Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Author: J.K. Rowling

Rating: 5 (treasure forever)

Description: When Harry Potter gets invited by the Weasleys to watch the Quidditch World Cup and stay for the remainder of the holidays with them, he is thrilled. But after a riot at the World Cup, caused by Lord Voldemort’s followers, Hogwarts seems a much darker place than before. Everything takes a turn for the worse when Harry’s name is mysteriously pulled from the Goblet of Fire (a magical selection process), automatically making sure that he takes part in the Triwizard Tournament. The tournament is a dangerous competition between Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, the three main wizarding schools in Europe. Many sinister things begin to happen after Harry completes the first task of three, such as someone breaking into Professor Snape’s office, an attempted murder and a highly respectful member of the Ministry of Magic sneaking around Hogwarts in the dead of night. It soon becomes clear to Harry, that more than one person is out to kill him, but who and why?

This is actually the fourth time I have read this book, but it is still one of my favourites and (as I’m sure you’re aware!), is taken from the Harry Potter series – my favourite collection of books! I love this book because of how detailed the characters are and how all seven of the Harry Potter books are unlike any other stories I have read before.

Setting: Howarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Book type: Adventure, fantasy

Suitable for: 10+

Number of pages: 636

ISBN: 0747550999

The Star of Kazan

Title: The Star of Kazan

Author: Eva Ibbotson

Rating: 4 (didn’t want it to end)

Description: Annika has a happy life as a servant girl and is looked after by the loving Ellie and Sigrid, after she was abandoned on a mountain by her mother. Her friends, Pauline and Stefan, are always there for her and there are plenty of things to do in 1908 Vienna, such as riding the tallest big wheel in Europe and watching the famous, white Lipizzaner Stallions. But then, a woman who claims to be her mother whisks her away to the big, lonely, desolate, fortified house, Spittal. There, she befriends Zed, the stable boy, who, when wrongly accused of stealing from the house, runs away, taking with him part of the answer to the mystery that surrounds the family. Will Annika solve the sinister mystery, which includes a suitcase full of apparently worthless, fake jewels, given to her by an old lady?

I really enjoyed this book, because of the unusual time and place in which it was set, 1908 Vienna. There are many characters and as they and locations change, it can be a little hard to follow, but it’s a great book overall – stick with it.

NOTE: This book won the Nestlé Silver Award and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.

Setting: 1908 Vienna

Book type: Mystery,adventure

Suitable for age: 9+

Number of pages: 388

ISBN: 9780330418027

The Wizard of Oz

Title: The Wizard of Oz

Author: L. Frank Baum

Rating: 3 (worth the effort)

Description: After a cyclone takes Dorothy, along with her dog, Toto, to the fantastic Land of Oz, full of mystical people, she finds herself on a quest to kill the Wicked Witch of the West! The Land of Oz is home to many beings, including a scarecrow who longs for a brain, a tin woodman who yearns for a heart and a lion, who’s desire is to have courage and live up to his reputation, as king of the jungle. So along with Dorothy (who is desperate to return to Kansas and her Aunt Em), they travel along the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, to seek help from the Wizard of Oz. Along the way, the reader starts to realise that maybe they do have what they all wish for, only hidden away inside themselves, especially when they meet Oz, the Great and Terrible…

A good book, in which there are many very imaginative characters and places, including a city and its occupants, made entirely out of china and a group of flying, winged monkeys controlled by a golden cap!

If this is your kind of book, why not also check out my post on The Phantom Tollbooth – it’s a similar kind of story.

Setting: Kansas America and The Land of Oz

Book type: Fantasy

Suitable for age: 8+

Number of pages: 189

ISBN: 9780141321028

The Swiss Family Robinson

Title: The Swiss Family Robinson

Author: Johann Wyss

Rating: 4 (didn’t want it to end)

Description: After a nearly fatal storm, in which their ship is wrecked, the Swiss Family Robinson are stranded on a desert island, far from any human habitation. They must learn to survive in the island’s harsh conditions, by hunting, fishing, trapping and taming the island’s wildlife, as well as farming, building and collecting items from the wreckage of their ship. The family of six, spend a total of 11 years on the island and in that time, they see that living in peace with nature, is better than controlling it, and that nothing is impossible.

The Swiss Family Robinson is a tale of survival and adventure, in which there are numerous, amazing animals and plants with many different uses. If I was ever so unlucky that I was stranded on a desert island, I hope I could make as much of my time there, as the Swiss Family Robinson did!

Setting: New Switzerland and surrounding islands

Book type: Classics, adventure

Suitable for age: 10+

Number of pages: 472

ISBN: 9780141325309

Ballet Shoes

Title: Ballet Shoes

Author: Noel Streatfeild

Rating: 4 (didn’t want it to end)

Description: When their benefactor, Great Uncle Matthew, goes on a 5 year trip, Pauline, Petrova and Posy are forced to earn money to pay for everything, until he comes back. By attending Madame Fidolias Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training, the children, once reaching the age of 12, are able to earn money by starring in plays. The money at first, is able to satisfy their needs, but at the end of the novel, when Pauline wishes to become a film star in Hollywood and Posy wants to go to a famous ballet school in Szolyva, Czechoslovakia, only a miracle can fulfill their wishes!

This is a lovely book, in which you are given an insight into the lives of young actresses, trying to earn a living. It’s an ideal book for girls who have always longed to be a dancer.

Setting: The Children’s Academy of Dancing and Stage Training, Bloomsbury

Book type: Classics

Suitable for age: 9+

Number of pages: 235

ISBN: 9780141334424

Magical Mischief

Title: Magical Mischief

Author: Anna Dale

Rating: 4 (didn’t want it to end)

Description: When Mr Hardbattle, owner of Hardbattle Books, asks Arthur and Miss Quint to assist him in finding a new home for some mischievous magic, they are both delighted. But when Mr Hardbattle leaves to find a new home for the magic, he puts Miss Quint in charge, along with a set of rules to follow. However, Miss Quint soon gets bored and disobeys these rules, and conjures up three new people. Miss Quint is very pleased with her friends, but when they see them handling supposedly stolen goods, Arthur and Miss Quint suspect that they are not really who they seem.

A fantastic book, packed full of magic and wonderful happenings. This book gets off to a slow start, but stick with it, because it’s a really exciting story once it does get going, with many surprises along the way.

Setting: Hardbattle Books bookshop

Book type: Fantasy, adventure

Suitable for age: 9+

Number of pages: 301

ISBN: 9781408800430