Library Opening Hours

10.00am – 3.00pm Monday to Friday
Open at Recess and Lunchtime

Happy Reading!

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

Cosy up in our new library chairs, a place to sit back and turn to your imagination along with the pages of our lovely new library books.

Thank You!

Thank you to our volunteer parent helpers who are doing a fabulous job covering our new library books and our VCE teacher resource books. Your time is much appreciated!

Book Review

Holly B (Year 11 student)

One of the most memorable books I read last year was The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni. I have always loved Noni’s writing because of her ability to make her characters real; with strengths and flaws that any person could have. As an Australian author, Noni gained global recognition for her books after publishing The Prison Healer, which is enough explanation for how good this book was. Below is the blurb:

At Zalindov, the only person you can trust is yourself. Seventeen-year-old Kiva Meridan is a survivor. For ten years, she has worked as the healer in the notorious death prison, Zalindov, making herself indispensable. Kept afloat by messages of hope from her family, Kiva has one goal and one goal only: stay alive. Then one day the infamous Rebel Queen arrives at the prison on death's door and Kiva receives a new message: Don't let her die. We are coming. The queen is sentenced to the Trial by Ordeal: a series of elemental challenges against the torments of air, fire, water, and earth, assigned to only the most dangerous of criminals. Aware the sickly queen has little chance of making it through the Trials alive, Kiva volunteers to take her place. If she succeeds, both she and the queen will be granted their freedom. But no one has ever survived. And with an incurable plague sweeping Zalindov, a mysterious new inmate fighting for Kiva's heart, and a prison rebellion brewing, Kiva can't escape the terrible feeling that her trials have only just begun.

This book left me shocked at the ending, and desperate for the next book to be released. It was a fairly easy read, however I enjoyed every minute of it. The Prison Healer touches on mental health, acceptance and finding your strength in dark times. This series is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, with the third and final book of the series, The Blood Traitor, being released in a month.

Book Review

Spencer M (Year 11 student)

With the school holidays approaching and a reinvigorated passion to read, I’ve started the first book in the Old Kingdom series; Sabriel. The book, authored by Garth Nix and released in 1995, is one which I have really enjoyed. It is set in the Old Kingdom in a fictional universe similar to our own. The book follows Sabriel and her dealings with death to find her father, the ‘Abhorsen’. Unlike other understandings of death in fictional worlds that I have read, such as mythological interpretations in Norse and Greek mythology, this book has its own take which I have found very intriguing. It has the separation between life and death as we know, but the boundary established is one I quite enjoy. So, for those who enjoy fictional, magical worlds based in a realistic universe; I recommend Sabriel to be an addition for your reading list.

Australian Children’s Laureate

Gabrielle Wang is an Australian writer and illustrator for children and young adults based in Melbourne. Gabrielle was recently awarded the role of 2022/2023 Australian Children’s Laureate. The role is to promote the transformational power of reading, creativity and story in the lives of young Australians. Learn more about Gabrielle here and the foundation here.

What’s On in Our Local Libraries

Beaumaris Library

Beaumaris library is undergoing a renovation to create great new spaces and an improved library experience.

Beaumaris Library will close on 3 April but re-open for a Library Express service in the library foyer from 4 April until early May.

The Bayside community can look forward to a brand-new borrowing desk and chute, new round carpet in the Lounge zone, power and data points in the Flexible zone and new power services to the Study zone desks.

Young Writers Group

A fortnightly activity for teens aged 13 to 17 years old, interested in developing their creative writing.

Develop your writing skills, share your work, and meet with other young writers.

Young Writers Group meets fortnightly on Wednesdays from 5pm to 6pm at Cheltenham Library on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

The program runs during school terms only.

YA Book Chat

Are you a fan of young adult books? Join us and other YA readers to chat all about the books you love, hate or recommend and everything in between.

The YA Book Chat meets monthly on the first Tuesday @ Parkdale Library from 5-6pm. The program runs during school terms only.

Niamh McPhelimy

Library Manager

Harmony Day Poster Competition Winners