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.