FLOWERS OF BAGHDAD

By Bruce Lyman  STAFF (LWH)

This was a very touching book which I couldn't put down once I started it. It's a heart-wrenching glimpse into life in war torn Baghdad after Suddam Husseim has been executed and American soldiers are patrolling this once beautiful and bustling city.
Bruce Lyman's writing is wonderful and I found myself caught up in the lives of two men, Aadil and Malik, and their families, . Two very different men but both wanting peace and to return to a happy life free from fear and pain. The fear is tangible and with you every minute of the day, the need to be always looking over your shoulder for something out of the 'ordinary', for fear of being killed. Malik's neighbour simply takes his garbage out to the street and is killed by a single bullet to the head in front of his young son. 
Business is almost non-existent in Malik's little shop, where he sells shirts, and the street has been damaged badly by bombings, but he still has hope... hope that one day Baghdad will return to its beauty and his family will once again have money for food and can live normal carefree lives.
Little do these two men know that their lives will be entwined in in a strange and frightening way. Each chapter in the book is told by Aadil, and Malik. There were many passages I read, then re-read, as they described with such emotion the life of the Iraqi people's existence. The writing is beautiful and poetic and as I got to know each men I longed to be able to help them and free them from such violence and loss. It's a book about friendship, faith and hope. Malik believes we are all 'flowers' in God's garden. I feel so blessed to be living in a country that is free from such pain and suffering. Reading this book will surely touch your heart and you realise we all just want the same for our families.

GREYLANDS

by Isobelle Carmody   (LWH)

After recently hearing Isobelle speaking at a conference, I couldn't help but purchase her re-release of this book (originally published in 1996). 
The story is told by Jack who is dealing with the recent death of his mother, along with his father and little sister Ellen. Jack's father has withdrawn from them both and is struggling after the death of his wife. Jack wants to reach out to him but doesn't know how.
One night Jack looks through a mirror and is surprisingly transported into another world, which is void of colour and is quite scary for him. He travels from the real world to the 'Greylands' and through his journey, he must face his fears and deal with his grief. He confides with his little sister how at times he doesn't know if he is dreaming or if this is real. He soon learns he can will himself back and forwards through the mirrors and gradually discovers why he has been going through this unbelievable experience. An interesting story.

A STRAIGHT LINE TO MY HEART

by Bill Condon   (LWH)

This is just a nice little story about a girl named Tiff who has finally finished school and is about to move into the next phase of her life, in her small town of Gungee. We find her in the local library reading Wuthering Heights. I love her motto "If you can't get a boy, get a book". She is interrupted by a nice boy, a footballer, who also has a love of books but offends her when all he seems to be interested in is how many raffle tickets she will buy. She later gets to know him a whole lot better!

Tiff's life hasn't been easy with her mother not long after she was born and being abandoned by others however she now lives with her surrogate grandfather Reggie and his son Bull. She has a real connection with these two and they have been her comfort over the years, unfortunately Reggie's health is declining. Tiff is given some work experience at a local newspaper as she thinks she may want to be a journalist. Tiff is a lovely down to earth girl and finds she can get through whatever challenges are thrown at her. Her best friend Kayla is a great support and they have plans to travel to Surfer's Paradise together. 

Dramas happen throughout her story and you will have a few tears towards the end. This book is about the love of reading, resilience and relationships with a touch of humour thrown in.

TIGER'S CURSE

by Colleen Houck   (LWH)

Wow, what a series! I started reading this series because a friend of mine (a book guru) said I'd love them and gave me the whole set to read. Although I adored the cover of 'Tiger's Curse', I was doubtful I would really enjoy them as I'm not really into fantasy much, but was willing to give them a try... glad I did!

Full of adventure and danger that's on a par with 'Indiana Jones',  the story starts with a teenager, Kelsey Hayes, who has just finished school and decides to get a summer job. A circus wasn't what she had in mind but straight away she grew to love the atmosphere and the people. Little did she know that her job of looking after a beautiful white tiger named Ren, would change her life forever. She is asked to escort the tiger back to India by a mysterious man and when she accepts she is soon half way across the world starting an unbelievable adventure full of mystery, magic, fear, danger, ancient prophecies and of course... romance... but not just any old romance that's for sure. She must deal with issues of 'fate', 'passion' and 'loyalty' as she finds out she is the only one who can break the ancient curse put on Ren and his brother.

A great read that you can't put down. Thanks 'book guru' for recommending it to me... I'll never doubt you again! The other books in the series are Tiger's Quest, Tiger's Voyage and Tiger's Destiny.

Watch the book trailer to get you excited about the journey.

THE BELOVED

by Annah Faulkner   (LWH)

I really, really loved this beautiful book. From the first page it had me and it only took a day or so to finish it... that's how much I loved it! Roberta, a young girl contracts polio and is confined to hospital for months, then forced to wear a calliper and boot. This is devastating to Roberta and her family but when she is given a set of paints she realises how much she loves art and how talented she is. She is 'special' for sure as she can see colours hovering over people she meets. Some are angry colours others are full of love and she of course paints them, but her style is very different from the 'norm' and through a set of circumstances her mother forbids her to pain any more. This is who Roberta is.... she must paint... it's what she was born to do. 

In Australia she is bullied at school, because of her gympy leg, but her life changes when her family move to New Guinea. There is so much colour there she must continue her passion.  Because I love to draw and paint I really felt the frustration Roberta felt from being banned to paint. When she discovers secrets in her mother's life her whole world is turned upside down and I wanted the story to go on and on.I won't give you any more of the story because there many highs and lows that come her way.

This story is so beautifully written. I felt like I was with little Roberta as she grew up, peering into her life, feeling her pain. It felt so real that I thought it must have been an autobiography but this was Annah Faulkner's first novel. I can't believe it!

STEVE JOBS: The Man Who Thought Different

by Karen Blumenthal  (LWH)

At first I thought this book would be a little to 'techie' for me but I was surprised when reading it how easily the writer took you through the turbulent life of Steve Jobs, who some say 'changed our world'. Steve was adopted, dropped out of college, had many failures in his personal and business world but he kept going and as was his focus in life 'to live each day as if it was your last', he certainly did this. At times there were tantrums and outbursts and he could be quite rude to his colleagues and friends, however he never forgot his passion.

It is amazing to follow this story and how technology has changed in just a few decades. The timeline at the end of the book puts everything into context. It was Steve Jobs and his friend Steve Wozniack, who started the Apple Computer company in his father's garage and later became millionaires, and really changing how we think about our technology and devices. They certainly didn't agree all the time but had a great vision and had a symbiotic relationship. The  book touches on Steve's personal life, his outburst with companies, his own workers, his time with Pixar and of course struggle with cancer over the past ten years and his ultimate death. He certainly didn't have the nicest personality and I thought when he married and settled down he would mature a little more, but he was always focuses on himself. Some say he stole ideas from others and made them his own, and that he was greedy and ripped off his friends. Perhaps this is true, but you cannot question his futuristic vision, his perseverance and attention to detail and design, which has surely paid off and made our lives a little easier and more portable.

It certainly was worth a read and I must say.... I just love my iPhone and iPad.... so thanks Steve!

OUR AUSTRALIAN GIRLS SERIES

Have you seen or read any books in this series? Watch the video clip to find out more about the girls in this great Australian series or click on the picture below to go straight to the website link where you will find lots of fun things to explore.

SLATED

by Teri Terry

What a gripping book. I sooo enjoyed this fabulous story.

Kyla is only 16 but has done wrong! A criminal! She's been 'slated'... her memory wiped... she has a new personality and a Levo on her wrist that monitors her emotions. If it gets too low (similar to a diabetic) she will pass out and die. This means a new start and very last chance or else. It should be OK now and Kyla should fit into a new family and start a new life... but things are triggering Kyla's memory and she is experiencing a patchwork of nightmares. What does it all mean? Who can she trust and why do many of her friends and go missing? She confides in her friend... close friend Ben...

I loved this book from the very first page and hated having to put it down for a minute. I got to the very end and waited for all to be revealed and nooooo...! There is more to follow in the next book to be released in 2013. I will just have to wait... but I have my suspicions.

THE BELOVED

by Annah Faulkner

I really, really loved this beautiful book. From the first page it had me and it only took a day or so to finish it... that's how much I loved it! Roberta, a young girl contracts polio and is confined to hospital for months, then forced to wear a calliper and boot. This is devastating to Roberta and her family but when she is given a set of paints she realises how much she loves art and how talented she is. She is 'special' for sure as she can see colours hovering over people she meets. Some are angry colours others are full of love and she of course paints them, but her style is very different from the 'norm' and through a set of circumstances her mother forbids her to pain any more. This is who Roberta is.... she must paint... it's what she was born to do.

In Australia she is bullied at school, because of her gympy leg, but her life changes when her family move to New Guinea. There is so much colour there she must continue her passion. Because I love to draw and paint I really felt the frustration Roberta felt from being banned to paint. When she discovers secrets in her mother's life her whole world is turned upside down and I wanted the story to go on and on. I won't give you any more of the story because there many highs and lows that come her way.

This story is so beautifully written. I felt like I was with little Roberta as she grew up, peering into her life, feeling her pain. It felt so real that I thought it must have been an autobiography but this was Annah Faulkner's first novel. I can't believe it!

STEVE JOBS: THE MAN WHO THOUGHT DIFFERENT

by Karen Blumenthal  (LWH)

At first I thought this book would be a little to 'techie' for me but I was surprised when reading it how easily the writer took you through the turbulent life of Steve Jobs, who some say 'changed our world'. Steve was adopted, dropped out of college, had many failures in his personal and business world but he kept going and as was his focus in life 'to live each day as if it was your last', he certainly did this. At times there were tantrums and outbursts and he could be quite rude to his colleagues and friends, however he never forgot his passion.

It is amazing to follow this story and how technology has changed in just a few decades. The timeline at the end of the book puts everything into context. It was Steve Jobs and his friend Steve Wozniack, who started the Apple Computer company in his father's garage and later became millionaires, and really changing how we think about our technology and devices. They certainly didn't agree all the time but had a great vision and had a symbiotic relationship. The book touches on Steve's personal life, his outburst with companies, his own workers, his time with Pixar and of course struggle with cancer over the past ten years and his ultimate death. He certainly didn't have the nicest personality and I thought when he married and settled down he would mature a little more, but he was always focuses on himself. Some say he stole ideas from others and made them his own, and that he was greedy and ripped off his friends. Perhaps this is true, but you cannot question his futuristic vision, his perseverance and attention to detail and design, which has surely paid off and made our lives a little easier and more portable.

It certainly was worth a read and I must say.... I just love my iPhone and iPad.... so thanks Steve!

GIRL STOLEN

By April Henry

What a great story. We find sixteen year old Cheyenne Wilder, suffering from pneumonia, sleeping in the back of a car while her step mother quickly runs in to fill her script. To her shock a man jumps in the car and drives off with her in it. To make matters worse Cheyenne is blind. Griffin who stole the car didn’t realise she was on the backseat until he had left and now has kidnapped a young girl. Will Griffin let her go if she hasn't seen his face. Poor distraught Cheyenne must use all her senses to try to escape.

This is an interesting story as the author really places you in Cheyenne’s shoes and you experience what it felt like to be blind, in danger, alone and without her trusted friend, her guide dog. She is very brave and the story has a few twists that will keep you intrigued. A must read!

PENNIES FOR HITLER

by Jackie French   (LWH)

This book is about how hatred can be contagious but it is also about how love and kindness can be equally contagious. Through all the destruction and hatred brought about by Hitler and the Nazis during WWII there were still wonderful and courageous people helping those in need.

The story begins with Georg enjoying his life growing up in Germany with his loving family. All this changes in a split second when his father is accused of being a Jew and is thrown to his death from a university window by his students, and Georg and his mother, having just witnessed this, must flee for their lives. 

He escapes from Germany inside a suitcase and is helped to travel to London to live with his aunt, leaving his mother behind. After a while London is bombed and he is no longer safe living there so his aunt sends him to Australia to live with foster parents.

He must pretend to be an English boy named George and cover up his German identity, as Australians are at war with Germany. He eventually settles into his new life in Australia and living in the country but his thoughts are never too far away from his mother and what has become of her. When the Japanese declare war on Australia and start bombing Darwin and Sydney his life is once again in turmoil.

Jackie French has once again written a fabulous historical novel, which is very thought provoking and touching. This story is not a sequel to Hitler's daughter but it shows great insight into being a child of war. I really loved it.

THE MESSENGER BIRD

by Ruth Eastham   (LWH)

I love a good spy read and this book beckoned me to read it after seeing the cover, reading the blurb and having previously read The Memory Cage, Ruth's first novel.

Nathan's father is arrested for breaking the Official Secrets Act and he must prove his father's innocent. To save his father he must follow the secret clues his father has left for him and follow the trail of Lilly, someone from the past who was also accused like his father. This book takes you on an interesting and dangerous ride as Nathan and his friends must solve the puzzles and codes before his father's enemies do. His father has warned him to trust no one and not to tell his mother or sister what he is doing. Time is running out for Nathan to solve the Enigma code.

This book is quick and easy to read, covering historical events. I think boys would love it.

AFTER

by Morris Gleitzman   (LWH)

I really enjoyed reading the final book in the series, telling young Felix's story. Within the first chapter I was already feeling at home feeling the pages wrap around me and take me back to where 'Then' had left off. I love the sad but sometimes humourous passages told through Felix's eyes, now 13.

Having survived the last two years hiding in a hole in the barn of a man named Gabriek, Felix is forced to leave his hiding place to protect his friend. He joins the Partisan living in the forest and becomes a doctor's assistant, attending to wounded and dying men.

He saves some Jewish children from starving to death and ends up helping a couple of children from the Hitler Youth. This book deals with his feelings towards the Nazi's and whether he could kill them after all the suffering they have caused. His heart is understandably hardened but he still has some of his childlike innocence. His life takes a few twists with an ending that was unexpected. Great book, beautifully written.

THE BOY WHO WOULDN'T DIE

by David Nyuol Vincent   (LWH)

This is an inspiring personal story of David, a 'Lost Boy' of Sudan and a child soldier. Having survived famine, war, and a long walk across the Sahara Desert, he still had to survive 17 years alone in in a refugee camp in Kenya. His only hope was to escape and find his family, his only passion was soccer.

This is 'his story' and tells of his amazing struggle of survival and finally his resettlement in Australia. Surviving the war between North and South Sudan and escaping from death many times, David thought he would be free and safe now living in Australia, only to experience racism here in Australia.

There are many others like him and some family members still living in inhumane conditions. David has become an advocate for refugees and the Sudanese community. He has established the Western Tigers Soccer team and is ,s a Victorian Human Rights Youth Ambassador and a People of Australia Ambassador. 

DRAGON KEEPER

by Carole Wilkinson   (LWH)

This was such a gorgeous story and beautifully written. I just adored it. When I finished reading Dragonkeeper I felt like I'd reallly been on a  delightful journey.

This is a story of a young slave girl named Ping, who rescues a dragon, Danzi, from a wicked master and this begins her journey of trust, courage, power and love. Mixed with Chinese history and fantasy the story unravelled to reveal a touching ending.

Ping must face many dangers while protecting  the dragon and a dragon stone left in her care. They were on a journey to reach the ocean many there were many perils along the way. I particularly loved the humour Danzi showed when Ping asked why he hadn't warned her of impending dangers along the way.

This is the first book in a trilogy by Carole Wilkinson and I'm looking forward to continuing the journey with Ping in 'Garden of the purple dragon' - Bk.2, 'Dragon Moon' - Bk.3, and 'Blood Brothers' Bk. 4.

Find out more about Carole Wilkinson by visiting her website http://www.carolewilkinson.com.au/art/

DIVINE CLEMENTINE

by Hayley S. Kirk   (LWH)

What an interesting book. I felt like I had been on quite an emotional experience but happy with the ending.

Sixteen year old Clementine adores her twenty six-year-old Aunt Stella. She wants to be like her, act like her, travel with her... she is Clementine's closest friend. Tragedy strucks when Clementine witnesses her treasured aunt hit by a bus and killed.

It is too much for her to cope with and she has trouble dealing with her grief. When Clementine saves some treasures that belongs to Stella, along with her personal diaries, her life comes crashing down, when she finds that Stella was suffering from bipolar and depression. She feels betrayed, frustrated and can't believe all her family have lied to her all these years.

A downward spiral of depression comes upon Clementine. She doesn't want anyone to come into her world and definitely won't share her grief with family or friends. Eventually she travels to the country and stays with another aunt who has young children, and does some farm work for neighbours and meets Thom. Eventually her barriers drop and she begins to find her old self again. A great read dealing with difficult issues.

THE INK BRIDGE

by Neil Grant   (LWH)

This book really does convey the spirit of Afghanistan and allows you to experience just a glimpse of the realities of living in this war torn country, the heart of the people, the daily struggle and the life of a refugee.

Young Omed will be killed by the Taliban if he stays, they've already cut out his tongue, he can no longer provide for his family and must flee. He is forced to team up with Snake, a very undesirable character, if he is to escape to Australia especially now he can't communicate with anyone.

When he meets Hector in a candle factory in Melbourne they become silent friends. Hector has his own story and since his mother's death hasn't spoken a word. The two 'silent' boys form an unlikely relationship that will last for many years.

 This story is beautifully told and the descriptive writing is exceptional. I really enjoyed this story and although fiction it could be based on many refugee experiences.

THE FORGOTTEN PEARL

by Belinda Murrell   (LWH)

When Chloe has a school assignment about WWII she decides to ask her grandmother, Poppy, for information of what it was like growing up in those years of war in Australia, believing Australia was too far away from the action.

To Chloe's amazement her Grandma has many memories that have remained hidden for many, many years. Some of her grandmother's stories are wonderful and describe growing up in Darwin during the 1940's but others are still very painful to remember, as she recounts surviving the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese, and how close her and her family came to being killed. Friends and family must leave Darwin and help the war efforts and many friends are killed over the period of the war.

This story, based on historical facts, is beautifully written by Belinda and told in a very sensitive way. I must admit I was thrilled when I first saw this new YA fiction as I had recently visited Darwin and learnt a lot of the devastation to Darwin and surrounding areas during this terrible time in our history. Unfortunately at the time lots of information was covered up by the government and the rest of Australia didn't know how close we came to being invaded by the Japanese.

Poppy tells of her time caring for wounded soldiers and civilians, her time in Sydney surviving Sydney Harbour being torpedoed, and of course her carefree days before war came to Australia. I loved reading of the different beaches Poppy would go to for a swim during the wet season as I could picture them so clearly having been there recently. A lovely read

DARK EYES

by William Richter   (LWH)

Fabulous book, great story, fast paced, a few twists and something a little different for a YA fiction.

Wally was adopted from a Russian orphanage as a young girl by a wealthy American family however during her teenage years she rebels and we find her living on the streets after a fall out with her mother.

Wally has so many questions about her real mother and father and the reason she was living in an orphanage. When she is unexpectantly handed a parcel which contains some of her Russian mother's personal items and a letter for Wally, she sets out to find her mother if she is still alive.

When one of her friends is murdered mysteriously, her life becomes very complicated. Her Russian father, Klesko, starts following her and her friends and soon they become hunted by this trained killer, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Great story that will keep you guessing right to the end.

THE TRUTH ABOUT VERITY SPARKS

by Susan Green
This was an unusual story that was short-listed in the Book of the Year for Younger Readers category of the 2012 CBCA Awards.


Set in the late 1800's, a thirteen yr old girl named Verity Sparks discovers she is talented in finding lost objects. Verity works as a milliner in London and thinks she is just an ordinary lower class girl until she is accused of steeling some jewellery and her life takes on a very different direction.
She is helped by the Plush family who explain she has an almost perfect memory and possesses the talent of Teleagtivism. They ask her to help them solve cases in their Confidential Inquiry Agency. Soon there are chases through the dark alleys of London and lots of adventure. Will Verity find out the truth about her parents and why she has this special talent? A great story with mystery and suspense.

THE INDUSTRY

by Rose Foster   (LWH)

This was a great read and something a bit different... no vampires in sight! The story starts with Kirra Hayward a 16yr old student who is smart and excels in Maths & Science. Unfortunately she doesn't have any real friends.


She is given a task in her maths class to create a puzzle and when she goes online she discovers an unusual decrypting puzzle. She doesn't know who has put it there or what it means but when the numbers jump out at ther clearly, she decides to fill in the code and press send.


That is when her life changes forever. Shortly after completing the code she feels she is being watched and then she is kidnapped and taken from her family half way across the world. She finds out her ability to solve the puzzle has landed her in this bizarre situation where she is tortured and put in a freezing cell and made to solve other codes. She learns she is one of only three others in the world that can break these important security codes.

Kirra has no idea if she will ever see her family again and doesn't know who she can trust. The plot thickens when another prisoner, a boy named Milo, is thrown into her cell and he seems to be able to break codes like her.

This is a fantastic story, the first in a trilogy by this young debut author who grew up in Melb. and studies creative writing at RMIT.

THE FITZOSBORNE'S AT WAR

by Michelle Cooper  (STAFF)   LWH

What a fabulously captivating historical fiction, which is the last in a trilogy by Michelle Cooper. In this book Sophie and the rest of her family, the royal family of Montmaray, escape their remote island home when the Nazis attack, and flee to England, where they think they will be safe.


Written as Sophie's personal journal, the writer takes you on a ride of emotions as Sophie shares her very private secrets, her heartbreaks and fears during the six years of World War II, and what it was like living through this terrible time as a young adult. Losing family and friends, coping with the bombings and destruction in London, the rationing of food, and even the political events that were all part of this horrid time. There are so many historical facts written into this story yet it flows beautifully. I really connected with Sophie and felt her frustration and loss.


Even though I've read this trilogy out of order I think I'll seek out the other two and complete the journey.

THE KABUL BEAUTY SCHOOL

by Deborah Rodriguez   (LWH)  STAFF

Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan to transform her own life and ended up revolutionizing the lives of many of her Afghan sisters. This book is a look at the lives of women in Afghanistan through the lens of The Kabul Beauty School.

When Deborah helped establish the Kabul Beauty School she not only worked to empower her students, living in this very strict culture, but the beauty school proved a small haven, and through this she made some of the closest friends of her life. 

Woven through the book are the stories of her students: the 12 year-old bride who has been sold into marriage to pay her family's debts, the brilliant former medic who has not left her house for thirty years. All of these women have a story to tell, and all of them bring their stories to the Kabul Beauty School, where, along with Rodriguez herself, they learn the art of perms, of friendship, and of freedom.

A fabulous book, and a second I've read by Deborah, the other being 'Little Coffee Shop of Kabul'. A great in-site into the lives of these beautiful and courageous women.

ARTICLE 5

by Kristen Simmons   (LWH)

Yet another Dystopia YA fiction novel, but wow, it was great! I think this was Kristen's debut novel and she did a great job. I connected with Em and Chase and the story was exciting from start to finish.

There was fear, romance, revenge, chases, danger, death, adventure... everything you could hope for all rolled into one book. It was easy to read and really hard to put down.

Set in America after the 'Bill of Rights' has been revoked and there is a new law... 'Moral Statutes'. People are arrested and don't come back. There are no police only soldiers patrolling and arresting. Life as we knew it has changed and you can get arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark.

Ember Miller has shocked when her mother was arrested and she was sent to girls reformation school as punishment, dobbed in by her so-called friend. There starts her mission to escape and try to find her mother and save her from a trial and possible death. There will be struggles and a few surprises in stall but you'll have to read it to find out more!

TORN PAGES

by Sally Grindley   (LWH)

Orphaned, poor, living in Africa, and a grandmother that hates her, Lydia has the odds stacked against her as she must take on a mother's role and care for her sister and brother, trying just to survive.

This is a wonderful heart wrenching story, that is beautifully told by Sally Grindley. Things are very tough for these children as they try to come to terms with the recent death of their mother to AIDS. Lydia is forced to stay  home from school and work for her horrid grandmother, whose only desire is to cause pain to her grandchildren and take over their home. The every day chores they must undertake just to survive certainly made me realise how much we take for granted living in Australia.

I will certainly be reading more of Sally's lovely books.

RENA'S PROMISE

A Story of Sisters in Auschwitz   (LWH)

by Heather Dune Macadam
Co-author of Rena's Promise

This is one of those book you don’t just read it….it becomes a part of you!
I was very touched by the memoirs of Rena and her story of surviving the Nazi concentration camps with her sister, Danka.

Until I read this book I wasn’t aware that this year, 26 March 2012, marks the 70^th Anniversary of the first transport to Auschwitz concentration camp. That first transport in 1942 was almost entirely young women between the ages of 16 and 22. Among those 999 young Jewish women was #1716, Rena Kornreich, a 21yr old Polish Jew hiding in Slovakia. A few days later, her sister Danka #2779 arrived. This began a trial of love and courage that would last 3 years and 41 days, from the beginning of their journey in Auschwitz, to the death march through the snow, and on to the end of the war. Her motivation to keep her and her sister alive no matter what happened came from a promise to her parents to keep her younger sister safe. Her visions of her mother helped her through the most difficult times.

I also wasn’t aware that women's accounts of the Holocaust are rare, and until ‘Rena's Promise’, there has been no other book written by a survivor from the first transport of women, mainly because not many women survived. And for that reason alone she is historically important. Her details of events are confirmed in many archival documents and plans. There are many more testimonies published from male survivors than women's accounts, yet the fact remains that the first transport was not men but girls on the verge of womanhood. They were targeted by the Nazis as they wanted to stop the continuity of Jewish life.

SHADOW ON THE MOON

by Zoe Marriott   (LWH)

I must admit the beautiful cover is what drew me into picking up this book and deciding to read it.This was a very unusual book and completely different to what I had expected, but I loved it.

This story was like a Japanese Cinderella story. On her 14th birthday, Suzanne is in her garden with her friend, when soldiers come to kill her father, accusing him of treason. She had never seen soldiers before and didn't know how to be frightened, but when they search her and her friend out to kill them they hide. This is when she discovers she is a shadow-weaver and can create a mantle of darkness and light to change her appearance and be anything she wants to be.

She is forced to live with her mother and her new husband Lord Terayama, who she does not trust and believes they both had a hand in killing her beloved father. She has such grief from the death of her father and friend that she resorts to 'cutting herself' to make the pain go away. She falls in love with another shadow-weaver Otiano but will this be enough to make her happy or is her need for revenge of her father more powerful than love. You'll have to read this story to find out!

I felt this was a beautifully written book and Zoe Marriott swept me away to another land, a land of fantasy, of betrayal and strange customs, but it really felt so real. I felt for Suzanne and all that she was going through and just wanted hold her and care for her so she had no more pain. I highly recommend this book but I was uneasy with the self harm that Suzanne felt she needed to inflict on herself to find relief from her grief.

EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE

by Jonathan Safron Foer   (LWH)

I must admit I knew nothing about this book and found it rather deep and very unusual. At the time of reading (or letting my Kindle read it to me) I wasn't well so maybe I didn't bond with the story as I usually do. I have now watched the movie and loved it and gave me a greater love for the characters (see video trailer below). It stars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.

Oskar is a nine year old boy, who suffers from Autism, and who's father is killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was let out of school early that day and has a secret he hasn't told anyone. He was the first to come home and hear his father leave 5 phone messages to his family as he was trapped in one of the towers, still alive. They were the last words he said.

Oskar, while going through his father's things, discovers a key in an envelope with the word 'Black' written on it. He believes this is a clue and he decides to look up and track down every person named 'Black' in the phone book. This seems like an unbelievable and unrealistic task but he is determined to do it. Without giving it away too much, he meets several people along the way and he connects with. As I said... I think I'll enjoy the movie more!

THE HAPPIEST REFUEE

by Anh Do

This was a fantastic read. Anh Do, a well known comedian, tells of his life coming to Australia from a war-torn Vietnam, on a boat, along with his family. The journey was filled with danger from drifting at sea with a broken motor, to being raided by pirates, this book is sure to thrill you and at times amaze you.

Anh has a real commitment to his family and this story tells what is was like for him and his family to arrive as refugees with nothing, to completing school, then working hard to make a new life in Australia.

I really loved having a glimpse into his life story, through his hardships and triumphs. The photos were wonderful - I'm glad he included so many. I would recommend this great book to anyone. It just shows what you can accomplish with a lot of hard work. I loved how his mum would always say to give back to this country because it had given them so much. This book has won many awards and rightly so.

LAMENT

by Maggie Stiefvater

I have to admit right from the getgo that I'm not a fan of faeries, magic, vampires, or those types of books, however, I was intrigued after reading the first few chapters. Deirdre was a very gifted musician along with her best friend James. It was at a music competition that a mysterious boy named Luke enters her life and encourages her to even new heights with her music and she also discovers she is a 'cloverhand' someone who can see faeries.

After discovering that Luke is actually a faerie assassin, and she is in fact his next target, she must decide whether to trust what Luke says, that he is in love with her, or follow what her mind and family are telling her, stay away.

I'll admit I kind of liked it up until about half way through and then I got completely bored withthe story  and it was taking me off into an area I don't really like reading so I actually skimmed through to the end (which is something I never usually do). The story was apparently a depiction of Celtic faerie lore and a lot of people do like that genre, but it wasn't for me. It did keep me guessing for a while though and I did like a couple of the characters. The sequel is called "Balled" if you are interested in this genre.

THREE SUMMERS

by Judith Clarke


What a lovely cover that once again made me pick this book up to read.
This story is set mostly in rural Australia and begins in 1959. It follows the life journey of Ruth and her best friend Fee. When I finished the book I felt like I had actually lived along side both of them.

Ruth had lost her mother in a car accident when she was a baby and was raised by her father and her grandmother, which she had a strong connection with. The story tells the tale of the girls receiving their results from their final year of school and the direction their lives followed... Fee craving marriage and motherhood and staying in this country town and Ruth winning a scholarship to a Sydney University, which her grandmother thinks will save her from being trapped in this small town, with all it's quirky characters. She really wants her grand daughter to live life to the fullest and have the opportunities that she was never able to have.

Ruth however is torn by her secret love for Tam, the town casanova, even though she'd never actually dated him, and what she has always wanted, to be educated.


Parts of the book had me engrossed in the trials and tribulations of the characters but at times I found it was a little slow and lost my attention, however I'm glad I persevered because overall it was a wonderful story of friendships and love conquered and lost.

WONDER

WONDER by P.J. Palacio    (LW)


This is a very touching book about a little boy named Auggie who was born with a terribly deformed face. His mum has home schooled him up until now but this year he is going to school, into fifth grade. The book is very easy to read as it has very short chapters and the whole story is divided into eight parts, each told by a different character. As Auggie reluctantly starts school he has many challenges to face including coping with bullies. Finding 'true' friends isn't easy when you are deformed so much that you make others stare, scream, and run away in fright.


Auggie's sister Via is a tower of strength to him but at times she feels she is brushed over by her parents who are always spending time with Auggie and tending to his needs. She is also going through lots of changes and at times feels left out. As each character tells of their experience and their feelings towards Auggie you are taken on a insightful journey. The overall theme of the story is that we should all try to be kinder to each other. I really enjoyed this book.