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Archives for Book Reviews

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“Starry River of the Sky” by Grace Lin 📖

A wonderful story from a master storyteller of a runaway boy who can hear strange noises in the night and who seems to be the only person who has noticed that the moon is missing from the starry river of the sky. Things take shape when a strange beautiful woman comes to stay at the almost deserted Village of the Clear Sky. Can she help with kidnappings, giant toads and a missing mountain? Her tales and those of our hero are skillfully woven together in this modern retelling of Chinese folklore. 
This book is available at JF LIN

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‘The Night Diary’ by Veera Hiranandani 📖

1947. India has been free from British rule but internal political struggles have resulted in partition. Nisha & her twin brother are half Muslim & half Hindu. Nisha writes nightly in her diary to her dead mother and tells her all the things that she is unable to say as the family is forced to flee and make the treacherous journey to safety. Why do people hate each other so much? Nisha asks as she witnesses violence, starvation and calamity. 

This book is available as an audio book on Overdrive 

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Cover image for I Will Always Write Back

I will always write back: how one letter changed two lives by Caitlin Alifirenka, Martin Ganda and Liz Welch
I could not put this book down. It is a true story of pen pals Caitlyn in America and Martin a poor African boy in Zimbabwe. Through their correspondence a friendship blooms. It is a story of growth, discovery and commitment. Martin is crippled by poverty but is bright. Caitlyn is rich and spoilt. Their lives which could not be more different become entwined and show how perseverance and compassion can change lives. 
This book is in the Core Collection in the Senior Library at CC 305.2350 ALI Y8

Check the status of the book here

Read online with Overdrive here

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This book contains the 1st and 2nd titles in the Spook’s Apprentice series by Joseph Delaney. Thomas Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son and gifted with powers which help to defeat evil in the world. He must learn his trade as a Spook and bind boggarts, bury witches and face other terrifying evil creatures. In this book the two travel to Heysham where Mrs.Toner come from and they visit the ancient 8th century graves which actually exist and were a place Mrs.Toner often visited. 
This book can be found at F DEL in the fantasy section, along with all the others in the series. A great read

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‘Boy Underwater’ by Adam Baron

Cymbeline is confident that he can swim despite never having been near water, after all he’s googled ‘front crawl’ and seriously how hard can it be? But things go disastrously wrong and Cym begins to unravel the mystery about why his father has never taken him swimming. Funny, poignant, heart warming and very realistic.

This book is available on Overdrive 

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‘The Benefits of Being an Octopus’ by Ann Braden 
I really felt for Zoe as she battles against poverty, neglect and an abusive step father. She spends her time caring for her 3 young siblings with such love & compassion while her mother works to keep the family afloat. Zoe compares herself to an octopus with its amazing survival instincts. But it the debating society at school which finally helps Zoe to face her problems and do something about them. 
This book is for senior students and available on Overdrive 📖 #SHRLibraryBookReview

‘Because of Winn-Dixie’ by Kate DiCamillo

Kate DiCamillo’s first published novel, like Winn-Dixie himself, immediately proved to be a keeper—a New York Times bestseller, a Newbery Honor winner, the inspiration for a popular film, and most especially, a cherished classic that touches the hearts of readers of all ages. 
The summer Opal and her father, the preacher, move to Naomi, Florida, Opal goes into the Winn-Dixie supermarket—and comes out with a dog. A big, ugly, suffering dog with a sterling sense of humor. A dog she dubs Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, the preacher tells Opal ten things about her absent mother, one for each year Opal has been alive. Winn-Dixie is better at making friends than anyone Opal has ever known, and together they meet the local librarian, Miss Franny Block, who once fought off a bear with a copy of WAR AND PEACE. They meet Gloria Dump, who is nearly blind but sees with her heart, and Otis, an ex-con who sets the animals in his pet shop loose after hours, then lulls them with his guitar.

Opal spends all that sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends and thinking about her mother. But because of Winn-Dixie or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship—and forgiveness—can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm. 
This book is available in the junior library at JF DIC

You can check the status of the book here

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‘The Invention of Hugo Cabret’ by Brian Selznick 
Set in a railway station in Paris 22 year old Hugo Cabret has many secrets. His uncle, the time keeper is missing. Hugo is keeping all the station clocks going himself. He has an automaton. He steals parts from the toy booth in the station to help repair it. But he isn’t the only person who is hiding things from others. A lovely read illuminating some of the early works of the silent movies, this book is part text and part illustration. Suitable for Year 6+

You can find this book in the senior library at F SEL in the historical section. or check the status of the book here or shortcut to audio book on Overdrive here

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📖 The legend of Podkin One-ear by Kieran Larwood

Great fantasy adventure of the young rabbit Podkin, his older sister and baby brother whose warren is overrun by the vicious Gorm. They escape with a magic sword and have many adventures along the way as they meet new friends, make enemies and live a life destined to become legends which will be told by rabbit bards for years to come. 
This is an excellent read for year 5+ and can be found at JF LAR

You can check status of the book here

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Asterix and the Picts by Jean-Yves Ferri 

A new partnership between Jean-Yvette Ferri and the artist Didier Conrad continue the adventures of Asterix the Gaul for a new generation of readers. The action, adventure and humorous puns all follow the classic format set by Goscinny and Uderzo 40 years ago. This story has our indomitable heroes traveling to Scotland to help their Pictish cousins defeat some more Romans with the help of their magic potion and a little malted water.

This book can be found at JGR FER 📖 
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