Turn over a new leaf

Young writers from Children's Express review the latest fiction for young people.

Scientific research proves that reading not only improves your vocabulary but your spelling and social skills, too.

Yet children today are spending less time reading than their parents did. This can be explained by distractions such as television and computers.

Publishers are trying to target teenagers with attractive, colourful book covers to make reading exciting in the same way as CDs, clothes and computer games.

Young journalists at Children's Express have reviewed several of the books on the short-list for the Sheffield 2002 Children's Book Awards, designed to give young people the chance to become involved in new areas of reading.

More than 90 local schools have been involved in the Sheffield Children's Book Award project. They have been reading, reviewing and voting for their favourite books. The results will be announced at the Lyceum Theatre on November 22.

The Sheffield Children's Book Award is a project by Sheffield Libraries, Archives and Information Service, supported by Blackwell's Bookshop of Broomhill and Gemma Books.

Saffy’s Angel by Hilary McKay

Saffy's Angel is about a young girl whose grandfather dies and leaves her an angel in his will. The angel is lost but Saffy remembers it in her dreams and sets out to Italy with her disabled friend to find it.

"I think that this book is for girls aged between eight and 11 years old. I found it difficult to review this book because of the age difference. However, I did find it easy to read."

Saarah Choudhury, 16

"This book was well written and is aimed at children younger than me so it didn't really appeal to me. Even though I wouldn't read this book again, I did find the end interesting."

Rachel Walmsley, 15

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Sephy and Callum live in an alternative world. Callum is a nought, Sephy a cross. They are in love.

Simple though it seems, this is the most heinous crime they can commit. There follows the story of their relationship across the years and the anguish they both suffer through their social positions.

"It was gripping, suspenseful and interesting from the beginning. I was so fascinated I couldn't put it down. It never failed to come up with an interesting and surprising twist."

Sabrina Golding, 15

"I started reading this book one and a half days ago, and I can honestly say that I have not been able to put it down. I would recommend it to anyone. It is suitable for both children and adults."

Holly Gillway, 13

The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

A young girl living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Women cannot go to school. When her father is arrested she must act as a boy so she can leave the house and raise money for her family.

"The book is well written and skilfully explains the destruction caused by the Taliban. However, I would have enjoyed it more if I had been younger."

Natalie Ansell, 16

"It is quite in-depth for a children's book, but I think it is quite weakly written. In some parts it failed to live up to my expectations by not keeping up with the tension. The story line is interesting and I think that it is good for a story to be set in a different part of the world."

Erin Heenan, 13

Wrecked by Robert Swindells

Wrecked is about getting drunk. All night, every night, 24/7. Even when you're meant to be doing your GCSE revision. Or your exams. That's what the characters in this story have done, and that's why they're dreading their results day. This book involves clubbing, winos, work, mums, love and being in debt to the local one-man-Mafia.

"This book has a great plot, a punchy conclusion and a sting in the tail that will leave you reeling. Then you'll have to stop and think for a bit. It's a great book and I'd definitely recommend it."

Jennifer Matthews, 16

"This book is almost depressing to read, but at the same time hard-hitting and realistic. The way the author has written it made it very enthralling, and new things keep happening."

Laura Smith, 14

Milo’s Wolves by Jenny Nimmo

A girl discovers she has a long lost brother from her mother and father's past. Something strange is going on, and soon Laura becomes involved more and more deeply in the mystery.

"At first the title intrigued me, and after reading the exiting blurb I began reading the book . Beneath the unusual story line, the ultimate lessons to be learnt are to trust and believe."

Wei Jun Chung, 14

"This book is excellently written, and despite the ending being a bit rushed, I have really enjoyed reading it. I think it can appeal to anyone."

Louise Hardy, 16

Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

Shawn has cerebral palsy. Shawn is a genius. Shawn finds himself stuck in neutral because he can never communicate with others. This is the story of what happens in Shawn's mind, how he thinks and feels about all that goes on around him.

"I enjoyed this book, but I think it would be more suitable for teenage boys. This book would not only encourage boys to read more, but also reassure them that everyone should be given another chance."

Wei Jun Chung, 14

"This is a great book, despite being a little depressing. Shawn's thoughts are engaging and endearing, and we find ourselves drawn into his odd world. A good, but not great, read."

Jennifer Matthews, 16

Quality of books for teenagers is getting higher

Beverley Ward is the youthBOOx project officer with the Sheffield libraries and the youth service. Here are her views on young people and reading.

"Reading for teenagers is important as it develops literacy skills and enables young people to escape real-life problems - to understand emotions and to improve social skills.

"It is assumed young adults don't read just because they're not reading novels. From my experience they're reading other things like magazines and non-fiction in subjects they are interested in.

"I don't think they are necessarily put at a big disadvantage by not reading novels. But publishers realise that young people are generally not reading novels and are trying to attract them with bright covers and designs.

"The current generation has more distractions, such as games consoles, TVs and computers. However, the quality of books aimed at teenagers now is much higher than it was for previous generations of teenagers.

"Books concentrate more on honest issues that concern teenagers, such as bullying, drugs and teenage pregnancies, rather than the traditional classics.

"One of my favourite teenage books is Junk by Melvin Burgess, and that is about teenagers and drugs. Stargirl by Jenny Spinelli is another of my personal favourites. I haven't read all the books on the Book award shortlist. But I loved Noughts and Crosses. It was really gripping."

About the team

This story was produced by members of the Sheffield bureau. It was published in the Sheffield Telegraph.