story time books

Severo’s Intent is part of the second series of Fantastica books published by Scholastic. It’s fantasy for a younger readership than Harry Potter and some of his competitors. It will probably suit 7-9-year-old readers. There’s an alternate world, with shapeshifting characters who can change from men to wolves, and girls to sparrows. Saxten, our hero, discovers he’s a prince in this other world and at another level in shapeshifting, as he can become lots of different things, when most can only change into one animal. An exciting story, illustrations throughout, and four books in the series. The next after this one, Saxten’s Secret is already available, and two more still to come.

The Caper of the Crown Jewels: Great Britain is one of a series of Secret Agent Jack Stalwart books by Elizabeth Singer Hunt. Another secret agent, this time for younger readers, and once they get past the pages of explanation at the beginning it’s an exciting read for the 6-8-year-olds. With illustrations, large print and easy reading, this should appeal to those who like Zac Power. Others in the series are also available.

Nathan Fox: Dangerous Times, by L. Brittney is an Elizabethan (the first Liz) adventure. Nathan is an actor in the same company as the young Will Shakespeare when he is recruited by the Spymaster General, and trained in fighting arts which will improve his chances of survival on dangerous missions. An interesting mix of adventure story and literary references, especially to Shakespeare’s works. Older readers, 12+ should enjoy this, and those who enjoy both adventure and literature in particular.

Charlie & the Cat Flap, by Hilary MacKay is hilarious. It’s an early chapter book, for 6-9-year-olds, depending on reading ability. Charlie is having his friend over for a sleepover, but they’re the kind of best friends who show their friendship by fighting, and their parents aren’t sure about things. They’re only allowed the sleepover after much negotiation, and much hilarity ensues for the reader, if not the parents. Hilary McKay is a very good writer and it’s good to see her writing for this often neglected age group. Books in this first independent reading area usually have large fonts and frequent illustrations to break up the text and make it less daunting for the new reader.

Jack Russell: Dog Detective shares a home with a private eye who solves human crimes while Jack solves the important ones, the ones involving dogs. This is a series of books by Darrel and Sally Odgers. Good interest level for those interested in detectives or dogs, and another series in that difficult area of early independent readers who want a real story, but don’t yet have a huge vocabulary. We’re concentrating on buying good books in this area and have accumulated a reasonable number of good books for this important group.

The Magic Kitten series is proving very popular. Each book is independent, but they’re linked by the fact that the magic kitten who helps a young girl with her troubles is the same lion cub in disguise, hiding in the domestic world until he is strong enough to win back the lion throne from his wicked uncle. Strong stories, appealing mostly to girls as they are the main characters other than the kitten.

We have many other good strong stories for this age group.

Kauri in my Blood is the latest in Scholastic’s My Story series. It’s a fictional diary, by Joanna Orwin, of a girl in the 1920s in the kauri forests of Northland. The author uses the idea of the character Ann Findlay being told by her teacher to include more information to make it more instructional than a normal diary would be, but it’s interesting enough to carry that. Another good historical read. The judges at the NZPost Book awards commented on the fact that these stories look like real diaries until the book is opened and the author’s name is revealed.

Henry Tumour by Anthony McGowan is for seniors. It’s the story of a young man with a talking brain tumour, and it’s very funny. The tumour is very reptilian-brain-like, interested in power and sex. Henry (the tumour) starts by making one-word comments and progresses to giving advicce on fashion, haircuts, what to do in awkward situations and how to make advances to the girls. Hector, the owner of the brain (and tumour) has to learn when to take Henry’s advice and when to ignore it. Recommended by Mal Peet, a very good writer himself.

Dare Devils by Bill Condon, is an Australian young adult book. Thorns (as he prefers to be known) or Anthony (to his mother and stepfather) has a heart condition which he knows will probably shorten his life, so he’s made a list to help him live bigger, rather than longer. Laugh aloud one minute, weep the next, it’s a wonderful emotional roller-coaster of a book. He enlists (sorry about that) the help of a friend, Jack, in carrying out the activities on the list (except sex, which he has already crossed off), and the two live big. The blurb describes it as being “about friendship. courage, the pursuit of dreams and the joy of living.” Will encourage many to make their own lists, even if they have no intention of carrying them out.

I Am The Great Horse, by Katherine Roberts, looks at a part of the life and times of Alexander the Great through the eyes of his warhorse, Bucephalus. Lots of realistic detail about horse and human behaviour, especially competition and domination. And Bucephalus censors the scenes when he is left in the field with a mare, so the material is not too adult. Very interesting way to look at history, and horse lovers will accept the history as a sub-plot.