Grace by Morris Gleitzman

Title: Grace
Author: Morris Gleitzman
Published by: Puffin
Publication date: 3rd February 2011
Pages: 192
Genres: Children's/Young Adult/Religion/Family
Format: Paperback
Source: Review copy from the publisher.

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In the beginning there was me and Mum and Dad and the twins.

And good luck was upon us and things were great and talk about happy families, we were bountiful...

But it came to pass that I started doing sins.

And lo, that's when all our problems began...

Grace is a short book about a highly religious family of five. They attend a community church, but it seems like it's more of a religious cult. Grace and her Dad don't totally believe in all the rules they have to stick to. Never touch an outsider (i.e a non-Christian), never talk to an outsider, no one who's part of the church is allowed a mobile until aged 21, if an outsider gives you food, you must boil it first - if you don't, the devil will seep into your body etc etc. The family try to leave the church, but it ends with very serious consequences...

At first I thought it was a bit stupid. I know that things like this actually do happen in real life, but at first I just thought it was a bit ridiculous. As the story went on, though, I started to find the whole story quite interesting and fascinating.

My favourite character wasn't Grace, but Kyle. Kyle is an outsider from Grace, but Grace still goes to him for help (I can't say why Grace needs help....I don't do spoilers!) Kyle seems so nice. He hardly knows Grace but he still goes through loads of trouble to help her.

The worst characters, for me, were Grace's friend Delilah and Grace's Grandpop. Delilah, for one thing, is seriously annoying - always going on about how Grace is 'so going to be judged' for doing this and that. In my opinion, Grace can do what she wants and Delilah shouldn't be trying to control her. Grandpop is the same. He's so controlling and mean....he lies to Grace a lot and he is just really nasty.

I feel really sorry for Grace in the story. She has to go through a lot, physically and emotionally. The emotions just seem to jump right off the page.

I'm not religious myself, but I still give this book a 5/5. It was truly amazing - read it in a day! I think this book should be okay for 9+....that's the recommended reading age on the back of the book.

Billionaire Boy by David Walliams

Title: Billionaire Boy
Author: David Walliams
Published by: Harper Collins
Publication date: 9th June 2011.
Pages: 288
Genres: Children's/Young Adult/Comedy
Format: Hardback.
Source: Gift

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a million pounds?

Or a billion?

How about a trillion?

Or even a gazillion?

Inside this book, you'll meet a boy who had all that and more...

The main character in this book is Joe Spud, son of gazillionaire Len Spud, who made millions by....well, making loo roll. Joe is ridiculously spoilt and even has his own Formula One life-sized car and race track in his back garden, and even en-suite bathrooms that have en-suites that have en-suites! It's not all fun and games though. Think he has everything? Nope. He just wants one simple thing; a friend.

This book is hilarious and fun, yet still manages to give out the message that money just doesn't buy you happiness. Through reading this book, you can tell David Walliams is a naturally funny person, perhaps more so through writing rather than on TV.

The ideas in this book are imaginative, funny and ridiculous, which is exactly what makes the book great!

Billionaire Boy is aimed at slightly younger children, but I think anyone would enjoy this! For children or even the children-at-heart. And adults who are fans of David Walliams's TV comedies! I give this a rating of 5/5. It's a brilliant book!!