The Key to Rondo, by Emily Rodda

Important! Turn the key three times only. Never turn the key while the music is playing. Never pick up the box while the music is playing. Never close the lid until the music has stopped.

Leo Langlander inherits the music box that has been passed down his family for generations. He knows to follow the rules but when his cousin Mimi comes to stay, havoc is released upon the land within the music box and Leo and Mimi are stranded there. Now they are on a quest to find and defeat the sinister Blue Queen. Not knowing who to trust they set off on an exciting quest from which they may not return.

The Key to Rondo is an exciting mythological adventure written by the internationally best-selling author, Emily Rodda. A great read for children 10 to 15 years old. Lots of excitement and fantastic tales await the reader of this fantastic book.

A gripping read.

Key to Rondo

The Key to Rondo, by Emily Rodda
Omnibus Books, 2007

This book can be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

A Whole Lot of Wayne, by David McRobbie

If our book could talk, Wayne, I wonder what it would say? I bet it would say, ‘Don’t just stand there, buy me!’

Wayne tells the stories of his adolescence, his friends, family, best jokes and biggest blunders. Wayne and Squocka get into all sorts of adventures and misadventures. A hilarious snapshot of life, love and friendship.

A Whole Lot of Wayne is a hilarious comedic anthology told from the viewpoint of Wayne that’s great for kids aged 9 to 13. Lots of laughs and good times await the reader of this fantastic book.

A hilarious anthology.

A Whole Lot of Wayne

A Whole Lot of Wayne, by David McRobbie
Allen and Unwin, 2007

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Wombat and Fox Summer in the City, by Terry Denton

Wherever Wombat and Fox go, trouble is never far behind. How hard can it be to take a bus to the beach? What can go wrong at the sandcastle competition? Surely crab-hunting is a safe activity…

Wombat & Fox: Summer in the City is the eagerly-awaited sequel to Wombat & Fox: Tales of the City It provides a zany, carefree look at Wombat and Fox’s summer holiday, as they tackle a stressful bus trip, a wacky sandcastle competition and a crab-hunting expedition not to mention the five cheeky monkeys intent on ruining their holiday.

This is a story that children of all ages can enjoy. Terry Denton tells the story in his own unique way, and humorous black and white pictures on every page complement the story perfectly. This book is great for beginning readers aged 7-11 and also for reading aloud.

Great stuff.

Wombat and Fox: Summer in the City Wombat & Fox: Summer in the City, by Terry Denton
Allen and Unwin, 2007

You can but this title online at Fishpond.

Gold, Graves and Glory, by Jackie French

For 60,000 years the rest of the world had pretty much left Australia and its Aboriginal nations alone. Then it became a home for Britain’s criminals and poor. Now a con man had found gold and suddenly everyone was heading to Australia: adventurers, revolutionaries, camels…Australia would never be the same.

Gold, Graves and Glory is a humorous yet accurate look at the gold rush days in Australia. Charting the difficulties and hardships faced by the settlers, the impact that they had on the Aboriginal way of life and population, and the development of the colonies. It details the early time of the colony from 1850 through to 1880.

Whilst this is not the first book written on the subject, for children it is certainly the most accessible. The cartoon style illustrations of Peter Sheehan, putting his own funny spin on events, compliments French’s humorous yet honest style which doesn’t gloss over serious events.

This is history which kids can enjoy, even while they are learning plenty about this important part of Australian history. It is the fourth instalment in an eight-part series covering Australian history from prehistoric times to the Centenary of Federation.

Good stuff.

Gold, Graves and Glory, by Jackie French, illustrated by Peter Sheehan
Scholastic Press, 2007

Rotters and Squatters, by Jackie French

Cannibal convicts, murdering squatters, sea captains who kidnapped their crew, poor farmers forced off their land – they had all come to the colonies of New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land to make better lives for themselves.

Rotters and Squatters is a wonderful look at the colonial days in Australia, charting the hardships and difficulties faced by the settlers, the impact their arrival had on the Aboriginal way of life and population, and the development of the colonies. It details the early time of the colony from two tiny colonies at the end of the world in 1820 through to 1850.

It is the third installment in an eight-part series covering Australian history from prehistoric times to the Centenary of Federation. This is history which kids can enjoy, even while they are learning plenty about this important part of Australian history.

Whilst this is not the first book written on the subject, for children it is certainly the most accessible. The cartoon style illustrations of Peter Sheehan, putting his own funny spin on events, compliments French’s humorous yet honest style doesn’t gloss over serious events.

Good stuff.

Rotters and Squatters, by Jackie French, illustrated by Peter Sheehan
Scholastic Press, 2007

Secrets, Lies, Gizmos, and Spies, by Janet Wyman Coleman

Telling a friend may mean telling the enemy…

Secrets, Lies, Gizmos, and Spies is a history of spies throughout the ages. From tales from the Cold War to tales of Austin Powers this book brings to life the amazing stories of espionage, spies, moles and double agents. This intriguing book covers from the year 1800 BCE throughout history to present day.

This book contains numerous photographs of all manner of spy gadgets, from disguised weapons to astonishing tools and documents as well as guides to the more complicated words and terms coined throughout history.

This book offers an intriguing view of the world of spies and espionage throughout history. A must have for all would be spies. Suitable for both school library and private reading.

Secrets, Lies, Gizmos and Spies: A History of Spies and Espionage

Secrets, Lies, Gizmos, and Spies, by Janet Wyman Coleman
Scholastic, 2006

A Ridiculous Story, by Rolf Heimann

“You’re telling me that a hippopotamus crossed Main Street and exploded, scattering monkeys everywhere… This is the most ridiculous story I have ever heard!”

What should you do if your inflatable Taiwanese hippopotamus won’t move? Why, fill it with monkeys of course! What do you do if your uncle sells you as a parrot to a group of bloodthirsty pirates? What do you do when you can’t invent a better mousetrap? And when is a witch not a witch? This book answers those and more questions.

This is a fun and exciting collection of stories from one of Australia’s best authors. These stories are funny and also suitable for kids of all ages. Kids will love reading this fantastic collection full of droll humour and dry wit.

Another great collection from a fantastic author.

A Ridiculous Story

A Ridiculous Story, by Rolf Heimann
Little Hare, 2006

Lady Friday, by Garth Nix

Arthur Panhaligon has defeated four of the seven trustees but his week is getting worse and worse…

Sir Thursday is defeated and the Fourth Key is in Arthur Penhaligon’s possession but the New Nithling army is still at large and the Piper will stop at nothing to get his hands on the Fifth Key. And to make things worse Arthur is cut off from the Secondary Realms, and his true home. It also seems that Leaf is missing, lured from her bed to an evil situation in another area of the Secondary Realms.

Just as it seems he has another fight on his hands Arthur receives a tempting offer from Lady Friday, the trustee of the Fifth Key, but is it a cunning trap for The Rightful Heir or a chance he must not miss so as to seize the Key before the Piper or Superior Saturday? Arthur must move swiftly to discover the secrets of the Middle House and to save the future of his friends and family.

This eagerly awaited fifth book in the Award Winning Keys to the Kingdom series is finally here, packed full of excitement and action from the first page to the last. Garth Nix is the only author who could bring this book to life in such a way that the characters and places seem vividly real.

Once more Garth Nix has produced a gripping read.

Lady Friday, by Garth Nix
Allen & Unwin, 2007

This book is available online at Fishpond.

Alexander the Great – Reckless Conqueror, by Carole Wilkinson

Alexander the Great was a ruthless warrior and king. He conquered most of the known world and crushed all enemies in his path. This is his story.

Although a mighty and courageous man Alexander was also cruel, vile and racist. He killed people on rumours or for being related to traitors and often forced thousands of men into slavery in his campaign for conquest.

After being crowned for a short amount of years he had already lead many successful campaigns and skirmishes. He was fighting at the front line from the time he became Regent of Macedonia to his death in 323 BCE.

This book is a fantastic resource for all ages; it showcases Alexander’s life and experiences with stunning illustrations, highly detailed maps and theoretical accounts of his experiences during Alexander’s entire life from Age 4 to his death.

This Author, Carole Wilkinson, is gifted in showcasing history in such a way that all ages can understand and be interested in these fantastic chapters in history.

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