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Posts tagged ‘Fiction 4-9’

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter – The Discovery

I received this copy from the publisher.9781864718454By: Jack Wells

Robert Irwin Dinosaur Hunter series book 1

For his birthday Robert Irwin is taken on a dinosaur dig. He is so excited when he finds an actual fossil. What he hadn’t expected was to find a way to travel back in time. Robert finds himself in the cretaceous period, trying to avoid a dinosaur stampede and being eaten. He is so excited to be able to see things with his own eyes rather than imagining how they were, but Robert’s biggest problem is how to get home.

This is the first book of what could be a fun new series. The text is easy to read, the story fun. It’s written at a good pace for the age. It makes no bones (hehe) about Robert being excited about animals and dinosaurs rather than sport, his best mate has that covered though, he wants to be a dirt bike champion. The other bonus in this series is it is loaded with facts about dinosaurs, everything from techniques used in digs to things about different dinosaurs. This is perfect for readers who love dinosaurs and adventure.

Publisher: Random House Australia Children’s Books

Published: 01 March 2013

Format: Paperback 96 pages

Categories: Adventure, Dinosaurs

ISBN 13: 9781864718454

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

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Mysterious Traveller

I received my copy from the publisher.

9781406337075By: Mal Peet & Elspeth Graham

Illustrated By: PJ Lynch

Issa knows the desert better than anyone else. He lives there and makes his money guiding people across it. One day Issa’s life is changed when he comes across a riderless camel and a baby girl. The girl, Mariama stays in Issa’s care and when he begins to go blind she becomes his eyes. Together they continue to guide people through the desert. Will this pair be able to help some strangers on a dangerous journey through the Bitter Mountains? What secret does the young traveller hold and how will it affect Issa and Mariama’s lives?

This is a truly beautiful story. The relationship between the two main characters is precious and glorious. The descriptions in the text are visceral, amazing, and the language simply sweeps you into a place with Issa and Mariama. The illustrations that accompany this story are delicate, beautiful and simply wonderful. An incredible story of family, time, wisdom and kindness, that is well worth sharing.

Highly recommended.

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd

Published: 04 April 2013

Format: Hardback 48 pages

Categories: Family, Wisdom

ISBN 13: 9781406337075

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

 

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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The Enormouse Pearl Heist

9780545341035By: Geronimo Stilton

Geronimo Stilton series Book 51

Geronimo goes on a trip with beautiful Petunia, his nephew Ben and Aunt Sweetfur. Petunia is hoping Geronimo will get some time to relax and she sends him scuba diving. Geronimo isn’t very happy with this idea, even less so when he believes he has seen a huge blue fish. It turns out that Geronimo has made a find of the century – an enormous oyster. Geronimo has discovered the famous Eye of the Ocean. The problem with such a find is that someone may try to steal it.

Another fun adventure in the Geronimo series. These books are colourful, fun and full of action. The presentation of the text and the coloured illustrations are very appealing to children. As always this series is well worth a look.

Publisher:  Scholastic US

Published: 01 December 2012

Format: Paperback 109 pages

Categories: Reading Schemes, Adventure

ISBN 13: 9780545341035

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Tiddles

I received this copy from the publisher.9780143307372By: S.Carey

Part of the Eerie series

Ben and Cathy are left with their creepy aunt Pam whilst their parents go looking for a new house. They don’t want to be there, their aunt is strange and has gotten worse since her husband and cat died. They aren’t their long when it becomes clear that Pam is insane. Ben and Cathy were sure her cat was dead, so why does Pam leave food out for it still?

This is a gruesome, gory and dark story. It is horror simply told. The tension is there and it is kind of gross, zombie cats included. Don’t however give this series to your kids if they are easily scared or prone to nightmares. Best for 8-9 years.

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 27 February 2013

Format: Paperback 72 pages

Categories: Horror

ISBN 13: 9780143307372

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

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Killer App

I received my copy from the publisher9780143307365By: S. Carey

Part of the Eerie series

Roma’s friend Michael is part of a gaming group and has gotten his hands on a brand new app. They and three of their friends are going to test it out. It sounds fun, who wouldn’t want an app that caters to your dreams. It doesn’t take long for the dreams to turn to nightmares. How are they going to get out of this game?

One of the Eerie series. The tone of these books is dark, descriptors are gruesome and the tension is tight. Don’t let the large print format fool you, the covers say it all – these are horror books for young readers. The scary content makes these for slightly older readers but the format keeps them in the younger age range I’d have to say they are probably best for 8-9 years.

Publisher: Puffin

Published: 27 February 2013

Format: Paperback 72 pages

Categories: Horror

ISBN 13: 9780143307365

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

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Violet Mackerel’s Possible Friend

I got my copy from the publisher.

violet-mackerel-s-possible-friendBy: Anna Branford

Illustrated By: Sarah Davis

Violet’s family have moved to a new house. Her mum has told her she thinks their is another little girl who lives next door, Violet wonders if they might be friends. Then she leaves a note in the fence and the other little girl invites her over. Rose has a pink and white bedroom and a wonderful doll’s house. She thinks stuff at Rose’s place is pretty awesome. When she gets invited to Rose’s birthday party she starts to wonder if Rose will really like to have her as a friend.

This is a really great series. Violet Mackerel is one of my favourite characters for this age category. She is down to earth, honest, inquisitive and generous. It is lovely to see a character and a family who don’t have everything going for them but who have to try and who do it together. It is also great to have a character who is taught to value things like friendship and the wonder of a homemade gift over the more expensive store bought fare. It is a good look at if materialism is really what is important. I hope to see Rose join Violet in future stories, for now though I will just enjoy the fact I got to visit with Violet again.

Highly recommended.

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

Published: 01 February 2013

Format: Hardback 112 pages

Categories: Friendship

ISBN 13: 9781921977565

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

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Faves of 2012

Okay it is that time of the year again where anyone and everyone puts together lists of their top picks of the past year. I am going to be no different, I will, however, not be doing a top 10. What I have put here are the ones that really stood out, but truthfully I had many wonderful reading experiences this year just about gone, and I did limit this list to those books published in 2012.

Let me start with the youngest first and believe me there were so many really cool picture books this past year but here are a few that stood out.

The Snorgh and the Sailor : Will Buckingham and Thomas Docherty

9781407116525

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore : William Joyce

9781442457027

I Love You Little Monster : Andreae Giles and Jess Mikhail

9781408314289

Plant a Kiss : Amy Rosenthal and Peter H Reynolds

9780061986758

What Does Daddy Do? : Rachel Bright

9780141502649

Fiction 4 – 9 years.

Secret of the Swords : Frances Watts and Gregory Rogers

9781742377285

Hey Jack! series : by Sally Rippin

9781742971254

Billie B Brown series by Sally Rippin

9781742971414Fiction 8 – 12

Floors : Patrick Carmen

9781906427900

Summer’s Dream :  Cathy Cassidy

chocolate-box-girls-summer-s-dream

Dork Diaries series : Rachel Renee Russell

9780857071194Young Adult Fiction

Stormdancer : Jay Kristoff

stormdancer-hi

The Fault in Our Stars : John Green

9780525478812

Team Human : Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan

9781742378398

 

 

Category:

A Little Fun, Topics and Recommendations

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Best Friend Showdown

By: Yvette Poshoglian

Bk 2 of the Ella & Olivia series

Zoe is Ella’s best friend in the whole world. They do everything they can together. Then their teacher announces a fund raising activity with a prize going to the person who sells the most chocolate. Will their friendship stand this test? Who will sell the most chocolate? Ella is about to give up when she finds out she has a secret weapon – her sister Olivia.

This is a really fun read and great for those who are ready to read a little more the the most basic of first readers. One of the appeals of this series is the fact that family is celebrated. There is a real joy in this book even as it deals with Ella’s struggle in trying to win. A lovely series.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 July 2012

Format: Paperback 64 pages

Categories: Family, Siblings, Friendship

ISBN 13: 9781742833552

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Cupcake Catastrophe

By: Yvette Poshoglian

Bk 1 of the Ella & Olivia series

Ella and Olivia are sisters. Today they are making cupcakes for their dad’s birthday. Ella tells Olivia what to do but forgets that Olivia can’t spell yet and the cupcakes don’t turn out quite as expected.

Ella and Olivia love each other and are wonderful sisters. The story is fun and filled with warmth of family. It’s nice to find books about siblings getting along so well. The text is easy to understand and in large print, not quite as large as the Billie B Brown books, so there is more of it. These books are the perfect follow on for readers who need a bit of a challenge after the Billie books.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 July 2012

Format: Paperback 64 pages

Categories: Family, Siblings, Cooking

ISBN 13: 9781742833545

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

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Fiction 4-9

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The Deep End

By: Sally Rippin

Part of the Billie B Brown series

It is swimming lesson time and Billie has a belly ache. She is feeling really nervous. It was okay when the class were in the little pool but this year they are moving up to the big pool. Her best friend Jack is a really good swimmer and wants them to be in the same group but Billie knows she is not that good. She is worried she is going to be the only one in her class who has trouble.

Like always these books have a feeling that needs to be dealt with – a situation to be overcome. Rippin deals with these things in a light and entertaining way provides us with dual purpose books. You can just enjoy them or use them to bring up topics.

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont

Published: 01 June 2012

Format: Paperback 60 pages

Categories: Sport, Friendship

ISBN 13: 9781742971438

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

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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