Leaf

Leaf by Stephen Michael King

Grow Your Own!

While escaping from a pair of scissors threatening to take his hair, a young boy runs outdoors and into a large green bush. When a little bird fling over with a seed in its mouth accidentally drops his seed on to the young boy's head a wondrous thing happens.

Leaf is an amusing and adventurous book where the words maybe absent but the story is loud, bold and a lot of fun. This is a book of noise and sounds about nature and life and how all things are connected. A wonderfully bright and engaging book that highlights the beauty of nature and the importance of taking care of the world around us.

Stephen Michael King Webpage

Stephen Michael King @ Scholastic

On sale: 01 April 2010
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781741696776
Recommended age: 3-5
In a word: Leaf
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Before I Fall

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

A Little Too Late, Or Just In Time!

If you had only one day left to live how would you spend it?

It's Friday February 12th and Sam is reliving the same day over and over again. But despite all she does and all she tries the day always ends the same; with death. As an eighteen year old Sam typically spends her Fridays at to school, or skipping it, and her Friday nights at parties and this day is no exception.

With each day that Sam relives she realises she has a choice and each choice leads her to discover something new about herself and those around her; to discover what is truly important. Things may not turn out as Sam might expect them to but she learns to accept that everything, good or bad, happens for a reason. For Sam who is still so young and has yet to live she is given only a handful of days to learn how to live, how to love and how to die.

If you had only one day left to live how would you spend it?

Before I Fall love will be found, too late the truth will be discovered, but just in time hope will be realised. Sometimes it's easy to forget that everyone has their secrets and their fears, that everyone just wants to belong. Our every action however insignificant to us affects those around us with consequence we cannot begin to realise. A reflective story that shows its never too late.

Lauren Oliver Webpage

Lauren Oliver @ Hachette

On sale: 01 April 2010
Price (AU): $29.99
ISBN: 9781444706420
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Life/Death
Re-read it: probably
Recommend: probably
Star rating: four out of five
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eric

eric by Shaun Tan

It's Not What He Said But What He Left Behind!

He wasn't at all what was expected; he came from a different place and did things differently. The spare room that had been redecorated just for him he didn't use. The questions he asked were not the questions expected, and they were not easily answered. He was quiet and kept mostly to himself.

But he was polite and friendly and he didn't mind when we had trouble pronouncing his name, simply telling us to just call him Eric. He was always happy to be taken out and shown the sights. He was always happy to left alone to study. At least I think he was happy. And when he left he left behind a wonderful surprise that is still treasured.

eric is a simple and compact story of friendship and acceptance. As they say good things come in small packages and this little book is full of good things. To open your home and your heart to others without judgement can bring beautiful surprises into your life. As can a little book called eric.

Shaun Tan Webpage

Shaun Tan @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 April 2010
Price (AU): $9.99
ISBN: 9781742372921
Recommended age: 7-17
In a word: eric
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Wonderland

Wonderland by Tommy Kovacillustrated by Sonny Liew

'One Of Them Girly-Type Faces'

When Alice followed a talking white rabbit down a rabbit hole the events that followed became well known, but not only in our world. Wonderland was a world changed as Alice had left behind her a land in chaos and a kingdom now full of the curious.

But the most intriguing and unanswered question to arise from Alice's Adventure In Wonderland is the curious manner in which the white rabbit refers to Alice as Mary Ann. Just who is this Mary Ann and why is does the white rabbit insist Alice is she?

Would it surprise you to learn that, like Alice, Mary Ann was a girl who wore some sort of dress and had some sort of hair on her head. Under such circumstances could the white rabbit really be blamed for getting the two mixed up?

But then Alice turned out to be some sort of monster, creating chaos and in-sighting curiosity, while Mary Ann is but a humble and orderly maid who loves noting more then to clean and tidy. However when it comes down to it are Alice and Mary Ann really so different.

Wonderland is a graphic novel that tells the story of the elusive Mary Ann and what life was like for those in Wonderland after Alice. A combination of the comic book issues that comprised the Wonderland comic series are brought together in this vivid and intriguing hardcover edition. A quirky and curious tale for all those to dare to know more.

Tommy Kovac Webpage

On sale: 01 October 2009
Price (US): $19.99
ISBN: 97814423104513
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: Wonderland
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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You

You by Stephen Michael King

You Make My Day!

A little one has set out to show just how much he cares for his friend, bringing colour to their life while sharing all the brightness and beauty of the world. But the most colourful thing in the world is his friend.

A little one has set out to show just how much he cares for his friend, bringing music to their life while sharing all the harmony and melody of the world. But the most musical thing in the world is his friend.

A little one has set out to show just how much he cares for his friend, bringing excitement to their life while sharing all the highs and lows of the world. But the most exciting thing in the world is his friend.

You demonstrates just how much more enriched, colourful, musical and exciting life is when shared with those you love. Just as this book is more enhanced, vibrant, sweet and moving when shared with a special little loved one. A dear little book as bright in imagery as it is touching in meaning.

Stephen Michael King Webpage

Stephen Michael King @ Scholastic

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $19.99
ISBN: 9781741696226
Recommended age: 0-2
In a word: You
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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Fallen Grace

Fallen Grace by Mary Hooper

Grieved, Mute And All Alone!

Grace and her older sister Lily lost their mother at a young age, before that they had lost their father. Alone in the world the girls had been sent to an orphanage and when older to a workhouse, but now they were living on their own making what they could selling watercress in one of the poorest areas in London.

It had always been Grace's responsibility to look after Lily, who now almost seventeen was still as unable to care for herself as she was when a child. Grace and Lily had left the workhouse and all it's horrors behind them, or so they had thought until Grace could no longer deny what was to be the outcome of her short stay there. And so, grieved and emotional, Grace found herself at Brookwood Cemetery with two business cards placed into her hands.

When the worst came to worst and Grace and Lily were forced from their home, Grace determined not to see her sister or herself resorting to living in the streets. She tried unsuccessfully to contact Mr Solent, the man who had given her the first business card. When that had failed she reluctantly took up the second black edged business card. She had been offered a job once, working for a funeral business.

It was not a position Grace was comfortable with but the Unwin family had agreed to take in Lily also, and although the sisters were to be separated Grace was only pleased they would both have food, clothing and shelter for the quickly approaching winter. However unbeknownst to Grace, the Unwin's had motives of their own for taking in the young girls.

Fallen Grace is a historical novel depicting life in London for both the poor and the wealthy, discriminating against neither as a poor beggar on the streets could be as much a thief as the wealthy in their posh houses, or worse. Amongst death, grief and greed Grace shines as a strong and vulnerable character able to tell a story that is fast paced, well thought out and all her own. A story full of deceptive actions, heartbreaking decisions and, if she's lucky, happy endings.

Mary Hooper Webpage

Mary Hooper @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 August 2010
Price (AU): $24.99
ISBN: 9780747599135
Recommended age: 14-18
In a word: Grace
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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The Wardstone Chronicles Book1

THE WARDSTONE CHRONICLES:
The SPOOK'S Apprentice by Joseph Delaney

Someone's Got To Do It!

Thomas J Ward is the seventh son of a seventh son, as such he is a natural enemy of the dark and all that dwell with it. It is because of this that Tom as been accepted as apprentice to the Spook, but there have been other apprentices before him, all of then seventh sons of seventh sons and not all of them had made it through their apprenticeships alive.

Not yet thirteen, Tom has been sent far from home and thrown into a world danger. He has been given a month to prove that he might have what it takes to be a Spook's apprentice, but first Tom will have to last through his first night. Something that's definitely not as easy as it sounds.

There is much to learn as a Spook's apprentice and if Tom isn't paying attention he may soon be following the path of many an apprentice before to an early grave. But Tom has advantages over the other apprentices before him. The first is being his mam's son, a mysterious woman with her own talents. The second is Alice, a young girl in pointy shoes, but will she become Tom's greatest friend or worst enemy?

The Spook's Apprentice is not a position to be taken lightly and in a world as old and rich in history as this only a Spook has the power to fight the evils that lurk within these pages. However, despite the staff he carries and the cloak and beard he wears the Spook is not your normal wizard, he fights without magic but with commonsense, knowledge and courage to prevail. It's a Spooky fun beginning to great new series.

The SPOOK'S - map

Joseph Delaney Webpage

Joseph Delaney @ Random House

THE SPOOK'S

On sale: 01 May 2009
Price (AU): $17.95
ISBN: 9781862308534
Recommended age: 12-16
In a word: SPOOK'S
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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What I Saw and How I Lied

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell

Truth, Lies And Fatal Apple Lipstick!

Evie is fifteen years old, still childish in looks and in a great hurry not to be. Evie and her best friend Margie practice smoking with chocolate cigarettes and dream of a time when they will be old enough to wear Fatal Apple lipstick. But most of all Evie wants to be beautiful and glamorous just like a movie star, just like her mother.

With the war over and the return of Evie's stepfather Joe everything seemed to be coming back to normal, except for Joe. To Joe business had become more important then friendships, however he still put his family first deciding to take his wife and Evie on a holiday to Palm Beach. Unfortunately it's the off season and there is little choice in were they stay and who they stay with.

Peter was a guest staying at the same hotel in Palm Beach, he knew Joe in the war and talks like their old friends, Joe however doesn't remember things that way. The night Evie met Peter she had on her mothers dress and had snuck into a party. Peter had danced barefoot with Evie by the pool and for Evie it was love.

When in an instant Evie's life is turned upside down she comes to realise that those she once trusted to protect her now cannot even protect themselves. No longer the shy child, Evie has grown up over a very short time wanting nothing more to do with being glamorous, nothing more to do with being like her mother. When everything she was led believe turns into in a lie, will she be forced to lie herself?

What I Saw and How I Lied sees innocence lost and childish ideals pushed aside as the plan and childish Evie evolves into the attractive and mature Evelyn before our eyes. Spurred on by a mystery that may never be solved, Evie must make a choice between doing the right thing and doing the thing that's right. But can she live with herself if she turns her back on the man she loves to save her family; can she live with herself if she doesn't? The war may be over, but its repercussions are still being felt.

Judy Blundell Webpage

Judy Blundell @ Scholastic

On sale: 01 May 2010
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9780439903486
Recommended age: 13+
In a word: Lies
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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Magic Under Book 1

MAGIC UNDER:
Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

The Tick Tick Ticking Of A Heart!

Nimira is a long way from home having travelled over seas to make her fortune. However a fortune never came and nether did the acclamations that she had hoped to receive. Nimira was a singer and a dancer and had been promised to perform for the height of society, but instead she had ended up at the already full world of music-hall performers.

As a trouser-girl Nimira's talents were wasted on leering drunks with only mere pennies for her trouble. Although she would never admit it, she long dreams of being swept away by a wealthy gentleman never to see the unseemly stage again, to be rescued into a world of good food, fine dresses and high society.

When one night Nimira notices a hansom gentleman in the crowd she dared not hope that he could be the one to rescue her, but he was exactly that. Or so it had seemed at first. But Hollin Parry was no ordinary gentleman for he was a sorcerer and the position he offered to Nimira was no ordinary position.

A piano-playing automaton was to accompany Nimira as she sang; it was to be a special act. But Nimira's initial shock of discovering the automatons secret was only the beginning. If she is to have any hopes of saving the clockwork man she must first restore him to being a man. But is he simply a man trapped in a clockwork body, or the ghost of a man haunting an automaton, or something much more sinister.

Magic Under Glass hold elements of a fairytale alongside elements of classic literature, with notable influences from Jane Eyre. Issues of class, gender and politics are wrapped in a world of magic and fantasy that stands on the brink of war. Ultimately a love story, Nimira must fight through racism and cultural intolerance, as well as a few ghost stories and the odd mad woman, before she is able to be with the man she loves. But what will happen once she's with him?

Jaclyn Dolamore Webpage

Jaclyn Dolamore @ Allen & Unwin

On sale: 01 March 2010
Price (AU): $16.99
ISBN: 9781408802120
Recommended age: 13-16
In a word: Magic
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: five out of five
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The Little White Horse

The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

The Brave Soul And The Pure Spirit!

Maria Merrywealther had, for all her young life, always lived in London. She was a London lady born and bread and she loved her London home that overlooked London square. It was here that she had her only friend, a boy with a feather in his hat named Robin, but according to Miss Heliotrope he only imaginary.

Upon the death of her long absent father Maria became an orphan, and so her governess Mrs Heliotrope, Wiggins and herself were to leave London and move to the unrefined and ill-comforted country to a place called Moonacre to live with her last remaining relative, her cousin Sir Benjamin.

But what Maria finds at Moonacre is not at all what she expected, the country is a beautiful and enchanting place to live and its people are so nice that Maria finds that she instantly loves them all. But there is a darkness hanging over Moonacre and nothing is what it seems, especially not a little white horse and a large dark dog.

The Little White Horse is a symbol for purity and it is exactly Maria's pure heart and bravery that drives this classic story of morality, friendship and love. The wrongs of the past must be healed before those in the present are truly to be happy, and only through the actions of one girl can peace be found at last. Although set in the past it is a sweet and timeless story that has been enjoyed for generations, and will continue to bring joy for generations to come.

Elizabeth Goudge Webpage

The Secret Of Moonacre

On sale: 23 January 2009
Price (BGP): $6.99
ISBN: 9780745961187
Recommended age: 9+
In a word: Happiness
Re-read it: possibly
Recommend: probably
Star rating: three out of five
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Twilight: The Graphic Novel Volume 1

Twilight: The Graphic Novel Volume 1
by Stephenie Meyer
art and adaptation by Young Kim

'What A Stupid Lamb'

Bella's mother has just remarried, it is a new start for her with a new husband and Bella doesn't want to be in the way. And so Bella has made the noble gesture to trade her erratic, loving mother and sunny Phoenix for her father, Police Chief Swan and the gloomy, cloud covered town of Forks.

As the new girl in town Bella is just trying to fit in, but not all is simple in this quiet little town. Bella soon discovers a mystery in the form of the beautiful and dangerous Edward Cullen. Edward knows the secrets of everyone about him but has never had his secrets revealed, that is until Bella.

Bella and Edward have found in each other someone with whom they can be themselves with, someone with whom they can love. But a love like there's will not come easily, there are a number of complications to over come, not least of all is that Edward is a vampire. As their love grows so too does the danger, but for now they are together at the beginnings of their relationship.

Twilight has been given a fresh new twist that captures and conveys the heart of this story using very few words but many skilful images. The medium of graphic novel is extremely successful in projecting Bella and Edward's story, artfully detailing each character as they might have been imagined when they were still only characters on a page. This first volume is all about how they meet and how they fell in love; in essence it is simply a love story.

Edward Cullen & Bella Swan

by Young Kim

Stephanie Meyer Webpage

Stephanie Meyer @ Hachette
Twilight Sage

On sale: 17 March 2010
Price (AU): $26.99
ISBN: 9781905654666
Recommended age: 14+
In a word: twilight
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: three out of five
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Heartless

Heartless by Tasma Walton

A Heart Is A Terrible Thing To Waste!

As life flashes by it is the milestone that we remember most, those moments in time that have had the most profound affects on the heart. The joyous highs that set hour hearts dancing and the crushing lows that tear our hearts apart. It is these moments that our hearts remember and carry through guiding our every decisions, shaping our every dreams.

At seven years old a little girl is dancing for joy, she has all hopes in life ahead of her, she has her pure and glowing best friend Astintina and she has her Great Life Purpose. With a heart as happy and heavenly as hers how can she not succeed in her dreams when following her heart.

But at seven years old a little girl is no longer dancing, she no longer sees any hopes in life, she no longer feels her pure and glowing best friend and she no longer believes she has a Great Life Purpose. For when she needed her most her happy and heavenly heart was not able to bring her her dreams, but instead lay broken and crushed, forgotten on the floor.

Her first experience with heartbreak has a dramatic effect on her, haunting her throughout her life. No longer will she trust her heart nor believe her worthy or beautiful and so she turns her back on her heart, making decisions to spite her, giving up her hearts dreams for a cold and broken existence. But a life lived without a joy and dancing is a lonely and heartless life.

Heartless is no way to live, lonely and closed off from the world. But if there is only one lesson to take from this story it is that it is never too late to believe again, to find love again, to let go of the hurt and mend a broken heart. A raw and emotion look at love and life that is engaging and evolving. Looking at both the beautiful and destructive sides to our nature, this story will touch something in all of us.

Tasma Walton @ UQP

On sale: 28 September 2009
Price (AU): $24.95
ISBN: 9780702237324
Recommended age: 18+
In a word: Heart
Re-read it: yes
Recommend: yes
Star rating: four out of five
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