Guantanomo Boy - by Anna Perera

Khalid (15) is born and bred in England. Unfortunately for him his Pakistani born parents take him home to visit ill relatives and pay his respects to his ancestors. Set in the immediate aftermath of 9/11 Khalid is rounded up the security forces and detained for 2 years firstly in Pakistan and then in the notorious Guantanomo Bay.

A work of fiction - but a frighteningly real look at what can happen when civil liberties are abandoned in the search for security.

Little brother - Cory Doctorow

If you are into gaming and beating any electronic systems created - then you will love this book. Set in San Francisco now, Marcus is an uber-game geek and IT whizz kid. During a reality avatar game, he and his team, are caught up in a terrorist attack and 'detained' as terrorist suspects. Upon release nothing will ever be the same. San Francisco is under the control of the Department of Homeland Security and that means total surveillance of the citizens' lives.

Fast packed and believable in this modern world ....

Whale Pot Bay - by Des Hunt

Des Hunt's latest book combines a whole lot of really topical issues - blended families, celebrity stalking, saving the whales and P addiction!!!

Needless to say it makes for great reading - action, suspense, and real drama.

If you read The tooth or The moa cave I'm sure you'll love this.

Set in a small bay in the Coromandel the main character Jake, struggles with the fact that is father is keen to find happiness with a new wife. Especially seeing as she brings an annoying younger 'sister' with her. 

Whale strandings are common at Whale Pot Bay and during the story archaeological historical discoveries are made.

A great book for junior readers.

Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series

Wow - I can see why this series has really captured the imaginationof teenage girls ! I found the first book Twilight, hard to put down. Fantastic descriptive passages and a classic boy meets girl love story - with complications. 

Like many series I found that the second and third installments weren't quite up to the first, but the final part of the series Breaking Dawn certainly provided a fairly nail biting conclusion. 

If you want to find out more about Stephanie Meyer - have a look here ......

Start 2009 with a new book.....

Welcome back to 2009 - over the next few weeks I'll be adding reviews of a number of new books in the library. Make sure you visit the library to see what is there on display.

Also have a go at putting your comments on the books that I have reviewed.... prizes for the best student reviews...so have a go....

Tell me about what you have read these holidays....

The Wizard of Rondo - Emily Rodda

Leo and Mimi re-enter the world of Rondo via the musical jewellery box. The adventures begin as they attempt to evade the clutches of the Blue Queen AND solve the mystery of the disappearance of the missing wizard. 

If you enjoyed  The Keys to Rondo the sequel will keep you as riveted and entertained as the first book did.

Find out more about Emily Rodda here 

Tunnels and Deeper by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams

I have recently read both of these - and was very impressed with the both the fast paced action of the novels and the unusual storyline of the set. The third book in the series Falling is yet to be released.

Will Burrows, main character, is drawn into the fantastic world that exists deep beneath the streets of London in an attempt to locate hos step-father. He soon discovers that the underground world he stumbles upon is both very sinister and very familiar. As he ventures deeper into the abyss he encounters many strange creatures and exiles from the world above.

This set is best suited to the more mature junior reader. I really enjoyed them - but I do enjoy science fiction!