Children's Fiction Recent Picks

September 2009

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.

Midnight by Lene Kaaberbol.
"One day, on day soon perhaps... one of these brilliant creatures might be hers. As an apprentice bredinari, hot-tempered Kat is finally within touching distance of fulfilling her dream - to tame and ride her own hellhorse and carry secret messages across the land. But then she reads a letter she shouldn't have seen..." (book cover)

Children of the Dawnland by Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear.
"Though only twelve summers old, Twig is a talented dreamer. Sometimes she has Spirit dreams - dreams that come true. But her mother has always discouraged Twig from exploring... for fear they would turn her strange." (book cover)

100% Hero by Jayne Lyons.
"Freddy Lupin's werewolf family is in trouble again. A TV report has captured Freddy's dad and put him in the zoo, and strange visitors are snoping around Farfang Castle, looking for the mysterious Blavendoch. Before he can protest, Freddy is packed off to camp." (book cover)

The softwire: Betrayal on Orbis 2 by P.J. Haarsma.
"In the second Softwire adventure, Johnny Turnbull has a new home and a new job on Orbis 2 - one that pushes his softwire abilities to painful limits. JT is the only one who can communicate with the Samairans, large aquatic aliens who have cooled the crystals on Orbis for nearly two thousand rotations. But as their work rule comes to a close, the Samirans have grown agitated and threaten the lives of everyone on Orbis. JT must find out why..." (book cover)

The Beautiful Game: Hannah's Secret by Narinder Dhami.
"Five new mates, plenty of football - Hannah should feel like a champion. But what about her BIG SECRET?" (book cover)

The Thornwaite Inheritance by Gareth P. Jones.
"Lorelli and Ovid Thornwaite are not like most thirteen-year-old children. They live in a huge and creep mansion, they don't go to school, and they are the heirs to a vast fortune. But what makes the Thornwaite twins even more unusual is their determination to kill each other!" (book cover)

A Shark Tooth Bay Holiday in the life of Ozzie Kingsford by Val Bird.
"Ozzie's golf-nutter dad secretly organises a holiday at a rough and rugged, far-away-wilderness place known as Shark Tooth Bay. In search of monsters and using their Ultimate Boy Scout skills, Ozzie and Fletch sneak out in the darkness of the night. This action triggers a series of unfortunate events." (book cover)

Saffron by Victoria M. Azaro.
"Saffron travels the world with her family. Although she is 'rather good at packing' and 'quite excellent with tourist guides', she always seems to get into tricky situations. Join her as she dodges traffic in Buenos Aires, eats escargot in France and gets lost in the chaos of a Mass Transit Railway station in Hong Kong." (book cover)

Nina of the dark by Ken Catran.
"Against the forces of evil and night, who will stand true? Slave-born, fated to seek a terrible truth from lost centuries, her only allies are a thief, a giant and an ancient prophesy. Together, they must seek answers to shrouded mysteries and resolve the fate of their world... but first they must survive a haunted landscape of monsters and ruthless lords." (book cover)

When you reach me by Rebecca Stead.
"Do you enjoy getting chills? Are you a fan of thoughtful, engrossing, surprising storytelling? A combination of science fiction and realistic fiction, this book is unique, well-crafted, and mysterious. The year is 1978. The place is New York City. 12 year old Miranda is in sixth grade and her life is about to get strange. Miranda's mom is practising daily in preparation for her upcoming appearance on the $20,000 Pyramid. Her best fried Sal won't talk to her anymore, and Miranda thinks it has something to do with a random act of violence he experienced while they were walking home from school. Soon, mysterious messages begin to appear in unexpected places. Written to Miranda, the notes contain information that make them impossible to ignore. As Miranda begins to make new friends, the mystery of who is authoring the messages continues to simmer. When the surprising, exhilarating conclusion comes, it takes each individual plot thread and ties a satisfying bow." (from 100 Scope notes)

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