Children of the Rush

 Author: James Russell

ISBN: 9781991166807

Hi Everyone

Upon visiting Central Otago in New Zealand, you will discover a wealth of gold mining history that remains intact. There are old stone houses (many partly collapsed); hills that during winter get covered in snow; and towns like Clyde that maintain a historical street frontage. If you wish to travel to Gabriel's Valley, you will also find that much of the gold mining history is still able to be seen.

Gabriel's Valley is where this story is based. I have been to both Dunedin and Gabriel's Valley, so reading this, I was able to envision the townships and the children. It was quite an adventure reading through these pages. 

As for the story itself, I enjoyed how the author has interwoven both the history and the depth of hardship that adults and families endured during this time in history, along with a story of friendship and loyalty. The story is rich with history, yet still has an element of imagination (or maybe truth). 

It was refreshing to read a historical children's novel. I would like to see many more like this written. Living books. Ones that we can read time and again, while still finding new snippets of information to ignite our wonder of the history that has been left for our children to discover.

Description:

It's 1861, and gold fever is sweeping New Zealand.

Otherwise sensible adults have gone mad and will do anything to get their hands on the precious metal But two children have been caught up in the rush. Michael and Atarangi couldn't be more different, but they share one thing: each has a remarkable and magical talent. 

Circumstances conspire to bring the children together in remote and inhospitable goldfields, and they're thrust into a world where lawlessness, greed, and cruelty reign.

When the children find out that a cut-throat gang stalks the goldfields, preying upon the innocent, they have a choice to make: turn a blind eye, or fight back?

Happy reading

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Nevermoor - The Trials of Morigan Crow

 Author: Jessica Townsend

ISBN: 978-0-7344-1807-4

Hi Everyone

My favorite series of all time, 'Inkspell', has almost been knocked off its perch. Nevermoor has taken up the battle for first place on my favorites list. With adventure and imagination, intertwined in a plot that grabed my attention from the first page, I am hooked. If the rest of the series continues to live up to the same standard, then I have two series that I would recommend to readers of all ages.

'Morrigan Crow is cursed'..... that is how we are introduced to Morrigan.  How wrong and stupid can people be? She is not even present at most of the events, yet she was born on the wrong day, which makes her a 'cursed child'. I found this concept fascinating, mainly because everyone believed it and the self-fulfilling prophecy effect took hold of Morrigan.  

We see this all around us, beyond the book. How often do we tell children the same thing often enough (sometimes once) only to see them take it on as part of their identity. I studied this in my education studies, we all know it, yet children constantly get told they can't do things right, or at all. I hear it quite regularly from some of my students, 'I'm just not good at ...', 'I have (whatever label they have been given).....". The list of limiting beliefs is long. No! Young people have the ability to learn if we would just stop giving them belief systems that tell them otherwise. Okay, I agree some things are hard, even almost impossible, but give them a chance and some extra time, and you will be amazed at what can be achieved.

Jupiter North knew there was more to Morrigan and whisked her away to a secret magical city called Nevermore. I really like Jupiter. His answers to Morrigan's questions are limited, wise, and confusing all at the same time. And then there is Fenestra - the cat, if you can imagine a huge cat. Typical of a cat, Fen is grumpy, competitive, and knows everything. And Jack, he is annoying, but an important part of the story, so don't leave him off the list; his character gave a little extra something to the book.

Then there is information that takes form near the end of the book, or is it just the start of the story for the rest of the series?

Right now, I could go on for hours about Nevermoor. I have the next three books in the series. I will review them as I get through each one. They better not let me down. I have big expectations now.

Description:

Morrigan Crow is Cursed.

Born on an unlucky day, she is blamed for all local misfortunes, from hailstorms to heart attacks - and, worst of all, the curse means that Morrigan is doomed to die at midnight on Eventide.

But as Morrigan awaits her fate, a strange and remarkable man named Jupiter North appears. Chased by black-smoke hounds and shadowy hunters on horseback, he whisks her away to a secret, magical city called Nevermoor.

To stay in the safety of Nevermoor for good, Morrigan will need to pass four difficult and dangerous trials - or she'll have to leave the city and confront her deadly fate.

Happu reading

For private tutoring with Richelle

Anne of Green Gables

 

Hi Everyone

No one is ever too grown up to read Anne of Green Gables. Anne is just adorable! She talks more than me :)

The story is a classic, and I see why. Every page has something special. The language is witty, clever, elegant, and rich. I have read plenty of children's and young reader's books, but this one tops them all. I see history intertwined amongst the literacy, which will enable many talking points if read aloud to young people.  

Overall, I think anyone's reading list is not complete unless this is either added or already read. It is one of the best classic series on the market.  Now that is giving Anne of Green Gables some major credits because I like reading the classics and I have many of them on my favourites list.  I still think this one needs to be one of the top children's literature titles. 

When you find a copy and a spare moment, take the time to journey with Anne of Green Gables. Then we can all have a talk about Anne, literacy, and a bit of history.  I have the whole series to read so I will keep you updated.

Description: 

People are surprised when Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, both very set in their ways, decide to adopt an orphan boy. But no-one is more astonished than Marilla and Matthew themselves when the boy they are expecting turns out to be a very talkative, very imaginative, very read-headed, very female girl. Anne has arrived at Green Gables. Her adventures, dreams, sorrows and joys are set down here in one of the most popular books ever written.

Happy reading

For private tutoring with Richelle

Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teacup

 Author: Andy Sagar

ISBN: 978-1-510-1094803

Hi Everyone

It has been a long time since I last posted! It seems like a long time since I got to sit down with a book in hand and read with depth enough to write.  It has been a busy year for my students with many of them taking NCEA (my country's senior-level exams). Hence, life has been students,  more students, and adventure in between.  Yes, I remembered to add in a little adventure, like cycling the West Coast Wilderness trail and Otago Rail trail in New Zealand.  It is a beautiful country and there are many ways to see it.

Now that the school exams are finished and there are only two more weeks left of school for the junior levels and primary-aged students, I have books lined up and I will get some read ahead so there will be plenty for you to look in on here. 

So to Yesterday Crumb and the Storm in a Teapot...

Of course, this is another book that was purchased because of the cover. Never tell me that a cover is not important because it is the most important part of any book. It is what makes me pick it up in the first place. Boring covers are left on the bookshop shelves when it comes to my shopping. I try to be practical but I just can't help purchasing colourful attractive covers!

This one has not let me down. I am nearly finished and I have decided to review it early. With only a few chapters left and an evening where I feel like writing, it is time to give my review.

From the very first page this grabbed my attention. It is full of just the right amount of suspense balanced with friendship, mishaps, and laughter. The imagination in these pages is brilliant, it amazes me that authors can come up with these ideas and keep them flowing from chapter to chapter like this.

I became attached to more than one character as they all seemed to play their part in the story. Many books give me one or two characters to lean on but this one gave me an entire book family to hang out with and brew up magical tea :) 

I am happy for any one of my students to pick up this book and have full confidence that they will enjoy it. There is more than one in this series and I am seriously thinking that they will need to be added to my bookcase too. 

Description: 

Yesterday Crumb has always felt cursed by the fox ears she was born with. Forced to work in a circus, her origins are a complete mystery. But when she's recused by Miss Dumpling and her magical, walking teashop, Yesterday learns she's a strangeling who's lost her magic.

Surrounded by fantastical customers, a flying teapot-turtle and incredible spells, Yesterday rediscovers her powers and finally starts to fell like she might belong.

But a mysterious figure of darkness is working hard to ensure her new life comes crashing down - and it all starts with a deadly shard of ice in Yesterday's heart...

Happy reading

For private tutoring with Richelle

The Taylor Turbochaser

 Its a Road-Trip Rollercoaster!

Author: David Baddiel

ISBN: 978-0-00-836538-7

Hi Everyone

As we roll into 2023 and back into lessons, we have a good range of new books on the bookcase.  Here is the first one I have read this school term. 'It's a Road Trip Rollercoaster', definitely.

I laughed my way through this book.  One of my students is now laughing her way through it.

My impression of this novel is beyond words. It is unique. That is what I would describe this novel as, 'unique'.

Take a girl, and add her brother and friends. Take a family broken by an accident that put the girl in a wheelchair. Add to the equation - that girl loves cars. She also needs a new wheelchair.... 

Now add to the mix, one of the friends being an inventor...

What do you have?

An adventure like no other.

I am sure this book will have many young readers wanting more.  There are illustrations the whole way through that will keep the reader glued to the pages.  This book is well worth adding to any young reader's bookcase.

Description:

Well, a Ford Transit van. Which might sound strange. You'll have to read this book to find out why.

BUT AMY HAS NEVERE BEEN ABLE TO DO THE THING SHE DREAMS OF MOST: TO DRIVE.

UNTIL NOW...NEVER

Happy reading

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In the Mouth of the Wolf

Author: Micheal Morpurgo,     Read by: Jim Broadbent

Duration: 1hour 38 minutes

ISBN: 9780008316198

Hi Everyone

I am highly impressed by the reading of 'In the mouth of the wolf'. This book is classed as a juvenile reader which is where my interest in the content comes to hand.  I am not sure if it is the narration or the story that has impacted me, or maybe it is the combination.  

The narrator is fantastic and is bring across the message enclosed. His voice sounds the right age to fit the purpose. There have been many occasions, in my audiobook journey, that the narrator is not the correct person for the message within the novel. But this time around it was perfect.  I got the impression I was listening to the actual storyteller! You find out in the last section who the story was about and that also sparked my interest.

As for the plot. I am left speechless. This man's story is told with perfection for the young reader. Although, it is also very timely and important that this is read by all ages. There was no watering down of the information and I found it to be written in such a way that there was respect for the main character/person but the importance of his story was still well told.  

I have a couple of books on my bookcase by Michael Morpurgo which I have been meaning to read. Now I know that I will be opening those titles and many more written by Michael Morpurgo and I understand the popularity of his titles.

Description:

Francis Cammaerts, Jim Broadbent and Michael Morpurgo happen to be all part of the same family so this production is a very special collaboration bringing family members’ voices to life.

Francis and Pieter are brothers. As the shadow of one war lingers, and the rumbles of another approach, the brothers argue. Francis is a fierce pacifist, while Pieter signs up to fight. What happens next will change the course of Francis’s life forever… and throw him into the mouth of the wolf.

Happy reading

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The Book Jumper

Author: Mechthild Glaser

ISBN: 978-1-250-14423-2

Hi Everyone

The concept behind this novel is fantastic. I want to be a book jumper!

When Amy Lennox visits her grandmother, she discovers the ability to book jump. What exactly does that entail? Well, she can go into the books and interact with the characters.  Just imagine that for one minute.  

See....

Don't you want to be a book jumper?  

What would you tell some of the characters that you have read about? Now that is telling 😄😏😒😖

With being a book jumper there is the downside. Doesn't everything come with all angles?  For Amy, there was a bit of fixing up to be done. A bit of mystery to solve. A bit of background knowledge to discover along the way.  

Fantastic!  

This one comes with my high recommendations for any young adult reader, and for those of you that still enjoy books from every genre and age bracket. Don't let your reading ever be limited by your age.

Description:

Amy Lennox doesn't know quite what to expect when she and her mother pick up and leave Germany for Scotland, heading to her mother's childhood home of Lennox House on the island of Stormsay.

Amy's grandmother, Lady Mairead, insists that Amy must read while she resides at Lennox House - But not in the usual way. It turns out that Amy is a book jumper, able to leap into a story and interact with the world inside. As thrilling as Amy's new power is, it also brings danger: Someone is stealing from the books she visits, and that person may be after her life. Teaming up with fellow book jumper Will, Amy vows to get to the bottom of the thefts - at whatever costs.

Happy reading

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Author: Kelly Barnhill

ISBN: 9871848126473

Hi Everyone,

If you want a great little read with some fantastic characters then this is for you.  It is classified as Juvenile fiction but I loved every second of it.  

It started a little slow and I found it flicked around the place, from chapter to chapter, and I had to think of where the story was heading but it didn't take long to get the flow things moving along.  By the middle of the book I thought we were well on the way of bringing everyone together and hence the ending - so I got a little excited, forming the climax in my head.  I was pleasantly surprised when they all did come together and the climax highlighted the source of the story - sorrow.

Sorrow!  

Sometimes books begin to sound the same, one after another, with the same outcomes.  This is one of the first books I've read that bring to play outcomes from hidden sorrow.  I found it really interesting and thought it an important concept to be written about and discussed in such a unique way.  This is a great way of forming talking points over where sorrow can lead when hidden and allowed to hibernate in our inner being. 

It is worthy of reading with our young ones and forming a discussion around.

Description:

A young girl raised by a witch, a swamp monster, and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon must unlock the dangerous magic buried deep inside her in this epic coming-of-age fairy tale from the highly acclaimed author of The Witch's Boy. Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the forest, Xan, is kind and gentle. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster named Glerk and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon, Fyrian. Xan rescues the abandoned children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. When Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge on schedule--but Xan is far away. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Soon, it is up to Luna to protect those who have protected her--even if it means the end of the loving, safe world she's always known. The acclaimed author of The Witch's Boy has created another epic coming-of-age fairy tale destined to become a modern classic.

Happy Reading

The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

 Author: Garth Nix

Read by: Marissa Calin

ISBN: 9780655698142

Hi Everyone,

I don't even how to being explaining the journey I took within these pages. I feel like the writer (Garth Nix) had so many ideas that just had to be put on paper and he bundled them all up and scattered them though out The Left Handed Booksellers of London. It went from one concept to next and I had to constantly try to keep up with all the new ideas.  

But...

I really enjoyed it.

I liked the journey through the reality of London on one page, to a fantasy world on the next, and back to London.  I didn't find a lot of significance in the importance of the left handed and right handed concept of the novel but it did bring the magical presence into being within the plot.  Rather instead, I enjoyed the mystery behind Susan's father and the link to her mother (of whom I would liked to have been developed more rather than the dusting of knowledge we are given about her). Who was her father? Where was her father? And what did this all have to do with everything and everyone? Yes - that's what kept me reading. Splatter in the magical elements of the characters and you have quite a good read.

Even though I found there were a lot of ideas floating within the pages, it pleasantly enjoyable.  It's quite good to walk the pages of a novel with the characters, and have no expectancy rather than relaxing and enjoying the story.  This was one those books for me.  There was just enough crime, mystery, fantasy, joy, heartbreak and reality, to balance the ideas nicely.  

Description:

A Slightly alternate London in 1983, Susan Arkshaw is looking for her father, a man she has never met. Crime boss Frank Thringley might be able to help her, but Susan doesn't get time to ask Frank any questions before he is turned to dust by the prick of a silver hatpin in the hands of the outrageously attractive Merlin.

Merlin is a young left-handed bookseller (one of the fighting ones), who with the right-handed booksellers magical beings who police the mythic and legendary Old World when it intrudes on the modern world, in addition to running several bookshops.

Susan's search for her father begins with her mother's possibly misremembered or misspelt surnames, a reading room ticket, and a silver cigarette case engraved with something that might be a coat of arms.

Merlin has a request of his own, to find the Old World entity who used ordinary criminals to kill his mother. As he and his sister, the right-handed bookseller Vivien, tread in the path of a botched or covered-up police investigation from years past, they find this quest strangely overlaps with Susan's. Who or what was her father? Susan, Merlin and Vivien must find out, as the Old World erupts dangerously into the New.

Happy Reading

The Bad Luck Lighthouse

Author: Nicki Thornton
ISBN: 9781912626304

Hi Everyone

I love the library more now than ever at the moment.  As my love for different genres has widened, I find a new gem (or today, 11) just begging me to take it home.  I have taken a real liking to the shelf with the 'new books'.  Some of these I have noticed, are actually older titles but the library obviously has a new copy.  When I get them home and finally decided which one I am going to start with, I feel like I have been shopping at the bookstore.  I especially like the new books when I have requested they purchase a title, when they come in I know am reading that particular book first.  There is nothing quite like a new book and I can admit that I enjoy the newbies, even if they have to be sent back in three weeks. 

The Bad Luck Lighthouse came from the 'new books' stand at our library.  I found so much to think about in this book.  It is quite interesting what you can learn from a simple book.  Don't stop at the classics, I find there is something between the pages of every book if we are willing to sink beneath the surface and actually ponder what  is happening. This includes children's books and children reading them should be encouraged to think about what they are reading, between the lines, looking at anything that grabs their interest

Actually, I say throw away the multi-choice tests and fill in the gap sheets for books at schools and talk about the books.  When I say talk about them I don't mean ask questions that have an answer. Ask questions that need a conversation, an opinion, and a little thinking about characters and life.  If I had been shown how to think in these ways, about the events in a book as a child, I would have liked reading so much more - I may have pick a book up and read it.  There you go confessions of a student past.  I didn't read at school!  In fact I spent years saying I hated it!  With a passion!  Come on all you adults out there, if we stop testing the kids with random right/wrong questions and just have a conversation maybe more kids might like what they encounter. Maybe or maybe not, after all it is just my opinion.  An opinion from a childhood non-reader.

Today I read everything.  I have lots of catching up to do.  Lots of pondering the happenings between the pages of books from every age and every genre.  Fun!  

Fact: Never give up on a child.  They may not enjoy reading now but there is always time.  Enjoy reading for them and to them, they deserve to hear the story.  By hearing the story, one day they may just be an avid reading.... Never give up.

Back to the book at hand 😁  What was just a story became a brilliant piece of literature.  

It was in the suspense category and there was plenty of that.  I could have put it in the mystery section too but the librarians labelled it 'suspense'.  This was also a book with plenty of magic.  It was a book that showed people can often be more than you see. I feel that everyone had either a personal secret, a secret identity, a secret life, or simply didn't know what they had to offer and that had to be brought to the surface too.  It was like judging a book by its cover only to find the inside was nothing that you predicted.  Every character evolved in some way as the book progress.  No-one seemed to be who I thought they were.  Secrets unraveled everywhere.  

This may be a children/juvenile fiction book but from this book there are so many talking points and avenues that one can take a conversation down.  As you or you children read it, think about it.  Think about what we can hide from the world.  Think about what how your kids or yourself judge others without really knowing the real person below the surface. I am sure if you open your mind as you read this you will see so much more in the mystery and suspense.  And, it's actually a really good read. Enjoy the friendships and the magic.  Enjoy the journey.

Description:

Welcome to the bad luck lighthouse

In solving the mystery at the Last Chance Hotel, Seth has discovered a world of magic. Swept up in a new case at Snakesmouth Lighthouse - the murder of eccentric owner Mina Mintencress - he is determined to prove himself.

With the help of his cat, Nightshade, Seth must put his new-found magic to the test. Can they unmask a sinister sorcerer... before it's too late?

Happy reading

The Sailing Ship Tree

The Sailing Ship Tree

Author: Berlie Doherty

ISBN: 9781846470448

Hi Everyone

Here we have another book finally read that has been waiting to be picked up for months.  I purchased this book from Young Reflections off one of their sale tables.  Hence, I am not sure that they will still have it but it is well worth taking an afternoon out to browse their shop, it is one of my favorite education stores.  

The book description grabbed my interest first.  So I thought it only respectful to include the description part way through my written thoughts this time around - 

Description:

This is the story of the Big House by the Mersy and the people who lived there.  In particular the twins Walter and Dorothy, whose father is the butler; Master George, the desperately lonely son of the wealthy owner; and Tweeny, the little maid treated hardly better than a slave.

In a way the house belongs to all of them, though the lives of the servants and masters couldn't be more different.

When disaster strikes and Master George needs help, the four children find refuge in the branches of a beautiful chestnut tree in the grounds of the house and three create a daring plot to help him escape to a new world.

Did it live up to my first impressions?

I have to admit that it didn't grab me within the first few pages, so I put it down.  For quite a few months I struggled to pick it back up.  But, I am extremely pleased that I did pick it back up and start reading again.  Maybe I wasn't in the right mood the first time; or maybe it was a slow starter; either concept is possible but once I manage to find myself landed inside the pages there was no way I was closing the book.

I have no idea how big there sailing ship tree was but my imagination made it into something big and wonderful.  Not in fantasy way, rather in a vision of a really old tree that wanted as much company as the children.  It seemed like a place I would have gone to hide and feel safe and powerful.  For different reasons each child loved the tree right to the end.

The story was inter-twined with history and full of unexpected situations.  There was a part that I admit to being shocked by the twist in plot, but it did all work out in the end.  An ending that made the whole book seem real.  I envisioned the final pages with precision in my own little mind.  How the author wanted me to see it is beyond my knowledge but I give her credit for how she finalized it.

When I had finished this little gem, I went searching for information about the author only to discover her web page Berlie Doherty . On her page you will find out about how she came to write the book, an interesting read in itself.

Well, I have students due any minute so I will have to leave you all with a little homework for yourself:

1.  Find out where you can get yourself a copy and read it
2. Take a look in on https://www.berliedoherty.com/ and find out about the making of this story and the author.  It will be well worth the time

Happy reading