Tag: Macmillan

Lighthouse Letters, by June Keir

There’s absolutely nothing to do in this place. We are the only people on the island. There’s no-one else here – just Mum, Dad and me. There are no shops, no movies, no cars and no schools. You’d think no schools would be a bonus, but it’s not. I’m so bored I’d even welcome going to school!

When Sam’s parents take him to live at a remote lighthouse for a year, he doesn’t know how he’ll survive. At least his weekly letters from his mate, Luke, will keep him up to date with what’s happening in the real world. But Sam won’t have anything interesting to tell Luke, he’s sure.

As the year professes, however, Sam’s life seems to get more interesting. First there’s an old boat to restore and even go fishing in. Then there are whales swimming just off the shore. For Luke, being at home without your best mate might be less than thrilling.

Lighthouse Letters is a chapter book told through the letters written by the two boys and children will enjoy the novelty of the format. Part of the new Breakers series from Macmillan Education, Lighthouse Letters is suitable for children aged 8 to 10, with a target reading age of about 8.5.

Lighthouse Letters, by June Keir
Macmillan Education, 2004

Hang Loose, Mother Goose, by V Sterling

Mother Goose directed a challenging look at Miss Muffet.
“I suppose you expect me to kill the spider?”
“Of course not!” said Miss Muffet. “I love my spider. It’s the curds and whey.” She shuddered at the thought of it. “Can I have a bowl of custard instead?”

Mother Goose has trouble on her hands. A whole busload of characters from her nursery rhymes have just turned up on her doorstep – and they are demanding changes. Humpty Dumpty wants a lower wall, Jill wants a turn of Jack’s crown and Mrs Ladybird wants smoke detectors insalled in her home. If Mother Goose can’t make them happy, they might decide not to appear in her rhymes any more.

Hang Loose, Mother Goose is a funny title from the yellow level of the new Breakers series from Macmillan Education. Aimed at children aged between 8 and ten, and at a reading age of around 8.5, it is a title sure to create some laughs.

Suitable both for classroom use and for private reading.

Hang loose, Mother Goose, by V Sterling
Macmillan Education, 2003

Something Fishy, by Liz Flaherty

Lizzie hesitated – she didn’t know whether to go forwards or backwards. Should she get Mum and Dad? Tears sprang to her eyes as she thought of their parents sleeping peacefully in the beach shack, only a few minutes away. They’d know what to do.

Lizzie and her brother Nick are unimpressed about the poachers stripping the fish stocks in the area. When Lizzie sees two strange men hanging around the beach at night, she is determined to do something about it. With Nick, she tracks down the suspicious characters and sets about proving their guilt.

It is not easy keeping track of the poachers and collecting evidence against them, especially when you are keeping what you are doing a secret from your parents. Tracking smugglers can be very dangerous – as Lizzie and Nick find out.

Something Fishy is a fast moving title in the Breakers series from Macmillan Education. While parents (and teachers) might shudder at the thought of two young children chasing criminals – including a boat trip at night – kids will enjoy the excitement of the plot and the fact that Lizzie and Nick triumph over the bad guys.

A gripping read for 8 to 10 year old readers.

Something Fishy, by Liz Flaherty
Macmillan Education, 2003

Lost in the Last Frontier, by Tracey L. R. Hawkins

Sam stirred slightly; he rubbed his nose. Something was snarling and breathing on him. He half opened his eyes and glimpsed a big dark animal with enormous white teeth. He yelled, his arms flailing wildly as the animal leapt in through the window. It landed heavily upon him, pushing all the air from his lungs.

Sam is excited about the family trip to Alaska. The brochures call it “the last frontier” and he likes the sound of that – he is eager for some adventure. He wants some cool stories to be able to tell his friends back at school. But on the very first day of his holiday Sam gets more adventure than he bargained for, when he and his family meet a bear in the forest.

Following his Dad’s orders Sam flees with his sister Emma. Soon though, they face a new peril. They are lost and alone in the forest, with no idea how to get back to the lodge where they are staying. Sam decides that some adventures are a bit too exciting.

Lost in the Last Frontier is a green level title in the Breakers series from Macmillan Education. The unusual setting and fast-paced action will appeal to readers in upper primary, with the book’s graded reading level being 10.5 years.

The Breakers series presents a range of story types from a range of authors. They are suitable for classroom reading and for private enjoyment.

Lost in the Last frontier, by Tracey L.R. Hawkins
Macmillan Education, 2004

Needles and Patch, by Jane C. Scott

When the boards were scattered around us, a dark hole was revealed in the storeroom floor. Patch and I were amazed. We never suspected this.
‘Is it a drain, or a collapsed bit of earth?’ I thought out loud. Then Patch finished my thought for me.
‘Or a secret tunnel deliberately dug out?’

When the school is evacuated because of a fire near the library, Needles thinks its pretty exciting, but she doesn’t realise just how exciting the events which follow will be.

Needles (her real name is Nadine) and her best friend Patch (Paul) volunteer to help clean out the storeroom where the fire started. Soon they realise something very strange is going on. They find a box of money hidden in the storeroom and, later, a box of jewellery, which disappears as fast as they find it. When they discover a tunnel disappearing benath the floor of the storeroom, they start to work out what is going on – but before they can tell the dults Patch disappears and Needles must get the help of the other kids in her class to save him.

Needles and Patch is a humorous and action-packed novel for 10 to 12 year old readers, with a recommended reading age of 12.5. Part of the Macmillan Education Breakers series, it is suitable for classroom or private reading.

It is nice to see a story where boy and girl main characters appear alongside each other as equals and friends, which makes the book likely to appeal to both genders. Needles and Patch is an entertaining read for upper primary students.

Needles and Patch, by Jane C. Scott
Macmillan Education, 2004

Silence the Dragon, by Pamela Graham

The boys glanced from side to side as they stole slowly through the straggly shrubs and weeds into the backyard. The house gave out strange vibes. Even though it looked dead, it seemed to send out messages that it might reach out and grab you. A creepy feeling spread over the boys’ skin the entire time they were in Mr Cooper’s yard.

Mr Cooper’s house has stood empty ever since he died – covered in vines and gradually falling apart. Fozzy and Josh are scared of the house, but can’t resist the mangoes which grow on a tree in the back yard. On one of their visits, however, they discover that the house is no longer empty. A teenage boy has moved in.

The boys soon become friends with Zen, a runaway who is making the house his new home. Zen helps them work on an entry for a school science competition and the boys provide Zen with companionship and, occasionally, a fresh sandwich. At first Fozzy and Josh think that Zen is lucky to live by himself, but gradually they come to realise that not everything is as good as it seems.

Silence the Dragon is fun novel for 10 to 12 year olds, with a recommended reading age of about 11. The story focusses on friendship and loyalty, as well as family and responsibilty, in a way which is fun and non-preachy.

Silence the Dragon is a green level title in the new Breakers series from Macmillan Education. It is suitable as a classroom reader or for private enjoyment.

Silence the Dragon, by Pamela Graham
Macmillan education, 2004

Cow-Pats, by Goldie Alexander

Red’s best friend is his cow, Daisy. He likes her because he knows he can tell her everything and, although she’ll listen, she won’t tell a soul. But the last thing Red expects is that Daisy will help solve the family’s money problems.

Not only is there a drought, but Red’s dad is also sick. He needs an operation. Red’s big brother, Luke, and his sister Tara are both out of work. The family farm is going to be taken over by the bank. And Red has no money for art supplies. Then, unexpectedly, a stranger comes to visit. Red doesn’t understand a word he says, but he eventually translates his sign language enough to understand that the Stranger wants to buy Daisy’s cow-pats. Red does not understand why anyone would pay hundreds of dollars for cow-pats, but he does know that all this money could be the answer to the family’s problems.

Cow-Pats is a humorous novel for 8 to 12 year old readers (the targeted reading age is 11). As well as being a fun read, it also has subtle messages about family, friendship and even about what makes art works ‘great’.

Part of Macmillan Education’s new Breakers series, Cow-Pats is suitable for classroom use or private reading.

Good fun.

Cow-Pats, by Goldie Alexander
Macmillan Education, 2004

The Lake, by Roland Mugford

Caitlin isn’t so sure about her new life in the country. Her parents are tied up with the new baby, Patsy, and her best friend Jack is still in the city. Soon though, Jack has a new sister too, and he and his parents have moved into the new house on Caitlin’s farm.

The cousins, who are also best friends, are making new friends and having new adventures. Maybe living in the country isn’t so bad after all.

The Lake is part of the Green level of the Breakers series from Macmillan Education. It is also a sequel to The Island part of the Yellow level of the same series, although it stands alone.

The Lake deals with issues such as sibbling rivalrly and growing up as well as the differences between country and city life, but the real focus is on family and friendship.

The Lake is aimed at a reading age of around 11 years and is suitable both for classroom and private reading.

The Lake, by Roland Mugford
Macmillan Education, 2004

The Island, by Roland Mugford

It’s supposed to be a holiday, but Caitlin and Jack seem to be spending a lot of time helping their parents clean out their shack. So when they get a chance to explore they think it will be fun. When they climb the hill they see two people doing something suspicious. Could they really be burying a body?

When the adults don’t believe them, they resolve to solve the msytery themselves. But before they get a chance they are sidetracked by more work and more sites to see. Then they meet two kids from the neighboring farm and the mystery is solved for them. The holiday isn’t over yet and there’s plenty more adventure to be had.

The Island is one of twenty titles in the Yellow level Breakers series from Macmillan Education. It is a nice blend of adventure, mystery and fun, as well as taking the opportunity to show some of the contrasts between country and city life.

The Island is aimed at children with a reading age of around ten and is suitable for both home and classroom reading.

The Island, by Roland Mugford
Macmillan Education, 2003

Who Says Girls Can't Play Football,by Judi Pope

Jac (short for Jacqueline) Jones loves football. She can talk about nothing else. She eats, drinks and sleeps football. And, despite being a girl, she plays football for the under eleven team. When Jac gets the chance to be the mascot for her favourite football team, the Wolves, she thinks all her dreams have come true. She will run onto the field with the Wolves and she’ll get to meet all the players, especially her hero Steve Steen.

Then disaster strikes. Jac chases a ball onto the road and is hit by a speeding car. When she wakes up three days later with a broken leg and arm, she realises she has missed her chance to be the Wolves’ mascot. She’ll never get to meet Steve Steen and she may never play football again. Things turn around, though, when Steve Steen himself pays her a visit in hospital. The two are soon firm friends.

Who said Girls Can’t Play Football? is a fun read for 10 to 12 year olds. It is nice to see girls playing (and being good at) less traditional sports, and to see other pastimes such as chess given a look-in as well. The importance given to family and friends (new and old) is another positive dimension of the book.

Who Said Girls Can’t Play Football is a sound read for classroom or private reading.

Who Said Girls Can’t Play Football, by Judi Pope
Macmillan Education, 2004