Crater Lake
🌔🦠🐝☄️
by Jennifer Killick
★★★★
At a glance
Things I loved:
✍🏼 Author: Jennifer Killick
🎨 Cover artist:
📅 Release Date: 19th March 2020
📚 Book type: Short chapter, 252 pages🌟 Reader level: Growing, 9+
😂 Hilarious, relatable narration
😱 Creepy, edge-of-seat tension
👽 Unique alien invasion concept
🤝 Strong friendship and teamwork
💛 Friendship and teamwork
🐝 Disgusting wasp-like alien invasion
Dive Deeper
My Thoughts...
I read Crater Lake after being pestered for a whole year by one of my pupils who absolutely adores Jennifer Killick and her books. He was adamant that it was “even better than Harry Potter”, and he’s a HUGE Potterhead, so I had high hopes!
The first thing I loved about this book was Killick’s brilliant sense of humour that shines through Lance’s first person narration. It takes a true master to make you laugh out loud and hide behind a pillow at the same time. While it wasn’t the most gruesome book I’ve ever read, I can totally appreciate the suspense, mystery and horror that is wrapped up so perfectly in this story. (I was also warned by my pupil to NEVER read this book at night—advice given after having a few wasp-related nightmares!).
Alongside so many other strengths (the setting, the plot, the teamwork, the characters, the concept), I really loved the character development. Lance’s “big secret”, which is hinted at throughout, is revealed in such a powerful and sensitive way, and his friends’ response—full of compassion and understanding—was genuinely heartwarming. I also really appreciated how Killick uses the story to introduce readers to common but often unspoken medical conditions such as Crohn’s and sleep apnoea in an accessible, matter-of-fact way.
🌟I thoroughly enjoyed this read and think it would make a brilliant class read for Year 5+. It’s perfect for readers who aren’t scared easily and who love a creepy, horror-filled, heart-racing escape of a book.🌟
Blurb
Who is the mysterious bloodstained man who stops their coach? Why is no one around when Lance and the rest of Year Six arrive at the brand new Crater Lake activity centre? But this is just the beginning of the school trip from hell; a fight for survival that sees five pupils band together to save their classmates from an alien fate far worse than death. But whatever happens, they must Never. Ever. Fall asleep!
Should I read this book?
You should read this book if you...
🩸love gore and horror🩸
😨aren't scared easily😨
🌔love school trips (gone wrong!)🌔
Reader level: Growing
Content: 9+
Help me to read
- CPAP: A machine that helps you breathe while sleeping.
- Sleep apnea: When breathing stops and starts during sleep.
- Crohn’s disease: A condition that causes painful swelling in the gut.
- Crater: A large hole in the ground.
- Pheromone: A chemical signal sent between animals.
- Tardigrade: A tiny, almost microscopic animal (often called a “water bear”) that can survive extreme conditions like heat, cold, and even space.
- Spores: Tiny cells that can grow into new organisms.
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