Book of the Week: Brave Bess and the ANZAC Horses by Susan Brocker

A true story of courage and loyalty. Bess and her companions overcame their fear to stand by their masters on the battlefields, often in harsh desert conditions. There are pictures throughout the book of the wonderful, brave horses that went to war.  In fact, 10,238 horses were sent to war between 1914 and 1916, of these only Bess came home again. .

Come and see the display in the library. You are welcome to take any of the other horse books in the display but Brave Bess will not be available until next week. Ask a librarian how to reserve it.

Mrs W.

Book Of The Week

This week's book of the week is:
 'The alchemyst: the secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel, by Michael Scott.

Perhaps the name Nicholas Flamel is familiar? He was the wizard in 'Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone' who needed the stone to make his elixir of life - the stone that Voldemort was desperate to acquire. Well, in this story Nicholas Flamel, born in 1330, is still alive thanks to his elixir of life and a powerful book that he protects, the Book of Abraham the Mage. Evil Dr John Dee wants the book in order to wipe out humanity. But a prophecy has predicted that Sophie and John Newman can save the world. Very exciting, a great fantasy novel. On display in the library until Friday, come in and reserve it if you think you would like to read it.

Mrs W

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

The first book in a series of 6, Wolf Brother tells the tale of Torak and Wolf. Unlike most books, this series is set some 6,000 years ago, which makes for a unique setting.

This world is imaginative yet believable, with maps of the corresponding areas.

At the start of Wolf Brother, Torak's father is killed by a demon bear, and Torak sets out to achieve his fathers last wish- to destroy the demon bear. Along the way, Torak meets many useful allies, which each have different significance to the plot line.

What I really enjoyed about this book is the fact that the description is just the right amount- not too much, but enough to easily picture what's happening. Another great quality is that The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness (the series' name) books get straight into the action, but yet isn't too complicated, unlike Harry Potter. My final verdict is that not just this book, but the entire series is well worth picking up.

- C.G

Sold by Zana Muhsen

For fifteen-year-old Zana Muhsen and her younger sister Nadia, a holiday to the mountains of Yemen sounds like an incredible opportunity. Upon their arrival, however, the girls are appalled to discover that their father literally sold them to into marriages that would result in eight years of rape, abuse and brutal imprisonment.
Sold is a powerful, honest and captivating account of Zana's life in an ancient land where corn is still ground on rocks, women have no rights, and children are born on bare mud floors. It is also a great source of information about slavery and forced marriage, which, unfortunately, Yemeni women are still forced to endure. It was this book that opened my eyes to what Middle Eastern women have been going through for thousands of years. I think about Zana Muhsen every day.
KN

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This book tells the story of Liesel, a young girl growing up in Nazi Germany, who has been sent to live with a foster family outside Munich when her father is arrested. She steals her first book from beside her brother's grave, and so begins a love affair with books and words. Life is dangerous during war, especially when your foster family is harbouring a Jewish man in their basement.  This story is beautifully written, I can see why it won an award, and the narrator is an unusual choice.  Great book!!

Mrs W

World Shaker by Richard Harland

I read this book in the holidays and really enjoyed it so I thought I would share it with you.  It is set in an alternative history, which means that the author has changed history from a certain point in time.  In this book a city sized vehicle travels the world continuously on huge rollers.  The people who live on it are divided into a hierachical society with a powerful aristocracy at the top and the Filthies at the bottom.  The Filthies live in the huge steam engine that powers the giant machine and they are very badly treated by the aristocracy.  Col is a sixteen year old boy who has been chosen as the successor to the Supreme Commander, but then he meets an escaped Filthy and has his eyes opened to what his world is really like.  The author, Richard Harland calls it 'steampunk'!  I think that if you enjoy fantasy or adventure stories then you might enjoy this.  It also explores the themes of slavery and social injustice.

Mrs W

Apache by Tanya Landman

'Apache' is the story of a young girl, Siki, growing up in an Apache village. She is determined to become a warrior and avenge the slaughter of her 4 year old brother. The story is fictional based on actual events at the time of colonisation of North America - from the enslavement of the Apache women and children, to work in the gold mines, to the complete disregard for the land by the 'white eye' settlers. A thoroughly gripping story that highlights many fascinating insights into the Apache Indian culture. Totally loved it!!

Mrs D