Hi everyone,

Here on YCNet we know you love a good story so here's your chance to win signed copies of the true story of Nicola Barry and her life of growing up with an alcoholic mother - "Mothers Ruin".

To be in with a chance of winning simply post up a review of a book you've read which you really enjoyed or would recommend to other people - what it's about, what you liked about it and anything else really ( just don't go giving away the ending! ).

The first four people to enter will each receive a signed copy of the book "Mother's Ruin". Then, we'll ask you to post a review of it up here for everyone to see, before a special event we'll be holding at the end of March... more details to be announced soon!

Happy reading...

Sam and Ewan

Hi im Wayne

I read a book called Pups For Life. i liked this book because there is a pup who was thrown out on the streets and a nice loving person came and took it ian and looked after it.

also i liked it because it also teaches you how you should care for dogs and there were many pictures of dogs i would recomend it to young people and teen and people who absolutely loves dogs

What a good competition - books are lovely

The last books I read were Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy (I couldnt possibly choose which 1 of the 3 to review!), which follow 2 children in their journey through parallel universes. The plot is an absolute masterpiece, and I wouldnt want to give any of it away, so shan't talk about it any more than that. What I liked about it was that it deals with such complex themes, all within a book that is essentially meant for children. I think that's it's main appeal; that it is so accessible - on one level it's a book for children about the adventure of someone around their age, but on a deeper level than that it all links to religion, sin, morality, life, death, the soul, pretty much everything. So that's what I love about it, that it has high ambitions for the themes and morals of the book- so refreshing to have a children's book from an atheist perspective! The characters are genuinely likeable, and some of the concepts are so original it's just superb, like the idea of people in some universes having an outer representation of their soul as an animal. It creates so many different universes that are clearly imaginable, all within the pages of a book, so I find it to be amazing escapism in that sense - it becomes possible to step into any number of different worlds just from reading a book, and you're often left not wanting to leave.  

i haven't read a book for agessss! i lurvv readin..nywayz!

i think the best books are the books that yu remeber even 6 months on! And the ones that you jsut want to sit their all day and do nothing but read!

well..the last book i read was Don't tell mummy by toni maguire. It was a real-life shocking story of betrayal from somebody extremly close to home. I don't want to give much of the plot away but its an amzing read, its very deep and certainly made me think, wen you think your having a tough time you should look at others and actually see you are quite lucky. It was horrible to think that anybody could have such a life.

I really enjoyed reading it because every page was so deep, thoughtful, it was as if it was happening right now, it was really sad but AMAZING! i never really wanted to put it down, i wanted to know what was next for the little girl, if there was going to happiness or whether it would be the same as usual. Also, i really admired her for writing the book, it was very encouraging (this will noly make sense if you have read the book) and i felt truly sorry for her.

i thought i really highligted things that go on beihnd closed doors that people forget about. a book that really made me cry, and i'm still trying to get round to reading the sequel which im srue will be as good.

OMG are you serious a true story and its signed thats soo awesome

Anyway umm

I think im going to have to pick Stephen king- Christine

One of the most awesome books I have ever read about a boy called Arnie who falls inlove with this car. This car isnt ordinary its a maniac of a car who instead of its owner picking them picks the owner. It acts like it hynotize its new owner. Arnie gets picked to be the next owner and anyone who stands in the way ends up dead. Untill his best friend and His girlfriend decide to take action and as the meter rolls backwards on the car like a countodwn timer till when it dies. Does Arnie make it out alive?  What happens to the car? Read the book and find out for yourself!!!!

 Lamo thats my book review I guess this book was really fgood it had such tense moments and Was so unpredictable Stephen king is generally a awesome writer as he has to be with the top writer. The variety of language is great all the different expressions and words he uses is great my faveroutie quote from the book has to be:

"+-Christines rust-eaten body vibrated he flopped like a ragdoll. His peeling skull nodding back and forth"

What a awesome quote!!!!

 Hello,

 In the chat the other day Sam asked if i could post these back up.

So here they are:

Cole, N - Bring In The Spring
Sarah's life finally changes when Bel, who is helping out on a school placement, recognises Sarah's attempts at communication and proves to Bel that she is not completely brain damaged. Life is not easy for Bel at the moment but, she is determined to help Sarah even if it means going against the school's authority.

Cross, Gillian - Tightrope
Ashley's life at home is difficult as she has sole care of her mother but she has another secret life, as a dare-devil graffiti artist. She sneaks out at night and risks her life to write her pseudonym in beautiful detail, in extraodinary places.

Desai, Anita - Village by the Sea
Set in an Indian village this is the story of a family of four children who have an ill mother and a father with a severe drink problem. They have no other adults to support them and consequently the two oldest children have to support the whole family and forego their own education and youth. The story does have a positive ending.

Fine, A - The Granny Project
Ivan and his brother and sisters cannot believe it when their parents want to put their Grandmother into a home for the elderly. They refuse to allow this to happen and find out what it is like to look after someone else.

Feeny, Josephine - The Day My Parents Ran Away
Sarah's dad has a nervous breakdown. Then, just when he seems to be getting better, he runs away. Her mum sets out to bring him back and Sarah has promised to tell no one they have gone. She is left alone with her two little sisters but how long can she keep the secret?

Fowler, T - The Wind Is Silver
Jennifer's world is turned upside down when the accident happens. Margaret, her older sister, is away in Melbourne so Jennifer takes responsibility for running the family home, a test that she faces with a strength and courage which surprises everyone and alters her life dramatically.

Gavin, J - I Want To Be An Angel
Effie has always had a secret dream of playing an angel, but life is so busy she misses the auditions for the school nativity play. Effie cares for her disabled mum, but to keep the family together she must find help, everything seems to be going against her, then Mum mentions Auntie Janice....

Gleitzman, Morris - Two Weeks With The Queen
Colin's younger brother Luke is dying of cancer and Colin decides to find a doctor who can cure him. Colin moves to England, and during one of his visits to a top London hospital to find a doctor who will help Luke, he befriends a man called Ted, whose friend is dying with Aids.

Laird, E - Oranges in No Man's Land
Ayesha is a young girl living as a refugee in war-torn Beirut. Her grandmother needs medicine which can only be obtained from the wrong side of the green line. Ayesha's adventures show people at their best and worst and that no side is completely right or wrong in this simply told, effective and moving tale.

Shona xxx

Thanks for your reviews and recommendations so far - keep them coming!

All of you who have posted up a review already will win a signed copy of "Mother's Ruin" - please let us have your addresses so we can get them sent out - just email them to us at youngcarers@carers.org if you havn't already!

Thanks to all of you, we're looking forward to reading some of your suggestions..

Sam and Ewan

I received the book in the post today, and am now about half-way through it. I'm really enjoying it, although maybe "enjoying" is the wrong word. It's made me appreciate how lucky I am, even though there are some bits that I recognise although obviously it's different in a lot of ways. Anyway, I guess I'll write a proper review when I've finished it

Thanks.

heya!

i came back of holiday 2 find the book waiting there lol!

ive not started it yet cuz ive been busy over easter but am planning 2 start it 2night :)

wil post a review soon about it, looks a gud read tho