Just another WordPress.com site

Posts tagged ‘Humour’

Holiday Heartbreak

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

Tagged with:

Etiquette & Espionage

9781907411588

By: Gail Carriger

Sophronia is fourteen and a great trial to her mother and sisters. She simply doesn’t want to be a good lady, there are so many other things that hold her interest, such as how things work and spying on people. The family’s only hope is that finishing school can fix more than just Sophronia’s terrible curtsy. Sophronia finds herself enrolled in Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

Sophronia hasn’t even arrived at her new school before she realises things are not at all what they seem. She soon discovers that in addition to dance, dress and etiquette she is to learn modern weaponry,intelligence gathering, seduction and poisoning just to name a few. As far as Sophronia is concerned things are definitely looking up.

This was rip roaring fun. The primness of Victorian manners and espionage create a great juxtaposition for a background. Carriger has taken the style of her Souless series and efficiently transplanted it into a new an extremely enjoyable young adult series. Sophronia is huge fun, she is adventurous, smart and quick thinking. Her mechanical pet is a quirky addition to the plotting as well as a very useful device. If you are anything like me you will find favourites amongst the support players, they are varied, there for different reasons and they add wonderful layers to the story. The humour is dry and writing full of wit, plenty of strong female characters who think, take action and don’t need rescuing. The background is a solid, visceral world that draws you in and makes you firmly believe.

If you like a good bit of espionage or are a fan of steampunk then this is a series you will love.

Recommended.

Publisher: ATOM

Published: 02 May 2013

Format: Paperback 320 pages

Categories: Steampunk, Adventure, Espionage

ISBN 13: 9781907411588

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

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

Tagged with:

Perfect Scoundrels

9780734413468By: Ally Carter

A Heist Society Novel

Kat Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth work well together, it’s no secret that they make a great team even though they come from very different lives. She is carrying on the family business of becoming a criminal mastermind, Hale has run away from what may well be an ideal dynasty. That was before though, before Hale was called back to his family on the death of his grandmother. Much to many people’s surprise Hale inherits a billion dollar corporation and in the process pulls himself away from Kat and their friends. This inheritance means so much to him but is it all it appears?

Kat is stunned at Hale’s reaction but there is no way she is just going to let him walk away. Before she can process all that is going on she is hired to uncover what is really going on with the Hale family business and particularly the will that handed the company over to Hale. Kat has to decide, knowing what the truth might do to Hale and if she succeeds and Hale’s company is saved she might lose the boy. A tough choice to make and Kat has to get her head in the game if she is going to do anyone any good.

Oh I love these books. They are such fun, such pure escapism. Kat Bishop is a character who is larger than life, it is so easy to forget she is supposed to be just 15, but when you remember you just don’t care. You want her to win, whatever it is she is going after. She is smart, strong, loyal and just plain full of spunk, to use a somewhat old fashioned turn of phrase. Hale is cheeky and a great balance for Kat. They make a great team and this story puts them both through interesting character arcs. It brings a solid reality to Hale, who has always been able to flit from scene to scene because of his charm and money. As Kat says, Hale is the perfect inside man. The colourful cast of characters around them bring depth, humour, wisdom and fun to this story, each add something special which makes for a great team.

From sleight of hand, to grand schemes, from intricate planning to dumb luck, this series is a great roller coaster ride of entertainment. I will say again, I love this series. I finished it in one day. If you want adventure and fun and just to get away from reality for a little while and slip into a place where kids have brains and out-manouver the bad guys, with the support of their families, then pick up this series.

Oh, oh, oh, this copy also comes with a Gallagher Girls crossover story.

Highly recommended.

Publisher: Lothian Children’s Books

Published: 12 February 2013

Format: Paperback 336 pages

Categories: Crime, Humour, Family, Friendship

ISBN 13: 9780734413468

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

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

Tagged with:

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

Tagged with:

Munkle Arvur and the Bod

9781775430698By: Nikki Slade Robinson

Munkle Arvur lives in a famous canyon that was clean and great, it was a first rate tourist attraction. Munkle Arvur cared for the canyon, until one day the Bod paid a call and Munkle Arvur’s canyon becomes a dumping ground. Munkle will not stand for this and he sets out to do something about it.

A delightful tale of recycling and caring for the environment. The text is quirky, fun and very much in the style of a Dr Seuss book. The accompanying illustrations are wonderful, a little odd and just perfect for the tone of the text. A totally enjoyable book that will be fun to share.

Recommended.

Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand

Published: 01 May 2012

Format: Paperback 32 pages

Categories: Environment

ISBN 13: 9781775430698

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

Category:

Picture Books

Tagged with:

The Giant’s Loo Roll

9781849415026By: Nicholas Allan

The Giant’s loo roll falls and rolls out of the door and down the hill to the town where it causes all sorts of havoc. Of course there is much stuff that can be done with such big sheets of paper if the people of the town are creative enough. The big question is; will the giant get his toilet paper back in time?

A very funny tale about creativity with a healthy dollop of toilet humour involved. This story has a somewhat environmental theme paired with detailed illustrations that have the appearance of paint on canvas.

Publisher: Red Fox

Published: 07 June 2012

Format: Paperback 32 pages

Categories: Giants, humour, environment, recycling

ISBN 13: 9781849415026

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

Category:

Picture Books

Tagged with:

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

Tagged with:

The End of the World

By: Derek Landy

Part of the Skulduggery Pleasant series

Ryan always thought he was an ordinary boy until accosted by four very strange people in the library. Then things begin to happen and from out of nowhere a girl dressed all in black steps in. If Ryan is to survive and figure out why he is being pursued then he is going to need the help of Valkyrie Cain and Skulduggery Pleasant. It turns out that it is not just his survival at stake but that of the entire world. Fortunately, saving the world is what Valkyrie and Skulduggery do best.

This is a totally fun and action packed short story. Skulduggery and Valkyrie are in their element, kicking butt and saving the world. Ryan is an intriguing centre to this installment. A wonderful short addition to the series. This volume comes complete with a tiny story at the end that was the result of a competition. A funny bonus, the characters chosen from the competition are great and I wouldn’t be disappointed to see them again.

Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books

Published: 24 February 2012

Format: Paperback 128 pages

Categories: Fantasy, Action, Humour

ISBN 13: 9780007466788

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

Category:

Fiction 8-12

Tagged with:

Derek Landy Q & A part 4

Finally, after a uploading problem I can now post the final part of the Derek Landy Q & A. Sorry it took so long guys but enjoy.

Category:

A Little Fun, Writers

Tagged with:

Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian

I received my copy from the publisher.By: Eoin Colfer

Book 8 Artemis Fowl series

Power hungry, evil pixie Opal Koboi is back, she is far from done, and is now plotting to get rid of all mankind in her quest to become the fairy queen. It is an ambitious and heartless plan, she cares nothing for those she uses and less for those who will die. The icing on the cake will be to take down Artemis, Holly and Foaly. This is very personal for her.

Artemis and his friends aren’t about to let this happen without a fight, especially when it appears Opal has found a way to drag Artemis’ two four year old brothers into her plotting. This is not how it was supposed to end. Will Artemis be able to come up with a plan to foil Opal and prevent the end of the world?

A fitting end to the anti-hero that is Artemis Fowl. Artemis is a great character, clever and so much fun. Holly is a wonderful partner; brave, brazen and as determined as the young human. Foaly brings a great element of fun and Butler grounds it all in humanity. Together these core characters have taken us through some great adventures and this is no exception. Colfer has delivered an entertaining final chapter set in a place that stands apart in its blend of magic, technology and the world as we know it. The way he has been able to have to two worlds function separately yet be part of the same thing has been a joy to read, and lets face it who wouldn’t love to read about a boy billionaire/evil genius. The camaraderie and bonds between the characters have been well established over previous books and he doesn’t let these foundations slip as he takes us to its conclusion.

I have been a fan of these books for years and still think they are great fun, I’m sad to see the series end but it was a good place and way to do so. I am looking forward to Colfer’s next book.

Publisher: Puffin Books

Published: 07 October 2012

Format: Paperback 352 pages

Categories: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Action

ISBN 13: 9780141344331

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

 

Category:

Fiction 8-12

Tagged with:

Tag Cloud

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 134 other followers

%d bloggers like this: