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.

World Shaker by Richard Harland

Published by Allen & Unwin, Crow's Nest, N.S.W., 2009. ISBN 978174175095

Sixteen year old Col has just been chosen by his grandfather to become the next Supreme Commander of the Worldshaker juggernaut, a mobile city that travels the world constantly. But his whole future changes when he meets Riff, a fourteen year old girl Filthy, who has escaped from below and who is set to lead a revolution against the tyrrany of the establishment of the upper decks. Set in an alternative history, World Shaker is an exciting and thought provoking story described by the author Richard Harland as 'steampunk' at its 'steampunkiest'. While it is a great adventure story it also explores the themes of social injustice and slavery. I will be recommending this book to students who love fantasy, steampunk, and thought provoking adventures.

Trish

The Hardy Boys The Ocean of Osyrin

It is a comic book, about an action adventure with lots of gadgets. It is based in the desert with the Hardy boys trying to find the stolen necklace. Being a comic style sometimes I found it hard to follow the sequence of the comic squares. It was a good book to read with an exciting, interesting and fun story line.
By Zana Yates-Walker

Authors' Choice. edited by Owen Marshall

Leading New Zealand writers, chosen by Owen Marshall, have chosen their favourite short stories in this collection published in 2001. The twenty-four stories are from well-known authors such as Barbara Anderson, C.K. Stead, Patricia Grace, Vincent O'Sullivan, Witi Ihimaera, Emily Perkins, Albert Wendt and the list of stars goes on.

At first I went to my favourite authors and was happy to find the stories were unfamiliar but as pithy and thought- provoking as ever. I also tried authors I didn't recognise, encouraged by each story being preceded by an explanation as to why the author chose the story for the collection. The reasons were as varied as the authors themselves, and I liked this insight into their thoughts.

I am a short story fan and thought it an interesting, varied collection. I would recommend Authors'Choice for high school English classes.

Stella Star

By Brigid Feehan Scholastic ISBN 1869436741

This was one of the last books left for me to read from my Natlib haul and it was with great trepidation and resignation that I finally picked it up to read, amazed at my self sacrifice and deligence to explore new material for the female students. A girly, woozy cover -Yick.

Well it wasn't too bad after all. Stella, at age 13, experiences changes and challenges over summer school holidays with family and friends. It was worth the read to find the section Brigid wrote re: Weird things about the Sutton parents. (Stellas neighbours) Particularly the description of Mrs Suttons lap. I found this delightfully funny and even laughed out loud!

I am sure young pre teen girls would enjoy this book and one I would recommend to them.

Oh yes - I got book 2 Maybe Stella in my bag too. OK, ok. I'll read it as well.

Incredible Inventions

Poems selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins. Harper Collins ISBN 0060872458
This book contains a range of poems each one about an invention, from straws to crayons to Velcro. All the poems are in chronological order of invention dates and at the end of the book they are all listed with information on creator and interesting facts about the item invented. Although I found some of the poems dull I did find the invention information rather interesting as did my 2 sons.

This book could be used as a catalyst to spark interest that could lead into an Inquiry unit within the class or library. Who invented the toothbrush, lightbulb or match? When? Where? Why? How?

Thunder Road by Ted Dawe

It seems I've been reading 'boys books' these holidays - first Exposure and now Thunder Road, and I have to say they've been great. Thunder Road is set in New Zealand and is about the very topical and controversial theme of street racing. The main characters are Trace, a country boy who finds himself in the Big Smoke, and Devon, a confident street-smart guy obsessed with fast cars. Trace is impressionable, and under the influence of his new mate Devon, gets sucked into the street racing world and its darker side of drugs and crime. The excitement of the strip turns dangerous and the story builds to a final, dramatic climax.

This is a very well-written realistic story with lots of street racing and criminal underworld details; an exciting and thought-provoking read for teens, especially boys. I think it could turn young people who find reading 'boring' onto reading with its fast-paced, current themes. I will definitely recommend it to students at my school.