Untangled Tales

Kerry and Martin are raving about the following books.  After you’ve read their book reveiws, why not submit your own summer reading club book rave?

Kerry Brown raves about: The Princess and the Pea 

I loved fairytales as a child…. I still do. I love their magic and their grace.

My all time favourite would have to be, ‘The Princess and the Pea.’

As a child I loved the notion of finding out if someone was a princess by placing a pea under a tower of forty mattresses.  Imagine being able to feel such a small object under so much cushioning!

I used to pile high all of my pillows and blankets until they were towering tall and then place something underneath them, like a book or a marble.

Sadly, I never felt anything and more often than not would come crashing to the floor from my unbalanced tower.

I secretly hoped that I was a princess and that my family had kept it a secret from me.

As an adult, I often have nights of uncomfortable sleep. Unfortunately it’s never from a pea, but usually from my children who have crawled in with me during the night.

It seems I am not a princess. I am a mother.

…And I wouldn’t change this for the world!

Learn more about Kerry Brown in Meet n Greet

Martin Chatterton raves about: Triton

I live right by the ocean and I love watching the waves. But, being such a complete cowardy custard, I don’t really like going out into the water, especially if the waves are too big.

On days like today, when it’s very stormy, I can sometimes see, far out on the choppy horizon, huge and not so huge ships wallowing past and wonder what it must be like to be on board. I don’t even like being on the Sydney to Manly ferry if it’s a bit choppy, so to be out in a huge storm must be absolutely terrifying.

In ancient Greece, the god of the sea is Poseidon. When I was a child I used to watch a great cheesy old movie called Jason and the Argonauts which was set in ancient Greece and which had a scene in it where Triton, the son of Poseidon, appears.

Triton wears a crown and has a fish tail and a beard and looks like the bloke who comes to fix your guttering. In the movie he rises up out of the depths and helps Jason and his ship through the Clashing Rocks. Even then I remember wondering why they didn’t use a fitter actor to play Triton who, quite frankly, looks like he needs a few sessions at the gym and has some rather unappealing chest hair. But he does save Jason, which is the main thing, and I was very glad that he did because it meant that the movie wasn’t over and I could watch a whole load more rubber monsters and terrible special effects.

Now, every time I find myself on a boat, I think about Triton and hope that if things get really tricky up top he’ll be there to save us – even if he doesn’t have very big muscles.

Learn more about Martin Chatterton in Meet N Greet

 

Your Book Raves Winners!

Thank you to all our Summer Reading Club Book Ravers! All book raves received were entered into a prize draw for 1 of 8 mystery book packs.

The winners are:

Oneth, 8 VIC
Chloe, 8 VIC
Zendai, 6 NSW
Charlotte, 7 NSW
Keisha, 9 VIC
Mawson, 6 VIC
Alice, 9 SA
Ash, 8

We invite you to read our Book raver’s reviews and then read the books being raved about below:

Winona, 10 of VIC raves about: The Folk of the Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton 

I always liked the idea of something that could take you to another land-none the less a magical land.

When I was younger I would play games about being taken into another land, by various things and even now I like to think about them. When I read this story I would get swept away thinking about the magical lands that came to the top-some good- some bad. And the lands were always moving.

Not only did magical lands come to the top of the tree, but a lot of magical creatures lived there like MoonFace, Silky, Saucepan man, the Angry Pixie, Mr Watizname, Dame Washalot and many others. And I really got hooked when the faraway tree was dying because trolls were mining for jewels in the jewel cave, which had been closed because the magic faraway tree’s roots grew in there, and they were carelessly cutting up the roots.

This will make me keep dreaming about magical lands, like the lands at the top of the faraway tree, even though I read the last book. Good read.

Alvin, 11 of VIC raves about: George’s Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl

George’s mum and dad was going to shopping and told George to give Grandma’s medicine on the right time. When mum and dad was gone Grandma told George to stop growing up. Grandma said eat bugs so you could stop growing and that they were tasty. George was really angry with the little old grandma so he thought of making a medicine.

First George went to the bathroom and took whatever he could find like shampoo, toothpaste and a lot more. Later he went to the laundry room and took everything he saw. Next he went to the kitchen and grabbed everything. After George mixed everything but the colour was different to the medicine that was in the bottle, so George went to get some brown paint.

George poured out the other medicine out and put his own medicine in. Later he gave a teaspoon of medicine to his grandma. His grandma drank it.

What will happen to Grandma next? Will George get in trouble when his parents come back? Read this book to find out what will happen!

Nyah, 11 of VIC raves about: Horten’s Miraculous Mechanisms by Lissa Evans

When I looked at the back of the book it didn’t sound like the most amazing book, but when I read it I was intrigued the whole time in this adventure of Stuart Horten, his uncle Tony Horten and the mysterious workshop.

It is a mysterious story about a boy who moves back to the town his father lived in when he was young, for his mothers work. It isn’t all that easy starting off at a new school in a new town when you don’t have any friends. Stuart finds the town really boring until one day he finds out about  his great uncle Tony Horten.

After finding a note from his great uncle Tony regarding the workshop, he is taken on a series of adventures in search of  the workshop. Each day Stuart learns more about the workshop and gets a little closer to finding it.

His journey includes hiding from the eyes of the watching Clifford, sneaking into a museum at night and letting one of the irritating triplets, who live next door, into his secret journey to find the hidden workshop because she thinks she can help.

This book is engaging, mysterious and full of secrets. There is something exciting around every corner. I just wanted to read on and on.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in magic and mystery.

Julia, 12 of QLD  raves about: Revenge by Gabrielle Lord

I have just read Revenge by Gabrielle Lord. It is part of the Conspiracy 365 series.As you read through this series (Conspiracy 365) you’ll learn that Callum Ormond is constantly on the run because of some mystery and an enemy to add to his full on life. In this particular story of the series, Cal receives a mysterious envelope with a seal of an angel. Inside there is a note saying ‘30 days.’ He disappears after being injected with poison and his friends (Winter, Boges and Ryan) go looking for him.

Cal was found in Coffin Bay by his mates barely alive but in the presence of Vulkan Sligo his arch enemy, believed to be dead. Cal escapes with his friends injected with the antidote and Sligo was left behind with a dose of the poison in his chest. Days after Cal gets back he is sent a note (with the seal of the angel) bearing the message ‘1 day.’ That night there was an auction where Sligo was planning to place a bomb in one of the valuable objects. And he did. Luckily Boges alerted everyone one of the bomb once he’d smashed the statue to bits and it exploded seconds later. No one was seriously injured. But there was another bomb in the ship called the Sapphire Star where Cal’s mum and sister were sailing in.

Cal got the help of an old ally, Repro to help fly the helicopter to safety once Cal and his friends had jumped out. This bomb was defused at the very last second thanks to the brilliance of Winter Frey figuring out the code. So all was happy, Cal’s face painted all over the media and back in safe hands.I believe these books are an excellent read, one of those books you just can’t put down.

If you are going to read it, I suggest reading from the start of the series (January). Brilliant read.

Oneth, 8 of VIC raves about: Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
Prize Draw Winner 

I like Inkspell written by Cornelia Funke because it includes creatures that are not in our world, has sad bits, nice climax, ends happily and the characters in the book have a lovely adventure.I think the Cornelia Funke should add a little bit more discription of the background.

Chloe, 8, Vic raves about: Seasons Eating. A Very Merry Garfield Christmas by Jim Davis
Prize Draw Winner 

As soon as I started reading this funny comic book by Jim Davis I started laughing! If you like giggling then you’ll love this book! I would rate this book 10 out of 10!

Anakin, 11 of NSW raves about: Dragonball Z series by Akira Toriyama

I like the books, Dragonball Z series. They are about lots of different things and really exciting. Most of the time they finish off on a cliff hanger so if you haven’t got the next book you are left hanging. The main characters name is Goku and he is a Japanese dude that loves adventure. He is fighting the Red Ribbon Army but you must have all the books for it to make sense. Another different thing is you have to read from the back page to the front page. I really like these books.

Xavier, 8 of NSW raves about: The Zac Power series by H.I.Larry (aka Hilary Badger–one of our Celebrity Authors!)

I like the books called Zac Power. There is a boy named Zac and he is a spy and his  agent spyname is, Agent Rock star. His Mum’s name is Agent Bum Smack, his brothers name is Agent Tech head, and his granny’s is Agent Wrinkles. I like the names, they are very funny. Zac goes on missions with his brother and finds lots of different treasures. It’s a very easy book to read and it is very funny.

Zendai, 6 NSW raves about: Dinasour Books!
Prize Draw Winner 

I like dinosaur books. They teach you a lot about dinosaurs. They tear off meat from other animals and dinosaurs and they kill other animals. They are very big animals and I have lots of books about them. I also have lots of dinosaurs to play with as well. My favourite memory is at the Hunter Valley Gardens. There was a dinosaur show and they had real life size baby dinosaurs. They were very big and it was really interesting. My brother put his head in the T Rexs mouth. I wasn’t scared because I knew they weren’t real. I really love dinosaurs.

Jamie, 9 of NSW raves about: The Poodle Problem by Anna Wilson

The Poodle Problem is about a lady called Mrs Fudge who owned a hairdressing shop with a little girl assistant called Pippa. Every day Mrs Fudge would open up her salon and have all her usual customers come in and have their hair treatments. All of Mrs Fudge’s customers had dogs who she loved. Then a new lady came in and was going to start a beauty salon in their street. Her name was Trinity Meddler. Trinty had owned a poodle herself and stole all of Mrs Fudge’s customers to come to her salon called “Heaven on Earth”. But, Trinity Meddler didn’t like dogs except for all poodles. So Mrs Fudge had no customers anymore.

On a rainy day Mrs Fudge and Pippa went outside and they saw this dog who was left and the dog could even talk. Mrs Fudge brought it inside the salon and named it Dash and kept him because he had no collar. The next day Pippa had a brilliant idea to start a dog pampering place but they needed a name. They called it “Pooch Parlor”. Mrs Fudge’s new career went wonderfully. All the customers that had their dogs pampered wanted their dogs to look like a poodle. One day all the dogs went missing from the neighbourhood. Pippa and Dash went looking everywhere to try and find them.

Trinity Meddler had given poodles to everyone in the neighbourhood for a reasonable price. Finally Pippa and Dash found the missing dogs. They had been captured from the dog catchers who Trinity Meddler called for. Then they went around giving back all the dogs to their owners. The owners still kept the poodles because they thought they would be good play friends for their dogs and Trinity Meddler moved out of the town.

I thought it was an excellent book because it had a mystery and it was interesting to read.

Sreelekha, 13 of NSW raves about: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien

The Fellowship of the Ring is the first part of the Oxford University professor, J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic adventure,  The Fellowship of the Rings. It was published in Great Britain by George Allen and Unwin in 1954. Later an American edition followed in the same year published by Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.

The Fellowship of the Ring tells of the fateful power of the One Ring. It begins a magnificent tale of adventure that will plunge the members of the Fellowship of the Ring into a perilous quest and set the stage for the ultimate clash between the powers of good and evil. This story defined the modern fantasy genre. In this majestic and enchanting tale set in the mythical land of Middle-earth, a small band of adventurers sets out on a perilous quest to destroy a magic ring that, if recovered by its evil creator of the ring darklord Sauron, would mean the end of all that is fair and beautiful in the world.

With this spectacular tale, J. R. R. Tolkien invented not only a language and a land in which it was spoken but also — unintentionally — a new literary genre. Tolkien was perhaps the first author to create a fully realized, authentic-seeming world. Brimming with various cultures and creatures engaged in an existence that accepted magic, it is as fully realized as our own.

I liked the novel very much and am sure that any reader will enjoy the novel too.

Charlotte, 7 of NSW raves about: The Pop Singer Wish by Phoebe Bright
Prize Draw Winner 

The story was really  about a girl and her friend meeting a famous pop star. The girl was so excited because it was her  favourite pop star. It was interesting. I liked it so I gave it to my mum to read. It was the best one on my list.

Sreejoni, 7 of NSW raves about: Alexa–The Fashion Reporter by Daisy Meadows

Alexa- The Fashion Reporter is written by Daisy Meadows and is published by the Orchard Publisher, London, UK. The book has seventy three pages. The story is about the Tippington shopping Center. The owner wanted to make it the best fashion shop. Everyone in Tippington liked Jack Frost’s ice blue fashion dressing. His cloth had a silly blue shade.

Can Rachel and Kirsty stop him? They were using Alexa’s magic pen. Then people started liking his disgusting dress. The book is full of fun. I have enjoyed this book and believe kids will like this book too.

Keisha, 9 of VIC raves about: Felicity Wishes, Fairy Fun by Emma Thomson
Prize Draw Winner 

In this book Felicity and her friends are a little naughty they should be going to school but instead the go to the sweet factory. They then eat all the sweets they were given at the sweet factory and get very sick, they all declare they never want to see anymore sweets in their lives. I thought this book was funny and it had a very biog lesson not to eat to many sweets. Keisha

Keisha 9, of VIC raves about: Go Girl Sink or Swim by Thalia Kalkipsakis

I liked this book because I am holidaying at the beach at the moment and I like swimming.

The main character Bec gets put into the swimming squad. In her first race she loses by a lot, the next day she returns to swimming training and her coach tells her to just think about winning when she races. So when Bec competes in the state championships she thinks of what her coach has said and comes 3rd. Keisha

Keisha, 9 of VIC raves about: Ella & Olivia the New Girl by Yvette Poshoglian

It is a new year for the girls Olivia is just starting school and Ella is in Grade 2. There is a new girl in Ella’s class Millie but when Ella try’s to make friends with her she is really mean. the book shows what it is like to be a new girl in a new school, then Ella discovers why Millie is so mean and they then become good friends. I liked this book because it shows that even though you may think someone is nasty they always have a nice side to them. Keisha

Keisha, 9 of VIC raves about: Ella & Olivia Cupcake Catastrophe by Yvette Poshoglian

Ella & Olivia decide to bake cupcakes for their Dad’s Birthday. What a disaster when Ella asks Olivia to get the sugar but instead Olivia gets the salt. It’s time for the cake and the girls are very excited, their Dad bites into the cake and has to spit it out, YUK! This book was funny. I like making cupcakes. Keisha

Keisha, 9 of VIC raves about: Junie B First Grader At Last by Barbara Park

Junie B Jones is at last in the first grade. Her teacher Mr Scary thinks Junie has bad eyesight so he takes her to see the school nurse Mrs Weller to see if she needs to have an eye test Junie was quite scared, but the next day Junie had to see the Optometrist and he prescribed glasses for her and all was ok. I like Junie B books, they are kind and caring. Keisha

Keisha, 9 of VIC raves about: Alana Dancing Star Samba Spectacular by Arlene Phillips

In this book Alana is doing a Samba Spectacular and her mum is finding it difficult to make her dress. Then Alana discovers Madam CoCo’s costume shop. When Alana tries on a costume she likes she is transported to Mexico were she is caught up in a wonderful dancing adventure. I really like the Alana books because I love to dance. Keisha

Keisha, 9 of VIC raves about: Alana Dancing Star, L.A. Moves by Arlene Phillips

Alana and her friend Meena are doing the Waltz for their school talent show but their classmates think it will be soo boring. This time when Alana visits Madame CoCo’s costume shop she is transported to L.A. for some street dancing. What a great book. Keisha

Mawson, 6 of VIC raves about: Aussie Nibbles Blast Off by Margaret Clark
Prize Draw Winner 

In this book Adam wants to be an Astronaught but his mum tells him he is too young. One day while playing in the backyard, Adam discovers a toy spaceship and goes for a ride. I liked this book because it was a fun adventure.

Alice, 9 of SA raves about: Ruby Redfort: Look into my Eyes by Lauren Child

Meet Ruby Redfort: every smart kids smart kid. Ruby Redfort is no normal kid, at just 12 she’s a master codecracker and codebreaker.
Along with friend Clancy crew and her handy butler Hitch, Ruby gets into all types of trouble like almost drowning in this bad guy’s huge glass hourglass, trying to not let her Mum and Dad know this big “SECRET” and lying to school and her best friend. Ruby Redfort is just the type of girl you want to meet.

I loved this book. It’s really good. When I was near the end I read for 1 hour straight. This book is by Lauren Child who has written
all the Clarice Bean books, writes the Charlie and Lola books and is the executive producer of that series Oh and she does a bit of illustrating.

I have asked my library to get me the next book in this series of books which is Ruby Redfort: Take your last breath.

I have to rate this book 9/10.

Jemima, 6 of SA raves about: Miss Moppet by Beatrix Potter

I  like Miss Moppet because she is a pussy and I love pussycats.  There is 1 thing that is very naughty. She teased the mouse, but the mouse teased Miss Moppet back.  Because the mouse teased Miss Moppet, Miss Moppet was very angry because of that so they kept on fighting. Miss Moppet and the mouse learned something that day BUT MISS MOPPET TRICKED THE MOUSE AND CAUGHT THE MOUSE!  But Miss Moppet forgot that there was a hole in the duster and when she untied the duster there was no mouse!

Ash, 8 raves about: The Kingdom of Fantasy by Geronimo Stilton
Prize Draw Winner

This book is about a mouse (Geronimo) who falls through a magic box and goes into a kingdom of fantasy inhabited by all different kinds of creatures.  Geronimo’s mission is to save the Queen of Fairy Land who has been captured by the wicked Queen of the Witches.  Along the way he’s helped by Scribblehopper (a frog), wise Shelly, Princess Scatterbrain, and others.  On his quest, Geronimo has to face giant scorpions, witches, sea serpents, pixies, and heaps of other fantastical creatures.

I liked this book because it included falling through a magical box and shows the maps of each of the lands Geronimo had to pass through.  Also, I really enjoyed the part about the rainbow dragon flying them home to Mouse City.  But I didn’t like the really horrible and disgusting places such as the Kingdom of the Witches, the Kingdom of the Dragons, and the Kingdom of the Giants.

I really recommend the Geronimo Stilton series!

Lauren, 11 of NSW raves about: Esio Trot by Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is a clever, funny, humorous writer. Over time he has published many books. Esio Trot is one of the clever and funny books he has written.

Mr Hoppy is a lonely, retired man who lives in a small flat. He has two secrets, he loves flowers and the other one is a secret that the other person who this connects to doesn’t even know. He loves Mrs Silver! Mrs Silver is an attractive, middle-aged, lonely woman who Mr Hoppy wants to one day fall in love. Although Mr Hoppy wants to fall in love with Mrs Silver, Mr Silver roves someone else her little pet tortoise Alfie. Those are two main characters in the story. Will they be together or will Mr Hoppy be too shy and give up?

The black and white pictures don’t affect the story because the words Roald Dahl has used in the story give you a picture in your head already but the pictures are fun to look at and still go with the story. This book is recommended to children aged 8+. I have tea I have read this book many and times and every time I read it I understand it more and more. I give this book 5 stars!

Brendan, 9 of NSW raves about: Bad Buster by Sofie Lagura

I liked BAD BUSTER by Sofie Lagura the best because it shows how naughty people can change their way of thinking of their actions. Recommended book to read.

Lauren, 11 of NSW raves about: Winn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo

Winn Dixie is a heart-warming story. There are so many emotions throughout the book. The author is Kate Dicamillo.

It is about a girl called Opal, Opal wants a dog. She went to the grocery store to buy three things and she came back with a dog. The dog put her in trouble because her dad does not like dogs. Her neighbour asks them to find him a home because he wakes up the neighbourhood during the night. The neighbours thought about sending him to the pound. Then Winn Dixie runs off. She looks for him day and night. He runs into a witch’s house. But the witch turns out to be her only friend.She celebrates with her friend and invites her family and other people. Will she find Winn Dixie or will he be lost forever? Will Opal save her dog from going to the pound?

I highly recomend this book to anyone who enjoys reading. I recomend this book to years 3 and up. I really enjoyed the emotional feeling of it.

Lauren, 11 of NSW raves about: Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Wind in the Willows is a charming story. It is about a mole that is spring cleaning and then he hears something. Then he opens the door and he has tons of adventures.

Lauren, 11 of NSW raves about: Ghost Club:The Haunted School by Deborah Abela

I love Ghost Club: The Haunted School. There are two kids that are part of the club that go to Senior School Sleepover. Angeline is not quite sure whether she will step in the doors. Edgar is trying to persuade Angeline to come to the Sleepover.

Angeline and Edgar are brother and sister, helping each other through the night. Then they hear and see something strange but I think they know what it is.

Amy raves about: Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan

Hi, i have read this series 3 times. I love how the Greek mythology comes alive! Rick Riordan ( the author)  must of put a  lot of research into this great series. It covers all interests, fantasy, comedy, battle, wit , mystery etc.!  The characters are very cool. My favourite would have to be Percy !!!!!

Maddy, 14 of QLD raves about: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

You thought you knew Cinderella…

Ella is cursed with a “fool of a fairy’s” gift. Obedience. If someone orders her to do something, she has to obey, even if the order was to cut off her own head. Unless she breaks the curse, every minute of her life she is in danger — or can be made to endanger someone else. Such as Ella’s friend, the crown prince.

Gail Carson Levine has rewritten this old fairy tale with beautiful charm, feeling and humour. A fairy godmother, evil stepsisters, ogres, giants, knights, a prince, and an unwillingly obedient girl all combine to make this a truly enchanting story.

I would recommend this book for girls thirteen years old and over.

Maddy, 14 of QLD raves about: Operation Foxtrot Five by D. J. Stutley

A tragic accident. Four brothers and sisters, now orphans. A family friend and neighbor is willing to look after them so they won’t be split up.

But the court won’t allow it.

Having fled across Australia, Doug Smith and his siblings have a new life in Perth, with family friend Tori Smythe as their (not-so-legal) guardian. But the law has tracked them down – and is closing in.

Desperately fleeing… there’s nowhere they can hide…

Detective Sergeant Scott Backer is trying to find the five fugitives in a matter of national importance. He manages to talk to Doug. But Doug is adamant that they won’t give themselves up, because he doesn’t want what’s left of his family to be broken up.

Can Scott persuade Doug to trust him in time?

A fast-paced, thrilling book about responsibility, right and wrong, trust, and family. A good read for ages thirteen and up.

I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.

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