Sadie isn’t happy that her mother has brought her to live in Boort, a small country town where she doesn’t know anyone and where there’s nothing to do. She’s lonely at school, and at home she fights constantly with her mother about the change. But on a walk around the town Sadie discovers a a sacred site, and soon starts hearing the local crows talking to her, telling her she must tell the story of what happened here.
Dear Swoosie, I was thinking about what you said all the way home. Of course I trust you!!!! I can’t believe you need to ask. It’s just that after all this time, I’d almost given up hope that I would find anybody special. I’m so scared that talking about it, even thinking about it, will … Continue reading “Dear Swoosie, Kate Constable & Penni Russon”
Eloise floated on a sea of red and orange swirls. Dazzling golden threads shimmered through the cloth, the tiny fish embroidered on Mum’s favourite skirt. Mum’s arms were around her and Mum was singing softly. …and little fishes, way down below, wiggle their tails, and away they go… She was falling asleep on Mum’s lap, … Continue reading “Cicada Summer, by Kate Constable”
It wasn’t possible that Jay could like me better than Stella – Stella’s the pretty one. I’m short and frizzy-haired and just generally blah. Maybe he was concussed and he’d mixed up our names. That would be it. Bridie and Stella have been best friends for ever, and nothing is going to change that. So, … Continue reading “Winter of Grace, by Kate Constable”
‘We’re doomed.’ Bec dumped her bags beneath the grimy window of the converted shearers shed. ‘We’re all going to die.’ ‘Doomed to death?’ said Iris. ‘That’s got to be a tautology.’ ‘We won’t die,’ said Georgia. ‘You never know, it might even be fun.’ I said, ‘Can I have the top bunk?’ So what did … Continue reading “Always Mackenzie, by Kate Constable”
Perrin was exhausted; he looked forward to hearing the bark of military orders again. Orders from Doughty were one thing, but he was damned if he would take any more bossing from that laundry-maid. He wondered how the boy-king had come to choose a laundry-maid for a girlfriend. Tansy, Perrin and Skir have only one … Continue reading “The Taste of Lightning, by Kate Constable”
The great Wall of Antaris reared over them. Calwyn’s breath caught in her throat…Something was different. It wasn’t just that she viewed the wall from outside now. What was missing was her awareness of the magic that had built and sustained the mighty rampart of ice, the living power that hummed through it and crackled … Continue reading “The Tenth Power, by Kate Constable”
Calwyn and her friends patrol the seas near their island home, making them safe from pirates. One of those they rescue, Heben, has come in search of them, hoping they can help free the children trapped in a palace in Merithuros. In Mertithros, Calwyn, Mica and Halasaa cross a barren desert to the Palace of … Continue reading “The Waterless Sea, by Kate Constable”
The wall of ice that surrounds Antaris is impenetrable. No one can get in or out of the land without the powerful chantments of the priestesses who live within the wall. So, when Calwyn finds an unconcious stranger lying inside the great wall, she can’t believe her eyes. Somehow this stranger has achieved the impossible. … Continue reading “The Singer of All Songs, by Kate Constable”
It’s the last day of 2012 which means the last day of the wonderful National Year of Reading. It also means that it’s the last day of my year-long challenge. Back on January1 I set myself a challenge: to see if it was possible to read 366 books in 366 Days – ie a book … Continue reading “366 Books: The Outcome”
