GREAT AND THE DANGEROUS By Chris Westwood

GREAT AND THE DANGEROUS

By Chris Westwood Pub. 2012

Follow-up to the highly acclaimed Ministry of Pandemonium.

We have a list too and your name is on it. . . Ben Harvester and Becky Sanborne are clocking off after a normal shift at the Ministry of Pandemonium, guiding the souls of the newly-dead to the afterlife. But the enemy are still smarting after their catastrophic defeat at Halloween and are keen for revenge. A freak tornado that destroys Becky's house is only the start. 

When thirteen souls are stolen following a bomb explosion on Bad Saturday, the Ministry staff know that it heralds an all-out war with the Lords of Sundown. But little does Ben suspect how far their influence spreads. Who is the mysterious whisperer at his school? And why does Ben feel so uneasy about his mother's new boyfriend? 

The brilliant follow-up to the highly acclaimed Ministry of Pandemonium by Chris Westwood takes readers on a thrilling journey through the streets of London and to the gates of Abhorra. 

Fantastically gripping until the very last page.

ANCIENT EGYPT: TALES OF GODS AND PHARAOH By Marcia Williams

ANCIENT EGYPT: TALES OF GODS AND PHARAOH

By Marcia Williams: Pub. 2012


Nine stories of Ancient Egypt, wittily retold in comic-strip style. Full of mystery and adventure, the stories of the Egyptian pharaohs and their ancient gods are steeped in thousands of years of history. From the creation myth to the curse of Tutankhamen and the fall of Cleopatra, Marcia Williams' classic comic strip retellings bring new life to the myths and wonders of this ancient civilization.

Although you may not agree with the ideology in this book, and it's emphasis on the religiosity of the time, it is a great study of ancient Egypt in a fun, interactive way, with it's comic book-like strips and sense of humour used in the timeline at the bottom quarter of the page.

For good reader 6+ or

For ages 8 – 14 

Sound Bender By Lin Oliver & Theo Baker

Sound Bender

By Lin Oliver & Theo Baker: Pub. 2012

After their parents’ plane goes down over the ocean, Leo and his brother Hollis are forced into the custody of their rich and enigmatic uncle Crane, a dealer of rare and probably illicit antiques. 

But almost as soon as he’s settled—or as close to settled as he can get in the bleak Brooklyn mansion, surrounded by his uncle’s dubious staff—Leo receives a mysterious package his father put together long ago, to be opened on his 13th birthday. 

With the package, Leo discovers he has an amazing ability. He can hear the history of any object by touching it. But when Leo finds a strange helmet buried among his uncle’s artifacts, and hears a pained cry coming from it, a mystery unravels as to its origin.

A great little piece of easy to read escapism.

n the Beech Forest By Gary Crew and introducing: Den Scheer

In the Beech Forest

By Gary Crew and introducing: Den Scheer Pub. 2012

In the Beech Forest is a picture storybook, which is not bound by a time stamp but works to transcend the notion of being set from long ago, from now and from the future. This book is about an ordinary boy, who takes a path leading him from the safety of his home into the dark beech wood forest. His head is full of the fearful images from his computer games that so excite, and yet terrify him; battles between heroes and dreadful beasts that may haunt this primal landscape. What will become of him on this journey? Will he survive? Will he defeat his fears? Will he emerge, still an ordinary boy?

Gary Crew is at his superb best with this picture book letting the story unfold. It captured my attention from the very first sentence until the last. Crew’s literary strategy of using first person narration mixed with third person narration, placing the reader in the story interbred with being a spectator. This is an effective strategy for focalisation for readers. That is, with it’s outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters, from the outset.

We see that Crew is almost bombarding the audience with counter acting forces –the ordinary boy becoming special; the child becoming and adult; nature alone versus human alone; nature, as in the wilderness, versus the wildness of computer game fantasies; the old nature – beech forest - as opposed to the new, technology. It moves from realist to fantasy. And like most teenagers, they think the world revolves around them, and here the reader might see the boy as the central figure throughout the text, but is he? 

A great book to add to anyone's growing library. And a text which should be studied for years to come in any classroom.

The Ice-Cream War By Edwina Howard

The Ice-Cream War

By Edwina Howard: Pub. 2012

It’s hard to know how a war can start, but this one started with mouse poo. 

There’s not much to do in the Forest in the summer holidays, except hit the beach and enjoy a refreshingly cold ice-cream from Uncle Sunny’s cart. But when he starts dishing up ice-creams embellished with mouse poo, Jake and Jeremy decide to start their own ice-cream cart. And that’s when the war starts. But then again, the trouble might have started when Jake agreed to look after Hoppy, the mad Shetland pony. 

Anyway, the boys will have to hope the legend of Fergal the Headless Fisherman will get them out of trouble, make them a profit, and end the war.

Young boys who are starting to independently read will love this book, however their parents may not enjoy it quite as much :p .

Archie’s Letter: An Anzac Day Story By Martin Flanagan. Illus Ainsley Walters

Archie’s Letter: An Anzac Day Story

By Martin Flanagan. Illus Ainsley Walters: Pub. 2010

On Anzac Day 2010, a 96-year-old man in Hobart, a returned soldier from World War II, wrote a letter to the local paper thanking the people who were going to that morning’s dawn service. Who was this man? Why did he write this letter?

Archie’s Letter tells the story of an ordinary man who went off to fight in World War II. His experiences included surviving the Burma Railway, where he was under the command of Australian war hero, Weary Dunlop. 

Archie’s Letter also tells how he dealt with his wartime experiences; how, at the age of 91, he agreed to meet a group of elderly Japanese women interested in world peace; how he could never forget the young men who were with him during the war and who didn’t come back.

The Moon Over High Street By Natalie Babbitt

The Moon Over High Street

By Natalie Babbitt: Pub. 2012

Joe Casimir needed help with the choice he had to make. But how do you choose the person who will help you choose? Mr Boulderwall, the millionaire, knew exactly what he wanted Joe to choose. And millionaires are experts at making choices. Well, aren’t they? 

But Vinnie, the number-two man down at Sope Electric, didn’t much approve of millionaires. He said to Joe, ‘Listen, kid, all of ’em act like they’re the only ones with a ticket to the show!’ But he didn’t have any real advice to offer. Joe’s Gran didn’t either, as it turned out, and neither did Aunt Myra.

The good advice was there, though. Right across the street. Just waiting right across the street. There are a lot of good things just waiting. You’ll see.

Through Time: London By Richard Platt. Illus Manuela Cappon

Through Time: London

By Richard Platt. Illus Manuela Cappon: Pub. 2012

A sumptuous recreation of London’s story: publishing to coincide with the 2012 Olympic Games. Through Time: London follows the story of the historic capital, from its Celtic origins right up to the present—including the settlement of the Romans, the Anglo-Saxon era, the Viking invasion, and the growth of medieval London in Norman times. 

The book explores major events in London’s history, such as the Great Plague, the Blitz and preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games.

An easy way for children to get a quick grasp on London's history and the main eras and interest points of the great city.

Pandemonium By Chris Wooding

Pandemonium

By Chris Wooding Illu. Cassandra Diaz: Pub. 2012

Seifer’s life is about to become a royal pain ... As captain of the local skullball team, Seifer Tombchewer is the envy of his peers. He’s fast, he’s strong, and he flies circles around the competition. But Seifer’s always dreamed of more—of leaving his tiny, remote village for a new life beyond the mountains.

He just never dreamed it would happen like this. Knocked unconscious and abducted, Seifer awakens in the royal palace to learn that Price Talon Pandemonium has gone missing. And since Seifer is a ringer for Talon, it’s his duty to replace the missing royal in his roles of diplomat, warrior, and Lord Defender of the Realm. He might fool Talon’s sisters. He might fool Talon’s army. But Seifer has little hope of fooling Talon’s enemies.

Chris Wooding and debut artist Cassandra Diaz team up for a classic tale of mistaken identity set against the breathtakingly original backdrop of the Darkling Realm.

Teenage boys will like this text, especially if they don't like to real straight novels.

Swords: An Artist’s Devotion By Ben Boos

Swords: An Artist’s Devotion

By Ben Boos - Illustrated Fiction: Pub. 2008

“Every nick, notch, decorative motif, and gleaming highlight is rendered in lovingly realistic detail ... Armchair warriors and budding graphic artists will be riveted.” – Kirkus Reviews Brave men and women have taken up the sword since ages of old and a fascination with this formidable weapon grips dedicated followers to this day. Here is a celebration of swords and swordsmen that spans time and place – from ancient warriors such as Beowulf, medieval knights, stealthy ninja and samurai to legendary maidens of war.

Wonderfully detailed.

Side note: this is a reprint of the original as the author passed away last year. What a great way to honour this true artist. Here is the information from his memoriam facebook page: 

Ben Boos (1971-2011)

It's with sad hearts that we announce that our beloved author/illustrator Ben Boos passed away June 22nd, 2011 in a tragic accident. He leaves behind a loving wife and 4 children. Ben Boos was the creator of Swords: An Artist's Devotion and Fantasy: An Artist's Realm as well as a designer for the Diablo video games. His artwork also appears in the upcoming Spring 2012 title What Color Is Your World? The world has lost a great talent.

The Wrong Boy By Suzy Zail

The Wrong Boy

By Suzy Zail: Pub. 2012

“Being kissed by Karl Jager was devastating. And beautiful. War makes you do dangerous things.” Hanna is a naïve 15-year-old but when she is chosen to play for the camp commander, she meets the commander’s son, Karl. Hanna hates him, but the longer Hanna goes to the house, the more she realises there are other things going on. Secret things. Karl may not be the person she thinks he is. Before she knows it she has fallen in love with the wrong boy. 

This is a lovely and well written book which delves into a unique insight into cultures that may otherwise be unwritten about so poignantly. 

For males and females 13 - 17 years old

* Australian Author

Do Not Forget Australia By Sally Murphy Illustrated by Sonia Kretschmar

Do Not Forget Australia

By Sally Murphy Illustrated by Sonia Kretschmar

Pub. 2012

A heartbreaking yet ultimately uplifting tale of two towns: Melbourne, Australia and Villers- Bretonneux, France, during World War One. Henri lives in the French village of Villers- Bretonneux. Billy lives in Melbourne, Australia. These two little boys, who live thousands of miles away from each other, share one story that unites Villers-Bretonneux and Melbourne in history. A moving and inspiring story of World War One.

A lovely picture book, in which the story is preciously told for a 6+ age group. Great for one-to-ones and classroom readings.

*Australian Author/Illustrator