Doncaster: Discover the Spirit
Colony
by J A Henderson
Shortlisted
2010 Winner!
So far we have received 41 reviews of Colony. You can read them below.
Thomas from Year 8, Ridgewood School:
I think this book has lots of interesting things in it but some
of the chapters go on for ever and there is five chapters about
one person and what they're doing. Also it is a bit confusing
because it keeps going back and forward through time. My
favorite part is where the army land on Kirkfallen and head up
to the Macalrren research Facility ad capture Gene. I would
give this book 8/10
Kyle from Year 11, Ridgewood School:
I understand why some people would enjoy this book but to be
honest, I didn't find it enjoyable. I find the link between
ants and the army a little too much.
I wouldn't recommend it personally to anyone but people who
like war may enjoy it more due to personal understanding.
Shannon from Year 8, Danum School Technology College:
This book was really good.It was really good because you could
try to fit it all together... so in ways it was like a mystery.
I liked it when it all fit together near the end.It was really
exciting and really enjoyable. The characters are all really
good because you can imagine them in your head really well.At
the end its quite sad because the children have to escape from
the island of kirkfallen and one of them dies. It's a good
mystery, action and adventure book and very, very exciting.
It's definitely for older children though because it can be
quite confusing at the beginning because it flashes back
between dates and you have to be able to follow it really well.
But overall it's really, really good!!
Jess from Year 7, Danum School Technology College:
I think this book has lots of interesting things in it but some
of the chapters go on for ever and there is five chapters about
one person and what they're doing. Also it is a bit confusing
because it keeps going back and forward through time. My
favourite part is where the army land on Kirkfallen and head up
to the Maclarren research Facility and capture Gene. I would
give this book 8/10
Daniel from Year 6, St Peter's Catholic Primary School:
This fantastic thriller is a very interesting book, about two
teenage kids that try to discover what happened on that fateful
day.The book is quite hard to remember because the story keeps
going to the future and then it goes back in time,it is like a
film I recently watched with the rest of my school. The film
was called shorts. Still the book is one of the most exciting
books Ive ever read.
Alicia from Year 8, Danum School Technology College:
This book was ok but I lost interest at some parts of the story
where the book changed back and foward through time. I wasn't
that keen on this book but if you like reading about the war
then this is the book for you. I would give this book 5/10.
Luke from Year 7, Rossington All Saints School:
This dark thriller just made me read and read and I couldnt put
the book down. That is the reason I rate this 7 out of 10. I
would recomend this book to anyone.
Georgia-Mae from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:
This book is an amazing war story with non-stop action and
drama and action! My favourite character was Poppy Ainsworth
because she was headstrong,independendant,she didn't mind being
made fun of and was couragess until the very end. I disliked
the fact that it kept switching from past to present ,which
made it confusing,and the author did not give much description
on the characters. I would recommend this book to older teenage
boys and tomboys. It's a great book about the goverment,lies
and a whole lot of ants. I liked this book even though I'm a
girl though so I'm not saying don't read it because it's great!
liam from Year 7, Hall Cross School:
i think this book is good becose it is intresting it has alot
of action also it is a bit confusing bacose it goes back and
faword in time
Zack from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
Everyone said to me you will love this book its fantastic! I
read it and completely agreed with them this book is brilliant,
for me it is a truly fantastic read. There is a very strange
plot which does'nt make any sense at all ! And suddenly the
plot is revealed, (well to me anyway!). This book is'nt good
enough to win I don't think but I would gladly reccomend this
book to anyone.
Zack from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
Colony was reccomended to me by loads of my freinds and even my
libarian! They all said that it was brilliant and after reading
it I completely agree with them, this book is very confusing
and has a very cunning plot. I can't really explain the plot
because I would give the story away, but I can say that this
was a really good book. I don't think (in my opinion) that this
is good enough to win, but it is still a fantastic read!
Therefore claiming its 9 out of ten.
Abbie from Year 9, Mexborough School:
This enthralling piece of writing is a thoroughly enjoyable
read and I loved the plot line and the way that JA Henderson
twists it to make it seem something different to what it
actually is, just to keep the reader guessing and keeping them
engrossed.
I would totally reccomend it to book lovers everywhere. x
Megan from Year 8, Danum School Technology College:
When I started to read this book I found it quite hard to
understand, each chapter kept going back and forth to different
time periods. I understand how some people can enjoy this book,
it can be quite interesting, but this book was just not for me.
If I had to recommend this book to other people, I would
recommend it to people who like to read a mystery and put bits
together. I give this book 5 out of 10 because it was ok but
not fantastic.
Jack from Year 9, Danum School Technology College:
Yet another fantastic book on the longlist this year: Colony.
Colony? How to describe Colony?
... Probably the most complicated yet brilliant storyline on
the longlist altogether. Using not 1, but two tenses in the
story,-past and present, Colony is a big mystery, which a team
called the Guardian unit try to discover. The story is very
fact-full, with bunches of information on human and animal
biology spread out between the different stages of the story,
all about "hormones," in this case, a type of hormone called
Pheromones. It all is very complicated, and difficult to
understand, but the basic storyline is about some kids trapped
on Kirkfallen Island, near the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.
You could call it trapped, but the child inhabitants don't
really think of it as that meaning, they liked to call it home,
until a strange thing happened. The Orbisons, a family living
on Kirkfallen Island suddenly die, and although the inhabitants
suggest that the Orbisons commited "suicide," a boy called
Gene, isn't satisfied, and gathers his friends, Poppy and
Millar, to their "gang-hut" to try and get deeper into the
investigation. Gene believes that the Orbisons were murdered,
and after expressing his opinion and persuading his friends
that he is right, they all agree to make a list of the possible
"killers." As the story goes further in, the kids learn that
Kirkfallen isn't just any normal island - in fact, far from it,
and as they start going as deep as visiting places they
shouldn't/are not allowed to go, they discover something that
will change their lives forever. Now, all in all, a pretty
interesting storyline, with drama and mystery...
but Colony is more than just that! In fact, Colony has other
stories going on. Meanwhile, in Aberdeen, Scotland, a family is
distressed, feeling that they are "haunted." They see a picture
of a mysterious sort of "ghost-girl" behind all of their
photographs, looking to kill, so they report this to the local
Psychic, Mr. Gacy, who claims that he will go investigate.
However, as Mr. Gacy leaves, he is not, in any shape or form,
going to do what he says and knows exactly what is going on. It
means danger. However, Mr. Gacy is not who he seems... he is a
con-man, and he is just getting ready to start his own
investigation, one that may not lead to the greater good.
So there you have it, 2 stories going on, however, lets
proceed to yet another, number 3. Back in the past, 1980, at a
desert called the Mojave Desert in California, a woman is
driving a car. In the boot is an unconscious boy and several
dead bodies. Suddenly, the boy wakes up, and feels around him,
not knowing where he is. He feels the dead bodies and rises in
alarm. However, the woman driving the car, named Louise, tells
him there is no need to worry, just be calm. Dan, which the boy
is called, is far from calm, and when told that he and Louise
are the only nearby people alive, who have survived some
terrible destruction, becomes even more frightened. As the car
finally comes to a halt, and after several stops and starts to
get to someplace, finally, Louise leaves Dan, and Dan is left
all alone, to begin his life, at only 13. He doesn't realise
how eventful and shocking it will be. Louise, however, also has
a life to live, but her path will eventually end in death.
Yet still, we aren't finished, as there is one more story to
tell. In Edinburgh, Scotland, a girl named Apathy lives with
her mum, Emily. Apathy's dad is missing, but Apathy doesn't
know why, and Emily is reluctant to tell her. However, Emily
had made a promise, that Apathy could get to know all the
truth, on her 15th birthday, and when Emily comes in drunk, on
the night before, she blurts out everything. Apathy's dad is a
killer. Not just some ordinary killer, but one on the loose,
never to be found, and never to be forgiven. As Apathy searches
information about her dad, she gets kidnapped. In all shock,
the kidnapper, is her dad, and after listening to her dad's
story, she realises that she is in danger also, and is going
to, yet again, have a terrifying, most eventful future.
Ok, there is all four, but you must be wondering where this is
all leading to. Well, deep in the centre of all of this is an
illness, or maybe, a virus. Either way, certain kids have some
"virus" in them, which, when unleashed, (in the middle of their
15th year of life) a scurry of ants appear, and drive everyone
mad, causing plenty of deaths and mass confusion. According to
researchers, who have been studying the problem for plenty of
years now... from 1980, led by Doctor Kelty, who is an
obsessive scientist who never gives up in solving something,
they have come to a conclusion that the problem is all to do
with pheromones, a type of hormone, which somehow gets into the
body of certain children and makes them have this sudden
outbreak during their 15th year. Calling themselves the
Guardian Unit, the team of researches try to solve this weird
problem, but really, never comes succesfully to a solid,
arguable conclusion.
Eventually, as you read on, in some strange, but perfect way,
the 4 different storylines will come together in one big
battle!
So with all of this happening, Colony takes your mind on trips,
from the largest cities to the most hazardous deserts, from
mysterious islands to even more mysterious problems/mysteries.
An apsolute Fabulous piece of literary quality, probably more
suiting the Carnegie award criteria - but with such enjoyment
and discovery, the book could be a worthy DBA winner also. An
easy 10/10 and one to definitely pick up to be unravelled in a
work of art from J.A Henderson. Simply amazing!!!
Ereza from Year 6, Hatchell Wood Primary School:
The book is really confusing because it is set in loads of
different times it isn't really recomended for people my age
because it has some bad language in it otherwise it is quite
good i wouldn't normally choose a book like this but it was
really good as it started getting easier towards the end of the
book.
Luke from Year 6, Saltersgate Primary School:
I thought this book is FANASTIC!!!
Its mainly about an infection going roud that makes you go
beserk and theres an island full of people infected by it. At
one point it was so sad it made me cry.
I disliked it because at one point it was a bit confusing.
But apart from that it was excelent.
My favourie charecter was D.B. Salty because he was a man of
his word.
I think no book will be as good as this and I want this to win
Callum B from Year 6, Montagu School, Mexborough:
I left colony till the half way but i wish i hadn't. It is
soaction packed and you dont want to put the book down. This is
how much i wanted to read the last few pages i gave up
breaktime to read my book. So if you don't really wan't to
Colony just think about this reveiw and i think you will change
yor mind.
Joel from Year 6, Montagu School, Mexborough:
This book is slow, but has a good ending, you can't stop
reading this book. It is quite addicting. The beginning is
okay, but get's better towards the end of the story. Overall
Alright.
Lydia from Year 7, Armthorpe School:
OMG! This is the best book ever! When i first looked at the
cover i thought.............er no this is a boy's book, how
wrong. As Miss Hurworth always says "Don't judge a book by it's
cover". From the first page i was gripped. Non stop action
packed. I would recommed the book to more confident readers as
there are a lot of characters and plots going on. It says TEEN
title but i think some year sevens would cope!
Well done JA Henderson, i really enjoyed this book.
Abby from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
This fantastic book is about a few people linked to a terrible
tragedy that occured in the past. A secret army facility was
destroyed by a huge colony of ants.
I liked how ants kept popping up in the book.
My favourite characeter was Emily because she had the most
mysterious past because of Apathy's Dad. i didn't dislike
anything about this book it was all brilliant. I would
recommmend this book to anyone that likes a lovely long
interesting read!!!
Charlie from Year 6, Montagu School, Mexborough:
an adventurous book and i like this because it has one chapter
at once in 1983 then the next as 2009 it's time travelling
Joe from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:
I will rate Colony a 5 out of 10 because this book sort of gets
repetative,well you've got to expect it because everything to
do with war is just fighting thats it.
Elinor from Year 8, Danum School Technology College:
I don't know what all the fuss is about concerning this book. I
couldn't understand the plotline or get into the story easily.
It all seemed a bit pointless. Normally when I write a review,
I do a quick, no-spoilers summary of the story. However this
book was so confusing that I'm afraid I won't be able to to do
that this time around.
daniel from Year 8, Armthorpe School:
I can't believe anybody wouldn't love this book! I can't
remember the last book i read right to the end as i'm more of a
sporty outdoorsy type, but..........i saw this on the display
at our school and the cover instantly got me interested. I had
been sent in the library to work on my own (don't ask!) and
started reading it to kill 5 mins or so till the bell. I think
it is the first book i've taken out of school library, i
remembered the Doncaster Book Award from MIss Hurworth coming
into our Primary School. This book is absolutely fab, and i
think girls would like it too. I want to now read all JA
Henderson's books and even asked for Crash for Christmas. I'm
now reading Bedlam, but this book should deffo win.
Bryn from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:
well i thought this was a very very good book but on the other
hand it was quite a hard book to read but apart from that it
was a very very enjoyable read
Robert from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:
I say:
Colony is not a good book because it is bit to hand for
me and I read hafe of Colony then I got bored of it.
Katie from Year 6, Hatfield Manor Junior School:
this book was not very good in my opinion and i couldn't bear
to read it all and it is so boring at the beginning and most of
it wasn't that good in my opinion.
Adam from Year 6, Edenthorpe Hall Primary School:
Very mysterious once again not read it completly so i think
that good but very spooky and very mysterious (I repeating my
self) so spooky I recommend it to any one.
Abie from Year 8, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
How do i put this??.... ermm.... a unusual book (for me
anyway). You see its like a science book with hormones and
human facts and animal facts. I'm not really into that sort of
stuff. The thing I did like the most was that the author (J.A
Henderson) put in a secret army facility that was destroyed by
a huge colony of ants. You wouldn't see that every day!! Im
going to give it a 4/10 as I didnt really enjoy it.
katie from Year 6, Adwick Park Junior School:
i think this book is realy exciting to read because it just
makes you read on and on and by the time i had finished i had
read it in about aday. so i would recomend other people to read
it.. from Katie Shelton
charlotte from Year 7, Ridgewood School:
i think this book was really good
Adam Ant from Year 13:
"So unlock the jukebox and do yourself a favour, Rap music's
lost it's taste so try another flavour...............off to
north of the border now, och eye the noo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ryan from Year 8, Adwick Park Junior School:
i think this book was good
ryan from Year 8, Adwick Park Junior School:
i think this book was good
dominic from Year 8, Hall Cross School:
The beginning is confusing but it leaves the reader begging for
more utterly unputdownable 10/10
Paige from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
In this book a secret army was destroyed by ants and a boy and
a girl think they are linked to that day. I loved the
storyline of this book. I liked all of the characters, because
they all played a part in the story. There was nothing I
didn't like about this book. I would recommend it because it
is really action packed and most people would really enjoy it.
megan from Year 7, Don Valley School and Performing Arts College:
I loved this book, it was adventurous and sad at the same time.
It has a load of stories inside but my favourite one was the
2nd. That is why I gave this book an 8/10.
Becky from Year 9, Danum School Technology College:
The story goes that 30 years ago, millions of ants overun and
destroyed a secret army research facillity. There were only two
survivers. There name's were Dan Salty and Louise Martin.
Little did they know, something horrible survived with them.
Different characters discover that they are all linked to one
another. Their roots aren't what they believe it to be. This
book contains lots and lots of ants. I loved the way all the
different plots all combined to make the characters work
together.
Shalissa from Year 8, Mexborough School:
After I read the book I found myself excited as there was a lot
of description, Poppy, Millar, Gene are best of friends as they
can tell each other anything. I don't think that their so
called parents, even though the childeren on kirkfallen island
don't even know they are part of an experiment, are fair on
them lying to them. I think JA Henderson should write a sequel.
holly from Year 6, Owston Primary School:
this book is really exsiting and the title is amazing i cant
wait till the final to meet him andget an atograph
Lottie from Year 6, St Peter's Catholic Primary School:
I thought this book was amazing, J.A Henderson was hilarious at
the Doncaster Book Awards!
Colony
J A Henderson
Peter the Penguin Pioneer
Daren King
Ruby Rogers: Party Pooper
Sue Limb
A Bit of a Hero
Gervase Phinn
The Soul Trade
E E Richardson
Frozen in Time
Ali Sparkes
Cookie
Jacqueline Wilson
Bloodchild
Tim Bowler
The Robber Baron's Daughter
Jamila Gavin- Colony
J A Henderson 
The Lady in the Tower
Marie-Louise Jensen
The Long Weekend
Savita Kalhan
The Haunting of Nathaniel Wolfe
Brian Keaney
Bedlam
Ally Kennen- Peter the Penguin Pioneer
Daren King - Ruby Rogers: Party Pooper
Sue Limb 
Blood Ties
Sophie McKenzie
Indian Summer
Pratima Mitchell
Boys United
Tom Palmer- A Bit of a Hero
Gervase Phinn 
Nation
Terry Pratchett
Tales of Terror from the Black Ship
Chris Priestley- The Soul Trade
E E Richardson 
The Kiss of Death
Marcus Sedgwick- Frozen in Time
Ali Sparkes 
Weird
Jeremy Strong- Cookie
Jacqueline Wilson
Doncaster Book Award · www.doncasterbookaward.net · Contact Details · Website redeveloped by Intexta