This book is a fabulous choice for teachers! It serves as the springboard for numerous lesson ideas. A science unit in which students learn about the five simple machines then employ that knowledge by designing and constructing their own robots. Mathematical concepts obviously will be needed in conjunction with the construction as well as in determining the distance traveled by the novel's young protagonist, Alex, and his grandfather as they trek across Europe. That adventure easily lends itself to a unit on geography. History comes into play by studying the invention and different applications of robots over the years. (You could even debate the merits of automation of jobs.) Language arts lessons are seemingly endless; rewriting the ending, writing the story from one of the robots' points of view, changing the setting, etc. Vocabulary, spelling, you name it, this book is a gold mine! Everything Ross writes is brilliant, and he’s so skilled at writing both humour and deeply chilling situations and characters. Christmas Dinner of Souls is such a unique book – a story made up of short stories told by a cast of hideous characters, all vying to be the most terrifying. It is a creepy joy to read, and an excellent book to read aloud. Monstrous Devices by Damien Love But as strange events start occurring around him, it doesn't take Alex long to suspect that the small toy is more than special; it might also be deadly. Just as things are getting out of hand, Alex's grandfather arrives, whisking him away from his otherwise humdrum life and into a world of strange, macabre magic. Prague has a rich, beautiful, and fearful history at times. This is hinted at and could be employed fully to really explore why the Golem is there, what role the Charles Bridge plays, along with the other important (and perhaps magical) buildings and locations. I'll admit that the last few chapters felt a bit rushed and happened way too fast, but I absolutely digged that ending. I loved that Alex took control and got familiar with the macabre. Love takes us on a whirlwind tour of Europe, filled with monstrous tin robots as well as the glamour of snow clad Europe, tea and cakes! I'm really looking forward to the next book, Shadow Arts, and to see what happens next!

Monstrous Movie Review | Common Sense Media Monstrous Movie Review | Common Sense Media

An odd, busy, mechanical little tune, to go along with some odd, busy, mechanical little goings-on. A pioneer of DIY electronica, Maddalena Fagandini was part of the BBC’s legendary Radiophonic Workshop, and made this as an “interval tune” for the Beeb. She later reworked it as a single with Beatles producer George Martin. This is an incredible series for older secondary school readers. The plot is deliciously dark and elaborate, and the settings across Europe beautifully painted. As soon as I started reading, I was absorbed into Love’s world of robots and powerful, horrible magic – it really doesn’t shy away from the gruesome or frightening. It also gives us one of the best grandfather/grandson relationships I’ve ever come across in fiction. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Goroge While the grandfather didn't grow on me, I liked Alex's character. He embodied the innocence of a twelve year old thrust into a world of magic and secrets that he was struggling to understand. I think Alex's youth and him still trying to grasp the truth about his broken family makes the events of the story much better. Young crime lovers, meanwhile, will snap up Serena Patel’s lively, funny Anisha, Accidental Detective (Usborne), with zany illustrations from Emma McCann, featuring a down-to-earth, logical heroine drawn into a tall tale of a kidnapped bridegroom and a scheme to sabotage a wedding. Anisha must follow all the clues to save her beloved aunt Bindi from heartbreak – even if it does mean she’ll have to wear an itchy orange bridesmaid’s lehenga … This debut novel exhibits a canny ability to conjure just the right word, the picture-perfect metaphor, the witty one-liner to bring a story to life. This grandad and grandson adventure has all the hallmarks of a whopping kids' thriller; a mysterious quest, a dream-like flight across snowy lands, a sinister magic, a throng of foes, and, most important of all, a huge heart.' -- Big Issue Kids' Books of the YearRight from the prologue, Damien Love instils a sense of mystery in us readers, giving us the sense of an impending doom. You start thinking 'oh lovely, sweet' and it soon turns into 'oh damn, that was dark'! There wasn't a miss in the adventurous tone of the story and throughout, we journey along as our MC face challenges after challenges. De Nederlandse vertaling wordt uitgegeven door Uitgeverij Condor, met de ultracoole titel ROBOTJACHT. I do recommend this book. Just be prepared for an enigmatic ride requiring more than a little suspension of disbelief. Alex is a great character, and the challenges he will face as he grows older are huge. Will he rise to them, or let them crush him? We may never really find out, but I think I know the answer! A menacing glimpse of a sinister, enigmatic figure…Enough said. Music from Morricone’s great 1968 score to Once Upon A Time In The West. Mysterious and frightening things begin to happen….humorous patter leavens a well-crafted adventure that’s filled with desperate chases, narrow escapes, fight scenes, and twists.” – PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ( starred review)

Monstrous Devices by Damien Love | Waterstones

Monstrous Devices from Damien Love is aimed directly at the young teen reader market and as the contents of the storyline are almost too real at times, making this one very scary book; a little judicious direction from parents could be considered as very helpful, especially if the child is one that still occasionally finds monsters under the bed! Don’t we all at times. I enjoyed everything about Damien Love's debut.' Anthony Horowitz, bestselling author of the Alex Rider series Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments What fun! An evil villain, a host of scary robots, big and small, and a hero with commendably bad personal habits. Loved it!' - John Flanagan, New York Times bestselling author of the Ranger's Apprentice seriesOne of the most acclaimed, exciting new children's series in years... A hugely appealing adventure for all ages, which seems almost certain to be adapted for the screen.' * The Herald *