June 2020 Reading

This is not a sponsored review, I didn't receive anything for writing it. Any links are not sponsored either, I won't be compensated if you click on them.

I’ve decided to do a monthly round up for everything we’ve read each month. Himself focuses on science articles and forums and news, so he’s not getting a section – books only!

Large Boy

Who Let the Gods Out by Maz Evans

Large boy and I were meant to be reading this as a book club but he read it much faster than me. He liked all the characters and the different parts of the mythical world. His initial attempts to pronounce some of the Greek names were a bit funny and I helped him learn to say them properly. He was sad about Virgo’s situation at the end (no spoilers) but pleased for Elliott.

The Secret Garden by Frances Burnett

I haven’t read to large boy in a long time. Probably 18 months ago he started to read to himself much more for pleasure and we stopped reading a bedtime story. However, when I asked the Twittersphere for recommendations for him to read a few folks suggested this book. I knew it would be a hard sell to get him to read it to himself, so I offered to read it to him. I’ve read a chapter each night and it’s a lovely story. The first chapter about a virus killing Mary’s entire family was a bit dicey in the current climate and servants took some explaining. After chapter 3 though he was invested in the story and had ideas for how to get into the garden (involving tame moles). It took us the whole month to read but we both loved the experience and large boy’s questions and ideas were interesting, he was so impatient for the ending.

The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

Large boy’s verdict “it was good”. His favourite part was when Apollo had to try to survive as a mortal after Zeus made him be mortal as a punishment. His favourite character was Kayla who was the god of archery and Apollo’s daughter. It was quite a long book and he’s not sure about reading the next one as he knows it’ll take a long time and its quite expensive on Kindle (the first one was on Unlimited and the next is £5).

Shadow Jumper by J.M. Forster

He read this in two days flat. It’s about Jack who’s allergic to the sun and Beth who helps him try to find his dad. It wasn’t a big adventure because there weren’t mythical creatures or gods in it. The previous two books have set expectations it seems!

Warriors: A Vision of Shadows #1 The Apprentice’s Quest by Eric Hunter

He enjoyed this one too. His favourite character Sparkpaw because she’s a good hunter. The best bit was when they found the kits in the tunnel. He wants to read the rest of the series too.

The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley (also The Unusual Supects and The Problem Child)

Large boy didn’t talk about this much while he was reading it. But when he finished, the next in the series was fervently requested. He says he’s not such a fan, it was kind of weird, but he’s going to keep reading so he can find out what happens next. So he gobbled up the next two books in the series within a week as well.

Slime by David Walliams

Well he read it in 24 hours flat, that says it all really. He loved the crazy bottles of gloop and the off the wall imagination of Walliams never fails to please.

The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman

“Good, but a bit hard to understand the complicated story. I want to read the next one though.” Its not out til September so he’ll have a wait.

Me

Who Let the Gods Out by Maz Evans

Large boy and I were supposed to be reading this together. However, he reads for an hour a bedtime and sometimes for 30 minutes in the morning. I manage 15 minutes at bedtime before my eyes get heavy so he finished much faster than me. He completed the book just as I hit chapter 12.

It’s a really great introduction into Greek mythology, funny and poignant with some interesting dilemmas for younger readers. Large boy followed it up with The Hidden Oracle, starting a bit of a theme.

Fire Within by Morten W. Simonsen

This was gripping. I was hooked in the first chapter and really invested in the central characters’ journeys. Set in a different world, there are shades of George R.R. Martin, Bernard Cornwell, N. Gemini Sasson, maybe even Tolkein in the fantastic and majestic wonders and the quests. I can sense scheming, politics and adventure coming in the next book in the series. I’m waiting for its publication with bated breath, this introduction left me impatient to know the next twists and turns for Ivan, Ani, Jaymz and Ida.

Small Boy

Small boy has just turned 5. He’s in reception and learning to read with the marvellous Read Write Inc phonics scheme. Its brilliant and he’s made huge progress since we began home learning. This month he’s read:

• Read Write Inc
  • Stop! (purple)
  • My Dog Ned (Oxford)
  • Fat Frog (red)
  • Nog in the Fog (red)
  • Rag the Rat (green)
  • Nip and Chip (green)
  • The Get Fit Club (green)
  • Red Ned (purple)
  • Run, Run, Run (purple)
  • Popcorn (purple)
• Biff Chip and Kipper
  • See Me Skip
  • Quick Quick
  • The Sing Song