Some of these books are suitable for tweens, some for teens. Some are suitable for both. I suggest parents use their discretion as to what their children are ready for.
Hero Wanted is certainly very different from any other fantasy novel I’ve read. It took me a while to get get used to the quirky writing style, but it wasn’t long before I was completely immersed in the story. This book takes the classic plot of ordinary man turned hero and adds twists galore, resulting in a highly entertaining read that is difficult to put down. I found the writing style refreshing, the characters believable and the story charming. Overall, I found Hero Wanted to be a captivating read and I am looking forward to the other books in the series.
When nine-year-old Bruno’s father is ordered by the Fury to take command of Out-With, his entire family moves along with him. Bored, and missing his three best-friends-for-life, Bruno has no-one to play with but his older, and meaner sister, Gretel. Until one day, he decides to go exploring. After a while, he finds a new friend to talk to, though they cannot play together.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a brilliant book that is well worth reading. Seeing history through the eyes of a confused child, we are able to view events with a fresh perspective. This is one of those books that will have you thinking long after you finish reading.
If you read nothing else this year, read this.
Not in the order they were read.
The Dead of the Night is the second book in John Marsden’s Tomorrow series. As the teenagers continue to fight, they meet up with a group of adult resisters, experience romance and lose one of their number. This is just as good as Tomorrow, When the War Began, if not better. The characters and situations are realistic and the story full of drama. Highly recommended.
What would you do if you came back from a holiday to find yourself at war? Would you hide until the war ended or would you fight for your country’s freedom? This is the situation seven teenagers find themselves in after a camping holiday in Hell. Tomorrow, When the War Began is a thrilling novel for teens and adults alike. The characters are realistic and engaging and their reactions believable. Once begun, this book is impossible to put down. This book is not to be missed.
Most of us know about the ‘Burning Times’, the witchcraft trials that swept the world in the seventeenth century. We also know that the horror, the terror and the injustice that made up these trials was worst in the area of Salem, Massachusetts. However, as we look back on these acts from the safety of several generations removal, we cannot quite grasp the fear, the uncertainty and the general state of mistrust that must have pervaded peoples minds at this time.
Despite it’s sometimes dry and impersonal language, this book brings the era to life. We feel with and for the characters and we are transformed by their experiences. I was especially chilled by the formal, emotionless language of the court transcripts, recording the sham trials of the accused. This book is definitely not to be missed.
The stories in this young adult book are really creepy. In fact, the writing is better than in many adult books I have read. The back says this book is for ages ten and up, but some of these stories are maybe a bit scary for younger readers.
All of the stories in this book are so good, it was difficult to pick my favourites, but I have to give you a top three so here we go:
Third place goes to Connecting Flight. If you are already afraid of flying, you may wish to skip this story. If you aren’t afraid of flying, you soon will be!
Coming in at second place is Black Box. This story is an example of what could happen if you were to leave something of world-shattering importance in the hands of a curious child.
Finally, my favourite story in this collection (by a very narrow margin) is Same Time Next Year, a very interesting take on the hazards of time travel.
All in all, this collection is well worth reading for teens and adults alike.
If I Stay is a heart-wrenching story that will have you in tears. Mia is seventeen years old when a car accident leaves her in a coma. Through her eyes we see glimpses of her life to this point, as she struggles to make the hardest decision of her life – should she stay, or should she go? This is an excellent novel that really pulls at the heart-strings. I read this in one sitting because I simply could not bear to put it down. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I have always felt sorry for Lady Jane Grey and the author of this novel clearly shares my sentiments. Her story is told with empathy and tact but with an eye to historical accuracy. Alison Weir has plenty of experience writing non-fiction about Britain’s royal families, including the book which introduced me to Tudor England – The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Weir utilises her experience and knowledge to bring us an enthralling tale of greed, ambition and political intrigue, and the innocent young woman who became a pawn of history. Fair warning to the ladies – you will end this novel in tears. I did.
Abhorsen is the riveting conclusion to the Old Kingdom trilogy. As with the previous books, I really love the contrast between Ancelstierre – the world as we know it – and the Old Kingdom – a world of magic and mystery where the dead come to life and modern technology ceases to operate. In this book, the two worlds come closer together than ever before and both face total annihilation. Both Sameth and Lirael come into their inheritance and we finally discover the true natures of Mogget and the Disreputable Dog. This book, like the others, is a thrilling and engrossing read.
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