Tag: black dog books

Keep Your Hair On, by Elizabeth Vercoe

Jess half smiled. The beanie comments would be sure to come thick and fast all day. Jess just hoped and prayed that no one would be stupid enough to pull it off her head. She wasn’t quite ready to share her new look with the rest of the world. Not yet.

Jess is sixteen and in year eleven at school. Last week she kissed a boy for the first time. This week all her hair is falling out. She has cancer, and if Dylan finds out, he might drop her. If he doesn’t, he’ll probably feel sorry for her, which is worse. Can she keep Dylan AND keep the cancer a secret?

Keep Your Hair On is a story of sickness, friendship, and family. Jess is a likeable and believable teen trying to stay normal at a time when life is anything but. Her family – an absentee father, a slightly crazy, but well-meaning mother, and a younger bother who, as the story progresses, has troubles of his own – and her friends – Sarah, who is a supportive, if zany friend, and Charlotte, who doesn’t cope with Jess’s illness – make up an interesting cast.

Whilst the subject matter sounds grim, this is not a dark book. It is honest and very readable, mixing humour with the realities of dealing with a serious illness. A good read.

Keep Your Hair On, by Elizabeth Vercoe
Black Dog Books, 2003

The Anniversary Legends Series, Books 1-7, by Michael Panckridge

“So what’s in store for us this year, Travis?” asked Bryce.
“Well, it’s about toughness. Being strong. Having guts. Determination. It’s going to be right out of your league, Flavel. And yours too,” he said, looking at Rat. I was waiting for his predictions for me and Bubba.

Last year’s Legends competition was close – with Mitchell Grady winning narrowly over school bully Travis Fisk. But this year things are going to be even tougher. It’s the seventieth year of the Legends competition, and with different sports and special golden trophies at stake, the competition is really going to be fierce. Mitchell wants desperately to win back to back championships, but Travis is determined that it is his turn to win. And with his Dad on his side, changing the rules at every step, it might just be achievable.

The Anniversary Legends series follows on from where The Legends left off, with Mitchell and his friends and foes back for another year at Sandhurst School. Whilst the formula for the books is similar, there is enough difference here to prevent the series becoming repetitive. A new character, Karla, is introduced and two of the books are narrated by Luci, giving a girls’ perspective. There are also some new sports – with Rugby and a Wilderness skills contest, as well as Netball each being the subject of a Legends contest, and snow sports and skateboarding both featuring alongside other sports.

Whilst an adult reader may be a little frustrated at the apparent lack of caring or awareness of injustices and even cheating, child readers seem to overlook and even accept it – making this reviewer wonder if it as unrealistic as she first thought.

This is an excellent series for sports-mad 9 to 12 year olds, and is likely to be an assets in engaging reluctant readers.

Race at the Rock, Offside Upfront, Goal Attack and Pack Down, all 2004
Out of Bounds, In the Zone and Go the Distance, all 2005

By Michael Panckridge, published by Black Dog Books

The Final Lap, by Michael Panckridge

settled into some backstroke myself, working at a friendly pace. I liked swimming laps. With my goggles on and in the blue world of the water, I could enter another dimension and forget the worries of the day. And today, for me, that was a good thing.

It’s time for the final sport in the Sandhurst School’s annual sporting Legends series. Mitchell Grady is well-placed to win the overall series, after his rival, school bully Travis Fisk, was disqualified from the last event. But Travis and his father have some surprises up their sleeves. And they aren’t Mitchell’s only problems.

This is the eighth and final instalment in The Legends series , a series sure to be a hit with readers in upper primary years, especially sport mad boys. This instalment brings the ongoing story to a satisfying conclusion.

The Final Lap, by Michael Panckridge
Black Dog, 2003

Raising the Bar, by Michael Panckridge

We were well in front of the others, but did have the inside running. Fisk was getting closer as we turned into the final straight. As I looked up at 90 metres of straight, I felt a sharp sting near my right ankle. The next second I was flying through the air, blue sky and green grass spinning around me.

The team sports are over and the last two sports of the Legends series are here. First there’s athletics, and Mitchell needs to do well here for a chance at the over all Legend of Sport title. Only one person stands in his way – Travis Fisk, the school bully. Fisk will do anything to beat Mitchell, but is it possible he could go too far?

Raising the Bar is the seventh title in The Legends series, set at Sandhurst School, where the annual sporting competition seems to dominate everyone’s attention. These are absorbing books for sports-mad kids, with a good combination of sporting action and adventure.

Another great read.

Raising the Bar, by Michael Panckridge
Black Dog, 2003

Clearing the Pack, by Michael Panckridge

As soon as I started to jog in for the kick, I knew I was struggling. I hobbled and wobbled and had no sense of timing or coordination as I dropped the ball onto my foot.
It was the worst kick of my life. It floated for about 15 metres then hit the ground. I couldn’t believe what I’d done.
The ball bounced. And bounced again. It rolled forward.

Surfing, cricket and tennis are all over. Now it is football season at Sandhurst School, and with it, the Legend of Football competition. Mitchell Grady is leading the overall Legend competition, but school bully Travis Fisk is determined to change that.

The difference this time around is that football is a team sport, so Fisk and Mitchell, and the other contenders, are all on the same team. Is there a way Fisk can stop Mitchell from even competing? And will it make a difference?

Clearing the Pack is the fourth title in The Legends series and whilst self-contained, continues the ongoing struggle between Mitchell and Fisk, as well as the story of friendship between Mitchell, Jack, Bryce and Bubba and the mystery of the school library.

This is a good solid offering for upper primary aged readers.

Clearing the Pack, by Michael Panckridge
Black Dog Books, 2003

Down the Line, by Michael Panckridge

Bryce served a swinging serve that Fisk did well to get back into play. Bryce rushed forward and tapped the ball delicately over the net. Fisk rushed and lunged at it, but only managed to reach it after the ball had bounced a second time. He fell into the net. Bryce stood there, not a metre away from Fisk and did the most amazing thing. He reached out his arm to help Fisk to his feet.

This is the third title in The Legends series, and this time the students at Sandhurst are competing to be the Legend of Tennis. Mitchell Grady, who has already been named Legend of Surf and Legend of Cricket, is keen for a third title, but this time his mates Jack and Bryce are in with a chance too, as is the school bully, Travis Fisk

This series is a boon for sports-mad kids and for parents and teachers looking to engage reluctant readers. Each title focuses on a different sport and is self contained, but the story of friendship and overcoming bullying does stretch over the series.

Down the Line, by Michael Panckridge
Black Dog Books, 2003

Against the Spin, by Michael Panckridge

The ball came fast and swinging. Aimed at off stump and gently moving away. It was a beauty. It would have troubled most good batters. But not Bubba. He took half a step back, then lurched forward and swung with all his might straight through the line. He heaved the ball up and over mid-off.

Mitchell Grady is already the Legend of the Surf, the first in Sandhurst School’s annual sporting competitions. Now it’s cricket season and Mitch wants to be Legend of Cricket as well. But the competition is pretty fierce. His friend Bubba is an outstanding batsman and his other mate, Jack, is a good all-rounder. Then of course there’s Travis Fisk, the school bully. Not happy that he’s been beaten in the surf competition, Fisk will do anything to make sure he wins the cricket title.

Against the Spin is the second title in The Legends series and continues the story of Mitchell’s year at Sandhurst, a school where too much sport is barely enough. For young sports fans there are plenty of cricket scenes as well as the ongoing story of friendship, bullying and competition.

Aimed squarely at 10-12 year old boys, this series is sure to please.

Against the Spin, by Michael Panckridge
Black Dog Books, 2003

Chasing the Break, by Michael Panckridge

I focused on the wave. I felt the force of it coming fast and picked up my speed. As I felt it come through, I jumped to my feet, pushing my right foot back for better balance. For a moment I was up near the curl and I had plenty of speed. I got down to the bottom of the wave and turned left. I cut back and settled on the white water, letting it take me all the way in. It was an excellent ride to get in so early.

When Mitchell Grady starts at his new school, Sandhurst, he figures every school is pretty much the same – this is, after all, his third new school in five years. But Sandhurst is a school with a difference – one that is right up Mitchell’s alley. Every year Sandhurst has a Sporting Legend competition to find the student who is best across eight sports. And Mitchell wants to be that student.

The first competition is in surfing, and Mitchell knows he has a good chance, but is he good enough? The school bully, Travis Fisk, doesn’t think Mitchell is good enough – but he doesn’t want to take a chance, and will do anything to get Mitchell out of the competition.

Chasing the Break is the first title in The Legends series, which traces Mitchell’s progress through the eight sports which make up the Sandhurst School’s Sporting Legend contest. With plenty of realistic surfing scenes and a plot which ties them together, this will appeal especially to sports-mad boys, including those who may be reluctant readers.

Chasing the Break, by Michael Panckridge
Black Dog Books, 2003

Alexander the Great, Reckless Conqueror, by Carole Wilkinson

Alexander of Macedonia (also known as Alexander the Great and, by his enemies, as Alexander the Accursed) became a king at the age of twenty. While many thought him too young for the job and perhaps an easy target, he quickly proved his strength and courage.

In the eight years after he was crowned, he lead his army in a quest to conquer the known world. He defeated the Greeks and the Persians, was named Pharaoh of the Egyptians and travelled across India. He lead his army by example, leading the charge into battles and fighting hard, regularly sustaining injury.

Yet, for all his courage, Alexander was also a man of cruelty. He had anyone he considered a traitor or enemy put to death, and in his quest to rule the world left thousands of people dead or enslaved. Was he a great man or a ruthless tyrant?

Alexander the Great: Reckless Conqueror is an excellent exploration of the man, his times and his feats. Author Carole Wilkinson details his exploits with an emphasis on accuracy. She also offers a human insight into Alexander with fictionalised journal entries at the beginning of each chapter. Maps, illustrations and tables aid in understanding Alexander’s feats.

Wilkinson has a talent for making history accessible to young people.This offering will find a deserving home in school libraries and private collections.

Alexander the Great: Reckless Conqueror, by Carole Wilkinson
Black Dog Books, 2004

Dog Wars, by Michael Wagner

FINE! BE LIKE THAT! I’ll tell you the whole story, the full, complete story—the flea wrestling, Mum and Dad, the fights, all the trouble I caused, the war, everything! THEN WE’RE OUTTA HERE! OKAY?

The humans might call it Grandview, but to the dogs who live there, their suburb is known as Dogland. The dogs have their own sets of rules and their own way of sorting out problems and the humans are none the wiser. But when a flea on the lookout for adventure and excitement lands on Strongdog, the toughest dog of all, things start to change.

Dog Wars is a hilarious dog story with a very big difference – it is narrated by a flea. This sassy character, Faydo T. Flea, tells the story of his adventures onboard Strongdog, who he controls through subtle direction in his ear. Wagner uses this device for maximum silliness. Kids will love it and even adults will laugh out loud.

Each dog character is distinct and dog lovers will recognise their own dog breeds there, from the feisty poodle to the shifty dachshund and the dirty, but happy, mutt. Dog Wars is a dog-lover’s delight.

Dog Wars, by Michael Wagner
Black Dog Books, 2004