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.
Author	Title	Publisher
CORNISH, D. M.	Monster Blood Tattoo Book Two: Lamplighter	Omnibus Books, Scholastic Australia
EATON, Anthony	Into White Silence	Woolshed Press, Random House Anustralia
FRENCH, Jackie	A Rose for the Anzac Boys	HarperCollinsPublishers
MARCHETTA, Melina	Finnikin of the Rock	Viking, Penguin Group Australia
MOLONEY, James	Kill the Possum	Penguin Group Australia
TAN, Shaun	Tales from Outer Suburbia	Allen & Unwin

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.