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Archive for the ‘Fiction 8-12’ Category

Phantom of the Auditorium

9780545298360By: R.L.Stine

Part of the Goosebumps series

Brooke and Zeke love all things horror and are thrilled to have been cast in the school play The Phantom. Zeke is really getting into character, dressing up and scaring other members of the cast. Then really scary things start to happen, things that could really hurt others. The story behind the play brings another dimension of terror. Is someone trying to make sure the play never gets seen? Or is it possible there really is a phantom.

A short creepy story with likeable characters. Both Zeke and Brooke have a charm and cheekiness that pitches them perfectly in their place. They seem just like any other school kid, though more interested in horror than many. The story is engaging and the tension holds well right until the end. It is easy to see why these books have become such a long lived series and warranted a repackaging.

Publisher: Scholastic US

Published: 01 September 2011

Format: Paperback 126 pages

Categories: Horror, Ghost Stories

ISBN 13: 9780545298360

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

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Fiction 8-12

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Dragon Frontier

I received my copy from the publisher.

9780141342962By: Dan Abnett

Jake Polson and his family are setting out on an adventure. They are joining a wagon train to make a new start out on the American frontier. A journey like that though is fraught with dangers and when a totally unexpected tragedy strikes, Jake is left to pick up the pieces. He cannot believe his family is gone for good and he determinedly sets out in search of a creature of legend in the hope he may be able to rescue his family. Along the way he meets some Indians with unusual pets and discovers a destiny he never thought possible.

Jake is quite a bookish boy but a strong-willed one. He survives what most couldn’t and allows his heart to drive him forward. As a result Jake discovers some things about himself. His openness and willingness not to judge what others do, gives him strength and opportunity. Jake is an underdog who triumphs and brings others along to the victory as well. The melding of Native American tribes with the myth of dragons is a surprisingly good fit – it didn’t feel jarring in any way. This story is very solidly Jake’s and the characters fit well in fleshing it out. It will be interesting to see where Abnett takes this story.

Publisher: Puffin Books

Published: 03 January 2013

Format: Paperback 336 pages

Categories: Fantasy, Dragons, Adventure

ISBN 13: 9780141342962

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

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Fiction 8-12

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Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made

9781406339819By: Stephan Pastis

Timmy Failure is a private detective, with a polar bear called Total who is his business partner, this of course does not make for a very good business name ‘Total Failure’. Timmy has several cases on the go at once;  missing candy, who TP’d someones house and what happened to the Failuremobile? There is also of course his greatest rival – she who should not be mentioned. Timmy plans to defeat her and be the best detective in the world.

Timmy is a character in the vein of middle grade fiction anti heroes – Big Nate and Greg Heffley. He lives with his mother, a single mum struggling to pay her bills. He isn’t good at school, he has trouble on focussing on anything other than his cases, and when it comes to those he seems to be somewhat narrow minded. Pairing him with a Total is an interesting dynamic because Total is a polar bear and really only does polar bear things – like each garbage. Timmy is quirky and entertaining, but his attitude towards his friends is a little annoying.  The other characters fit certain recognisable stereotypes which will make it immediately relatable to you readers. Timmy has drive on one level and none on others, (it is interesting to note how one of his teachers gets through to him and gets him to study).

If you are after something for your young reader who likes the Wimpy Kid books or Big Nate, then this is definitely worth a look.

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd

Published: 01 March 2013

Format: Hardback 304 pages

Categories: Crime, Humour, Cartoon, School

ISBN 13: 9781406339819

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

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Trust No One

I got this copy from the publishers9780545298438Cahills vs Vespers bk 5

By: Linda Sue Park

The blows have been coming hard at Dan and Amy, there have been loses and now there is betrayal. Someone close to them turns on them and it shakes Amy to her very core. Then there are the threats not only to the hostages but deliberate attacks aimed at against Atticus. Atticus will not leave the Cahills, he just won’t run away no matter what anyone says and it is his and Jake’s connections that get them closer to the next target. Then they hand over something they realise they really shouldn’t have, will they be able to get it back? Will they be able to prevent the Vesper’s from winning?

This book had pace, action and interesting character development. Amy goes through a big arc in this book. Things happen and it is nice to see her age shine through. Dan also goes through quite an arc as well, he has his own agenda for his own very good reasons. They both suffer from darkness in this one and their fragility really shines through. Atticus and Jake are give the opportunity to be the strong ones in this book, it makes the partnership stronger. Also Hamilton and Jonah are dealing with the consequences of their previous actions, Jonah in particular.

This was a good and solid addition to the series, it left me really wanting to find out what they do next.

Publisher: Scholastic US

Published: 06 December 2012

Format: Hardback 336 pages

Categories: Action, Adventure, History, Family

ISBN 13: 9780545298438

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

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Meet Lina

I received my copy  as an ARC from the publisher.
9780143307006By: Sally Rippin

Part of the Our Australian Girl series

Lina lives in Melbourne, she goes to a fancy school on a scholarship and dreams of being a writer someday. Her strict Italian parents have a very different idea for her future. Lina spends her time torn between two worlds. To fit in at school she must keep her home life secret. Not even her best friend knows the truth about where she comes from. How long can Lina keep lying to keep all her secrets?

Lina is a great character, passionate and torn. She wants to do right by her parents but has her own dreams that she is desperate to follow. Lina’s story is about finding a place to belong, a place for her to be accepted and honest about who she is. This is merely the first part of Lina’s story and I look forward to seeing how she changes and grows, how she is able to come to terms with the two lives she lives. The wonderful thing about this series is it’s distinctly Australian flavour and it’s great historical backdrop.

Highly recommended.

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 30 January 2013

Format: Paperback 132 pages

Categories: Historical

ISBN 13: 9780143307006

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

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Fiction 8-12

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Meet Ruby

I received my copy as an ARC from the publisher.
9780143307426
By : Penny Matthews

Part of the Our Australian Girl Series

Ruby Quinlan lives in a big house in Adelaide, she goes to a private girls school, has a house keeper and fox terrier. She has just turned 12 and got a camera for her birthday. Then little things start to happen that she doesn’t understand. There is the boy who sleeps one night in their garage, the man who will do anything just to get a little bit of money and the arguments between her parents. Then one of her friends doesn’t came back to school after the holidays. The world around Ruby is changing and her familiar, comfortable life falls apart.

This is one of the Our Australian Girl series and these are wonderful books. They are easy to read, and their distinctly Australian edge makes them rather unique in the middle grade fiction category. Ruby is an easily relatable character. She is young, enthusiastic and a little unaware of what is going on around her. When things change she is going to have to change with them and it is going to be interesting to see how her character develops throughout these four books. One of the great things about this book is it gives the reader a wonderful insight into living in Australia at the start of the Great Depression.

Recommended.

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 30 January 2013

Format: Paperback 132 pages

Categories: Historical

ISBN 13: 9780143307426

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

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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The False Prince

This book was sent to me by the publisher.

9781407133058

By: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Sage is an orphan, one who causes trouble and takes risks. He is one of four boys who get kidnapped. Four boys who look remarkably similar. There is something devious, even dangerous, going on, failure will result in death. The boys embark on an intense round of training, the end result of it being that one of them will be chosen to impersonate the kingdom’s missing prince. This is a perilous time for not only the boys but also the kingdom.

This was a riveting read. Sage is an appealing and cheeky character. He is a troublemaker who refuses to give himself over to the will of the man behind this risky charade. The characters are well written, each very different and they fit well together.  The story is engaging, Sage is a character you can grow attached to, he has a particular code and he sticks to it. He has a strength the other’s don’t and a depth that shines through. The story is very much about the characters, particularly Sage, his choices and reasons, however they fit into a world that feels very real. In future stories I am hoping Neilsen will expand on the world.

Well worth a look. (Recommended for ages 10+)

Publisher: Scholastic

Published: 01 Dec 2012

Format: Paperback 352 pages

Categories: Adventure, Fantasy, Conspiracy

ISBN 13: 9781407133058

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

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Shatterproof

I received my copy from the publisher.9780545298421By: Roland Smith

The 39 Clues series – Cahills vs Vespers bk 4

Amy, Dan, Atticus and Jake are still jet-setting around the world at the beck and call of Vesper one. This time he is sending them after one of the worlds biggest diamonds – the Golden Jubilee. Jonah and Hamilton are pursuing their own leads. All have to be careful of every step and who is following them. Everything these youngsters do, every rule they break is in order to save their family members. Things are getting trickier as they find themselves on Interpol’s Most Wanted List. The family members who are being held hostage have not given up hope, they still plan for escape, maybe this time they will find their chance.

This next instalment of the series keeps up the pace of previous books, the conflict is pretty much what you would expect. It is nice to spend some time following Jonah and Hamilton and the thing that happens to them gives some depth and change to their characters. The problem is that it is starting to feel a bit same old same old, I really want something to change, something to actually go the kid’s way. It isn’t till the end that things begin to grab at your attention, this is when things start to change up a little. The ending though does pull you back in and leaves you with the desire to find out what happens next.

Publisher: Scholastic US 

Published: 06 September 2012

Format: Paperback 336 pages

Categories: Adventure, Crime, Family, Historical

ISBN 13: 9780545298421

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

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Crow’s Revenge

9780141339771By: Marcus Alexander

Keeper of the Realms Bk 1

Charlie Keeper is alone, well almost. Her parents have gone, they are missing. She lives with her grandmother who isn’t very well and her estate is managed by the despicable Mr Crow, who she hates.

Then one day something strange happens, she meets an odd little man with green skin. Then someone or something comes after her and she escapes into a whole different world she never knew she existed. In Bellania Charlie is The Keeper. The problem is Charlie has no idea what the Keeper is or what being one even means. It does become increasingly obvious that someone is trying to kill her. Fortunately Charlie doesn’t have to deal with all this new information on her own. She has a bunch of new friends that will do what they have to because Charlie’s fate is directly tied to the fate of Bellania.

This book has potential. Charlie is a feisty character, stubborn, cheeky. The world she stumbles into is layered, complex, there is politics going on that she doesn’t understand. The problem is that there is so much that needs to be established that the pace suffers and when the book comes in at over 400 pages it makes it hard to read. It’s overall tone is quite dark though Charlie herself brings lightness as do some of the friends she picks up along the way (Jensen and Kelko). Also it has dragons and how they fit into the story, at least at this early stage, is interesting.

If you are or know a reader who likes complex worlds and books that take a little more time to sink into then this may be worth a look. For readers 11+.

Publisher: Puffin Books

Published: 02 February 2012

Format: Paperback 448 pages

Categories: Fantasy

ISBN 13: 9780141339771

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

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Third Wheel

This book was sent to me as a review copy by the publisher.9780143307334By: Jeff Kinney

Book seven of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Somehow a wrestling/motocross school fundraiser morphs into a Valentine’s Day Dance and all the kids in middle school are now scrambling to find a date. Greg Heffley is having no luck, everything he tries fails miserably. Sure he isn’t the only one without a date but when the other person without a date is Rowley that’s not much consolation. Then something happens and Greg gets a partner for the dance even though Rowley is also tagging along. A lot of things can happen in one night though and love doesn’t always go the way you plan it.

This is probably my favourite of the Wimpy Kid series. Greg feels like a more rounded character this time around even though he is still wimpy, clumsy and somewhat unlucky. There are still plenty of cringe worthy moments, especially involving his mother and I’m sure a lot of kids reach an age where they feel that way about their parents.

This is an easy book to read, continuing the format that has made it so popular with readers – avid and reluctant alike. Mostly though it is entertaining fun. A great addition to the series, injecting something back in that felt lacking from Cabin Fever.

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 14 November 2012

Format: Paperback 228 pages

Categories: Humour, School Stories

ISBN 13: 9780143307334

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

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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