Tag: scholastic

Peaches of Panic, by Paul Shaw

The illustrious superhero Captain Cat and his young assistant, the Umbrella Kid, have barely had time to recover from their first three adventures when one of their former adversaries, Doctor Daffodil, makes a bold escape from prison. It seems he has had some help from another villain – Percy Peregrine Peecham, also known as The Peach.

The Peach uses Doctor Daffodil’s special skills with plants to plot a bold robbery. He wants to steal a huge peach topaz and, with the help of a range of crooks and villains, he looks set to outwit Captain Cat and capture the giant gem.

Only by using every trick at his disposal will Captain Cat save the day.

This is the fourth in the Captain Cat series. As with previous titles, this one is filled withc orny one-liners, comic-book action and cartoon-style illustrations.

This is not high literature – it is just great fun. Kids will love it.

Captain Cat and the Umbrella Kid: Peaches of Panic, by Paul Shaw, illustrated by Peter Sheehan
Scholastic Press, 2004

A Horse Called Elvis, by John Heffernan

When a horse appears on his family’s property, Matt wants desperately to look after her, despite his family’s protests. But when she dies, leaving a foal as a parting gift, the trouble really begins. First it has to be fed every hour, then the vet bills start to mount. Finally, the foal starts causing chaos in the yard.

None of this trouble, however, seems as bad as the bigger crisis brewing among Matt’s family. His Dad is out of work, drinking too much, and turning violent. His Mum seems to want to be somewhere else and his big sister is determined to escape their father’s authority.

None of the family can foresee the part that the foal they call Elvis will play in their future. Only when Elvis is stolen and Matt falls apart does the family rally.

A Horse Called Elvis is a touching story for older children, with a warm mix of humour and serious themes. This is not just a horse story – it is a family story, told with the aplomb that we have come to expect from John Heffernan.

Great reading.

A Horse Called Elvis, by John Heffernan
Scholastic, 2004

Shadowgate (Deltora Quest 3), by Emily Rodda

The popular Deltora Quest series continues with this, the second book of the third series.

Lief, Barda and Jasmine have reunited and have already managed to defeat the sister of the east, one of four evil creations left by the Shadow Lord to poison the land. Now the trio must seek and defeat the second Sister – the Sister of the North, hidden in the mountains which border the Shadowlands.

Together the three cross Deltora, helped by friends both old and new, and by the sleeping dragons they awaken. But along the way Lief and his friends have to face some of their biggest challenges.

The Deltora Quest series has attracted a strong following among young fantasy fans. It is an excellent introduction to the genre, with plenty of action and easy to follow plots which stand alone as well as developing the ongoing story.

Excellent.

Shadowgate: Deltora Quest 3, by Emily Rodda

Scholastic, 2004

Savannah Zebra, by Peter Simonds

Zak is a young zebra living with his family in the African savannah. His life is not easy. Nor is it easy for the other memebrs of his family.

As well as the daily need to find food and water, the zebras must evade their foes. Lions, hyenas and wild dogs stalk them and can strike at any time. Other dangers also abound – being separated from the family, dehydration, crocodiles and more.

Zac knows he must stay close to the family. It is his best chance of survival. But it isn’t easy. When he sees his mother leave the herd, he is sure he should follow her. Later, in the midst of the annual stampede, he loses track of his family again. Will he continue to let the family down?

Savannah Zebra is an animal tale that educates as it entertains. Rather than presenting zebra facts in a non-fiction format, author Peter Simonds personalises them by entwining them in the story of one zebra, young Zac.

Interesting reading for eight to ten year olds.

Savannah Zebra, by Peter Simonds
Scholastic, 2004

Fergus Makes a Difference, by JW Noble

Fergus is doing his rounds of the harbour when he meets two tugs towing a rusty oil tanker to the dock for repairs.

Soon, however, one of the tugs blows its engines under the strain, leaving its partner to tug alone. Seeing the remaining tug – Jimmy – struggling, Fergus offers to lend a hand. He may be small and it might be a struggle but Fergus shows that with determination he can make a difference. The tanker is soon safely docked.

Fergus Makes a Difference is the sixth story about the ferry and his adventures on Sydney Harbour. With colourful illustrations from Peter Townsend and written in rhyming couplets, these are cute stories for the preschool age group.

Fergus Makes a Difference, by JW Noble, illustrated by Peter Townsend
Scholastic, 2003

Dragon's Nest (Deltora Quest Series 3), by Emily Rodda

Emily Rodda is one of Australia’s most acclaimed and succesful authors of fantasy for children. Her popular Deltora Quest books are now in their third series, and Dragon’s Nest, the first installment in the series, is sure to satisfy young fans.

Lief, Barda and Jasmine reunite when they realise that the Shadow Lord, who they previously defeated and banished, has left behind the seeds of death, hidden around the kingdom. These four creations are slowly killing the land, foreshadowing a return by the Shadow Lords. The three young heroes must find and destroy them if they are to ensure a better future for Deltora.

Rodda tells a good tale, which is accessible to young readers. Even those with little experience of the fantasy genre will be drawn into the adventures of Lief and his friends.

Good stuff.

Dragon’s Nest, by Emily Rodda
Scholastic, 2003

Captain Cat & the Umbrella Kid in Cards of Chaos, by Paul Shaw

Captain Cat and his trusty young sidekick, the Umbrella Kid, have a new foe: the Cardsharp. This dastardly Villain has plenty of tricks up his sleeve as he leads Captain Cat on a merry chase around the city.

The Captain and Billy must solve the clues left by the Cardhsarp to guess where he is planning to show up next and try to stop the damage he is intent on inflicting.

Cards of Chaos is the third book in the Capatin Cat series where young Billy works as the Umbrella Kid alongside the brave Captain Cat.

With loads of silliness and a style both reminiscent of and parodical of superhero comic books, the books are sure to appeal to upper primary aged chidlren.

Fun.

Captain Cat & the Umbrella Kid in Cards of Chaos,by Paul Shaw, illustrated by Peter Sheehan
Scholastic, 2003

Fords and Flying Machines – The Diary of Jack McLaren

At 14, Jack McLaren leaves his parents and twin sister behind in Sydney as he heads north to Longreach in Queensland where he is apprenticed as a motor mechanic to his uncle George.

Not only does Jack get to spend his days working on engines, fulfilling his life’s dreams, but he soon has adventures he could never have dreamt of. Jack and George travel on the first automobile to drive the Gulf Track from Longreach to Katherine, accompanying two pilots who are surveying suitable airstrip sites for the great air race from England to Australia.

Snaking their way across the outback, encountering crocodiles and snakes, and contending with punctures, broken axles and breakdowns, Jack and his fellow travellers are sure there is a better way to travel these vast distances. The Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service is about to be born, and Jack has a front row seat.

Told in diary format, Fords and Flying Machines is part of the outstanding My Story series, from Scholastic. Author Patricia Bernard manages to explore not just the history of the period (1919-1921), but also the social issues of the time – class, unemployment, gender equality and more.

AN outstanding read for 10 to 14 year olds.

My Story: Fords and Flying Machines – The Diary of Jack McLaren, by Patricia Bernard
Scholastic, 2003

Captain Cat and the Umbrella Kid – Revenge of the Refrigerators

It’s summer in the Massive Metropolis of Maxburg – but not for long. The evil Super Villain Snowman has a plan to turn summer into winter.

Soon, Maxburg is in the grip of a big freeze – with snow piling up, buildings frozen and residents unable to keep warm. Captain Cat and his trusty sidekick the Umbrella Kid must pit their wits against Snowman, his vampire penguins, robotic polar bears and runaway fridges.

Revenge of the Refrigerators, the second Captain Cat book, is likely to appeal to primary aged kids who enjoy a mix of adventure and comedy.

Good fun.

Captain Cat and the Umbrella Kid – Revenge of the Refrigerators, by Paul Shaw
Scholastic, 2003

Zero Hour for Zenobia, by Annette Kelleher

When Aunt Erica goes on holiday, Zenobia stays home. But when she gets a strange letter from Aunt Erica, Zenobia starts to worry. Why would her aunt want Zenobia to post her expensive jewellery to a post-office box? And why is the postcard postmarked in Sydney, when her aunt is supposed to be in Melbourne?

Although she doesn’t know what is going on, Zenobia’s instincts are that it’s not something good. She is going to Sydney to find her aunt and figure out what’s going on.

Zero Hour for Zenobia is a fun mystery, full of comic characters and action. It will appeal particularly to girls aged 10-13.

Fun.

Zero Hour for Zenobia, by Annette Kelleher
Scholastic, 2003