Southwark Book Award

Author: Robert Swindells

Title: The Shade of Hettie Daynes

More Info: See Shortlist 2008 page

You have sent us 60 reviews of this book so far. Keep them coming by letting us know what you think of The Shade of Hettie Daynes on the Have your Say page!

sydney from Southwark Park Primary School said:

Hettie Daynes is a excellent book that I really enjoy. It is about a girl named Beth and her brother named Harry with their two friends Rob and Alison. They all go to a resovier and see a ghost, what they beleive is Hettie Daynes. Hettie Daynes was Beth and her brothers mums great great aunt. She msteriously dissapeared about a 100 years ago. They find a skeloten and investigate. This skeleton is holding a unborn baby and it is beleived it is Hettie Daynes. At the end, she gets a proper burial in a grave instead of under water.

I never knew that there was such a word as \'a unborn child\' and how it could be used as a skeleton.
I would definately recomend this book to others and think it is for children 9 - 11. Tue 6th Jul 2010

Marks out of 10: 10

james from Charter School said:

A quite gripping and easy read Its easy to understand and I would aim it at younger children not pre teens. Its quite unrelistic because no one takes family pride that seriously any more. Mon 13th Jul 2009

Marks out of 10: 7

Chelsea from Charter School said:

I thought this book was uterly rubbish, the stotyline, the descriptions, in all-just plain terrible. I would not recomend this book to any one to be honest unless your into rubbish so called 'mysteries'. To me it was boring, uninteresting and a chore to read.

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! Sun 5th Jul 2009

Marks out of 10: 2

Vivian from Bacon's College said:

The Shade of Hettie Daynes is a very mysterious book it's about a ghost and a group of children trying to investigate the ghost and the area of which they find a skeleton. Who's skeleton could it have been? Well all I can say it's definitely not the ghost of Hettie Daynes! Near the end of the story everything is revealed and I just couldn't put the book down it was getting soooooooo exciting and shocking! I nearly read the whole half of the book in one go! Before I didn't like spooky books because I thought they were long and boring but now I love it! With all the revealing and excitement! Sat 27th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Remel from Eveline Lowe Primary School said:

The Shade of Hettie Daynes is an astonishing book to read. I like the way it scares you about being an ansistor to the Midgleys. I also like the way Hettie Daynes was guarding her and her babies bones. I like the ending when shes buried and she dissapears, and is no longer to be seen.

By Remel Fri 26th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Alexandra from Charter School said:

This is a spooky book that actually makes the hairs on my back stand up. About a chid being "unborn" was something I have never heard of. Even the title made me feel a little chill. It was well described and I could picture everything even the scary parts. The qualtiy of this book was incredible and I would want to own a book like this.
VERY COOL BOOK. Though it started boring and I almost gave up reading but read it all and THEN you get the juicy bits. Wed 24th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Fahima from Tower Bridge Primary School said:

This book was spooky, but not so scary to give you nightmares! Overall it was chillingly cool.
Mwhaha!! Wed 24th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Abdul from Tower Bridge Primary School said:

I think this book is fantastic! Its about a brother and a sister with their friends Rob and Alison. They find a human skeleton in a reservoir and become famous. Wed 24th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Charlotte from Eveline Lowe Primary School said:

it is so spooky i even had to put my pillow in front of me Tue 23rd Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

kirstie from Charter School said:

this was a great mystery book , i thought it would be boring at first but as i started reading it was really good and Hettie Daynes having a unborn child really shocked me big time... Mon 22nd Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Daniel from Eveline Lowe Primary School said:

I gave this book a 7 out of 10 because i loved the characters and the direct of speech and i like the storyline about the ghost of Hettie Daynes and it was great to read it. Mon 22nd Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 7

Jose from St Thomas the Apostle College said:

This book is very eerie and mysterious sometimes but can cometimes be boring as well, but in overall
it was a very good book to read:) Mon 22nd Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 7

Joskun from Redriff Primary School said:

'The Shade of Hettie Daynes' was the second of the books I read. When I first saw the front cover I thought it looked a bit mysterious with all the fog and the way the girl looks as if she is standing on the purple freezing water. When I read the blurb it gave me goose bumps just reading the blurb which made me really keen to read the whole thing especilly after I read the quote from the Young Telegraph which said "That it was so scary you're afraid to read the next page" But I wasn't! The book was so terrifying I couldn't stop reading! Fri 19th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 7

Jake from Redriff Primary School said:

The shade of Hettie Daynes was absolutely fantastic for a number of reasons. Firstly, because the detail the author Robert Swindells described the characters and the powerful vocabularly almost made me feel like I was there in the story. The story finally revealed itself in the closing stages when Rob found Carl Hopwood's great grandad's notebook and it contained the unbeliveable truth into the the disapearance of Hettie Daynes, who was a matter of fact pregnant. She was killed by a member of the Hopwood family because she rejected his offer of getting married. Thu 18th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Alice from Redriff Primary School said:

I loved this book because it was mysterious, scary and at times humourous. I loved the ending because it really ended the book with you happy and satisfied about what the outcome was of Hettie Daynes and the other characters. I really didn't expect that Hettie was only guarding her bones and her babies. I also didn't expect that Hettie was murdered by a Hopwood. Wow! I was hanging on every word. My favourite character was Bethan because although she was really shy, she was very curious and keen on the adventure. I hope that Robert Swindell has written or will write a new book because I know it will be as amazing and mysterious as this one. Thu 18th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

CHLOE from Kingsdale School said:

I think this book is alright. It isn't really my taste of book, but i enjoyed reading it for a change ! Wed 17th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 7

billy from Southwark Park Primary School said:

This book is about two children that go to the reservoir and spot a ghost. they want to go further and investigate. In the end they find out that Councillor Hopwood's grandad killed Hettie Daynes ...

I thought that it was an exciting book but not as scarey as I thought it would be. i did think that it was a brllliant book. That's why I gave it a 10 out of 10. It was so good I read it twice and i hate reading! It is the sort of book that makes you want to carry on reading, keep turning the page on and on . It is a brilliant book. I would totally recommend it . The only bad thing was that there were too many characters. Wed 17th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

monjama from Southwark Park Primary School said:

I enjoyed this book the shade of hettie daynes because it was a great ghost story. Hettie daynes was a great antie to crista migdy . She disaappear aroud 100 year ago.The people last saw her 100 year ago as taking her clothes off an cring a lot.the kids that saw the ghost of hettie dynes were not believed at first until carl the coucillor`s son when in the room that his fater had forbinned him for. he found a family secret that had locked away. i was a diary that belonged to his great grandfather.he put the diary in his school bag.the was take (which was kind of stealing )by the kids that sawthe ghost they knew this will bring the mystery together .the kids told crista midgley the mother of bethan and harry about the diary . the couliolliour noticed it was missing so carl explianed.he when round Rob house and started yelling.he when to tthe resiviour to throw the bone away.
read the rest to foundout more!
i will recommond this book for someone between 9 and 30.but the personhas to be fanicated with ghost and mystrious like me to made it camealive.
my fav part was when the kids that investigating they out that Carls grand great grandfater got hettie Daynes peregant and told hernot to have the baby so she when mad. So he took herto the resiviour and drowned her. Wed 17th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 8

Nelita from Southwark Park Primary School said:

There are 4 main charaters Harry, Bethan, Rob and A lison. Harry and Bethan see a ghost at Wilton Waters (an old reservoir). Harry and Bethan get their friends, Rob and Alison, to help them investigate what the ghost is doing there.

The Story:
Harry shows Bethan that there is a ghost at the old reservoir (Wilton Waters). Bethan tells her friend, Alison and Harry tells his friend, Rob. The ghost is called Hettie Daynes, Harry and Bethan's mum's ancestor who drowned over 100 years ago. Hettie Daynes was pregnant when she drowned. This made me feel really low. Harry, Bethan, Rob and Alison find Hettie Daynes' bones not far from where the ghost is. They found her bones with smaller human bones which looked some kind of a baby. The group's enemy, Carl Hopwood, his father was the one who drowned Hettie Daynes! I thought that was really mean. But in a whole, I think the book is bone-chilling brilliant!

My favourite Part:
My favourite part of the book was when Hopwood (carl's father), Christa (Harry and Bethan's mother) and Harry were stopping Hopwood from trying to steal Hettie Daynes' bones. I was holding my breath through the whole chapter. But when Hopwood screamed, I thought that was hilarious!

Recommendations:
I would recommend it to people who like reading horror stories because this book will make you jump out of your skin! 7+ Wed 17th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Alesi from Southwark Park Primary School said:

The book is called The shade of Hettie Daynes, I find this book very intresting and i would recommend it to year 6 and over pupils. The boy Harry takes his sister Bethan to the reservoir to see a ghost that was killed many years before and burred at the reservoir and now she haunts the reservoir because she was not left to rest in peice. I think it is a very good book. I rate this book 10 out of 10. And i give the author a well done ! So well done Wed 17th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Georgie from Southwark Park Primary School said:

This story is about a boy who takes his sister to the reservoir and they see a ghost.
But the ghost haunts the reservoir where she was murdered hundreds of years before. In the story the children keep going back to solve the mystery of the murder. They only find out at the very end that it is a murder.
It wasnt that good because they was too many characters and you didnt know who they were talking to or who was talking every time. What was good was that it was quite exciting when they keppt going back to the reservoir, and it got scary.
It was a bit hard to read but we used it as a class story and it was quite good to listen to. Wed 17th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 5

Joe from Southwark Park Primary School said:

I think this book was very good and was very fast moving.The main characters was Bethan, Harry, Rob and Alison.The book starts off when Harry takes his sister Bethan to the resovoir where there is a ghost...but Bethan can really see it.Legend says that the ghost is Hettie Daynes who vanished hundredsof years before.Now Bethan, Harry, Rob and Alison are determined to find out more!
I think Robert Swindells has produced a superb book and in my opinion a well deserved 10!!! Wed 17th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Billy from Southwark Park Primary School said:

it was ok because it is not that scary and not that boring so i would give it5/10 Wed 17th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 5

Agnes from City of London Academy said:

I thought that the shade of hettie daynes was FANTASTIC! i loved the way he used a scary theme and it made me want carry on reading. i like scary stories. but i don't read them that often beacuse i haven't seen one that i think i'll be really interested in.
however, there is one slight thing that could be improved about the book, it needs to talk more about the ghost and i think the children should have been able to see the ghost more often and try to communicate with it.(because the main story is about the ghost)
i loved the way the book had history on the ghost called hettie daynes, i feel like the book was similar to a puzzle. you had to fit one situation with another to come up with the truth. it also had a bit of real life situations such as child abuse. and i like the way the authour not only was on the adults point of view but the childrens too. i think the moral of this story is to tell the truth, face your fears, do not bully others because you are bullied yourself and care for the people in your comunity. Robert Swindells has made and faboulous book and if it wins i won't be suprised but if i dosen't win i will be suprised but everyone has thier own opinon. thank you for making such a good book and a big well done! Mon 15th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

alice from City of London Academy said:

i enjoyed reading the shade of hettie daynes. i found it was quite interesting.
i would definately recommend it to a friend Thu 11th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

olu from St Thomas the Apostle College said:

it was good. Tue 9th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 7

Olu from St Thomas the Apostle College said:

It was a good book but i found it hard to keep interested, in my opinion it would not stand a chance against cosmic. but it is still a good book.
Tue 9th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 7

Geme from St Thomas the Apostle College said:

I thought this book was really good and it kept me hooked and i could not put it down. Tue 9th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 8

Darington from Bacon's College said:

This book has got a 9 from me because at first the book was a bit... well kind of ... bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg but then the story really kicked in and began to get interesting and a bit funny. I also believe Carl deserved a taste of his own medicine but it was sad that his dad bullied him. Fri 5th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Theola from Bacon's College said:

I like this book because it had a lot of description, you could picture what was going on in the book, in your head. It is about a group of children who investigate the case of a murder that happened about 100 years back. My favourite part of the book is when they found the bones of Hettie Daynes by the mill, under some rocks. I gave this book 7 out of ten because I thought it could have been a little more interesting. Fri 5th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 7

Vytaute from St John's RC Primary School, St Elmos Rd said:

I thought that the book was quite boring, but at some points it is hard hitting. I would recommend this book to people that like ghosts, because the book is about a ghost that stands over a lake and points down to the water. I did not really enjoy the book and whatever I've read I forgot.The book looks very good and interesting when you look at the cover but when you start reading you start getting bored of it. This book did not grip me and I did not want to read it. I would not recommend it. Fri 5th Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 3

Jordan from Peter Hills Primary School said:

This book is about 4 children, Bethan, Harry, Alison and Rob who found a ghost at Wilton Water. I really did not like this book whatsoever. The reason I didn’t like it because judging by the cover it was going to be scary but I think that my friends and I could write a scarier book than that. Also, I thought that because the chapters were so short the story lost momentum and I thought that the author could beef up the story a bit more and to not drag it out for so long. As bad as I think this book is I would rather read this again than alligator. Wed 3rd Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 4

Debora from Alma Primary School said:

The Shade of Hettie Daynes was written by Robert Swindells. I think it’s a good book because it describes things a lot so you can imagine what’s going on without pictures. It’s about a group of kids who see a ghost near a lake and want to find out more. When the lake gets emptied they find a skeleton and find out it belongs to their ancestor, Hettie Daynes. My favourite part is when they have to go through the mud to get to the mill. I would give this book 8 out of 10 because it is quite descriptive but I like other books better. Wed 3rd Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 8

Billy M from Alma Primary School said:

The shade of Hettie danyes

The shade of hettie danyes is not a very good book because it’s boring and it’s got a couple of good pages and chapters, but I don’t like ghost stories because they are fake and not real.

I rate this book 1/10 because it’s fake and really boring and lifeless.
Wed 3rd Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 1

Anas from Alma Primary School said:

The shade of hettie danyes is platitudinous book. The reason why I’m saying this is because the book is not quiet eye-catching and the story is not well structured. I think kids aged 8-12 will not like the book because it all about ghosts and the fact is ghosts stories are boring because its all fake.

I will recommend this book 4/10
Wed 3rd Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 4

Eniola from Alma Primary School said:

The Shade of Hettie Daynes is not a really good book. I don’t like it. The first couple of chapters are alright but the deeper you get into it the more boring it gets. It’s about a girl who went to get her brother to see her ghost. I will not recommend this book to anyone its so boring you will fall asleep because nothing barely happens in it. Wed 3rd Jun 2009

Marks out of 10: 4

Erlla & Angie from St Joseph's RC Primary School, George Row said:

Erlla: When my group first chose this book I really was not looking forward to reading it, due to the genre of horror/ghost. After I read a few more pages, I found it quite interesting the reason being because of the adventurous scenes in the book.

In addition, my most enjoyable scene was when Bethan and Alison (Bethan’s best friend) went to see the ghost and this really made me hooked in because at first Alison was just laughing because she thought Bethan was a joke and Bethan knew the ghost would be there. At this point, I didn’t want Alison to be right because Alison make fun of her as this character is a person who I think would always want to make the issue worse and finally when Bethan pointed at the ghost I was so contented. This is a very fascinating book!

Angie: After Erlla summed up nearly everything, I especially enjoyed this description “Their breath was like smoke on the cold October air” because obviously October is a cold month and cold weather refers to Autumn / Winter so the smoke is clearly cold and that’s how their breath were as COLD as winter air.

After the being told by the blurb, “Robert Swindells writes the kind of books that are so scary your afraid to turn the page” by Young Telegraph
I’m not the kind of person who gets afraid easily and I watch a lot of horror films so to be honest I don’t think it’s really frightening.

Erlla & Angie: After our comments we truly recommend this book to all ages from 10 and over and it’s a absolutely a great read and we especially enjoyed it and hopefully it will scare your socks off. (Hopefully, that’s if you read it at night!)

By: Erlla & Angie :)


Thu 21st May 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Daisy from St Joseph's RC Primary School, George Row said:

I think this book is really good but can be really confusing because sometimes they introduce characters without telling us where they come from and why they are involved in this story for example: Carl and his family. We know he is related to the Hopwoods but we do not why he is inside of this story? Despite this it is a very interesting story with a lot of suspense for example how they describe how Hettie is pointing down to the reserviour.

My favourite character is Bethan because she is a very brave and she can be disoedient because when her mum told her not to go to the reserviour she went there without her mum knowing. I think she is brave because she was the was the one who wanted to start the investigation of why Hettie Daynes points her finger down at the reserviour.

I will recommend this book to very deep thoughted readers. Who are able to solve mysterys, find and use clues that are not obvious to solve a mystery.This is my reason why I gave it a nine out of ten.

Thu 21st May 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

joseph from St Thomas the Apostle College said:

i have to say this book was just amazing at first i kept on posponing reading it untiil finally i read it and it was brilliant great thriller Tue 19th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

raymnod from St Thomas the Apostle College said:

amazing book Tue 19th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Roisin from Kingsdale School said:

‘The shade of Hettie Daynes’ is a story of a brother and sister and their two best mates who realises that the brother and sisters great ancestor is haunting the lake. Bethan and Harry don’t know why the ghost is haunting the lake, but then Bethan’s best friend Alison realises that the ghost is Hettie Daynes, Harry and Bethans great ancestor. Bethan, Harry, Alison and Harry’s best friend Rob, try and find out why she’s haunting the lake. I was not fascinated by this book at all, it simply was a chore to read it and books are never a chore to me. I will give this a two star, since it is too difficult for kids under year four and I think people who struggle with reading would not be able to read it. I don’t think anyone above year four would want to read it. Sun 17th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 2

yeside from Alma Primary School said:

This book is exciting and spine-chilling at the same time. This book is very mysterious but one girl is eager to find out about the history of the local reservoir and why it is being worked on. When you take a look in this book it will take you to a whole new world.
Another extra-ordinary world. Get your nose stuck into this book you will definitely enjoy this nerve wrecking book you won’t want to put it down. I would recommend this book to children who like a slightly horror genre novel.
Thu 14th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Ediz from Bacon's College said:

I like this book by Robert Swindlles because I like the setting and the way that it has been written it makes the person feel emotions about the story. It has the nice words that make the person feel sorry or makes the person feel different. The thing that is good about this book is that it is really making the person scared with the amazing words that is in the text. All the time in the book non stop all good v.c.o.p and describing words and that’s what I like about this book. Thing that I don’t like of this book is that the name of the chapters could be different instead of numbers but everything else is fantastic. Thu 14th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

MBIYEYIL from Alma Primary School said:

The shade of Hattie dynes book is fantastic book in the world because a have good story and is the best books.

If some people said this book is boring they are wrong!!!

Because this book is they best book in the world….

I LOVE GHOST STORIE’S!!!!
Thu 14th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Rose from Peter Hills Primary School said:

THE REVIEW OF THE SHADE OF HETTIE DAYNES This book was one of my top ten favourites! My favourite characters were: Robbie, Ali, Harry and not last but least Bethan. It’s a great book to read! The four children find themselves staring at Harry and Bethan’s great, great aunt Hettie Daynes’s ghost, in the middle of the lake, with her finger pointing at the misty lake. The four children are determined to find out why the ghost is here and what she wants. I would give this book ten out of ten! Comments: This book is great! Wed 13th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Samir from Peter Hills Primary School said:

The Shade of Hettie Daynes is better than Harry Potter! Three kids (Harry, Bethan and Alice) investigate a mysterious ghost haunting the old reservoir. This book also has parts that are funny, (proper funny) that brings light into a dark and ghostly book. Wed 13th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 8

Joseph from St Thomas the Apostle College said:

This book is kind of funny, and kind of serious. The part that I like is at the beginning. It starts when the main character and his best friend gets bushed into the water by a bully, then get in trouble by there Teacher. Luckly, they get another chance. So sometimes it's Serious, other times are Hularious. If you want to read this book, Your Very Smart, and very cool! Tue 12th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Quang from St Thomas the Apostle College said:

This book is about the adventure of 4 childrens: Harry, Bethan, Rob and Alison. The story started with Harry took bethan to see the ghost of Wilton lake. Then Alison take this idea to go on the Halloween party. She won first price and when the journalist ask her what's the ghost name, Alison said that it was Hettie Daynes(Bethan great great great auntie). The rest of the story is about how Harry, Bethan, Alison and Rob discover the secret about the ghost with the help from Steve Wood(a local historian) and Stan Fox. Tue 12th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

krystal from City of London Academy said:

What i like about the book was when beth & harry got suck in mud and they went to the waterside when there mum told them not to go to the lake. I thought this book was thrillertastic it made me jump out of my skin when they saw the ghost of hettie days. I think the book is suitable for 7+ because it helps children know what its like to go out in the dark by a muddy riverside. What i liked about the chacters was they were funny,respectful,playful eventhough they did bad things it has taught me not to go to a muddy lake incase unknow species are there.

Tue 12th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Nikki from Bacon's College said:

I have started reading this book and it good. I'm at the beginning of it and is very good. Thu 7th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 5

Jordan from St Thomas the Apostle College said:

I have given this book a 9 out of 10 because it's a really good book to read and not to metion very spooky. The shade of Hettie Daynes is a really interesting book because it's about a woman who is the ancestor of a family who died over a 100 years ago. I think this is really interesting because Hettie Daynes could have lived at this time. I recommend this book for people who like mysterious books e.g investigations and other kinds of mysteries. This book is really good. I advise people to read it. Tue 5th May 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Bethany from Charter School said:

I really enjoyed The Shade of Hettie Daynes because every chapter was like a new adventure. Every sentence drew you more in to the story. Robert Swindells is an amazing author, as he helps to create a picture in your mind, with his style of writing. I just couldn’t stop reading. It’s an easy read though, as there are lots of chapters, but they are short and simple. As the book came to an end, I was really upset as I wanted to keep reading, sentence after sentence, chapter after chapter. This book was briliantly written. The thing I loved about this book was you could never predict what would happen next. Sun 3rd May 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

lemuel from St Mary Magdalene CofE Primary School said:

The shade of hettie daynes is a mysterious book that showed how somtimes people can be inconcideret
like how in the story when hettie was alive people called her names.The best moment in the story was when they
at the halloween party and hetties costume won the compotition. Wed 29th Apr 2009

Marks out of 10: 8

Afolarin from St Mary Magdalene CofE Primary School said:

I thought that The Shade of Hettie Daynes was a really intresting book as it had world class punctuation. It's about Bethan and her brother Harry. They discover a ghost which floats on Wilton Water. Harry and Bethan think that's it's the ghost of Hettie Daynes, and they found out Hettie Daynes was Harry's mum's great great auntie. Bethan and Harry go out on a mission and soon find out that the school bully, Carl, has a great grandfather who appears to be the murderer of Hettie Daynes. Wed 29th Apr 2009

Marks out of 10: 7

Jamel from Bacon's College said:

It was a good book to read and it was fun and exiting to read. But the start of the book wasn't so interesting, but in the middle and the end it got very exciting. Mon 27th Apr 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Stephen from Bacon's College said:

Well, I thought that the beginning was boring, but when you continued it became more interesting. Also, I was in a competition with my friend to see who would finish first, but if you take your time you will enjoy it more than I did. And yes, I won by 20 second! Mon 27th Apr 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

George from Kingsdale School said:

The Shade of Hettie Daynes is a thrilling, scary, original, gripping novel for both boys and girls. It is about a ghost that appears every night in the same spot hovering above the old reservoir in Wilton. The main characters are the Midgles: Harry, Beth, and Christina (their mum). Other characters are Harry and Beth’s friends Rob and Alyson the school bully Carl and his friends and family, Stan Fox, the lead reporter of the local news paper, and Steve Wood, the local historian.

In the first few pages of the book Harry and Beth see the ghost, in the next chapter the author introduces Harry’s best friend Rob, whose life is plagued by Carl the school bully. Stan Fox the lead reporter of the local news paper and Steve Wood the local historian are both interested in the draining of the reservoir as it may uncover some historical evidence about the village, the reservoir and maybe even the ghost…
The author, Robert Swindles, lives in the Yorkshire moors (where the story is set) and the book uses the accent and choice of words such as: “eh up” “our Tony” “daft duck” and “ape shape”. This gives you a feel for setting and way of life.
This book could very easily be made into a film as it changes scene very often and smoothly. Also the characters seem very easy to replicate thanks to the brilliant description.
Fri 24th Apr 2009

Marks out of 10: 8

Ryan from Bacon's College said:

This book is a great read. From the cover some people might think it's a horror but its not. Robert Swindells made a great book, the only reason I give it a nine is because the book could have less pages. Fri 24th Apr 2009

Marks out of 10: 9

Zhane from Eveline Lowe Primary School said:

I think this book isn't a scary book but a mystery and crime book. It builds up loads of tension for the reader and I would recommend it to someone over age 8.

The cover is really bold and it grabs your attention quickly and the blurb is so inspiring it would make you want to read the book.

Harry-He is one of the main characters and loves having exciting adventures and sounds fun to play with.
Bethan-She is a girl that loves ghost and doesn't think it is scary for her age.

The story involves their ancestors ghost that lurks at wilton water and the councillor (Mr Hopwood) decides the lake should be emptied. So the kids have themselves a real adventure and in the end they come to finding their ancestors bones on the site and the councillor gives up his job because someone found out.

Overall this book is great and exciting to read and if you want your adventure with this book to last don't read for a couple of days and it will build up even more tension. I will give this a rating of 5 stars/10/10 Thu 23rd Apr 2009

Marks out of 10: 10

Javier from Kingsdale School said:

I think this book is great as it was kind of spooky and mysterious.The shade was murdered,she also had an unborn child. The counciller Hopwood ancestors had killed the girl . The shade was haunting the rest where the old mill use to be, in the end she is properly buried and she finally rests in peace. Thu 23rd Apr 2009

Marks out of 10: 10