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Baptism of Fire
Brain Drain
Cool Bananas
Fortune Cookies
Freaks
Hairy Legs
Jamil's Shadow
Mask of the Jackal
Outback: The Diary Of Jimmy Porter 1927-1928
Outer Face
Party Animals
Psycho Gran
Spy Girl #1: Secrets
Spy Girl #2: Fugitive
Spy Girl #3: Nightmare
Spy Girl #4: Danger
Spy Girl #5: Twisted
Vibes
Warped
Baptism of Fire
Set in the breathtaking surroundings of Fiji, Baptism Of Fire tells the beautifully crafted story of Hannah Stanton, a young girl whose developing taste for courage and adventure heighten after the untimely death of her parents.
But has she unlocked the mystery too late? Find out as this heart-stopping book leaves you in suspense up until the very end.'
~ MANDY LEW, 14
Brooks High School, Launceston, TAS.
Baptism of Fire is a fun and adventurous book. It's fun because you feel you are getting into a lot of mischief and the characters express themselves a lot. It's adventurous because of the way it's written. It's about a girl named Hannah, whose parents recently died and she has to live with her uncle and aunty. The characters are real and you can picture the scene in your mind.
This book is different to others because each action is quite different and there a lot of twists that make you jump.
I hope you read this book and enjoy it as much as I did.
~ JESSICA MEICH, 10
St Francis School, Lockleys, SA.
Brain Drain
Lucy's brother Hamish started acting really weird when a computer zapped him. Lucy's parents thought he was just growing up but Lucy knows that he had swapped brains with the computer.
When they went to school the next day Hamish received 100% in a math test which he doesn't usually do! His teacher sent him to the principal's office because she thought he was cheating. The principal became really mad when Hamish called his daughter a dog. Lucy was determined to get her brother's brain back, but could she do it?
I liked Brain Drain because it was interesting and not long to read. I had to choose a book for silent reading and I saw it and thought it looked fun.
My favourite character is Lucy because she was funny and wouldn't give up easily.
~ KATRINA LOCANDRO, 11
St Paul's Primary School, Bentleigh, Victoria
Brain Drain - the words sound easy but get mucked up as you say it. The toaster, the microwave and all electric things rattle as Lucy's brother's brain gets sucked up into the computer. I love this book and hope others will too. I liked the storyline because it was space age.
~ REBECCA DALLY-PAPPS, 10
Trinity Gardens Primary School, SA
My favourite character in Brain Drain is Lucy because she helps her brother lots. She has persistence.
It's about a boy who swaps brains with his computer. Like most books, there is a lesson to be taught - never spend too much time on the computer, get fresh air.
This book is suitable for readers 8 and over. I think it was absolutely super, super, excellent!
~ ISABELLE BYRNE, 9
Trinity Gardens Primary School, SA
Hamish is a boy who is good at jokes and pretending to do things. He likes to play computer games. He also likes playing tricks on his sister, Lucy.
This story takes place in Hamish's house and his school. The house is two storeys and the computer is in the living room. Lucy's room is messy, but the rest of the house is neat and tidy. I think the school is pretty old. Like most of the house, it is neat.
I think people at the age of 7-10 years would enjoy this book. I give it a rating of 10/10.
~ STEPHANIE SCHELL, 9
Flemington Primary School, VIC
Fortune Cookies
Fortune Cookies is filled with short stories that are set in Asia and Australia. It discovers the lives of different people and can bring tears, smiles and even a bit of anger.
Fortune Cookies explores topics such as fitting into a new place, searching for your family, living with love, and even remembering those long gone.
I strongly recommend Fortune Cookies because it shows a variety of writing and is therefore a book for everyone.
~ EMILY WORSNOP, 13
Presbyterian Ladies College, VICTORIA
Hairy Legs
This is an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone. Hairy Legs is about a fairy who hates being one. Many people think fairies are always girls, but this is a fairy with a difference! He is actually a man! He is funny and energetic. It is fun to read this book to a friend, because it is a lot better to have someone to laugh with. Hairy Legs is funny because of the things the fairy has to do. The ending is exciting. I have read it twice and I would read it again. To find out what happens to Hairy Legs, you will just have to read the book yourself, or with a friend.
~ MELISSA COMMON, 10
St Francis Primary School, Lockleys, SA
Jamil's Shadow
Our class has just finished reading Jamil's Shadow. The story is about different things like making new friends, parents being dead, animals coming up to you, earthquakes, cattle, being nice, and persistence.
The main characters are Jamil, who has dark brown hair and eyes. He is lonely and brave. The dog, Shadow, has brown matted fur and very long legs, and he is skinny.
This is what we think about Jamil's Shadow:
It is a remarkable story with lots of meaning.
Shows how some people live.
It's detailed. And it was nice to sit and hear such a good book.
Catches your ear because it is interesting.
Shows friendship is good.
It teaches important lessons like be nice to everyone, or an animal.
Entertaining.
Has good writing and we like the names and things that happen in it.
There is a bit of everything.
It shows we should never judge people by the way they look.
There's complications and they're solved by persistence and fate.
It is not slow and boring like most other books.
There are lots of details.
If anyone reads this book, they will be stunned.
The book has action, excitement, forgiveness and passion.
It's the best story in the world.
Heart-warming.
We would totally recommend this book to others, but they would have a hard time getting it off us!
~ MIKE PALUSZKIEWICZ'S Year 4/5 Class
Banksia Park R-7 School, SA
Jamil's Shadow is an excellent book based on things that most humans experience. Especially children. Although the novel is only short and easy to read, there is a lot in it. You need to understand, not just read the words. It finishes at a good spot as your mind keeps going on in the story and predicting what will come of Jamil.
This book is so real it played on my mind. What would he have gone through which wasn't or couldn't be mentioned? Christine Harris is an excellent writer and you can't pass reading this book!
~ ANGELA JONES, 12
Waverley Primary School, Launceston, TAS
We think the characters names are original because our class had a vote and only one person out of thirty had heard of any of these names. And there is no book like it because it deals with issues like life, death, and how to deal with it.
We recommend this book for grades 5,6,7.
A sign of a good book is one that changes your view of the world and affects the way you think. Jamil's Shadow does all of these things.
We think it is a worth entry in the children's book awards and it brings a tear to the eye of the reader. It is as though the chapters are tightly sewn together and this is very effective.
The illustrator, Christina Miesen, has used different shadings and feels for the pictures. The borders are different, which shows the book is based on a different culture, not Australian. The language is descriptive and different by adding words from other cultures. Each description makes you feel you are there.
~ ERICA FILLMORE & SAMANTHA LOCKETT
Launceston, TAS
Mask of the Jackal
Deaf Characters in Adolescent Literature
Blog interview and review by Sharon Pajka-West
Outer Face
I have been reading Outer Face. I really liked it. In the first chapter it is 'hery vard to tell whether homeone is a suman or sprom face.' (spoonerisms).
I'm going to read more of your books but that's after I finish Outer Face.
~ ALEX TALIANA, 9
Trinity Gardens Primary School, SA
(PS. Really an 'alien sprom outer face')
Party Animals
I read one of your great books called Party Animals. I like it because it is thrilling. It almost seems like I am in the story and I'm watching everything that happens. It feels so real.
The book is about some things that are half human/half animal. My favourite character is Clayton Quinn. He sees things and it freaks me out. I also like him because I know how he must have felt. I get scared when I see things moving on my bedroom walls or hear funny noises. I think his reaction was completely normal because that's how I felt and I'm sure others would too. When he saw the shadows, I probably felt more scared than him.
This book is suitable for people 9, 10 or over. I am 9 and I thought it was fantastic.
~ CAROLINE JANCZAK, 9
Trinity Gardens Primary School, SA
Psycho Gran
Holly is home alone, but what is that creaking? That only means one thing, she is not alone.
She always locked the door, but she can't remember whether she did or not today after her walk out to the letterbox.
She finds the answer when an old lady walks through her bedroom door and says, "I've come to see the doctor."
Who is this crazy old lady? This doctor person hasn't lived here for ages.
Psycho Gran loves riddles, doesn't know where she lives or what her name is, & doesn't want to leave!
Not only is Holly stuck with this Psycho Gran but somebody or two somebodies are trying to get inside.
Holly wishes she'd never ventured out to the letterbox in the first place until this crazy old lady tells her the answer.
You'll never guess what happens.
I chose to review this book because it looks like a really crazy book because of the colours or the cover (pink & green) & because it has the word psycho in the title & it sounds pretty crazy.
Doesn't exactly pull the older reader in but it's still fun and great for the slow reader.
Funny but keeps you dangling off the end of your chair.
I recommend this to children aged between 6-11.
~ LAUREN GEORGE, 10
Palmerston District Primary School, ACT
I loved reading Psycho Gran. I loved Holly because she has a really good attitude with Mavis or Ethel or whatever her name was.
Holly goes her own way to get out of things.
I like the pictures that Bettina Guthridge did. You two are really good together.
The best bit of the book is when psycho gran asked Holly how old she was and Holly said: Things are bad.
Your books would rate 100,000 out of 100,000.
~ NATASHA QUARISA, 10
Trinity Gardens Primary School, SA
My favourite character in Psycho Gran was Holly. She was funny and smart. I liked it when they found out who the people were because you don't get scared any more.
You're the only author I've read lots of. Especially the Hotshots. They're cool.
I think the book is suitable for 7 and up.
~ ALEXANDRA CIABATTONI, 8
Trinity Gardens Primary School, SA
Spy Girl #1: Secrets
Spy Girl #1: Secrets is full-on adventure. The characters are all so different and that makes it fun to read!! They all have their own unique personality and description.
The storyline idea is imaginative and it is so interesting reading about someone's life that was much different to mine. I think that the fact that she was only 12 and a prodigy spy was really cool.
The story was well written; it made me believe I was really there in the exiting adventure! It was explained well and even the smallest details were made real.
I would suggest this book to anyone with a sense of adventure and who loves reading something different!
~ SOPHIA SHEEHAN 11,
New Town, TAS
Secrets is an exciting, adventurous and mysterious story because you don't get all the information on some of the characters - you have to find out for yourself.
I really like the idea of a child prodigy because it shows that Jesse has talent and is above some adults in braininess.
She doesn't have to actually have an adventure before she becomes a spy to prove her cleverness.
You feel kind of sorry for the prodigies and you're eager for them to find out about their past.
~ FLORA VARITIMOS, 11
Somerville House, QLD
I really enjoyed Spy Girl #1: Secrets. It was mysterious. I was in the school library and this book was on the shelf. It stood out with all the different colours on the front cover.
I hope my school orders Spy Girl #2: Fugitive. I can't wait to see what Jesse Sharpe's new adventure will be.
~ ASHLEY NAIR, 6W
Merrylands Public School
Spy Girl #2: Fugitive
Spy Girl #2: Fugitive is a really cool book. I always looked forward to the end of the chapter because I knew it was going to be really thrilling.
Jesse is probably my favourite character but I like Prov too, because she's nice, and she's pretty and girly.
The dialogue wasn't complicated and it was quite realistic.
I had to read the book through about three times before I understood the mystery properly! I could not work out who was good and who was bad. But I finally understood it.
I thought it was a very professional piece of writing.
Even though Jessie sometimes gets sick of her excellent memory, I sometimes think about it and wish that I had her memory! I don't understand how she can get sick of it!
I was also wondering what happened to Rohan? That's the biggest mystery of all! I hope we find out by the fourth book.
Fugitive had lots of interesting facts here and there. I even learned how we got Chicken Marengo!
~ FLORA VARITIMOS, 11
Somerville House, QLD
Spy Girl #3: Nightmare
I really liked Spy Girl #3: Nightmare because it unravelled so many secrets that had been kept from Jesse. She found something special she thought she had lost forever.
My favourite scene was when Jesse discovered the true identity of Daisy.
My favourite character would have to be Liam for his funny approach to things.
Spy Girl #3: Nightmare is a great book. The writing is easy to read, the characters are cool and the story is so great and thrilling. A good book for anyone who loves adventure close to real life.
~ TALLULAH McALOON, 10
Bardwell Valley, Sydney NSW
Spygirl#3: Nightmare is such a great book. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It is a thriller.
The ending is great. I love the way Jesse has to back up for everything she does and how Christine Harris describes Granger's emotions.
My favourite character has to be Prov because I love the way she helps Jesse with everything and that proves how badly she wants to help her.
I think the funniest character is probably Liam because he makes Jesse feel good and then he just changes his mood so quickly.
I think this book is fantastic and I'd give it five out of five.
~ ADINA KHAN, 12
Manchester, ENGLAND
Spy Girl #4: Danger
I love how in the books Jesse is put through danger and is always ready to deal with it. The way you really capture your readers is the way you just use words to describe events. It makes me feel like I am in the book along Jesse. But it's really sad to find out her life story, the way she lost her parents and all that, But it's nice to know that she's in good hands, but there are people that aren't as good. I'd like to find out more about her past. Well, that is all I've got to say, so far. i'll keep reading your books!
~ Carissa, 10
Illinios, USA
Vibes
A girl woke in hospital to find a nurse leaning over her. She stuck a needle into Brittany...
Are her parents hiding something from her now that she has amnesia?
Are they her real parents?
Brittany finds an ad in the newspaper about a missing girl. Is the child Brittany? She asks them for a photo of their child. When she gets it, it looks strangely like her friend, Mango.
Vibes #1: Jigsaw is an exciting, interesting book that will have you up half the night tossing and turning, figuring out the end.
And it is nothing you could dream of...
~ ELOISE WILSON
Somerville House, QLD
Warped
I liked Warped. The short stories are funny, sad, weird and unfinished all at the same time.
I saw this book, looked at the blurb and took it.
There are little stories, like poems such as Mesmerised:
'I watched, mesmerised, as the tip of your tongue retreats into your mouth. Our lips move, and so do mine. I should resist, but the temptation is too great. I tear off my jacket, throw it to the ground, then... I steal your icecream.'
It's just so fun and great.
This book is suitable for 8 year olds and over.
~ ERIKA BELCHAMBER, 9
Trinity Gardens Primary School, SA
Courtney and Je Gyong's Podcast from Pine Hill School, Dunedin NZ
