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ISLINGTON CARNEGIE SHADOWING 2013 - WONDER WINS!
CARNEGIE SHORT REVIEWS
1
This is a charming story, easy to read, telling of Mary O’Hara and four generations of the women in her family. I loved the Irish lilt in the voice of the narrator. It’s a very emotional book, telling of Mary’s Great-Grandmother Tansey who returns as a ghost when her own daughter Emer, now a Grandma is dying. Tansey died when her daughter was only three, but through Mary, the pair are reunited and go on a journey to the farm where they used to live, sharing bits of family history along the way. The relationships between mothers and sughters reallyy came alive for me and it was a very enjoyable read.
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ISLINGTON CARNEGIE SHADOWING 2013 - WONDER WINS!
On Thursday June 19th, the Bookaholics – including new members Saruka Jeyaseelan, Julahka Jahan and Zahra Arefa 8E went to Platform in Hornsey Road to take part in the 2013 Islington Carnegie Shadowing award ceremony. The girls have been reading the eight books on the shortlist, and put on a presentation called ‘Take Me Out of the Library,’ based on the TV programme ‘Take Me Out.’ Six girls represented six of the books and presented their case to be selected on a date by the Librarian (Shuma, 10E). Paddy (Amy Coffey) facilitated the presentation.
The event was compered by author of Tall Story, Candy Gourlay.
Other Islington schools put on presentations, powerpoints, videos and it was a very enjoyable afternoon and lovely to see so many students inspired by books. Wonder by RJ Palacio was the overwhelming favourite of the students, but Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner was the national winner.
Congratulations to all those who took part!
___________________________________________________________________________________CARNEGIE SHORT REVIEWS
1
A Greyhound of a Girl – Roddie Doyle
This is a charming story, easy to read, telling of Mary O’Hara and four generations of the women in her family. I loved the Irish lilt in the voice of the narrator. It’s a very emotional book, telling of Mary’s Great-Grandmother Tansey who returns as a ghost when her own daughter Emer, now a Grandma is dying. Tansey died when her daughter was only three, but through Mary, the pair are reunited and go on a journey to the farm where they used to live, sharing bits of family history along the way. The relationships between mothers and sughters reallyy came alive for me and it was a very enjoyable read.
2
WONDER By RJ Palacio
This book had been on the library shelves for several months and had never gone out. It was one I intended to read, and as soon as I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. The first few chapters are from Auggie’s point of view, then it changes to include various other characters. I would have preferred Augustus to be the narrator the whole way through, as I was sorry when the first section came to an end, but the other characters offered interesting perspectives on what was happening to Augustus. However, his sister only had a short section and I found her very interesting as a character. The book tugs at the heartstrings, but it is very American and everything ties up neatly at the end. I don’t find the cover very appealing and wonder if it puts readers off, as I’m still having difficulty persuading students to read it, despite recommending it to them.
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3
Maggot Moon by Sally Gardner
Maggot Moon is an unusual book. Set in a dystopian 1950’s world that is reminiscent of Nazi Germany, Standish Treadwell is a dyslexian schoolboy whose best friend Hector has disappeared. The writing style is spare yet powerful, and the book is illustrated with unpleasant rats and spiders – and I didn’t like the cover either. Unpleasant and violent things happen in Standish’s world and his quest to find Hector is not an easy one. This book is extremely powerful and unlike anything I have previously read.
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The Weight of Water by
Sarah Crossan
This book is delightful. I hope the verse layout doesn’t put teenagers off because it is so beautifully written and easy to read. Important issues are dealt with in this book, seen through the eyes of Kasienka, a young Polish girl who comes to London with her mother, following the footsteps of the father. It soon becomes clear to Kasienka that her father does not want to be found and she finds herself in the middle of a complicated family situation. Kasienka also has to try and fit in at school, deal with bullies and her growing friendship with Will, who recognises her talent for swimming.
This book is both sad and humorous. It didn’t take me long to read, but the book stayed with me afterwards.
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CARNEGIE SHADOWING 2012
Yesterday the Bookaholics took part in the Islington Carnegie Shadowing event, which took place at Platform Youth Hub - a fantastic venue for young people. The ceremony was hosted by Meg Rosoff, author of 'There is no dog,'and 'Just in Case' among others. Each school performed a representation of their favourite book or a selection of books. Students from Mount Carmel, IAMS, St Mary Magdalene and Highbury Grove entertained us with drama, videos and readings. EGA performed a sketch entitled 'The Read,' based on 'The Voice,' where our four judges had to choose from a selection of books presented to them by students. Then Meg Rosoff talked to everyone about how she became an author and how certain moments that stick in the brain (her colander) can pop up in her books. Above all she encouraged everyone to think about what they really like to do and find a way to pursue it in life. She was witty and interesting and the audience gave her a huge round of applause at the end. After that everybody voted for their winner and the Islington choice was 'A Monster Calls' by Patrick Ness; this was also EGA's favourite. Later that day it was announced that 'A Monster Calls' was the national winner. So Islington have good taste!
Congratulations to Nasra, Munna, Aissato, Rahma, Amy, Nikita, Shuma, Mahmuda, Khadra and Zahra 9E for their dope* performance.
*Meg Rosoff, originally from Boston, thought Rahma (Will.I.am) was American!
The CILIP Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2011
BRESLIN, THERESA PRISONER OF THE INQUISITION
Doubleday (Ages 12+)
ISBN: 9781406310276
Doubleday (Ages 12+)
ISBN: 9781406310276
McCAUGHREAN GERALDINE THE DEATH DEFYING PEPPER ROUX
Oxford Children's Books (Ages 10+)
ISBN: 9780192756022
Oxford Children's Books (Ages 10+)
ISBN: 9780192756022
NESS, PATRICK MONSTERS OF MEN
Walker (Ages 14+)
ISBN: 9780385617031
Walker (Ages 14+)
ISBN: 9780385617031
ROSOFF, MEG THE BRIDE'S FAREWELL
Puffin (Ages 12+)
ISBN: 9780141383934
Puffin (Ages 12+)
ISBN: 9780141383934
SEDGWICK, MARCUS WHITE CROW
Orion (Ages 12+)
ISBN: 9781842551875
Orion (Ages 12+)
ISBN: 9781842551875
WALLACE, JASON OUT OF SHADOWS
Andersen Press (Ages 14+)
ISBN: 9781849390484
Andersen Press (Ages 14+)
ISBN: 9781849390484
Have a look at our Carnegie Shadowing Page!
Some reviews...
Some reviews...
'Out of 'Shadows' is set in the 1980's in Zimbabwe. The Black Africans have just won their freedom and independence. Robert Jacklin comes to Africa from England and everything is new - new schools, new house and new people. He quickly comes to terms with how things are. He meets white boys in his school who want the old country back, not the new Black African government and they will stop at nothing to get it.
I found this book really good. It shows how white and black people related to each other in this period in Zimbabwe. It is a heartfelt book. I would recommend this to older readers.
Shuma Begum 8E
'The Bride's Farewell' is a tale of a young girl named Pell, who runs away on the night before her wedding, followed by her trusty horse Jack and her mute younger brother, Bean.
Pell comes across hardships, starvation and unemployment, but despite all of this she still survives. When she is robbed of all left dear to her - her brother jack, her house and all her money, how will she get back what is rightfully hers?
At the beginning it was a bit confusing as there are a lot of characters, but as you read on you can't put it down.
Zahra and Khadra 8E
'White Crow' is a chilling story filled with excitement every step of the way. An extraordinary friendship between Rebecca and Ferelith grips readers by their hearts. A sudden chain of events leads to a heart stopping end. I recommend this book to horror lover readers. It's dark, intense and interesting...you wouldn't want to put it down.
Mahmuda and Munna 8E
Prisoner of the Inquisition
The Prisoner of the Inquisition is a tragic love story. It is based on a girl called Zarita who has fallen for a boy called Ramon Salazar, but this love doesn’t last, On the day her brother is born Saulo, the son of the man who was strangled to death swore revenge as he was sent to be a slave at sea for the destruction of his family. The death brought grief to her family and the grief brought Zarita’s father Don Vincente to such cruelty leading him to kill a man and remarry. He also began to ignore Zarita.
Soon after, Saulo grows to be a handsome mariner and Zarita is put into her aunt’s home – an institution for nuns – by her evil stepmother Countess Lorena.
I thought the character of Don Vincente was a bit cruel because no matter how grieved you are you shouldn’t take another man’s life. I was also flabbergasted when he married again. I thought he was the kind that will mourn over the loss of someone. I liked the character of Zarita especially the part when she shrieked ‘He touched me, he actually touched me!’ because she was just like the modern day girls who scream over a mouse. Also I didn’t like the killings because I know this is still happening now and I don’t want to think about it.
I would recommend people to read this book because even though it is set in the olden days it has aspects of the modern day. It was so intriguing that I couldn’t stop reading; you’ll read it so fast at the end you’ll be wanting more.
Aissato 8E
