Doncaster Book Award - Read Reviews

Doncaster: Discover the Spirit

George's Secret Key to the Universe
by Lucy and Stephen Hawking

Shortlisted

So far we have received 39 reviews of George's Secret Key to the Universe. You can read them below - or why not add your own review?

Andrew from Year 8, Danum School Technology College:

This is a very good book for readers who enjoy adventure books,
well this one is like an adventure but in space. I would call
it Doctor Who if it had a Tardis and a man who didn't die. Out
of 5 stars I would give it 5 stars and I think it is a good
book for young readers.
Read the book you will find it interesting!

Marks out of 10: 9

Brandon from Year 8, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

This book is really good. It starts by a boy named George and
he has a pig called Freddie. He runs through a hole in the
fence so George runs through and goes into the next door house
to get Freddie but then he meets a girl who lives there called
Annie and then he meets her Dad Eric and then the universe
starts to unfold for George.

My favourite character is Eric because he is smart wise and all
knowing

This book is good because it is a cross between science fiction
and fiction and its good for someone who likes space and
adventure.

Marks out of 10: 8

Ruby from Year 7, Hayfield School:

This book took a long time to get into. I thought
that one of the first parts I read was very interesting when
George had to wear a pair of glasses so he did not get blinded,
but apart from that, I didn't really enjoy the book.
One thing that stays in my mind is why the little
girl said to George that she was an orphan? That really puzzled
me.
I do think that anyone with a VERY imaginative mind
would enjoy reading this book.

Marks out of 10: 5

jemma from Year 6, Montagu School, Mexborough:

I really like this book,it has ultra, amazing,scientific facts
and it's really intresting especially when george and annie go
on a comet ride and go past many planets and i think cosmos is
a brainy computer, too.
I recommend this book to ages 8+
It's marvellous
All the next readers to read it,enjoy!!

Marks out of 10: 10

Jack from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

A great mix of fiction and non-fiction, written by the amazing
Stephen Hawking himself! It is a great story followed by some
great facts. It is a gripping storyline that does not bore. I
would recommend this book to anyone.

Marks out of 10: 9

Corey from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

it is filled with suspence and there is excitement page after
page. I think george is funny timid characher.

Marks out of 10: 9

Clayton from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

This was the best book I have read so far. The best part was
when the scene was set, where George Had lost his pig

Marks out of 10: 10

Tim from Year 9, Ridgewood School:

This is a very good book and easy to get in to. I really
enjoyed reading the facts that were on the occasional pages and
I thought it had a really good story and theme which kids of
all ages could get into.

Marks out of 10: 10

Ben from Year 5, Owston Primary School:

There is a boy called george his has his owen pig there is a
house what is diserted and george went through a hole in the
fence and one day george's pig went into nextdoors kitchin and
george folled his pig and saw him drinking, purple jouse what
his pig was drinking and just then a girl and her dad came in
in a bali dress and her dad came in from work and gave george a
drink

Marks out of 10: 10

charlotte from Year 6, Edlington Victoria Primary School:

I think this book was totally amazing.
There was an adventure near enough on every page,so if you like
adventurous books this is the book for you.
This book is the best and you are learning things without
really knowing, this really makes science FUN.

Marks out of 10: 10

Vicki from Year 9, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

This book was totally cool. I loved the story line and it was
funny. I enjoyed the way that the characters in the book all
had a great part in it. George is the main character and he is
funny, helpful and kind. When his pig Freddy escapes into the
next doors yard George follows him. He meets his new neighbours
Annie and Eric. Annie is a girl who makes up silly stories and
was always making me laugh by the things that she said. I liked
this book because it was funny. It had lots of interesting
facts in it about the planet. I think this will appeal to all
ages because of its hilarity and also the unlikeliness of the
story. Overall I really liked it.

Marks out of 10: 7

Matthew from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:

A good book it doesnt make you feel you want to read on from
the first 2 to 10 pgs but about pg 50 we understand the story
better.I would rather oof read skullduggery pleasant which is
absouletly
AWESOME

Marks out of 10: 10

Jack from Year 6, Mallard Primary School:

I really enjoyed this book beacause there was always something
different happening. It all started normaly but after a few
chapters it gets into a sci-fi book. I liked it when they were
talking about a certain thing and then it explains what it is.
I loved it when the computer made a door and they jumped out
into outerspace.

Marks out of 10: 10

Liam from Year 6, Hexthorpe Primary School:

It is so brilliant and awesomely good. I recommend it to people
who like adventure stories and books about space. It's like 2
things squeezed into 1. I recommend this to a lot of people.
It's one of my favourite books. Some parts make your heart beat
faster. It's awsome. I recommend it for people to read it.

Marks out of 10: 10

Megan H from Year 6, Montagu School, Mexborough:

This book is outstandingly fabulous, I love it to pieces. My
faviourite character is Annie she is so cute but a little
fibber. This book is about a boy called George and he has got a
pig. One day the pig goes next door and George's Mum and Dad
have told him bad about the house. But George loves his pig too
much and goes but he meets some new people and a computer
that's real. But he really likes the house next door and always
likes to go to it. He is really interested in technology.

Marks out of 10: 9

Callum from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

This book is about a boy called George who stumbles across a
brilliant computer which will change the way George thinks
about the univese forever.
My favorite charector is cosmos as he can make portals
between the earth and the univese.
I would recomend this book to adventure people and people
who want to know more about space.

Marks out of 10: 10

Jack from Year 8, Danum School Technology College:

George's Secret Key to the Universe is a book about a boy
called George who finds out the secret key to the universe, a
super computer called Cosmos, which he finds next door to his
house. At first, George is scared of going next door, but after
his pig breaks in, he has no choice! He gets told by Eric, the
owner of Cosmos and the neighbour next door, to keep Cosmos a
secret, but George accidentally gets brought into telling his
horrible school teacher, Dr Reeper, about it. Dr Reeper plans
to steal Cosmos, but will his plan bring success? Find out by
reading the book! I would say that George's Secret Key to the
Universe is for kids aged between 8 and 12, just perfect for
the DBA! I hope this book gets into the shortlist, but I don't
know if it deserves to win. I would rate this adventurous
Sci-Fi book an 8/10.

Marks out of 10: 8

Holly from Year 7, Danum School Technology College:

I just could not get into the story at all. The story was good
at first but it got worse for me as it got along plus it isn't
my kind of book so of you like science stuff this is the thing
for you.

Marks out of 10: 4

Bev from Year 5, Owston Primary School:

Although it was a good story, and kept my interest to the end I
found the pages of science information a little distracting.
Definitely a book for anyone who is interested in the Earth and
beyond.

Marks out of 10: 8

jessica from Year 5, Owston Primary School:

This book is awsome if you love space. Really exellent
pictures, too. Very cool, adventure seekers will love it.

Marks out of 10: 8

Bethany from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:

This is a lively book. Goerge has this pig and he breaks
through into the next doors garden and George has to go and
find him. His pig is a bit naughty!
He has a space ride and there is a dangerous asteroid storm.
I like this book because it is very interesting.

Marks out of 10: 7

Matthew F from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:

This story is about George who had a pig, who chewed a hole in
the fence and escaped. George went next door to get his pig
back and went into the house, where it was like a laboratory.
There were hundreds of screens and a 'cosmos' - the world's
greatest computer. It let you go into space and see planets.
This book is brilliant to read because it has proper coloured
phots from NASA.

Marks out of 10: 10

Chelsea from Year 6, Sunnyfields Primary School:

The main character is George.
George has his computer with pictures of the space on. So he
calls himself 'Cosmos'.
His Dad found out what he was doing and he was only allowed on
his computer one hour a week.

Marks out of 10: 7

from Year 6, Mallard Primary School:

I think George's secret key to the universe is a great book, it
has great pictires and I would recomend to buy more stephen
hawking books.Its got facinating pictures of the moon and other
things in the universe.Theres great characters in this book
like Cosmos,whos my favourite characters.

Marks out of 10: 10

Amelia from Year 6, Bessacarr Primary School:

Its ok but it is about outer space

Marks out of 10: 8

Natasha from Year 9, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:

I thought George's Secret key to the Universe was a great kids
book. The book starts of by saying that george's pet pig
breaks in to next door's garden. George is not allowed in next
doors garden and his mum once told him why. I would recomend
this book to people that like learning about the planet and the
universe, because there is a lot of facts in the book. I gave
this book a ten because it was really good read and it was hard
to put down.

Marks out of 10: 10

Tia from Year 6, Balby Street Primary School:

I don't like this book it so busy to many things are going on
they are telling you facts also you have to keep going with
story so I would advise you to read it if you absolutely love
science but I am not that keen on science I didn't enjoy it. I
f you love science facts this book is perfect for you but if
you don't just don't read it .

Marks out of 10: 2

Bethany from Year 5, Sunnyfields Primary School:

BORING!
I would recommend this to people who like science. I don't
really think this book is good because it does goes on and on
and on if you know what I mean.
Don't let me put you off if you really want to read it - this
is just my opinion

Marks out of 10: 2

jack lucas from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:

WOW WOW WOW WOW! What an amazing book. some of the cosmo files
were annoying as they appeared in inapprpiate places but the
story was ace. my favourite character was cosmo as he is the
worlds most intelligent ( and funny) computer.

Marks out of 10: 10

Jack Lucas from Year 5, Adwick Park Junior School:

Marks out of 10: 10

Adam from Year 8:

i would give this book 7 out of ten because it is very factual
and full of info on planets as well as that it is a gripping
read.
Bangor Grammar School, NI.

Marks out of 10: 7

Luke from Year 7, Ridgewood School:

It is fantastic it is so good.So many facts it blew my
mind.Mind bloggerling.

Marks out of 10: 10

Megan from Year 5, Owston Primary School:

This book is very good i loved the pictues of the moon and the
planets this book is ace

Marks out of 10: 10

Kyle from Year 10, Ridgewood School:

I found this book really interesting, it was good to see some
famous names making a comeback into fiction and making a book
both enjoyable but factual and educational also. The pictures
are amazing! It's really worth reading if you get the chance.

Marks out of 10: 8

jsh from Year 9, Danum School Technology College:

good book

Marks out of 10: 10

Megan from Year 6, St Peter's Catholic Primary School:

This book is absolutely brilliant! The best bit is where George
and Annie have a ride on the comet. It is just so descriptive.
Also, I like all the science bits that Stephen Hawking did.
They tell you a lot. The pictures of our solar system are
wonderful! I had no idea things like that were out there! If
you like adventure stories, then this is the book for you. It
is one of the best books I have ever read! So, go to the shops,
get this book,read it and enjoy it!

Marks out of 10: 10

Brandon from Year 8, Adwick Park Junior School:

This book is about a boy named George and he has a pig. The
pig escapes through a hole in the garden fence and George has
to go through to get him back. He meets the neighbours, Eric
and Annie and that's when it all begins.

I liked how the book brings fiction and non-fiction together to
make one really good book. Eric is really smart, wise and
all-knowing.

It was a bit slow to start with but eventually got good. I
would recommend anyone who is interested in science fiction and
space to read this book.

Marks out of 10: 7

Emily from Year 10, Ridgewood School:

This book is a very science book as it as got lots of pictures
and facts about the planets.
It is about A man called Eric and his is the dad of Annie and
she wears a tutu.

This book is a really good and i really enjoyed reading
it!!!!!!!!!!
The best thing about this book was learning about the
planets!!!

Marks out of 10: 9

Jack from Year 6, St Peter's Catholic Primary School:

This is a really good book.It is full of adventure and
exitement.When I first started reading this book I thought wow
this is quite weird I mean who has a pet pig in their garden
and parents that wouldn't let him have a computer and eat stuff
like broccoli cake and stuff like that .But later on I started
liking it and when George went into next doors garden wich he
was told not to go into he finds what really kicks this book
off and this is really early in the book.The actual facts and
pictures are really cool I've never seen anything like
them.Cosmos is the best computer ever and that creep Doctor
Creeper wants to steal Cosmos for his genious plans!What a
book.I would recomend reading it best book I have ever read
!Best book in the universe.

Marks out of 10: 9

Colony
J A Henderson

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