by Kim Jane and Marion Roberts $19.95 pb
** Limited number of signed copies available!
Celia and Alice begin an email correspondence when it becomes known that there is a killer on the loose, abducting schoolgirls. Three bodies have been found, each shrouded in hand-woven fabric. The girls’ friendship deepens as they share their hopes and fears, and from the police investigation, forensic reports and from the correspondence between the girls, the truth of the mystery unfolds. The novel is written in a true-crime style, which I really liked, and, no spoilers, but the ending definitely has the ‘Wow’ factor. I was completely captivated by this wonderful collaboration and could literally not put it down until I had finished it. Cry Blue Murder is a riveting, exciting and chilling young adult novel and it is set right here in Malvern!
- Review by Cathy.
Kim Kane is the author of the cool and quirky novel Pip – the story of Olive and of picture books Family Forest and The Unexpected Crocodile. She lives in Melbourne. Marion Roberts is the author of Sunnyside Up and Mostly Sunny and she also lives in Melbourne.
- Review by Cathy.
Kim Kane is the author of the cool and quirky novel Pip – the story of Olive and of picture books Family Forest and The Unexpected Crocodile. She lives in Melbourne. Marion Roberts is the author of Sunnyside Up and Mostly Sunny and she also lives in Melbourne.
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey $19.99 pb
In the first book of this new and exciting trilogy, Rick Yancey wanted to create a plausible novel about an alien invasion and he has really delivered the goods! The 5th Wave is a well-written and totally compelling, post-apocalyptic story with realistic and heroic characters, and non-stop action and suspense. It has been compared to “War of the Worlds” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” but it is the believability of this story that will appeal to today’s young adult readers. The 5thwave is sure to be a huge best seller and will appeal to the fans of the “Gone” series and the “Chaos Walking” trilogy. I really loved it and can’t wait for the next instalment. Recommended for readers 14+
- Review by Cathy.
In the first book of this new and exciting trilogy, Rick Yancey wanted to create a plausible novel about an alien invasion and he has really delivered the goods! The 5th Wave is a well-written and totally compelling, post-apocalyptic story with realistic and heroic characters, and non-stop action and suspense. It has been compared to “War of the Worlds” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” but it is the believability of this story that will appeal to today’s young adult readers. The 5thwave is sure to be a huge best seller and will appeal to the fans of the “Gone” series and the “Chaos Walking” trilogy. I really loved it and can’t wait for the next instalment. Recommended for readers 14+
- Review by Cathy.
Tom Gates is Absolutely Fantastic (At Some Things) by L. Pichon $15.99 pb
Tom Gates is back for more hilarious adventures in book five of this incredibly popular series. Exciting news is afoot at Oakfield School! Mr. Fullerman has announced than Class 5F are going on an ‘Activity Break’. With all sorts of chaos on the cards, it should be BIG fun - as long as Tom doesn’t have to dorm with measly Marcus Meldrew! Winner of the Road Dahl Funny Prize, Red House Children’s Book Award and Waterstones’ Children’s Book Prize, this series just gets better and better. Recommended for readers 8+
Tom Gates is back for more hilarious adventures in book five of this incredibly popular series. Exciting news is afoot at Oakfield School! Mr. Fullerman has announced than Class 5F are going on an ‘Activity Break’. With all sorts of chaos on the cards, it should be BIG fun - as long as Tom doesn’t have to dorm with measly Marcus Meldrew! Winner of the Road Dahl Funny Prize, Red House Children’s Book Award and Waterstones’ Children’s Book Prize, this series just gets better and better. Recommended for readers 8+
Truly Tan: Jinxed by Jen Storer $16.99 pb
We met Tan in “Truly Tan”. She’s bright and lively and has the mind of a great detective. Now Tan’s back in a new adventure and this could her biggest case yet. This case could make her famous. She’s bolder. She’s brighter. But is she jinxed? Fans of “Clarice Bean” will love this funny, feisty and imaginative character. Recommended for readers 8+
We met Tan in “Truly Tan”. She’s bright and lively and has the mind of a great detective. Now Tan’s back in a new adventure and this could her biggest case yet. This case could make her famous. She’s bolder. She’s brighter. But is she jinxed? Fans of “Clarice Bean” will love this funny, feisty and imaginative character. Recommended for readers 8+
Joyous and Moonbeam by Richard Yaxley $16.99 pb
Joyous, the main character in this wonderful, clever and often very funny novel for young adults, never – no, not ever – fails to see the best in everyone and everything. When he meets Moonbeam, a young woman whose view of the world is looking a little bleak, Joyous knows that she needs his particular brand of help. The story unfolds through three different, distinct voices, and is, ultimately, one of the most uplifting and unlikely friendships I’ve read in young adult fiction for some time. Joyous’ attitude is infectious, and his use of language will have you “working things around” in no time. Highly recommended for readers 12+
- Review by Lucinda.
Joyous, the main character in this wonderful, clever and often very funny novel for young adults, never – no, not ever – fails to see the best in everyone and everything. When he meets Moonbeam, a young woman whose view of the world is looking a little bleak, Joyous knows that she needs his particular brand of help. The story unfolds through three different, distinct voices, and is, ultimately, one of the most uplifting and unlikely friendships I’ve read in young adult fiction for some time. Joyous’ attitude is infectious, and his use of language will have you “working things around” in no time. Highly recommended for readers 12+
- Review by Lucinda.
The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart $14.95 pb
Before there was a Mysterious Benedict Society, there was simply a boy names Nicholas Benedict. Meet the boy who started it all... Nine-year-old Nicholas Benedict has more problems than most children his age. Not only is he an orphan with an unfortunate nose, but he also has narcolepsy, a condition that gives him terrible nightmares and makes him fall asleep at the worst possible moments. Now he’s being sent to an new orphanage, where he will encounter vicious bullies, selfish adults, strange circumstances – and a mystery that could change his life forever! Luckily, he has one import thing in his favour; he is a genius. Fans of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” will be thrilled with this prequel which offers some insight into how Nicholas Benedict became the leader of a secret society of talented “brainiacs”. Recommended for readers 10+
Before there was a Mysterious Benedict Society, there was simply a boy names Nicholas Benedict. Meet the boy who started it all... Nine-year-old Nicholas Benedict has more problems than most children his age. Not only is he an orphan with an unfortunate nose, but he also has narcolepsy, a condition that gives him terrible nightmares and makes him fall asleep at the worst possible moments. Now he’s being sent to an new orphanage, where he will encounter vicious bullies, selfish adults, strange circumstances – and a mystery that could change his life forever! Luckily, he has one import thing in his favour; he is a genius. Fans of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” will be thrilled with this prequel which offers some insight into how Nicholas Benedict became the leader of a secret society of talented “brainiacs”. Recommended for readers 10+
Fancy Nancy – Fanciest Doll in the Universe by Jane O’Connor $19.99 hb
It’s always exciting when there’s a new Fancy Nancy and this one is sure to please! Fancy Nancy’s little sister is a handful, which is polite for really naughty. But when JoJo draws a tattoo on Marabelle Lavinia Chandelier, Nancy’s most glamorous and favourite doll, Nancy is LIVID (that’s fancy for trés angry and upset). So to make her feel better, Nancy attends a fancy doll party. But what if the doll drama isn’t over yet? Recommended for readers 3+
It’s always exciting when there’s a new Fancy Nancy and this one is sure to please! Fancy Nancy’s little sister is a handful, which is polite for really naughty. But when JoJo draws a tattoo on Marabelle Lavinia Chandelier, Nancy’s most glamorous and favourite doll, Nancy is LIVID (that’s fancy for trés angry and upset). So to make her feel better, Nancy attends a fancy doll party. But what if the doll drama isn’t over yet? Recommended for readers 3+
Steam Train, Dream Train by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld $22.95 hb
The creators of “Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site” are back with another fantastic book for bedtime. The dream train pulls into the station. One by one the train cars are loaded – polar bears pack the reefer car with ice-cream, elephants fill the tanker cars with paints, tortoises load the autorack with race cars, kangaroos fill the hopper car with balls. With wonderful rhythmic, rhyming text, sweet and silly dreams and guaranteed for every train enthusiast. Recommended for ages 3+
The creators of “Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site” are back with another fantastic book for bedtime. The dream train pulls into the station. One by one the train cars are loaded – polar bears pack the reefer car with ice-cream, elephants fill the tanker cars with paints, tortoises load the autorack with race cars, kangaroos fill the hopper car with balls. With wonderful rhythmic, rhyming text, sweet and silly dreams and guaranteed for every train enthusiast. Recommended for ages 3+
