a little funny, a little sad...

i recently read a book called "the music of dolphins". it is about a girl called mila who was found on a deserted island. she has grown up with dolphins since she was 4 years old. when i started reading, i expected the book would be all about her life with the dolphins -- all the time she spent with them on the island. instead, it was about her life after she was found on the island and how she learnt to speak and sing like humans.
still i liked the book. it was a bit sad though -- even though mila was funny in parts and got into all kinds of strange situations. i like books about animals and all creatures so i finished the book quite fast.

mekaner10

bow wow, bleat bleat

I find the books in the animal ark series by lucy daniels quite nice. some are better than the others. the one i read last is called badgers by the bridge and its not only about a badger but about a badger and a dog. both are equally important in this story.
i liked the book called goat in the garden best. it was very funny because. once the goat chewed up the grass in a neighbour farmer's garden and then it decided, just for fun, to run away from home and went to the ANIMAL ARK which is a vet clinic run by the parents of Mandy Hope -- the main person in the book. She loves animals and has a lot of adventures with them.
mandy is an adopted child and she thinks that animals must always come first. this is what i like about her. i like james who is her friend too and he is sometimes better than mandy in the books because he is not always obsessed about animals!!

please read these books and tell me what you think of them.

By mekaner10

reviews of 3 books by Kamini

‘Gifted’ by Nikita Lalwani

‘Gifted’ is a very well written book in the sense that the reader is compelled to carry on reading, I could not put this book down! However, I felt some of the issues raised in the book and some of the terminology used is quite dated. Having moved to the UK in my early teens I sympathise with the authors concept of belonging neither with the British nor with the Indians especially when I was trying to fit in at school and then make my mum happy by not compromising my results. Nevertheless, I do not think Indian parents still put as much pressure on their children as they did before. In my experience and in others I know, the parents did not view their move to the UK as a sacrifice or an unpleasant experience.

As for the terminology it was simply confusing when the author referred to ‘O’ levels as this is no longer relevant and has not been for a while, GCSE’s are a more appropriate term. On the whole though the social, educational and romantic journey the protagonist goes through are entertaining and heart wrenching at the same time!

‘Northern Lights’ by Phillip Pullman

The first book in the trilogy ‘His Dark Materials’ is a thrilling read. The adventures had by Lyra an orphan in ‘Oxford’, but in a world completely different to ours, are vividly described. The book is spellbinding as we travel through Lyra’s world, time and other worlds in search of her best friend guided by a ‘magical compass’. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in fantasy or mysteries in particular, although, I believe it is an interesting read even if you are not. All in all though, a fantastic book, with 2 more fantastic books to follow.

‘Artemis Fowl’ by Eoin Colfer

‘Artemis Fowl’ is essentially a fairy story. However, I don’t think we have been presented with fairies that have made superior technological advances, continue to live below ground at present to avoid Mud People (us humans) and have their own LEPrecon unit with feisty elf Holly Short at the helm, at least she likes to think so! Artemis Fowl the protagonist is essentially a genius who has lent his talents to criminal activities, he is also just 12 years old. The description of the chaos that ensues between the two worlds when Artemis decides to take on the fairy world makes a fascinating read. Very original and not patronising.

"Artemis Fowl is great…a new thriller fairy tale that will grab your interest, no matter your age." -- The New York Post

These reviews are by Kamini, who lives in London. She is 18 years old.