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Archive for September, 2014

Midnight Mischief

By: Fiona Regan

Illustrated By: Louis Shea

Part of the Double Trouble series

midnight-mischief

Tommy and Coop are super excited. They love to prank and now they get to do it somewhere they haven’t had the chance to, and it is a place that will take pranking to a whole other level. The twins are going on their first school camp. They plan on making this the best camp ever. But what happens when they aren’t the only ones pranking?

A fun addition to this series. With it’s story lines filled with silliness and humour and the accompanying black and white illustrations, this series is full of appeal. It is particularly nice in this one to see Tommy and Coop on the receiving end of a prank. An easy read with plenty of laughs for a reader that might find books boring.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 June 2014

Format: Paperback 64 pages

Categories: Family, Humour, Twins

ISBN 13: 9781743623770

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

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Dinosaur Danger

By: Sarah Fraser

Illustrated by: Louis Shea

Part of the Double Trouble series

dinosaur-danger

Tommy and Coop are sure the class excursion is going to be boring. How can it be anything else when they are going to the museum. They try some pranks to make themselves late. Unfortunately for them they still have to go. Boring. Maybe some pranks will help them feel better. Then they discover the robotic dinosaurs. Now they can really have some fun.

This series is a lot of silliness and for some kids just the thing to get them reading. Fortunately for parents a lot of their pranks revolve around gadgets so it won’t be giving kids too many ideas. The text is simple and engaging, Tommy and Coop are the right amount of mischievous, not tipping over to malicious. A good little read.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 June 2014

Format: Paperback 64 pages

Categories: Family, Humour

ISBN 13: 9781743623763

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

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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Divergent – Film

So I have managed to watch this now and I have to say I quite enjoyed it.

Shailene Woodley is wonderful. And there are plenty of eye candy moments. I haven’t finished the book yet though. In this case I wanted to watch the film first. Often if I read the book first I get grumpy with the differences.

They changes have tightened the story for visual impact and a whole sub-plot story line has been minimised. Putting aside the book for a moment, the film is enjoyable, action packed and open ended to leave the option open for further adaptations. I really liked it for what it was, but think I’m glad I watched before reading. I understand why fans of the book were frustrated with the adaptation but I’ve seen enough of them that I know to not expect the same thing I picture in my head whilst reading.

I’ll finish up with one of my have scenes.

Category:

Book to Film

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Dork Diaries – TV Star

I received my copy from the publisher

tv-star

By: Rachel Renee Russell

Nikki Maxwell is part of a band that has been offered a recording contract. Despite the problems with meeting up with Trevor Chase, a Hollywood producer Nikki finds herself thrust into stardom when she is offered her very own reality TV show. It turns out though that it isn’t anywhere near as much fun as it sounds, especially with her arch enemy MacKenzie doing everything she can to steal the spotlight and mess up Nikki’s fledgling relationship with Brandon. has Nikki bitten off more than she should have?

A continuation of the trials Nikki Maxwell, self confessed dork, goes through everyday as she tries to hide the truth of who she is from the people she attends school with. Nikki is a bit of a drama queen but it makes for fun reading. The plot follows the same pattern of the other books but that is unlikely to bother younger readers, who will be way more interested in the silly antics and quirky illustrations. Let’s face it what youngster doesn’t dream of fame and fortune and maybe the possibility of staring in a reality tv show.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children’s Books

Published: 26 March 2015

Format: Paperback 336 pages

Categories: School Stories, Humour

ISBN 13: 9781471117688

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

Category:

Fiction 8-12

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Weirdo 2 Even Weirder

I received my copy from the publisher

even-weirder-

By: Anh Do

Weir Do has a problem, it’s his family. Nothing about them is normal and this makes life difficult especially as he has been invited to Bella’s birthday party and he doesn’t want to do anything to make himself seem even stranger. Then there is the school trip to the zoo that he has to get through first.

This book is filled with illustrations that break the text into small chunks. The language is simple and the story fun and silly. Weir is pretty easy to relate to as he struggles with his family and trying to not make a fool in front of his classmates. A book that will appeal to those just getting into chapter books and looking for something funny.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 June 2014

Format: Paperback 144 pages

Categories: Humour

ISBN 13: 9781743622711

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

Category:

Fiction 4-9

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