story time books

The Magic or Madness trilogy by Justine Larbalestier, an Australian author, is new to me. The third book has just been published, so I’ve read all three quickly and they are very, very good. Definitely a teenage read, with the main character becoming pregnant during the trilogy. Reason (her name) has been warned all her life about her magical grandmother , but when her mother is hospitalised she has to go and live with Esmeralda in Sydney. There she finds that magic is real as it transports her from summery Sydney to a snowy street in New York. Magic is an inherited affliction, it seems: use it and you die young, don’t use it and madness results. Very well written. The three books are: Magic or Madness, Magic Lessons and Magic’s Child.

The Legend of Captain Crow’s Teeth is by Eoin Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl, but it’s for a younger age group. Boys of 6-9, who are difficult to find good books for, should like this one, where a nine year old boy with older and younger brothers learns to cope (almost) with his fears which are provoked by his elder brother and a local legend in the town they holiday in. Funny and scary, a good read.

Blart II: The Boy Who Was Wanted Dead or Alive - or both, by Dominic Barker is a sequel, and I haven’t read the first Blart, but this is a very funny spoof on the young heroes of fantasy fiction. All the characters are caricatures to some extent, from the sorcerer who has lost his magic powers to the rogue businessman who comes out with gems such as Market Forces meaning “We’re a long way from the market so I can force you to pay what I like”. The king who rules a completely peaceful, sharing kingdom is also ridiculed so the satire is even handed enough that anyone should get a laugh, or many. You’ll need to read it to find our whether Blart the Pig Boy saves the world a second time.

Finding Violet Park by Jenny Valentine also makes connections with the past, but much more recent this time. Lucas, because of a series of coincidences, calls into a mini-cab office and is told (accidentally) about an urn of ashes which has been left in a cab. Later he discovers connections between Violet (whose ashes they are) and his own life. Written in a quirky style which could easily be a teenager talking, with lists and search engine results, it should appeal again to those over 12, possibly even 14. Another great read.

Kiss of Death by Malcolm Rose is a terrific read. Twins, boy and girl, and a friend are part of a class which goes to the plague village of Eyam on a school history trip. Two of them take “coins” from a “wishing well” and the plague people of the 17th century seem to be about to take revenge. Chillingly good. Not for the young. 12+

Some wonderful new picture books have arrived in the last week.

Tree Ring Circus, by Adam Rex, is a zany rhyming story about a tree which attracts a huge population, from sparrows, chipmunks, a whopping big bee, to the escapees from a passing circus, until the elephant decides to climb the the top and the tree finally collapses. Very special, and will become a favourite of many.

Cock-a-doodle-hooooooo!(there are 7 o’s there in the title), by Mick Manning, illustrated by Brita Granstrom is the story of an owl, who lost and lonely, finds shelter in a shed only to wake in the morning surrounded by hens. The hens think he’s a very poor substitute for a cockerel until he catches a rat and is hailed as a hero. The last (wordless) page has the farmer scratching his head as the owl leads the hens out into the field.

It’s So Unfair! is one of those books which will be read and reread because it appeals to adults as well as children. Cat is swept out of the house by Mrs Prout’s broom, and all the animals agree how unfair his expulsion is. Each time the story is retold cat’s sins grow in number and wickedness. Very funny and appealing. By Pat Thomson, illustrated by Jonathan Allen.

A Surprise Present! by Shane McG is about a boy who gets a tennis racquet for his seventh birthday, and gradually recognises it as useful, even though it doesn’t beep or crash or whirr.