Devon Taylor
The Review Crew is a monthly free program run by Devon at Paradise Bookshop for local kids aged 10–15 years old. They meet after school on the last Monday of every month to read and review new books and help curate the Young Adult and Junior Fiction shelves. We have a lot of fun together and read a lot of books!
Over the next few months we’ll be sharing reviews from Ruby, Henry, Roni, Poppy, Tully, Griff, Otis, Abby, Matilda and Jet. All books are available to purchase at Paradise Bookshop.
For more information about the Review Crew, you can contact Devon on 5348 1288 or info@paradisebookshop.com.au
Two Headed Chicken Beak To the Future by Tom Angleberger
Two Headed Chicken was an interesting book where one or two chickens go travelling through time. It was funny and a really good book. I’ll point out that they kept telling people that so it kind of felt like an ad but the rest was really good. The chickens have great adventures like where they go to a time where everyone is famous for 15 minutes. Also they run into a moose who wants to eat them.
Rating: 7/10
Review by: Otis, 10, They/Them
Louder Than Hunger by John Schu
Content Warning: This review mentions eating disorders.
Louder than Hunger is a book about a boy named Jake and his experiences with living as a young teen with an eating disorder. Based on the author’s own experiences, this book is very unlike other books I have read. It is written in verse, and I really liked the way the placement of the letters on the page contributed to the way you read the book. I also liked the way the characters seemed so relatable making you want to keep reading. I found it quite the page turner due to the way it had so many sad or dark scenes but it always had that underlying sense of hope, making me keep reading just to make sure everything turned out alright.
I would recommend this book to people aged 12+ as it contains a few references that people younger than 12 may not understand and it also is written in a way that may be hard to understand sometimes. I found it hard reading something written in verse because I hadn’t read any books like it and it was different to what I am used to. However I adjusted to the way it was written quite easily and overall enjoyed reading this book.
Rating: 8/10
Review by: Jet, 14, She/Her
The Miraculous Sweet Makers: The Frost Fair by Natasha Hastings
This book was disappointing as it was not the most exciting nor an interesting read for me, but it wasn’t really my style. I didn’t get to finish it, but it might get better towards the end. The main character was a girl named Thomasina, and her brother died due to running too much because he had a breathing problem and her dad blamed it on her. I’d recommend it for people into mystery and fairy tales and is a very good book for ages 8+. I think this book could be a very good one once you read the whole thing but I ran out of time.
Rating: 6/10
Poppy, 11, She/Her
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Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody by Patrick Ness
“Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody” by Patrick Ness is an engaging read that blends captivating storytelling with thoughtful representations of neurodiversity and disability. Set in a world where animals attend school and navigate the complexities of friendship and personal growth, the book follows the adventures of three monitor lizards – Zeke, Daniel, and Alicia – as they work to save their school from the clutches of the bully and wannabe supervillain, Pelicanassus.
The plot is easy to follow and full of humour, as the trio of protagonists navigate the social dynamics of their school and confront challenges posed by Pelicanassus. Ness subtly weaves in scientific facts about animals, including the fact that wombats have protective plates inside their butts to shield them from predators. This blend of educational elements and compelling narrative makes the story both informative and entertaining.
One of the standout features of “Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody” is its representation of neurodivergence and disability. Daniel, one of the main characters, has ADHD, while Zeke’s mother is shown dealing with depression. The book also introduces Miel, a hawk who is blind, and explores themes of speciesism and assumptions about different animal groups, such as the belief that pandas love heavy metal music or that all monitor lizards know each other and are the only animals who have been hall monitors.
These elements not only add depth to the characters and their experiences but also serve as valuable lessons for young readers, teaching them empathy, understanding, and standing up against bullying. The story’s metaphors and examples, such as the black dog that comes home with Zeke and his mother after his father’s death, provide powerful insights into the challenges faced by those living with mental health conditions and disabilities.
Overall, “Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody” is a delightful and thought-provoking read that will captivate readers of all ages, particularly those who enjoy Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries, and similar books. With its easy-to-follow plot, funny moments between friends, and exploration of important social issues, I recommend this book, especially for readers aged 10 to 14, as well as any animal-loving fans of Patrick Ness’s previous works. I give it a resounding 10 out of 10 and can’t wait to revisit this charming and insightful story.
Rating by: Ruby, 19, She/They
All The Beautiful Things by Katrina Nannestad
This book was sad and beautiful all at the same time, it reminds you of finding love and joy in the smallest things. I would Recommend Ages 11+
Rating by: Tullie, 11, She/Her
All books are available to purchase at Paradise Bookshop.
For more information about the Review Crew, you can contact Devon on 5348 1288 or info@paradisebookshop.com.au
Devon Taylor is the co-owner of Paradise Bookshop in Daylesford.
