Reader reviews roundup

Have you ever wanted to be a child prodigy? This week we begin with a superb review by site member jboo1698 of Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan. This book follows the life of 12-year-old genius Willow, and takes a tragic twist when her parents are killed in a car crash.

"I liked the fact that we had a female genius. Too often, we're faced with male geniuses … There is a certain amount of beauty that I think is evident in this novel. The point in the story is that Willow finds out what family really is. Willow doesn't seem like a person that really knows what family or love is, and when she discovers it in the story, it really opens up that locked up beauty. Fans of Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory will probably enjoy this story, as I did."

Another strong female protagonist features in our next pick – a terrific review by emybot of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E Lockhart. This novel follows Frankie's endeavours as she tries to break into a "boys only" bording school society.

"The book was interesting to read and I'm quite the sucker for preppy boarding schools and feminist characters, so it was right up my street. However, it was very different to We Were Liars so whether or not I recommend it for fans is questionable: it depends whether you liked it for its voice and narration, in which case go ahead. Or if you liked it for its story, where I'd probably direct you to a book with more of a plot twist. But nevertheless, the book was great and I'm sure fans of unpredictable protagonists will enjoy it."

Another book in which secrecy played a major role is There Will Be Lies by Nick Lake, spectacularly reviewed this week by LucyLOVESbooks<3. After being struck by a car, teenager Shelby flees the hospital with her mother from an unknown danger, but soon begins to question who she can trust.

"I really liked how the book jumped from the real world to the dreaming and I think it was a clever move by the author to make them tie in at the end of the book ... this book was different to any others I have read and I think the storyline was detailed, excellently described, and well thought out. I liked how it felt like I was experiencing things at the same time as the reader … I think that there is a message to be taken from this book that lies start off small but turn into something a lot bigger that you will struggle to control."

Trust is another key topic in our next read, as Lottie Longshanks authored an oustanding review of Listen to the Moon by Michael Morpurgo. Set in the first world war, Alfie and his father find an abandoned girl and take her in, although many don't trust her and believe she is an enemy German.

"The short introductory chapter is so convincing that I was well into the book before I realised that it was, in fact, a piece of wonderful fiction, not Michael Morpurgo's own family story … Although Listen to the Moon is a long book every page is riveting and although it is a very sad story, like all Michael Morpurgo's books it is full of hope. I'm sure that if you read it, it will linger in your dreams long after you have turned the last page. I will be very surprised if it isn't made into a film."

Elsewhere, with a hint of magic, KatieDogLovesBooks penned a brilliant review of The Power of Poppy Pendle by Natasha Lowe. In this story, Poppy is a witch who wishes to ditch witch school and become a baker.

"I think this is a thrilling and funny book. It makes you want to read on and on. I felt tingly with excitement when I read it, wanting to know what would happen next. If I had to give it star rates out of five, obviously, I'd give this five."

And finally, Joshiey sent in an amazing review of Mortimer Keene: Dino Danger by Tim Healey and Chris Mould. Joshiey summed up the story so well, we couldn't do it better ourselves:

"Mortimer Keene is 8 years old and he makes lots of different machines. In the latest book he makes a time travel machine and he takes it to school … But disaster strikes when a ball rolls into the time machine and hits the button. The whole school including his friends and teachers are taken back to the time when Dinosaurs lived and it's up to Mortimer Keene to get them back home safely."

Speaking of the impact of the book, Joshiey commented: "I really like the series of Mortimer Keene books by Tim Healey and Chris Mould. They are quite short stories and easy to read."

That's all for your reviews this week. As always email in to the Book Elves to claim your free bookish prize if your review has been mentioned above!

Happy reading!

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