{"id":25381,"date":"2025-07-26T11:32:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T11:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/25381\/"},"modified":"2025-07-26T11:32:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-26T11:32:11","slug":"having-their-say-winnipeg-free-press","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/25381\/","title":{"rendered":"Having their say \u2013 Winnipeg Free Press"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Free Press\u2019s Summer Reading Challenge for Kids<\/a> is in full swing, and a host of young reviewers have submitted their thoughts on some of the 12 books on the reading lists.<\/p>\n

The Free Press offered a few guidelines for the reviews \u2014 write about what they liked, what they didn\u2019t like, and include a star-rating out of five \u2014 but the rest was up to them.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\/
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

And, as you\u2019ll see, we\u2019ve got some candid young critics on our hands.<\/p>\n

A second batch of reviews will run in print and online at the end of August, so there\u2019s still ample time for kids to register for the reading challenge, check out the book lists (curated by McNally Robinson Booksellers) and submit their reviews.<\/p>\n

Visit Kids Book Club<\/a> to register for free and for more information about all the books on the three reading lists (for reading levels 7 to 9 years, 10 to 12 years and 13 to 15 years).<\/p>\n

Once registered, you\u2019ll receive reading guides and activities for each book, as well as information on upcoming deadlines for review submissions. Any questions can be sent to bookclub@winnipegfreepress.com.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Katrina Hyena, Stand-Up Comedian<\/p>\n

By Sophie Kohn<\/p>\n

OwlKids Books, 64 pages, $22<\/p>\n

Buy on mcnallyrobinson.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Audrey
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Audrey Oldfield<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

I liked the book because I thought it was an inspiration, because I think animals telling jokes just makes my brain pop.<\/p>\n

I disliked nothing about this book because I just thought,\u201dOoooh I like this,\u201d and, \u201cOoh I love this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 out of 5 stars<\/p>\n

\u2014 Audrey Oldfield, age 8<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Kinley
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Kinley Alexander, age 8<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This book was about Katrina Hyena, who laughs for a different reason. She laughs because she thinks the world is so funny, but the other hyenas think she\u2019s laughing because she\u2019s in trouble. My favourite part was when Katrina did her stand up comedy show.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 out of 5 stars<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kinley Alexander, age 8<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Two Green Birds<\/p>\n

By Geraldo Valerio<\/p>\n

Groundwood Books Ltd., 88 pages, $15<\/p>\n

Buy on mcnallyrobinson.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Tannen
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Tannen J, age 9<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

I read this book with my Grandma. It was a book about a grandma and her grandson and spending time together in the garden and caring for one another and pet birds.<\/p>\n

Sometimes the book was sad when the birds wouldn\u2019t eat. Then Francisco and his Grandma knew that even birds need their family to be happy and feel love and let the birds fly away with all the wild birds. I would not read this book again.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605 out of 5 stars<\/p>\n

\u2014 Tannen J., age 9<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Constellation of Minor Bears<\/p>\n

By Jen Ferguson<\/p>\n

HarperCollins, 352 pages, $25<\/p>\n

Buy on mcnallyrobinson.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Lianne
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Lianne Biernes<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

A Constellation of Minor Bears by Jen Ferguson is a really great book! I loved that the story got right into it, without a bunch of boring backstory stuff. In my opinion, there was a perfect intro. I also really enjoyed the way the author wrote from different perspectives. It adds depth to the writing, and as a reader it is nice to \u201chear\u201d what the other characters are thinking.<\/p>\n

My favourite character was Brynn, who showed up at the perfect time and she caused some drama, which really got me invested into this book! Finally, I feel like the ending was just flawless (SO GOOD) and you HAVE to read the book all of the way through for it!!!<\/p>\n

All in all, A Constellation of Minor Bears was a book that I loved and will recommend to everyone!<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 out of 5 stars<\/p>\n

\u2014 Lianne Beirnes, age 12<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay<\/p>\n

By Mary Averling<\/p>\n

Penguin Random House, 224 pages, $25<\/p>\n

Buy on mcnallyrobinson.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Rafaela
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Rafaela LeGoff, age 10<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Maudie, Scratch, and Kit aren\u2019t normal kids. They are ghosts haunting Mayflower Cottage, which is by the sea and is a spooky place. Their job is to scare away visitors.<\/p>\n

This time the Edevanes come, and Maudie tells her scariest story yet about a monster called Longfingers. He\u2019s super tall with nails so long they scrape the floor and teeth sharp like knives.<\/p>\n

At first Maudie doesn\u2019t believe Longfingers is real. But then Kit and Scratch go missing, and everything changes. Who would want to take them? Could Longfingers actually be real?<\/p>\n

I liked that the book was spooky but also kind of funny sometimes. I liked how Maudie is bossy but brave, Scratch is jumpy and Kit is curious. They try to protect each other, even though they are pretending to be scary. I liked the mystery about the legend. I even read it under the covers in bed at night when I was supposed to be sleeping!<\/p>\n

I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. I would have given it 5, but I like graphic novels a little more. Kids who like ghost stories and mysteries would like to read The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 1\/2 out of 5 stars<\/p>\n

\u2014 Rafaela LeGoff, age 10<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Elise
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Elise Neufeld, age 8<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The book was interesting and I liked how in the end, Maudie, Scratch and Kit turned back into humans.<\/p>\n

There was a part that was surprising when Longfingers was playing tricks on Maudie. They live on Ponderosa Island in Bitterfly Bay in Mayflower Cottage.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 out of 5 stars<\/p>\n

\u2014 Elise Neufeld, age 8<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Kodiaks: Home Ice Advantage<\/p>\n

By David A. Robertson<\/p>\n

Portage & Main Press, 200 pages, $13<\/p>\n

Buy on mcnallyrobinson.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Katie
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Katie Verch<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

I liked this book because it had diversity, and I liked how it was told in a play-by-play. I would recommend it to people who like hockey and\/or people who are bullied, but they\u2019re too shy to tell an adult.<\/p>\n

I also liked it because it was the first book I have EVER read that was set in Winnipeg! It was cool how I knew all the places! It wasn\u2019t my favourite because I felt like there could\u2019ve been more girls (there were only two), but at least they both like hockey (I do!). I would rate it a four out of five! It was a good book!<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 out of 5 stars<\/p>\n

\u2014 Katie Verch, age 10<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Three Thieves: Tower of Treasure<\/p>\n

By Scott Chantler<\/p>\n

Papercutz\/Simon & Schuster, 128 pages, $20<\/p>\n

Buy on mcnallyrobinson.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"George
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

George LeGoff<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Dessa Redd is a 14-year-old acrobat in a circus. She is trying to find her lost twin brother, so she starts looking in the big city of Kingsbridge. She plans to rob the royal treasury with her friends Fisk and Topper. Fisk is big and super strong like an ogre, and Topper is small with big ears and really sneaky. They aren\u2019t humans, but other creatures that live in the same world.<\/p>\n

I liked all the guards and traps they had to get past and how they tried to escape. The pictures were really good and the story is exciting and funny too. I want to read the next one to see if Dessa finds her brother.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 out of 5 stars<\/p>\n

\u2014 George LeGoff, age 8<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Stephanie
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

Stephanie Boon<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Three Thieves: Tower of Treasure by Scott Chandler is an interesting graphic novel. It was quick and easy to read. The pictures look hand drawn and are well done. The illustrations add to the graphic novel.<\/p>\n

The characters are weird and cool at the same time. There\u2019s a human girl, an elf and a giant. The story was very exciting and I wanted to keep reading, but I wish we could know more about her back story. I feel like it\u2019s a book that you really have to read the next book in the series to fully understand.<\/p>\n

\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 1\/2 out of 5 stars<\/p>\n

\u2014 Stephanie Boon, age 10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Free Press\u2019s Summer Reading Challenge for Kids is in full swing, and a host of young reviewers…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25382,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[353,49,48,75],"class_list":{"0":"post-25381","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-books","8":"tag-books","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-entertainment"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25381\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}