Welcome to our new children's book club

Following our recent, highly successful writing competition, the Watford Observer is celebrating the National Year of Reading by teaming up with Borders Bookstore to run a book club aimed specifically at encouraging children to read more.

The purpose is to get together and enjoy sharing stories, so if you’re aged 11 or above and love books, we’d like to hear from you. Club members will meet each month at Borders store at Waterfields Retail Park, Watford, to discuss the selected title.

The club is designed to be friendly and informal and books will be fiction paperbacks. To become a member, all you have to do is read the books, join in on the discussion and write a short review (word count 50). We will publish your reviews on the Watford Observer website and print a selection each month when we introduce the next title. Books will not always be new and copies will be available from your library as well as in store.

You don’t have to be an avid reader to join and you don’t have to write a lot, but, as an incentive, Borders is offering a prize each month for the best review.

We’d also like to pass on a secret as a tip for children: If you’re sitting reading a

Here are some examples to get you started and an introduction from Christina at Borders to let you know the next book title for review.

Christina says:
“As 2008 is the National Year of Reading, we at Borders are determined to take all you young readers and show you a world that is out there and ready to be discovered. To do this, we have started a book group for children aged 11 to 16 that will fulfil your passion for reading and introduce you to new books as well as some of our favourite classics.

“Book groups are a great way to meet new people and have interesting conversations about how we think and feel, not just about the books we read but also about our lives and the things that are happening around us.

“Come along and join us at Borders every second Saturday of the month at 2pm when we will be reviewing some fantastic books. In the first meeting on Saturday, May 17 we will be reviewing Click by David Almond and other well known authors. June’s book of the month will be Stone Heart by Charlie Fletcher.”

Here are some reviews to get you started.

Click by David Almond
Changing the world is hard for any small group of people, yet somehow it seems a breeze for photo-journalist George Kean (Gee). He is able to change the way some one feels or lives with just a ‘click’.
He travels all around the world taking pictures for magazines and then returning home to his granddaughter Maggie and sharing his stories, but it can’t last forever... When George dies, all Maggie is left with is memories and a lifelong task!
By Abbie, aged 11

The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Seeing Stone by Toni Diterlizzi and Holly Black
Ever since I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. I had read the first one, but this one was much better and explained everything in greater detail. The first book is about a group of siblings who found a guide and are now going on an adventure to find out what it is about. Even though you need to read them in order to find out what they are about, this one is my favourite!
By Hollie, aged 11

The Recruit by Robert Muchamore
I started reading it and just couldn't stop. This book was funny, exciting, and well written. Take it from me a twelve year old who reads almost nothing but fantasy. Actually enjoying a book that was so realistic, now that's a big bonus for me! you should definately get this book.
By Ashley, aged 12

Jim and The Beanstalk by Raymond Briggs
This is much better than Jack and the Beanstalk because Jim helps the giants. Some Children might laugh at the giant's wigs. It shows it's nice to help people. So try it.
By Tyler, aged 7

Girls in Love by Jacqueline Wilson
I like Girls in Love because it is funny and a bit cheeky. A girl meets a boy and they like each other very much. The girl's father however will not let the girl see the boy, so she finds a different way to see him!
By Ashley, aged 11

Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean' by Justin Stomper
This book gets you gripped after the first chapter in which twins Conor and Grace are put up for adoption after their father dies. The descriptions were vivid and helps you understand everything. Conor and Grace decided to take to the sea in search of a new life. A storm strikes their ship and they are split up. Conor finds himself on a pirate ship under the lead of Captain Molluco legendry wrath of the seas. Grace finds herself on a vampire ship with a masked captain. It is very good book with a slightly boring end to the book, but I would still highly recommend it.
By Joshua, aged 12