The Traitor and the Thief

By Gareth Ward

My book club was held at the Wardini Book shop. Where the resident author and his wife hold court. We all have a fabulous evening. Sharing the latest read and being entertained with discussion around the latest finds the couple had discovered.  I'm sure if it was the intended plan, but I bought a copy of this book for my boy. He polished it off in 4 hours and loved every minute of it. I try not to be jealous when I'm still pouring over it four weeks later.

Synopsis

"If you join us, you too may die, but your sacrifice will save the lives of millions. COG does not fight for the Empire; it fights for humanity."

Discovered thieving at Coxford's Corn Market, fourteen-year-old Sin is hunted across the city. Caught by the enigmatic Eldrich Moons. Sin is offered a way out of his life of crime: join the COVERT OPERATIONS GROUP (COG) and train to become a SPY.
At Lenheim Palace, Sin learns spy craft while trying not to break the school's CAST-IRON RULES. Befriended by eccentric Zonda Chubb, together they endeavour to unmask a traitor causing HAVOC within the palace. After an assassination attempt on COG's founder, Sin realises that someone close to him could be the TRAITOR.
Sin is forced into an ALLIANCE with the school bully, Velvet Von Darque. But can he trust her? And will COG try to bury him with the SECRETS he discovers?

Author 

Gareth Ward, a.k.a. The Great Wardini is a magician, hypnotist, storyteller, bookseller and author. He has worked as a Royal Marine Commando, Police Officer, Evil Magician and Zombie. He basically likes jobs where you get to wear really cool hats – as writer and compere of Napier City’s inaugural Steampunk murder mystery evening he wore a rather splendid bowler.... More.

Novels by the Author

The Traitor and the Thief

Fever Crumb

By Philip Reeve

So, if you're a regular reader of my blog you'll know my son is in process of reviewing the Mortal Engines series of books but I thought I go right back to the prequels and go from there in order. Maybe this book is littered with 'aha' moments but I won't know for a while. I do have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the series. It's a weird world, its London, but not the London we know. The names have shifted. Like its set hundreds of years from now, for example, the is Ox Fart Circus and the Orbital Moatway.

Synopsis

An Abandoned Baby hides an explosive truth.

Thousands of years from now, Fever Crumb is rescued from the ruins of London by some eccentric Engineers. Could her mysterious powers be the key to saving their city?
Fever Crumb is the first of Philip Reeve's sensational prequels tothe mortal engines quartet, one of the greatest fantasy worlds ever created.

Author

Philip Reeve is an author and illustrator. First known as the creator of the fantasy fiction quartet Mortal Engines. He won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize with his Mortal Engines series, as well as the Nestlé Book Prize - Gold Award and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award.

Others in the series:

• Mortal Engines (2001)
• Predator's Gold (2003)
• Infernal Devices (2005)
• A Darkling Plain (2006)
• Traction City (World Book Day, 2011), a novella

Infernal Devices (Predator Cities #3)

By Philip Reeve.

This book is the third in Philip Reeve's Mortal Engines quartet and is recommendable only if one is doing a full-series read-through. The best part for me was when the sky-castle thingy-ma-doodle exploded in a blaze of easily-forgettable glory! It is set about 16 years after the end of the previous book and is kind-of "meh" in comparison to some of the other books in the series, but remember that's just my opinion and it certainly doesn't prevent you from voicing yours! :)

Synopsis

Wren is desperate to escape the static city, and a charming submarine pirate is happy to help her. But when she steals a mysterious object, she ignites a conflict that could tear the world apart.

Author

Philip Reeve is an author and illustrator. First known as the creator of the fantasy fiction quartet Mortal Engines. He won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize with his Mortal Engines series, as well as the Nestlé Book Prize - Gold Award and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award.

Others in the series:

• Mortal Engines (2001)
• Predator's Gold (2003)
• Infernal Devices (2005)
• A Darkling Plain (2006)
• Traction City (World Book Day, 2011), a novella

Predator Gold (Predator Cities #2)

 By Philip Reeve

As soon as I finished Mortal Engines I immediately went to get this follow up novel. I have enjoyed all of them, but this was a bit of a low point in the series, mainly because not much happened, I mean, sure, he introduces a lot of new characters, but nothing cool happened. It was a little disappointing for the second in the series but I'm hoping it'll just get better and better from there.

 Synopsis

Anchorage is fleeing across the ice wastes. Far above a tiny aircraft falls from the sky. Having escaped from London, Tom and Hester seek refuge in a city devastated by plague, haunted by ghosts, and filled with deadly secrets...

 

 

Author

Philip Reeve is an author and illustrator. First known as the creator of the fantasy fiction quartet Mortal Engines. He won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize with his Mortal Engines series, as well as the Nestlé Book Prize - Gold Award and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award.

Others in the series:

• Mortal Engines (2001)
• Predator's Gold (2003)
• Infernal Devices (2005)
• A Darkling Plain (2006)
• Traction City (World Book Day, 2011), a novella

Mortal Engines (Predator Cities #1)

By Philip Reeve

This book was pushed towards me by my intermediate teacher this year. I was reluctant at first, but I soon polished off it and two others in the series. I am currently reading number 4 in the series. I have thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the world it's set in. If you haven't read this series, I suggest it with great enthusiasm.

Synopsis

In the distant future, cities on wheels fight each other for survival. As London pursues a small town, young apprentice Tom is flung out into the wastelands, where a terrifying cyborg begins to hunt him down.

Author

Philip Reeve is an author and illustrator. First known as the creator of the fantasy fiction quartet Mortal Engines. He won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize with his Mortal Engines series, as well as the Nestlé Book Prize - Gold Award and the Blue Peter Book of the Year Award.

Others in the series:

• Mortal Engines (2001)
• Predator's Gold (2003)
• Infernal Devices (2005)
• A Darkling Plain (2006)
• Traction City (World Book Day, 2011), a novella

The Burning Bridge (Ranger's Apprentice #2)

By John Flanagan

This Ranger's Apprentice series was a particular favourite of my son's and I've been really enjoying them too. The Burning Bridge sees the growth and development of Will. His relationship with Horace deepens especially when it comes down to the two them  holding the line and preventing a strike against the Kingdom. 

Synopsis

As the Kingdom of Araluen prepares for war against Morgarath, Will and Horace accompany the Ranger Gilan on a mission to Celtica. But Celtica's villages are silent. Only and exhausted and starving girl called Evanlyn can tell them why: Morgarath has sent his foul creatures to enslave the Celts. While Gilan rides swiftly back to Araluen to report this news to the King, Will, Horace and Evanlyndiscovers the true purpose behind Morgarth;s actions. The Kingdom is sure to be defeated in a surprise three-sided attack - unless they can find a way to prevent it.

Author

 John Anthony Flanagan is an Australian fantasy author best known for his children's books. His best-known work is the Ranger's Apprentice medieval fantasy novels and companion series Brotherband Chronicles. He also writes novels for adults.
His bestselling Ranger’s Apprentice adventure series originally comprised twenty short stories, which John wrote to encourage his twelve-year-old son, Michael, to enjoy reading. Michael was a small boy, and all his friends were bigger and stronger than he was. John wanted to show him that reading was fun, and heroes weren’t necessarily big and muscular. Now in his mid-twenties, Michael is six feet tall, broad-shouldered and powerful – but he still loves The Ranger’s Apprentice.

(Wikipedia and WoJF)

Other Titles by this author

The Ruins of Gorlan (2004)
The Burning Bridge (2005)
The Icebound Land (2005)
Oakleaf Bearers (2006)
The Sorcerer in the North (2006)
The Siege of Macindaw (2007)
Erak's Ransom (2007)
The Kings of Clonmel (2008)
Storm Peak (2009)
Halt's Peril (2009)
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja (2010)
Avalanche Pass (2010)
The Lost Stories (2011)
The Outcasts (2011)
The Invaders (2012)
The Hunters (2012)
The Royal Ranger (2013)
Slaves of Socorro (2014)
Scorpion Mountain (2014)

The Grey Raider (2015)
The Tournament at Gorlan (2015)
The Ghostfaces (2016)
The Battle of Hackham Heath (2016)
De jacht op het schaduwdier (Dutch exclusive) (2017)
The Caldera (2017)

Brian's Winter

By Gary Paulen

When I first decided to read Hatchet to my class I thought it a really good idea to purchase and share the other books in the series for my better readers to enjoy themselves should they wish. I loved Hatchet myself and was told this sequel was just as good. And having just completed it I would have to agree. I loved every moment of reading this book and refused to put it down.

Synopsis

In the Newbery Honor-winning Hatchet, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson learned to survive alone in the Canadan wilderness, armed only with his hatchet. Finally, as millions of readers know he was rescued at the end of the summer. But what if Brian hadn't been rescued? What if he had been left to face his deadliest enemy- winter?
Gary Paulsen raises the stakes for survival in this riveting and inspiring story, as one boy confronts the ultimate test and the ultimate adventure.

Author 

Gary James Paulsen (born May 17, 1939) is an American writer of young adult literature, best known for coming of age stories about the wilderness. He is the author of more than 200 books and has written more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens. Wikipedia

 

Brian's Saga

Hatchet (1986)

The River (1991)

Brian's Winter (1996)

Brian's Return (1992)

Brian's Hunt (2003)

Other works

Dogsong (1985)

The Winter Room(1989)

Woodsong (1990)

Winterdance (1994)

Harris and Me (1993)

And more...

Holes

By Louis Sachar

Back in 2002 I read this book  to my class and we talked about friendship and the importance of family. It was one of the early books, after Harry Potter, that I read to my Year 5 class. They thoughly enjoyed it. The following year the movie came out and we loved that too. Since then there have been any number of resources available for novel-study. I can highly recommend thi book as a novel study, especially for those older primary school children.

Synopsis

Stanley Yelnats isn't too surprised to find himself at Camp Green Lake, digging holes in the dried-up lake bed, day after scorching day. After all, his family has a history of bed luck.
The boys at Camp Green Lake must dig one hole each day, five feet deep and five feet across. But waht are they digging for? Why did Green Lake dry up? And what do onions and lizards have to do with it all? The answers lie in Stanley's own past...
Holes is a funny, surprising and deliciously suspenseful novel, weaving past and present into a plot that tangles and untangles to a thrilling end.

Novel Study

This novel study for Holes by Louis Sachar contains 108 pages of resources, including comprehension, vocabulary, Common Core activities, assessments, and more!
You will find that this study's layout is student-friendly, and that the questions and activities are easily adaptable to every learner. All Common Core activities have the Common Core code listed in the bottom corner, keeping both you and your students focused.
This is a well-rounded, no-prep novel study that will engage your students and sharpen their reading skills. Perfect for whole class, small group, or even independent study.
UPDATE!
♥BONUS digital version included, which works with Google Drive and contains eye-catching color versions of all resources.
♥Use the paper or the digital version; BOTH are included with your purchase!

Movie Tie-in

Holes (2003) A wrongfully convicted boy is sent to a brutal desert detention camp where he joins the job of digging holes for some mysterious reason.

Author  

Louis Sachar is an award-winning author of twenty-five books for children and young adults. His book, Holes, won the prestigious National Book Award and the Newbery Medal.

Other Books

• Sideways Stories from Wayside School (1978)
• Johnny's in the Basement (1981)
• Someday Angeline (1983)
• Sixth Grade Secrets (1987)
• There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom (1987)
• The Boy Who Lost His Face (1989)
• Wayside School is Falling Down (1989)
• Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School (1989)
• Dogs Don't Tell Jokes (1991)
• More Sideways Arithmetic From Wayside School (1994)
• Wayside School Gets A Little Stranger (1995) 
• Kidnapped at Birth? (1992)
• Why Pick on Me? (1993)
• Is He a Girl? (1993)
• Alone In His Teacher's House (1994)
• Holes (1998) 
• Class President (1999)
• A Flying Birthday Cake? (1999)
• Super Fast Out of Control! (2000)
• A Magic Crystal? (2000) 
• Stanley Yelnats' Survival Guide to Camp Green Lake (2003)
• Small Steps (2006) 
• The Cardturner (2010)
• Fuzzy Mud (2015)

The Jungle Book

By Rudyard Kipling

I've always loved The Jungle Book. It was one of my favourite movies as a kid and with going to Cubs and Scouts as a kid, of course the whole thing is particularly special for me.
What I didn't realise was that the story of Mowgli is one of a few short-stories that actually make up The Jungle Book. The book I read included Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Toomai of the Elephants, The White Seal and Her Majesty's Servants.
The new movie blew me away and was the kick I needed to get reading this piece of classic literature.

Synopsis

The Jungle Book introduces Mowgli, the human foundling adopted by a family of wolves. It tells of the enmity between him and the tiger Shere Khan, who killed Mowgli's parents, and of the friendship between  the man-cub and Bagheera, the black panther, and Baloo, the sleepy, brown bear, who instruct Mowgli in the Laws of the Jungle.

Author

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. Kipling's works of fiction include The Jungle Book, Kim, and many short stories, including "The Man Who Would Be King". Wikipedia

 

Other Books 

 The Jungle Book (1894)
Just So Stories (1902)
Kim (1901)
Captains Courageous (1897)
"If—" (1895)
"Gunga Din"(1890)
"The White Man's Burden" (1899)

...and Other works

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Potter #3)

By J.R. Rowling

1999 was the second year of my teaching career and I read a review in the Times Educational Suppliment about the this new author whose books were taking the world by storm. I began that year with my first reading of Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone. My students were gripped and we continued reading through all three of the pubished books into 2000. In my opinion The greatest thing that any author has done, save for Roald Dahl, for eight to ten year old boys was when Rowling wrote the Harry Potter series of books. Arguably, the biggest thing that happened to counter that was when Rowling sold the movie rights. But I guess this is part of the reason I've started these novel-studies and structured them around available resources, including the movies inspired by them.

Synopsis

Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermoine, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can't wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn't if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There's an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school...

Author

Born in Yate, England, on July 31, 1965, J.K. Rowling came from humble economic means before writing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, a children's fantasy novel. The work was an international hit and Rowling wrote six more books in the series, which sold hundreds of millions of copies and was adapted into a blockbuster film franchise. In 2012, Rowling released the novel The Casual Vacancy.

Books by the same author

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998)
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2003)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)

Other novel studies on this site

Study Unit

There are a raft of study units for supporting literacy through Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

But here is my favourite:

This novel study resource is This includes the assignment page, rubric, character tracker, glossary, and chapter pages. This is meant to be printed double sided and the stapled into a booklet.

This is a companion to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Can be used for the whole class or small literature circles.

Movie tie-in

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - It's Harry's third year at Hogwarts; not only does he have a new "Defense Against the Dark Arts" teacher, but there is also trouble brewing. Convicted murderer Sirius Black has escaped the Wizards' Prison and is coming after Harry.

Available for purchase: 

Mighty Ape

Amazon

 

The Ruins of Gorlan (Ranger's Apprentice #1)

By John Flanagan

The last time I travelled to the UK I thought it a good idea to get Nicholas a decent size book that he can enjoy. He loves fantasy fiction, this was right up his street. However, he refused to even look at it, on the whole trip, there and back. I thought "what a waste". But 6 months later he he can't put the series down. He now has every book on his shelf, including the Early Years books. I strarted reading them too but there was no way that I could keep up with him.
An excellent series of books for the fluent 9-12 year olds. Highly recommended.

Synopsis

Will is small for his age, but fast and quick-witted. All his life, he has dreamed of becoming a great knight like the father he never knew, so he is devastated when he is rejected by Castle Redmont's Battleschool. Instead he is apprenticed to HAlt, the mysterious Ranger whose uncanny ability to move unseen is thought to be the result of black magic. Reluctantly, Will learns to use a Ranger's secret weapon: bow and arrows, a mottled cloak and a stubborn little pony. It may not be the sword and battlehorsehe longs for, but when Will and Halt set off on a desperate mission to prevent the assassination of the King, Will finds that a Ranger's weapon are not so useless after all...

Author

 John Anthony Flanagan is an Australian fantasy author best known for his children's books. His best-known work is the Ranger's Apprentice medieval fantasy novels and companion series Brotherband Chronicles. He also writes novels for adults.
His bestselling Ranger’s Apprentice adventure series originally comprised twenty short stories, which John wrote to encourage his twelve-year-old son, Michael, to enjoy reading. Michael was a small boy, and all his friends were bigger and stronger than he was. John wanted to show him that reading was fun, and heroes weren’t necessarily big and muscular. Now in his mid-twenties, Michael is six feet tall, broad-shouldered and powerful – but he still loves The Ranger’s Apprentice.

(Wikipedia and WoJF)

Other Titles by this author

The Ruins of Gorlan (2004)
The Burning Bridge (2005)
The Icebound Land (2005)
Oakleaf Bearers (2006)
The Sorcerer in the North (2006)
The Siege of Macindaw (2007)
Erak's Ransom (2007)
The Kings of Clonmel (2008)
Storm Peak (2009)
Halt's Peril (2009)
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja (2010)
Avalanche Pass (2010)
The Lost Stories (2011)
The Outcasts (2011)
The Invaders (2012)
The Hunters (2012)
The Royal Ranger (2013)
Slaves of Socorro (2014)
Scorpion Mountain (2014)

The Grey Raider (2015)
The Tournament at Gorlan (2015)
The Ghostfaces (2016)
The Battle of Hackham Heath (2016)
De jacht op het schaduwdier (Dutch exclusive) (2017)
The Caldera (2017)

Star Wars: Dark Empire Trilogy

By Tom Veith and Cam Kennedy

Three graphic novels in one. This chronicles the events ten years after the Return of the Jedi. Spoiler alert... the Emperor is not dead.
My son brought this book back from his mother's last week, having read it and told me. "Even though it's no longer canon, Dad, it's still a great story."
I don't often get into graphic novels, but this one I really enjoyed.... But then, I am a huge Star Wars fan.

Synopsis

Ten years after the fall of Darth Vader and the Emperor in Return of the Jedi, a new Republic has been formed, but the galaxy is not yet free. The Empire has been mysteriously reborn under an unknown leader wielding a new weapon of great power. Princess Leia and Han Solo struggle to hold together and defend the New Republic while the galaxy's saviour, Luke Skywalker, fights an inner battle as he is drawn to the dark side, just as his father was.

Author

 Tom Veitch (born September 26, 1951) is an American writer known for his work in the comic book industry. He is also a novelist and a poet. Wikipedia

Campbell ("Cam") Kennedy is a Scottish comics artist. He is best known for his work on 2000 AD, especially the flagship titles Judge Dredd and Rogue Trooper. Wikipedia

Other Works

Dark Empire I (1993)
Dark Empire II (1995)
Tales of the Jedi (1994)
More...

Hatchet

By Gary Paulsen

I was recommended this book quite a while back and it's been sitting on my 'to be read pile' for much of the year. I read Bear Gryll's book Way of the Wolf and was told that it had a similar senario. But, although I enjoyed Bear's story, I loved this Hatchet. It really got me thinking, it was a real page turner. And written for 9-11 year olds as well.

I've decided to use this book as my novel-study this term for a number of reasons:

• It was a real page turner with a relatable character for my students. 
• It fits in beautifully with the EOTC focus we have next term. 
• There is a study unit available on Teachers-pay-teachers. 
• There are a number of sequel novels Gary wrote. 
• There is a movie available based on the book.   

Synopsis

There was a wild crashing sound, a ripping of metal and the plane blew through the trees, and over the water and down, down to slam into the lake...
Brian is a city boy. Not used to living rough. Until his lane crash-lands in the Canadian wilderness.
All he has is a hatchet - and a desperate will to survive. Now Brian must learn to live the hard way - or die.

Author 

Gary James Paulsen (born May 17, 1939) is an American writer of young adult literature, best known for coming of age stories about the wilderness. He is the author of more than 200 books and has written more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens. Wikipedia

 

Brian's Saga

Hatchet (1986)

The River (1991)

Brian's Winter (1996)

Brian's Return (1992)

Brian's Hunt (2003)

Other works

Dogsong (1985)

The Winter Room(1989)

Woodsong (1990)

Winterdance (1994)

Harris and Me (1993)

And more...

Study Unit

Hatchet Novel Study Unit: comprehension, vocabulary, activities, tests. This 133 page book study for Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, contains comprehension by chapter, vocabulary challenges, creative reading response activities, projects, and tests
You will find this literature guide to be teacher and student friendly. It contains a wide variety of question types, along with open-ended graphic organizers and unique activities, all carefully crafted for this particular story. Focus standards include figurative language, character analysis, theme, plot, point of view and opinion writing.

This complete book unit requires very little preparation on your part. Included is a unit map that lays everything out for you. Perfect for whole class, small group, or independent study!

Movie tie-in

A Cry in the Wild: Based on the book "Hatchet" By Gary Paulson, 13 year old Brians Parents are divorced, and he heads to Canada to stay with his dad, but his pilot has a heart attack and crashes the plane. Brian now has to survive in the wilderness until he is rescued.

Out of My Mind

By Sharon M. Draper 

I have never been so profoundly moved by a book as I was by this book. It reached right into my heart and pulled on childhood memories that have been buried deep for such a long time. Memories of my work, in my teens, with children with disabilities. How I loved that summer. The challenge and the joy it brought, as much to myself as it did to those kids. Memories of my profound shame when my dear friend had a life changing accident on his skateboard. How he coped, how he survived and learned again I ‘ll never understand for I deserted my friend. Ran as far and as fast as I could in the opposite direction. I just had no idea what to say, to do. I was scared. I said to myself that I would go round, one day. But days turned to weeks, weeks to months, months to years and here I am twenty-four years later and half a world away. I’m still ashamed of myself for never going around.

“If there’s only one book teens and parents can read this year, Out of My Mind should be it.” – The Denver Post 

Synopsis 

Eleven year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there’s no delete button. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school – but NO ONE knows it. Most people, her teachers and doctors included, don’t think she’s capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows… but she can’t, because Melody can’t talk. She can’t walk. She can’t write. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind. That is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice… but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.

Author

Sharon Mills Draper is an American children's writer and a professional educator, the 1997 National Teacher of the Year. She is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for books about the African-American experience. Wikipedia

Other Books

• Tears of a Tiger (1994) 
• The Buried Bones Mystery (1994) 
• Lost in the Tunnel of Time (1996) 
• Shadows of Caesar's Creek (1997) 
• Forged by Fire (1997) 
• Romiette and Julio (1999) 
• Teaching from the Heart: reflections, encouragement, and inspiration (2000) 
• Darkness Before Dawn (2001) 
• Not Quite Burned Out, But Crispy around the Edges: inspiration, laughter, and encouragement for teachers (2001) 
• Double Dutch (2002) 
• The Battle of Jericho (2003) 
• We Beat the Street (Dutton, 2005) 
• The Space Mission Adventure (2006) 
• The Backyard Animal Show (2006) 
• Copper Sun (2006) 
• Stars and Sparks on Stage (2007) 
• November Blues (2007) 
• Fire from the Rock (2007) 
• Just Another Hero (2009) 
• Sassy: Little Sister Is Not My Name (2009)
•  Sassy: The Birthday Storm (2009) 
• Sassy: The Silver Secret (2010) 
• Out of My Mind (2010) 
• Sassy: The Dazzle Disaster Dinner Party (2010) 
• Panic (2013) 
• Stella by Starlight (2015)

The River Runs

By David Hill 

The next reading challenge was “ Read a book about New Zealand or written by a New Zealander” I’m not sure I’ll be awarded double points but I’ve chosen a book about New Zealand, written by a New Zealander. As I began to read ‘The River Run’ by David Hill it seemed like a déjà vu moment. I just felt like I ‘d read it before but I honestly still could not guess the ending until it arrived.
I love this book for its snapshot into rural New Zealand in the 1960’s. Life seemed simpler back then. The worries of childhood are more straightforward somehow.
I liked the conversational tone the book had as the primary protagonist, Chris, explained his life, his hopes, concerns, and dreams. But then there is a second voice, in italic, one that I didn’t recognize until a couple of chapters in, that of Chris’ non-cousin Roger. Although Roger is the bane of Chris’ life he too has hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future. It’s a far, far cry from sci-fi or fantasy fiction but the messages it holds are real, helpful pointers for growing up in New Zealand. I’m hoping my boy will read this too, I hope he’ll pick up on those messages as he grows up in New Zealand.

Synopsis 

It’s New Year’s Day, 1967, and Chris has made a resolution: he is going to stop his older cousin, Roger, from bullying him. What can he really do about it, though? Roger is a National Championship wrestler, while Chris is puny and bookish – the two boys despise each other. But as the summer progresses Chris begins to think there may be more to his cousin than meets the eye. Set against the backdrop of 1960’s rural New Zealand The River Runs is a fascinating story with a gripping climax from award-winning young adult writer, David Hill.

Author 

David Hill is a New Zealand author, especially well known for his young adult fiction. His young fiction books See Ya, Simon and Right Where It Hurts have been shortlisted for numerous awards. (Wikipedia)

Other books by the author 

• The Seventies Connection[1970] 
• Introducing Maurice Gee[1981] 
• On Poetry: Twelve Studies of Work by New Zealand Poets [1984] 
• Ours But to Do [1986] 
• Taranaki [1987] 
• The Boy [1988] 
• A Time to Laugh [1990] 
• The Games of Nanny Miro [1990] 
• See Ya, Simon [1992] 
• A Day at a Time [1994] 
• Curtain Up [1995] 
• Kick Back [1995] 
• Take It Easy [1995] 
• The Winning Touch [1995] 
• Second Best [1996] 
• Fat, Four-eyed and Useless [1997] 
• Just Looking, Thanks [1999] 
• Right Where It Hurts [2001] 
• The High Wind Blows [2001] 
• The Sleeper Wakes [2001] 
• The Name of the Game [2001] 
• Where All Things End [2002] 
• My Story: Journey to Tangiwai, The Diary of Peter Cotterill, Napier 1953 [2003] 
• No Big Deal [2003] 
• No Safe Harbour [2003] 
• Coming Back [2004] 
• Bodies and Soul [2005] 
• Running Hot [2005] 
• Aim High [2006] 
• Hill Sides [2006] 
• How I met myself [2006] 
• Black Day [2007] 
• The Forgotten Children [2007] 
• Duet [2007] 
• My Brother's War [2012]

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

By Douglas Adams

Back in the age of the dinosaurs, when I was about 12 I was given this book on tape. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but later I discovered it was the BBC radio play and I promised myself that one day I'd buy the book and read the original novel. I still laughed out loud in places. (is wrong to laugh when the Earth gets destroyed by a Vogon construction fleet, making way for a new intergalactic by-pass?)
The reason I decided to read it now was because I've just signed up to the Hastings District library adult reading programme called "Turn Up the Heat with our Adult Winter Reading Programme!"
There are all sorts of different challenges from simply reading a book of your choice to reading a memoir or biography. I decided to fulfill the "Read the Book that's been on your To Be Read list forever". Its not quite forever but I figured 30 years was long enough. 

Everyone remembers the answer to "Life, the Universe and Everything"... I remember the question too, but I was mightily disappointed to discovered I'd 'mis-remembered' the character who came up with it. 

Synopsis

Seconds before Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor. 
Together, this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by a galaxyful of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox- the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian (formally TriciaMcMillan), Zaphod's girlfriend, whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone.; MArvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot  (whose voice I can still hear from that radio play); and Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student obsessed with the disappearance of all ballpoint pens he's bought over the years. 
Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? Why do we spend so much time in between wearing digital watches? For all the answers, stick your thumb to the stars! 

Author

 

Douglas Noel Adams (11 March 1952 – 11 May 2001) was an English author, scriptwriter, essayist, humorist, satirist and dramatist.
Adams is best known as the author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which originated in 1978 as a BBC radio comedy before developing into a "trilogy" of five books that sold more than 15 million copies in his lifetime and generated a television series, several stage plays, comics, a computer game, and in 2005 a feature film. Adams's contribution to UK radio is commemorated in The Radio Academy's Hall of Fame (Wikipedia)

Books by the Author

• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979) (novel)
• The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (1980) (novel)
• Life, the Universe and Everything (1982) (novel)
• The Meaning of Liff (1983 (book), with John Lloyd)
• So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish (1984) (novel)
• Young Zaphod Plays It Safe (short story) (1986)
• Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (1987) (novel)
• The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (1988) (novel)
• The Deeper Meaning of Liff (1990, with John Lloyd)
• Last Chance to See (1990, with Mark Carwardine) (book)
• Mostly Harmless (1992) (novel)

The Walking Dead

By Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore

My sister-in-law has been repeatedly telling me how good the TV series is. I'm not a big zombie fan nor do I like being scared to death in my own home so I've shied away from that series.  But I went to the library to drop back some books and I make it my habit of checking the 'just-returned' section and there they were. Ten "The Walking Dead"  graphic novels. I just had to check out the first one. See what she was on about. I LOVED IT!

Synopsis

How many hours are in a day when you don't spend half of them watching television?
When is the last time any of us REALLY worked to get something that we wanted?
How long has it been since any of us really NEEDED something that we WANTED?
The world we knew is gone.
The world of commerce and frivolous necessity has been replaced by the world of survival and responsibility.
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months society has crumbled, no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV.
In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally start living.

Author

Robert Kirkman
In addition to his work as a writer and executive producer on The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman is also a successful creator of independent comics. Kirkman created and continues to write the long-running Image Comics title The Walking Dead, on which the show is based, and the comics have been gaining popularity throughout its run. He also writes the acclaimed and equally long-running superhero comic Invincible, which he created with Cory Walker. (Walking Dead News)

Tony Moore
Tony Moore is an American comic book artist, whose work consists mainly of genre pieces, most notably in horror and science fiction, with titles such as Fear Agent, The Exterminators, and the first six issues of The Walking Dead. (Wikipedia)

Theodore Boone

By John Grisham

It's holiday time again. I must say,  I love being a teacher. More time to read a book or two. Last week we had my son's parent/teacher meeting. He's doing well, thanks for asking, but he getting hung up on fantasy-fiction and needs to broaden his reading library. I've been meaning catch up on a little more Grisham and now is the time to do it. Theodore Boone is written for a younger audience and legal-fiction just might be a quality genre shift for a few books.

This is regular Grisham, on form, and I was delighted to read it. In fact, I may well get onto the other Theodore Boone books.

Synopsis

In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he's only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he's one of them. He dreams of being a great lawyer, of a life in the courtroom. But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected when he is dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth. The stakes are high, but Theo won't stop until justice is served.

Author

John Ray Grisham, Jr. is an American bestselling writer, attorney, politician, and activist best known for his popular legal thrillers. His books have been translated into 42 languages and published worldwide.  - Wikipedia

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, #1) (2010)
The Abduction (Theodore Boone, #2) (2010)
The Accused (Theodore Boone, #3) (2012)
The Activist (Theodore Boone, #4) (2013)
The Fugitive (Theodore Boone, #5) (2015)
The Scandal (Theodore Boone, #6) (2016)

Climate Changed - A personal journey through the science.

By Philippe Squarzoni

It's about time I took a look at Graphic Novels. Apparently, there is more to them than comic book nonsense. I've always been interested climate change and the arguments around it. I bought Al Gore's movie when it came out and looked into some aspects when I was studying geography in Lancaster.

I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting format for a fascinating subject. I learnt so much about climate change, what the factors are and the weighting of these issues. For example, greenhouse gases are made up of a variety of gases including methane and carbon dioxide. It seems from what I have learnt that we are beyond the point of no return regarding global warming. The only thing we are able to do is to reduce our Carbon Emissions by, 62% by 2020 and we stand a chance of minimising our damage. When I say 62% I think that's right for New Zealand, for the US its more like 75%!

I can't read a book like this and not feel like I have a DO something to make my life a little more 'carbon-friendly'.

There are several areas of my life that I can make a change:

• Limit Travel, especially by AIR, which is by far the worst way to travel. 
• Look into Solar heating for the house. 
• Look into an electric car option. 
• But most of this means that I have to look into changing my electricity provider, to one that is more focused on using renewable energy sources e.g hydro-electric, solar, wind or wave. 

Synopsis

The causes, controversies, and consequences of climate change - and what we can do about it.
Documentary, diary, and masterwork graphic novel, this up-to-date look at our planet and we live on it explains what global warming is all about. Climate Changed: A personal journey through the science weaves together scientific research and interviews with experts to make the most complicated concepts clear. With the skill of an investigative journalist, Philippe Squarzoni provides a balanced perspective on all the facts and fuss in diagrams, charts and stunning illustrations of Earth's cities and farmlands, deserts and oceans, shopping malls and wildernesses.
Does Climate change really matter? Can we avoid the worst consequences but still preserve our freedom of choice and standard of living? Where in the world do we start?
Weighing the potential of some solutions and the false promises of others, this ground-breaking work provides all citizens of planet Earth with an unflinching view of the choices we need to make, and make soon.

Author

Philippe Squarzoni attended college in Lyon, France. He visited Croatia and the former Yugoslavia several times as a volunteer in a conflict-resolution project and travelled through Mexico, Palestine, and Israel as a human-rights observer.(Wikipedia)

Books by the same Author

Homicide, une année dans les rues de Baltimore T01 : 18 janvier - 4 février 1988 (2016)
Climate Changed: A Personal Journey through the Science (2014)
Saison brune (2012)
Un Après Midi Un Peu Couvert (2008)
Dol (2006)
Zapata, en temps de guerre (2003)


Garduno, En Temps De Paix (2002)

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

By Mildred D Taylor

An Unforgettable Logan family story

Here is another one of those #kid100 books. I seem to have a vague recollection of this book from when I was a kid. I think the upper GCSE class studdied it, but I was never in that class. What I never realised was that this particular novel is number four of 6 novels. I really connected to the story, its sense of history, its feel for the life of 'black folk' in rural American all those years ago, life was hard but there was, through that discomfort, need and tragedy a family that worked and laughed and lived together in a much more connected way. I think that this book connected with me of that familiar level, that need I have for deeper family connections.

Historical context

"This popular novel explores life in southern Mississippi, when racism was still common in The South and many were persecuted for the color of their skin. The 'Berry Burnings' mentioned in many chapters and Mr. Tatum who was tarred and feathered in the fourth chapter are prime examples of the racism that still existed, with people taking the law into their own hands at the expense of the black population." Wikipedia

Synopsis

"We have no choice of what colour we're born... what we do have is some choice over what we make of our lives once we're here."
Cassie can't understand whay she should have to get off the pavement and walk in the road when Miss Lillian comes along, nor why she should be served last at the grocery store when she has been the first in the queue. But Cassie is learning that life is unfair if you are black and living in Mississippi.
Cassie believes she can do something about all the injustice but, in fighting for her principles, she puts her whole family in danger...
This is a powerful story of one family's passionate determination not to be beaten.

Author 

“So many things are possible as long as you don't know they are impossible.”
― Mildred D. Taylor, The Land  

Mildred DeLois Taylor is an African-American writer known for her works exploring the struggle faced by African-American families in the Deep South. Taylor was born in Jackson, Mississippi, but lived there only a short amount of time, then moved to Toledo, Ohio, where she spent most of her childhood. She now lives in Colorado with her daughter.  - GoodReads

Other books by this author
The Land (Logans #1) (1974)
The Well: David's Story (Logans #2) (1995)
Song of the Trees (Logans #3) (1975)
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (Logans, #4) (1976)
Mississippi Bridge (Logans #4.5) (1990)
Let the Circle Be Unbroken (Logans #5) (1981)
The Friendship (Logans #5.5) (1987)
The Road to Memphis (Logans #6) (1992)
The Gold Cadillac (Logan #7) (1987)