Reader reviews roundup
We're whizzing through wizardry, dystopias and a pair of wandering eyebrows in your reviews this week!
Your stories: Tower Clearing – Part 1 by ellathebookworm
ellathebookworm: 'Someone's in there. People feel it, when they enter the place. Like they're being watched'
Laura-Bella Bergamotta by Emerald Everhart – review
Poppy68: 'I enjoyed this book as it is exciting, sad and humorous all in one'
Hannah Lowe’s top poetry writing tips
Forward prize-shortlisted poet Hannah Lowe, who will be judging this year's Foyle Young Poets of the Year competition, offers her top tips to young poetry writers
Katherine Rundell’s top 10 descriptions of food in fiction
From Roald Dahl's Whipple Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight to Enid Blyton's magnificent picnics (with lashings of ginger beer), Guardian children's fiction prize-longlisted author Katherine Rundell picks her favourite fictional foody descriptions
Should schools buy new children’s books or stick with the classics?
There's a balance to be struck between keeping old favourites on classroom shelves and exposing children to new writing. Some books don't age, but there is great new stuff out there, too
Coco Caramel by Cathy Cassidy – review
googleyeyes: 'This is the fourth book in the fabulous chocolate box girls series and it's definitely the best so far!'
Reader reviews roundup
Mysterious detectives, a secret key to the past and an unlikely friendship are all investigated in your reviews this week!
Your stories: Nina, the nice witch by Sugar
Sugar: 'Nina is a nice witch. She has twilight-blue eyes and gorgeous, flowing, thick hair. It is midnight-black, and hangs down to her knees'
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien – review
tintin: 'Being at the same level as the Lord of the Rings is no mean feat, but this book manages it with ease!'
Get Reading: London’s glittering reading marathon
The children's laureate and scores of authors, actors and celebrities joined forces at the weekend to celebrate reading and books. Site member Patrick joined them in Trafalgar Square and reports back on the day
The Secret Seven by Enid Blyton – review
HGirl1000: 'I couldn't put it down and it gripped me right to the end'
Steve Backshall: ‘The big predators would run down Usain Bolt without even thinking about it. Your only chance is to stand your ground’
Jon Stapley chats with Steve Backshall, Deadly presenter and author of the Falcon Chronicles series, about reading, big cats and what it's like being stung 100 times by bullet ants
There are no rules: Cressida Cowell’s Summer Reading Challenge top writing tips
To celebrate the launch of Creepy House, the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge, six top authors have been asked to begin a short story written in their own fantastic style. Now it's over to YOU to finish the story – and share the glory!