Celestial Child

Reviewed by Eleanor Golden aged 10

I have really enjoyed your book the Celestial Child. I am 10 years old and I love reading. When I read your book I was totally inspired. I also have your book Wildlife Fun. I found it very interesting and grew closer to wildlife. I wrote to tell you that your books are amazing. Thanks so much for writing them. Please keep writing.

When the Sea Calls by Don Conroy.

Reviewed by Fionnuala Ni Fhlaithearta Age 11

This book is filled with emotion. I was touched by Sinead's story. Her background was a mystery to her and to us the readers. I thought Don Conroy developed the story well. He has a vivid imagination. Sinead suffered a lot of abuse from her father and as the story progresses we understand clearly why he's so angry. Other feelings in the story are loneliness, anger, jealously and cruelty.

Because I live on an Island I can understand the moods of the sea. I felt saddened by how Sinead's mother died. There's a big difference between the tension in the cottage and the relaxing feelings she gets out on the cliffs. As she said herself "Here I feel so alive."

The sketches are very well drawn. They've got a lot of feeling. There are rural pictures and some show beautiful landscapes and others show the characters with a lot of feeling in their expressions. The book is set in Conamara, Co. Galway in the year 1914. The book was very enjoyable to read.

Don Conroy uses a lot of readable vocabulary. I would recommend this to ages 8-12. The book is very interesting.

Christmas Stories - Three tales of Christmas Magic!

1. The Tree That Discovered Christmas.
Is crann coninifer é Sappy. Bhí cónai ar i bhfiaois broc agus bhí sé beagnach seacht seasúir in aois. Bhí morán cairde aige ach ba é a charad is fearr ná Wizen-an scealaí is fearr san fhoraois. Thug sé foláireamh i scéal amháin go maith stoirm ollmhór ag teacht, stoirm a tháinig is a d'fhág scrois ina dhiaidh. Bhris an stoirm Sappy ina dhá leath agus leag sé crainn eile. Fariaor oíche amháin tháinig fear le tua. Leag sé Sappy agus thug sé abhaile leis é mar chrann Nollag. Chuala paistí an fhir Sappy ag caint agus bhí siad mar cairde fíor aige as sin amach. Nuair a bhí an Nollag thart d'iorr na paistí ar a dtuismitheoirí Sappy a chur ag fás san áit ina bhfuair siad é-rud a rinne agus bhí Sappy, Wizen agus a chairde ath-aontaithe arís.

Deiridre Ni Chionnaith
Scoil Rois
Carraig Mhachaire Rois
Co. Mhuineachain

2. The Christmas Gift.
This is the story of an eight year old country boy who takes over the work of this father and goes out to the mountains to mind sheep on a cold winter's night. While out in the mountains, a man called Gabriel appears to him and provides him with food and a blanket to keep warm. When Conor gets home, he finds a surprise waiting for him.

The story is set on an isolated farm on the hills on a snowy evening at Christmas time. The author's description is clear and vivid. I particularly liked the images. "The sun hung like a lantern" and "winter had gripped the land" these descriptions really helped me imagine what the weather was like.

I loved the characters in the story. I felt like I knew Conor and his parents, they were everyday hardworking people.

I enjoyed the story immensely. It is lovely to read on a Christmas night, a typical one to tell around the fire. I would certainly recommend it for any age group.

Reviewed by Niamh McMahon. Aged 10.

3. Uncle Fred's Special Christmas.
Uncle Fred spends his Christmas buying toys for all the children in the poorer neighbourhoods. When snowdrop, the friendly fairy taps on his window and tells him that Santa has come down with the flu, it is up to Fred to make sure all the toys are delivered by Christmas Eve.

This is another one of Don Conroy's most enjoyable stories.

Reviewed by Aoibheann Dolan Age 11

Vampire of St. Michans

Reviewed by Seamus McQuillan Age 11

Dublin is besieged by a trail of horrific murders. They have one feature in common; each victim is drained of blood.

Detective McGurie and Inspector Wilson need the help of Madame Kinski and vampire expert Dr. Drachler to find the murderer. Will Doyler and Cooley be the next victim?

Very enjoyable page turning suitable for ages 8 - 12 years