Its been a slow start to the year but we are now back on track with some delightful new fiction titles that appeared late last year and early this year. these are wonderul reads.
A book about a dog that can talk? Well that can only mean one thing – there is a new Selby book and here it is. For quite a while kids all over the country have been enjoying the exploits of Selby the talking dog and this new book continues his wonderful adventures. He has had many close shaves keeping his talkative nature a secret from the world but with this new Selby adventure his number could be up. The world’s richest man, Evil Genius, who Selby has encountered before, is on a mission, at whatever it costs and his company already owes billions of dollars, to get that dog! With thousands of agents compbing Australia – wide in search of Selby maybe this will be it!
But in the meantime Selby is hurled out of the world’s only sky-writing embroidery aeroplane to what should be certain death, he encounters Vampires that invade his peaceful town, and he is captured by a Shark Man on Death Island.
For young readers who are ready for laughter and giggles and the comic cleverness of these literary funsters then this is the title to grab.
Andy and Terry, two new characters who just happen to have the same name as the creators of this book (even the likeness of the characters in the illustrations is remarkable) live in a tree hours that is 13 storeys high. It comes bowling alley, see-through swimming pool, a tank full of sharks, a library full of comics, a secret underground laboratory, a games room, self-making beds, vines you can swing on, a vegetable vaporiser and a marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots your favourite flavoured marshmallows into your mouth whenever it discerns you're hungry. And in this treehouse is where they now create th
Last year's Newbery Award totally escaped me - I hadn't heard of it or read it for that matter. So - I just recently got a copy and read it and LOVED it. Talk about fun - Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool is truly a feast for book lovers - it has a little of everything - mystery, family, quirky characters, prejudice, friendship, humor - and all superbly well-written. I felt like I lived in Manifest and really KNEW these characters. The main character, Abilene Tucker is a guaranteed pleaser - she is sweet, innocent, and totally likable. The friends she meets in the town of Manifest are brilliant and all add to her growth in life - some good, some bad! You can't miss Abilene's journey down the "Path to Perdition" and Miss Sadie as she pays off her debt - that is how she learns much about her past and begins to also start her new future.
Here is a new author that you don't want to miss! For our younger readers (3rd-6th or Junior High), Eve Yohalem has written, Escape Under the Forever Sky. A wonderful story written about a U.S. Ambassador's daughter that goes with her parents to Ethiopia to live while her mother serves as Ambassador there. Lucy, age 13, has many encounters while she is there, not the least of which is being kidnapped and held for ransom. That is when the story takes an exciting turn and you travel with Lucy as she tries to escape and find safety. This really is a fun book - it is a riveting ride that keeps you going right to the very end!
*I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher for review purposes.
Mr Badger and the Magic Mirror Leigh Hobbs (Allen&Unwin)
Every day is full of adventures for Mr Badger at the Boubles Grand Hotel and none more amazing than when a new mirror (that had been in a private room) was hung above the stairs. Mr Badger, checking the mirror suddenly found that he could leap right thought he mirror. And when young attention getting and rather annoying Sylvia also discovers the mirror she pops on through the mirror to join Mr Badger and they both find themselves n Bouble Land where there is mystery and danger and a few surprises as well.
The Mr Badger books (this is number four) are delightful fun reads.
Neville No-Phone Anna Branford & Kat Chadwick (Walker Books)
Neville is the only kid in his class at his school who does not have a mobile phone - at least that is what he tells his dad. When repeated attempts at persuading his parents to get him a mobile phone. So, when his parent's solution of using an old mobile phone or the baby monitor is not an option, and when Neville and his friend Enzo stumble across a fully functioning as mobile phone left in a bus shelter, the boys get into all sorts of mischief and adventure trying to use the phone and eventually seeing it back with hits rightful owner.
A laugh out loud story about not giving up.
T-Wreck-Asaurus (Dinosaur Rescue Series: Book 1) Kyle Mewburn & Donovan Bixley (Scholastic)
Welcome to the Stone Age and the land of dinosaurs. This title in the new Dinosaur Rescue series) is wonderfully funny and will have readers - especially boys giggling wi
I finished a book today that I can only call "lovely" and that doesn't happen often. Bird in a Box by Andrea Davis Pinkney is one not to miss! This is a book geared for ages 9-12 that totally touched my heart. It revolved around the lives of two young children growing up at the Mercy Home for Negro Orphans in New York in 1936 and how their lives intertwine with that of young Hibernia Tyson - a daughter of a local minister. This book really hits at the heart of friendship and the tough lives some had to live in the 1930's. One of the great themes in this book that ties it all together is Joe Louis - the famous "Brown Bomber" - one of the greatest heavyweight champs of his time. You get to learn of his life and the fun tie that it is to all three of these kids. TRULY a wonderful story - the characters are real - you feel for them and, by the end, feel like they might be part of your own family - or at least wish they were!!
*I was sent this title to review by the publisher.
What do an empty lot, an orange tree, and a rock shaped like a heart have to do with this book?? All I can say is you will want to read it to find out!! Joanne Rocklin has SCORED with her latest novel for readers ages 8-12! One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street is just superb. I loved everything about it - it is a tender story and yet funny and completely enjoyable! It has everything our young readers can relate to - family themes, friendship, mystery, and lots of humor. Kids will relate to this touching story. It's a fast read but almost TOO fast for me - I did not want it to end!! Share this one with a young reader today - they will LOVE it!
Yep - this is it! The book that will keep kids laughing for hours! Kenn Nesbitt has teamed up with illustrator Ethan Long to create a book that is guaranteed to keep them laughing! The Ultimate Top Secret Guide to Taking Over the World is quite a read! Haven't we all wanted to take over the world!?!? Ok, maybe not, but let's just say you did - then this is definitely the read for you! (And raising three boys - I can safely say that this would have SCORED BIG TIME with them!!) But parents be warned - after your children read this book - life may not be the same...LOOK OUT!
For readers ages 9 and up.
*I was provided a copy for review purposes by the publisher.
I was recently sent two books that you NEED to discover before the summer is over!
Hailey Twitch by Lauren Barnholdt is a fun young readers series with a wonderfully spunky main character by the name of Hailey. She is just a hilarious heroine and one with a fun secret that is "magical"! If your child enjoys the Clementine series or Moxy Maxwell books - I am sure they will thoroughly enjoy Hailey. Her latest book,
Hailey Twitch and the Campground Itch will be a fun story for summer and even made me chuckle right out loud a few times!
If it's a boy reader that you need to please - Horrid Henry is where it's at! Francesca Simon's Horrid Henry series is one that boys devour. Horrid Henry is hilarious and a little bit mischievous - hmmm, sound like any boys you know!?!? This latest release,
Horrid Henry Rocks - is no exception! Henry wants to go see his favorite band in the whole wide world, but his family gets tickets to "Daffy and Her Dancing Daisies" instead - yep, he handles it like any true rocker would!!
Both books are geared to readers ages 7-10 and are beginning chapter books.
*I was sent both of these titles for review purposes by the publisher.
The Lightning Strikes series
Have you been struck by lightning - well at least lightningn of the reading kind.
The Lightning Strikes series published by Walker Books Australia are just the perfect titles for readers who want fast-paced action-packed rivetting stories. Each title, often less than 100 pages, has short chapters and clear well-spaced print. These books encourage a love for reading and are perfect for readers, both boys and girls, aged 9-13. The stories have authors who include, James Roy, Sue Whiting, Moya Simons, Janeen Brian, Meredith Costain, Meg McKinlay,
Have you been struck yet?
Check out the website too (http://www.lightningstrikes.com.au/)
Here are two of the latest:
Lightning Strikes: Dead Certain Sally Gould (Walker books)
Uncle jack has died and Max and his family are at the funeral. The problem is that after the funeral service Uncle Jack is going to be cremated but Max knows that Uncle Jack wanted to be buried next to his own dad. The problem is that Max is the only one who knows this so he has to set about delaying the cremation until he can confirm Uncle Jack's wishes. But when Max's dad tells him that it is too late to change the plans Max has to work out what else he can do and there is only one thing - and that is to steal the body!
A fantastic read that will have the young readers in stitches and wondering all along how Max will solve the problem and save his Uncle from being cremated.
Lightning Strikes: Spaced Out Moya Simons (Walker Books)
Jesse lives on earth but his dad, who is a space scientist, is taking him on a trip to CenCity on the planet Centuria in deep space (not just to the outer planets like other kids in his class) to help teach him some responsibility. And Jesse has some serious spending money - 250 space credits which his dad wants him to use wisely! Soon Jesse is rescuing Michael, a human-like robot boy, who is part of a bad confidence trick by the robot's creator. But it costs Jesse a lot in space credits. But that is just the beginning of his problems because Jesse has to return Michael to his robot family who are living in the Farlands and he has to get back to CenCity, and then Earth.
This sci-fi adventure is action packed with robots, rockets, sledge-racing and fascinating inventions.
Enjoy these great Lightning reads and look out for MORE
Lightning Strikes.
Terrific new Junior Fiction that are fun reads.
Hiro’s Quest #3 Shadow Stealers Tracey West & Craig Phillips (Scholastic)
This is the third title in the fast paced action packed adventure books that belong to the Hiro's Quest series which should be appealing to younger readers. There are comic style illustrations in every chapter that include text from story.
In this adventure Hiro has to find a cure for the mysterious illness that has inflicted his family. When Mr Sato who had trained Hiro and his friends to become Ninja since they were young can find no cure but suggests that the answer might lie with the Monks of the Dusk who reside in an ancient temple Hiro and his friends set off on a treacherous journey that involves shape-stealing cats and their evil controlling monk.
The Fixers #3 Curse of The Vampire Sean Williams & Nial O'Connor (Scholastic)
This is the third title in a fun junior fantasy series with highly appealing comic book style illustrations.
Ollie's is lost in a strange world for his world is just one of many. This time he lands in a world at the foot of a large ruin and it is raining. Ollie dives for shelter under a tree only to be confronted with another who has been thrown out of his village, another who has teeth as sharp as needles. When Ollie is caught in a net and Xander approaches, is he trying to free Ollie or do something much worse. And what of the villagers? Why have they thrown out Xander and can Ollie find his way home. Fast-paced and fun!
also look out for
The Fixers #4 Invasion of The Freaks The Goannas of No. 1 Martin Place Vicki Steggall (ABC Books)
This hardback book is set in Sydney at number one Martin Place, the site of the old General post Office, which many Sydney-siders will recognise.
Moreton is a goanna he and his parents are the last remaining goannas in the Sydney's Botanic Gardens. They are forced to leave their beautiful home in , when the humans decide to place a seat right at the place where the goannas like to lie, they decide they need to move somewhere that's high above the ground, away from all the humans. that place is the sun-filled room at the top of the clock tower at No. 1 Martin Place.
But nearby dwells the Pitt street cat who rules Martin Place and who has no intention of permitting the goannas residence. It is up to the goanna family and some very unlikely feathered and furred friends and a small human, to sort out the cat!
More titles in new or exisitng series for yougner readers. These are just terrific reads.
Tiger Trouble Justin D'Ath (Penguin)
The Extreme Adventures titles have been a great series and this is the latest instalment.
Sam Fox and his family are in New Delhi and one moment he is watching a cricket match and then the next Sam is chasing a pick pocket who has stolen his backpack which had been sitting at his feet in the stand. In this backpack was a cricket ball - autographed by the whole Australian cricket team and Sam couldn't let it go! And it doesn't take long before Sam is caught up in an international animal smuggling ring with wild tiger cubs as trade. Soon Sam is confronting a maharaja, a king cobra, adult wild tigers, guns and a whole lot of trouble.
Violet Mackerel's Brilliant Plot Anna Branford & Sarah Davis (Walker Books)
This is a beautiful early reader book for young girls with short chapters, generously spaced words and with lovely illustrations that are on nearly every page.
Violet Mackerel is a girl with a theory that she calls the Theory of Finding Small Things because whenever you are thinking of something very important and brilliant you will find something small and special on the ground! She also believes that when you want something really, really important, then ordinary plans are no good - you need a brilliant plot. When Violet decides that she would like to get the blue china bird that costs a lot of money that she sees at the markets her family attends every Saturday, she spies a little red button on the ground. Now she knows that a brilliant plot is called for.
This is a lovely story, delightfully told, with sweet illustrations.
See the
Violet Mackerel website for the newsletter, lots of activities and a holiday competition.
Here is a collection of early reader chapter books .... just perfect for readers who have moved to their first 'real' book with many illustrations and large print.
Mr Badger and The Big Surprise Leigh Hobbs (Allen&Unwin)
I love these books. Great for read-alouds.
This is a new series of short chapter books by the hugely talented Leigh Hobbs, the creator of the Old Tom series. These books are a treat and absolutely engrossing with well structured text and generous illustrations - tipped with Leigh's humour!
In this first title we are introduced to Mr Badger and his friends and discover the world of the Boubles (pronounced Boublay) Grand Hotel, a splendid old London hotel. Mr badger is in charge of special events at the hotel and he is preparing for the seventh birthday party of the seriously spoilt granddaughter of the hotel owners. Miss Sylvia Smothers-Carruthers' is having 205 of her closest friends to the party AND her invitations included the words DO NOT FORGET TO BRING A PRESENT! Fun and chaos happens at this party!
Also available
Mr Badger and the Missing Ape.
Boy VS Beast Battle Of The Borders #5 : Tempesta Mac Park (Scholastic)
The first 4 titles in the Boy vs Beast belonged to Battle of the Worlds - now it is time for Battle of the Borders. This time the beasts that are attacking have changed - now they are combo beasts and the five boys who are the Border Guards must defend the border wall.
A storm beast has been created. There is a lightning storm but no rain and now it is up to Kai and his Jet-Charge to fight the beast and defend the border in Tempesta.
Also available now in the Battle Of The Borders series,
Sludgia, Isolus and VolcanTwo new titles in the Mates series. These books have full colour illustrations and short simple, fun text.
Tomato Sauce, Of Course!
Here are some recent delightful titles for the younger readers just starting out on that journey into the world of fiction titles.
The Lost Treasure Jan Stradling & Cassandra Allen (Walker Books)
A fun piratical adventure about two pirates, one good and one bad and about the thrill of a pirate's life - treasure.
The bad pirate - Hamish who also doesn't like water and caring for people finds a message in a bottle and sets sail for the island. Pirate Ruby, the good pirate wasn't interested in the treasure nearly as much -- she wanted to help the person (who happened to be another pirate) who stuffed the message in the bottle. On the island the two pirates offer to help jack find the treasure - if only Jack could remember where he hid the treasure! And like all good piratical adventures, the treasure is found, although not quite the usual way.
Part of the
Walker Stories series, first fiction titles with three short stories.
These two titles are in Puffin's Aussie Nibbles series (again short stories richly illustrated for readers just starting to tackle their very first chapter books)A Strange Little Monster Sue Whiting & Stephen Michael King (Puffin)
This is a gorgeous book about being different and loving it!
In the twisty trees of Grotty Hollow live the Grotty Hollow Monsters - and they loved scaring - especially trolls and goblins!! It can be a very noisy rumbly place when all the Grotty Hollow monsters are out and active for most were loud and rough! But Sasha was different. Her favourite time was the quiet early morning and she loved playing her flute -- which made her parents very upset. So Sasha sets out to be just like the other Grotty Hollow monsters her parents are delighted. But When a troll comes close to the Hide and Go Scare Games a little secret is revealed about trolls and music that makes Sasha a very special little monster.
All these novels are new and I couldn't put them down.
The Red Wind Isobelle Carmody (Viking)
This is the first title in the
Kingdom of the Lost series, a delightful fantasy series written for younger readers.
Two brothers live in the middle of a vast bare plain in their simple stone cottage, with gardens and household items crafted with their own hands. In autumn every year the elder brother Zluty travels to the northern forests to gather supplies of mushrooms, tree sap and honey that the two will need to endure the long hard winter on the plain. The younger brother Bily meanwhile nervously waits at home for his brother to return. But this trip a devastating Red Wind sweeps across the land being with it much destruction and torment, destroying everything in its path, including the brother's cottage on the plains. Bily survives by hiding with his animal friends in the cellar, along with a terrifying monster, while Zluty endures the torrential rain and fights to survive! United the two, with their cottage destroyed and little to no food for them to survive the coming winter, must decide what to do.
Get a Grip Cooper Jones Sue Whiting (Walker Books)
Cooper Jones has never known his dad. He lives with his mum (who is mad keen on joining the Women's circus aerial troupe (no matter how embarrassing that is to Cooper) in a small coastal town near the bush close to the beach (and the surf which he wont swim in). and things are changing. He constantly thinks of the father he has never known, he even starts searching the internet for his father, and now things seem different between him and his mother ... especially now that he's taller then her. Life is getting complicated and is no longer simple. Then Abeba arrives, his neighbour's niece and soon Cooper realises that he is not the only one whose life is getting complicated as Abeba has problems of her own with her mother about her heritage. And when the bushfire approaches and Abeba is bitten by a snake, it is Cooper who has to realise that when life is spinning out of control, sometimes you just need to get a grip.
A wonderful story of families and relationships and growing up!
The Wildkin's Curse Kate Forsyth (Pan)
This is the companion book to the earlier novel,
The Starthorn Tree, but it most definitely can be read as a standalone novel. The characters are wonderful created in this fantasy world.
Three children who are time-honoured enemies, Merry (a heathkin boy and son of a rebel), Zedrin (a starkin lord and heir) and Liliana (a wildkin girl developing uncanny magical powers) are on a perilous quest to the palace of Zarissa to rescue the wildkin Princess Rozalina (who is also muzzled for she has the power to enchant with her word
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This is another one to add to my collection of Violet Mackerel stories – which is being kept for a couple of years until my granddaughter is old enough to enjoy the books. They are delightful little stories that tick all the right boxes – short, easy to read, focusing on situations involving family and friends, illustrated with lively pen and ink pictures, and sporting bright, eye-catching covers. Because they’re hardback they look extra-special and would make excellent presents. This particular story looks at a topic close to the hearts of most little girls – getting dressed up and going out somewhere special. I think this is the eighth book in the series, and I heartily recommend them for newly-competent readers of about six to eight.
0 Comments on Perfect Fiction for Younger Readers as of 1/1/1900
My daughter has only read the first book so far, so the one we most want to read is Book #2. Thanks for the giveaway!
bookborne AT gmail DOT com
I haven't read any either but have been so curious about them! Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Sorry I missed this one. Books look great.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
My daughter LOVEs these books. Fossil record was a fav. Can't wait for Book 9!
[email protected]
Comment 2 - Jasmine Ko - won this week's drawing! Jasmine - can you email me your address?
email joeb382 AT orangecitycomm DOT net.