- Hardcover: 208 pages
- Publisher: Beach Lane Books; Reprint edition (3 May 2011)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1442420626
- ISBN-13: 978-1442420625
- Product Dimensions: 20.6 x 14.5 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My 7 year old is good at reading and likes hamsters, so this looked like a good choice for him. What I hadn't anticipated was just how accurate the title of this book is. Now, I don't want to spoil the plot, but in a nutshell, here's what happens:
A hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
And then another hamster dies
Along the way there is also a dead rabbit, with maggots crawling out of his eye socket.
Each to their own I guess, but I don't understand why anyone would knowingly choose a book with such depressing subject matter when there are so many better options available. I made the mistake, but really recommend avoiding this.
A hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
Another hamster dies
And then another hamster dies
Along the way there is also a dead rabbit, with maggots crawling out of his eye socket.
Each to their own I guess, but I don't understand why anyone would knowingly choose a book with such depressing subject matter when there are so many better options available. I made the mistake, but really recommend avoiding this.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Great Hamster Massacre isn't a YA book, but it won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize this year, so I was eager to give it a go and see just why it's so highly regarded.
Putting myself in a 9-year-old's shoes for a minute, I can see why they'd love this twisted tale of dead hamsters and detective-style investigations. It's fast-paced, fun and informative, and even a little gruesome in parts, which should go down well with the boys. It's accompanied by some lovely illustrations drawn by Hannah Shaw, and has an aesthetically pleasing layout and design that even my non-reading sister liked the look of.
I liked all the characters Davies created, even mad old Mr. Tucker who lives next door to Anna and Tom. The hamsters themselves, although sadly dead for most of the novel, have great personalities, and I loved how the mystery of their untimely deaths unfolded. I never expected the story to have a crime element to it, so was pleasantly surprised by the humorour suspect questioning that takes place. I would have liked the end of the book to have more of a resolution, and to tell us a definite reason for the massacre. Something is strongly implied, but never set in stone. Still, I don't think it's anything younger readers will have a problem with, especially not when faced with such an unusual story.
I wish more books like this had been around when I was younger, because I would have read them for sure. I've always liked a good murder mystery!
Putting myself in a 9-year-old's shoes for a minute, I can see why they'd love this twisted tale of dead hamsters and detective-style investigations. It's fast-paced, fun and informative, and even a little gruesome in parts, which should go down well with the boys. It's accompanied by some lovely illustrations drawn by Hannah Shaw, and has an aesthetically pleasing layout and design that even my non-reading sister liked the look of.
I liked all the characters Davies created, even mad old Mr. Tucker who lives next door to Anna and Tom. The hamsters themselves, although sadly dead for most of the novel, have great personalities, and I loved how the mystery of their untimely deaths unfolded. I never expected the story to have a crime element to it, so was pleasantly surprised by the humorour suspect questioning that takes place. I would have liked the end of the book to have more of a resolution, and to tell us a definite reason for the massacre. Something is strongly implied, but never set in stone. Still, I don't think it's anything younger readers will have a problem with, especially not when faced with such an unusual story.
I wish more books like this had been around when I was younger, because I would have read them for sure. I've always liked a good murder mystery!
11 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A terrible crime has happened in Anna's house. Someone or something has attacked her hamsters, leaving most of them dead and one badly injured. Together with her younger brother, Tom, and her best friend, Suzanne, Anna decides to investigate. Suspects include The New Cat (who has previous convictions for murder), Suzanne's Dad ('HATES PETS') and Hamster Number One (because she was 'severely stressed').
With the help of Mrs Rotherham from up the road, who used to be in the police, the three track down leads and question the suspects. Is their hunch about Joe's Mum's Boyfriend correct? Will The New Cat's violent past catch up with her? Or will Anna and Tom's mum put a stop to the investigation before it really begins?
I laughed out loud reading this book, which tackles difficult subjects like death and loss with humour to make them more bearable. Katie Davies has created a fabulous cast of characters and Hannah Shaw's illustrations bring them to life in glorious detail. I'm looking forward to the follow-up to this book, The Great Rabbit Rescue.
With the help of Mrs Rotherham from up the road, who used to be in the police, the three track down leads and question the suspects. Is their hunch about Joe's Mum's Boyfriend correct? Will The New Cat's violent past catch up with her? Or will Anna and Tom's mum put a stop to the investigation before it really begins?
I laughed out loud reading this book, which tackles difficult subjects like death and loss with humour to make them more bearable. Katie Davies has created a fabulous cast of characters and Hannah Shaw's illustrations bring them to life in glorious detail. I'm looking forward to the follow-up to this book, The Great Rabbit Rescue.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wonderful but mildly misleading
This book is fabulous, possibly even genius, but I think it could maybe have done with a small warning on the back for parents that it deals with some pretty strong themes. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Danny Kodicek
We loved this book
My seven year old and I read this book and it is definately one of our favourites. It's funny and relevant. As hamster owners we found it really interesting. Read more
Published 15 months ago by charlie
fabulous!
Fantastic book and very funny. My 9 year old really enjoyed this book, and especially enjoyed reading it out loud to his little brother, who equally found it just as funny. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mrs. Emma Hammersley
Laugh out loud fun!
I have just finished this and as a family we took turns reading a page and nearly every page held really great laughs. Read more
Published 19 months ago by fatty01
Attractive cover, not for all tastes
This is about children's desire for pets and often their inability to care for them properly.
Every parent knows of the neglected small pet and the accidents which befall... Read more
Every parent knows of the neglected small pet and the accidents which befall... Read more
Published 23 months ago by F. Jessop
Brilliant
I absolutely loved this book. I read it, no devoured it in one sitting. proper laugh out loud funny, so reminiscent of childhood, beautiful and funny funny. Read more
Published on 6 April 2010 by E. Roper
Perfect for kids and grown ups alike!
I bought this book, knowing nothing about it, based on an ad in the Guardian and my seven year old son's pending birthday. What a lovely suprise! Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2010 by A. Nansera
Great for Nanas!
Read this book in advance of giving it to my 7 year old grandson. I loved it. It is fun, not at all sentimental and made me laugh out loud. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2010 by A. P. Saunders
Why did I choose this boring book?
I can't say whether this book ever really gets going... I gave it 75 pages (which is a good third of the book) before giving up. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2010 by Tsuchan
Fun and sad at the same time
This was a great read - the plot raced along with plenty of fun along the way. It does deal with death but it is handled very well and not sugar coated. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2010 by Jay Bourne
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
