Children's Fiction Recent Picks
September 2007
The underlined title links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.
The thing with Finn by Tom Kelly.
"Five reasons why you should read this book:
- because bits of it are funny
- because bits are really scary
- because it had Cheesy Wotsits in it
- because of the stupid stuffed otter
- just because
I'm no fraidy cat! by Brian James ; ilustrated by Ned Woodman (in the Catkid series).
"There are strange noises coming from CatKid's attic. She is sure her house is haunted. But no one believes her! CatKid sets out to prove that she's not a fraidy cat - these ghosts are real! Will her plan work or land her in the doghouse?" (Book Jacket)
It's not the end of the world by Judy Blume.
"Divorce... It's the end of the world. At least that's what it feels like to Karen Newman when her father moves out. How could her parents do this? Don't they know they belong together? Somehow Karen has to get her mom and dad to talk to each other face to face. Then they'll realise divorce is a mistake - won't they?"
Island of doom by Greg Farshtey. (Bionicle Legends)
"When six powerful figures appear on an island in peril, they are welcomed by the villagers as Toa come to save them. But these newcomers have more dangerous plans for the island and the Matoran who live there, as their pursuit of an incredible treasure threatens to unleash an ancient evil. Only the Toa Nuva can stop them - or can they?" (Book cover)
Welcome to Camden Falls by Ann M. Martin.
"Flora and her sister, Ruby, do not want to move to Camden Falls. But they don't really have a choice - their parents are dead and their grandmother, Min, is taking them in. It's strange to be starting again in a new place... but luckily they find new friends as well."
"Olivia is the girl next door who likes to organise things. Nikki lives on the wrong side of town and doesn't want to be friends at first. But once their secrets are shared, friendship becomes easier... and Flora and Ruby begin to stitch together their new life in Camden Falls." (Book cover)
Flora the fancy dress fairy by Daisy Meadows.
"Kirsty's cousin is holding a magnificent fancy dress ball, and Rachel and Kirsty can't wait. But Jack Frost and his goblins are planning their own party in the same place and are set to spoil everything!"
Can Flora and the girls save the ball, and make sure fancy dress parties aren't ruined for ever?"
Gilda Joyce : investigator by Jennifer Allison.
"Spending her summer vacation with distant 'cousin' Lester Splinter and his daughter Juliet, is something Gilda is really looking forward to."
"Juliet is about her age... maybe they'l get to be best friends? Even better, Juliet's aunt died in mysterious circumstances and is said to haunt the Splintet's house... Now that's something Gilda will really enjoy getting to the bottom of. She is an investigator after all - and her speciality is mysteries of a 'psychic' nature. Juliet and her dad are going to be so grateful she came into their lives."
To dance : a memoir by Siena Cherson Siegel.
"To Dance tells the story of the joy, the pain, and the trials and tribulations of becoming a ballerina." (Book Cover)
The Undys : let the games begin by Michael Wagner.
"Is your dad silly? Does he muck around too much? Is it annoying when he wins?"
"If you said "yes" to any of these questions, your dad is just like mine. That means you will love this book. This book is about me and Dad. We are the Undys. I am Josh Undy and Dad is Phil Undy. We love to play games. We love excitement. We love action. And our games never stop... no matter what." (Book Cover)
Kauri in my blood : the diary of Laura Ann Findlay, the Coromandel, 1921-24 by written by Joanna Orwin.
"Laura Ann Findlay lives among giants - the mighty kauri trees of the Coromandel forest. It is the 1920s, and the last remnants of kauri forest are being cleared for timber and farmland."
"When Laura's father becomes ill, the family is split up. Laura's mother takes a job as a bush cook in a kauri logging camp, with Laura as her offsider. In her diary, Laura keeps a record of the rough-and-ready world of the bush camps, and of the tough men and women who lived in them.
Based on a true story, Kauri in My Blood is a fascinating glimpse of a lifestyle that has vanished forever.
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