My favourite books I've read in lockdown

During the lockdown, I've read a lot more books than I would usually. I decided to compile a list of my favourite ones that I've read so far, accompanied by small reviews. I hope to do full reviews of some of these books soon!

1. Ruby Redfort: Look Into my Eyes

Author: Lauren Child

Genre: Crime 

Age Range: 9-15

Rating Out of 10: 8

Publisher: HarperCollins

First Published: 2011

Plot

Ruby Redfort is probably one of the best books I've read in lockdown. The main character is Ruby, an extremely clever teenager,  who is obsessed with anything to do with code-cracking and logic puzzles. One day, the phone starts ringing persistently... But with no answer. Until she is left a riddle on her answering machine, and needs to figure out who's calling, and what they want with her.

Good Things About the Book

• The characters have good personalities and are likeable (or not likeable) immediately
• The plot is always engrossing
• The language is descriptive
• The front cover is enticing and doesn't give too much away

Things I didn't enjoy

• In some chapters, a scene may go on for too long or not long enough. However, that doesn't affect the book too much

2. The Harry Potter books

Author: J. K. Rowling

Genre: Fantasy

Age Range: 9+

Rating out of 10: 8.5

Publisher: Bloomsbury

First Book Published: 1997

Plot

The plot of Harry Potter is so well known, I don't need to go into it much. A giant called Hagrid manages to locate a boy called Harry Potter, and informs him that he is a wizard. Harry is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and his different adventures are described throughout a series of seven books. These are some of my favourite books of all time.

Good Things About the Book

• The characters are relatable and likeable; I especially liked Hermione Granger and Hagrid
• There are many different elements of the book which readers can get involved in, such as the different houses
• The language is descriptive and makes you want to read on
• The plot is usually very interesting and exciting

Things I didn't like

• In several books in the series, the plot can get lost and become unclear, which might feel like a let down, especially if you have committed to reading a long book 
• Some of the books are unnecessarily long, such as Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

3. Boy Underwater

Author: Adam Baron

Illustrator: Benji Davies

Genre: Mystery-Adventure

Age Range: 10-14

Rating out of 10: 7

Publisher: HarperCollins

First Published: 2018

Plot

Cymbeline Igloo has never been swimming. And he's not ready for a humiliating accident during school swimming lessons, or how it leads to his mum having a breakdown. So Cymbeline, with the help of some of his friends, explores why his mum has never taken him swimming... and what really happened to his dad.

Good Things About the Book

• The story deals with issues such as mental health, but is still quite light-hearted and funny
• Despite there being few illustrations, they do add to the story itself. In addition to this, the front cover is beautiful
• Even if a chapter seems unimportant to begin with, everything comes together in the end

Things I didn't like

• The way some parts are phrased can be a bit irritating and cringey

4. Billie Templar's War

Author: Ellie Irving

Genre: Adventure

Age Range: 9-14

Rating out of 10: 7.5

Publisher: Corgi Children's Books

First Published: 2012

Plot

Billie Templar's dad is out fighting in the war, and she wants bring him home. How will they win the Merchant Stanton Carnival three-legged race if he's thousands of miles away? Then, when his friend comes home severely injured, Billie realises this is about more than a race... It's about her dad coming home safely.

Good Things About the Book

• The book is light-hearted and funny, despite dealing with something bleak and dark
• The characters are all interesting to read about, and have strong, funny personalities
• The author well-depicts how an 11 year old girl might behave 

Things I didn't like

• The text is meant to represent a northern accent (it's written in 1st person), but it seems like it is only remembered every now and then, so it seems like two different people talking

 5. Saxby Smart, Private Detective

Author: Simon Cheshire

Genre: Detective

Age Range: 8-13

Rating out of 10: 8.5

Publisher: Piccadilly Press LTD

First Book Published: 2007

Plot

I have only read 3 of 9 of the Saxby Smart books, but am already hooked. Each book is seperated into 3 stories, and gives you enough information to work it out for yourself. Each story is roughly the same... Someone comes into Saxby's shed (or "Crime HQ") and comes to him with a suspicious story. He then sets himself on figuring it out.

Good Things About the Book

• The result is never a let down
• The stories are short and snappy, meaning they don't veer of topic at all
• They are good for preteens to be introduced to proper mystery novels, such as Sherlock Holmes
• The books are structured as though each story is a case file, which means you are able to understand what is going through the main character's mind

Things I didn't enjoy

• The plots are often long and complicated, and I doubt most people could work out the results

6. The House With Chicken Legs

Author: Sophie Anderson

Illustrator: Elisa Paganelli

Genre: Coming-of-age, Surreal Reality

Age Range: 9-14

Rating out of 10: 9

Publisher: Usbourne Publishing LTD

First Published: 2017

Plot

Marinka lives in a house with chicken legs. Her grandmother, Baba Yaga, guides the dead, and Marinka is going to too when she is older. However, all she wants is a normal life, where she can stay somewhere long enough to make friends, and be allowed to mix with other people.

Good Things About the Book

• The book is a mixture of classic fairy tales and  modern children's books, making it an exciting read
• The chapters are nice and short, so you can quickly read one in your spare time
• None of the characters are annoying to read about

Things I didn't like

• I think it was creative of the author to use some Russian words, but it became frustrating having to keep turning back to the glossary