Tag: scholastic

Summer's Story, by Wendy Graham

Summer could still hardly believe it. Me! she thought. All those skinny, suntanned girls who hang out at the lifesaving club, and Dylan wants to meet me there!
But what to wear? She pinched a fold of fat above her waist…

At fourteen, Summer has big plans. She’s going to be a famous writer and she’s starting an all-girl rock group with her best friend, Amy. When she meets Dylan, she falls in love, and life is great. Well, it would be if she didn’t have to deal with a nagging New-Age Mum and a gran with alzheimers, who seem to be competing to bring the most embarrassment to Summer.

Summer has always been rebellious and, with all that’s going on in her life, her attitude towards her mother’s dumb rules and wierd behaviours aren’t likely to change soon. But she is about to find out that some dreams aren’t meant to come true.

Summer’s Story is a story of growing up – first love, family, friendship and self-belief. Summer is a very real character and teenage girls will find her easy to relate to as they watch her struggle with many situations which will be familiar. Summer’s Story is funny, compassionate and real.

Summer’s Story, by Wendy Graham
Scholastic, 2004

The Disappearing TV Star, by Emily Rodda

Richelle isn’t always excited when Teenpower Inc take on a new job, but when they are asked to appear in a television advertisement she thinks all her dreams are about to come true. This could be her big chance to get noticed and get her big break in show business.

But as with all of Teenpower’s jobs, nothing goes quite to plan. The star of the commercial is the rich and famous Cassandra Cass.Her over-protective mother is sure she is about to be kidnapped and when Cassandra disappears, it seems she’s right. The police are slow to react, thinking Cassandra has just run away. But Teenpower Inc can sense a mystery and they are soon on the case.

Instead of being one of best experiences of Richelle’s life, this is fast becoming the most terrifying.

The Case of the Disappearing TV Star is the third title in the Raven Hill Mysteries series, based around the exploits of the six teens known collectively as Teen Power Inc. The series first appeared in 1994 under the series title of Teen Power Inc, but is still likely to appeal to young readers – the target age is upper primary.

This series is not as gripping as Rodda’s fantasy series, but is good, solid reading which young mystery fans will enjoy.

The Disappearing TV Star, by Emily Rodda
Scholastic, 2004

The Sorcerer's Apprentice, by Emily Rodda

When Teen Power Inc get two new jobs, they don’t expect them to combine to solve a big mystery, but that’s exactly what happens. First, they are hired to help in a clean up of the local magic shop. Tom is the only one who is excited about this. He loves magic and hopes to learn something from the eccentric owner, Sid. Then a second job arises. The teens are asked to babysit seven year old Tarquin Anderson. The pay is great but Tarquin is more than a handful – even with two teens looking after him at a time.

Meanwhile, Raven Hill is under siege from a mysterious mugger, known widely as The Gripper. After Tom has a close brush with him it becomes personal. But the solution to the mystery – and the arrest of the mugger – is as surprising to Tom as it is to everyone.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is the second title in Emily Rodda’s Raven Hill Mysteries. First released in 1994, when the series was known as Teen Power Inc, the series will be popular with a new batch of pre and early teens. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice has plenty of action, a touch of humour and a smattering of clues to help would-be sleuths unravel the mystery.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, by Emily Rodda
Scholastic, 2004. First published in 1994

Secrets, by Christine Harris

Jesse Sharpe has been brought up behind the closed doors of C2, a top secret spy organisation. So when she is asked to take on an assignment on the outside protecting a girl who is about to be kidnapped, she is grateful for the chance for some freedom. She will go to school for the first time, see new sights and maybe even make some friends. She may even get a chance to find out who she really is.

Secrets is the first title in a new series called Spy Girl. Jesse, the heroine, has lived within the confines of C2 for as long as she can remember. She is a child genius and an orphan, and C2 use her for their experiments and their research. Jesse is kept a virtual prisoner by the organisation and longs to find freedom and to learn more about who she really is and where she came from. She is smart enough to know that C2 will not allow either of these things and so uses the opportunities available to her on special assignments to try to learn more.

Secrets is a fast-paced introduction to the series, which is likely to attract a following among 11 to 14 year old readers. Jesse is a feisty, strong central character.

Secrets (Spy Girl #1), by Christine Harris
Scholastic, 2004

The Ghost of Raven Hill, by Emily Rodda

When Liz and her friends need to earn some money, she has a great idea. Soon the friends are known collectively as Teen Power Inc., advertising themselves as willing to do almost any job. When they do get their first job, however, they don’t expect to be involved in solving a mystery. Their employer, the proprietor of the Pen newspaper, is having an unbelievable run of bad luck. Liz and her friends are soon involved in working out what is going on.

The Ghost of Raven Hill is the first in the series now known as the Raven Hill Mysteries, but which first appeared in 1994 as the Teen Power Inc. series. The book seems to have travelled well and is just as likely to appeal to upper primary aged readers now as it did when it was first released.

A little different than Rodda’s more recent offerings in the fantasy genre, The Ghost of Raven Hill is still a good sound mystery story .

The Ghost of Raven Hill, by Emily Rodda
First Published by Scholastic, 1994, this edition, 2004

Isle of the Dead, by Emily Rodda

The third installment of the third and final series of Deltora Quest adventures rolls on, with Lief, Barda and Jasmine out to find the third of the Four Sisters, evil creations of the Shadow Lord which have been poisoning the land of Deltora.

This time the friends must fight even harder to achieve their goal. It seems the Shadow Lord is following their movements and is determined to put a stop to their quest. It will take all of their strength and courage to reach their goal and destroy the third sister. When the three are separated, Lief and Barda must gamble for their freedom, whilst Jasmine calls on some of their old friends to help her to find them.

As with the earlier titles, this is a story sure to appeal to young fantasy readers. With plenty of action and mystery, there are also codes to crack and the familiarity of friends from previous titles in the series. Fans will be left waiting eagerly for the next installment to be published.

Isle of the Dead, by Emily Rodda
Scholastic, 2004

Riding With Thunderbolt, by Allan Baillie

Ben Cross has been orphaned by the smallpox epdiemic and he has come to live with his brutal uncle, who beats and abuses him. So when his mate Thommo suggests they run away and join the bushranger Thunderbolt, Ben feels he has nothing to lose.

For the next two years Ben travels with Thunderbolt’s gang and family. He befirends Thunderbolt’s wife, Mary and their two small children, helping with the chores of cooking and providing for the campsite. He acts as cockatoo (lookout) for the gang when they conduct their raids and hold-ups. At the same time, Ben experiences the highs and lows of the bushranging life. He sees his mate Thommo killed by a trooper during a shoot out, lives with the threat of being caught and imprisoned, and learns about friendship and loyalty.

Riding With Thunderbolt is part of the My Story series from Scholastic and, as such, is written in diary format in the voice of young Ben. Readers aged 10 and over will be drawn into the tale by this first person narrative which enables the author not to impose an opinion of the bushranger lifestyle, but rather to show its impact on one young life.

A good solid read from a reliable author.

My Story: Riding With Thunderbolt – the Diary of Ben Cross, by Allan Baillie
Scholastic, 2004

How Many Dogs in the House? by Beverley Boorer

On the front porch lies a big old dog named Nemo:
A snoozing in the sun dog.
A dreaming of a bone dog.
A come and scratch my back dog.
But Nemo isn’t the only dog in the house. In fact there are dogs in every room of the house – dogs of all shapes and sizes. Just how many dogs are there?

This delightful counting book will have youngsters guessing, counting and eagerly turning pages. The rhythm of author Beverly Boorer’s text makes for a fun read-aloud, which parents and teachers will enjoy sharing with preschoolers.

The illustrations of award-winning artist Kilmeny Niland use bright pastels and a combination of whimsy and cute in a style which youngsters will love.

All round, a cute little number with the added bonus of helping youngsters learn to count.

How Many Dogs in the House, by Beverley Boorer, illustrated by Kilmeny Niland
Scholastic Press, 2004

Warnayarra the Rainbow Snake, compiled by Pamela Lofts

One of a series of eight Aboriginal stories compiled by Pamela Lofts, Warnayarra the Rainbow Snake tells the story of the rainbow Snake and of the Warlpiri people, who were forced off their land. They settled the Lajamanu community.

Although they were in unfamiliar territory and forced to adapt to a new lifestyle, the people’s culture and traditions helped them to adapt and stay strong.

This story, told and illustrated by the children of Lajamanu, is an example of the strong storyelling tradition of the Aboriginal people. It will appeal to, and educate, children of all cultures.

An excellent classroom resource.

Warnayarra the Rainbow snake, Told by the Senior Boys Class, Lajamanu School, Compiled by Pamela Lofts
Scholastic Press, 2004

The Echidna & the Shade Tree, by Mona Green and Pamela Lofts

Under the shade of a huge tree in the desert, Echidna spends his days minding the young of the other animals while they hunt for food. But, in spite of his assistance, the other animals will not share their food. In anger, Echidna uproots the tree, endangering their safety. Their efforts to stop him explain why today he has stubby feet and spikes.

The Echidna and the Shade Tree is one of a series of eight Aboriginal stories told in picture book format and published by Schoastic press.

The story is compiled by Pamela Lofts based on a telling by Mona Green of the Jaru people to students in Halls Creek, Western Australia. The book’s illustrations are adapted from the children’s picture interpretations of the story.

Simply told and presented, this is a book which is accessible and entertaining for all children and which would make an excellent classroom resource for students of all backgrounds.

The Echidna and the Shade Tree, told by Mona Green, compiled by Pamela Lofts
Scholastic Press, 2004