The Last Dodo

Review: High flyer or dead duck? One school lets us know!

We asked the pupils of Westhill Academy in Aberdeenshire for their views on The Last Dodo by Jacqueline Rayner. Here's what Mairi, Stuart, Sharada, Fiona, Nicole, Tatum, Jamie and Amber had to say:

What is the story about?

Sharada: The Doctor and Martha travel to the future to the MOTLO (Museum of the Last Ones). Some of the exhibits go missing, however, and they investigate.
Jamie: The story is about a Museum that holds the last of every creature and where exhibits are being stolen.
Mairi: A dodo - saving endangered species.
Tatum: The story is about the Museum of the Lost Ones. Exhibits are going missing and the Doctor and Martha investigate. The Doctor has to find out what is happening to the exhibits, stop becoming one himself and stop planet Earth from being destroyed.

What were the characters like?

Amber: Amazing. Really funny and I liked Martha the best.
Jamie: Realistic, interesting and funny.
Mairi: Funny and believable - I liked Martha.
Sharada: The Doctor was funny as always and Martha was also humorous.
Tatum: The Doctor - funny and lively. Martha - inquisitive, energetic, just as good as Rose!

What did you particularly enjoy/like about The Last Dodo?

Amber: All of it. It's my favourite book ever now and I loved every bit of it, and my favourite part was when Martha was talking.
Jamie: I enjoyed the storyline and the idea of the Museum.
Fiona: The Dodo's laying bomb - eggs.
Mairi: The dinosaurs. The idea of the dodos and the bombs was very original. The plot was well paced and interesting. The I-Spyder Book of Earth Creatures Guide.
Stuart: I enjoyed the I-Spyder bit at the end of each chapter, also watching the I-Spyder points increasing as the story progressed.
Nicole: I liked the I-Spyder part with the list of animals.
Tatum: I liked how at the end of every chapter there was the I-Spyder and how at the end of the book Martha got a certificate saying she had collected points.

Is there anything about the story that you didn't like?

Amber: None of it, it's the best book on the planet.
Fiona: I was confused by the Horlin at the end.
Tatum: Nothing.
Sharada: I didn't like Martha introducing each chapter.

What did you think of the story as a whole?

Jamie: It was very good.
Nicole: Very good.
Mairi: It was very funny. The plot was original and the characters likeable. Amber: It's a fantastic story, we need more!
Sharada: I thought that it was very well structured and was funny whilst having an interesting plot.
Tatum: Fantastic, gripping, ace plot!

Marks out of 10?

The group gave The Last Dodo 8.5/10.

Special thanks to librarian Jill Noble for her assistance.

Liam
Due to this review, I have checked this book out of the library... I think it is great annd totall agree with the reviewers!

Dorothea. No, not really.
I thought this book was quite good, but not as good as some others by the same author. The 1st person chapter introduction by Martha got a little irritating, but apart from that it was an amazing read! Definately worth buying, but I prefer the other book, Wooden Heart.

Ezzi
I'm looking forward to reading it on the way to my Grandpa's house!

Dylan
I'm reading the last dodo (about 2 3rds of the way through).It's pretty good so far i would give it a 9 out of 10.

megan
i thought this was a great book i loved the doctors funny little comments. The i spyder book idea was inspired. the only thing i didnt really like was martha's thoughts at the start of each chapter it didnt really fit with the story

Jodie
I havent quite read all of it yet but I just cant put it down.It is just the best book.So read if you have the chance.

Hilary
The Last Dodo was AMAZING!!! I totally agree with the group's rating!!!

Abigail
I thought The Last Dodo was a brilliant book and I enjoyed reading every word!

Melissa J
The Last Dodo is my favourite out of the new series books, I have them all and theres no more room on my shelf! I especially like the I-Spyder chapter divider, that was cool

emma
i found the book really exciting and i would reccomend it to all of my friends. my faveourite character was marthat because she was funny and lively. i would give it a 8 out of 10.

Jack Ives-Keeler
Great Book! I loved it. Great plot to it and i liked the 'I-Spyder' bit at the end of each chapter

Tulin
Though I have no heard of this book, I'll defently ask the local librarian the whereabouts! It sounds fantastic! And, of course it has doctor who in it, so it's got to be good!

Lucy Horn
I thought the book was great, with a nice twist at the end. The I-Spyder points was a nice touch.

Craig Rogers
I read it. I thought every bit was awesome and would give it 20/10. I wish this could be made into an Episode!

Sarah
wow thats seems SO cool, I will grab the book myself! I love Martha!

caitlin
'll give it 11/10 , it was brilliant,i want a dodo now!!

Alix
It was really good.I thought that with The Face of Boe's message, Eva wanting to collect the Doctor for the MOTLO was very fitting.Loved it.

Charlie Keeble
Martha's second adventure in print gave me a more sophisticated point of view to her talents. It's as if she's fitting into the TARDIS completely!

sophie
i would love to read it now because the schools review was amazing.

Jen
I liked The Last Dodo, but found Martha a little too much like Rose, and the Doctor's thoughts while caged a little confusing. Overall I liked the plot, though, and it's still a favourite.

Yasmin
Just finished reading all of the Tenth Doctor/Martha books, and I have to say The Last Dodo was the best one, like The Stone Rose was last year. Author Jacqueline Rayner certainly has a flair for Doctor Who books!

adam
i thought the last dodo was one of the best dr who books yet all the entertainment and action was amamzing