Source: Focus features

What Wikipedia said about the movie: A Monster Calls is a 2016 dark fantasy drama film directed by J. A. Bayona and written by Patrick Ness, based on his novel of the same name. The film stars Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell, Lewis MacDougall, and Liam Neeson, and tells the story of Conor (MacDougal), a child whose mother (Jones) is terminally ill; one night, he is visited by a giant tree-like monster (Neeson), who states that he will come back and tell him three stories. (more…)

Auggie & Me by Raquel J. Palacio

What the Publisher says about the book: Wonder tells the story of Auggie Pullman: an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, whose first year at school changed the lives and the perspectives of everyone around him. Auggie & Me is a new side to the Wonder story: three new chapters from three different characters – bully Julian, oldest friend Christopher and classmate Charlotte – giving an insight into how Auggie has touched their own lives.

What I Thought: This book is life changing just like Wonder! (more…)

Wonder by Raquel J. Palacio

What the Publisher says about the book: August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you’ve ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?

What I Thought: Life changing, amazing, 3^rd favourite book of all time, must read, all things to say about Wonder. Have you ever wondered about how it feels being the odd one out at school? This is a book about how he deals with it and it also gives you some insights in to how he has dealt with it. It has different stories from different people including Auggie, Summer and Via.

It is beautifully written, emotive and has an amazing life lesson. This is the first in a set of two. The other book is Auggie and me (below), although the stories of Auggie and me can be bought separately. One of the saddest parts is when Daisy, (full name Darth Daisy) gets put down and they get a new dog called Bear. It was written well because after the sadness of this event there was happiness at the end. It shows you how hard it is to lose a pet; Daisy was always there for him, to give him a lick, to give him a hug. WARNING: When reading have a massive box of tissues next to you or your house will flood of tears!

I am looking forward to the movie in 2017….

 Score: 4½/5 cowbells

My recommended age range: 9- ∞ years old

Released: 2012

Movie Review

What wikipedia about the movie: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a 2016 American 3D dark fantasy film directed by Tim Burton and written by Jane Goldman, based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Ransom Riggs. The film stars Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Chris O’Dowd, Allison Janney, Rupert Everett, Terence Stamp, Ella Purnell, Judi Dench and Samuel L. Jackson.

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The Midnight Gang By David Walliams 

What the Publisher says about the book: Welcome to the Midnight Gang! Midnight is the time when all children are fast asleep, except of course for… the Midnight Gang. That is when their adventures are just beginning…

When Tom gets hit on the head by a cricket ball, he finds himself at Lord Funt Hospital, and is greeted by a terrifying-looking porter. Things go from bad to worse when he meets the wicked matron in charge of the children’s ward… But Tom is about to embark on the most thrilling journey of a lifetime!

The Midnight Gang tells an extraordinarily heartwarming and, of course, funny story of five children on a hospital ward – and on a quest for adventure! It is a story of friendship and magic – and of making dreams come true. Readers are set to be utterly spellbound by this heartfelt story that will bring magic to everyone’s Christmas.

What I Thought: It was a very different David Walliams book. It still had the creepy person they don’t trust, a long introduction and, of course, Raj and his so called deals! I love the way his books are illustrated by the imaginative Tony Ross. The book itself was a good read but is not one of my favourites. Billionaire Boy is still one of my favourites. I loved how the Matron stole the chocolate off George and then ate it all for herself. The hard back edition still has the free hospital dinner which is always good fun (particularly if you cant taste anything!!). And the actual cover includes a different illustration than the dust jacket, the fun illustration of the Midnight gang chasing Nelly the 99 year old hanging for her life onto Helium balloons.

Score: 3.5/5 cow bells

My recommended age range: 8 + years old

Released: November 2016

Note: image has been sourced from publishers