Cake a Book Club

Wolf Siren
At the start, everything was a bit jumbled but it did get better. It was a good book altogether except the end basically went as a fairytale ending: everyone lived happily ever after. Other than that I quite enjoyed it once I got time to get into it. The author could make a sequel for another one.

Teddy

Ghostlines 
Born and brought up on the island of Ayrie, everything is familiar to Tilda as she and her family have lived there for generations. Enter Albie who has come from the mainland with his mum who remembers happy holidays on the island and plans to stay awhile. Tilda initially cannot understand why Albie doesn't take to the island as she does but gradually gains understanding of the feeling of being uprooted from another life and the need to be somewhere else. We gradually learn how Tilda's older brother Rowan felt stifled by the island way of life. Does Albie settle? Find out after a hair raising adventure during a storm!

Mrs P

The Boy I Love
I really liked this book. I felt that it explored mature but interesting themes and has a fantastic plot line.

Sophie

Ghostlines 
It was very interesting and full of adventure. I liked how Tilda and Albie's relationship progressed as the book went on, with Albie opening up about what he missed about the mainland. I also really enjoyed the ending and thought it was rounded off well, leaving me content with it.

Annabel

Not Going To Plan
I thought that the book is quite sad and has mature topics but it can help people learn and understand about teen pregnancy

cece

The Boy I Love
It was very interesting and I loved how deep it went into the history of what happened. However, I would say that the ending felt slightly unfinished, with Danny and Stephen having quite a rushed reunion. I would’ve liked to see more about their life together. Other than that, it was a very good book.

Annabel

Wolf Siren
I enjoyed the plot line for the book and ending but it did make me cringe at points

Cece

Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody
I first read this as a proof copy and was amazed how this author could turn his hand to a middle grade read about a school populated by animals when you consider his other books! Anyway they might have been talking animals but their speech and behaviour was just what you would find in any middle school. The issues faced were also similar in awkward home lives, challenges the monitors take on, bullying, etc. I loved the anarchic Pelicarnassus and his mighty fighting machine that destroys the school! Miel the eagle showed that his visual impairment wasn't going to get in his way. Brilliantly mad read!

Mrs P

Birdie
I read Birdie in its proof copy form and enjoyed both the story and the historical background. I'd been curious about these children of mixed parentage as a friend born in 1954 found herself with a similar origin story to Birdie, being fostered from a Barnardos home and taken to live in a rural town also in Yorkshire. Birdie's resilience is enviable as she just wants to be accepted for who she is and not judged on her background. I loved the relationship between Birdie and Mr Duke the retired pit pony, both outsiders in their own way.

Mrs P

Ghostlines 
I loved the world building of the island and the relationship between Albie and Tilda. I also enjoyed the mystery of Rowan. I want a sequel with a time skip of a few years so they can find out how they feel about eachother.

Cece

Popcorn
How can one day at school go so wrong for just one person? While Andrew's friends can laugh off or accept what occurs (see Kendrick's canteen ketchup incident) he finds it difficult and the anxiety levels rack up till the corn of his brain is literally popping. My opinion of Andrew changed throughout the book as the sources of his anxiety come to light and the worry that he will turn out like his absent father Dan, a fastidious yet angry person. The support Andrew receives from his friends and school staff is phenomenal and he finds a kindred spirit in Mr Kellerman the art teacher. Loved the apt illustrations too. This book should be in school wellbeing and learning support settings as well as the Library.

Mrs P