children’s books

Today, in January Magazine’s section featuring books for younger readers, contributing editor Sue Bursztynski reviews Tomorrow All Will Be Beautiful by Bridgid Lowry. Says Bursztynski: The author is well-known for funny, sad, gentle novels for teenagers. She does them beautifully but, despite the cover blurb and the enthusiastic endorsements from teenage girls on the cover, this book is not aimed entirely at young adults. The full review is here.

Today, in January Magazine’s children’s book section, contributing editor Sue Bursztynski reviews Worse Than Boys by Catherine MacPhail. Says Bursztynski: It has often been said that boys will bully each other physically, while girls will bully each other by exclusion and words. I work with teenagers, and it is true that friendships, especially those of girls, break up and re-form at the drop of a hat. It’s part of being a teenage girl, as is […]

Today, in January Magazine’s children’s book section, contributing editor Sue Bursztynski looks at I, Nigel Dorking by Mary-Anne Fahey. Says Bursztynski: I am in two minds about this. There are so many novels, these days, seen from the viewpoint of a loser. While everyone has had problems and times when they feel unpopular and unloved, you really have to be able to suggest that the hero has something admirable about him to make it work. […]

Today, in January Magazine’s children’s book section, contributing editor Sue Bursztynski looks at Living Hell by Catherine Jinks. Says Bursztynski: Living Hell is young adult science fiction. The author describes it as Alien for teenagers. Well, not quite. Nothing is laying its eggs in unsuspecting humans who then burst open when the young alien hatches. More like Fantastic Voyage for teens. It is scary, though. The full review is here.

Today, in January Magazine’s children’s book section, contributing editor Sue Bursztynski looks at Night of the Fifth Moon by Anna Ciddor. Says Bursztynski: As in the Viking Magic series, [in Night of the Fifth Moon] magic is a part of everyday life. It is taken for granted that Druids can control the weather and find out who is lying in a legal case. When the hero brings some ancient warriors from their tomb to stop […]