Review by Robin Butler

Title of book: Getting Better
Author: Marie McNamara
Plot: This is a story of someone’s journey and their road to learning through education.
Main characters: Marie McNamara is a person who wanted to learn and found some help through going to the Job Centre. I started my road to learning in a very similar way.
The setting: The setting takes place in her personal life and the illustrations helped tell the story.
The style: It was written in a very easy way for others to understand. It also goes into detail about her personal life through her road to learning.
The best bits: The story line was very easy to understand and the illustrations were really nice.
Anything you would have changed: Acronyms (NIACE) should be explained.
Who is this book most suitable for?: I think this book is suitable for anyone who have problems with reading and writing.
Your opinion: I felt that I connected with Marie as I myself have started the same journey. It was nice to find at the end of the book that Marie is a real person and is now studying to become a nurse.
Your rating: 5 stars

Review by Paul

Title of book: Mudlake
Author: B L Hinde
Plot: The story is about people on an estate in gangs and taking drugs. They have no hope for work and better things.
Main characters: Rob is telling the story of him and Jake, his best mate and of Dale’s gang.
The setting: It took place on Mudlake, an estate at the end of a town. For me, the images give you an idea of the type of place it is.
The style: It was written in a simple way with images for more effect. It was written in the first person which I think is more effective. Feelings and thoughts were explored by Rob about his best mate, Jake.
The best bits: It gives you an insight into someone else’s world, and makes you think how hard it is for some people.
Anything you would have changed: A few less pictures and a few more words.
Who is this book most suitable for?: It is best for anyone who is learning to read.
Your opinion: It was quite easy to read. For some people being on the dole, taking drugs and smashing things up may be a way of life.
Your rating: 3 stars

Review by Jaye Glee

Title of book: Pam’s Secret
Author: Margaret Adams
Plot: It’s about a woman called Pam who works in a supermarket called Asco. She puts the bread on the shelves. She works with another woman called Jenny. Pam has a fixation on her boss.
Main characters : Pam who is very secretive; Jenny who sometimes works alongside Pam and is nasty and manipulative; Dan, one of the workers who was able to tell Pam the truth. I could identify with him.
The setting: A supermarket called Asco.
The style: The book was written in simple language because it would be easy to read. It wasn’t very descriptive but the conversation was fine. Many emotions were explored – friendship turned to betrayal; jealousy; anger; loneliness; secrecy; stealing and cheating; playing on someone’s emotions; being demeaned and laughed at.
The best bits: I enjoyed the part of Jenny – she played up to Pam and pretended to be something other than herself.
Anything you would have changed: I would like to put Jenny in Pam’s place and watch her reactions.
Who is this book most suitable for?: I think it would be good for younger people and older people, especially if they find reading difficult.
Your opinion: I did enjoy the story very much. I enjoyed Pam, holding her fantasy of belief and I also liked Jenny, who was pretending to be interested, yet robbed someone else’s fixation. I would recommend it to men or women who have a lot of emotional difficulties. It comes across in a simple way. I would be interested to read another book by the same author.
Your rating: 5 stars

Review by Bill

Title of book: Bob’s Problem
Author: Margaret Adams
Plot: Bob works in a supermarket. He has a secret and has to reveal his problem.
Main characters: Bob, the boss, Jenny, Mary and Lily.
The setting: It takes place in a supermarket.
The best bits: When Bob revealed his secret.
Anything you would have changed: Nothing!
Who is this book most suitable for?: Any young people.
Your sentences: Bob works in a supermarket and enjoys working there. But he has a secret and his boss lets him down. A courageous act changes his life. I liked the ending and outcome.
Your rating: 4 stars

Review by Amanda

Title of book: Pam’s Secret
Author: Margaret Adams
Plot: It is about people who work in a supermarket. Pam was in love with her boss.
Main characters: Jenny, Pam and the manager of the store.
The setting: The Supermarket
The best bits: When Pam found out her boss’s secret.
Anything you would have changed: no
Who is this book most suitable for?: adults, women
Your opinion: The pictures, story and ending were good.
My sentences: This book is set in a supermarket and is about Pam’s secret and the boss’s secret. Pam was very upset. She was crying. There were good pictures and a good story. The story had a good ending.
Your rating: 5 stars