Adele Broadbent's Blog, page 242

Doll Bones

ER – BLA

Author – Holly Black

Age – 8+

Zac, Poppy and Alice love making up stories with the help of figurines and action figures. Alice lives with her grandmother who is over-protective, in contrast to Poppy whose parents are always working, leaving her at home with her elder brothers. Zac’s home is different again with a, here again, gone again, dad.

Zac is growing now that he’s 12, getting even better on the basketball court at school, and suddenly being noticed more by girls – There is no way he can ever let the guys on his team or anyone know he plays make believe games with Poppy & Alice.

When Dad does the unthinkable, he causes Zac to make a decision to take on a ‘real’ quest.

The three friends begin their quest with a bus trip, needing to get to a nearby town and back before their parents know they are gone. What results is a mystery and a confession, which finally brings the friends back together, but in a different way than before.

This was a fantastic adventure about friendship, growing up and family.

Great read!

Firegirl

ER – ABB

Author – Tony Abbott

Age – 8+

This story is as thought provoking, sad and truthful as WONDER and should be read by anyone 8+

Tom is shy at school, his only friend being Jeff Hicks, who is a little “off the wall” sometimes. Most days they hang out after school at Jeff’s house and talk cars, and comics. They sit next to each other in class and they like their teacher Mrs Tracy.

One day, Mrs Tracy seems more serious than normal and tells them they will soon have a new girl in their class – Jessica Feeney. But Jessica is a little different. Something terrible happened to her and she has terrible deformities from burns.

From the moment Jessica arrives, Tom begins a journey many students face. Should he stick with his friends who are being unkind to the new kid, or stick up for the newbie when he feels his friends are wrong?

Tom is suddenly in a constant battle in his thoughts or what’s right and what’s not, and how he can deal with it. This first person inner conflict is written brilliantly.

There are questions at the end of the novel that teachers could use in their class. This would make a great Year 6 – Year 8 read aloud.

(Read aloud, School, Friendship, Differences, Guilty, Conflict)

 

 

 

Billionaire Boy

ER – WAL

Author – David Walliams

Age 6+

Thanks to an amazing invention of his father’s, Joe Spud has everything a child could want. And that’s a lot! 1 million pounds for his birthday, his own formula 1 car and racetrack, 100,000 pounds weekly pocket money, 100 inch plasma tv’s in every room of the house. You name it – he’s got it – or can buy it.

The one thing he wants but can’t buy is a friend. Joe goes to a very posh school, but he’s called names and asks his dad if he can go to the normal school nearby. He wants a friend that doesn’t know how much money they have, and he soon meets Bob.

This is a hilarious story about friendship and how money can’t buy happiness, friendship or love.

Filled with crazy lists of everything from what he owns to what’s on the school dinner menu, this story is a thousand laughs. Tony Ross’s illustrations are scattered throughout the book adding even more.

Code Name Verity

TEEN – WEI

Author – Elizabeth Wein

Age – 14+

Spectacular writing, but I have to admit I skipped over some of the aircraft bits that were a little slow.

The characterisation in this novel is so deep, I think they will be with me for a long time.

The plotting was excellent, with twists and turns where they weren’t expected. It makes the reader think about the people in the war and the resistance and how they were so connected – not just in the pursuit of catching/killing the other.

I’m usually a crier, but although there were some shocks along the way, it didn’t ‘get’ me like that. But if ever there was a story for strong female protagonists – this is it. Katniss Everdeen, leave the stage.

Maddie and Queenie are (fictional) heroines – but the fact that there were woman like this in WWII is heartbreaking all on its own.

Bella and the Wandering House

ER – MCK

Author – Meg McKinlay

Age – 6+

Bella and her Grandad are very close. She visits him once a week and they spend time together, making things, or just talking – without the rush, rush, rush of her busy parents.

When Bella wakes one morning to realise that her house was in a slightly different place, she knew that he would listen when she told him.

Her Mum just asked Bella to step out of her violets, not even noticing her violets were closer to the front step than before!

When Grandad hears about Bella’s house, he tells her to watch carefully – something amazing could be happening.

And something amazing is – and unbeknown to Bella and Grandad, it all has to do with the presents he has given her over the years, and the special window he has built in her bedroom.

This would make a great read-a-loud to 6+ and has a wonderful mix of family and fantasy.

(Read-a-loud, Fantasy, Family, Grandparent, Ocean)

That Boy, Jack

ER – BRI

Author – Janeen Brian

Age 8+

Jack and Gilbert have been mates since they were tiny. They’ve made a pact that they will become miners together like their dad’s. They both enjoy school, particularly Jack whose Mum encourages his learning. But when Gilbert’s dad is in an accident at the mine, suddenly all Jack and Gilbert’s plans are tipped on their head.

Jack has to make some difficult choices, and even then things aren’t straightforward. Jack is scared of small places, especially in the dark. How will he ever become a miner – and does he really want to be one anyway?

Set in the townships of Moonta and Moonta Mines in South Australia in the early 1870’s, this historical novel gives a real feel what it was like to live as part of a miner’s family.

A good read for particularly boys, but girls will enjoy too.

(Historical, Friendship, Fears, Family, Mining, Australia)

The Lost and the Found

TEEN – CLA

Author – Cat Clarke

Age – 14+

Faith’s family is broken. Ever since her 6-yr-old sister Lauren was taken from their front lawn when Faith was 4, they have carried on with life as if on a precipice. Dad has left and has a boyfriend, and Mum copes most of the time, but every now and then can’t even leave her bed- overcome with all encompassing grief.

Faith tries not to be bitter, but she feels like the next 13 yrs are all about Lauren. Her mum never gives up hope for Lauren’s return and is constantly making sure she is never forgotten in the media.

When a phone call comes to say that Lauren is alive – they’ve found her – dropped off by her abductor on the front lawn she was taken from – it’s hard to believe. Faith has suddenly got a ‘real’ big sister, not a ghost that has haunted her whole life. What will she be like? Where has she been and what happened to here while she was gone.

Rascal – Running for his life

IR – COO

Author – Chris Cooper

Age – 8+

This is the 3rd book in this series

Rascal is tired. He’s been walking a long way in his search to get home to his owner, Joel. His paw is sore and when he recognises the nice people tempting him with food are in fact dog catchers, he’s not sure whether he will be able to escape them.

Just as he thinks they are going to catch him, a boy in the park claims him as his own. Rascal suddenly has a new friend and gets to repay the favour to the boy during this new adventure on his way home.

This story reminds me of a TV show called ‘The Littlelest Hobo’ about a dog having adventures and meeting new people on his journey home.

(Friends, Kindness, Honesty, Bullying)

Rascal – One Brave Dog’s Journey Home

IR – COO

Author – Chris Cooper

Age – 8+

This is the 2nd book in this series

Rascal is tired. He’s been walking a long way in his search to get home to his owner, Joel. His paw is sore and when he recognises the nice people tempting him with food are in fact dog catchers, he’s not sure whether he will be able to escape them.

Just as he thinks they are going to catch him, a boy in the park claims him as his own. Rascal suddenly has a new friend and gets to repay the favour to the boy during this new adventure on his way home.

This story reminds me of a TV show called ‘The Littlelest Hobo’ about a dog having adventures and meeting new people on his journey home.

(Friends, Kindness, Honesty, Bullying)

Queen Sardine and Princess Persia

IR – WIL

Author – Kate Willis-Crowley

Age – 7+

This is the 2nd in the ‘Queen Sardine’ series.

There is a new cat in Kipper Street and Queen Sardine isn’t happy. Princess Persia just yawned when Queen Sardine and her owner Ivy went to visit the newcomer. She was supposed to bow and be honoured to meet the Queen of the Street!

Meanwhile Ivy has her own problem. There is a new girl in her class. Macy has been put in Ivy and her best friend Kei’s class talent group, and at first that’s fine. But when Macy starts telling them how they should do their dance, and trying to change their ideas, they are a bit put out. One day when Kei and Ivy are on their own, they complain to each other about it and then begin to say unkind things about Macy. But Macy overhears them and they feel terrible.

Queen Sardine has been saying nasty things too – about Princess Persia. Now both Ivy and her cat feel guilty. How will they put things right again?

7 year old girls will love this story – a talking cat, new friends and accepting others is all part of this fun tale.

(Friendship, Acceptance, Animals)