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8th out of 9 books
—
147 voters
The Gorgon in the Gully
by
Melina Marchetta (Goodreads Author)
Beyond the basketball courts and classrooms of St Raph's is a gully where everything disappears forever. Danny Griggs has heard stories about a creature that lives down there. So why does he volunteer to face the Gorgon when he's been petrified of everything all his life?
A gentle story about overcoming fear and looking at things from all angles, from best-selling author Me...more
A gentle story about overcoming fear and looking at things from all angles, from best-selling author Me...more
Paperback, 132 pages
Published
September 27th 2010
by Penguin Australia/Puffin
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Jun 28, 2011
Alexa
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Kids, fans who will read anything by MM, those who need more Jonah Griggs!
My review can also be found on my blog Collections.
Melina Marchetta is my favorite author EVER. I will read anything she writes. When I found out that she was releasing a children's book, I knew I wanted to read it. And when I found it was about Danny Griggs, the little brother of Jonah Griggs (my favorite male character of all time) from Jellicoe Road (my favorite book in the entire world), I knew I had to get my hands on a copy! Sadly, Australian books are hard to come by and shipping is prett...more
15 likes · like · see review
view all 18 comments
What a super cute wonderful lovely book! I don't usually read books for this age group, but when I saw it was Melina Marchetta I knew I had to get my hands on it.
So the book follows the story of Danny Griggs (brother of swoon-worthy cadet Jonah Griggs who just happens to be fighting a territory war in Jellicoe) during year 4 and Danny has his own battle to face. After losing his footie team's good luck charm he must face the Gorgon of the Gully in order to get it back.
I have to say the work th...more
So the book follows the story of Danny Griggs (brother of swoon-worthy cadet Jonah Griggs who just happens to be fighting a territory war in Jellicoe) during year 4 and Danny has his own battle to face. After losing his footie team's good luck charm he must face the Gorgon of the Gully in order to get it back.
I have to say the work th...more
2 likes · like · see review
Exactly what has Melina Marchetta’s books reduced me to endure? The greatest time suck otherwise known as philpost. Almost a month ago, some awesome people decided to put The Gorgon in the Gully on tour. Being the Melina Marchetta fan that I am, I did not hesitate to sign up: First up, Carmel Fauth sourcing it out (awesome lady…*woot*) Then Catie (another awesome lady for taking charge.) Then ME!!!! Yay! But one week, two weeks, three weeks later with the book nowhere in sight, I was starting to...more
2 likes · like · see review
This is my last Marchetta book. It kinda feels like a sad moment.
I thought I would celebrate with a picture. :)
(view spoiler)
But just imagine balloons and fireworks in the background! :D
Then Akbar did something that really frightened Danny. He pointed at both of his eyes with two fingers and then pointed at Danny with the same two fingers. 'That means he's watching you', Jackson explained.
Things in Danny's life were getting more and more frightening every day.
I was having a stu...more
I thought I would celebrate with a picture. :)
(view spoiler)
But just imagine balloons and fireworks in the background! :D
Then Akbar did something that really frightened Danny. He pointed at both of his eyes with two fingers and then pointed at Danny with the same two fingers. 'That means he's watching you', Jackson explained.
Things in Danny's life were getting more and more frightening every day.
I was having a stu...more
19 likes · like · see review
This is GORGEOUS and had me in stitches the entire time. You can really tell Marchetta is a teacher (albeit not primary) because of the politics of kids and school and teachers. What a stunning way to SHOW how we need to look and people and life from all angles, not just one interpretation.
My love for MM has reduced me to searching the children's section of my local bookstore. It's embarrassing enough skulking around the YA section. I guess in the kiddie's section I can use the excuse "I'm buying it for my niece/nephew" without the dude behind the register just staring at me with raised eyebrows, internally judging me for my love of books aimed at an audience I am now no longer a part of.
Anyways, it's pretty obvious why I want to read thsi book.
Two words:
JONAH GRIGGS.
Also, the re...more
Anyways, it's pretty obvious why I want to read thsi book.
Two words:
JONAH GRIGGS.
Also, the re...more
Originally posted on my blog,
A Book and a Latte
:
I'm excited to have finally had my turn with Gorgon as part of the Melina Around the World Challenge! Gorgon arrived late last week along with postcards from everywhere it's visited. For those that don't know, Melina Marchetta is an Australian author and not all of her books are available in the US. So when Carmel offered to send around a copy of Gorgon from Australia, a bunch of us jumped at the opportunity! Melina Marchetta instantly became one...more
I'm excited to have finally had my turn with Gorgon as part of the Melina Around the World Challenge! Gorgon arrived late last week along with postcards from everywhere it's visited. For those that don't know, Melina Marchetta is an Australian author and not all of her books are available in the US. So when Carmel offered to send around a copy of Gorgon from Australia, a bunch of us jumped at the opportunity! Melina Marchetta instantly became one...more
At First Sight: Danny Griggs has always been afraid of pretty much everything in his life - from the possible monster under his bed or the shadows under the door; to calling a classmate and them not remembering who he is - so he's more surprised than anyone when he volunteers to retrieve a special soccer ball that went down the mythical Gully at the edge of St. Raphael's playground.
In the Gully, everyone knows, there is a Gorgon - a gruesome monster that hoards and keeps everything that goes in...more
In the Gully, everyone knows, there is a Gorgon - a gruesome monster that hoards and keeps everything that goes in...more
Aug 02, 2011
Bluemoon
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Marchetta Around the World
Shelves:
just-plain-fiction
This was a very light and entertaining book. It literally took me an hour to finish this book because, (1) it was interesting and (2) it was a short read, 118 pages.
I love how simple the book its, but at the same time it kept me interested. We meet a young boy who is afraid of everything, from the darkness under his bed to the girl he has a crush on. During a heated conversation with a school bully he is coerced into promising to get a fallen ball from the gully that is believed to house a Gorgo...more
I love how simple the book its, but at the same time it kept me interested. We meet a young boy who is afraid of everything, from the darkness under his bed to the girl he has a crush on. During a heated conversation with a school bully he is coerced into promising to get a fallen ball from the gully that is believed to house a Gorgo...more
Adorable. Jonah Griggs' little brother Danny is adorable. The Jonah references are adorable. If Melina Marchetta decides to write a book focusing on Anabel Mackee, I'll read that too.
3 likes · like · see review
Well what a sweet book Melina Marchettahas written for Puffin Books 70 yrs celebration. This book came to my attention by one of the many Melina fans on YA Fiction for Adults Goodreads group and I'm very happy to say this was the start of an amazing challenge "Melina around the world challenge", the sharing of a fictional story, a childrens book with a wonderful positive message about facing your fears, putting ignorance aside, making new friends and becoming a better person & these are just...more
I think that the best literature for children always contains a sort of understanding. Children respond to simple stories and themes, yes, but their minds are really just as complex as an adult’s. They live in the same world that we do and have to shoulder the same challenges and face the same fears. This is a sweet story for ages 7-10 with a lot of heart and just a hint of fairy tale. It also contains that nearly subliminal hint of the intense and painful, which gives it a real authenticity.
Da...more
Da...more
A lovely little schoolyard story peopled with charming kids who have a real affection for each other with lots of kid wisdom.
All balls that go over the cliff at St. Rafe's are lost to The Gorgon of the Gully- its been this way for generations.
Until now.
When Danny allows a Very Important Soccer Ball to fly into the gully, as a point of pride he must retrieve it. To do this he enlists the help of grade 4 across the cliques involving all the talents and skills at hand in a huge convoluted and cov...more
All balls that go over the cliff at St. Rafe's are lost to The Gorgon of the Gully- its been this way for generations.
Until now.
When Danny allows a Very Important Soccer Ball to fly into the gully, as a point of pride he must retrieve it. To do this he enlists the help of grade 4 across the cliques involving all the talents and skills at hand in a huge convoluted and cov...more
Dec 27, 2010
Jacob
marked it as to-read
Not the kind of book I usually read, but I'm going to when it's released stateside, because, uh, Marchetta. Plus if I'm not mistaken this is about Jonah's little brother (from Jellicoe Road) which yep yeah definitely reading this. Eventually.
Aug 08, 2011
Alyssa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of Marchetta. I'd also recommend young readers and their parents to read it together.
Recommended to Alyssa by:
Young Adult for Adults
I am the biggest fan of Jellicoe Road you'll find around these parts. I talk to my contemporary-book-hating best friend about my favourite novel, I recommend it to my mom, I squeal about it to my boyfriend, and I even tell my (dying) cat that I'll never, ever, EVER (view spoiler) forget a book like Jellicoe. The Gorgon in the Gully is perfect for readers like my sister, who still reads chapter books and hasn't read Jellicoe, and it's also p...more
6 likes · like · see review
Nov 06, 2011
Cheralaine Cole-Johnson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Ruth, Brynne, Siobhan, Shanna, Katie
Absolutely adorable. I read this in a couple of hours on a day I badly needed cheering up (my beloved Rangers had just lost the World Series). It did the trick. I kept reading bits out to my daughter because I was laughing through tears. It made me want to read Jellicoe Road all over again. Unfortunately for us Americans this one is available in Australia only at this time. I got my copy from fishpondworld. com. It's a site I learned about through reading the Inkspot blog (thanks, Nomes), and th...more
Beautiful story. Loved every minute of it. Danny was engaging and incredibly real as were his school experiences and friends. His fears and blind spots are things almost anyone can associate with. The middle portion and toward the end actually had me choking up in happiness at what Danny was doing instinctively. Every kid needs a Danny in their life. I hope my son can be a Danny to others. I love the importance that family, friendship, and the perspective of truth hold in this book. Lovely, enga...more
I love Melina Marchetta, and this one did not fail in my idea of her. Even if it is about a 10 year old, i still loved it.
Danny Griggs is in year 4 and scared of nearly everything, but not his older brother Jonah (yes this is the Jonah from On The Jellico Road,) and his mum and his stepdad Jack.
One day when kicking a footy he accidently kicks it into the gully where the gorgon lives. And this footy ball is lucky because it was signed by a famous player and is needed for the upcoming game in a w...more
Danny Griggs is in year 4 and scared of nearly everything, but not his older brother Jonah (yes this is the Jonah from On The Jellico Road,) and his mum and his stepdad Jack.
One day when kicking a footy he accidently kicks it into the gully where the gorgon lives. And this footy ball is lucky because it was signed by a famous player and is needed for the upcoming game in a w...more
I have decided that for all my reviews for Marchetta I will just say :It's 'Melina Marchetta' baby! ,
and that should just suffice for you to know that it is a 5 stars book.
Because Marchetta IS the 5-golden-stars writer of my heart.
Even when she writes kids stories.
(And after reading this, I am pretty sure I could love ANYTHING Marchetta writes..even if it was the wether forecast or the grocery shopping list!)
Sam (10 y/o) and Reuben (9 y/o) have already done a pretty great review for The Gorgon...more
2 likes · like · see review
Aug 19, 2011
Arlene
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Arlene by:
Gift from Crystal - Thank you! :)
Beautiful and inspiring
There was this time when I looked at a picture and thought it was a man with horns, but when I stepped up to study it I could see it was actually a butterfly with wings standing up straight. That’s what happens when you stop looking at things from far away. My advice… look at whatever you’re scared of from a different angle. Look at it up really close…
I’ve come to expect nothing short of magical and flawless from Melina Marchetta and The Gorgon in the Gully is no exceptio...more
There was this time when I looked at a picture and thought it was a man with horns, but when I stepped up to study it I could see it was actually a butterfly with wings standing up straight. That’s what happens when you stop looking at things from far away. My advice… look at whatever you’re scared of from a different angle. Look at it up really close…
I’ve come to expect nothing short of magical and flawless from Melina Marchetta and The Gorgon in the Gully is no exceptio...more
11 likes · like · see review
The Gorgon in The Gully is Melina Marchetta's 2010 debut for middle readers.
I bought this book for me my boys, Sam and Reuben.
Here they are ^ (taken down the road from our place):
Sam on the left is 10 years (grade 4) and Reuben on the right is 9 (grade 3)
Danny Griggs, our protagonist, is in grade 4 and he's an Australian boy, so right from the start my boys related. Even though it is perfect independent reading level for both Sam and Reubs, this is one we saved for me reading out loud to the...more
I bought this book for
Here they are ^ (taken down the road from our place):
Sam on the left is 10 years (grade 4) and Reuben on the right is 9 (grade 3)
Danny Griggs, our protagonist, is in grade 4 and he's an Australian boy, so right from the start my boys related. Even though it is perfect independent reading level for both Sam and Reubs, this is one we saved for me reading out loud to the...more
26 likes · like · see review
I really liked this book, it was really well written for a kids book. I read it for a "challenge" where a book is sent around the world for different people to read then send on to the next person on the list, which was really cool to participate in. I've heard a lot of good things about Melina Marchetta and I wasn't disappointed. I thought her writing and humor were very good and I'm interested to see what her YA books are like.
I really liked this one! Thanks to Carmel who kicked off the Melina Around The World Tour:-) Not only is it a great book for kids, there are some valuable lessons in there for adults too. The best part for me was the frequent 'appearance' of my boy Jonah (swoon) and I especially liked it when Danny spoke of the photograph in the drawer of Jonah and 'a girl with sad eyes'. Loved to see Taylor getting a mention too!
2 likes · like · see review
Cute! I enjoyed the lifes lessons the kids learned, about facing your fears, and seeing things from someone elses' perspective. Nice hearing from Jellicoe's Jonah ;D
As always, Melina Marchetta has given me a cast of characters to cherish forever. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. I will hold in my heart forever.
This story was just sweet and funny and was all about bringing friendships together on the playground. There was also lessons to be learned--as there should be in children's stories--about choices, consequences, finding courage, integrity, new vocabulary, and good character building.
A couple of Melina's characters from her previous works also made came...more
This story was just sweet and funny and was all about bringing friendships together on the playground. There was also lessons to be learned--as there should be in children's stories--about choices, consequences, finding courage, integrity, new vocabulary, and good character building.
A couple of Melina's characters from her previous works also made came...more
This is just a really cute, feel-good children's book with a nice message about fear and how to overcome it. A definite must for Marchetta fans!
7 likes · like · see review
A delightful journey of kids in an Australian primary school. Took me back to the days of my own playground shenanigans.
Sep 05, 2012
Jellyfishes
marked it as to-read
Danny Griggs? As in, brother of Jonah Griggs?
I'm in.
I'm in.
"Want to know something, Dan? When I was in year four, I would have given everything to hang out with you guys. This Simon guy isn't so simple. He knows just how much you're all worth in the long run."
Cute little story! This is one that I will share with my nephews when they are a wee bit older. Danny was completely adorable, just like his big brother Jonah! I decided to read this book simply because it's Melina. The story is quite simple, uplifting and fearless, just like Danny :D
Cute little story! This is one that I will share with my nephews when they are a wee bit older. Danny was completely adorable, just like his big brother Jonah! I decided to read this book simply because it's Melina. The story is quite simple, uplifting and fearless, just like Danny :D
Loved it, so did my son.
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Melina Marchetta was born in Sydney Australia. Her first novel, Looking For Alibrandi was awarded the Children's Book Council of Australia award in 1993 and her second novel, Saving Francesca won the same award in 2004. Looking For Alibrandi was made into a major film in 2000 and won the Australian Film Institute Award for best Film and best adapted screen play, also written by the author. On the...more
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“The next night he asked Jonah if he could take $9.49 out of Jonah's secret stash that only Danny and his mum and Jack knew about. Jonah kept it in his sock drawer next to a photograph of Jonah and a girl with sad eyes, taken in one of those railway station photo booths.”
—
9 people liked it
“There was this time when I looked at a picture and thought it was a man with horns, but when I stepped up to study it I could see it was actually a butterfly with wings standing up straight. That’s what happens when you stop looking at things from far away. My advice… look at whatever you’re scared of from a different angle. Look at it up really close.”
—
3 people liked it
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