How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse (Book sent by www.writeaway.org.uk)

(Image taken from the Play.com Website)
How to Cheat a Dragon's Curse is the second of two books that I have recently read in order to write a review of it. Read the review below and feel free to comment:

Title: How to Cheat a Dragon’s Curse

Author: Cressida Cowell

Genre: Humour

Age Range: 7+

Theme/Subject: vikings, friendship, dragons, self-esteem, bravery

Publisher: Hodder

ISBN: 0340902639

Reviewer: Mat Tobin

Summary:

Can Hiccup find the antidote to deadly Vorpentitis and fight the Doomfang? Can he brave the axe of Norbert the Nutjob, leader of the psychotic Hysterics tribe, and be the hero yet again? Hiccup’s best friend, Fishlegs, faces death after being struck down by a deadly poison. The antidote: a rare and heavily guarded….potato.

Review:

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is back in another rather fishy tale of daring, dashing, skiing and blatant potato burgling. We’re joined by the usual crew of Camicazi (whom every school-boy in their right mind should have a crush on), Toothless (Hiccup’s pet dragon) and Fishlegs (possibly the worst shot with a bow and arrow in existence).

Although this is the fourth book in the adventures of Hiccup, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. However, I would advise anyone to go back and read any of the others as they’re missing out. The series is fun, light-hearted and one with a constant message which sings out that it does not matter how small or indifferent you look and feel; anything is possible if you put your mind to it!

The book itself is lathered in a lovely mix of text and illustrations. At times the images swamp over double pages and at other times it’s the text which swallows up the illustrations: an attractive spread that could possibly hook in the reluctant reader. The pictures are all cartoon-like and thickly inked and the pages are crammed full of posters, guides, medical footnotes and explanatory pieces, all cunningly created in the style that come across as glorified children’s drawings. These are accompanied by Cowell’s childish jokes too (lots of people get struck on the bottom with arrows).

The story, which appeals to both girls and boys, would work well as a guided/group reading book for Year 4 or 5 children: it is good fun and has a strong message about friendship and believing in oneself: nice for raising one’s self-esteem. Lively, laugh-out-loud in places, warm-hearted and full of hope for the hero that lives in all of us. This is a book that should sit comfortably on any child’s bookshelf: another firm addition to the adventures of Hiccup.

Ramose: The Wrath of RA (Book sent by www.writeaway.org.uk)

(Image taken from Black Dog Books Website)
Ramose is one of two books that I have recently read in order to write a review of it. Read the review below and feel free to comment:

Blurb:

Ramose has been captured by rebels. He's in desperate need of help. Yet everyone seems to have turned against him - even his own sister. Are the gods angry with him? And can he escape the wrath of Ra? Enter the world of the Pharaohs in Ramose's final journey to discover his destiny.

Title: Ramose – The Wrath of Ra

Author: Carole Wilkinson

Illustrator: N/A

Genre: Historical Fiction

Age Range: 7-11 (writeaway search parameters = 6-8, 9-11

Curriculum Subject: History

Theme/Subject: Ancient Egypt, betrayal, adventure, history, friendship

Publisher: Catnip

ISBN: 1846470072

Reviewer: Mathew Tobin

Review:

The Wrath of Ra is a short adventure story (161 pages to be exact) following the journey of Ramose, brother to the Pharaoh. The story begins with the Ramose's return to his homeland only to find that his devious sister, Hatsheput, has dug her claws into Egypt's rule and plots against him.

With the help of his soldier friend, Hapu and outsider, Karoya, Ramose attempts to find his footing back amongst the halls of the Pharaoh's home and bring a sense of order to a turbulent Egypt. Will such a strike cost him and his friends their lives though? You'll just have to read the book to find out.

'Ramose: The Wrath of Ra' is the fourth and final installation of Wilkinson's Ancient Egypt series. As a stand alone novel it has a fair whiff of adventure whilst trying to paint a vivid picture of life in the times of the pharaohs. In my opinion, it succeeds in the latter field, but rather misses in the former. If you want a novel of grand adventure and excitement then this is not it. If, as a teacher, you want a book that has some excitement whilst also lending a nod to illustrating life in Ancient Egypt then perhaps giving this series of books the once-over may be worth your while.

For me, I felt that Wilkinson was torn between trying to create a good story and attempting to hit all the buttons on bringing life to the world that embodies Ancient Egypt. Having taught the Ancient Egyptians to my Year 5 class for a few years now, I did smile at the textbook images and lifestyles illustrated in the author's work. However, I would not read it to my class as I feel that the story itself was not good enough.

It would make a fair addition to the class/school library. The option for a child to apply their own vision of Ancient Egypt to that created by the author would be good and perhaps rewarding: as a story though I found the characters slightly lacklustre.

Unfortunately, I have not read the three preceding novels and wonder if the build up of the world and characters would have helped me appreciate all that takes place in this final instalment. Perhaps a group of budding readers who are becoming secure in their reading ability would appreciate a book where the story is easy to follow, the world is clear and vivid and the text easy to grasp. If so, then this would fit the bill.