When Waterstones announced its shortlist for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2015, a group of St Francis de Sales’ most avid readers decided to review the books in the running for the Best Younger Fiction award.

Marianne, Egondi, Shinee, Jessica, Shakana and Jamaine read the six books on the shortlist before meeting to decide their winner on Friday 27th March – the day Waterstones announced its own results.

Debate was heated, but after Jessica, Shinee and Marianne made a passionate case for ‘A Boy Called Hope’ by Laura Williamson, our panel decided that this was their favourite. The book picked by Waterstones to win its Best Younger Fiction award, ‘Murder Most Unladylike’ by Robin Stevens, came a close second.

Find out more about these books in our reviews: .

A Boy Called Hope, Laura Williamson.

Reviewed by Jessica.

Stars: 9/10.

This book is about an 11-year-old boy called Daniel Hope. One day he sees his dad (who left him when he was seven) on television. The story follows Daniel as he eventually gets over his dad and continues with his new family.

When I saw this book, I was instantly attracted to it. When I read the blurb, I knew I was going to enjoy it.

I think this book should win because it’s different from other books. When there is something positive going on, a negative thing has to ruin everything. This attracts you even more to the story which wants to make you read even more.

Another reason why I think this book should win is because of the characters. They are all different which makes you want to know more about them. This is why I think this book should win.

.* * *.

Cowgirl, G. R. Gemin.

Reviewed by Marianne.

Stars: 7/10.

Cowgirl is an interesting, funny story. The main character (Gemma), whose dad is in prison, becomes friends with Kate Thomas. They end up taking 12 cows to the city. When there’s trouble, they don’t know what to do.

Gemin uses good description and funny characters. I like the way he described the setting and the characters. I recommend Cowgirl to those who love the countryside. It was a fun read. And every chapter kept me reading. I was sad to reach the end.

.* * *.

Girl with a White Dog, Anne Booth.

Reviewed by Shinee.

Stars: 9.5 /10.

This story is about… … a girl called Jessie. Her Grandma suddenly gets a white Alsatian puppy, which she wants Jessie to take care of. But there is a mystery behind that dog, a history. In the ending, which was very surprising, we find out that her Gran was a Nazi in Germany. Snowy, the dog, actually belonged to Mrs Levy, a boy called Ben’s Grandma. Both grandmas have a linked past.

My opinion is … … that the story was interesting. Lots of mystery, history and fallouts. Troubles are at Jessie’s every turn, but at the end of the line, things turn out okay. Definitely something worthy of reading.

.* * *.

Boy in the Tower, Polly Ho-Yen.

Reviewed by Jamaine.

Stars: 8/10.

The book I read was very interesting and it was also a very unique book; it is nice and calm unlike other crazy and wild books. I absolutely loved this story.

It’s about Ade and his mum who arrive at the tower block. It says in the book that ‘they tiptoed into the world when they were all looking the other way.’ From the top of the tower block where they live, Ade watches the world far below him. When all of the other tower blocks start falling down, Ade and his mother are trapped.

It is definitely an unusual and very impressive story.

.* * *.

Violet and the Pearl of the Orient, Harriet Whitehorn.

Reviewed by Egondi.

Stars: 10/10.

What it’s about: When a new family (the Duplicitouses) move into Violet’s neighbourhood. She is sure there is something peculiar about them. Then when Dee Dee Derota’s Pearl of the Orient is stolen, Violet begins to suspect the new family… What I thought: I read this book slowly because I didn’t want to get to the end. It looks beautiful which makes you enjoy reading it even more. This is an amazing book which everyone should read!

Murder Most Unladylike, Robin Stevens Reviewed by Shakana Stars: 9/10 To me, this story really caught my eye. This book is really intriguing. There is a lot of suspense in it which makes the reader want to read more.

When Hazel discovers that her Science Mistress (Miss Bell) was found ‘brown bread’ (meaning dead) at the gym, she goes to get her friend Daisy to tell her the news. Five minutes later, he body disappeared. Hmmm… strange! That means she must have been murdered. But who would want to kill a poor, delicate lady like Miss Bell? Find out when you read ‘Murder Most Unladylike’.