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

Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

New Books

Book Reviews featured in the upcoming Library Gazette

Confessions of a liar, thief and failed sex god by Bill Condon YF COND
If you loved Craig Silvery's Jasper Jones you will be hooked on Bill Condon's latest novel.
It's 1967. Young Neil is about to lose his brother to War, be faced with the brutal death of one friend and discover another, he falls in love and unwillingly treads a path that may lead to murder.
A great gut twisting read, highly recommended for older readers.

Matty forever by Elizabeth Fensham JF FENS
With a friend like Matty nothing else matters. A beautiful tale of friendship, racial tolerance and family, that could be set in any Australian suburban community. Ideal for children aged 7 to 9, this story is broken into short accessible chapters and will be easy for children to emphathise with.
The greatest blogger in the world by Andrew McDonald JF MCDO
Charlie's mission is to Be the Hero, get the Girl and Save the Day, oh, and win the Greatest Blogger in the World Competition. He has plenty to Blog about – a mate with an illegal red-cordial business at school, a little brother who only wears a tuxedo, a mother who wants world dominanion and a duck named Barcode. A quirky book that is targeted for years 5 and 6, but is a challenging read.

Pink by Lili Wilkinson YF WILK
Ava is intelectual, uber-cool, black, seriouse and a lesbian; But she wants to be perky, pink and popular. So she is stripping the black from her hair, hanging with the pastels and joining the school musical. Ava is determined to be everything the world wants her to be. Pink is witty, sharp and chocked full of awesome.

The poison throne by Celine Kiernan YF KIER
Set in a fantastical medieval Europe, fifteen year old Wynter Moorehawke is a unique girl; qualified in a man's trade, best friends to the princes, speaks to the kings' cats and knows a few spectres to boot. This first book of the Moorehawke Trilogy is compelling storytelling. If you liked Phillip Pullman's Dark materials trilogy you will love this.
Eight must read picture books:

Crazy hair written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean : Obscurly amazing!







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.

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

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

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

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 3, 2009

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.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Inky's Shortlist

Have you been following the Inky Awards nominations?
The nominations have been cast and the shortlist have been drawn.
Now you get to decide who gets the Golden and Silver Inky.

The shortlist

Town, James Roy
My brother Kimlan works all night fixing the road. He wears a shirt that reflects the light from the cars. The boss man says that if he does not wear that shirt, no one will be able to see him unless he smiles.

Tales from Outer Suburbia, Shaun Tan
It's funny how these days, when every household has its own intercontinental ballistic missile, you hardly even think about them.

A Brief History of Montmaray, Michelle Cooper
Officially, the head of our household is Uncle John, who is Aunt Charlotte's brother and Veronica's father (and the King of Montmaray), but he's rather distracted on his good days, and downright alarming on his bad ones.

Genesis, Bernard Beckett
…the only thing the population had to fear, was fear itself. The true danger humanity faced during this period was the shrinking of its own spirit.

Boy Toy, Barry Lyga
It was like watching the mating rituals of retarded birds, clumsily stepping the wrong patterns around each other over and over again.

Before I Die, Jenny Downham
I sit up and switch on the bedside light. There's a pen, but no paper, so on the wall behind me I write, I want to feel the weight of a boy on top of me.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Is there a book you want?

Requests taken!!!
Don't forget, if there happens to be a book (or CD or DVd or Sound recording) you want, and we dont have it yet, let me know! The library does take requests, and if we cant buy it, we will borrow it for you... yes libraries borrow from libraries (we are all connected in library-land).

So if you have been hanging for Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Book 3 Brisinger or can't wait for that librarian to get around to picking up Stephenie Meyer's Breaking Dawn, or Melina Marchetta's new On the Jellicoe Road, send in a request to my email (or on paper in the library) and don't forget your name and library card number or I can't set it aside for you.

Melina is our next Kids Authors @ Ashfield author talk. So if you want to come along and meet her, you can and it's free.

Check out an interview with Melina on Insideadog


Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Hal Spacejock... Wow, a free ebook!


Here is an interesting marketing tool: get book 1 of the Hal Spacejock Series free and then you need to buy the rest of the series! Don't fall into the trap, read book 1 free and then visit your local library, get all of them free to read. Terms and conditions apply!

See whats in stock on the Ashfield Catalogue

Hal Spacejock by Simon Haynes (from the website)

'An incompetent, accident-prone pilot is given one last chance to save his ship. An ageing robot is trusted with a midnight landing in a deserted field. And a desperate businessman is prepared to sacrifice both of them to get what he wants ...

Combining relentless action with non-stop laughs, Hal Spacejock explodes onto the science fiction scene with the subtlety of a meteor strike and the hushed reverence of a used car salesman.'

"Better than Red Dwarf" Tom Holt

"The quirkiest genre satire to hit bookstores since Terry Pratchett's Discworld" The West Australian

The Hal Spacejock series to date:
1. Hal Spacejock (2005)
2. Hal Spacejock: Second Course (2006)
3. Hal Spacejock: Just Desserts (2007)
4. Hal Spacejock: No Free Lunch (2008)

Visit Hal Spacejock's web page to download your free copy of book one. http://www.spacejock.com.au/

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

New Books for May

This month we have some fab new titles for you. get the new book list into your hot little hands and reserve your choices now!

May's Staff Picks:

+Anima Volume 1 JF M ASH
By Mukai, Natsumi
+Anima is unabashed shonen (Boys) manga, with adorable magical childrenwith golden hearts and mysterious secrets yet to be revealed. All the characters are likable, and the drawing clear and stylised. An enjoyable romp for comic/manga readers with a sweet tooth.

The clockwork forest JF M ASH
By MacLeod, Doug
Morton goes into the forest in search of four precious objects, and he discovers something far more valuable. The Clockwork Forest is a wonderfully dark and twisted fable. Bringing to life a
magical world where nothing is as it seems. Danger lies everywhere. But the biggest surprise is
what lies at the end of the quest?

Joel and Cat set the story straight YA E ASH
By Earls, Nick & Sparrow, Rebecca
A love-hate relationship, without the love part. This book has assault rifles, tea-drinking heroines, a Salvadorian salsa instructor and the most hilarious medical scene. You may have guessed, humour is a big part of the book, but there's drama, too, as both Cat and Joel experience family breakdown. The Joel/Cat tension is finely balanced and the end is sweet but not sickly. A very funny read!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Reading matters

You will notice on the right a few links for good book sites. If you know of any good book sites let me know and I will add them in. Good book sites only please!
You will also notice Pink Books listed there, there not pretty pink books or even books written by that Pop Diva Alecia Moore (aka P!nk) , but rather Gay and Lesbian themed books.
ta,