Fromelles

By Carole Wilkinson

In 2011 we hear too regularly of Australian soldiers being killed in Afghanistan (24 deaths in 2 years) but most of us are unaware of the horror of July 19, 1916 when 5000 Ausssies were killed, wounded or taken prisoner at Fromelles in France. Wilkinson’s 180 page book is an easy and engrossing read. Through the eyes of recruit Walter McAlister and Gallipoli veteran Sergeant Frank Crawford (no relation!) we relive the hopelessness, stupidity, bravery and pain of this day. Excerpts from diaries and letters, photos, maps and posters authenticate the unfolding debacle and asks what was the point of this bloody battle. Vocabulary development is a feature of her text and her chronology is very personal – Adolph Hitler was a despatch runner in his Bavarian (German) unit. The Fromelles legacy is contemporary with the recent (2009) archaeological research of the site, the exhumation of mass graves and the final identification of many Aussie sons. A great read about a little known tragedy that has, for too long, been eclipsed by the Anzac legend of Gallipoli.

Reviewed by Mr Kim C.

The Key to Rondo

By Emily Rodda. Leo finds an old music box containing strict rules, never to be broken. “Turn the Key three times only. Never turn the key while the music is playing. Never pick up the box while the music is playing. Never close the lid until the music has stopped.” For these are the rules for that should never been broken. The box had been passed down to Leo from his Grandfather. Leo was fond of it due the great art work displayed. It depicted forests and towns with everything in such little detail. He obeyed the rules and he was proud of himself but all this changed when his cousin arrived. Mimi was an annoying child with the worst case of fashion and unfortunately for Leo, Mimi broke the rules. It seemed that nothing had happened except blue butterflies flying out, then a woman appeared - she was the Blue Queen. Mimi’s dog Mutt kidnapped by the Blue Queen, and the tow cousins chased after her. What does the future hold for Mimi and Leo in this world of magic and adventure? Reviewed by Johnathan I. of YR 9

Its not about the bike

by Lance Armstrong When Lance Armstrong was informed that he had cancer the initial shock hadn’t hit him yet. He thought he might just lose his job and that’s it. It was only later that he really thought his job was also his life. Lance Armstrong’s cancer had spread aggressively to the rest of his body including some of major organs such as the lungs and brains. His chances of survival were lower than 10%; many people thought he was going to die. Lance Armstrong then went on one of the most rigorous forms of chemotherapy. While he lie in a hospital bed, his body being slowly destroyed, losing muscles, skin cells and white blood cells he wondered do the cancer cells die off, or does this diesease conquer Lance Armstrong? This book will show that even in your darkest hour if you have hope you will have a chance to survive. Reviewed by Michael K. of Year 9

Scott Pilgrim’s precious little life

by Bryan Lee O’Malley Scott Pilgrim is at a pretty good stage of his life - he’s in a rock band, dating a high school girl and shares an apartment with his roommate Wallace. Everything is great until one day when he goes to the library with his girlfriend and he sees a delivery girl. This girl starts getting into his dreams until he finally meets her at a party and finds out her name, Ramona Flowers. The next day he goes to amazon.com and buys something cool but cheap (to impress Ramona the delivery girl). When she delivers the package Scott is so happy that he doesn’t want her to leave so he doesn’t sign it and persuades her to go on a date with him. Things take a turn for the worse as he finds that he has to fight her seven evil ex boyfriends. The question is can Scott find true happiness with Ramona or will he get defeated by the bad guys?

reviewed by Shayne G. of year 9

Scary! 2 More stories to make you scream!

by: Phillip Pullman

This book is full of short stories. I only had time to read one of them so I read VIDEO NASTY.

Video Nasty is about three friends called Martin, Kevin and David who hire a really gruesome, Japanese killing video called Snuff Park. Their parents then go out to dinner so the friends decide to watch it before their parents came back. A boy that none of them knew walked in through the front door and asked to watch the video with them. This boy knew a lot about Snuff Park. Martin, Kevin and David didn’t believe him. During the movie the three friends were seriously scared but the stranger didn’t seem to be scared at all. The boys were astonished at the fact that the stranger wasn’t scared.
Close to the end of the movie the boys snapped and started to scream loudly. The stranger was annoyed and started to leave. As soon as the stranger left the movie ended and the boys dashed for the lights. As you can tell the boys were really scared.

I hated this book, it was long winded and boring.

4/10 rating

REVIEWED BY: Jacob F. in Year 7

The Lisa Book

BY: Mat Groening
I absolutely loved this book when I first saw that it was a part of the Simpson series. This book explained about Lisa’s life long ambitions. It also had written in it about Lisa’s rejected catchphrases, which I would like to point out to everyone reading this book. Although it’s not very funny it makes you wonder about Lisa’s life.

Other reviewers have commented “This has obviously been a labour of love for the creators of the Simpsons, it is extremely detailed and pretty funny. The illustrations are perfect and the whole book is definitely of high quality.”

REVIEW BY: Gregory K. of year 7

Artemis Fowl

by Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl is the first of an eight part series so far, and is a great read. It tells the story of a young man who is trying to protect his family the only way he knows how, being a criminal. With help from his protector, ironically named Butler, he kidnaps a fairy named Holly and holds her for ransom to protect his family business from going into debt.

Of course this is only a tiny portion of Artemis’ adventures and I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good storyline filled with unexpected twists.

This book definitely deserves 10 out of 10.

Reviewed by Peter H. of Year 10

InuYasha

By Rumiko Takahashi

InuYasha is a Japanese adventure, romance, sword and sorcery and Supernatural type novel; it is based on the TV series of the anime. The story is by Japan’s famous writer Rumiko Takahashi.
It is based on a modern Japanese girl who falls down the ancient well in their shrine and enters the feudal Japan, 500 years ago. There she meets a half-demon named InuYasha who had shattered the Shiko No Tama (the jewel of four souls). This could increase the power of the user by at least double and so they both decide to look for the jewel shards together. On their journey they come across a monk called Miroku, Shippo the fox demon and the demon slayer named Sango and together they try and find the shards of the Shiko No Tama.
Reviewed by: Bavneet S.
Year: 8

There is money in Toilets!!

By Robert Greenberg
Haaaaa….. I was laughing like mad when I was reading the beginning of the story…..
“Fire in the hole!!” is what it started with “I felt cold while death was only seconds away. My friend and me in a hole a hundred miles deep and a bomb coming our way….” This is how the story started but…. later…...after a huge amount of time….. it ended like this…. “ok, I admit it… I lied to you (it says this in the story!) my friend wasn’t actually saying “fire in the hole” he was actually saying something very different!” But I wasn’t lying about the dying …you’ll be in the edge of life and death. Well that’s it about the funny start. But the story is about two boys searching for treasure in their school’s yard because it was built on an ancient dump.
Review by: Amogh G. Year 8

The Girl from Botany Bay

By Carolly Erickson
For students of Australian History this is an engrossing saga based on the life of convict Mary Broad. Her story comes to life and readers get a real insight into life in 18th century London, on board the first fleet and in the infant colony. Perhaps the best feature of Erickson’s writing is how she merges historical sources (ship’s logs, diaries, court records) with her description of life, love and longing as Mary Broad battles for survival and freedom. Very highly recommended.
Mr Kim C.

The Nipper

By Charlie Mitchell

Really a disturbing read as we live the true story of the violent upbringing of a young boy in working class Dundee (Scotland). The repetitive physical and psychological cruelty scars the victim and the reader. Perhaps victims of such abuse can identify with Charlie and draw strength from his successful transition to adulthood but to an outsider the fairy tale raises many questions and doubts. Easy to read but disturbing and repetitive.

Reviewed by Mr Kim C.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is the seventh and final book of the Harry Potter series.
The book is about a boy: Harry Potter, and his two friends; Ron and Hermione, on their last and most exciting adventure yet... It consists of witch’s and wizards, mind blowing magic and my favourite, adventure.
Their objective is to destroy the remaining horcruxes of Lord Voldemort but the dark lord is more powerful now than ever before… The challenges they will face are unbelievable and just wait for the surprise of your life…
I would rate it 10/10 and definitely a book you will enjoy.

reviewed by JAKE R. of Year 7.

Tales of the Popes and Jesus, a Short Life

My holiday reading of two new library books was stimulating and complementary. “Tales of the Popes” up til 1600 lived up to its subtitle of ‘an infamous history’; the politicising and corruption of many is part of our Churches sinful history.
Larry Buttrose looks at the Papacy as a human institution with all the flaws, failings, intelligence and resourcefulness of mankind. An engrossing read.

John Dickens “Jesus, A Short Life” looks at Jesus through the eyes of an historian and I was left with a faith and understanding somewhat repaired. Jesus’ life, teachings, supporters, controversy, death and resurrection are all examined through an historian’s eye. Of particular interest was his treatment of miracles and the Resurrection. The magnificent at works selected to illustrate key events in Jesus life add to the readability and stimulation of this book –refreshing and provocative.
reviewed by Mr Kim C.

Tales of the Popes

My holiday reading of two new library books was stimulating and complementary. “Tales of the Popes” up til 1600 lived up to its subtitle of ‘an infamous history’; the politicising and corruption of many is part of our Churches sinful history.
Larry Buttrose looks at the Papacy as a human institution with all the flaws, failings, intelligence and resourcefulness of mankind. An engrossing read.

John Dickens “Jesus, A Short Life” looks at Jesus through the eyes of an historian and I was left with a faith and understanding somewhat repaired. Jesus’ life, teachings, supporters, controversy, death and resurrection are all examined through an historian’s eye. Of particular interest was his treatment of miracles and the Resurrection. The magnificent at works selected to illustrate key events in Jesus life add to the readability and stimulation of this book –refreshing and provocative.
Mr Kim C.