Book Review

Title: The Executioner's Daughter   

Author: Jane Hard staff

Genre: Adventure with some fantasy.

Moss is the Executioner's daughter in the Tower of London. Her job is to catch the chopped off heads in her basket. She despises the job, and longs for a way to escape. But Pa always tells her, that they are prisoners, there is no way out. Then, one day, she finds a hidden tunnel, leading to her freedom. Out of the tower, on the banks of the river, she learns that her life, as she thought, was not what it seemed. She turns to the river, looking into its murky depths, on an epic journey to find the truth.

I think this is a well crafted story, with many hidden messages. For example, if you search hard enough you will find what you are looking for, and, sometimes the best things in life are right in front of you. I actually really liked that you had to think of the meaning of the book, as normally books have a clear message. I don’t think that the author should have made a message more pronounced, because it is sometimes worthwhile to actually try to decipher it instead.

I think the story was definitely enhanced by where the story was set, because it made me listen carefully, as it was not a location that you hear much about in books. It also made me think about what it would be like in the tower of London, back in the days, and gave me a clear image in my head about Moss’s home, and when she met the rag-tag fishing boy, Salter.

As you may have guessed, Moss is the main character. I think she had a strong personality, but she could be very defiant, and she always talked back to her father. She was also a very brave and witty girl, but sometimes she could be very stupid. She was very much like, you and me, just a young girl living her life, and I found I could relate to her, at some parts of the story. At the end of the story, she seemed to have of changed into a more positive person. The one downfall, to me, was that I could not picture her in my head, because it didn't really give a clear or informative description of what she looked like.

On a more positive note, I think the author had a good way with language, and knew exactly how to enhance and make sentences more dramatic. “She bent her head and stepped forward” That was a line that popped out to me, when she had just found the hidden tunnel. I also really liked how there was some poems and short songs included in the book. Like the Riverwitch’s song. To me it added intrest and added lots of new information.

One of the best parts of the book, to me, was that the story flow was not all predictable. I also liked how the ending had no loose ends and didn’t leave you feeling that there needs too be a second book. There was also a good balance of characters, (some good,some bad.) One thing that I think could of made the book better, would of been too increase its lenghth. It was an average sized book (368 pages) but I believe the story line was exceptional, and could have easily have fitted more into it without it becoming boring.

In conclusion, I have enjoyed this reading book immensly, and feel I have learnt a lot about what makes up a good story whilst reading it. Personally, I can not find much too pick on, so I think that Jane Hardstaff has done an amazing job. With it’s marvellous characters and storyline, I believe that The Executioners Daughter is not a book to be missed.

By Casey.

Why frogs can only croak.

One warm summer eve, Mr frog was strolling along, on his merry little way, to get some items from the general store. While he was walking, he had a marvelous idea. He had just remembered that it was his friend, owls, birthday tomorrow!  He hurried along and came home with far more bags than planned, all full to the brim with presents, groceries and all the items needed for a marvelous party! Once he got home, he set out making invitations for everyone he could think of. The wood nymphs of course would have to come, Mr Mouse, all the birds of the forest, the peacocks, bears, snails, deer, raccoon, bears, snakes, squirrels, and Mr Mole and the Beaver family. He sighed in contention. Finally, I've finished. There’s going to be no one in the forest tonight without an invitation, he thought. Little did he know, he had forgotten Wolf.  

When Wolf heard about the party, he was very excited, as he loved parties. But when he realized that he had not been given an invitation, he was very hurt. That hurt soon turned to anger. He stomped around, snarling, in a blind rage. I’ll teach that foolish frog a lesson or two, how dare he not invite me! He thought. He sulked back to his den, and sat down scheming.

The next day, Mr Frog was setting out all the seats, tables, place mats and decorations. He had only just put the food in the oven. He only had half an hour to get everything ready before people started, and he was starting to stress. Then, to make things worse, he realized he had forgotten to get drinks, and cups. Oh dear, he thought, now I have to go to the shop! So he hurried away.

Meanwhile, Wolf, who was walking along the stream trying to cool his temper, saw Mr Frog in a big hurry heading towards the shop. Now’s my chance to get my revenge, he thought to himself. He ran to Mr Frog's house and saw all the tables and decorations already set up. He ran up to the tables and began throwing and chucking everything he could get his hands on. Once he was done, he walked over to the oven, and turned it on high, something that should never ever be done unless you wanted to create a huge fire. That was exactly what Wolf was intending. He smirked in satisfaction. Now we’re are even, he thought to himself. Wolf started to walk away, and collided into Mr Frog. “What have you done!!! Mr frog yelled in horror. The party, all ruined.” He started to cry. Then he noticed a small flame leap out of the oven. He quickly grabbed the fire extinguisher and put out the steadily growing flame. “How could you,” he said. Wolf, then realized what he had just done. He felt so ashamed, and then realized that if frog told anyone about what he had just done, he would be in severe trouble.  Out of desperation, Wolf grabbed Frogs tongue and yanked it so hard so that it was now ten times the length it was before. Mr Frog tried to yell at Wolf, but all that came out was a small croak.

So now you know the truth about why frogs croak.