Hello dear readers! This is Miss A. Misra here after quite a while. (I really need to change that intro) I have read a good number of books while I was offline, and one of them includes The Midnight Gang by David Walliams. (please note that I did not buy this book though I have read it. How? I borrowed it from a friend)
I started reading it yesterday and it ended today.
Basically, I had just finished watching the first of “Attack on Titans” and decided that, well. Since I have nothing else to do, I’ll just finish the book real quick.
Firstly, the book is illustrated almost every few pages, which makes it easier to read and more fun for children. The drawings are quite decent and given in just the right places.
Second of all, the plot is very wholesome and sweet. It’s about a gang of children who are admitted in the children’s ward in Lord Funt’s hospital. They set about, fulfilling each other’s dreams in the most creative methods possible. For example. one boy wanted to fly. The children took all the helium balloons in the hospital and tied it to him so that he could float safely up the stairs and after popping a few balloons, float down again. There’s George, who loves eating and had his tonsils removed. Amber, who broke all her limbs because she fell off her bunk (don’t ask me how, I don’t know how.) Then there’s sarcastic Robin, who got some operation on his eyes and has to wear a bandage around them and can’t see. There’s Sally, who is so ill she almost always sleeps and has the tiniest amount of hair left. (I’m serious, almost all the hair on her head has fallen off) Then the new patient, Tom, who got hit by a cricket ball on the head. Together they form the midnight gang who set about at midnight (which is why they are called the midnight gang, as you probably have guessed by this time, it’s pretty obvious to me, but anyway-) And there is also last but not the least Porter, whose real name is unknown, who helps the children in their work. He has a lopsided face and one leg which is shorter than the other, however is very kind and generous even though he has no home of his own. Of course, there HAS to be an evil antagonist in a plot like this, who in this case is the matron, who hates children but takes care of the children’s ward. (???, I’m sorry, that makes no sense to me either, but it is what it is.)
Well, Tom’s parents live abroad and he feels lonely and unwanted because they hardly ever write to him in boarding school. He settles in the children’s ward quite well and even gets entry to the midnight gang (on the condition that he should always push Amber around on her wheelchair because no one else wanted to do so, on account of her being so terribly bossy. But that’s hardly the point, is it?) They have three main missions left to accomplish, Ambers’ (visiting the South Pole) George’s (flying) and Sally’s (living a wonderful life because she feels that since she’s always so ill, it would be a change for her to finally experience something else rather than lying in bed all day). The mean matron keeps trying to spoil their fun, so George puts a sleeping pill in the chocolates she eats at night, causing her to sleep all the time. That leaves the three children free to do whatever.
But they don’t include Sally in these adventures, since she is too ill and fragile. Tom, however, has no major problem with him, so he could join, as I mentioned before. The whole book is basically run on this whole plot.
The third thing I really liked about this story is that there is a whole lot of humour. Sarcasm, irony, simple jokes, or just random circumstances that appear funny to me for no reason,the full deal is packed into the book. However, the ending was rather too sudden, and I felt sad that (spoiler here) Tom just had to leave all his new friends .The reason you will find out when you read the book.Its unfair that everything just ends right when it was getting interesting. But if you think about it, no one can stay in a hospital forever and ever, no matter how ill you are.Atleast it’s not a good thing then.But since I am not discussing serious issues here this book review ends here.
Well, that was “The Midnight Gang” By David Walliams. I hope you liked this article. See you in the next one! Goodbye, signing off~
book review by child reader
Percy Jackson and the Chalice of the Gods: Book Review
Hello dear readers! This is Miss A. Misra here with another book review! ( that intro is getting too old..) This time, it’s quite a recent one. It’s “The Chalice of the Gods” by Rick Riordan, published in mid-September or October last year. I bought it at the airport along with the “Ordeal by Innocence” book I wrote about before. It is a smaller novel than the original Percy Jackson series but is connected to the series. The text print is bigger and easier to read (much to Mom’s approval). The book is left at a part where Percy STILL has a quest to finish, and it’s just my luck that the next book in the series has not even been published up to now! The release date is some three or four months away.
So, this time, Percy is going to another university, but it needs three recommendation letters from three different gods or goddesses. His councilor, a water nymph helps him search out a task. Ganymede, the cupbearer in Olympus, has lost his magical chalice ( If you didn’t know, it’s a type of fancy goblet with lots of designs and gold-rimmed edges and all those totally necessary jewels.) that grants anyone immortality. And of course, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover set off to investigate at once. According to Ganymede, everyone on Olympus, except for Zeus, hates him. Eventually, he points out that Hebe ( the Greek goddess of eternal youth, if I remember right. It’s pronounced like: “Hee-bee”, not “hey-bey” or anything else!) and Iris (the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and yeah, it’s pronounced as you see it, okay?) would be the most plausible suspects. Grover mentions that he THINKS he knows what Hebe’s secret lair is. And wouldn’t you be surprised? The name of the place was literally-
“Hebe Jeebies”
(insert “jungshook” face here)
How ironically obvious. But Hebe must have just taken one look at that word in the dictionary and been like: “Heebie” is pronounced like my name, so I’ll just go and (*steals*)Anyways, it was a sort of jumbo, massive, disco, karaoke, and arcade place rolled into one. There were candy types that existed AGES ago, arcade games no one remembered since their childhoods, and songs playing that were unheard of for years. So, it’s a place meant to cause nostalgia to be young again, which I guess does make sense since Hebe was the goddess of youth, anyway! Hebe was the manager and had taken her human form as a girl of around 14 or 15, with a paisley minidress and also some white boots along with them. Which, is not a very good style to go with, but from Percy’s POV, it looks okay. So, let’s let it pass the time.
When the trio reached, they met the manager of the place, Sparky, and she was nine years old. But do you know what? Well, she was 90-SOMETHING years old but after working in Hebe’s place she got her blessing and wished to be young again. Odd, but whatever. After some strolling around, they find Hebe in the karaoke bar and when they try to inquire about Ganymede’s cup, she gets angry and turns them all into eight years old again! When they try to go to Sparky, Sparky sets a flock of flesh-eating chickens on their trail!
( phew)
So now they are stuck as primary schoolers, need to find Ganymede’s chalice, not offend other goddesses, and get back to their original ages. That’s a whole load of work for a trio of teens. Did I mention that on the way Iris ( goddess of the rainbow) gives them ANOTHER quest that requires Percy to go to a river full of snakes? I did not. Now you know.
Will they be able to find the chalice? Not get killed by some snakes? And will they make it in time before Zeus finds out Ganymede lost the magic cup and blasts some people with his scary lightning bolts?
Well, this book was quite good and entertaining, but the plot just failed the point in my case. Why even? To get a college application he needs THREE QUESTS. I thought the mortal people didn’t even know of the gods-so how? I read that part so many times and it still did not make sense.
Otherwise, it’s really good. Though Percy, Annabeth, and Grover are all 17 now, the story is still written in the same sarcastic and humorous way I like. Some parts were so hilarious I almost fell off my chair. The humor is so spot on, it feels like it is Percy who is writing the book. Sometimes I have to remind myself that the narrator himself is fictional. The book ends without Percy getting his last quests, which is sad. But as it IS smaller than the rest of the original series that’s expected.
One thing to keep in mind is that to enjoy this book is to read some of the original series because there are so many inside jokes and lines that only fans of the series will get. If you haven’t yet read the original series, most of the jokes will make no sense to you!
Sharing is good Karma!
The Storm Keeper’s Island by Catherine Doyle #LittleReader Review
Hi! This is Miss A.Misra here again to give you a book review on-The Storm keeper’s island by Catherine Doyle.
This book was given to me by a friend on my birthday. I was saving all my new books to read later after the exam, and I started with this one yesterday, and finished it some time ago.
This certain book was totally engaging and had me hooked from the first line. It has the tongue-in-cheek ironic humour yet the deep dark secrets of Arranmore island poke through and get straight to you.
The Storm keeper’s island is about a magical island called Arranmore ( you must have understood that in the last line, though!) where a boy called Fionn and his sister Tara ( very annoying, might add, but gets nicer.) go to their grandfather. Fionn’s sister refuses to tell him anything ( typical) and goes off with her friend Bartley and his younger sister, Shelby. Shelby is quite nice and obviously Fionn thinks she is better than her good for nothing, rich brother.
There is a secret about Arranmore island. It has a stormkeeper, who controls, manipulates and has reign over the weather, storm, sun and sea. This storm keeper is chosen by the wishing tree given by Dagda, the great conqueror. The current stormkeeper is Fionn and Tara’s grandfather!(OMG)
He controls the great area by pouring magic into a candle, and harnessing the power within him. But he is slowly fading away, losing power and memory. It is time for a new keeper. But who will get there first? Fionn or Bartley?
Meanwhile, an evil magician woman called Morrigan was confined deep into the ground by Dagda the Great, over thousands of years ago. She is still waiting for the prophecy to complete ” I shall reign when the boy rises”. Fionn feels her presence, ever so closely now, along with the eyes of the Secret Soulstalkers, Morrigan’s old army who have returned.
This book has a cliffhanger ending, and has a second part which is a book I don’t have yet.
My opinion? Well, this is an absolute must read! I have no complaints about this book, except it might need to explain some things a bit better. Its slightly confusing in some parts.
This is part of Bookchatter and #TBRChallenge
Sharing is good Karma!
“GOOD work, Secret Seven” Book Summary and Review by Little Miss A.Misra
Who is Little Miss A. Misra?
My first blog post: ON “GOOD work, Secret Seven”
Hello Everyone! I am Little Miss A. Misra. I am the daughter of Dr.Amrita Basu and Dr.Abhijit Misra , the people behind this website. Nice to meet you! I am launching the Children’sCorner on the blog.
Now, let me tell you a little bit about myself. Just a little bit. I promise it’s not going to be a lengthy autobiography.
I adore books. Half my house is full of books. Seriously. We could open a library if we wanted to. Every day, after lunch, I simply HAVE to sit in my room and read a book. Mostly I read Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, and Ruskin Bond.
I really like to paint and draw Anime. But mainly Anime GIRLS. I doubt I’ve drawn more than 5 boys in my life. And they were all of my father while drawing a family picture.
Anyways, moving on! I also enjoy gardening. We have two balconies, and it is bursting with greenery. It’s an attraction to birds, butterflies, and sometimes bees. In school, when a bee buzzes around us, everyone is divided into three groups. One group: The scared one, whose eyes keep following the bee to see if it’s near. Number Two: I must catch it with my book! (Or pretend to!)
Third group: The teacher who says it’s fine, why is everyone making a fuss?
Okay, the Introduction is done!
Let’s start today’s topic: ” Good work, Secret Seven” by Enid Blyton
Short Summary of GOOD work, Secret Seven Book no.6 from the Secret Seven Series by Enid Blyton
Book for 7 to 10 years.
In this book, the adventurous group ” Secret Seven”( Consisting of Peter, Janet, Pamela, Barbara, Jack, George, and Colin, along with Scamper the Dog) is getting ready for bonfire night. Once, while in Colin’s shed, risked their lives, because it caught fire suddenly, because of a candle! After having tea at a nanny’s home, their father comes to pick them up in a car from there. But, when he suddenly stops and tells them to wait a minute, two rogues unexpectedly steal it, and drive off!
Poor Peter and Janet were hiding and very scared. The people who stole the car, stopped it, in the dark, and went away. The two children come out and go to the telephone booth and call their father, wanting to tell the police. He came immediately and laughed at the idea.
Quick Book Review
Pro’s:
1. It’s quite exciting, especially the parts where Peter is dressed as Guy Fawkes
2. The book is very descriptive. I can picture everything in my mind.
3. All the chapters are very good, I keep wanting to read what’s next.
Con’s
1. The book is not AS funny as the others in the series
2. Some characters, like Barbara and Colin don’t do much, or say more than a sentence here. Even Scamper the golden spaniel has more parts than them
My review Rating:
4.5 out of 5 stars
This book is amazingly written, with lovely descriptions and wonderful construction. Would suggest for a good read. The only thing is that it is not as funny as the other books in this series, and some characters have no role in the book at all!
But, again, it makes me want to have such amazing adventures with friends. They never seem to happen!
Conclusion:
Wonderful Book!
That’s it. I have nothing else to say.
Well, goodbye today, and will meet you next week!
Cheers!
WEEKLY Puzzle collected from various sources(I will mention sources if and when I find them,you can let me know too.)
Answer in the comments
This is quite easy. Look at the WORDs carefully
” I come once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never once in a zillion years. Who am I?”
This part of Blogchatter halfmarathon challenge and also #CauseAchatter
