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Holiday Heartbreak

June 17, 2013

I received my copy from the publisher.holiday-heartbreakDork Diaries bk 6

By: Rachel Renee Russell

Nikki Maxwell has been crushing on Brandon for like ever and it finally looks like things in that area may be getting interesting. He has finally asked her on an almost date. She could squee!!! all day. Then something strange happens, she starts getting weird texts from Brandon and Nikki thinks maybe he doesn’t like her after all, especially when her attempts to talk to him and find out what is going on always fail. To make matters worse the next school dance is girls choice and she really wants to invite Brandon but she’s worried he might say no. Will she get up the courage to ask him or will she spend the night at home by herself?

Nikki Maxwell is just an average kind of girl. She has to look after her sister, she has BFF’s, an enemy and the cutest guy to crush on. Life for Nikki is full of ups and downs and some times she makes the problems worse, because of this she is easy to identify with. Her best friends provide some balance to Nikki’s life. Brandon is a boy who likes the girl but sometimes just doesn’t get it. A lot like real life really. This series is really fun. A girl version of Wimpy Kid, complete with illustrations, though a little more grown up because, well girls mature a bit faster than boys, we all know that. Definitely worth a look, especially if you have a reluctant reader.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Books

Published: 01 June 2013

Format: Paperback 352 pages

Categories: Humour, Fiction, Friendship

ISBN 13: 9780857079381

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page.

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Song in the Dark

June 16, 2013

This book was sent to me by the publisher

the-song-in-the-dark

By: Christine Howe

Paul is destroying his life, it is on a downward spiral even if he can’t see it. The drugs are taking control of his actions. His grandmother tries to give him moments of normal but he withdraws from her and sinks even deeper into bad habits. Then one night Paul does something really bad, one night he hurts the one person who cares about him, the one he thought he cared the most about. This moment sends Paul to the bottom, is there any way for him to get up from here?

This is a heart-achingly sad story of addiction. It has elements of love, betrayal, consequences and ultimately hope. It isn’t the easiest book to read because of it’s unflinching look at the depths life can go to when caught in the web of addiction. It is a short book but one that packs an emotional punch.

Publisher: Penguin Books Australia

Published: 27th February 2013

Format: paperback 174 pages

Categories: Drugs, Addiction. Family

ISBN: 9780143567448

Purchase: use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

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A Transylvanian Tale

This book was sent to me by the publisher

9781742758534

By: Deborah Abela

Ghost Club series bk 3

Edgar, Angeline and Dylan are off to Transylvania for the annual Ghost Club Convention, with other members of their branch. Of the three Angeline is definitely the most excited because she is going to get the chance to meet her hero, famous ghost-catcher Ripley Granger. Ripley is a superstar in the ghost-catching community and as far as they are concerned he can do no wrong.

Dylan however is not so sure. He thinks something strange is going on, that someone maybe hiding a big secret. Angeline doesn’t want to believe him though. There is a ghost who is determined to see the truth comes out. Will Angeline realise her friend may be right, or will she put the fiction ahead of fact and friendship?

This is a fun series that seems to be going from strength to strength. It is a fun action filled ride. Angeline is excitable and blinkered in this story and is shows a different side to her, which is nice because it gives her character depth. Edgar and Dylan are wonderful supports for her and in this book Dylan gets a stronger character arc more clearly showing his feelings for Angeline than in the previous two books. If you like to be swept into a world of ghost hunting and dark humour then this is worth a look. It’s not so dark though that is will scare any younger readers.

Publisher: Random House Australia Children’s Books

Published: 01 March 2013

Format: Paperback 224 pages

Categories: Mystery, Adventure, Ghost Stories

ISBN 13: 9781742758534

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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The Haunted School

9781742750835By: Deborah Abela

Ghost Club series bk 2

Angeline is really good at her job with the Ghost Club but the idea of having to go to her Senior school sleepover fills her with terror. She just isn’t good with other kids. To top it all off school bully Travis is showing more interest in Angeline’s actions than usual. Despite the fact they are some of the best ghost catchers around Angeline and her brother Edgar can’t get out of the sleepover, their whole family think it is a great idea for them to attend.

Things then take a strange turn that makes Angeline feel somewhat more comfortable. A ghost appears, their classmates are not happy and the principal is not at all happy. The ghost is a young girl and Angeline really wants to find out why she has appeared after so long. Their new friend Dylan they set about doing what they do best, uncovering the mystery around this most recent haunting.

This is a fun series, Angeline’s confidence in work is a nice juxtaposition to her fear when it comes to dealing with her classmates. Edgar’s a solid balance, with no concerns like his sister has, except perhaps what their father’s cooking might do to them. Dylan is the other side of Angeline taking fear and magnifying it when it comes to doing Ghost Club work, he is timid but very alert to details which helps in many ways. There is good tension in there books but they aren’t too scary, great for kids who like adventure and ghost stories.

Publisher: Random House Australia

Published: 01 August 2012

Format: Paperback 256 pages

Categories: Horror, Ghost Stories, Adventure, Mystery

ISBN 13: 9781742750835

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of the page.

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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The Dinosaur Feather

June 15, 2013

I received this book from the publisher.9781742750927

By: Jack Wells

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter bk 4

Robert and Riley are back at Australia Zoo, they are helping with filming some footage of cassowaries. Whilst doing this Robert tells RIley he believes many dinosaurs had feathers. Riley thinks there is no way this is possible, until that magic bone of Robert’s transports them back in time once more. This time they end up in prehistoric Asia where the two boys find out more then they thought possible about oviraptors and yutyrannus huali.

This book continues the fast pace set in the first three. There is plenty of adventure still to be had as well as loads of things to learn about both dinosaurs and animals that are still alive. Robert’s passion for animals and dinosaurs is infectious, if you know someone with even a passing interest in this topic gives these books a shot, it may just be what you need to get someone reading.

Publisher: Random House Australia Children’s Books

Published: 01 March 2013

Format: Paperback 96 pages

Categories: Adventure, Dinosaurs

ISBN 13: 9781742750927

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Armoured Defence

June 13, 2013

This book was sent to me by the publisher

9781742750910

By: Jack Well

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter bk 3

Robert is on a holiday with his best mate Riley. They are visiting Riley’s Uncle Nate in the Canadian Badlands. For Robert this is an awesome place for a holiday because it’s a place where loads of dinosaur fossils have been found. Robert is thrilled when he gets pulled back in time once more and to make it even better this time Riley has come back with him. Riley doesn’t have Robert’s fascination for dinosaurs though but even he has to admit they are pretty cool when you come face to face with them, not to mention more than a touch scary.

I think this series is going strong. Robert has an infectious nature and the fact he is an actual person probably adds some appeal. Riley is a great counter to Robert, he’s into dirt bike racing and other not so geeky things. The boys have fun and that fun helps keep the action moving. Worth looking at especially if you want something about dinosaurs as these books contain plenty of facts.

Publisher: Random House Australia Children’s Books

Published: 01 March 2013

Format: Paperback 96 pages

Categories: Adventure, Dinosaurs

ISBN 13: 9781742750910

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

 

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Ambush at Cisco Swamp

This book was sent to me by the publisher

9781864718461

By: Jack Wells

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter bk 2

Robert is in Texas with his family, they are doing some research on the American alligator. Robert loves this sort of thing though he is finding himself easily distracted by getting into trouble with his best friend Riley. Even though the focus of this trip is the alligator Robert is still excited about the fact he is in the same area where the ancient predator deinosuchus roamed. Once again Robert finds himself swept back in time and this time he comes face to face with the alligators brutal ancestor.

This is the second book in this series. It is proving to be such a fun read. It is simple text and the story moves along at a great pace. There is plenty facts about dinosaurs thrown in, I think this is a great format for this as the kids can relate to Robert’s fun nature and his excitement about dinosaurs. A great blend of fiction and fact.

Publisher: Random House Australia Children’s Books

Published: 01 March 2013

Format: Paperback 96 pages

Categories: History

ISBN 13: 978186471846

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of the page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Scarlet in the Snow

June 11, 2013

I received my copy from the publisher.

scarlet-in-the-snow

By: Sophie Masson

Natasha and her family have fallen on hard times, they aren’t living in the manner her sisters want to be. With her mother doing what she can to provide Natasha steps out to help. Then she gets caught in a blizzard, just when she thinks she is out of options she stumbles across a mansion. It’s a strange place, beautiful and mysterious, with no-one seemingly around. However when she reaches out to touch a perfect flower her life is changed forever.

The master of the house is caught in a spell but that doesn’t stop him demanding vengeance for her act. She comes to see she may be the one to break this spell, to uncover the mystery, but before she can everything changes again. If she is to have a chance at the love she thinks she could have then she has to outsmart a powerful sorcerer and get to the bottom of Beast’s unknown history.

A wonderful take on a couple of Russian fairytales, obviously one of which is Beauty and the Beast. Natasha is a generous, brave character. She has an inner strength that enables her to face the problems her family have and the terrifying situation she finds herself in. She is smart and determined, thinking her way through the obstacles in front of her.

The world Masson has created is wondrous, enchanting, it simply sweeps you up into itself. It’s a white, icy landscape, cold in so many ways, the perfect juxtaposition to the warmth of the story at it’s heart. If you love fairytales, romance, engaging characters and a bit of mystery thrown in for good measure, then give this a shot.

Actually if you just want to be swept away somewhere else for a few hours then pick this up, I read it in one sitting, staying up late into the night to finish it.

Highly recommended.

Publisher: Random House Australia

Published: 1st May 2013

Format: Paperback 336 pages

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Fairytale

ISBN 13: 9781742758152

Purchase: use the Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

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Scarlet in the Snow – Author Speaks About

June 8, 2013

I’ve just read this book and will post my review shortly but thought I’d add this for something a little different.

Category:

Writers

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Acid

June 5, 2013

I received this copy from the publisher.

9780552566148

By: Emma Pass

Jenna Strong is in a maximum security jail, locked away for life because ACID – the most brutal police force in history, say she murdered her parents. Jenna works hard to stay alive. It comes as a huge surprise to her when she is broken out of the facility. She doesn’t know what is going on but she knows these people who did this want something from her. She is given a new identity, a new life but things don’t exactly go according to plan and Jenna finds herself on the run with Max. On the run things go from bad to worse and Jenna struggles to see a way out. She is determined no to let anyone get the better of her though.

This is a great story but one I can’t say too much about or it gives too much away. Suffice to say if you like dystopian fiction and strong female characters then give this a look. Jenna is a headstrong girl, determined to survive. She feels responsible for the consequences of her actions, and even the actions others take on her behalf. The journey she goes on is rough, full of ups and downs, twists and turns. It is engaging, dark and gritty.

Highly recommended.

Publisher: Corgi Children’s

Published: 25 April 2013

Format: Paperback 448 pages

Categories: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Romance, Mystery

ISBN 13: 9780552566148

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

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