Adele Broadbent's Blog, page 240

Zeroes (1)

TEEN – WES

Author – Scott Westerfield/Margo Lanagan/Deborah Biancotti

Age – 13+ (Offensive language)

This is the 1st in a new series from these authors.

I enjoyed the different style of this book – with 6 separate characters from 3rd point of view.

Each of these teens have a super-power. Not leaping tall buildings, turning invisible or being incredibly strong.

Nate – Bellwether/Glorious Leader (nickname) – Is their self proclaimed leader of the group and has the power of persuasion.

Thibault – Anonymous – Can brush people’s attention aware from him so he doesn’t exist and they forget they ever saw him (which is very problematic and quite sad when it comes to family)

Kelsie – Mob – has power of crowds – able to control their emotions

Ethan – Scam – Has another voice that stems from his feelings and can get what he wants. It causes more trouble than good sometimes.

Chizara (Crash) – can mentally reach into computer systems and tweak, or crash them.

Riley (Flicker) – Blind girl who uses other people’s eyes to see. Like Chizara, can reach into buildings or across distances with her power.

When Ethan gets in trouble (well, his other voice gets him into trouble), Nate calls the Zeroes together to help. Ethan upset them all the year before causing a rift, but they all follow Nate’s call, not knowing they will be involved with drug dealers, and dirty money with dire results.

Jennie

ER – GAL

Author – Paul Gallico

Age – 8+

Peter loves cats. His dad (a Colonel) says he can have one, but his mum (who is always busy and away from the house every day, says he can’t. She has given strict orders to Nanny to throw out any strays Peter brings home. One day, when out with Nanny, Peter sees a kitten across the road and he steps out in front of a coal lorry without looking. When he wakes, he is a white tom cat. And this is where the real story begins. A small, skinny, tabby cat comes to his rescue and teaches Peter how to think, eat, act and live like a cat.

Wow. I remember loving this book as a young teen and after reading it again, I know why.

Paul Gallico (1897 – 1976) was a lover of cats and wrote other stories and collections of poems about them. His knowledge is poured into this novel, and it will make you look at cats in a whole new way. His observations of how they feel and act in certain situations eg. When in doubt – Wash!’ are spot on. Just read this wonderful story then watch your own cat to see what I mean.

But ‘Jennie’ isn’t just a story about cats. It’s a love story. It’s a tale about Courage, and Adventure and Friendship. Although it was written in the late 1940’s, and the language is old-fashioned and ‘proper’ English, any cat lover will lap this up, and if you’re anything like me, shed a tear or two.

The Blackthorn Key

TEEN – SAN

Author – Kevin Sands

Age – 11+

This is the first book in this series.

Follow the Clues. Crack the code. Stay alive.

This is what Christopher Rowe – apprentice to the Master Apothecary Benedict Blackthorn, has to do.

It’s 1665 and someone is killing Apothecaries across the city of London. Are he and his master at risk?

Christopher is thrown into a swirl of mystery, murder, and betrayal and while on the run has to decipher codes, puzzles, and codes within codes, putting all he’s learnt from his master into practice.

Whether it be gunpowder, an oil that melts anything it touches, or one that creates smoke for him to escape through, Christopher is a talented apprentice and adept at using the ingredients at hand to help him stay alive.

Along with his loyal best friend Tom, they endeavor to unravel the biggest clue of all, a message left for him by his master. But who can he trust? Why are Apothecaries being murdered, and who are the culprits? Is it the famed Cult of the Archangel, or is it simple rivalry and jealousy?

Christopher finally learns the truth, but not until after he nearly loses his life.

This is Kevin Sand’s debut novel and the first in a new series. Although I’ve read many historical novels set in London for Tweens lately, the characters in this novel make this story stand out. Life in London is harsh, no matter whether you’re from an orphanage like Christopher, or a big family like Tom’s. The setting brought the story to life, with the rotting stench and lamp lit fog putting the reader among the action. The reader can decipher the clues along with Christopher with the keys written out throughout the story. I’ll definitely read more in this series.

(Action, Victorian London, Apothecary, Murder, Mystery, Series, Historical, Codes, Puzzles)

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files_01)

TEEN – KAU

Authors – Amy Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Age – 13+

This novel is entirely made up of military type transcripts of interviews, emails, surveillance footage summaries between all of the characters including AIDAN (The AI – Artificial Intelligence that runs the Battleship Alexander)

The year is 2575 and this story is set on the far-flung ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe called Kerenza. This settlement had sprung up illegally to mine Hermium.

Kady and Ezra have just had a huge argument causing a breakup after a year of being together. Suddenly Kerenza is attacked and there is panic on the colony.

Ezra and Kady are thrown together by chance as they scramble for the escape ships, then torn apart again when Ezra is injured.

Ezra is on the Alexander and Kady on the Hypatia. Kady is an expert hacker and they find each other through the separate ships’ computer systems.

They slowly repair their relationship as their world falls apart around them. The computers are their link but also their worst enemy. And what is the virus on the Alexander?

This novel was stunning! Not only told in a different way, it drew me in until I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. Full of extras like ship schematics, computer screen images, and diagrams Illuminae puts the reader right inside the story.

Packed with incredible dialogue, gasps (from me), and blood-pumping action, I can’t wait for the next book in this trilogy. Simply excellent!

(Science Fiction, Series, Love, Friendship, Action, Virus, Artificial Intelligence, Computers)

The Adventures of Hutu & Kawa

IR – ACR

Author/Illustrator – Avis Acres

Age – 5+

This is a classic NZ story by a celebrated NZ Author/Illustrator. Originally published in 1955, The Adventures of Hutu & Kawa has been republished for a new generation of kiwi readers – young and old.

Hutu & Kawa are Pohutakawa Babies who live high in a little nest house in an ancient Pohutakawa tree. They play with their friends the birds and the Forest Folk and are very content. One day they decide they’d like an adventure and ask Grandpa Kiwi how to make a canoe so they can float down the stream.

He says he will help, but they must remember 3 things. Watch out for the Bush hawk, don’t go to far from home and always find somewhere to sleep before sunset. He also gives them a magic whistle and tells them to blow it if they get in trouble. And off they go on their adventure…

This would make a great read-a-loud for Year1-2’s to introduce NZ birds, Flowers and Fauna.

(NZ Author, Classic, Native birds, Adventure)

Wild Boy & the Black Terror (Wild Boy 2)

ER – JON

Author – Rob Lloyd Jones

Age – 8+

This is the 2nd book in this action-packed series, set in Victorian London.

After escaping a Freak Show and solving crimes in the 1st book in this series, Wild Boy and his (ex circus tightrope walker) friend Clarissa have been taken in by Marcus. Marcus belongs to a secret society called the Gentlemen who look after the security and affairs of the British Empire.

Other members of the Gentlemen want Wild Boy & Clarissa gone from their organisation, but with London still believing Wild Boy is a savage killer, it isn’t safe out there.

When Marcus is suddenly struck by a strange disease that turns his skin white and his veins black, Wild Boy and Clarissa know they’re in trouble. Marcus is dying and they have to put their combined skills together to solve the mystery of the illness called The Black Terror. Not only is their safety, their guardian’s and Queen Victoria herself at stake, so is the entire population of London.

This episode of Wild Boy is just as packed with mystery, action and clue finding as the first. With a touch of Steampunk, CSI, and Indiana Jones, this makes an awesome read.

(Victorian London, Historical, Steampunk, Friendship, Action, Mystery, Demon)

 

 

 

Stonebird

ER – REV

Author – Mike Revell

Age – 9+

Liam isn’t keen about starting a new school after moving to a new town with his mum and elder sister Jess. They have moved into his grandma’s house as she has worsening dementia and is in a care home nearby. Lying awake one night, Liam sees a dark winged shape outside. What could it be?

Liam is missing his mates and wondering what he can do in the new town. Following his escaped dog from their garden, he explores a little and finds a run-down church nearby, surrounded by scaffolding. It all looks as if deserted years before, and Liam explores further. He finds a small room and when he looks inside, he sees the same shape he saw at night above his new house. But how can that be? It’s a concrete gargoyle – it can’t move?

When they begin tidying Grandma’s home to settle in themselves, Liam finds a diary. It has a picture of the same gargoyle on the front, and it belonged to Grandma when she was 13. Did she know about the Gargoyle? Did she see it too?

Liam is soon surrounded by mysteries. Is the Gargoyle alive? What does Grandma mean when she rambles one day about killing someone? Why is the school bully at the care home too?

This story reminded me a little of my favourite tween novel ever – ‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness.

Liam has to deal with bullying, his mother spiralling down into sadness over her own mother’s illness, and a creature that is somehow connected to his family. Told in first person, talking directly to the reader, Liam pulled me into his plight and confusion about what is happening around him, and the touch of magic around a stone gargoyle was fantastic.

Great Read.

Silence is Goldfish

TEEN – PIT

Author – Annabel Pitcher

Age – 14+

This is this author’s 3rd novel – her debut novel My Sister lives on the Mantlepiece and 2nd novel Ketchup Clouds both won awards and I’m sure Silence is Goldfish will certainly follow in their footsteps.

The main character, 15 yr old shy, overweight, Tess Turner is as real as one can get between pages of a book. Her thoughts are true to a young teen whose world has been tipped upside down by the truth. I loved how Tess explains who she is and how she feels about people around her – all who are outside of her lonely ‘Pluto’ orbit (the planet furthest from the sun).

 This story shows a normal shy teen’s search for family, truth, inner strength against bullies and lies, and about wanting to fit in and belong – all the while dealing with a strong sense of betrayal by those she loved the most.

Strange Title? – read this book and it all makes sense.

Wonderful.

(Family, Conflict, Courage, Sperm Donor, Overweight, Teacher crush, Infidelity, Betrayal, School, Mean girls, Cyber Bullying, Revenge)

 

Mission Unpluckable – The Bad Guys (2)

ER – BLA

Author/Illustrator – Aaron Blabey

Age – 6+

The pictures and antics of these characters had me laughing out loud.

Mission Unpluckable – I enjoyed this episode of this series even more than the 1st.

Wolf is still determined to prove that he and his friends (Shark, Piranha, Snake and new buddy Tarantula), aren’t the Bad Guys, but in fact the Good Guys. What better way to do that than free other animals from their cages?

So a local chicken farm becomes their target – the only problem being the thick concrete walls, alarm systems, laser beams and pressure sensitive walls and floors. But Wolf isn’t discouraged, calling in his computer hacker buddy Tarantula to help.

But Shark is petrified of spiders, which leads to hilarious situations, and Snake has plans of his own.

Looking forward to the next Episode!

Lupo and the Secret of Windsor Castle – The Adventures of a Royal Dog (1)

ER KIN

Author – Aby King

Illustrator – Sam Usher

Age – 7+

Lupo is a Cocker Spaniel. He belongs to a Duke & Duchess and their baby boy (George). Lupo and George can understand each other and Lupo is devoted to George, sleeping under his cot every night.

Lupo is liked by all the other animals (from mice to cats and dogs) at Kensington Palace and Windsor Castle, except for one dog – Vulcan. Vulcan is a dorgi – part Corgi, part Dacshund. He believes he should be the only dog belonging to the Queen and he resents Lupo’s popularity with everyone.

But Vulcan has a plan to fix all that. He’s always been interested in the Mythology of their country and knows the legend of St George and the Dragon. Surely there can’t be a dragon hidden somewhere in the castle?

He’s determined to solve the mystery, get rid of Lupo and take over the entire castle. Little does he know there is someone even more evil than him, watching his every move.

Can Lupo and his friends stop Vulcan and clear Lupo’s name?

(Royal, Friendship, Animals, Mystery, Dragon, Castle, Good vs Evil)