From the Library

Each month Maidi purchases new books for the library. Here's more information about three new books available for borrowing.

Tim just wants to get through his last year of high school, and so far 

everything has been fine. He has hardly spoken to his Dad since he left, and now he's apparently going to remarry, but Tim just wants to make it through the year.

When his principal asks him to keep an eye out 

for Gabriel, the new kid from South Sudan, a 

chain reaction begins. First, Tim gets seriously concussed during a soccer game. Then Gabriel's dad, Dominic, has an "accident" at work. Finally, Gabriel gets seriously beaten when going for a run. Tim witnesses the beating from afar but keeps quiet, but now, with Gabriel in an induced coma, is it time for him to speak up?

With great characters, including Tim's new friend Cat, who takes no nonsense from him and encourages him to do what is right, we have an absorbing look into teenage life in Australia. 

With themes of mateship, racism, and the challenge of being in a new place, but also growing up and learning to move on, this is a story that will best suit readers 14 and older.

Lena goes to boarding school and her Mum, who is not well, lives in a care home just up the road. Her mum's childhood friend Marek pays for Lena's school fees, as well as her mum's accommodation. When Marek is extradited to Poland, Lena is in full panic mode. How is she going to pay for her mum's care?

Millie is a new girl at her school and she is convinced that Lena is Saskia, and she is in hiding. Lena tries telling her that she isn't, but Millie is adamant and after showing her photos of Saskia, Lena discovers they look alike - exactly alike. Out of curiosity Lena agrees to meet Saskia, and so begins Lena's secret life, standing in for Saskia at family events and functions that she doesn't want to go to. Saskia is rich and willing to pay Lena a lot of money to cover for her, but she is also reckless. And Lena can't say no, as she desperately needs the money for her mum.

Her biggest problem is Saskia's dad, who is a very scary man, with very scary friends. What will he do if he finds out what Lena and Saskia are up to? After a few close calls Lena decides it's all too risky, and she is not going to do any more jobs for Saskia, but Saskia convinces her to cover for her one last time. But this time it all goes terribly wrong, and Lena doesn't know if she will ever see her Mum again. Can she figure out a way back?

This is a thrilling story of deception, and how 

easily people accept what they expect to see. 

This is a fast-paced novel that is perfect for students in Year 9 and above.

Eight year old, Hojo Tokiyuki is heir to the Kamakura shogunate, as the lone survivor after the massacre of his family by Ashikaga Takauji. Tokiyuki's training so far has been spent playing with his teachers, and his best skill is being elusive.

Now, with the help of a few loyal retainers (warriors who are on his payroll), he must utilize his elusive skills to evade certain death, until he has grown enough to be able to reclaim his rightful throne. 

Filled with treachery and family honour, this is a wonderful new series that teenage manga lovers will enjoy.

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