon would let them know if bad weather would be coming.
I liked the book because it shared their stories and culture with illustrations that relate to the story.
I recommend this to people that are interested in different cultures and stories.
I rate this book a 10/10

Reviewed by Taylan M-F. MRPS

This book is about Aboriginal people who care for their land, play with animals and go to the beach every single day.
The things I liked about the book is that it is fun to read about and learning about Aboriginal cultures.
What I didn’t like was that was a small amount of words and they should add more.
I recommend this book for ages 7+ because it is good for grade 2s and they might be learning about Aboriginal cultures.
I rate this book a solid 8/10 because it is a very good book for us.

Reviewed by Elias W. MRPS

The story is about Aboriginal culture on an island in the Bass Strait near Tasmania.
This story describes how the sea guides every day living on the island, how the women string shell necklaces, and fishing in wooden canoes.
It explains how life on the island is seasonal, when to pick berries, when the mutton birds return.
​This book is educational about Aboriginal culture and their connection to their environment from stories handed down from generation to generation.
It is best suited for grade 2+.
I rate this book a 10 out of 10 because it is about Australia and held my interest. 

Reviewed by Damien M. MRPS

Sea Country is about the culture of Flinders Island.
This book is important because it doesn’t just tell you about the land significance. It wants you to know that the sea is just as important as land. The significance of the sea is really important to the Aboriginal people on Flinders Island.
This book is really good because it shows life is more than just land life. It can be about the sea too.
I recommend this book for people who love the sea and want to learn about the seas culture.
I rate this book a 6/10 because it was a really good read but it was a little repetitive.

Reviewed by Elly M. MRPS

This book is all about Aboriginal culture. The author displays this by using their beliefs, like how they know if Black Cockatoos fly over their town it means it will rain.
They talked about symbols the most because they are most important.
I really liked this book because I could really connect to this book like how the authors Granny Nancy reminded me of Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge because it’s an Aboriginal based book like this one.
I would recommend this book to ages 6 and up because it has a really nice storyline and exquisite illustration.
I rate this book a 10/10. Really good!

Reviewed by Tannar S. MRPS

This book is about Aboriginal kids that don’t have much. For their playground they used bushes and trees. For there food they croute fish with a home made net, they caught flathead and some others. Aunty patsy he’s trying to provide for the kids. I didn’t mind this book because some of the stuff were really interesting to me and some not. The fishing part I liked because I like to eat and catch fish. The playground also interesting because I wanted to know what and how they played and had fun. I recommend this book for kids in between 10 and 13 Write this book 6 out of 10 because most parts are like but some not

Reviewed by Louise R. MRPS

Sea country is a book about Aboriginal culture and all the details of their living conditions.
This book demonstrates how much there is on earth and how we treat the world.
I love this book because the illustrations match the story. The effort put into these drawings and writing is unbelievable.
I recommend this book for people who like reading about culture and nature.
​I rate this book a 9/10.

Invisible Emmie by Terri Liebenson

Reviewed by Abby A. MRPS

In this book Emmie feels invisible to everyone except her best friend Bri. Emmie love drawing and has a crush on this guy called Tyler.
Emmie feels like she is too boring so she makes a new more stylish version of herself. This new Emmie has lots of friends and her parents run a candy shop at their house.
Emmie now goes by the name Katie. Katie gets Emmie through some tough times like when her silly poem to Tyler slips out of her pencil case and the whole school reads it.
In the end Emmie realises she doesn’t need Katie.
I think the moral of the story is you are the best version of yourself.
I liked the book because I think a lot of people can connect with at least one time of feeling invisible.
I also really liked the pictures as they were very detailed.
I recommend it to ages 8-12 because the layout is a lot like Diary of a Wimpy kid, and I think a lot of kids that age read that.
​I rate it a 7/10.

The Cool Code by Deirdre Langeland

Reviewed by Abby A. MRPS

Zoey loves coding but when her parents insist that Zoey starts school instead of being home schooled Zoey is terrified, that's why she invents Cool Code. Cool code helps you be cool in a number of different scenarios, it has a cute little Llama character who for example tells you how to dress and what to do. On Zoey’s first day people think she is weird, but soon she meets Daniel. Daniel takes her to coding club where she meets Morgan, they run some tests on her Cool Code.
They end up shutting down the Cool Code because Zoey realises that you don’t need to be cool at school.
I liked this book because it has a really good message that you don’t have to be ‘cool’ to make friends and fit in.
I recommend it for ages 7-12.
​I give it a 7/10.

Thunderhead by Sophie Beer

Reviewed by Abby A. MRPS

In this book Thunderhead loves music. It’s something that brings Thunderhead real joy.
Other things that bring Thunderhead joy are finding messages in record sleeves, or notes people have written in books at second hand stores.
The only problem is Thunderhead has two brain tumours, that means her hearing isn’t very good and she gets sea sick easily.
In one of the hundreds of trips Thunderhead and her family take to Brisbane for Thunderhead’s check up she gets told that one day she will have to have surgery and that after the surgery she will loose half her hearing and then slowly she will begin to loose it all. Thunderhead thinks the world is over without music.
Soon she meets a new friend who also has brain tumours he tells her how he loves music but after he had surgery he now has a different connection to it. He also tells Thunderhead that she should create a playlist of songs she wants to hear for the last time this includes songs like ‘The Donor’ by Judee Sill and ‘See the Sky about to Rain’ by Neil Young.
I really like this book because I feel like i can really connect with it as I love music and would be absolutely devastated if it was taken away.
I couldn’t live without hearing my favourite Taylor Swift songs and when Thunderhead first finds out she was loosing music that's how she felt.
I recommend it to ages 7-12 who like music because if you don’t like music I feel like you can’t connect to the book like someone who loves music can.
I rate it an 8.5/10 because I really loved the music aspect and how Sophie (the author) made it like Thunderhead was typing on an online blog.

Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid by Jeff Kinney

Reviewed by Munro J. SAPS

diary of an awesome friendly kid is a very funny book about Rowley Jefferson who is Greg Hefley's friend. They do all of their stuff together.
He had a sleepover at Greg's house and Greg's older brother Roderick played a prank on them that made them wet their pants and Rowley had to go home.
Once they disturbed an ancient burial ground when they are playing in the woods. Rowley sprains his ankle and can't keep up with Greg when he takes off. The funny thing is Greg forgot and hours later he helps Rowley's parents find him.
Another time a new science teacher comes and does nothing and he is the only one doing the assignments on the board.
At the end of the year everyone gets a C and Greg stands up for Rowley and gets him a B.
They are hanging out at Greg's house and are told by his mum to make more comics like they use to. They try to make several superheroes but none work out. They decide to design their own and see which one is the best in a battle.
Greg does Intergalactic Man who has a power in each finger and Rowley does Amazing Guy who has the power of kindness.
In the end Greg is outsmarted because Amazing Guy won.
At the end of the book Rowley is told to find new friends by his parents because Greg take up to much of his time and Rowley likes it that way.
My favorite story of the book is when they make Superheroes.
I would rate this 8/10 because it was funny and humorous.

August and Jones by Pip Harry

Reviewed by Piper B. DPS

This story is about two kids who become friends, August and Jones.
Jones has an easy life minus having one eye because she has a good family and friends who take care of her whereas August has a challenging life. It is hard for him because he loves books but gets forced to play football because his dad like sport and makes him.
It is good because it shows how lives can be hard in different ways.
​I enjoyed it because I was able to relate to it. I think this book would be best for students in grades 5-12 because it is challenging and some of the things might be hard to read about. I rate it 10/10.

Reviewed by Ted D. DPS

August and Jones is a book about a girl called Jones who had cancer in her eye and had it removed when she was a baby.
It is also about a boy called August whose dad doesn't treat him very well and only cares about football and making him play.
Together they help each other through life.
I like this book because it has two different characters who become best friends and it goes back and forth between them each chapter.
I think it is best for 10-12 year old's because a younger child might not understand it.
It is a 9/10, especially because it is based on a true story!

Reviewed by Tyler H. DPS

This book is about a real life story of a really magnificent friendship. The two friends August and Jones live very different lives but they become very close friends who help each other.
August plays football but only does for his dad and Jones helps him get over his parents' divorce.
Jones has a prosthetic eye and needs to get it checked at hospital because her eyesight is getting blurry and she is breaking things accidentally. Together they go on adventures.
I love this book because it is suspenseful and at first you don't realise what is going to happen.
I would recommend it to ages 10-30 because it is relatable for younger kids but still a story adults could enjoy.
​I rate it 10/10.

The Way of Dog by Zana Fraillon

Reviewed by Piper B. DPS

The story begins with a dog called Scruffity at a puppy farm, when he meets a boy named Manpup (or at least that's what Scruffity calls him).
It then tells you all about their adventures trying to find a safe place to be loved.
The ending made me cry but I loved the author's craft and the way it had the dogs perspective and his weird made-up language.
I think children in grades 5-12 would love this emotional book because it can challenge their reading and pulls on your heart strings.
​It is easily a 10/10.

Reviewed by Maxwell S. DPS

A dog that has lost his mumma goes on a journey to find his new owner, a boy who rescued him.
It is a roller coaster of emotions although I would definitely read it again.
I found it interesting the way the dog made up words for things like 'manpup' and 'shoe-legs' and I loved the way the author showed authors craft by writing it from the dog's perspective.
I think that 8-15 year old's would enjoy it but they should be prepared that it is full of ups and downs and emotional moments.
​I rate it a 10/10.

Gangsta Granny by David Walliams

Reviewed by Hannah E. DPS

A granny who smells like cabbage has a grandson called Ben who hates going to her house EVERY Friday night, until he found out that Granny is a GANGSTA who steals things.
He feels sorry for her and learns that she stole things when she was young, like a ring when she was Ben's age because she came from a poor family. Then Ben starts to change his mind about her.
I liked how unusual the story is. I have never heard of a granny being a gangsta.
I would recommend this book to anybody who likes books about heists or hilariously funny books.
​This is a 10/10.

Reviewed by Whyatt F. DPS

There is a BORING granny and her grandson Ben hates going to her house. He thinks she likes nothing but cabbage, cabbage and more cabbage, but... she is a THIEF!
This book left me on a cliff hanger and made me want to keep reading each new chapter to find out more about Granny.
I think if you are a kid that likes mysterious adventures you would love this book.
​It is a 9/10.

Reviewed by Jack L. DPS

This intriguing book is about the main character Ben (wildly) assuming that his granny is boring. Until he sees her stealing jewels!
Then would you believe they become partners in crime?
I love that this book filled me up with thoughts about what was going to happen in the book and with Granny.
 would recommend this book to all kids because they would probably like seeing the action of the heist.
​This is an 8.6/10 because I just wanted to keep reading it until it was finished.

The Twits by Roald Dahl

Reviewed by Whyatt F. DPS

In this book the two main characters, Mr and Mrs Twit.
They play a bunch of horrible pranks on each other and keep a family of monkeys, the muggle-wumps, locked up and make them do awful tricks.
This book was a favourite of mine because it really pulled me into the story. Anyone who loves pranks would enjoy this book and should read it.
It is a 9.4/10.

The BFG by Roald Dahl

Reviewed by Nivajeep K. DPS

The BFG (big, friendly giant) kidnapped a little girl called Sophie, but he didn't eat her, he saved her.
He turned out to be kind and sweet and they work together to stay safe from the evil giants in giant country and collect good dreams.
I liked the book because the illustrations were amazing and gave me something exciting to look forward to in each chapter.
I think that teachers like Mrs Bailey and kids who love to read would like this book because the fantasy of giants would interest them.
​This is a 10/10 because it was fabulous!

The Last Bear by Hannah Gold

Reviewed by Jaxon D. SPS

A father and daughter move to Bear Island because the girls dad is a meteorologist.
When they have settled in and the girl is in her own room she sees a silhouette of a poler bear in the distance.
She decides to go and investiage, and she finds it is stuck because plastic is on the paw.
She then helps set the bear free, and after that she brings food to the bear but mostly brings penuet butter.
I liked this because it sets the story well and I like the characters.
I recommend this book to grades 3-6 and people who like bears.
I rate it a 9.5/10.

Factopia by Kate Hale

Reviewed by Eli S. SPS

The book is about facts and how to do stuff.
It is a very interesting book and I learned a lot about the world and animals also world records. It also makes your brain more switched on and it helped me a lot.
I would recommend it to people in grades 4-6, so they can focus.
I would rate this book a 7/10.

Bunny vs Monkey by Jamie Smart

Reviewed by Liliana K. SPS

This story is about Bunny, Weenie, Pig, and Monkey. Monkey loves causing havoc in the woods and Bunny is left to clean up his mess.
Monkey's favourite targets are Weenie and Pig, as they are not the smartest. Skunky, whom is Monkeys BFF, creates inventions for Monkey to use to make him rule the forest!
I recommend this book to people of the ages 9 and up.
I rate it a 9/10 because it is a graphic novel and its really funny. 

The New Girl #2: First Crush by Cassandra Calin

Reviewed by Chloe G. SPS

Lia is settling into her new school she also is improving her French. She has a crush on a boy named Julien and he might have a crush on her but someone else has a crush on her.
I loved this book because it is getting me ready for high school.
I recommend this for 10 plus.
I rate this a 10/10.

Warriors #1: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

Reviewed by Georgia L. SPS

The story begins with an orange cat, who to humans, or what they call Twolegs, is named Rusty.
He wanted to see the forest and hunt like the wild cats living in the forest. Rusty strays away from his Twolegs and ends up being swallowed by the forest as he entered it. His sister tried stopping him but it didn't work, he was already gone.
Rusty joined a clan called Thunderclan as he was found by a cat named GreyPaw and two older cats named LionTail and BlueStar, the leader of his new home.
By book two Rusty had gotten a new name and has become a warrior, his new name was FireHeart, and by book three he had become a Leader, Bluestar died due to a dog attack falling in the gorge (a MASSIVE river) and her body wasn't found.
I suggest this for grades 5 higher since death is included and blood!
By the end I say this book is a yes and a 10/10.

Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man by Peter David

Reviewed by Cooper C. SPS

The Bite: Peter gets bitten by a special spider on a school trip. He gains strength, wall-crawling, and a danger sense.
Tragedy: Peter lets a thief go. That same thief later kills Uncle Ben. Peter learns that power brings great responsibility.
The Hero Emerges: Peter makes a suit and becomes Spider-Man to fight crime in New York City.
The Green Goblin: Norman Osborn turns evil due to a lab accident. He becomes the Green Goblin and attacks the city. i
I'm going to rate this a 9/10.

Detective Beans #3: Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery by Li Chen

Reviewed by Evie H. SPS

The story is about a cat named Beans who is a detective.
A pirate gives him a map, he goes on adventures with hidden clues.
His friends shall help on his adventures but who shall help?
​I love this book because I love cats, so I am a crazy cat lady, I love the art choices and I love mystery books.
I recommend this book 6 & over.
I give this book 10/10.

Impatient Patience by Michael A. Brown

Reviewed by Kaleb M. DPS

The little kid in this story wants everything, but their mum tells them just to be patient even though he doesn't like it.
The book was good and I liked how it tells people reading it that if you want something in life you need to work for it.
I would recommend this book to ages 5-8 because it is a valuable lesson to learn.
I would rate it 7/10.

Tom Appleby, Convict Boy by Jackie French

Reviewed by Jake H. SCPS

This book is about an eight year old convict, Tom, as he is sent to the penal colonies of New Holland, nowadays Australia.
Tom Appleby's father dies after being hanged for blasphemy. He is sent to the workhouse, where he was brought by Master Jack.
Now a chimney sweep, an orphan, and hungry, Tom steals money from the houses that he works at.
After being caught, Tom was sentenced for years of transportation to the penal colonies.
They land in Botany Bay, and he meets a marine's son. Together surronded by the growth of the new settlement.
​I recommend this to ages 8 to 15.
I rate this book 10/10 because it is the perfect book for me. 

I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 by Lauren Tarshis

Reviewed by Samuel Z. SCPS

This book is a I Survived series book, based on true events about the New Orleans hurricane Katrina that destroyed a lot of New Orleans.
The main characters in this book are Barry and his friend Jay.
My favorite part in this book is when Barry's dad came out of the house when Barry's old friend Abe came to let his dog bite him because Abe's Dad left him, and ever since he left Abe has changed.
The main story of this book is when everyone has to evacuate their loving home to survive a hurricane, but they don't get out in time and Barry's family gets swept away. Barry had Abe's dog with him because they stuck together. I recommend this book to kids around 9 to 12 because of its intense images and intense scenes.
I rate this book 8/10 because I love graphic novels and this is a graphic novel so I can see what their imagination was like when writing this.