A BEAUTIFUL LIE

by Irfan Master 


This story is set in India during 1947, before partition, when India was divided. Bilal is a young boy forced to care for his dying father who hates the idea of India being torn apart and longs for the traditions of India. Because of the strong love for his father, Bilal, decides to lie to his father and hide him from any information reaching him of the riots and killings going on in his town. This is not an easy thing to hide so he must ask his friends to help him and stop visitors to his father who may tell him the terrible troubles that are surrounding them.


I loved the idea Bilal had of taking 'memory photos' of life around him to remember his life. Snapshots like a camera would take. Bilal also found that once he had lied he had to keep telling lies to cover up the original lie, and he also found that lies became easier the more you told.


I didn't find this book particularly gripping but it did give an insight into life in India during this time and  the tension that existed during the lead up to partition and the loss of friendships once people were dispersed to other parts of India to survive.

BROKEN MEMORY

by Elisabeth Combres


This is an easy read, with short chapters, aimed at the younger reader but don't let that put you off. It packed a punch that's for sure. Although fiction, this story was based on real life stories and historical events during the Rwanda genocide, and the trauma the Tutsi people faced during this horrific event in 1994.


Emma is a 5 yr old Tutsi girl who hides in her house while she hears her mother being killed close by. She escapes and finds a Hutu women she befriends who looks after her and hides her from rebel soldiers for many years. Emma is devastated that she cannot remember her mother's face but can remember her last words 'You must not die'.


There are many heart breaking stories during this terrible time in history which left hundreds of thousands of people, especially children, misplaced, traumatised and memories that will torment them for many years, sometimes forever. The struggle to learn to heal memories and to trust again is necessary for survival.


A touching story told very simply... may we never forget the horror!

REMARKABLE CREATURES

by Tracy Chevalier


This book is different and had quite a different story line than I expected. It's the story of a wonderful friendship between two remarkable women, Mary Anning and Elizabeth Philpot, who were drawn together through their love of collecting fossils. Although the story is fiction is was based on the actual life of these two women,living in Lyme Regis during the 1820's. Mary, who was struck by lightning as a baby, had a real connection with nature and the sea. She would collect curios (fossils) from the beach and sell them in her father's shop to tourists who passed by. 


Mary certainly had an eye for detecting fossils and discovered some of the first pre-dinosaur  fossils in England, including the ichthyosaur and the plesiosaur.  However, this was a man's world and she didn't get any recognition for her discoveries or a scientist until later on in years.


Although 'fossils' to me seems like a slightly boring subject the story was a wonderful blend of scientific fact, myths, customs, romance along with a story of friendship thrown in. It challenged the thinking of the time of evolution and where fossils fit into the scheme of God's creation.


I did enjoy this book as I did with another of Tracy's books I recently read 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring'.

LES DARCY

by Peter Fitzsimons

This is a wonderful biography of an Australian boxing icon named Les Darcy. I must admit I hadn't heard of him prior to reading this book, but after mentioning this book to friends, it seems that most had heard of him. He was a wonderful young man who was a natural boxer but also a descent fellow and hard worker, and loved by nearly everyone who met him. He worked hard to provide for his family. With a family of 10 children, one handicapped and a father who was usually drunk, Les tried to lessen the burden for his loved mum. He was strong and handsome with a charming smile. Deeply religious, this stemming from his rich Irish Catholic ancestory, he never missed going to Sunday Mass and was very close to his local priest.

Les earned his icon status by working his way up the rung of the boxing community fighting the biggest and meanest they could throw at him and became a lightweight and heavyweight champion. He wanted to set his family up with a nice home and enough money to keep them well and tried desperately to travel to the USA to compete with their champion boxers and win some big bucks. Unfortunately, the war had started and men were signing up to go to Galipoli and fight with the Allies. He was still underage and needed his mother to sign a conscent form but she refused. This led some members of the community to send him white feathers in the mail and call him a coward for not going with their sons to fight. 

Les just wanted a couple more fights to prove himself and earn his money then he was prepared to enlist. The government refused a passport for Les on three separate occasions which frustrated him and he eventually, with the help of a friend, stowed away on a ship going to America. They all knew of him there and soon fell in love with him and soon there were matches schedule, however time after time he was refused permission to fight due to his ex-manager in Australia who had connections high in the government.

This story was told in a wonderful way with great insight, with lots of historical documentation and at times a sense of humour with Peter Fitzsimons filling the story with lots of 'aussieisms'. Although I'm really, really, not into boxing I did find this story gripping and very sad in the end. It was interesting how quickly people turned from adoring this brilliant sportsman, to ridiculing him and calling him a traitor, and then after his death, to adoring him again. I wonder how Les' story would've changed if he was born a little later in the century, after the war.

UGLIES

by Scott Westerfeld

Wow! This story was a great concept and left you thinking how shallow we have become. This is the first book in a trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading the next 'Pretties'.

Set in the future, where your whole world changes when you become 16, Tally is waiting for the day that she will no longer be an 'Ugly' but will have an operation to become 'pretty'. This involves becoming symmetrical, being sculptured, skin sanded, implants and basically cloned to be like a Barbie Doll. Once this operation has been done you then get to live in New Pretty Town where life involves having constant parties and fun, and this is what Tally is waiting for, where she will be united with her good friend Peris.

Tally has a rebellious nature and is always doing 'tricks' on her hoverboard to annoy authorities however when she meets Shay her life goes in a new direction. Shay does not want to become 'pretty' and wants Tally to come with her and escape to the 'Smoke' where you don't have to worry about being perfect and living in a perfect world.

Circumstances arise and Tally has to choose if she will spy on her new friends to save her life and fulfill her dream of becoming 'pretty' or stay an 'ugly' for the rest of her life. The author has created such a wonderful futuristic world which I felt I was living in and I felt close to each of the characters. Clever concepts and great imagination.

THE ROSIE BLACK CHRONICLES

EQUINOX  -  BOOK 2   by Lara Morgan

It's a pity I hadn't read Book 1 first as it would have given me the overview of what was happening, but it didn't take long to get my head around the Sci Fi jargon and characters, so I could be emersed into this trilogy.

It is action packed from the very first chapter. Rosie is a brave teenager living in a futuristic world. After losing her mother and friend in book 1 to a terrible disease, her father is now in hospital with the same disease, along with many others, and this sequel tells of her plan to find a cure and for revenge to bring down the Helios.

Reilly, who is in charge of operations, goes missing,  but before he does he places an implant in her brain to give her the clues to find him if he ever has to flee. The implant however malfunctions and causes Rosie to be in terrible pain and she's only getting distorted messages. As Rosie is once again on the run from the Helios, the implant becomes life threatening, but she must persevere with the help of her friends Pip, Dalton and Cassie to find Reilly and find out what the Helios are building that will effect millions of people.

Along with this fast paced action Rosie has to deal with her feelings between her and Pip, and her new relationship with Dalton. Can Dalton be trusted and will they be able to find a cure for this fatal disease? All will be revealed.

Look forward to book 3.

SISTER

by Rosamund Lupton

It took me a while to start to enjoy this book I will admit. The story is told as a letter from one Sister to another which I didn't like at first, but then came to see the layers being peeled away as Beautrice writes to her sister, Tess, who has gone missing, and reveals her inner thoughts and fears.

Living in New York, Beautrice, a successful art designer, gets a message that her sister living in London has gone missing. Single, pregnant, a struggling art student, Tess has been reported missing by the landlord. Was she a runaway, has she suicided or been murdered? ... you will find out as the mystery unravels. Although the Police believe one of these, Beautrice wont stop until she finds out what has really happened to her sister in the lead up to her disappearance.

A gripping story that has a giant twist that I didn't reallly see coming, with a story that is far more complicated than first thought. Throughout the book we see a change in the perfect and well organised Bee until she transforms little to little to be more like her sister than she ever thought possible. There is a connection with her younger brother who died at an early age from Cystic Fribrosis and the disappearance of her sister that will be revealed.

Well worth the a read.

PRIVATE PEACEFUL

By Michael Morpurgo

A lovely easy to read book about a young boy named Tommy Peaceful. Tommy tells his story over a 24hr period, each chapter brings you closer from past to present tense. He recounts his life growing up, the death of his father, dealing with the cruelness dealt to his retarded brother, the struggle of his mother providing for the family with little money, and falling in love with his best friend. The relationship with his brother is so strong as he is the one always looking out for Tommy.

He enlists, although underage, as he doesn't wasnt to appear to be a coward, and is now serving alongside his brother as they look out for each other's safety. As he looks over his life he knows death is eminant.  The real sense of fear is felt as he describes the situation he is in and the absolute horror of war and loss of lives and how sensless it all seems. The touching end comes with a twist that will leave you in tears.

Although it's aimed as a YA audience, I think anyone would enjoy reading this book.

LOLA'S SECRET

LOLA'S SECRET   by Monica McInerney

Another lovely story by Monica. Her books are so easy to read and as always wonderful characters to draw you into her fictional story. This book carries on from 'The ABC Sisters' five years after Anna has died and life has gone on, as it must, but family have dealt with her death differently and continue to deal with the loss of a mother, daughter and grand daughter. 

Lola's up to her old tricks matchmaking and this time planning a secret Christmas party at the Motel in the Clare Valley, while her family have all gone on their own holiday.  She has invited guests from far and wide for a free holiday and Christmas dinner and is excited about her secret, if she can carry it out on her own. However, circumstances change in everyone's life to threaten her gathering and rearrange plans for them all. 

There is never a dull moment in Lola's life, a lively 80+ yr old, who is constantly having to sort out problems between family members. She is witty and charming and a lot of fun. This book is full of drama within relationships and family and thought provoking at the same time. It's good fun!

P.S.  I really love the beautiful covers on all of Monica's books

THE LITTLE COFFEE SHOP OF KABUL

THE LITTLE COFFEE SHOP OF KABUL by Deborah Rodriguez

This was a fabulous read. A group of five very different women (Sunny, Yazmina,  Candace, Isabel and Halajan, brought together through different circumstances and become friends, meeting together in a little coffee shop in Afghanistan, one of the most dangerous places on earth.  They form a unique bond and find they have much more in common than they thought, and are much stronger than they think, and through their actions set about changing things in their community in Kabul.

The story is based on the author's experiences and people she met while living in Afghanistan as a hair dresser. It is an eye opener to what women face living in Afghanistan and how terrible they are treated and punished for things that we would consider normal life.

Read more about how she came to write this book and how living in Afghanistan and returning to America has changed her life and much more on her website.

http://www.debbierodriguez.com/kabul.php

THE WINNER

THE WINNER   by David Baldacci


This was my first Baldacci book but my hubby is hooked and has read quite a few.

When LuAnn Tyler is asked to be part of a crooked lottery scheme, she refuses, even though it would mean millions of dollars. But when she is framed for murder, the frightened single mother is forced to participate. Ten years later she has become a wealthy woman determined to live a normal life. But it will take more than money to escape the attention of the FBI who may want her for murder, and the dangerous man from her past who wants to kill her--if she doesn't stop him first.

I must admit it did have me hooked and I will probably read a few more Baldacci's... there's a few to choose from, he's such a prolific writer.

HITLER'S DAUGHTER

HITLER’S DAUGHTER   by Jackie French   (YA fiction)

Although this is not a new release this was a great little book and a real easy read. A group of four school friends waiting for their bus ask Anna to tell them a story, which she had done many times before, but this time it was a little different. She tells the story of a girl named Heidi who was the daughter of Hitler. The story is told with such feeling and great detail and the children are mesmerized, none more than Mark, who thinks what he would do if he was put in Heidi’s place. Questions arise for Mark like… if he knew his father was evil or doing terrible things to others would he be able to do anything about it? If your mother or father are capable of evil things does that mean their children will follow in their path?

THE BOOK THIEF

THE BOOK THIEF   by Markus Zusak  

- Australian Writer  (YA fiction)

WATCH THIS INTERVIEW WITH MARKUS TO SEE WHAT INSPIRED HIM TO WRITE THIS BOOK...

I so loved this unforgettable book. I was taken on an incredible journey from the very first page and by the time I got to the final chapters, I was ‘sobbing’ all the way to the end.  With ‘death’ as the narrator, you may think this would be gruesome, but on the contrary, it is told in such a sensitive way it astonished me. Death explains at the start that he can be cheerful, agreeable, amiable and fair. He refers to himself as the 'soul carrier'.  It was like no other book I have ever read… it touched my soul.

I actually forgot it was ‘fiction’ the descriptions were so real. It truly mesmerized me and I found myself re-reading descriptions and sentences over and over. It was wonderful reading it on my Kindle as I highlighted many of the precious thoughts and sentences I wanted to revisit.  I also loved the way it flowed, previewing what was going to happen in each chapter was really different, along with many facts.

AUSCHWITZ: A DOCTOR’S EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT

AUSCHWITZ: A DOCTOR’S EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT   

by Dr Miklos Nyiszli  
Autobiography
 

This book was quite disturbing as the title would assume it was recounting some of the atrocities of being a doctor in a most inhumane situation. A Hungarian Jewish Physician, Dr Nyiszli became a chief pathologist and retells what he had to endure living through his experience of living in one of the worst concentration camps, Auschwitz, and what he had to do to survive. The writer tells his story and the events of living next to the crematoriums, in great detail. Working for the notorious, Dr Mengele, the writer tells how he was forced to perform many medical experiments and autopsies on the Jews, and particularly those who were twins, dwarfs or had medical abnormalities. He tells of the gruesomeness of seeing and hearing hundreds of thousands of Jews go to their death in the fires and through starvation, disease and exhaustion.

CLARA IN WASHINGTON

CLARA IN WASHINGTON   by Penny Tangey   (LWH)

The main reason for wanting to read this new release YA novel was because it was written by the daughter of one of our teaching staff, Marilyn Tangey (who is currently on leave and teaching in East Timor). This is not Penny's first novel but as I hadn't ever read one of her novels I thought I'd give it a try, especially being a young Australian writer.

Clara, who has just finished VCE and has decided to travel with her mother to Washington and spend the Summer holidays rediscovering herself and to be someone else other than 'a studious geek' which some of her friends describe her. Clara's mum was always working long hours so Clara, who is sick of staying indoors watching TV, decides to don the gloves and scarf for the chilly Winter weather in Washington, to venture out on her own in a new and strange country, where at times she is fearful and very nervous getting around on the subways by herself, and constantly scared she may be mugged. She decides to overcome her fear of leaving the apartment and visit a few museums and do some 'tourist' thngs.

THE VELVET ROOM

THE VELVET ROOM  by Zilpha Keatly Snyder  

(Childhood favourite)

This book was my special Christmas treat to myself. I loved reading as a child and in primary school read every book I could get my hands on, but I distinctly remember my favourite book ‘The Velvet Room’ by Zilpha Keatly Snyder. Over the years I had forgotten the actual story except that it was about a girl finding a secret room, draped in velvet curtains, that she would  run to when she wanted to get away from her family. I guess that book started me, without me realizing it, to love stories of suspense, mystery,  and secret places.

I had searched many libraries and second hand bookshops trying to find this book and was delighted to finally find it online, so I ordered it and hoped that it would live up to all I had remembered about it being a fabulous book. It didn’t disappoint. It was so lovely to read this book and enjoy it as an adult. Memories came flooding back of how I felt when I had first read it in the early 70’s… yes, 40 years ago! Can you believe it?

I AM NUMBER FOUR

I AM NUMBER FOUR   by Pittacus Lore        (YA fiction)


I was anxious to read the sequel to this book, as I'd read reviews from friends who enjoyed the sequel 'The Power of Six' (one review can be read by clicking HERE), but knew I needed to read 'I am number four' first, however when my daughter offered to hire the movie for me I thought that I'd take her up on it. With Michael Bay and Stephen Spielberg bringing it to our screen I didn't think I'd be disappointed... and I wasn't... I did enjoy the movie. Having not read the book it may not as been as good, which is often the case, but now I know the underlying story I will be able to jump into the sequel.  Here is a movie trailer to wet your appetite...

GONE - SERIES

GONE  by Michael Grant    (YA fiction)

The story transpires in a small town of Perdido Beach (Southern California). In a twinkling of an eye everyone over the age of 15 vanishes – poof! Teachers in mid-sentence, drivers in cars, parents… all gone, but where? It is an intriguing start to the novel and at first the children at school seem thrilled as they ransack the school of food and drink, until panic sets in, interestingly thought it’s not until they realize their cell phones and the internet no longer work that they truly become FREAKED! There is at least electricity.

They soon discover the whole town and its environs have been isolated from the world by an egg-shaped force-field. Our reluctant hero, Sam Templeton (an ordinary unassuming guy), and his friends Astrid, Quinn and Edilio assume responsibility for holding anarchy at bay. The smaller children in the community must be sought out and looked after and fed with no parents around and as panic has totally set it by now.  Mary takes charge of the pre-school nursery, Albert  reopens McDonald's, aware that the availability of burgers and fries will keep the 200 odd children fed for the time being. As hunger eventually threatens, new problems arise as bullies rule, a sinister creature lurks and animals are mutating.

DAYS LIKE THIS

DAYS LIKE THIS   by Alison Stewart   (YA fiction)

This book was full of surprises. For a genre I don't usually read I must say I found this novel to be fabulous. The concept of the story was very clever and I read it in two sittings, reading well into the night. The plot was thrilling and there was danger around every corner (or page) and I was on the edge of my seat as to how it was all going to play out.

 Lily is a prisoner in her own home, along with her brother and sister, Blacktroopers and the 'Committee' make sure of that. Her parents are acting very wierd, like they don't have emotions anymore, and they seem to not be aging. A wall has been built to keep out the poor (and to keep those wishing to escape in!). When Lily and her brother discover the Committee are planning to farm teenagers for a special serum, her brother suddenly disappears. She plans to escape to find her brother and get over the wall to see what lies beyond. Along with all this, global warming has damaged the weather and atmosphere, and resources, including water is scarce.

Lily was a great character, very brave, and the budding romance with Kieran (towards the end) wasn't overwhelming and didn't distract from the main story. I love the fact that it was set in Sydney and I could definately picture it. This story touches on many subjects and would be a great class novel to explore with themes on global warming, corruption in society, a dying world, morality, playing God with Science.

HEARD OF DYSTOPIA?

[DYSTOPIA (noun)  An imagined place or state in which everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a totalitarian or environmentally degraded one. The opposite to Utopia.]

 I've just discovered this genre (which I thought came under Science Fiction...doh!) so I thought I'd like to share it with those out there who haven't discovered it yet. The following information comes from an article by Danielle Binks, which she wrote for 'Off the Shelf', a publication by Penguin. The full publication can be accessed by clicking on the link (forward to pages 22 & 23). It's aimed at teachers but I'm sure you'll enjoy reading it and get a lot of great ideas fro it.

"The word ‘Dystopia’ was coined by Thomas More in 1516, as a counter-point to his theoretical creation of the perfect society called a ‘Utopia’. Dystopia can be post-apocalyptic, alternate universe, science fiction or a prediction of what’s to come. Barren, bleak and disturbing?

Dystopic society is characterised by human misery and oppression – stories are often set in cities, where humans have little contact with nature and are suffocated by their modernized surroundings. Politics in such novels are often brutal and dictatorial, exemplifying the belief that ‘power corrupts’. The genre is bleak by its very definition. It explores and fictionalizes the worst traits of humanity and often predicts a desolate future. So should we be concerned that a genre which exemplifies human misery should be so popular for young readers? How can such storytelling be considered beneficial, let alone entertaining, for young adults?

Bleak it may be, but the Dystopian genre is also a YA category that demands the highest quality of authors and the finest of writing. Complex themes are layered with heroic journeys as writers hold up a fun-house-mirror version of our society – embellished and ruined."

Open publication - Free publishing - More australia

THE MEMORY CAGE

THE MEMORY CAGE   by Ruth Eastham   (YA fiction)

This is a very powerful and emotional story dealing with war, Alzheimer’s and family secrets. It is beautifully written and the compassion Alex shows for his Grandfather is beautiful. The story tells of Alex who was adopted at the age of 6 from a refugee camp in Bosnia and is now a teenager. His parents and younger brother are all dead and he is haunted by memories of not being able to save his younger brother from drowning. He is adopted into the Smith family, lives in Doverham, England and adores his adopted Grandfather, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is about to be put into a home.

He is desperate to help his Grandfather to remember the past so he doesn’t have to be put in an aged home, but as Alex delves into the past and tries to create a scrapbook of his life, secrets are discovered that have been hidden away for many years. With the town losing so many of their young men in the war some people don’t want the past dug up. Remembering the past is not want Alex wants for himself either as it is too hurtful and he tries to cut all memories of Bosnia from his life. The story concludes with a dramatic incident that had me in tears. Secrets are revealed and lies uncovered to culminate in a truly wonderful ending.

PRISONER OF THE INQUISITON

PRISONER OF THE INQUISITON by Theresa Breslin  

I guess it was the cover of this book really grabbed my attention first and I’m glad because the story was great. A mixture of history, fiction, adventure, murder, deceit, betrayal and a little romance tossed in for good measure. I didn’t know much about the Spanish Inquisition really and this book filled me in a little. The story is about two teenagers, Zarita, a daughter of a wealthy magistrate and Saulo, son of a beggar. An incident early in the story sets the scene when Saulo’s father is killed unjustly by Zarita’s father, and Saulo is sold as a slave to a captain of a ship. This causes a hatred for the Zarita’s family and Saulo devotes himself to revenge his father and kill the magistrate’s entire family.

In the meantime the Inquisition is taking place and the town and there is torture and killings that has everyone living in fear. Family and friends betray each other to save their lives. Zarita is forced to live in a convent with her aunt and she tries to right the wrongs that have been done. Eighteen months on she and Saulo meet again but don’t recognize each other. Although the story is told in dual viewpoints narrated alternatively by Zarita and Saulo, it didn’t make the story disjointed at all and I think it added to the tension. I also liked the fact the Christopher Columbus was a minor character in the story. It was a gripping story that had me turning the pages as quickly as I could.

IF I STAY

IF I STAY  by Gayle Foreman    (LWH)

Imagine if all your choices were gone… except one… and it’s the only one that really matters.

17 year old Mia has a happy family, a would-be rock star boyfriend and a great musical talent. All seems to be going well for her when her world is turned upside down. A car accident on a family outing leaves her in a coma in hospital. She can see and hear what is going on around her from above them but she can’t seem to communicate with them. Where are her parents and her little brother and why aren’t they telling her what really happened? She has to decide if she is to wake up and lead a life far more difficult than she ever anticipated, or to slip away and die. Adam, her boyfriend, is by her side throughout but whether this brings them closer together I won’t say as you will have to read this book to find out.

This was a heart wrenching book that drew me in page by page. I was experiencing Mia’s difficult decision along with her. It certainly was a thriller as either decision she made seemed to be difficult.

WHERE SHE WENT  by Gayle Foreman   (LWH)

 

This is the sequel to ‘If I Stay’ and is set three years after Mia’s accident. The story is told from Adam’s point of view, which brings a different perspective of what happened through his eyes. Adam and Mia are living on opposite sides of the country now and he is leading a ‘rock star’ life like he wanted, but maybe it isn’t what he thought it would be. By chance he is reunited with Mia in New York and they only have one night together before they must go their separate ways.  Adam is searching for the answers to his many questions, mainly what he did wrong and where she went. They’ve both changed in the past three years and this book fills in the gaps. It was good to get closure with this second book.

WHEN WE WERE TWO

WHEN WE WERE TWO by Robert Newton    (YA fiction)

This book didn’t do much for me which did surprise me after reading the blurb. The story of Dan and his younger brother Eddie, who escaped their life in Gunnadah, with their heartless father, to adventure out on their own to find their mother, who may possibly be living in Port Macquarie. You travel with the young brothers on their long journey and meet several characters along the way, some good, some bad. Eventually they meet up with a group of would-be soldiers who are walking to Port Macquarie to enlist in the war. They form  a bond with these typically Aussie blokes of the time, and it is touching how the men take the boys under their wings a little as the brothers join their ranks for company. The characters showed great resilience and brotherhood and there was a sense of hope throughout the book.

Some of the reviews of this book say it’s a powerful heart-rending story,and one of Robert’s best books but I felt the story was a little old for YA readers. There as a real ‘Aussieness’ to this book however, and the story was touching in parts and there were moments of great sentiment, but I felt it left more questions than answers.

PAN'S WHISPER

PAN'S WHISPER  by Sue Lawson  (YA fiction)

Yes, you’d be right in thinking Pan is rebellious, troublesome and damaged. The story opens with Pan arriving at a foster home with her case worker, Gemma, where her foster parents, Rose and Ian, along with their two other foster children, Olivia and Nat, welcome her into their home. Pan however is sure she won’t be here for long and plans to escape at the earliest possible moment.

Pan struggles to fit into a nice loving family with rules, a new school and deal with the loneliness she feels, which she blames her mother and half sister for. She has a lot of issues bottled up inside, some memories she can’t quite remember, but why? Rose gives Pan the opportunity to write to her sister but she refuses at first as she is still angry with her being in this situation… living in Leggoland! As time goes by she does decide to write to her sister, Morgan, and gradually as she is unraveling her thoughts and memories she begins to remember and write more.

Hunter, one of the boys in Pan’s class, befriends her and eventually she opens up to him about her problems. He seems to be the only one to understand. He too has had to deal with family issues and if anyone can help her, Hunter can. Pan is paranoid and only thinking about herself and her issues, however she soon decides she has been selfish and does need help from others. As she opens up, deeper relationships are formed with those around her.

A small book packed with punch. This is a gripping story and is cleverly written by another  Australian writer. The book is divided into three thoughts, with the chapters being narrated by Pan, followed by the letters she has written to Morgan, (each one questioning what has happened in the past), then this is followed by what was really happening at each occasion, (what Morgan was going through and how she had protected Pan throughout her childhood). I started to imagine I knew how this story would end… one of two ways. I was wrong… there was another! The writer sure had my emotions wrapped around her little finger and throughout this compelling story until the end, when in the final chapter I let it all go and just bawled… yep embarrassing I know!

THE ALPHABET SISTERS

THE ALPHABET SISTERS by Monica McInerney

Anna, Bett and Carrie were sisters and childhood singing stars (The Alphabet Sisters). Unfortunately after a family falling out... Bett's fiance deserting her for her younger sister Carrie, things were never the same and the sisters all went their separate ways and as adults hadn't spoken for years. Their much loved, slightly eccentric, crontrolling, larger than life, but very wise grandmother, summonded them home (Clare Valley, S.A.) for her 80th birthday party and surprise announcement. This of course was just a ploy to reunite the sisters and for them to realise they need each other. 

Lola has decided to stage a play in town with local actors and each of her granddaughters have an important role to play. As they work together to bring Lola's dream into being their relationships start to mend. During the course of the story we are submursed into the lives of the three sisters, their trials and tribulations and the misconceptions they have about each other and what really happened all those years before that put a huge barrier between them.

VINNIE'S WAR

VINNIE'S WAR by David McRobbie   (YA fiction)

This is a fabulous book that was really easy to read. Set in London, at the start of World War II, the book tells the story of a homeless boy named Vinnie who makes a life with the owners of a pub and a refugee boy from Poland. Vinnie's life is crushed when the first bombings in London take place and he loses everything.  Now branded as a 'vaccie' (children evacuated from their own town) he must board a train to live with families in country towns. He meets Kathleen and her younger brother Joey and another boy his age called Dobbs. They are all sent to the same town and placed in different families, some nice, some not-so-nice for the duration of the war. 

They find that some of the townsfolk open their hearts to these children while other families and their children don't want the new-comers invading their town and way of life, and there are many difficult times. Settling into the families and school are challenging but they are happy to have their friendship with each other.  After uncovering a secret in the town they soon start to make new friends.

SHIFT

SHIFT  by Em Bailey    (YA fiction)

From the very first sentence I knew I was going to love this book. The cover, the blurb at the back of the book and the title all entrigued me and I'm so glad I read this book. It was a psychological thriller that kept me reading non-stop. The only time I put it down was to re-energise myself with a quick bite to eat and a coffee. Total shock came when I was around 1/2 way through the novel and there was a dramatic twist... it made me want to go right back to the start and re-read it to see what was staring at me the whole time. Of course I couldn't do that because I just wanted to keep reading and find out what happens.

The story is told by Olive, who is not 'crazy', well... not anymore,  is a self-impossed outcast who comes from a broke home. She is intrigued by a new student in her class, Miranda, who is an orphan and rumours have it she killed her parents. Olive and her best (and only) friend Ami, study Miranda and notice she is very unusal and has latched onto Olive's ex-best friend, the beautiful and popular Katie. Soon Olive is paranoid that Miranda is up to something as she becomes more and more like Katie, both in looks and personality. She has read about 'Shape-shifters' and although that seems impossible she is disturbed by what's happening to Katie and how Miranda is becoming like a parasite.

WHISPER

WHISPER by Chrissie Keighery   (YA fiction)

 This really is a fantastic book and I glad I took the time to read it. being a teenager is hard enough but being a deaf teenager is so much harder. Demi is in a new world trapped ... trapped by her new deafness, where everything she took for granted is gone. After convincing her mum to send her to a deaf school, Demi tries to make new friends and come to terms with all the changes in her life now that she's 'profoundly deaf'.

Having been involved with deaf people and communicating through signing, I felt this book was a great insight into the life of someone who can't hear and how unknowingly we can restrict knowledge and communication from them and cause embarrassment and isolation to them. This is evident when Demi's hearing friends turn their backs to her when talking and how sometimes she only gets portions of the conversation. How would we feel if the things we take for granted are gone forever?

This book was beautifully written and well researched. At times I felt I was in Demi's world and annoyed at the 'hearies' who, sometimes through lack of knowledge, did things to make it so much harder for Demi. I learnt a lot from reading this book and feel I have a greater insight into her world. Demi struggles with relationships from her world before deafness and her new friends. I was scared with her when she was left alone at home.There is also lots of humour in this book and lots of inspiring moments.

I think this book should be used as a class novel so teenagers can be more knowledgeable about deafness and the challenges it creates. The book also touched on issues about how we rightly or wrongly perceive others.

GRAFFITI MOON

GRAFFITI MOON by Cath Crowley    (YA fiction)

I must admit it took me quite a few pages to really get into this book, but I am glad I persevered because I really got hooked and warmed to the characters and ended up really enjoying the story. Lucy and her two girlfriends have finished Year 12 and are out on the town to enjoy themselves. Lucy is fascinated/in love with a Graffiti artist called 'Shadow' and adores his paintings that are scattered around Melbourne. She is artistic herself and feels a bond with Shadow and the depth of meaning behind his graffiti and creates an imagine of what he would be like and what he looks like and all she wants to do is find him.

They meet up with 3 boys from their class at a party who say they know Shadow and his friend Poet.  When one of the boys, Ed, convinces Lucy he knows Shadow well and invites her to follow him on a tour of some of Shadow and Poets best graffiti walls she jumps at the chance. Will she ever get to meet shadow? Has sh ealready met Shadow without realising it? And who is this person known as Poet?

Each chapter of this book is written from the perspective of Ed, Lucy or Poet which I enjoyed. It dealt with misconceptions, expectations and reality. It raises the question do many of our youth fall between the cracks in the education system and drop out of school unnecessarily, because their talents aren't recognised, and they don't fit into the 'mould'.

This book won an 'HONOUR' at the CBCA (Children's Book Council of Aust) book of the year awards this year in the 'Older Reader' section.