Teeth marks by Rose Moxham

Published by Allen & Unwin, 2007, ISBN 9781741147711
Set in a small town in Australia, this story begins in the middle, with 19 year old Nick having an accident on a bike that results in him spending time in an orthopedic ward trussed up in traction. Through flashbacks we see how he came to be here, the people he met along the way, and the decisions he took that lead to his accident. It is the story of a road trip through which Nick comes of age, a story about love, friendship, hope and consequences. A great read for teenagers, and will especially appeal to boys.

The hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

Published by Oxford Children's Classics, ISBN 978019272004.

This version of the famous story featuring Sherlock Holmes and his faithful companion Dr Watson is complete and unabridged. It is a long time since I read this story but I found it as exciting and interesting as the first time I read it. The book is the size of a paperback but hard covered, and has 212 pages so it is not too off putting for junior readers. The story is a classic who done it, with Holmes and Watson racing against time to unravel the mystery of the fearsome phantom beast of the moors before Sir Henry Baskerville, the present owner of Baskerville Hall, is attacked and killed by it. The feeling of malevolence that permeates the story is bound to appeal to those children who enjoy horror stories.