“Youth does not require reasons for living, it only needs pretexts.”

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Library is Closed

Ashfield Library will be moving to a temporary location due to the Civic Centre redevelopment. The Library will close this Friday (18 December 2009) and will reopen in a temporary location under Ashfield Town Hall on Monday January 4 2010.
The library hours will be :
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-4pm
Sunday closed.
This will be for approximately 13 weeks.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Vamp Fiction

If you are into Vamp Fiction here is a author resurected for you.
L.J. Smith is author of many series featuring our favourite fanged and spellbinding friends that have been around for many years, but are enjoying a revival of the undead kind!
The Vampire Diaries has also taken to your TV screen on GO!99


Listed are a few of her titles with blurbs fro LJ's website.

The most haunting love triangle of all. Two vampire brothers, one good and one evil, are in love with the same beautiful girl. Stefan meets Elena, and falls for her instantly. But he swears never to approach her because of his dark secret. On the other hand, Elena has sworn to make Stefan hers or die.

Damon is haunting Elena’s footsteps; coaxing and coercing her by turns. Stefan desperately tries to protect her from his brother. And Elena is having her blood drawn by two separate vampires. Meanwhile Caroline plots to expose Elena in front of the entire town. Can things get worse? They do, when Elena drives too fast over an unsafe bridge and drowns.
It’s happened. Elena wakens as a vampire. She belongs to Damon, now, and to his world. The town mourns her as dead while she haunts the Old Wood by night. But by the time she remembers that Stefan is her true love, a new and powerful enemy appears. This is the last battle; and the only way Elena can win it is to sacrifice herself.
As a psychic, Bonnie has dreams of Elena in the Other World. But the dreams quickly turn frightening. There is a terrible new enemy stalking Fell’s Church, killing young girls. Elena’s friends call for Stefan and get both him and Damon—but whose side is Damon on? The ending is the most surprising yet for Elena!

The Vampire Diaries: The Return : Nightfall --On Order
A pair of kitsune--fox spirits--from the other side of the world possess Damon and force him to commit abominations. Meanwhile, Stefan apparently abandons Elena and her friends on a quest to find the one place where the curse of his vampirism can be lifted from him. Definitely for mature audiences.

Shadow Souls--out 2009? A penitent Damon, along with Elena, and Matt follow Stefan into the darkest dimension in an attempt to set him free from the prison he has found instead of salvation. Bonnie and Meredith join Elena as all three are forced to enter as slaves, the chained and leashed property of a vampire--Damon.

Midnight--out 2010. The surviving group of Fell's Church friends return to find their town in a shambles. Meredith makes a horrifying discovery in her research and Bonnie has an out of body experience which might explain all the mayhem that is going on. Matt faces down Caroline, while, Elena must face the most important question of her life: who does she really belong with? Stefan or Damon?

from vamp's to witches

The Secret Circle, Volume I: The Initiation -- On Order
Shy, sixteen-year-old Cassie falls in love with the mysterious Adam before moving to New Salem, thinking she’ll never see him again. But as it turns out, Adam is there, too, at a high school where a strange elite rule. Beautiful fair-haired Diana, whom Cassie learns to love as a sister; voluptuous dark Faye, who wants to turn Cassie into her puppet. The greatest surprise: Cassie, like the other elite boys and girls, is a witch! And then Cassie discovers that Adam is actually the boyfriend of gentle Diana, now her best friend and the leader of the coven!

The Secret Circle, Volume II: The Captive -- On Order
Adam and Cassie have sworn not to love each other for the sake of their beloved leader Diana. But Faye has caught them in their one embrace. Now she uses it to blackmail Cassie, forcing Cassie to lie to Diana and to dig up the strange crystal skull that gives them all such dangerous visions. Meanwhile, students are being murdered, and the witches are under suspicion. And Faye wants from Cassie the ultimate betrayal: her vote for Faye as coven leader.

The Secret Circle, Volume III: The Power -- On Order
Faye rules the Circle, while Diana reels from Cassie’s apparent treachery. Cassie and Adam are drawn more strongly together than ever. A new principal appears who seems to know all the Circle’s secrets and is dedicated to persecuting them. Cassie, no longer the shy girl she was only a few months ago, takes charge in solving the murders, the mystery of the crystal skull, and the true meaning of the Secret Circle. Her reward is her dream come true.

Bring all the spooks together in Night World.

Night World: Secret Vampire - Hits the shelves in December
The Night World isn’t a place. It’s the world of vampires, witches, and shapeshifters who live in the human world—by their own rules. And the first two rules of the Night World are simple: 1) Never tell any human about its existence, and 2) Never fall in love with a human.
Spunky, sassy Poppy has always been in the best of health. Until today, when she discovers that she has a rare disease, and only weeks to live. James, her best friend, and the coolest boy at school, is confronted with a frightening decision. He can make Poppy a vampire like him, or he can let her die. But telling Poppy about the Night World is almost as dangerous as letting her die of a human disease, for he’s broken both of the Night World’s rules, and fallen in love with her.

Night World: Daughters of Darkness -- Hits the shelves in December
Mary-Lynnette, seventeen, loves to watch the stars from her Oregon backyard. Then one day, she thinks she’s witnessed a murder through her telescope. She’s wrong: it’s only three vampire sisters burying their mysteriously-killed aunt. Mary-Lynnette, by the laws of the Night World, must become kin to the sisters or be sentenced to death: a sentence that seems to be sealed when their brother Ash appears. Gorgeous, lazy Ash has never dreamed that he could fall in love with a human, but it seems that Mary-Lynnette doesn’t want him on any terms because of his lurid vampire past.

Night World: Spellbinder -- Hits the shelves in December
Thea and Blaise are cousins, and witches, and as different as day and night. They even belong to different witch covens, Circle Twilight, for the not-so-wicked-witches and Circle Midnight for the real hellions. In fact, Granny Harman, the Witch Leader, often compares them to Hellewise and Maya, the sisters who were the mother of all witches and the very first vampire, respectively. But when Thea breaks the laws of the Night World and falls in love with Eric, an ordinary human boy, she has unexpectedly to rely on the whims of Blaise or both she and Eric are doomed. This is the book in which Circle Daybreak debuts.

Night World: Dark Angel -- Hits the shelves in December
Childlike, innocent Gillian Harman is trying to save a baby she hears crying in the woods when, to her own surprise, she dies! Even more surprising is her guide in the afterlife, Gary Fargeon, an “angel” with a great body and a gorgeous face. Returned to life, Gillian listens to her dark angel in all things . . . and soon finds herself anything but childlike and innocent. But things are not what they seem, and even angels can make mistakes. Soon Gillian is on a quest to find out just what deed Gary committed to strand him in the afterlife; and to find out the secret of where she belongs in a world she never knew existed: the Night World.


Night World: The Chosen -- Hits the shelves in December
Rashel Jordan lost her mother to a golden-eyed vampire at the age of five—and just barely saved herself by her wits. She’s grown up to the age of seventeen as a vampire hunter—the best. But when a group of hunters captures Quinn and decides to torture him, Rashel feels something in her soul twist. Left alone with Quinn, she goes along with her mad impulse and allows him to escape. But Quinn, a vampire with one of the darkest reputations in the Night World warns her not to expect him to return the favor. Nevertheless, when Rashel gets herself chosen for a bloodfeast and finds that Quinn is in charge of gathering girls for the dark ceremony! Enemies—and soulmates—what will happen during their final fight?

Night World: Soulmate -- Hits the shelves in December
Sixteen-year-old Hannah goes to a psychologist to understand the meaning of her the notes she keeps finding—in her own handwriting. “Dead before 17,” “He’s coming,” “Watch out.” Only under hypnosis is their cryptic meaning revealed. Hannah is actually an Old Soul, a girl who has been reincarnated many times and can remember her past lives. And in every one of them, the fair-haired stranger appears—and Hannah loves him—and Hannah dies at age16. Meanwhile, the leader of all the vampires of Circle Daybreak, all those who have human soulmates, Lord Thierry, is searching. He’s looking for her—the girl he loved and accidentally killed thousands of year ago. Who will find Hannah first—her vampire soulmate, or Maya, the first of all the vampires who has murdered Hannah a thousand times to keep her from Thierry. And who will Hannah believe when they do find her?

Night World: Huntress -- Hits the shelves in December
Jez, with flaming red hair and silvery blue eyes, is the epitome of the wild teenage vampire, riding her motorcycle and chasing skinheads through the woods. She and Morgead regularly challenge each other for leadership of the gang, and Jez believes—naturally enough—that the handsome, dark-haired vampire hates her. But suddenly the world changes for Jez. She discovers that she has no right to the Night World, because one of her parents was human. Now Jez has turned into a vampire huntress, and one with a special job: find one of the four Wild Powers who can fight off the Apocalypse, the end of the world. To do so, though, she must challenge her dearest enemy once again for the leadership—knowing that she has only half-vampire Powers.

Night World: Black Dawn -- Hits the shelves in December
Maggie is the picture of an ordinary human teenager. Yet when her brother’s lovely girlfriend reports that he has been killed in a mountaineering accident, she knows it is a lie. The chase leads her to discover an entire community of human slaves ruled by vampires in the hollow of a Washington mountain. There also, she finds Delos, the second of the Wild Powers, the vampire ruler of this kingdom where she is a slave—and her soulmate. Her modern clothes cause the other slaves to hail her as a messiah come to bring them freedom. Can even level-headed Maggie deal with her arrogant soulmate and an entire kingdom to be freed?

Night World: Witchlight -- Hits the shelves in December
Keller is a seventeen-year-old shapeshifter, a panther, who goes by her last name only. She’s an operative for Circle Daybreak and her mission is simple: find the third Wild Power who can fend off the Apocalypse. Keller does find Iliana, and much more, as well: a dragon in the shape of a human, and her own liege lord Galen. So, she learns: dragons walk the Earth again, even if in disguise. And Iliana is as far from a serious Wild Power as Keller can imagine. A love triangle quickly develops between the handsome princely Galen, the exquisite but bubble-minded Iliana, and Keller—who counts herself out with her favorite saying, “I’m just a grunt.” Life has surprises in store for the cynical, embittered Keller, and her opinions of both Galen and Iliana are in for a radical change.
MTV Story on LJ

Thursday, November 5, 2009

2009 Inky Awards

VOTE NOW!

And don't forget to enter the Creative Reading Prize...

Voting closes on November 20

There is no other award in Australia that relfects what teenagers want to read. The Inkys are international awards for teenage literature, voted for online by the readers of insideadog.com.au. There are three awards: the Golden Inky for an Australian book, the Silver Inky for an international book, and the Creative Reading Prize, won by a young person for a creative response to a book they love, in any format they choose.

The 2009 Inkys Longlist
(click the title for a review)
Broken Glass by Adrian Stirling
Something happened when I was fifteen, something that made me invisible to everyone in Broken Glass.

Everything Beautiful by Simmone Howell
I believe in Chloe and chocolate.
I believe the best part is always before.
I believe that most girls are shifty and most guys are dumb.

Exposure by Mal Peet
The boy with all the dreadlocks had two line of business: cars and the patio trade.

Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
Ollie was in aisle five of Galaxy Art Supply stocking oil paints when Clio Ford emerged from the manager’s office.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Everyone thinks it was because of the snow.

Into White Silence by Anthony Eaton
The SS Loongana steamed slowly up the Derwent River towards it’s berth at Salamanca Warf...

Jarvis 24 by David Metzenthen
I tend to worry, I know I do, but only because I think there is lots of things to worry about.

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne La Fleur
It was fun at first, playing house. I made all my own meals. Crackers and cheese, three times a day.

My Candlelight Novel by Joanne Horniman
I am a reading girl, with a pale face, and glasses.

Paper Towns by John Green
The way I figure it, everyone gets a miracle.

Screw Loose by Chris Wheat
Chelsea Dean opened the front door to her parents' substantial riverside residence and was assulted by booming reception-centre music.

Skim by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki
I had a dreamI put my hands inside my chest and held my heart

Ten Mile River by Paul Griffin
Ray was bigger but José was boss. They were fourteen and fifteen, on their own and on the run.

The 10pm Question by Kate de Goldi
Tuesday the fourteenth of February began badly for Frankie Parsons.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
I was born with water on the brain. Okay, so that’s not exactly true.

The Beginners Guide to Living by Lia Hills
She looks good for a corpse.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim’s warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress.

Two Pearls of Wisdom by Alison Goodman
I let the tips of both by swords dig into the sandy arena floor. It was the wrong move, but the dragging pain in my gut was pulling me into a crouch.

Where the Streets Had a Name by Randa Abdel-Fattah
It’s six-thirty in the morning. I stumble out of bed and splash cold water in my flushed face.

Worldshaker by Richard Harland
A sound brought Col out of a deep sleep. Something was happening out in the corridor.

KOALA 2009 Winners

The winners of KOALA 2009 have been announced!
Winning books #koalaawards on Twitpic
Picture Storybooks
Winner
Rex - Ursula Dubosarsky & David Mackintosh
Honour Books
Are We There Yet? - Alison Lester
Jungle Drums - Graeme Base

Fiction for Younger Readers
Winner
Zac Power: Series 1 - H.I.Larry
Honour Books
The Big Fat Cow That Goes Kapow - Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton
Go Girl! Two sides: #1 Track Stars! - Kathy Castle & Danielle McDonald

Fiction for Older Readers
Winner
Garden of the Purple Dragon - Carole Wilkinson
Honour Books
Give Peas a Chance - Morris Gleitzman
Ranger's Apprentice: Series - John Flanagan

Fiction for Years 7-9
Winner
The Wizard of Rondo - Emily Rodda
Honour Books
Then - Morris Gleitzman
Tales of Deltora - Emily Rodda & Marc McBride

Signinging queues #koalaawards on Twitpic Koala authors on Twitpic

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Just more words...

An update on stuff in Library world! New Ashfield Library
Work continues on the new Ashfield Civic Centre redevelopment which includes the building of a larger library and a youth centre. As a result Ashfield Library will relocate for approximately 13 weeks from Friday 18 December 2009. A temporary library will open on January 4 underneath Ashfield Town Hall. Library hours: Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday 9am–4pm, Sunday Closed.


New World Music
Ashfield Library now has a gorgeous new World Music collection – "music from around the world". Karen writes: "World Music may include: non-Western music, folk music, music played with traditional instruments, music from urban communities and modern interpretations and adaptations of traditional music. Our collection includes a fusion of musical styles. Some of the new CDs featured include: ‘So Frenchy, So Chic: the unofficial soundtrack to the French Film Festival’, ‘The Rough Guide to the Music of Sudan’, ‘The Rough Guide to the Music of China’ and many more. "

Some new stuff:

Bustin’ Down the Door narrated by Edward Norton ASH DVD Lifestyle category
In the 1970s a group of young ambitious surfers from Australia and South Africa headed to Hawaii to prove themselves by surfing the biggest waves on the planet. The Hawaiians welcomed these brash upstarts, but the relationship turned sour when the newcomers became successful and a violent clash of cultures resulted. When this was finally sorted out these surfers pioneered their sport and lifestyle and made surfing viable as a professional career, unheard of up to then, as surfers were perceived as hippy dropouts. There is beautiful photography and intimate interviews with surfers even I have heard of, including Rabbit Bartholomew, Kelly Slater and Mark Richards – household names now. You don’t need to be inside the surfing culture to appreciate the passion and important history portrayed in this touching and lovingly produced film.

Summer Blonde by Adrian Tomine ASH Graphic Novel collection
There are four separate stories in this exquisite graphic novel. Tomine’s strength lies in the depth of his character writing. Tomine is a young, alternative graphic novel writer, who paces his stories sparingly. His characters are lonely, disillusioned and very real. The stories end with you not knowing what will happen next – will there be a happy ending? – probably not. I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

What's comin up:
Teen Book Group
RED Book is a book group for young people. Its next meeting is Thursday 29 October and then Thursday November 26 at the Summer Hill Community Centre at 5. 00pm- 6.30pm.

William Kostakis- Being an teen author writing for teens
William is the award-winning author of Loathing Lola, the side-splittingly funny story of Australia's newest reality TV star, fifteen-year-old Courtney Marlow, with a love story, some mystery, betrayal, cuss words and Lola to boot.
In 2005, William won Sydney Morning Herald Young Writer of the Year. Come and meet William and find out the stories behind the book and on being a young writer. Don't miss your chance to meet this talented young author and get copies of the books signed.
Williams webpage and on twitter
Date Friday 6 November
Venue Ashfield Council Chambers, 260 Liverpool Road Ashfield
Time 10am arrival, talk 10.15am till 11am
RSVP 9716 1827




INKY Awards - Vote Now

The Inkys are international awards for teenage literature, voted for online by the readers of http://www.insideadog.com.au/. There are three awards: the Golden Inky for an Australian book, the Silver Inky for an international book, and the Creative Reading Prize, won by a young person for a creative response to a book they love, in any format they choose.

[voting is open to anyone under 20 years of age] http://www.insideadog.com.au/inkys/index.html

Thursday, September 17, 2009

School Holiday Fun

Ashfield Council offers a diverse program of free children’s activities and events across the municipality every school holiday period.

Download the Very Hungry Caterpillar Colouring Competition!

Activities for Children aged 0-6 years


Very Hungry Caterpillar Picnic
Bring a picnic morning tea and enjoy the stories, songs and games.
Date: Friday 9 October
Time: 10:30am to 11.30am
Venue: Darrell Jackson Gardens, Summer Hill

Leaf Litter Collage Craft
Make your own aussie bush collage.
There will be two sessions of this craft.
Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Thursday 15 October
Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810


A Bouquet of Stories
There will be two sessions of this stories and craft activity.
Date: Wednesday 7 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Thursday 8 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810


Big Bro Pyjama Storytime
Come along in your pyjamas and bring teddy for stories, songs and supper.
Date: Friday 16 October
Time: 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library


Baby Rhyme Time
Date: Every Wednesday
Time: 10:15am to 10:45am
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Every Thursday
Time: 10:00am to 10:30am
Venue: Ashfield Library


Worm Tales Storytime
There will be two sessions of this stories and craft activity.
Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Thursday 15 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810


Activities for Children aged 5-12 years

Learn to Sing
Date: Wednesday 7 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Cadigal Room, 160 Elizabeth St. Ashfield
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Learn to Tap Dance
Date: Monday 12 October
Time: 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Venue: St Vincent Church, 7 Bland St. Ashfield
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Digital Photography Workshop
Date: Friday 16 October
Group 1: 10:00am to 3:00pm
Group 2: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Venue: Graham Yarroll Room, 78 Dalhousie St. Haberfield
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Stroke Correction & Water Safety
Date: Friday 9 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Aquatic Centre
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Family Tree Craft
Make your own leafy family tree.
There will be two sessions of this craft.
Date: Tuesday 6 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
Date: Tuesday 13 October
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810

Pots of Fun Craft
Each child will decorate their own miniature pot and plant a herb to take home.
There will be two sessions of this craft.
Date: Wednesday 7 October
Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Haberfield Library
Date: Thursday 8 October
Time: 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Venue: Ashfield Library
RSVP: Alex 9716 1810

Magicians Apprentice Workshop
Date: Wednesday 14 October
Time: 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Venue: Graham Yarroll Room, 78 Dalhousie St. Haberfield
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

Make a Mark : environment drama workshop
Date: Wednesday 7 October
Time: 10:00am to 11:00am
Venue: Summer Hill Community Centre
RSVP: Melanie on 9716 1921 or email mel

Special Children's Week Activities

Road Safety Book Workshop
A craft for parents and children aged 5+, make your family’s own
Road Safety Book with kids author Deb Westbury.
Dates: Saturday 24 October
Time: 11:00am to 1:00pm
Venue: Michael Maher Room, Haberfield Library
RSVP: Jae on 9716 1844

RED Bug Picnic
Bring a picnic morning tea and enjoy the stories, songs and games.
Date: Monday 26 October
Time: 10:00am to 11.30am
Venue: Ashfield Park



More information can be found on the Council website

Book News!

Australian Children’s Book Council Book of the Year Winners
Older Readers : Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

Younger Readers : Perry Angel’s Suitcase by Glenda Millard

Early Childhood : How to Heal a Broken Wing by Bob Graham

Picture Book of the Year : Collecting Colour by Kylie Dunstan

Eve Pownall Award for Information Books : Alive in the Death Zone by Lincoln Hall
All of these great titles are now available at your library.

New Young Adult Books requested by you!
Margaret Mahy's The magician of Hoad
Meg Cabot's Code Name Cassandra and When lightning strikes
Deborah Ellis' Bifocal
Jennifer Roy's Yellow star
Darren Shan's Death’s shadow
Brian James' Dirty liar

Friday, July 3, 2009

A Rose for the Anzac Boys

A Rose for the Anzac Boys by Jackie French is a CBC Shortlisted title for the Older Readers category. It is a heart wrenching novel on the ‘War to end all Wars‘, we follow Midge Macpherson on her journey in search of her 'missing' twin brother Tim, and her determination to do her bit for the cause.

Midge and her friends Ethel and Anne start a canteen in France, caring for the endless flow of wounded soldiers returning from the front. Midges' experiences as an ambulance driver are horrific, she is thrust into carnage and terror scenes I could never have imagined. But there is also courage, love and friendship - this book brought a tear to my eye many times.

I highly recommend this book and I thank Jackie French for sharing this story with us. It is a must read for every Australian and holds the true spirit of ANZAC between it's covers.

Jackie French wrote on her Blog a response to the many letters and requests for a sequel:

"I don't think I'll write a sequel to ‘A Rose for the Anzac Boys’ but I have always known what happened to them afterwards.

Midge spent the first few days at the farm crying, finally letting go of all she had seen – which helped her relationship with her mother-in-law to be, who fussed over her so protectively that she didn’t mind as Midge slowly took over managemnt of the farm and their lives. .

Midge and Harry built the new house up on the hill. The farm became one of the most prosperous in the region. Midge had three daughters, and then one son – he enlisted in World War Two but developed appendicitis so never went overseas. She and her Harry lived a long and happy life together, surrounded by many grandchildren. She died at 89, asleep on the verandah looking out at her farm and her family.

Ethel never married, but grew closer to her brother, finally recognising his courage too – how he had supported her and the canteen, organising supplies, refusing to fight for a cause he didn't believe in. Ethel was offered to be made a Dame of the British Empire for her work organising food supplies in World War Two. She refused, and with her brother's support, entered Parliament. She died relatively young, at 62, still fighting for her causes.

Anne and her Gavin worked in Mesopotamia till the late ‘30s, when political tensions made it too dangerous to work there. Anne's daughters were born in 1937 and 1939.

Anne's scars faded with time, and her consciousness of them faded too. Gavin worked in Intelligence in World War Two; Anne ran the local billeting for refugees.

After the war Gavin was offered a professorship at the University of Queensland. Anne finally took her degree, and eventually became a part-time tutor. Although not wealthy by the standards of the aristocracy, Anne's family money meant they lived comfortably and generously, in a large house on the Brisbane River near the university, filled with students, discussion and laughter.

The three girls met only once more altogether, at the christening of Anne's first daughter, but kept in touch with love and letters throughout their lives.
When Anne moved to Australia one of Midge's granddaughters lived with them while she studied in Brisbane."


Other historical novels by the author:
The Goat Who Sailed the World

Pharaoh

They Came On Viking Ships

Hitler's Daughter

A War for Gentlemen

Tom Appleby Convict Boy

Macbeth and Son

Walking the Boundaries


Further Reading:
Australian War Memorial Kids HQ in Flanders Fields

Monday, June 29, 2009

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

Finnikin of the rock is Melina's fantasy novel debut and it lives up to her previous standards. Like Looking for Alabrandi and Saving Francesca this book is about friendship and belonging. It is shortlisted for Book of the Year Older Readers.

I loved the characters in this book they are realistic, human and easy to identify with, Melina's strong characters are what really drive this narrative.

The Kingdom of Lumatere falls, it's royal family slaughtered and is cursed. Most of the Lumaterians are banished to wander foreign lands while others are trapped within the cursed walls.


Ten years later, Finnikin is lead to find Evanjalin, a young novice of Lagrimi who dreams of those trapped inside Lumatere. Together Finnikin and Evanjalin must follow their entwined destiny to save their people.


Checkout an interview with Melina.


Supanova: did you go?

Supanova was great!

The Dome was packed, so much bigger than last time.
The Madman panel was interesting, lots of new things coming our way. 'Loveless', you will know it if your into yaoi, is being released as a complete series later this year. 'Blood the last vampire' has been out in anime but is now Live action! The clip looked good. You can check out the new Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood full episodes at Madman.
The noise was a bit much though, coudn't really hear Sly, even with the mic.

I bumped into Wolverine (pictured), I love CosPlay! This guys must have spend ages working on his claws, they look fantastic! My friend Jane was happy to see so many Sailor Scouts this year.

We got to have Q&A with Twilight superstar Rachelle "Victoria" Lefevre (pictured), she was so sweet - didn't seem evil at all. She shared many stories and told us about what it was like on set and that she is in Team Edward. Her favourite book is SHE’S COME UNDONE by Wally Lamb - am ordering a copy today!

Hey did you know there is a Dr Who Club of Australia - I saw K9 but there was no sign of the Dr!

If you didn't make it this year, it's back in 2010.

Book of the Year - Older Readers Short List 2009

Here are the Youth shortlisted titles for Book of the Year.

It is a really good shortlist this year, every title has plenty to offer.
I will be posting some reviews and bits and bobs for each title over the coming weeks, check them out.

AuthorTitlePublisher
CORNISH, D. M.Monster Blood Tattoo Book Two: LamplighterOmnibus Books, Scholastic Australia
EATON, AnthonyInto White SilenceWoolshed Press, Random House Anustralia
FRENCH, JackieA Rose for the Anzac BoysHarperCollinsPublishers
MARCHETTA, MelinaFinnikin of the RockViking, Penguin Group Australia
MOLONEY, JamesKill the PossumPenguin Group Australia
TAN, ShaunTales from Outer SuburbiaAllen & Unwin

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Meet UK author: JOS CARLYLE

Jos will give a fighting staff demonstration and talk about the Hayley Hicks Series at the Ashfield Library on Monday 13 July at 10am, there are still places available RSVP By 6 July on 9716 1810
On Jos' website you can read the opening chapters of book one on this website. I’d love to know what you think, so please write in and tell me. You can find out more about the characters by taking a look at their character cards.
Extract from Jos' website:
So this is me: Jos Carlyle, creator of Hayley Hicks. Admittedly it’s a nice photo, which is one of the perks of a website being your own. But I suspect I don’t always look so wholesome as I was once told (by a gentleman far too honest for his own good, in my opinion) that I look like a miserable ogre when I’m concentrating and that my hair is continuously disorganized. I think he could have been a little less blunt.
Unfortunately I tend to concentrate rather a lot. Not because I want to (I’m much better at daydreaming), but because Hayley and her cohort demand it of me. Ah yes, they’re a fascinating and complex, yet effortlessly compelling bunch! But who exactly are they? And what am I actually talking about?

Hayley Hicks is the main character in the series of fantasy books that I’m currently writing for older children and adults. By series I mean six books: THE LIGHTYEARS (books one to three) and THE DARKYEARS (books four to six). So far Book One is finished, Book Two is started, and Books Three, Four, Five and Six are all planned out

Supanova Pop Culture Expo


The Supanova Pop Culture Expo hits Sydney this weekend, June 26th to 28th, at The Dome in Olympic Park. If you don't know, Supanova is an annual celebration of pop culture, featuring manga, anime, stars and merchandise from film, television, gaming and other forms of comics.

Clipped from SMASH newsletter 13:
A taste of some of the awesome guests instore for Sydney this year:* Karl Urban - DOOM, Pathfinder, The Chronicles of Riddick, The Lord ofthe Rings, The Bourne Supremacy* Dirk Benedict - Battlestar Galactica, The A-Team* Jake Lloyd - "Anakin Skywalker" - The Phantom Menace* Richard Hatch - Battlestar Galactica - the Original and theRe-Imagined* Spike Spencer - Neon Genesis Evangelion, Martian Successor Nadesico* Christopher Sabat - DragonBall Z, One Piece, Fullmetal Alchemist,Tsubasa Chronicle* Dave Gibbons - The Watchmen, Star Wars: Vader's Quest, Dr. Who, ThePhantom* Stanislav Ianevski - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire* Rachelle Lefevre - Twilight, New Moon* Herb Jefferson Jr. - Battlestar Galactica, Rich Man, Poor Man, TheYellow Rose
See you there!

Hysterical Histories School Holiday Fun Program


Get wrapped up in Mummy Craft, lost in the Time Slip PJ Story Time, and find hidden delights at Treasure Tales these school holidays.


Hysterical Histories Storytime
Bring your mummy or daddy along for some stories and morning tea. For children ages 4+ years old. At Haberfield Library on Wednesday 22 July 11am. At Ashfield Library on Thursday 23 July 11am. No Bookings required.


Time Slip PJ Storytime
Wear your Pyjamas; bring your teddy and friends for supper, stories and songs. All ages welcome. Bookings required. At Ashfield Library on Monday 20 July 5.30pm


Treasure Tales Storytime
Find hidden treasures with these stories and a morning tea. No Bookings required. Suitable for children 4+ years. At Haberfield Library on Wednesday 15 July 11am. At Ashfield Library on Thursday 16 July 11am.


My Mummy Craft
Bring your Mum along and you will make a mini Mummy of your own. (Mum's will be photographed for this craft) Suitable for children 4+ years. Bookings essential. At Ashfield Library on Tuesday 14 July 11am. At Haberfield Library on Tuesday 21 July 11am


For more info contact the Children's Librarian on 9716 1827.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Lattitude: Global Volunteering Talk


What does it take to be a global volunteer? What can I do? Where can I go?

To celebrate National Volunteer Week the library has organised for return global volunteers to come and share their stories and adventures.

Come and discover what it takes to be a global volunteer, what an individual can contribute to make the world a better place, and discover the places you can go.

Date: Friday 15 May
Venue: Ashfield Council Chambers 260 Liverpool Road
Time: 6-7pm
A light supper will be provided.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

YABE: Young Adult Book Exchange

Are you interested in joining a book group for young people?
At YABE you can exchange ideas and reading materials, meet fellow readers and chat about your reading. YABE will be meeting at the Summer Hill Community Centre on the last Tuesday of the month from 5.00 till 6.30pm.
The first meeting will be on Tuesday, April 21. The group will discuss 'Words with Bite'!
Do you have a fav' horror author or love scary stories. You can bring your own books or library books to share, swap or read from.
For more info call Alex 9716 1827

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

School Holiday Activities



Splash into the Library this Holidays



Under the Sea Stories & Craft
Splash into some stories and then make a rock pool diorama.
At Haberfield Library on Wednesday 22 April, 11am
At Ashfield Library on Thursday 23 April, 11am

No Bookings required. Age: 4+ years old

Seaside Stories & Craft
Bring your beach towel for seaside stories and then make a sea creature mobile.
At Haberfield Library on Wednesday 15 April, 11am
At Ashfield Library on Thursday 16 April, 11am
No Bookings required. Age: 4+ years old


Ocean of Stories PJ Storytime
An all ages event, come along in your pyjamas; bring your teddy and friends for supper, stories and songs.
At Ashfield Library on Monday 20 April, 6pm
No Bookings required.

Crabby Craft
In this craft session you can make your own little crabby friend to keep.
At Ashfield Library on Tuesday 14 April, 11am
At Haberfield Library on Tuesday 21 April, 11am
Bookings essential. Age: 6+ years old

Seahorse Workshop
Make your own sequined Sea Horse sun catcher to decorate your room.
At Ashfield Library on Monday 20 April, 11am
Bookings essential. Age: 8+ years old


Rhyme Time
Songs, nursery rhymes and stories for 0-3 year olds.
At Haberfield Library every Wednesday 10:15am
At Ashfield Library every Thursday 10am
No Bookings required.

Contact Alex for more info.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Creative Classes

Free workshops with artist Gillian Hand

Gillian Hand is the artist in residence at Thirning Villa (40 Arthur Street, Ashfield) at the moment till late May.  Gill will run workshops on making and keeping of creative journals as well as how to bind papers into book form, and create a diverse range of handmade books.

Tuesday weekly workshops 10am to 12.30pm Handmade books
1.30pm to 4pm Creative Journals

Wednesday evening weekly workshops
6.30pm to 9pm Creative Journals

There will be Saturday ‘Handmade books' workshops held on 21 March, 18 April and 9 May. 
These workshops will be from 10am to 4pm. 

All workshops are FREE. To register or for more information please contact Anthia on 9716 1866.

Underground Films



Get your entries in now for the Sydney Underground Film Festival. 
With no restrictions on style, genre, production date etc – we are open to any creative output from anyone around the world. Deadline is May 29. 
The 2009 festival will be held at The Factory Theatre from Sept 10-13. 
The Sydney Underground Film Festival is dedicated to nurturing an alternative film culture through the promotion of independent and experimental films. The organisers want to support local filmmakers who operate outside established film industry infrastructures, by providing a platform for exhibition, exposure and critical discussion. Find out more...

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Vampires, Aliens and Monsters Cartoon Workshop

Join us after school on Thursday April 2 for a Youth Week Fun activity.

You will learn to create stacks of your own crazy cartoon character vampires, aliens and monsters in no time at all. Cartoon Dave will lead the way and you will see how easy cartooning can be. The event is free just drop in at 4pm.

Dave has even written some books (click here so you can get them at your library).








Words with Bite


 Creative writing competition

Flex your creative muscle and win a $200 book pack. All you need to do is create your own work with bite in any written shape or format. The competition is open, March 1 - April 9, to all young people aged 14-24 years. The maximum word limit of 2000 words. 

Entries must be hand delivered or mailed to Ashfield Library, PO Box 1145 Ashfield NSW 1800 or emailed to ashlib@ashfield.nsw.gov.au by 5pm Thursday April 9, 09.

Include with your submissions your name, age & contact details. Entries must be your own original work.