North Ayrshire Library and Information Service

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Reading Space

Ardrossan Junior Book Group

This group has been meeting now for over three years and the current members are aged between 9-14 years. We meet in Ardrossan library one Thursday each month between 4-5pm. Please contact Anne Noble on 01294 212716 if you would like to join and to find out when our next meeting is.

Books we have read

We choose a book to read each month from a list and discuss what we thought of it at the meeting. Sometimes we read books that we wouldn't normally have read! Some of the books we have discussed in the past are:

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
The Devil's Breath by David Gilman
Apocalypse by Tim Bowler
Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper
Chill by Alex Nye

Our favourite book so far was 'The Killing' by Robert Muchamore.

Our report said "A hit!". This month's novel was enjoyed by the Ardrossan members. "It goes straight into the action" commented Rebecca. "I like books which don't start with pages and pages of description" said Ryan. Everyone thought that it was an exciting adventure story with colourful characters. Two members were so keen that they each borrowed another book by this author.

Author Visits, Film Nights, Book Awards

As well as reading we sometimes have special visitors e.g. Local History Librarian and published authors e.g. Keith Charters or meet up with other book groups/homework clubs in the area for a film night. The last film we watched was 'The Simpsons Movie' in December last year. In the past we have read books on the Royal Mail Awards 8-11 year old short-list e.g. Chill by Alex Nye and voted for our favourite.

Reports on our meetings

18 February 2010 - "Millions" by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Frank Cottrell's first novel stimulated a great deal of debate about a variety of topics - families, the value of money, charity and trust.

The Boy in the Burning House by Tim Wynne-Jones The next meeting is on Thu 18th. March. The novel will be "The Boy in the Burning House" by Tim Wynne-Jones (synopsis from Amazon):

"Jim is just regaining some semblance of a normal life following his father's sudden disappearance, when he is attacked by a crazy girl. Ruth Rose has a wild story to tell about her stepfather, the saintly Father Fisher, and needs someone to believe her - and help her prove it. Gradually Jim is convinced by Ruth Rose and they find themselves tracking a murderer and caught up in a dangerous web of secrets from a dark and unsettling past."

21 January 2010 - "The Comet's Child" by John Ward

Unfortunately the visit by author John Ward had to be postponed to a later date.

Millions by Frank Cottrell Boyce The next meeting is on 18th. February. The novel will be "Millions" by Frank Cottrell Boyce (synopsis from Kidsread.com):

"This book is flat-out amazing --- I've never read anything remotely like it. It manages to be simultaneously funny, horrifying, fantastical, realistic, sad, touching, and shocking. The plot twists are unpredictable, and the characters are believably quirky. A truly excellent read."

31st October 2009 - "Montmorency" by Eleanor Updale

This was not a popular choice with the group, so we quickly moved on to the main event of the afternoon, which was storytelling.

As this was the time of North Ayrshire's annual Storytelling Festival, "Tales of Mystery and Imagination", we had decided to become storytellers for a day. Daniel impressed us all by being able to tell a tale without reading any notes. Some of the girls did not want to read all of a story to the group, so they took turns to read sections. Finally, young Jade had made a great effort and took the time to write her own story, which featured a youngster being chased by a monster.

The next meeting is on Thu 3rd. December. The novel will be "Un Lun Dun" by China Mieville (Synopsis from Amazon):

"Deeba and Zanna discover a wheel in a basement, Zenna turns it and realizes that something weird is happening - London is being switched off! Zanna and Deeba are two best friends and they find themselves in the world of UnLondon, a place where London's discarded things somehow end up. UnLondon is under siege by the sinister Smog (a poisonous cloud) and is waiting for its saviour to arrive as prophesised by their magic book that can speak. Guided by this book the girls have to try and put an end to the poisonous cloud. A crew of UnLondon locals, the likes of which you will have never dreamed, joins them in their quest! UnLondon is more than a little unusual but an absolute wonder to read about."

If you would like to join the group, please contact Anne Noble at the Education Resource Service, Tel: 01294 219206.

1st October 2009 - "Gilda Joyce and the Ladies of the Lake" by Jennifer Allison

The youngsters were pleased to welcome a new member, Emma, to the group. Despite the fact that the book had been selected by the group members it had not been enjoyed by them! However, it did inspire us to agree that since our next meeting is to be just a couple of days before Halloween, we will all have two tasks for then. Firstly, to bring details of a spooky novel which we would like to recommend to the others. Secondly, to become storytellers and each tell a scary story.

The youngsters heard that there may be a visit to the Ardrossan Children’s Book group from an author in the New Year.

The next meeting is on Thu 29th. October. The novel will be "Montmorency" by Eleanor Updale (synopsis from Amazon):

"Fleeing across a roof on a dark night in Victorian London, a thief crashes through a glass skylight to almost certain death. But an ambitious young doctor revives and reconstructs his shattered body, proudly showing off his handiwork at the Scientific Society where the city's intelligentsia meet. It's there that the robber picks up the key to a new existence, and on his release from prison begins to lead a double life. He becomes both the respectable, wealthy Montmorency and his degenerate servant, Scarper - while the police are baffled by a wave of mysterious and seemingly unstoppable thefts...But Montmorency must be on his guard at every moment. The smallest mistake could reveal his secret and destroy both his lives."

If you would like to join the group, please contact Anne Noble at the Education Resource Service, Tel: 01294 219206.

August 2009

Royal Mail Award and the Edinburgh Book Festival

During the summer holidays we had the opportunity to read some of the novels from the Royal Mail Awards shortlist. The RMA is the biggest UK children's book prize when young people can vote for their favourite book from the year's shortlist.

Later in the month we had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Edinburgh Book Festival along with members of the Irvine Teenage Book Group. Several members of the group had read "Girl, Missing" and other novels by author Sophie McKenzie. In fact, some of the girls voted it their favourite book. So they were eagerly anticipating hearing her talk about her work. She was very entertaining and literally had all of us 'on the edge of our seats' as she helped us to understand the meaning of the term 'thriller'.

The afternoon session with 'The Spook's' series author Joseph Delaney was a fascinating insight into the world of 'The County' where Boggarts and witches dwell.

The youngsters also had the opportunity to ask questions of both authors. Each talk was followed by a book signing session where they had the opportunity to speak to the authors.It was a very interesting day which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

If you would like to join the group, please contact Anne Noble at the Education Resource Service, Tel: 01294 219206.

9 July 2009 - 'Girl, Missing' by Sophie McKenzie

This month's novel was a hit with the group members. The story gripped everyone right from the start, and didn't slow down until the end. We also discussed the issue of missing children. One member of the group had loaned a copy to a cousin who "never reads" and was pleased that she couldn't put it down! As this is one of the two authors that the youngsters will see at the Edinburgh Book Festival in August, they are now even keener to go to the event. We also talked about other books of their own choice which they have read lately, including 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas'.

Over the summer holidays we will be reading 3 novels from the Royal Mail Awards shortlist.

11 June 2009 - "The Talent Thief" by Alex Williams

A hit! Everyone enjoyed this book, even those who didn’t think they would like it. We had discussions about various topics which arose in the novel, including sibling rivalry and driving cars. The relationship between the main character’s sister, Cressida, and the Talent Thief did remind some of the members of the traditional tale of Beauty and the Beast. At the end of the session each person was asked what they would like if they were able to have a special talent which made for some interesting answers!

girlmissing For next month we will read 'Girl, Missing' by Sophie McKenzie.

Summary from Amazon:
'Lauren has always known she was adopted but when a little research turns up the possibility that she was snatched from an American family as a baby, suddenly Lauren's life seems like a sham. How can she find her biological parents? And are her adoptive parents really responsible for kidnapping her? She manages to wangle a trip across the Atlantic where she runs away to try and find the truth. But the circumstances of her disappearance are murky and Lauren's kidnappers are still at large and willing to do anything to keep her silent...'

If you would like to join the group, please contact Anne Noble at the Education Resource Service, Tel: 01294 219206.

7th May 2009 - 'Al Capone Does My Shirts' by Gennifer Choldenko

We were pleased to have a new member join the group.

This month's novel was a hit with four group members. The story is set on the island of Alcatraz where some of America's most notorious criminals were locked up at the beginning of the Twentieth century.

Two of the youngsters had visited Alcatraz as part of a family holiday, so they were able to describe the island as it now is. Tours can be taken of the prison area, and they had even seen Al Capone’s cell. They related the story of one famous escape attempt, too.

talentthief Next month's title is another chosen by the group – 'The Talent Thief' by Alex Williams.

Summary from Amazon:
'Wealthy orphans Adam and Cressida Bloom couldn't be less alike. Adam can't seem to help being exceedingly ordinary whereas Cressida, his glamorous sister, has a magnificent talent - when she sings, even the birds stop to listen. Then Cressida is invited to perform at Fortescue's festival of young talents and Adam tags along. But once the children arrive at the festival, in a mountain-top hotel, their terrific talents begin mysteriously to disappear. A piano virtuoso suddenly forgets how to play, a maths genius finds she can no longer multiply. There's a sinister shadow that only Adam ever sees, a strange glow emanating from behind closed doors...With the help of an erratic ex-racing driver, dashing Amy Swift, Adam and Cressida rip-roar off through the mountains in Amy's shiny racing car, the Silver Swift. They are in perilous pursuit of the dastardly talent thief! But from a hair-raisingly close shave with an avalanche to crash-landing a plane on a runway the size of a table, Adam never gives up. Perhaps he isn't as ordinary as he first thought!.'

2nd April 2009 - 'The Wall and the Wing' by Laura Ruby

This month’s book was chosen by our youngest group member and she had thoroughly enjoyed it. It was quite different from what most of the group members had thought – showing that you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover! Not everyone liked it, with some of the youngsters finding the storyline too confusing. Everyone was asked to choose a particular character from the novel and comment on various characteristics such as their special talent and their ambition.

capone We looked at a selection of books and then voted for the book we would most like to read next. The overwhelming winner was 'Al Capone Does My Shirts' by Gennifer Choldenko.

Summary from Amazon:
When Moose Flanagan and his family move home, yet again, and become residents of the famous prison island Alcatraz, things get interesting… they share the island with a few other families and a lot of pretty heavy-duty criminals including Al Capone. This is a charming, funny and utterly enchanting book that skillfully and delicately weaves a humorous tale with some important issues.

5th March 2009 - 'Sabotage' by Joe Craig

Seven youngsters took part in a lively debate over this novel. Daniel enjoyed this adventure story as he "likes books about spies", and would definitely recommend this one, giving it 5 out of 5. Contrastingly, Lauren and Rebecca didn't enjoy reading it as they found it confusing and only awarded one point each. Robyn also only gave 'Sabotage' one point but did say it was 'ok'.

Wall and Wing Next month's book has also been chosen by one of the group members – "The Wall and the Wing" by Laura Ruby.

Summary from Amazon:
Strange stories and creepy characters unite in this most weird and wonderful adventure of the year. In a vast and sparkling city where nearly everyone can fly, 12-year-old Gurl is trapped. Orphaned and lonely, she believes she is nothing more than a flightless "leadfoot", until one fateful night, when she discovers that she has the power to make herself invisible. But even with this newfound talent, Gurl can't hide from a giant rat man with a taste for cats, a manipulative matron with a penchant for plastic surgery, and a belligerent boy named Bug. Gradually, Gurl learns to control her power and teams up with Bug to figure out who and what she is. Their quest takes them on a wild ride where they confront mind-bending monkeys, an eccentric genius with a head full of grass and a pocket full of kittens and the handsome but lethal Sweetcheeks Grabowski - the gangster, who holds the key to Gurl's past and the world's future!

January 2009 - "Useful Idiots" by Jan Mark

The first meeting of the New Year was a quiet one with only two members able to attend. However we did have a detailed discussion about the many issues raised by this futuristic novel. Set in 2255 in the United States of Europe, the story prompts the reader to look at ideas such as federalism v. nationalism, global warming and the individual's rights and responsibilities in society.

The youngsters chose next month's book - "The Black Book of Secrets", an adventure story from F.E. Higgins.

Summary from Amazon:
When Ludlow Fitch's parents cruelly betray him, he steals away on the back of a carriage and leaves behind the stinking City. He arrives in the dead of night at a remote village, where he crosses paths with the tall and limping figure of Joe Zabbidou - a pawnbroker with a difference. For Joe trades secrets, not goods, for cash. Ludlow is employed to record the villagers' fiendish confessions in "The Black Book of Secrets" - bodysnatching; thievery; and murder. The people of Pagus Parvus have much to hide. But is Ludlow Fitch ready to release his own skeletons? And will he ever learn to trust his mysterious master?

Author
F. E. Higgins was born in England but raised in Ireland. She lives and writes in a house that dates back to the fifteenth century, in a small village in rural Kent. THE BLACK BOOK OF SECRETS is her debut, and she has recently completed THE BONE MAGICIAN, her second novel for Macmillan Children's Book.

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