Children's Books for Younger Readers
Ghost Club: The New Kid
Deborah Abela (author)
Random House, Australia: March 2012; 234pp
ISBN: 9781742750804
Genres: adventure, fantasy, gothic
Issues: confidence, gifted, identity
The Ghost Club is the world's oldest association for psychical research. Angeline and Edgar are the Club's youngest ghost-catchers so when Dylan is inducted, it makes sense that the children work together. But despite his aptitude and heritage, Dylan really isn't sure that he wants to be a ghost-catcher.
Alice-Miranda in New York
Jacqueline Harvey (author)
Random House, Australia: February 2012
ISBN: 9781742751146
Genre: adventure
Issues: bullying, communication, family, friendship, identity
Her mother is anxious, her father seems distracted and even her new school friends are in need of help. Can Alice-Miranda apply her uncanny ability to solve problems even when she's far from her home and friends? With her mother's glamorous New York department store set to re-open, Alice-Miranda finds it curious that so many things are going wrong...
The Keepers 1: Museum of Thieves
Lian Tanner (author)
Allen&Unwin, Australia: October 2010
ISBN: 9781742371573
Genres: adventure, fantasy
Issues: corruption, family, friendship, independence
Winner, 2010 Aurealis Awards - Children's Fiction
Notable Book, 2011 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year - Younger Readers
Jewel is a city where independence and a spirited nature are seen as dangerous, impatience is punished and children are never, ever allowed to think for themselves. Goldie Roth has a restless spirit and, determined to escape the Keepers, she finds herself fleeing to the mysterious Museum of Dunt. It seems that Jewel is not as safe as the people believe and without Goldie's help it may fall into darkness once more.
Ravenwood
Andrew Peters (author)
Chicken House, UK: August 2011; 392pp
ISBN: 978906427467
Genres: adventure, fantasy, sci-fi
Issues: corruption, environment, family
Arktorius Malikum finds himself forced to flee the sky-high city he's known all his life when he overhears some treacherous talk in the course of his duties. Ark, plumber's boy, knows of plans to destroy the forest that is his home, to enslave his friends and neighbours. A foundling raised by poor folk, what can Ark do to prove the truth of the plot he's uncovered?
Dragonskin Slippers
Jessica Day George (author)
Bloomsbury, UK: 2007; 324pp
ISBN: 9780747587187
Genres: adventure, fantasy
Issues: friendship, gifted, identity
'It was my aunt who decided to give me to the dragon.' The fact that the dragon actually exists is the first surprise. The second is that he collects shoes, not golden treasure.
The Easter Angels
Bob Hartman (author)
Tim Jonke (illustrator)
Lion Books, USA: 1993
ISBN: 0745938779
Genres: picture book
Issues: religion
Two angels wait in a graveyard. One is tall, strong, handsome and confident – a guardian angel. The other is short, faded and sad. Shakkath has seen so much pain his time as the Angel of Death. What task requires both of them?
Edge of the World
Ian Trevaskis (author)
Wayne Harris (illustrator)
Walker Books, Australia: February 2012
ISBN: 9781921150210
Genres: picture book, realistic fiction
Issues: community, grief, loss
'And nobody smiled in the village near the edge of the world.' Life is harsh and grim in the village near the edge of the world. Who is going to provide hope?
Kick It To Me
Neridah McMullin (author)
Peter Hudson (illustrator)
One Day Hill, Australia: March 2012
ISBN: 9780980794861
Genres: historical fiction, realistic fiction
Issues: aboriginal, community, friendship
Tom's sad because the cricket season is over but his good friend Jirra shows him a new game – one that is great fun and where everybody can join in. Soon Tom decides that Marn-grook is even better than cricket – especially as his friends enjoy it too.
The Three Doors Trilogy: The Silver Door
Emily Rodda (author)
Scholastic, Australia: April 2012; 278pp
ISBN: 9781862919136
Genres: adventure, fantasy
Issues: family, freedom, identity
Sonia and Rye have rescued Dirk, Rye's brother, and brought him and his fiancée back to the Weld. The Skimmers, the fearsome flying beasts that attack the city each night, still threaten the people and the Warden does nothing. Only by risking their lives even further can Sonia, Rye and Dirk save the city – and the third brother, Sholto. Entrusted with a pouch of magical objects, Rye must follow his true dreams and discover his gifts if he is to reunite his family and bring peace to the Weld.
The Wide-Awake Princess
E.D Baker (author)
Bloomsbury, UK: 2010, Australian release May 2011; 261pp
ISBN: 9781408807576
Genres: adventure, fairytale, fantasy
Issues: character, friendship, identity, values
Princess Annabelle, younger sister to Gwendolyn (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty), has a unique gift: she is impervious to magic. So when the beautiful Gwennie finally pricks her finger on a maliciously concealed spindle, it's up to Annie to find the appropriate prince to kiss her sister awake.
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