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Posts tagged ‘Dreams’

10

I received my copy from the publisher.

10

By: James Phelan

The Last 13 bk 4

Sam and Xavier are in dire straights. Sam is convinced this is the end – his at the hands of Solaris. Then rescue comes in a very unexpected way. He was sure Alex was dead but now it looks as though he is working with The Enterprise and Sam doesn’t know what to make of that. He can’t stop thought to find out, the next dreamer needs to be located and his search takes him to Paris. The Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, over ground and underground, and it seems that there is no longer any way to tell who is on what side and exactly how many factions are involved.

The pace of this story doesn’t relent. The different perspectives are woven together well. The introduction of new characters works to bring them into the team, though it is nice that they don’t all believe immediately. Zara is a nice addition; smart and cautious. Her parents support what she is about to do even though they are affiliated with The Enterprise, and this is just one of the ways the boundaries between the sides is blurred. This uncertainty ups the ante as with the various factions there is no opportunity for the action to stop.

Eve also goes through a bit of a change in this instalment and it will be interesting to see how this is fleshed out or if it will just be ignored. Strangely Sam is probably the least well rounded of all the characters, in many ways he is a function of the action. It is Sam who keeps the story going. I wonder if that is going to be enough to keep him interesting or if he will benefit from a little depth of character writing. None of that takes from the fact that this series is a rip roaring read.

Worth a look if you want short instalments and plenty of action. Age 10+

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 March 2014

Format: Paperback 192 pages

Categories: Action, Thriller

ISBN 13: 9781742831879

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

12

I got my copy from the publisher

12

By: James Phelan

The Last Thirteen bk 2

Sam just escaped last time he followed his dreams, the dreams that lead him to The Star of Egypt. He finds himself heading to Egypt with someone he would never have expected. He is on the path to finding out why the Star was so important and discovering the rest of the last 13. This journey takes him to some unexpected places including a party of a pop star and high speed car chases through the streets of Italy and then running from pursuers below the streets. It’s difficult enough to do what he has been destined to do but it is so much harder when he can’t tell friends from enemies.

This is an action packed read. Sam slowly finds his feet as he comes to terms to what the prophecy means to him, he has to make fast decisions and learn to trust his instinct and rely on himself in a way he never has before. Meanwhile Alex’s journey takes him somewhere totally unexpected and it will be interesting to see where this takes him. The pace is fast, the setting varied as it takes into account not just the real world but also the dreamscape. A fun and escapist read in a short format that will be great for those who find larger books daunting.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 December 2013

Format: Paperback 192 pages

Categories: Adventure, Thriller

ISBN 13: 9781742831855

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

The Last Thirteen – 13

 

9781742831848By: James Phelan

The Last 13 bk 1

Sam is used to strange dreams, sort of, he is used to having them. The morning he wakes from a nightmare where everybody dies his world changes. Firstly he is kidnapped right form school, then he is taken to a different type of school where he is told nothing about his life is what he thought it was, including his parents. It turns out he is the start and people have been waiting and looking for him for a long time. It turns out Sam is part of an ancient prophecy, his dreams are special, they are real and they give him power, but it is a power he las to learn to master, for his enemy is plotting to destroy the world.

Sam is a teenage boy full of angst, confusing dreams and parents who worry about him. When he is ripped from the only world he knows he isn’t sure what to really do, he is thankful though that he isn’t alone because two others were ripped from their lives at the same time as he was. Together they form an uneasy alliance as they face all the weirdness that is thrust at them, including the knowledge that a whole group of people are trying to kill them. Alex is cocky and a character who breaks the tension with defensive humour. Eva is more sensible, she also has first hand experience of having a dream that has actually come true.

A fast paced, action filled story with a interesting twist of dream manipulation and scientific experimentation. It will be interesting to see where this story takes us.

Publisher: Scholastic Australia

Published: 01 September 2013

Format: Paperback 216 pages

Categories: Action, Adventure, Thriller

ISBN 13: 9781742831848

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

The Magical Life of Mr Penny

9781877467899By: Leo Timmers

Mr Penny loves to paint. In fact he is quite a good artist. His pictures look very life like. no-one wants to buy his paintings though and he is very hungry. One day a man comes along who says he can make Mr Penny’s pictures come to life. Mr Penny can eat and his dreams can now come true, but sometimes that is not the best thing.

A thoughtful and enjoyable story about dreams and abilities and how you use what gifts you are given. If you don’t want to  look deeper then just enjoy the story and the bold and quirky illustrations.

Publisher: Gecko Press

Published: 03 August 2012

Format: Paperback 40 pages

Categories: Creativity, Dreams

ISBN 13: 9781877467899

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

Summer’s Dream

By: Cathy Cassidy

The Chocolate Box Girls series

Middle school has ended and summer holidays are underway. Summer’s mum has gotten married to Paddy and they are taking off for three weeks on a working honeymoon. There is a film being shot locally, it is going to be a fun holiday. Unlike everyone else Summer has no time for fun. She had been asked to audition for a new ballet academy, this is her dream, a dream she once saw slip through her fingers and now she has a second chance.

Holidays turn into an obsession on finding perfection. Summer starts down a dangerous path that soon spirals out of control. She pushes everyone away. Perhaps the boy she has know forever and never seen as boyfriend material, will actually be the one who can help her. Maybe through it all she will discover that dreams can come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Wow what a powerful story. We are familiar with the characters and this is Summer’s story. Summer is the perfect one, the one voted most likely to succeed. The other books were engaging but Summer’s story is darker – her obsession leads to anorexia and depicts how easily it can take hold. It shows how the mind can and does trick her into believing one thing and how easily it can be hidden.

If you want to increase awareness to this topic then this is a good book. This series is for 8-12 year olds but definitely the top end of that and possibly the lower end of YA. It is a strong story that resonates, balanced with quirky and well written. characters.  A great choice.

Recommended.

Publisher: Puffin Books

Published: 07 June 2012

Format: Paperback 304 pages

Categories: Eating Disorders, Siblings, Family

ISBN 13: 9780141344294

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

It’s a Big World Little Pig!

By: Kristi Yamaguchi

Illustrated by: Tim Bowers

Poppy, the little pig with great big dreams is back. This time her dreams and her skating are taking her to Paris for a big international competition. Poppy is a little nervous but her best friend tells her she shouldn’t worry because ‘everyone smiles in the same language’. Poppy makes some wonderful new friends from all over the world.

Beautifully told this story is about overcoming fears and making friends in new and different ways and places. Poppy is a great character who always has a smile despite her nerves. She is encouraged and encouraging. Yamaguchi and Bowers have once again presented us with a charming tale that is well worth a look.

Publisher: Sphinx Publishing

Published: 21 March 2012

Format: Hardback 32 pages

Categories: Sports Stories, Animal Stories

ISBN 13: 9781402266447

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

Dream Big Little Pig!

By: Kristi Yamaguchi

Illustrated by: Tim Bowers

Poppy is a little pig with big dreams. She wants to be a star – a ballerina, o model, a singer. It turns out though that that isn’t as easy as it sounds. Lots of  people say she can’t but her family and best friend tell her not to give up and to keep dreaming big. Poppy is a determined little pig who truly believes in herself. Then one day she glides out onto the ice, and even though she falls, she gets back up because skating feels so wonderful.

Poppy is a wonderful little pig and her story is one of determination and perseverance, great traits to instill in our young ones. The story is uplifting and joyful, the illustrations are fun and appealing. A heartwarming book.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc

Published: 21 November 2011

Format: Hardback 32 pages

Categories: Animal Stories, Dreams, Sport

ISBN 13: 9781402252754

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

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