Adele Broadbent's Blog, page 239

The Moon-Faced-Ghoul-Thing

ER – HUT

Author – Barry Hutchison

Illustrator – Chris Mould

Age – 7+

The 3rd and last book in the Benjamin Blank Series

It’s been 6 months since their last adventure and Ben is bored. He and his friends are dressing up for The Feast of Scarrabus. This is like Halloween, but in reverse where he and his friends have to leave offerings on every step, not collect them.

But Ben thinks that no-one will notice if he takes some treats home. Surely Lord Scarrabus is just a story after all? But Ben learns the hard way, that traditions aren’t always just a story – and his friends are soon in danger because of him.

The Moon-Faced-Ghoul-Thing is the scariest of the the three stories – but still has heaps of humour to break up the scary. Have loved this series and wish there were more.

(Magic, Family, Courage, Humour, Series, Historical, Medieval)

The Dead House

TEEN – KUR

Author – Dawn Kurtagich

Age – 14+

Carly has the day

Kaitlyn has the night

These sisters share the same body – but their psychiatrist doesn’t believe them. The only people that could confirm they both exist were their parents. But they have recently died in an accident that the sisters can’t remember. And then there’s Naida who is Carly’s best friend. Naida grew up on Fair Island under the teachings of an ancient witchcraft which she still dabbles in now and then…..

Multiple personalities. Disappearing students. Murder. Truth.  Lies, good and evil – this book has it all. One of the CREEPIEST books I’ve ever read.

Told in diary entries, police reports, notebook entries, video footage, and doctors notes – it will draw you in and freak you out! Gain Maximum effect by reading this is one sitting.FANTASTIC!

(Thriller, Horror, Siblings, Love, Friendship, Witchcraft, School, Creepy, Shocking, Dreams)

My Parents are Driving me Crazy!

ER JOH

Author/Illustrator – Pete Johnson

Age – 10+

Louis the laugh, as he likes to call himself, wants to be a comedian. He is always telling jokes to his family and his friend Maddy. He believes the big break he needs is going to be on a TV talent show called Kids with Attitude.

He works very hard on his jokes, but is the opposite at school, expecting a Z on his latest essay for his teacher Mr Beach. When Mr Beach gives Louis a letter to take home to his parents with strict instructions not to read it, of course – Louis reads it. It’s not good. It’s not even close to good, labeling Louis as a troublemaker, and wanting to make an appointment with them.

With his best friend Maddy’s help, Louis gives a forged letter back to Mr Beach from his father. It tells of a lost job, depression and no desire to leave the house. After all, if his parents knew how bad Louis was doing at school, they might stop him from going in Kids with Attitude.

Mr Beach is suddenly, annoyingly, very understanding, trying to help Louis as much as he can.

Another problem is his friendship with Maddy. Why is it that things change as soon as they go on a ‘date’?

I really enjoyed this story, although the cover had me thinking it was for younger readers eg.7+

Packed with jokes, witty comebacks, and early teen dramas. Funny!

(Humour, Family, Friendship, School. Depression, Comedy)

 

The Wolf Wilder

ER – RUN

Author – Katherine Rundell

Illustrator – Gelrev Ongbico

Age – 7+

In wild Russia, wolf cubs are taken from their mothers to be raised in grand houses in the cities. A wolf in the house is said to bring good fortune, money and fame. Killing a wolf is the opposite, bringing terrible things to the family.

When house wolves shame themselves by biting, destroying belongings or going mad in captivity, the shamed wolves are taken to a wolf wilder. A wolf wilder teaches the wolf to be a wolf again, hunting, howling, running and being part of a pack.

Feodora and her mother Marina are wolf wilders. Feo’s best friends are Black, White and Grey – three half wild wolves. Like them, she distrusts people, uses her senses in the forest to predict danger and she can even howl like a wolf.

One night 4 men burst into their cottage in the middle of the forest, demanding 100 roubles for an elk that a wolf has killed. This is the first time she meets General Rakov. But it will not be the last. Feo has to call upon all that her Mama has taught her about wolves and the forest around her, and with some help from human and wolf friends she has to save her mother, every wolf and even a whole city from the insanely evil wrath of Rakov.

This story is beautifully written by the author of multi award winning ‘Rooftoppers’. The illustrations are gorgeous.

Some of my favourite parts of the writing…

‘Wolves are the witches of the animal world’

Alexei looks like the ‘offspring of a wargod and a sapling tree.’

‘Running, if wolves are after you, is more optimistic than useful.’

‘The cheer was so loud, it shook the clouds.’

 

 

 

Back to Blackbrick

ER – FIT

Author – Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

Age – 12+

Cosmo is grieving for his 10 yr old brother who died falling from a window. He’s grieving for his mum who upped and left for Sydney for her work, and he’s grieving for his beloved Grandad who taught him everything he knows about horses, but sometimes can’t even remember Cosmo’s name. Alzheimers is slowing taking Grandad, day by day.

Social workers come to assess Grandad and tell Cosmo that Grandad would get better care in a home and that he has one more week with them. In a rare lucid moment, Grandad gives Cosmo a key. ‘Go to Blackbrick Abbey,’ he tells him. ‘Go through the South Gates and lock them behind you.’

At first Cosmo thinks that it’s more of Grandad’s ravings, but soon he decides to take a look at Black Brick Abbey for himself. After a long taxi ride, he approaches the Abby’s imposing gates…..

Inside the gates he meets a boy called Kevin. Kevin Lawless – his grandad’s name.

A step back in time takes Cosmo to his Grandad’s time, where he meets him as a young teen and other important people in Grandad’s early life. The time Cosmo spends back many years before his parents were even born helps him deal with and understand the troubles he is dealing with back in the present. Great story without a typical ending.

(Time travel, Historical, Love, Grief, Family, Friendship, Alzheimers, Dementia)

Pocket Pirates (1) – The Great Cheese Robbery

IR MOU

Author – Chris Mould

Age 7+

This is the 1st book in a new series.

At the end of the street is an old junk shop. In that shop is a ship in a bottle on a shelf. And in that bottle are Pocket Pirates. Button, Lily, Captain Crabsticks, and Old Uncle Noggin. They are all about 2 inches tall and their ship’s cat Jones is even smaller.

Old Uncle Noggin loves telling stories, and the others love listening to them, but Lily and Button sometimes doubt whether his adventure stories are real. One day while having a nap after listening to a story, they woke to realise that Jones (the ship’s cat) was missing. In his place was an envelope. It’s a ransom note! Pepper Jack and his gang of skirting board mice had kidnapped Jones and they want cheese!

The Pocket Pirates know what that means. A voyage to Fridge, where it is always winter.

Avoiding Doyle the dog, Mr Dregby (a large spider), the owner of the junk shop, and the skirting board mice, they all set off on a real adventure across the junk shop.

Chris Mould’s illustrations add life to this series that boys especially will love. With drawings of the characters in front and a drawing of the junk shop itself in the back of the book, the reader can connect even more with the story.

(Pirates, Adventure, Humour, Courage, Series)

Fire Colour One

TEEN – VAL

Author – Jenny Valentine

Age – 13+

‘We’re back.’ These are the first words Iris’s mother speaks to her father (over the phone), after 12 years of being in California.

Her father wants to see her. At 16, Iris can’t remember him, only that he abandoned them when she was very young. At least that’s what her mother Hannah has always told her.

But Hannah is good at telling lies, and along with her boyfriend Lowell, they have done nothing but chase the good life – fame, money and all that goes with it.

Even when Iris’s father (Ernest) tells them he is dying, Hannah only agrees to take Iris to see him if there is something in it for her. She knows his house is full of priceless art, and his bank account full – just what her and Lowell need, so she takes Iris back to where she spent the first four years of her life.

As Hannah and Lowell wait for him to die, Iris gets to know the father she didn’t remember. Along the way she not only learns about his life, but her past, her present and the truth about her mother.

And just as Hannah believes she finally has a grip on the wealth she was after all along – she discovers Ernest had other ideas.

I really liked this story. It proves again you can’t judge a book by its cover. The writing was fantastic, the characters were wonderful and the revenge was sweet…

(Family, Grief, Greed, Art, Lies, Revenge)

The Last Kids on Earth

ER BRA

Author – Max Brallier

Illustrator – Douglas Holgate

Age – 9+

42 days ago, the town of Wakefield was invaded by huge monsters that stomped through the town, gobbling whoever they found. As if this isn’t bad enough, zombies came soon after – biting anyone the monsters didn’t get, to make even more zombies.

But 13yr old Jack Sullivan isn’t going to let that spoil things. He has a tree hut to sleep in, weapons to protect himself and no more lawns to mow for his foster dad. In fact, Jack has turned this whole Monster Apocalypse into a type of video game, scoring points for different things he achieves. But the high score will only be achieved when he rescues June Del Toro, the girl he likes at school. He knows she’s still in town. He just has to find her.

With the help of his best friend Quint (science geek extraordinaire), and Dirk Savage (the school bully), Jack achieves his high score – just not exactly how he planned it.

This is perfect for any young, post apocalypse/zombie/monster fan who also loves to laugh. The main character is a cocky kid, full of himself one minute, reflective and neglected foster kid the next. But there’s no complaining going on – Jack’s too busy for any of that. He’s into action, having fun when possible, keeping his friends close and dreaming of saving the damsel in distress.

The illustrations are great and very plentiful, breaking up the text for not-so-keen readers. Boys especially will LOVE this.

(Zombies, Monsters, Friendship, Humour, Series, Foster kid, Post Apocalypse)

The Bolds

EXT CLA

Author – Julian Clary

Illustrator – David Roberts

Age – 6+

Sue and Spot love laughing – well they’re hyenas after all. They noticed that their safari plain was getting more and more tourists so they began to listen and learn from these strange creatures called humans. They practised standing on two legs and even talking like humans. So one day when they discovered clothing, money, air tickets and passports left beside a watering hole (full of crocodiles), they decided to become Fred and Amelia Bold – the couple who had just gone for a swim (and became a crocodile’s lunch).

There was much to learn when they arrived in England. How to cross roads, buy food, get jobs and most important of all – hide their tails! But their neighbour, a grumpy, nasty old man is suspicious of these people next door. They looked different and they wouldn’t stop laughing!

When Fred becomes homesick, they decide to visit the local safari park and this is where things get really tricky. They have to save an old hyena and fast!

Packed full of black and white illustrations, Julian Clary’s humour and distinctive style comes through the text.

(Humour, Animals, Secret, Grumpy neighbour, Hyenas)

Faceless

TEEN – SHE

Author – Alyssa Sheinmel

Age -13+

Maisie loves to run. She’s out running early one morning when it begins to rain. Thunder and lightning soon follow, and a lightning strike hits a tree close to where Maisie is standing. She sees sparks like fireworks, and embers bright against the rain. A hissing sound as power lines hit the road is the last thing she hears….

When Maisie wakes, it is in a hospital. She is lying flat on her back and can’t move. She can only see her parents if they lean right over her as they talk to her. They tell her she has been in a coma for a few weeks. She wants to know why. They slowly tell her about her injuries – her burnt left hand and side with 2nd degree burns, and her face. But her face didn’t just receive burns. When the electrical fire hit her, it consumed her nose, cheeks, and chin. They are no longer there.

Maisie is shocked at the loss of half her face, and even more shocked when she is told about face transplants. When she is told there is an opportunity to have such a transplant because a donor face has come available, her mum and dad are at odds about it. But her mum and dad have been fighting a lot lately. It’s only been since Maisie has been in hospital they seem together at all.

This is the first of many decisions and changes Maisie must make on her journey to find out who she is now and who she wants to be. It’s not just her face that has changed. Her relationships with her parents, her boyfriend and her friends all become tenuous. Maisie feels sorry for herself and only with help from a fellow burns sufferer, patience from her mother, and understanding from her boyfriend, does she finally accept what has happened and that there is life after her accident.

(Family, Love, Friendships, Burns, Coma, Identity)