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helendipietro's reviews
243 reviews
The Stopping Places: A Journey Through Gypsy Britain by Damian Le Bas
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Lyrical travel writing!
Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends by Rose Lihou
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A very wholesome, sweet read for younger readers with a great message about finding your own voice. It’s got a great storyline, a bit of magic and the cutest characters! ❤️ Plus the illustrations make this book something special indeed!
Gray by Laura Dockrill
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Send Nudes by Saba Sams
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Loved this short stories! Sam’s writing is fantastically sharp and raw; it’s made me realise that I do like short stories!
And Everything Will Be Glad to See You by Ella Risbridger
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Only received a 32 page sampler of this book! Buy the hardback!! 😀
A Hugh Dunnit Mystery: Taking Shelter by Guy Bass
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Packed full of puns, similes and humour, this book will have you smiling to yourself with its clever word play! It’s a great crime caper (a goofy little joke or prank, a crime, or a ridiculous adventure) where we follow Hugh Dunnit on his mission to crack the case of the shredded maths homework! This is a great starting point for conversations around language and well known sayings! It’s also the perfect mix of comic and chapters to keep a child engaged throughout!
My students favourite lines:
- Rain had started to fall. It was heavier than my tummy after a baked potato.
My students favourite lines:
- Rain had started to fall. It was heavier than my tummy after a baked potato.
- When bad things happen, they don’t often let you know they’re on their way. They sneak up on you like a soundproofed ninja in soft socks.
- This is the last straw - and she chewed my last straw!
- The pause hung in the air like damp laundry.
- Her words were as sharp as scissors, and her meaning was as blunt as safety scissors.
- Her words rang in my head like an unanswered telephone.
- By the end of the day, I’d drawn a blank. Then again, I never was very good at drawing.
- Suddenly, a thought hit my brain like a fly on a windscreen.
- He definitely wasn’t about to come clean - not with that smell coming from his nappy. This stinks, I thought.
- Even though if given it to them straight, Mum looked bent out of shape.
- I felt cold and hot at the same time like a sink with both taps running.
- The truth, like a sweaty wrestler, was hard to get to grips with.
- It was a lie and Dad saw through me like I was a window.
- Then it hit me like a badly thrown frisbee. Something had happened!
- Words can’t hurt me unless they’re painted on a sword!
- And that meant committing the crime right under, or relatively near, my nose!
- If I tried to convince Pearl to talk, she’d clam up like a mussel.
- We were different, Mum and me, like chalk and a different colour chalk.
- My mind raced faster than a dog chasing a cat chasing a mouse!
- My train of thought was derailed, like a car skidding off the road into a derailed train.
- I was already more nervous than a pumpkin on Halloween! 🎃
- She must have thought I was born yesterday. Well she was off by nine years, three months and one week.
- Like Shelter with a tennis ball, I wasn’t sure I was ready to let go!
- Like an owl with a stuck neck, I was going to have to watch my back!
The Wit and Wisdom of David Attenborough by Chas Newkey-Burden
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
This was lighthearted, quick and fun to read! A great toilet book! I liked the format and I learnt some interesting things about David Attenborough - what a life he’s had so far!
Pelé: The Autobiography by Pelé
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Moving house and had other books on the go! Was enjoying it though so definitely get round to reading it!