Young People

I Love Reading! 

Are you aged between 13 and 16?  If so, then welcome to ReadNorthLincs. 

 

 

Our favourite books: 

On this page you can find details of some books that your local library staff enjoyed reading (as well as some local celebrities).  If you’ve enjoyed one of these books too then please share your joy by writing a review.  Alternatively if there’s another book that you’ve read that you want to tell everyone about, good or bad, then send us your views.  You can send us your reviews by clicking here.  At the bottom of the page you can find some of our latest reviews that other people have sent us.

 

You can also post a message on a variety of reading related topics on our discussion boards.

Some of our favourite reads…

  • On the edge by Richard Hammond - Brian Laws (Football manager – Sheffield Wednesday)
  • Everything written by John Grisham – Kevin Woodford (TV Chef)
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis– Nina Nannar (Journalist)
  • Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien  – Rt Hon Elliot Morley MP
  • Marley and Me by John Grogan – Victoria Graham (Newsreader)
  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee – Janet Stopper (North Lincolnshire Libraries)
  • Summer Lightning by P.G Wodehouse – Colin Brabazon(North Lincolnshire Libraries)
  • Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas – Coral De Thabrew (North Lincolnshire Libraries)
  • These is my words by Nancy Turner – Rosie Scotting (North Lincolnshire Libraries)
  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon –  Jane Carnie (North Lincolnshire Libraries)
  • Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis – Lynda Conlon (North Lincolnshire Libraries)
  • The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown – Veronica Robinson (North Lincolnshire Libraries)

 

 

Events: 

 

If you want to find out about all the events that are happening then go to our Events pages (follow the link on the left of the screen).

 

 

 

Your reviews: 

 

 

Angel Blood - John Singleton

Reviewer: Rosie Scotting - North Lincolnshire Libraries

This is the most disturbing book I have read for a while. It really challenges you to think about our attitudes to other people, especially those less fortunate than us.

I was literally cringing whilst I was reading it, saying 'no, no, no' because it is very harsh.

The story takes a while to get going, & you have to cope with a different form of communication.

A group of children with disabilities are held in a secure hospital, where it is apparent that they are being subjected to experiments. There are very few kind adults & the young people have to rely on each other to survive.

Their rescue comes about by an unlikely pair of teenagers, following a completely unpredictable series of events. It could happen. It could be happening now. Why are we so awful to other people? Is a little kindness & understanding so difficult to offer?

This tale gave me shivers. 12+? (No happy ending)

 

Battle for Gullywith - Susan Hill

Reviewer: Rosie Scotting - North Lincolnshire Libraries

If you like Harry Potter, this is worth a try. Family move to new house, nothing goes right, strange neighbours hint at dangerous events etc.  Inquisitive boy finds that books & toys move by themselves, tiny stones with inscriptions seem to have malevolent intent.

The descriptions of the countryside are excellent, & the setting of the mood using animals & weather very good indeed. Of course, there are secret passages, underground palaces, magical celebrations with obligatory 'time travel' & watch out for the winking tortoises.

Entertaining & readable, this reminded me a little of Susan Cooper's 'Dark is Rising'


Lost Riders - Elizabeth Laird

Reviewer: Rosie Scotting - North Lincolnshire Libraries

A short novel, telling us about the (very) young boys persuaded away from their parents to be camel jockeys. Rich business men use the racing as entertainment & much money changes hands. Unfortunately the jockeys are treated very badly, with hardly enough food, little care of any sort, & severe punishments for failure.  Some return to their parents when they grow too big to win races, other disappear.

The author visited the places where this happens. She spoke to 'trainers' who eventually saw the error of their ways, & experienced for herself the heat, the danger, the hardships.  Due to pressure from campaigners, some of the race organisers are now using little robots as jockeys instead of  7 year old children.  This story is shocking, & we suspect that those who return to grow up with their families are a lucky few.


Newes from the dead - Mary Hooper

Reviewer: Rosie Scotting - North Lincolnshire Libraries

Not for the squeamish.  12+

Based on a true story.  In 1650 Alice Green was hung for alleged infanticide, but survived.
Two stories run side by side - how Alice came to be accused of the crime (she is innocent) & her thoughts as she realises she is not dead (but lying on a dissection table!)

Lots of historical information, gruesome medical details as well as a picture of daily life for the underprivileged. It seems the wealthy usually get their own way.

Shocking but believable.  I really enjoyed the historical setting; the tiny details contrasting simple country ways with the sharper city life.  Fortunes can change in the blink of an eye.

I actually liked this more than any of the others I have read by the same author.

 

Tithe: A modern faerie tale - Holly Black

Reviewer: Jade Walker

Tithe is the thrilling tale of Kaye Fierce. Kaye used to be able to see faeries, she still can, but now they aren't just fun play things, Kaye is dragged into the scary, dark world of faeries.  Kaye finds herself in middle of the war between to faerie courts, a war which may leave her dead. She meets Roiben, a mysterious faerie and uncovers her own past, one which will change her life forever.

I loved Tithe, especially the sinister characters that really make you fear for Kaye. I especially love the character of Roiben. I loved all of this book.

I recommend Holly Black's Tithe to anybody who loves reading fantasies, though perhaps 14+, I am 15 and found some parts very chilling, my mother loved it as well!

 

 

Buddy - Nigel Hinton

Reviewer: Saraid

It is about a little boy whom his mum and dad split up and it's quite sad at the start but it gets really lively and it's really funny. I really liked the book I think its really good and I think loads of people will like it. My fav part was when Buddy and his bf found an empty house. That part was the best cause it was really funny. Well I guess anyone really would like it .

Reviewer: Brett

The book is about a young boy whose parents had split up, and he thought it was his fault. Him and his two friends found an old house and a mystery that surrounds it. I enjoyed the book and my favourite part was when his dad took him shopping, it was comical. I think this book is suitable for twelve years and over.

Reviewer: Thomas Burton

I have been reading a book called Buddy. It's about a boy whose mum and dad always argued. When buddy went to school his headteacher always told him off for wearing jeans. His dad lied about having a job. When buddy and his mates saw an empty house they went in. After that they saw a tramp and his name was called the beast and they was scared so they ran out of the house. My favourite part was when his dad bought buddy some new clothes for school. And they
went into a pub his dad bought him a pint of beer and loads of crisps

Reviewer: Rebecca and Emily

Buddy is about a boy who has family problems and his mum leaves him and his dad.
His dad finds a job and does bad things behind buddy's back but buddy tries to stop this. This book is very good and parts of it where sad we recommend it

Reviewer: Mikey and Adam

The book is about a little boy aged 14 who can't afford the right equipment for school neither can his parents. They are a poor family and the dad is a thief who is in prison but just got out but his dad finds a job you can find out more read the book ...

This book was a book that we both enjoyed. Our favourite bit is were it gets his Harley Davidson back and Buddy is being a chicken because his dad was having fun and going fast.

This book is aimed at teenagers.

Reviewer: Alex Georgiou & Lauren McGowan

The book, 'Buddy, written by Nigel Hinton, was gripping and also very entertaining. The book 'Buddy' has lots of different characters, all the characters have different personalities. Buddy himself, is a very down to earth kind of guy, he misses his mum, but loves his dad terribly. My favourite part of the book would have to be the ending, but you will have to read it yourself to find out.

Reviewer: Joshua Malcolm Eayres

Buddy is a story a young boy. One day his mum leaves because of him stealing money. His dad used to steal things for a living until he stopped. At school Buddy got bullied because he couldn't afford clothes or a new hair cut. One day his dad starts stealing again but he doesn't tell Buddy (Buddy finds out). Buddy is a father figure and his dad acts like a child because Buddy feeds his dad and looks after him one day Buddy's mum comes back once she finds out that his dad (her husband) is going to jail and no one to look after Buddy. In the end his mum moves back and his dad gets a jail sentence but they live happily ever after. Its cool.


 

Mary-Kate and Ashley: Never been kissed - Emma Harrison

Reviewer: Joanne

I think my age which is 14-16 would enjoy the book. It's about Mary-Kate and Ashley having their biggest party in history. They are trying to get the party organised but there's boys getting in the way. Mary-Kate wants a boy/girl party but Ashley wants an all girl party. My favourite part was when Mary-Kate found a boy-friend and without thinking she invited him but Ashley had already sent out the invitations for an all girl's party. I enjoyed the book so much that I went on to read the next one. 


 

True Grit - Charles Portis

Reviewer: Rosie Scotting - North Lincolnshire Libraries

This was listed in the papers as a title every girl should read. I was vaguely aware of it as a Western with John Wayne, but would never have picked it up if a colleague had not said how good it was.
I read it all in one go - it is amusing & very well written. The main character is a feisty 14yr old who sets out to avenge her father's death. The story is not at all grim, & gives an insight in to life in another age when people got by with very little. The main themes are moral strength & determination.
I thought it was excellent & quite a change from my usual reading. 9/10

 

Stone Heart – Charlie Fletcher

 

Reviewer: Rosie Scotting - North Lincolnshire Libraries

This is a whopper of a book  - 484 pages !
I found it very original, quite unlike anything else I have read recently. It starts off ordinarily enough (school trip to the museum) but soon becomes a chase / mystery with plenty of scary bits & some humour too. If you like parallel worlds, magic, evil beings, talking statues & puzzles, you will like this.
I particularly liked that it is set in London, & there is extra info & maps so you can go & find the actual places mentioned. (If you dare!  Don’t break anything though, the consequences could be really serious!) This is the first of a series

 

The Zombie Survival Guide - Max Brooks

Reviewer: Adam

The story is based around what actions, provisions, weapons and the locations you should go to in the event of a zombie outbreak.

I really enjoyed it and its one of those books you begin to read for fun but as you near the end of the book you become increasingly paranoid, an interesting read but I would say the writer sounds slightly strange due to the fact that he doesn't leave out even the smallest detail.

Anyone who is interested in horrors, or possibly just intrigued what would happen in the event of an outbreak would enjoy this, it's incredibly unlikely that it would happen but at least I'm prepared if anything happens otherwise, not that it will.

An interesting read throughout but it can get slightly too serious in places, NOT FOR THE PARANOID!!!!

 

The Stuff of Nightmares - Malorie Blackman

Reviewer: Rosie Scotting - North Lincolnshire Libraries

This is tagged 'suitable for older readers' & I quite agree.  The teenage boy at the centre of the story is involved in a train crash. During the melee of trying to escape / help his companions, we realise he can enter the minds of those trapped with him. They all have fears or secrets to deal with, & each chapter is a separate 'nightmare'. We keep jolting back to the present from each of these unpleasant situations, so the plot takes some following.
Malorie Blackman is a prolific & accomplished writer, but the last one of hers I read was 'Pig Heart Boy' which is quite some time ago - I really enjoyed that one.
This one I am not so sure about, it feels more like a flashback film & the chapters do not give you chance to get to know the characters. I did like the fact that the characters were all ages though, it emphasised that we all have our problems & insecurities. I need to read something happy now.

 

Alis - Naomi Rich

Reviewer: Rosie Scotting - North Lincolnshire Libraries

This reminded me very much of the film 'Witness' about the Amish settler communities in America.
Alis belongs to a closed religious community where the families live very austere lives & depend on their skills & agriculture to survive. Alis is horrified to learn that she is, at only 14, to be married to the Minister. We see that whilst there are some advantages to this way of life, it is also quite harsh & unbending. The futures of all the inhabitants are determined by a handful of powerful Elders, who are not always as honest or kind as we would hope. Alis manages to escape, but her adventures are not all happy.
There are several coincidences which are crucial to the story developing, but I can forgive those because the writing is so evocative. This is Naomi Rich's first novel & I think we can expect more good stuff from her. 7 / 10

 

 

More reviews coming just as soon as you send me them!