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Ten Mile River is a novel written by Paul Griffin, who portrays America in a different light to what we see in movies and television shows.

‘Homeless Group with Dog’ by Franco Folini

Homeless people are a prevalent fact in America, but Jose and Raymond are different. They choose to be homeless because they can. They go through what no teenage boy should go through, killing dogs, stealing, moving bodies, falling in frozen rivers and getting arrested.

“Yo Ray! Let’s get us that Lincoln then I can get my bike!” is some of the unusual American colloquialism used by Raymond and Jose, in their strange yet amusing lives.

Ten Mile River is an interesting book that breaks some of the teen-writing barriers, such as dead bodies and murder. Griffin portrays Jose as tough and strong, the leader and strength of the two. He portrays Raymond as intelligent, lost in a world that isn’t his, wanting the freedom to do whatever he wants to be intelligent.

Reading the blurb makes you think of a classic river story of young boys, Huckleberry Finn. Although there is only that one similarity between the two, I believe that it was written as a comparitive study for Huckleberry Finn, as the original publishing of 1884 is too long ago for a sequel to be written.

This book is good at most points, but it just gets under your skin in others so that you don’t want to read it anymore, yet sometimes you get sad when you must put it down to go do another menial task. Overall, this is an interesting novel to read because it stirs your emotions, gives an insight into American Life and shows how misguided troubled youths can be.

I Strongly recommend this book to avid readers, but if you struggle with reading a whole book, The American slang and troubling events will make it hard for you to not finish it.

Rated: 8.5/10

by John Green

It is almost the end of the last year of high school. Quentin Jacobsen (known as Q) continues to admire his neighbour and classmate, Margo Roth Spiegelman, his best friend from when they were little. But Margo has been beyond him for years. He is a nerd and she is A-list. Then one night she turns up dressed in black ninja gear and convinces him to accompany her on a night of revenge. Okay, nobody dies, but plenty of Margo’s ‘friends’ will be rather pissed-off by morning. Quentin is happy to be Margo’s friend again. Then she disappears.

This novel aimed at older teens is a funny and tender story of friendship and (believe it or not) poetry. For Margo really has gone missing, leaving clues for Quentin and his friends to follow. A major clue is a copy of Walt Whitman’s long poem, Leaves of Grass. Margo has highlighted certain lines, but what do they mean? There is also her record collection. How did none of them know that she was such a fan of Woody Guthrie and Billy Bragg? How do we really know anything about another person?

Paper towns on old maps, abandoned buildings, clues left on archane ‘Omnipedia’ entries, lead to Q. & co missing graduation to try to save a friend. How much do we miss in those around us, and how much of what we think we know is really true?

In Paper Towns John Green takes us on a merry ride across several American states, has us considering the wisdom of lines of poetry we wouldn’t have thought twice about yesterday, and introduces us to some odd, endearing and also some annoying young characters.

And what does John Green have to say about his book?

 Review by Mrs Thomson

by Stephenie Meyer

Recently I read the vampire-based story called Twilight. As you may know its movie was recently filmed, and here is what I think about it.

The story begins with Bella Swan moving to a cold town called Forks with her dad after her mum goes travelling with her new husband. Bella attends the local school and comes across a beautiful boy named Edward Cullen. Bella gets closer to Edward each day, whether it be him saving her from a car accident or from being assaulted. Then she figures out that Edward is a vampire and everything starts to take a turn…..

Twilight is actually one of the best books I have ever read because it is filled with action, romance and drama. The action and the drama made me want to read the next book in this modern series.

Reviewed by V-man

From Stephenie Meyer’s Website: The story behind Twilight. If you have not read the book yet beware of spoilers in this article.

~The boy who conquered the Nile

by Jackie French, HarperCollins, 2007

This is an excellent adventure about a boy born to be a leader. But Narmer has his birthright taken away in an incident which is physically debilitating and emotionally scarring. The worst part of this terrible ordeal is that it is caused by an act of betrayal.

But Narmer is mentally strong and has a chance to follow a completely different path with solid companions. He grasps this opportunity, and it is surely this decision which saves his life.

Thereafter we are taken on a fascinating journey through Ancient Egypt as this damaged boy regains his spirit and then his place in the world.

You can read a sample from Pharaoh using the publisher’s Browse Inside widget in this post.

Mrs Thomson

by Sean Condon. Penguin Australia, 2007

Michael Sweeney’s Method is a novel set in a private school somewhere in Australia. It is a gentle, humorous story that also touches on some sad topics.

Michael himself tells the story which takes place during his final year of high school. He has one true friend, Dud. These two are very different on one level – Michael is sensitive and nervous and often behaves in a way which belies his intelligence (which is really quite high). Dud is a jock and seems a bit dumb but shows his intelligence in the way he behaves as a true friend.

One day Michael decides that they should befriend the new American kid before the creeps do. Tom (the American) turns out to be okay, except all three start to find themselves in trouble from the time they get together. But what is the secret about Tom’s dad? He is apparently famous, but for what?

Meanwhile Michael meets Lucy (or is that Edna?) and falls in love.

But nothing is that simple.

Somehow the boys get involved in a theatre production and even more complications arise as life rolls on.

There is very little in this book about studying or final exams so one must conclude that it is set in a sensible place which doesn’t have anything like the dreaded NSW HSC.

Michael is an unusual and believable character, with the odd, not too tragic flaw. He struggles with life in a realistic way, retains his sense of humour and loves his dog. Michael Sweeney’s Method is worth reading just for the dog subplot, but there’s much more to enjoy in this book.

Mrs Thomson

Brisingr is the third exciting instalment in Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle (formerly trilogy).

In this new book, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira (the main characters) are thrown into a net of promises he may be able to keep. Promises that will take him all across Alagaisia, through many battles, and confrontations with the most dangerous creatures, each time coming one step closer to the evil King Galbatorix.

This book is perfect for any fantasy lover from 11 and up. Brisingr is rich with both history and mystery, and is complete with everything magical from dragons to dwarves and much more!

It is amazing to see the amount of detail Paolini has put into the races of his fantasy world, creating languages, religions and customs for each one. The reader will be buried in the magical world of Alagaisia and its history and people, and will be reluctant to put it down, even when they have finished!

I recommend the first and second books of the Inheritance Cycle also. They are Eragon and Eldest.

Reviewed by TommyA

Find out more about Brisingr.

Be the first to finish, the first to comment, or better still, the first to review…

[Tommy's review is here]

Come on, we’re all waiting!

It has come to my attention that not everyone in the world knows what Brisingr is. This was shocking news to me but I am happy to oblige those unfortunates who are living in such tragic ignorance.

This third book in Christopher Paolini’s Inheritence Cycle has been eagerly awaited by fans of Eragon and Eldest for over two years. It has recently had a simultaneous world-wide release (just one of the publishing advances for which Harry Potter can be thanked – those of us in the Antipodes need not be the poor cousins in this regard any more). 

Having written the first version of Eragon at age fifteen, I had been a little worried that Paolini might have run out of steam on this project. But no. He has proven his credentials as a world class writer once again, as this clip from The Sydney Morning Herald indicates:

Paolini, now 24, said that he had become “anxious and restless” after writing the second book, Eldest, feeling pressure from the high level of expectation from fans.

“But once I got past the first few chapters of Brisingr, I became so caught up in telling the story, I didn’t worry about what anyone else might think when they read it, which is the best attitude to have when writing a book,” he said.

“I have a story to tell and it wants to be told.

“I have been writing the lives of these characters for nearly 10 years now, so they are very close to me.”

Find out all the details at Alagaesia. To hear Christopher Paolini in conversation with two much older greats of fantasy writing download the podcasts from Random House: Pullman. Paolini. Pierce. Even as a teenager Paolini could hold his own in this company.

Meanwhile, still waiting for someone to review Brisingr here!

by Daniel

The first novel in this amazing set of 3 series… is “The Forests of Silence.” Emily Rodda is an amazing artist of fictional literature. She has created a whole world in which the reader can immerse his or her self.

I have immersed myself in the Deltoran culture a multitude of times. My favourite part of the series was the Pirran Pipe. Although unrealistic and unearthly in certain contexts, Rodda still manages a great novel. The main character of the book, Lief, heir to the throne, is quite like the little bit of adventure inside all of us, trying anything.

Overall, I rate this series an 9/10. This is because I found out that there was only going to be a third series…

Marc McBride, the illustrator of the novel covers and the illustrator of books such as “The Deltora book of Monsters’, was kind enough to autograph my copy of “The Forests of Silence” when I met him in year 5. A very kind, free-spirited person he was, spraying a great picture in minutes.

Want to find out more?

The Author?

The Illustrator?

General Information?

by Victor   

Ranger’s Apprentice is a series of books written by John Flanagan. It is a great series consisting of seven books. Whilst the eighth book is still being written, the ninth is currently being planned. The books are set in a mythical land called Araluen.

The series follows the adventures of the protagonist Will. Will was rejected from training as a warrior-knight because he was too small. Will always dreamed of becoming a Warrior Knight because his father was one of the best. Will lives in a castle called Redmont in the center of Araluen.

After rejection, Will then gets chosen to become a Ranger’s Apprentice, which not many people know about because they are a mysterious group who act as the King’s eyes and ears throughout the kingdom Araluen and beyond its shores.

 Will is soon trained to be an expert archer and knife thrower, as well as learning the skills of silent, unseen movement, tracking and concealment. The story continues throughout the series of A Ranger’s Apprentice where Will is trained with new tricks and becomes a real Ranger one day.

It is a great and an exciting series to read and I guarantee after you read the first book you would want to continue the series.

The nine books are titled;

1.      The Ruins of Gorlan

2.      The Burning Bridge

3.      The Icebound Land

4.      Oakleaf Bearers (called The Battle for Skandia in the US)

5.      Sorcerer in the North

6.      The Siege of Macindaw

7.      Erak’s Ransom

8.      Kings of Clonmel

9.      Halt’s Peril

Kings of Clomnel and Halt’s Peril are still being written and so the titles could change at any moment

 Visit the Official Website for more: information, maps, drawings and news.

Volume 1 The Ruins of Gorlan. Which cover do you like best? Move your mouse over each cover to see the country where it is published.

by Daniel

The Midnight Library series of books, is written by multiple different authors. The series is all written under one alias of “Nick Shadow.” Each book is one different author, which makes sure that the book is never boring, because all of the authors have different ideas.

The 8 books in this series so far are: “Voices”, “Blood and Sand”, “End Game”, “The Cat Lady”, “Liar”, “Shut Your Mouth”, “I Can See You” and “The Catch.”

Although I have not read all books in the series yet, I thoroughly enjoyed the novels “I Can See You” and “Liar.” There are 3 stories in each novel, meant to be scary. They are…unless you are brave enough.
So have a thrill, your heart beating a mile a minute…If you dare!

You can visit Fantastic Fiction to learn some more about this series.