Library News
Preview Book Club - Shelftalkers
This year our Preview Book Club has joined the School Library of Victoria’s Shelftalkers program.
Shelftalkers is a platform where young people who love books and reading can share reviews with their peers.
Twice a term a local bookshop has provided a selection of new books for Preview Book Club members to browse at school.
The books they chose were added to the library, and students took the books away to read and review them.
We have loved seeing students come in to make selections, and getting an insight into their responses.
All the student-selected books can be found on a reading list on the library website, and we have included a selection of reviews below - perhaps in time to help with some Christmas shopping!
We will be running Preview Book Club again next year – new members are always welcome!
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
An intriguing but heartbreaking story Firekeepers Daughter reads equal parts YA thriller and equal parts love letter to Ojibwe community’s which have faced the same struggles as those in this book. With a story that teaches you about Native American culture, including traditions, language, history, and the importance of family. It is partially a suspenseful mystery, coupled with action and drama, but it is also filled with themes of identity, love, and friendship, all elements that are weaved together to create a richly layered narrative. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Katelyn
An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan
An arrow to the moon takes a modern twist on two well known stories; Romeo and Juliet and The legend of Chang’e and Hou Yi. Emily X.R. Pan tackles various challenges of our modern day society. Though the ending was quite abrupt, the story offers a thrilling plotline with plenty of action.
Reviewed by Mia
Blade of Secrets by Tricia Levenseller
In a world where magic is the most powerful thing there is, one girl makes her living off it. Meet Ziva, an eighteen year old girl who along with her sister sells weapons imbued with Ziva’s magic. But her whole world is turned upside down after a warlord meets her. The book’s main story revolves around keeping the sword from Kymora but it also takes a view on an eighteen year old girl with magic powers and social anxiety. The way this book not only revolves around Ziva but her relations and her abilities makes you hooked with every turn.
Reviewed by Adonis
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta
Gearbreakers was such a fun novel, with lovable characters and intriguing world building. I loved every one of the band of rebels that Eris, one of the protagonists, was the leader of. Their chaotic and compelling group dynamic was so enjoyable to read. Eris and Sona’s relationship was well developed and satisfying to watch unfold. The world was also incredibly fascinating, consisting of a sci fi setting filled with mechas and cybernetically enhanced pilots. I really enjoyed reading Gearbreakers, and I would recommend to anyone looking for a fun sci fi novel.
Reviewed by Tara
The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson
This book captured my attention for many different reasons such as why some cases were seen as more worthwhile or beneficial due to things like race, gender, age and class. It truly horrified me that some deaths would make headlines in the papers for days whereas other deaths would be dismissed and forgotten. The book also delves deeper into why woman’s testimonies would often be disregarded for being irrational. This makes The Agathas a good book for this generation, bringing them to have a more complex idea and view on the matter of justice and victimhood. The novel also made you want to root for the two main characters, Iris and Alice. They both had flaws and traumatic pasts, with Iris running away from her former life and Alice’s seemingly perfect life with trouble brewing just beneath the surface. Overall, this book had many plot twist and shocks along the way. This book was mysterious and fascinating, keeping you hooked and asking questions until the very end.
Reviewed by Jade
Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
13 year old Nate Foster has big dreams. Singing, dancing, acting, it’s a lot to aspire to. How will he make it big on Broadway, when in his middle school alone, people can barely remember his name? Nate is the definition of determined. He doesn’t let anything get in his way, which could help him succeed, but will it end up going smoothly? Or will all his hard work be for nothing?
Reviewed by Lily