What's new in the library?

War and Resistance

Starting with the Nazi uprising and spanning all of WWII, War and Resistance traces the journey and impact of war on two families and in particular two teenagers, Dieter and Sasha.

Dieter is a young German member of the Hitler Youth movement. He wants to be a warrior and show courage for the Fatherland - not like his spineless stepfather who pretends to support just so that he can get an easy ride.

Sasha is the daughter of a journalist turned war correspondent, who has travelled widely, living in Australia and then Paris. But when the Nazis occupied Paris, her family fled to Biarritz in the south of France.

Dieter’s father received a posting to Biarritz as an interpreter, and so their paths cross. That Sasha’s parents were great friends with Dieter’s real father adds intrigue, as the families mixed and socialized, but was this just to spy on the enemy?

Sasha has always wanted to do her part for the resistance  -  anything that could make a difference. This is never graphic, but more looks at the effects war has on families, and how a somewhat normal life can exist in an occupied zone. We see a different look at the psychology of war.

I find that Sophie Masson’s best works deal with characters that are realistic, but set in a historical context and exploring the effect of the historical situation on the real lives of people. War and Resistance is no exception, and would make a wonderful group read for Year 5 to Year 8 classes.

A fantastic middle grade novel with themes of family, friendship and trust in a war time setting.

Four Dead Queens

Quadara is ruled by four queens - each one in charge of her section of the nation - and together, they rule peacefully.

Keralie is seventeen-years-old, and the best thief in the land. But when Keralie steals something very valuable, a murderous plot is set in motion. And with the murder plot resulting in four dead queens, Keralie is thrown into the middle of a dark and dangerous mystery. Can she uncover the secrets to the plot, and stay one step ahead, in time to save herself?

This debut novel from Australian author Astrid Scholte is a sure fire winner. Fast-paced, and filled with murder, mysteries and twists that you will not see coming, this will have readers enthralled.

Throw in a little romance, and a family conflict for good measure, and you won’t be able to put this one down.

.

Eureka: One Bloody Sunday

This is a graphic novel format exploring the events that took place before, during and after the Eureka Stockade - and it is a great and interesting way to get an insight into this time in Australia’s history.

Although focusing on the story of Bernie, Eureka One Bloody Sunday also allows the reader to analyse and form their own opinions about what happened, and how just or unjust each side was, by showing the different sides to the conflict. The inclusion of diaries and newspaper articles add a very real perspective to the story.

It can be used as a great introduction to this topic, and Australian history in general, and will encourage readers to find out more about how these events shaped our country.

Being a graphic novel, this format makes the topic accessible to some more reluctant readers, but it is suited to all secondary readers, as well as upper primary readers.

Love, lie, repeat

An intense debut novel, by Australian author Catherine Greer.

From the outset, you are drawn into Annie’s perfect world. With her inseparable friends Ash and Ruby, ‘The Sirens’ do what no others can - keep a three girl friendship perfectly happy for years.

With a sinister undercurrent, you slowly discover dark moments and events that, if revealed, would blow the girl’s ideal lives apart.

I can’t tell you too much more, except that the characters are totally believable and the psychological suspense is full of twists and lies that at times is totally shocking, but at the same time I was completely unable to put it down!

Love, get lied to, seek revenge, and repeat it all over again! Scary but absolutely engrossing.

Mostly this is a look into a world that we wouldn't want to be part of, so let’s just say that this cautionary tale, while having none of the usual sex and drug issues, would best suit girls 15+ for the sheer meanness and intensity in the story.