Young Adult Book Reviews

Name: Janet Fisher
24 May 2022;

Genre: Dystopian

Set in the near future on an island off Australia after catastrophic flooding, a community thinks it is ruled by the Blue Whale through its human interpreter, a man called Byron Vox. There are no books, photographs nor technology, apart from the big screen through which communication is made t...

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Name: Clare Wilkins
15 May 2022;

Genre: Friends and family

Freshly landed in stifling summer bustle of 1980's New York, Beth is one of four students on a prestigious journalism internship. Along with the others - intense and ruthless Dan, preppy, good-looking Oliver and wild and troubled rich girl, Edie, she experiences the thrills and fears of work,...

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Name: Ruth Cornish
14 May 2022;

Genre: Personal Growth

Read Between The Lies is a powerful book by Malcolm Duffy which uses the story of the challenges facing a newly blended family to share with readers the issues raised by young people having dyslexia. The author spelling changes to illustrate the latter very successfully and he...

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Name: Lucy Georgeson
12 May 2022;

Genre: Personal Growth

Kai, Orla and Zak grew up together, their days spent on the patch of wilderness in between their homes; a small green space in a sprawling, grey city. Music, laughter and friendship bind them together and they have big plans for their future - until Kai's family suffers a huge loss. Trying to...

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Name: Sue Wilsher
11 May 2022;

Genre: Science Fiction

Isla and her family live on the small island of Eilean Dearg in the Outer Hebrides. Grieving the loss of her older sister, Flora, the family is struggling to cope when Isla notices an advertisement for a support group. Little does she know when she fills this in that the family will be offered...

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Name: Clair Bossons
10 May 2022;

Genre: Suspense & Thrillers

This book will appeal to the older teen that enjoys science fiction, maths, physics or London street fiction. The Upper World follows two main characters, Esso and Rhia. Esso is hit by a car and discovers that he has the ability to see glimpses of the future, which don't bode...

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Name: Clare Wilkins
10 May 2022;

Genre: Personal Growth

Studious Josh likes to fly under the radar - that way he avoids awkward questions about his father's death. Still coming to terms with his loss and the violent circumstances of his father's demise, he becomes an easy target for a white supremacist group that has infiltrated his school. Working...

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Name: Ruth Cornish
06 May 2022;

Genre: Romance & Relationships

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Ellie Pillai! She is such a likeable mid teen with the usual hang ups about herself, learning how she fits in at school, with friends, at home, discovering the complications of being attracted to someone already spoken for, and slowly becoming more confident throug...

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Name: Julie Broadbent
05 May 2022;

Genre: Friends and family

Truth Be Told is the latest novel by Sue Divin, the acclaimed author of Guard Your Heart. This YA novel certainly packs a punch from the outset, and I found the first two chapters so absolutely compelling I was hooked from the very start. Set in modern-day Northern Irel...

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Name: Julie Broadbent
05 May 2022;

Genre: Romance & Relationships

Ellie Pillai is Brown is the debut YA novel from Christine Pillainayagam. It is a powerhouse of a coming-of-age story that is funny, charming and thought provoking. Ellie is not one of the cool kids in school. Her friends are cool, but she’s not that girl, in fact most...

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