I AM NUMBER FOUR

I AM NUMBER FOUR   by Pittacus Lore        (LWH)

BOOK BLURB:  Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. Not even close. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books— but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running, all of us are hiding. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.

Number Two in England.

And Number Three in Kenya.

They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

I am next.

I was anxious to read the sequel to this book, as I'd read reviews from other library staff who enjoyed the sequel 'The Power of Six' (one review can be read by clicking HERE), but knew I needed to read 'I am number four' first, however when my daughter offered to hire the movie for me I thought that I'd take her up on it. With Michael Bay and Stephen Spielberg bringing it to our screen I didn't think I'd be disappointed... and I wasn't... I did enjoy the movie. Having not read the book it may not as been as good, which is often the case, but now I know the underlying story I will be able to jump into the sequel.  Here is a movie trailer to wet your appetite...

GONE

GONE  by Michael Grant    (LWH)

Book blurb:   In the blink of an eye. Everyone 15 yrs and older disappears. GONE.  Not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day.

It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your 15^th birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...

 

The story transpires in a small town of Perdido Beach (Southern California). In a twinkling of an eye everyone over the age of 15 vanishes – poof! Teachers in mid-sentence, drivers in cars, parents… all gone, but where? It is an intriguing start to the novel and at first the children at school seem thrilled as they ransack the school of food and drink, until panic sets in, interestingly thought it’s not until they realize their cell phones and the internet no longer work that they truly become FREAKED! There is at least electricity.

They soon discover the whole town and its environs have been isolated from the world by an egg-shaped force-field. Our reluctant hero, Sam Templeton (an ordinary unassuming guy), and his friends Astrid, Quinn and Edilio assume responsibility for holding anarchy at bay. The smaller children in the community must be sought out and looked after and fed with no parents around and as panic has totally set it by now.  Mary takes charge of the pre-school nursery, Albert  reopens McDonald's, aware that the availability of burgers and fries will keep the 200 odd children fed for the time being. As hunger eventually threatens, new problems arise as bullies rule, a sinister creature lurks and animals are mutating. 

The teens themselves are changing, developing new talent - unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers, that grow stronger by the day that they don’t know how to use or why they have them. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out for those about to turn 15. Before long a convoy of cars from Coates Academy creeps into town. Coates is a residential school for "difficult/weird” children. The leader of the contingent is Caine, a charismatic boy who assumes power. He is, of course, bad, and soon enough a battle between Sam and Caine, Good and Evil, develops.

Interestingly Michael Grant questions "What can we write to lure boys away from their PlayStations and Xboxes?" His answer  "Books that are prose versions of games".

My fav line in book:  Albert goes to the library to research as there is no internet. He found a set of encylopedias - "It's like Wikipedia, but paper and very bulky ... It was exactly like following hyperlinks, but slower, and with more lifting."

MOVIE TRAILERS AND INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL ON NEXT PAGE...

COMEDY IN A MINOR KEY

COMEDY IN A MINOR KEY  by Hans Keilson

(Review by:  Elizabeth Stoel)

This is a book that looks at what really happens in war and how normal peole are affected when someone they hardly know dies in their home. Overall one of those books that make you think and question.





About the author:  Hans Zeilson was born in Germany but, following the Nazi's rise to power, was forced to move to the Netherlands before the outbreak of World War II. An award-winning psychiatrist, he is particularly renowned for specialising in the traumatic effects of the Holocause on Jewish survivors.

THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS

THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS  by Jessica Shirvington

(Reviewed by:  a student)  Genre: Paranormal Romance

  

EMBRACE  -  Book 1

Violet Eden is crazy about Lincoln, who she met two years ago, but refuses to be more than friends. When she finds out why he keeps his distance, she finds that he has kept a huge secret from her. He is a Grigori, part angel part human, and so is she. Violet is shocked and turns away from Lincoln. Then she meets Pheonix, who is an exile, and an enemy of the Grigori. Pheonix may be dark, but he is always there for her and they grow closer. Soon she has some choices to make, ones that could cost not only her own, but also Lincoln's life.

Overall it is a good book, but it is a bit predictable. I also found that it can be a bit confusing if you have read a lot of other angel stories because the hierarchy and history is different, and very puzzling, but the writing is brillian and draws you in.

ENTICED  -  Book 2

Violet has come to terms with bein Grigori, but she defiantly doesn't know everything. As she learns more and more she realises there might even be a future for her an dLincoln together. but Lincoln has his own secrets, and so do some of the other Grigori in their town. Then there is Pheonix, who is more powerful than they thought, and who holds the ultimate hand over Violet. As they race to find the scriptures, Violet and her powers are tested as they are pushed to their extreme.

This is the continuing story of Violet Eden, set one month after book 1 finishes. The hierarchy gets even more confusing, but the great writing continues with a better plot. But sadly no ohappy ending, so we will have to wait for book 3 for that.

EMBLAZE  -  Book 3

 

Came out in October - haven't read it yet!

NOTE: These are books that you will either love or hate. This series is not one of my favourite, but it is a good read if you don't mind reading ANOTHER angel book!

DAYS LIKE THIS

DAYS LIKE THIS   by Alison Stewart   (LWH)

This book was full of surprises. For a genre I don't usually read I must say I found this novel to be fabulous. The concept of the story was very clever and I read it in two sittings, reading well into the night. The plot was thrilling and there was danger around every corner (or page) and I was on the edge of my seat as to how it was all going to play out.

 Lily is a prisoner in her own home, along with her brother and sister, Blacktroopers and the 'Committee' make sure of that. Her parents are acting very wierd, like they don't have emotions anymore, and they seem to not be aging. A wall has been built to keep out the poor (and to keep those wishing to escape in!). When Lily and her brother discover the Committee are planning to farm teenagers for a special serum, her brother suddenly disappears. She plans to escape to find her brother and get over the wall to see what lies beyond. Along with all this, global warming has damaged the weather and atmosphere, and resources, including water is scarce.

Lily was a great character, very brave, and the budding romance with Kieran (towards the end) wasn't overwhelming and didn't distract from the main story. I love the fact that it was set in Sydney and I could definately picture it. This story touches on many subjects and would be a great class novel to explore with themes on global warming, corruption in society, a dying world, morality, playing God with Science.

Author the author: Alison is a Sydney journalist and writer.  She has lived in Sydney for more than 30 years after growing up in Cape Town, South Africa. The idea for Days Like This came from a growing unease about our diminishing natural resources, combined with the rise of a heartless individuality. The book explores the consequences – a world where people are shockingly exploited to serve the desires of an elite few.

HEARD OF DYSTOPIA?

[DYSTOPIA (noun)  An imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. The opposite to Utopia.]

 I've just discovered this genre (which I thought came under Science Fiction...doh!) so I thought I'd like to share it with those out there who haven't discovered it yet. The following information comes from an article by Danielle Binks, which she wrote for 'Off the Shelf', a publication by Penguin. The full publication can be accessed by clicking on the link (forward to pages 22 & 23). It's aimed at teachers but I'm sure you'll enjoy reading it and get a lot of great ideas fro it.

"The word ‘Dystopia’ was coined by Thomas More in 1516, as a counter-point to his theoretical creation of the perfect society called a ‘Utopia’. Dystopia can be post-apocalyptic, alternate universe, science fiction or a prediction of what’s to come. Barren, bleak and disturbing?

Dystopic society is characterised by human misery and oppression – stories are often set in cities, where humans have little contact with nature and are suffocated by their modernized surroundings. Politics in such novels are often brutal and dictatorial, exemplifying the belief that ‘power corrupts’. The genre is bleak by its very definition. It explores and fictionalizes the worst traits of humanity and often predicts a desolate future. So should we be concerned that a genre which exemplifies human misery should be so popular for young readers? How can such storytelling be considered beneficial, let alone entertaining, for young adults?

Bleak it may be, but the Dystopian genre is also a YA category that demands the highest quality of authors and the finest of writing. Complex themes are layered with heroic journeys as writers hold up a fun-house-mirror version of our society – embellished and ruined."

Open publication - Free publishing - More australia

THE MEMORY CAGE

THE MEMORY CAGE   by Ruth Eastham   (LWH)

This is a very powerful and emotional story dealing with war, Alzheimer’s and family secrets. It is beautifully written and the compassion Alex shows for his Grandfather is beautiful. The story tells of Alex who was adopted at the age of 6 from a refugee camp in Bosnia and is now a teenager. His parents and younger brother are all dead and he is haunted by memories of not being able to save his younger brother from drowning. He is adopted into the Smith family, lives in Doverham, England and adores his adopted Grandfather, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is about to be put into a home.

He is desperate to help his Grandfather to remember the past so he doesn’t have to be put in an aged home, but as Alex delves into the past and tries to create a scrapbook of his life, secrets are discovered that have been hidden away for many years. With the town losing so many of their young men in the war some people don’t want the past dug up. Remembering the past is not want Alex wants for himself either as it is too hurtful and he tries to cut all memories of Bosnia from his life. The story concludes with a dramatic incident that had me in tears. Secrets are revealed and lies uncovered to culminate in a truly wonderful ending.

About the author:  Ruth Eastham was born in Lancashire, England, and trained as a teacher. She has worked in more than a dozen schools in UK, NZ, Australia and Italy. She likes photography, secondhand books and world maps.. This was Ruth’s first novel but I’m sure not her last. She likes to write anytime and everywhere! She likes to catch a new idea before I forget it so she always keep a notebook handy, or she writes up my arm if there's no paper about.

 

H.I.V.E. ZERO HOUR

H.I.V.E.  ZERO HOUR   by Mark Walden

(HIGHER INSTITUTION OF VILLAINOUS EDUCATION)

(Review by:  Zac Abbott)

This is the sixth book in the H.I.V.E. series. It is a very enjoyable book with a couple of laughts and it is a very involved book with a storyline that takes you around the world. The main character is a boy named Otto Malpense and he was created to be a home for the A.I. Overlord who is evil. The book is based around his adventures with his friends and his mentor Nero.

Book rating:  8/10

Book Blurb: Otto Malpense is in peril. The evil A.I. Overlord has developed the ability to move from body to body, but only Otto can contain him and survive. Overloard will cease at nothing to locate him. Then no one will be able to stop him. Nero must activate Zero Hour, a plan designed to elimate any villian on the brink of global dominatin. Nero also knows that Otto must not be allowed to fall into the Overlord's hands. The stage is set for a final battle.

To find out more about the other books in the HIVE series click here

H.I.V.E.
1. H.I.V.E.: Higher Institute of Villainous Education (2006)
2. The Overlord Protocol (2007)
3. Escape Velocity (2008)
4. Dreadnought (2009)
5. Rogue (2010)
6. Zero Hour (2010)
7. Aftershock (2011)

About the author:  After spending ten years as a video games designer and producer Mark has recently left the games industry to write and be a full-time dad to his daughter Megan. He studied at Newcastle University where he received a BA in English Literature and an MA in Twentieth Century Literature, Film and Television. It was here he met his wife, Sarah. H.I.V.E. won the Confident Readers 9+ category in Richard and Judy's Children's Book Club in October 2007.

LOTTIE BIGGS IS NOT MAD

LOTTIE BIGGS IS NOT MAD  by Hayley Long

(Review by: student)

This is the story of Lottie, whose real name is Charlotte. When Lottie receives her English coursework, she discovers that it is actually 'Extended Personal Writing'. She sets to work, and during her writing, she discovers all kinds of things, like the feel of jealousy and the truth about her own behaviour. Meanwhile, she tells us all about her job at Stole Mates, a shoe store that is stoked with hideous shoes, and Gareth Stingecombe, who she might just have a crush on. This is a light, laughable book about friendship, love and finding your true self.

About the author:  Hayley Long was born in Ipswich in 1971.  She wrote her first ever book when she was seven years old.  It was called 'Toot the Owl' and even though it wasn’t very good, her mum never threw it away.  After leaving school, Hayley went to university in Aberystwyth and then spent several years working in various countries in Europe.  She is now teaches English and writes books.

'Lottie Biggs is not Mad', the first in a series of books for young adults has now been translated into several different languages and has been awarded the White Raven label for ‘noteworthy and remarkable books’ by the International Youth Library in Munich. 

PRISONER OF THE INQUISITION

PRISONER OF THE INQUISITON by Theresa Breslin   (LWH)

I guess it was the cover of this book really grabbed my attention first and I’m glad because the story was great. A mixture of history, fiction, adventure, murder, deceit, betrayal and a little romance tossed in for good measure. I didn’t know much about the Spanish Inquisition really and this book filled me in a little. The story is about two teenagers, Zarita, a daughter of a wealthy magistrate and Saulo, son of a beggar. An incident early in the story sets the scene when Saulo’s father is killed unjustly by Zarita’s father, and Saulo is sold as a slave to a captain of a ship. This causes a hatred for the Zarita’s family and Saulo devotes himself to revenge his father and kill the magistrate’s entire family.

In the meantime the Inquisition is taking place and the town and there is torture and killings that has everyone living in fear. Family and friends betray each other to save their lives. Zarita is forced to live in a convent with her aunt and she tries to right the wrongs that have been done. Eighteen months on she and Saulo meet again but don’t recognize each other. Although the story is told in dual viewpoints narrated alternatively by Zarita and Saulo, it didn’t make the story disjointed at all and I think it added to the tension. I also liked the fact the Christopher Columbus was a minor character in the story. It was a gripping story that had me turning the pages as quickly as I could.

About the author: Theresa Breslin is the critically acclaimed author of over 30 books for children and young adults whose work has been filmed for television, broadcast on radio, and is read world-wide in many languages. She was born and brought up in a small town in the middle of Scotland close to castles, old burial grounds and the Roman Wall, all of which helped fuel an active imagination as a child, further developed by a real love of reading.

Her books have been praised for their elements of strong setting and sense of place and she acknowledges that she draws on the dramatic landscape of Scotland, its history and its culture.

IF I STAY

IF I STAY  by Gayle Foreman    (LWH)

Imagine if all your choices were gone… except one… and it’s the only one that really matters.

17 year old Mia has a happy family, a would-be rock star boyfriend and a great musical talent. All seems to be going well for her when her world is turned upside down. A car accident on a family outing leaves her in a coma in hospital. She can see and hear what is going on around her from above them but she can’t seem to communicate with them. Where are her parents and her little brother and why aren’t they telling her what really happened? She has to decide if she is to wake up and lead a life far more difficult than she ever anticipated, or to slip away and die. Adam, her boyfriend, is by her side throughout but whether this brings them closer together I won’t say as you will have to read this book to find out.

This was a heart wrenching book that drew me in page by page. I was experiencing Mia’s difficult decision along with her. It certainly was a thriller as either decision she made seemed to be difficult.

WHERE SHE WENT  by Gayle Foreman   (LWH)

 

This is the sequel to ‘If I Stay’ and is set three years after Mia’s accident. The story is told from Adam’s point of view, which brings a different perspective of what happened through his eyes. Adam and Mia are living on opposite sides of the country now and he is leading a ‘rock star’ life like he wanted, but maybe it isn’t what he thought it would be. By chance he is reunited with Mia in New York and they only have one night together before they must go their separate ways.  Adam is searching for the answers to his many questions, mainly what he did wrong and where she went. They’ve both changed in the past three years and this book fills in the gaps. It was good to get closure with this second book.

WHEN WE WERE TWO

WHEN WE WERE TWO by Robert Newton    (LWH)

This book didn’t do much for me which did surprise me after reading the blurb. The story of Dan and his younger brother Eddie, who escaped their life in Gunnadah, with their heartless father, to adventure out on their own to find their mother, who may possibly be living in Port Macquarie. You travel with the young brothers on their long journey and meet several characters along the way, some good, some bad. Eventually they meet up with a group of would-be soldiers who are walking to Port Macquarie to enlist in the war. They form  a bond with these typically Aussie blokes of the time, and it is touching how the men take the boys under their wings a little as the brothers join their ranks for company. The characters showed great resilience and brotherhood and there was a sense of hope throughout the book.

Some of the reviews of this book say it’s a powerful heart-rending story,and one of Robert’s best books but I felt the story was a little old for YA readers. There as a real ‘Aussieness’ to this book however, and the story was touching in parts and there were moments of great sentiment, but I felt it left more questions than answers.

Pan's Whisper

PAN'S WHISPER  by Sue Lawson  (LWH)

Yes, you’d be right in thinking Pan is rebellious, troublesome and damaged. The story opens with Pan arriving at a foster home with her case worker, Gemma, where her foster parents, Rose and Ian, along with their two other foster children, Olivia and Nat, welcome her into their home. Pan however is sure she won’t be here for long and plans to escape at the earliest possible moment.

Pan struggles to fit into a nice loving family with rules, a new school and deal with the loneliness she feels, which she blames her mother and half sister for. She has a lot of issues bottled up inside, some memories she can’t quite remember, but why? Rose gives Pan the opportunity to write to her sister but she refuses at first as she is still angry with her being in this situation… living in Leggoland! As time goes by she does decide to write to her sister, Morgan, and gradually as she is unraveling her thoughts and memories she begins to remember and write more.

Hunter, one of the boys in Pan’s class, befriends her and eventually she opens up to him about her problems. He seems to be the only one to understand. He too has had to deal with family issues and if anyone can help her, Hunter can. Pan is paranoid and only thinking about herself and her issues, however she soon decides she has been selfish and does need help from others. As she opens up, deeper relationships are formed with those around her.

A small book packed with punch. This is a gripping story and is cleverly written by another  Australian writer. The book is divided into three thoughts, with the chapters being narrated by Pan, followed by the letters she has written to Morgan, (each one questioning what has happened in the past), then this is followed by what was really happening at each occasion, (what Morgan was going through and how she had protected Pan throughout her childhood). I started to imagine I knew how this story would end… one of two ways. I was wrong… there was another! The writer sure had my emotions wrapped around her little finger and throughout this compelling story until the end, when in the final chapter I let it all go and just bawled… yep embarrassing I know!

THE ALPHABET SISTERS

THE ALPHABET SISTERS by Monica McInerney

Anna, Bett and Carrie were sisters and childhood singing stars (The Alphabet Sisters). Unfortunately after a family falling out... Bett's fiance deserting her for her younger sister Carrie, things were never the same and the sisters all went their separate ways and as adults hadn't spoken for years. Their much loved, slightly eccentric, crontrolling, larger than life, but very wise grandmother, summonded them home (Clare Valley, S.A.) for her 80th birthday party and surprise announcement. This of course was just a ploy to reunite the sisters and for them to realise they need each other. 

Lola has decided to stage a play in town with local actors and each of her granddaughters have an important role to play. As they work together to bring Lola's dream into being their relationships start to mend. During the course of the story we are submursed into the lives of the three sisters, their trials and tribulations and the misconceptions they have about each other and what really happened all those years before that put a huge barrier between them.

SHIFT

SHIFT  by Em Bailey    (LWH)

From the very first sentence I knew I was going to love this book. The cover, the blurb at the back of the book and the title all entrigued me and I'm so glad I read this book. It was a psychological thriller that kept me reading non-stop. The only time I put it down was to re-energise myself with a quick bite to eat and a coffee. Total shock came when I was around 1/2 way through the novel and there was a dramatic twist... it made me want to go right back to the start and re-read it to see what was staring at me the whole time. Of course I couldn't do that because I just wanted to keep reading and find out what happens.

The story is told by Olive, who is not 'crazy', well... not anymore,  is a self-impossed outcast who comes from a broke home. She is intrigued by a new student in her class, Miranda, who is an orphan and rumours have it she killed her parents. Olive and her best (and only) friend Ami, study Miranda and notice she is very unusal and has latched onto Olive's ex-best friend, the beautiful and popular Katie. Soon Olive is paranoid that Miranda is up to something as she becomes more and more like Katie, both in looks and personality. She has read about 'Shape-shifters' and although that seems impossible she is disturbed by what's happening to Katie and how Miranda is becoming like a parasite.

VINNIE'S WAR

VINNIE'S WAR by David McRobbie   (LWH)

This is a fabulous book that was really easy to read. Set in London, at the start of World War II, the book tells the story of a homeless boy named Vinnie who makes a life with the owners of a pub and a refugee boy from Poland. Vinnie's life is crushed when the first bombings in London take place and he loses everything.  Now branded as a 'vaccie' (children evacuated from their own town) he must board a train to live with families in country towns. He meets Kathleen and her younger brother Joey and another boy his age called Dobbs. They are all sent to the same town and placed in different families, some nice, some not-so-nice for the duration of the war. 

They find that some of the townsfolk open their hearts to these children while other families and their children don't want the new-comers invading their town and way of life, and there are many difficult times. Settling into the families and school are challenging but they are happy to have their friendship with each other.  After uncovering a secret in the town they soon start to make new friends.

GRAFFITI MOON

GRAFFITI MOON by Cath Crowley    (LWH)

I must admit it took me quite a few pages to really get into this book, but I am glad I persevered because I really got hooked and warmed to the characters and ended up really enjoying the story. Lucy and her two girlfriends have finished Year 12 and are out on the town to enjoy themselves. Lucy is fascinated/in love with a Graffiti artist called 'Shadow' and adores his paintings that are scattered around Melbourne. She is artistic herself and feels a bond with Shadow and the depth of meaning behind his graffiti and creates an imagine of what he would be like and what he looks like and all she wants to do is find him.

They meet up with 3 boys from their class at a party who say they know Shadow and his friend Poet.  When one of the boys, Ed, convinces Lucy he knows Shadow well and invites her to follow him on a tour of some of Shadow and Poets best graffiti walls she jumps at the chance. Will she ever get to meet shadow? Has sh ealready met Shadow without realising it? And who is this person known as Poet?

Each chapter of this book is written from the perspective of Ed, Lucy or Poet which I enjoyed. It dealt with misconceptions, expectations and reality. It raises the question do many of our youth fall between the cracks in the education system and drop out of school unnecessarily, because their talents aren't recognised, and they don't fit into the 'mould'.

This book won an 'HONOUR' at the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Aust) book of the year awards this year in the 'Older Reader' section.

About the author:   Cath Crowley was born in Melbourne in 1971 but before she started school her family moved to a property in Gippsland. Our house was a long way from the town.She read a lot because there wasn’t much else to do. She loved any books about private detectives or adventure– Trixie Beldon, Nancy Drew, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. Cath enjoyed anything by Judy Blume, anything by Jane Austen and couldn’t put down Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre. Dr Seuss being a favourite.

She didn’t write books straight after high school but went to Uni and studied radio production and literature, then became a teacher and taught English. She traveled overseas and while in Europe Cath wrote letters to her brother, who later turned them into a musical called 'The Journey Girl'. After that she studied professional writing at TAFE. She wrote articles for papers and magazines, then finally wrote 'The Life and Times of Gracie Faltrain' and things took off from there.

WHISPER

WHISPER by Chrissie Keighery   (LWH)

 This really is a fantastic book and I glad I took the time to read it. being a teenager is hard enough but being a deaf teenager is so much harder. Demi is in a new world trapped ... trapped by her new deafness, where everything she took for granted is gone. After convincing her mum to send her to a deaf school, Demi tries to make new friends and come to terms with all the changes in her life now that she's 'profoundly deaf'.

Having been involved with deaf people and communicating through signing, I felt this book was a great insight into the life of someone who can't hear and how unknowingly we can restrict knowledge and communication from them and cause embarrassment and isolation to them. This is evident when Demi's hearing friends turn their backs to her when talking and how sometimes she only gets portions of the conversation. How would we feel if the things we take for granted are gone forever?

This book was beautifully written and well researched. At times I felt I was in Demi's world and annoyed at the 'hearies' who, sometimes through lack of knowledge, did things to make it so much harder for Demi. I learnt a lot from reading this book and feel I have a greater insight into her world. Demi struggles with relationships from her world before deafness and her new friends. I was scared with her when she was left alone at home.There is also lots of humour in this book and lots of inspiring moments.

I think this book should be used as a class novel so teenagers can be more knowledgeable about deafness and the challenges it creates. The book also touched on issues about how we rightly or wrongly perceive others.

About the author:  Chrissie Keirghery is an Australian author who also publishes under her married name, Chrissie Perry, for younger readers and has written 13 'Go Girl!' titles.'Outside In' is another Young Adult book by Chrissie which I plan to find and read real soon. To listen to an interivew with Richard Stubbs and Chrissie on ABC radio please click on the link below.

Interview with Chrissie
Chrissie Perry website

SIX IMPOSSIBLE THINGS

SIX IMPOSSIBLE THINGS by Fiona Wood   (LWH)

(Short listed for CBCA Book of the Year for Older Readers - 2011)

This book is a fun book, suitable for boys and girls, and has a little drama, romance and comedy. Dan Cereill, who is a slightly nerdish 14 yr old, has his world turned upside-down when his family split, he starts a new school, his father comes-out as a gay, and they are bankrupt having to move into their dead grandmothers home. His life is a mess already, without getting a crush on Estelle, the girl who lives next door, to confuse things. Dan makes a list of 6 things he would like to happen however they seem impossible.

The book tells of his struggle to fit in at school, avoid the bullies, try to help his mum earn some money to pay their bills and now struggling with his first romance. Dan is a lovely character with good intentions and through the story he reinvents himself and finds confidence to attempt things he never would have before. Will he accomplish his 6 impossible things?  Read the book to find out!

About the author:  Fiona Woods is an Australian who usually writes scripts for television shows such as Neighbours, Home and Away and The Secret Life of Us. This is Fiona Wood's first Young Adult novel.

THE HELP

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett      (LWH)

This was a great read! I'd seen the book around for a while but wasn't all that interested however when I knew the movie was coming out I thought I'd give it a go in the hols. Glad I did.

The book is divided up into sections with each character giving their perspective of what is life is like in their small town in Mississippi during the 1960's. It's a hard time for the coloured folk of the area with most of the wealthy white people hiring negro women for their maids and bringing up their children for them. Aibileen is just one main character who joins forces with one of the white folks' daughter, Skeeta, a 22yr old budding journalist, to secretly write about the trials and tribulations of being a black maid.

This is the time of Martin Luther King, segregation, and the riots in Mississippi, and associating with 'coloureds' outside of work time is dangerous. Aibileen and her friends are putting their life at risk to share their stories. A very touching book and at times quite funny.

Watch the movie trailer below... can't wait to see the movie!

MUD, SWEAT & TEARS

MUD, SWEAT & TEARS by Bear Grylls     (LWH)

I'm not a huge fan of Bear Grylls (although I did watch the TV series and know I WON'T be able to survive if lost because I WONT EAT those crazy things he does!) however, I was interested in reading his autobiography to see the man behind the TV series.
 It was an interesting read. Telling of life growing up in Wales, his love of adventure from an early age, his training in the SAS and surviving an accident which broke his back and almost caused him to never walk again. Climbing Mt Everest may have been his greatest challenge but being the ambassador for Scouts is his proudest and most rewarding. This was a good read which I downloaded onto my Kindle. When my eyes got a little weary of reading I would set the Kindle to 'Text to Speech' and listened to the story. (Love the flexibility of my new Kindle!)