Shrewsbury Bookfest Book Reviews!

A very scary story by Katie

A shrill cry echoed from the distance and she knew she had to get out of there, take the body and finish the deed that she so carelessly agreed to. What if somebody spotted her? What if he was the wrong person? Would her throat be slit and her blood wasted, that is what she had done to the innocent victim. All she knew was her master wanted a boy, a boy who walked through the forest at twilight, a boy with the perfect blood. She pulled out her small glass tube and held it to his broken neck: she needed the blood for her quest. After she had collected five drops she threw the corpse into the mist and the trees, closed up the bottle tightly: not one drop could be spared.

Weaving in and out of the trees she sprinted as fast as she could and above her lighting stuck and thunder cracked, she knew it had been too late. hadn’t it? Faster and Faster she went, ducking under the branches, jumping over the roots that lay there waiting to trip her up. Suddenly she stopped; it wasn't just her there. Footsteps came from behind her and rustling in the bushes in front. “Hello?” she shouted “ Who is there?” but nobody or nothing answered. The rustling grew louder and louder and soon was right behind her. A cold dagger pushed up against her back “Goodbye” said a low voice….

Bookfest shortlist book reviews by Bethan

The Skull in the wood

This book has a creepy plot and the backdrop of Dartmoor. The book ambles along at a steady pace, mysteriously you become drawn into the storyteller’s power.

As the mist rolls off the moor, dark things begin to happen when a buried skull is found in a wood.The two inquisitive children soon found themselves cursed by the gabblerachet (a great name but a dreadful nightmare). Dreadful things begin to happen as the curse begins to feed off their emotions. The only to stop the curse is to work together, but will it be enough………..or will the curse end up taking them all.

The Last Wild

Kester Jaynes, twelve- just about to turn thirteen, lost the ability to speak when his mum died six years ago. Now he lives in Spectrum Hall with other challenging children. Spectrum Hall is more of a prison then a school but then Kester  whole word is pretty unpleasant.

As people huddle in the remaining cities, the countryside is devastated and all the animals died due to the red eyed virus. At least that’s what everyone believes. But Kester is about to discover that at least one small group of animals has survived and HE is the one person can help them.   

A flick of St. Nick

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.,

I was thinking of presents under the tree,

When it came to mind which ones were for me..

The children were getting ready for bed,

when the Christmas jingles got stuck in their heads,

I looked out of the window and saw lots of snow,

and I then heard a voice say Ho Ho Ho.

I knew from a flick,

it must be St. Nick,

and I went with a flash,

but first I heard a crash .

St. Nick came down with a huge sack,

Filled with lots of toys on his back,

I jumped with joy and said “Look that's my toys”,

As he handed them over with elegance and joy.

As St. Nick said you should be in bed,

I started to yawn he said you sleepy head,

Before I fell in to my bed I watched him drive out of sight,

I said, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."

By Bethan, Lille, Laura, Tyler, Michael

The morning of Christmas - by Owen, Louie, Georgia, Charlie and Darnell

The morning of Christmas

It was the morning of Christmas,

a time of the year.

Where children sprang out of their beds with great cheer.

Presents were placed under the tree,

I was hoping one of them was there for me.

I had been wishing and wishing for a baseball bat,

but I knew it was just a scarf and a hat.

As I put them on ready to go out,

something blocked the door and I heard a shout.

Finally the door swung open and what did I see?

A jolly old man smiling at me.

Then I turned around to rub my eyes,

St.Nicholas had gone without goodbyes.

When then I ran out to play in the snow,

I heard a faint, jolly voice saying "HO HO HO!!!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

'Twas the Morning of Christmas - Lucie, Callum, Louis and Lucas

'Twas The Morning of Christmas!!!

It was the morning of Christmas when it started to begin.

Everyone was spending time with their kin.

People were opening their presents with joy.

Which put a smile on every girl and boy.

We ran to the stockings in search for more,

The contents filled our eyes with wonder and awe.

Everyone sat at the table to await the feast.,

We all tucked into a succulent geese.

The children went out to play in the snow,

Their rosy cheeks were filled with glow.

Finally came the end of the day,

Then I realised it was only May!

The wait for St Nick - by Alfie, Ella, Alex, Natasha and Cara

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

I lay there excited  in wait of Saint Nick,

hoping that he would arrive real quick.

Happiness filled the atmosphere,

everyone waiting for Saint Nick to appear.

Once everybody had fallen asleep,

Santa appeared for his midnight treat.

Everyone’s houses were filled with glee,

as people were walking up to see.

Glorious presents left in the night,

stockings filled with presents delights!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!