Editorial Review

Melvin Burgess, author of Read more

Reviews (12)

Funny, well-written but a bit over the top
This book provides from a first person point of view the sexual awakenings of three high school boys.Dino is the popular one, who lusts after the equally popular Jackie, who spurns him for her much older boyfriend.When she finally relents and starts snogging him, she can't help but lead him to the point of doing it, and then disappoints him.Dino instead loses his virginity with the younger, but more experienced Zoe, who plays him like a violin before ultimately destroying him for two-timing Jackie.Ben is the quiet one that all the girls are interested in, but he never asks anyone out because he's secretly been seduced by Miss Young, his drama teacher, who provides him sex but cannot provide him the experience of a girl friend he really longs for.When he finally finds a way to his freedom, she disappears with no consequences, which seems unrealistic in this day and age (compare Thisbe Nissen's The Good People of New York, where the girl's affair with her teacher occurs about 20 years ago).Jonathan is the only one attracted to someone he actually likes as a person, but Deborah being overweight makes her the subject of teasing from his friends and he cannot overcome both the razzing and the odd sensation he has in his penis, which causes him impotence when it is time to go all the way.He finally gets this fixed by a kind woman doctor.
doing it
Dino likes to think every girl at school would like to be with him, but the one girl he really wants is of course the one he can't get. Once he gets her how is Dino going to convince her to do it with him? great
OK the person who gave this book wanted to give it five but couldnt? ok then..anyways
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Family problems    4. Fiction    5. Interpersonal relations    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Schools    8. Sex    9. Social Issues - Adolescence    10. Social Issues - Dating & Sex    11. Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings    12. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Dating & Sex   

Reviews (24)

The Truth of Weakness
Winner of the Guardian Fiction Award and the Carnegie Medal, the novel Junk by Melvin Burgess successfully allows readers to gain insights into what teenage drug life was like in Bristol during the mid 1980s. The characters in the novel go through many struggles and the biggest struggle is the challenge to get off `junk', or heroin.
Negative Metamorphosis
Burgess's "Smack," written a year before his short novel "Junk," is a terrific novel that captivies and evokes emotion."Junk," however, is a poorly written screen-play version of that novel.The point of creating such a thing is beyond me.He should have stopped while he was ahead with "Smack."

Badly written, cliched and dull
I find it interesting that the writer has gotten away with such terrible writing and such a lack of understanding of heroin addiction simply by aiming this poor attempt at a novel at "young adults".Is it because he could not get published if he tried to write for grown ups?
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Subjects:  1. Drama    2. English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh    3. General    4. Plays    5. Plays / Drama    6. Drama / General    7. Drama texts: from c 1900 -    8. Performing Arts / General    9. Performing Arts   

Features

• Unabridged

Subjects:  1. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    3. Fantasy - General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic   

Editorial Review

Controversial and award-winning British author Melvin Burgess (Read more

Reviews (8)

Hilarious
This book is NOT for young teens!Very snappy read, very hip and really, really funny.Bittersweet story with the right ending- not sentimental, not moralistic, just plain fun.I read it straight through.
Wow not what I thought
Lady My Life as a Bitch by Melvin Burgess dealt with many teenage issues such as teenage love, independence from family, and behavior. The title refers to a girl named Sandra who becomes a dog named Lady. Sandra wants to be independent and is almost in control of her risqu� life. One day while out with her current boyfriend, Sandra encounters a homeless alcoholic. When she accidentally knocks over his beer, the alcoholic changes her into a dog, which is what she deserves according to some, the way she lives her life.
Stupid
I had read many exciting reviews and great comments about this book and was looking forward to reading it. I ended up being very disappointed. At certain times the novel was so exaggerated , girl turning into dog, girl going to her house and her family somehow recognizing it was their daughter...as a dog, a dog walking down the stairs with a skirt & lipstick. It seemed as if the writer was trying too hard to make this story funny. It's also very pointless and stupid and the ending is completely unexpected. Throughtout the book I had to reassure myself that this wasn't a childen's book but when I came upon the sexual parts I got my answer. I thought it was a big waste of time and a completely pointless storyline. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Animals - Dogs    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    5. Dogs    6. Fiction    7. Interpersonal relations    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Magic    10. Social Issues - Adolescence    11. Social Issues - Dating & Sex    12. Social Issues - Values    13. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / Dating & Sex   

Reviews (13)

The grim future.
In a very grim but unspecified point in the future London, two warring families have finally come upon a kind of peace by marring of 14 year old Signy.But King Conor betreys her and her family and has all of them maimed or murdered.Brother Siggy is nearly killed but rescued and nursed back to health by a Menetaur.From there he forms a rebelluion against King Conor with the help of insane and crippled Queen Signy.
Scary, chilling and very very good
I've not previously read Melvin Burgess - I don't really know why. I've certainly read a lot about him and admire a children's writer who puts so many difficult and gritty issues into the headlines. Perhaps I didn't read him before because I was worried that he would be too issue-driven. Any way, finally, I've read one of his titles....
Bloodtide review
Bloodtide is a novel that will horrify ordinary readers, and make them feel quite disgust. However, the appalling plot of the novel is what made it so intriguing. The novel is unlike any other published works ever on Earth. I think the purpose of the novel is to portrait most of the human being��s evil side of nature, and the unthinkable achievements. Throughout the novel, many morbid human nature are shown, such as hatred, vengeance, greed, and selfishnessRead more

Subjects:  1. Fantasy    2. Fantasy - General    3. Fiction    4. Fiction - Fantasy   

Reviews (3)

Brilliant by far the best book i've read
It is just brilliant although it isn't very long you just have keep reading you cannot put it down it is just brilliant!

A good read, but not up to par with the play or movie
Curiously, this version of Billy Elliot (a novelization written by Melvin Burgess) was obviously written to appeal to young adult readers of about jr. high/high school age, who, strangely enough, would not likely be old enough to go see or even really interested in a film such as Billy Elliot in the first place. This novelization unfortunately washes away the directness and vividness so apparent in the written screenplay. The descriptions interspersed within the dialogue take much of the original starkness of the play and movie away, leaving Billy to seem rather flat emotionally. The strife and hardship of Billy's struggle to attain his goals in light of his difficult family situation is largely defused.Lee Hall's excellent screenplay is FAR superior!!Pick that up and by-pass Melvin Burgess's attempt.

"It flows, like electricity...aye...that's it..electricity!"
When Billy is explaining what it feels like to dance, he basically summarizes the whole of this screenplay:"...starts out sort of stiff..." but then, he adds, the dance (and story) unfolds and becomes "a fire....electricity."Since I decided that Billy Elliot ranked as one of my favorite movies of 2000, I felt that the book would offer some insight and help to follow the whole of the story (boy those accents are hard to decipher at times in the movie!)This book, in screenplay form, offers all those one liners and dialogue parts you just missed while watching the movie.Pictures from the movie placed throughout the book are a nice added touch. A very satisfying screenplay of a very satisifying movie!It is simply a wonderful tale of getting out of the hard places and truly soaring towards your goals. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Fiction    3. English language readers   

Features

• Audiobook

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Fiction dealing with drugs & addiction   

Features

• Audiobook

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Fiction dealing with drugs & addiction   

Reviews (1)

Charming!
We read this to our 7 year old and she loved it.She told me that it's a great adventure book and it teaches you that outward appearances are not important.That it's what is inside that counts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Extraterrestrial beings    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    8. Science fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (1)

Charming!
We read this to our 7 year old and she loved it.She told me that it's a great adventure book and it teaches you that outward appearances are not important.That it's what is inside that counts. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers and sisters    2. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Fantasy    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Extraterrestrial beings    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    8. Science fiction    9. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

Depressing, but good
I've owned this book for over 6 years before I read it. I'm 20 now, and found the book in my old bedroom. I decided to read it cause I had nothing else, and finished it in the same night. It was amazingly depressing and tragic. I hated most the characters through-out the book. For being uncaring, decefitful, or too caring and stupid. But it was an engaging book. Even for my age. I almost think it might be too violent and depressing for young adults though. But, if you can handle that sort of thing, I'd recommend it. It's a fast and easy read too.

I didn't put this book down
When I bought this book I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. It was a quick and easy read but it was very enjoyable. The whole way through the book you are waitng to find out what the three kids are going to do next. I found the end a bit strange and you think "Why did that happen?"and in some parts you end up hating the characters, but it was extremelygood on the whole. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Adventure stories   

Reviews (1)

Loving April
I enjoyed this book, though i would NOT recommend it to children (under 12yrs)for various reasons. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Teenage romance   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Science fiction   

Reviews (2)

Burning Issy
"This is about a young girl named Issy who tries to unravel the truth to who she really she is."Isabel her real name,was brought out of the North when she was about 2 years old with nothing,but her name and a dream of fire.Ten years later,a strang woman named Iohan came and took her where she would soon find out who she is."If you like mysteries and adventures this is the book for you."Melvin Burgess,the author has also written The Cry of the Wolf,which was a runner-upfor England's perstigious Carnegie Medal for children's fiction in 1991.He makes the settings of the story seem so real as if they were real places from the seventeenth-century."If you like fictional mysteries this is a great book for you toread.If you want to read this awsome book try searching at your local public or school library."

Burring Issy
This book is perfect for those of all ages. It can be used as a bedtime story or as an insight on a report. It has a lot of factual information without giving witches a bad name. Most people have misconceptions as to what life was like so many years back. This book portrays the life of a peasant and the hardships associated with being one. Burning Issy puts you in the eyes of a little girl and tells how she survived one of the biggest events of her time. The Witch Trials. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Historical fiction   

Features

• Abridged

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)   

Reviews (2)

Through the Eyes of the junkie
This book was amazing and I couldn't put it down. Anybody who reads the book will now know why not to do drugs. It doesn't simply tell you why, it lets you see thing through the eyes of a junkie. The pain that Tar and Gemma suffered when they ran away made me cry in some parts. I think it is brilliant that at first, the book makes you see Lily as vibrant, strong and that she knows best. Later on in the book, you see the reality of it; Lily is weak, and under the terrible spell of heroin. I think this book should be made into a film and it will show the public why not to do drugs.

Junk
When 2 teenage children run away from home together, they seek shelter in a squatting den with 3 others. But, the other squatters don't like Gemma, so Gemma and Tar move on, and find themselves under the care of 2 older people.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - Survival Stories    2. Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    6. Social Issues - Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance    7. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / Survival Stories   

Editorial Review

Imagine being a boy who collects birds' eggs, and discovering that an extremely rare and endangered red kite is nesting in the woods by your own house! This is just the beginning of Taylor's story. The kite is "vermin," as far as malevolent landowner Mr. Harris is concerned, and he wants Taylor to destroy its eggs. The plot thickens, as Taylor battles his warring feelings of loyalty to his father, who must do his job to protect Mr. Harris's pheasants; respect for the beautiful bird; and desire to own the precious egg. When, through a tragedy of errors, a kite chick hatches, Taylor's feelings become even more confused.Read more

Reviews (2)

Kite - the condor's cousin
In "Kite", English author Melvin Burgess strikes a refreshing chord for readers seeking authenticity in animal novels for young adults. The softened world of sentimental animals boosk for children is challengedin this realistic novel about an endangered bird, a red kite.The book waswritten in collaboration with a wildlife biologist and details arewonderfully vivid and realistic. A tough book for American readers
Taylor's father is the gamekeeper on an estate that raises pheasants for sport hunting.The boss, landowner Reg Harris, is a blustering, greedy man who cares only for his own financial success.When several endangered redkites are spotted in the woods on the property, Harris demands thatTaylor's father kill them, even though this is illegal. Taylor saves oneof the kites' eggs and raises the young bird in secret. This is avery British book. American readers are unlikely to relate to either thesetting or the lifestyle. That in itself isn't an insurmountable problem,but there are other difficulties that will limit this book's appeal toyoung American readers.Although the ecological message is worthy, thetender-hearted will find certain gruesome scenes hard to stomach.The moodis unrelentingly dark, and the characters are pretty one-dimensional.Thetone of the book and its theme brings Wringer to mind - not an easy book tohandle, either, but one tailored for an American audience. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. Fiction