City of Stars - Mary Hoffman

The second book in the Stavaganza series is about a teenage girl called Georgia O'Grady who is transported to another world-16th Century Italy (called Talia)-every night; and all she has to do is hold her model of a horse with wing (her tailsman) and think of Talia. Once there, she meets people who are the same as her and able to travel from England to Talia and she discovers that when she is in 16th century Italy, she has no shadow. While she is in Talia, She also Mulholland, a boy that used to go to her school back in England. He, like Georgia, is a Stavanganzate. She mets a young boy from the enemy, befriends him, and then he tells her that he wants to move permanently to England so he can cure his illness. When he begins to translate, things go from bad to worse... This is another great book from Mary Hoffman and definitely worth reading if you enjoyed the first book. I would rate this book 9.5/10

City of Masks - Mary Hoffman

This is the first book in the Stravaganza Sequence. It is about a young boy called Lucien Mullholland who finds out that he has special gift - the ability to travel in time and place to 16th century Italy or Talia as it is called then. His father gave him a book that later becomes his Tailsman-the object that enables him to be transported to a different place when the owner holds it whilst they are unconscious. He normally suffers from cancer, but when he is in Talia, it is like he is fully recovered. Luciano (as he is called in Talia) is living a double life. He discovers that there was a very important reason to go to Talia, and just as things seem to be running smoothly for him, life seems to take a change of direction and a long downhill plunge - for Lucien and Luciano.
This is a gripping story form beginning to end, and I would say it is suitable for girls and boys from 11yrs upwards. I would give this book 9.5/10.

Mariana and the Merchild - Caroline Pitcher and Jackie Morris

This is yet another book where Jackie has done fabulous illustrations (but how couldn't she?) I apologise, but i am running out of ways to describe her amazing work and must concentrate more on the content, word-wise. It is a beautiful story about a lonely person who longs for friendship. Then,one day, she finds something really special hidden inside a crab shell and realises a true love and friendship.
I would rate this book 9.7********* out of 10**********!!

The Barefoot Book of Classic Poems - Jackie Morris

There are most of my favourite poems ever in here and the are accompanied by amazing illustrations. The thing that I like most about Jackie's work is her careful eye to detail. She almost always has something going on in the background and I do love the way that she draws her Polar Bears. I wish I could! The poems are of varied length and from many different genres. She continues to amaze me about how well she can draw. I would rate this book 9.8********* out of 10*********!!!

Until Wishes Are Fulfilled 2-Alec's Story- Michael Alexander.

I find this book just as good as the first one. It has the same basic idea, but it is really different at the same time. It is full of new magical spells and that same sense of fun as last time. In it, you meet some of the old characters and some new ones.I love all of the creative ideas and wish i could do half of the things the children in this book can do! Is there no end to Michael's imagination? It seems not! It is just as good as the first book and I hope there are many more to come in this series. As last time, I have a friend currently reading this so she can give me her review of the book as well. I would give this book 9.5********* out of 10**********!