Specky Magee and the Best of Oz

Good news for all of you Specky Magee fans.  A new Specky adventure will hit the shop on the 28th of February.  I know there a lot of children keen to get their hands on this book, so it would be good idea to

RESERVE YOUR COPY NOW!!!

 

Indie Shortlist: Legend of the Golden Snail

Legend Of The Golden Snail

by Graeme Base, HB $29.95

From the author of  modern classics ‘Animalia’, ‘Enigma’ and ‘Eleventh Hour’ comes a fabulous new picture book, ‘The Legend of the Golden Snail’.

Shortlisted for the Indie Awards 2011, Base’s  illustrations are just as amazing and whimsical as always with a focus on animals.

Follow the extremely likeable Wilbur and his cat as they embark on an ocean adventure to discover the secret of the Golden Snail, encountering many strange and wonderful creatures along the way.

Beautifully presented in large hardback format, ‘The Legend of the Golden Snail’ makes a lovely gift that will be re-read for years to come.

Indie Award shortlist: Fiction: Bereft by Chris Womersley

I finished this book a while ago, but I’ve been going over it in my mind before I sat down to write a review of it, and I’m still feeling inadequate about doing the book justice.  It is a moody, atmospheric almost gothic tale of death, grief, love and redemption.  I could keep piling on the adjectives, but I hope you get the idea. It is a richly rewarding tale about a young man who was accused of murdering his beloved sister and ran away to escape unjust punishment. After a few years of itinerant jobs he served in the army and then returned home to try and set right what was done. He meets a young girl who is escaping a different set of problems and together they make each other braver, whilst being protective of the other. The setting is Australian country and it’s harsh and unforgiving.  I hope I’m not making it sound too grim, and it certainly has it’s moments of grimness, but you will be enthralled to the end.

Bereft has been shortlisted in the fiction category of the Indie Award for 2011.  The winner will be awarded on March 14th.  There is stiff competition, but this is definately worthy of being on the list.

Paperback, $32.95

Between A Rock and A Hard Place

…this old metaphor takes on a whole new, and not at all metaphorical, meaning for canyoneer Aron Ralston. Now a film from director Danny Boyle ( Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting) starring James Franco, 127 Hours is an unforgettable story about the power of the human mind, and the will to live. The book originally published as Between A Rock and A Hard Place back in 2005 Aron Ralston’s biography is fascinating and personable. As most of you will now know, Ralston gets stuck in a canyon with a large rock crushing one hand against the canyon wall. With very limited food and water, the longer he stays there the harder it is to be rational. In the book, the practical voice in his head delivers instructions in italics. The battle to ‘not lose it’ becomes harder and harder and you are with him, egging him on, every step of the way.

Despite the fact that the book (and the movie) take place predominantly in one spot, neither pass slowly or are even remotely boring; I highly recommend both.

If you’ve ever asked yourself at what point will a human being cut off a limb to survive, and I know you have…, 127 Hours holds the long-awaited answer! The movie is a little more full on than the book, the carefully thought out style and…musical accompaniment has the entire cinema flinching and conflicted by wanting so badly for Ralston to succed and a desire to look away from the grotesqueness of whats infront of you.

So… The book; Ralston writes well and the story, his story, drags you in. A fascinating real life novel that gives you slightly more insight into his thought process than you can get in a film.

The film; James Franco is phenomenal… he does an amazing job of portraying the internal struggle that can be spelt out in the book… though if you’re squemish at the sight of blood it might be best to wait for DVD…

-Steph

“If kisses were colors…

…you’d see every one, of the bands of a rainbow that shines in the sun.”

Out this month in board book is the adorable If kisses were colors by Janet Lawler. A gorgeous gift for a new born (or for any mother this Mothers’ Day), this is an affectionate story accompanied by Jay’s distinctive illustrative style you’ll recognise from her own books. There aren’t enough ways to describe the sweet, loveliness of this book, so you’ll just have to have a look for yourself. In the vein of Mem Fox’s Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, this will become a bookshelf staple before you know it.

Henderson Boys #4 Grey Wolves by Robert Muchamore

Newly arrived in store is the fourth in the Henderson Boys series by Robert Muchamore.  This series is a set of prequels to the hugely popular Cherub series by the same author.  They have a historical setting, and this new book continues the adventure.   If you have a teenage boy in the house, he is sure to want this.  It is a paperback, and $18

The Indie Award Debut Fiction shortlist: The Old School by PM Newton

The Old School is a detective story set in Sydney in the 1990′s against a background of a corruption inquiry into the police force.  The main character is a young half Vietnamese female detective, Nhu, which gives PM Newton a lot of material to work with.  There are real names in the action such as Neddy Smith and Roger Rogerson, and there is a great feel for time and place.   Nhu, nicknamed Ned, has a complicated homelife, and when she was a child, both her parents were murdered.  That unsolved case comes up in a new investigation when two bodies are discovered during excavation works on a building site.

The characters are believable and a good story is told.   I look forward to more books from PM Newton in the future. Heather.      Paperback $32.95

Since I wrote this review, The Old School has been shortlisted in the debut novel section of the 2010 Indie Award.  This is very exciting news for a new author, and we wish PM the best of luck.

EJ12 Drama Queen: Terrific adventures for young girls

EJ12 is a terrific series for girls aged 7 or 8 up to 10 years.  Emma Jack likes school and maths, and she and some friends have their own band.  What is really special about her though, is that she is a spy who goes on missions and does some cool stuff.  This new adventure, Drama Queen, is number 8 in the series.  For a short time  when you buy the new book from Fairfieldbooks, we have a charm bracelet to give away.  We have limited stock of these, so don’t delay.  They are $13.  I highly recommend these books. Heather

A Tiny Bit Marvellous

A Tiny Bit Marvellous

by Dawn French, PB $32.95

World renown comedienne Dawn French has finally blessed us with a fictional novel and it most certainly does not disappoint!!!

After the success of her autobiography, ‘Dear Fatty’, French has put together a wonderfully witty and warm book about the Battle family and the struggles that they and no doubt every family face on a daily basis.

It is told mainly from the viewpoint’s of the mother, daughter and son but the father, grandma and dog are also important. Although the mother (Mo) is a child psychologist, she cannot seem to have so much as a conversation with her daughter (Dora) without it turning into a yelling match…sound familiar?

‘A Tiny Bit Marvellous’ is heart warming and honest and French’s distinctive comedic voice shines through.  She interviewed mother/daughter combinations to get an in depth idea of the complex family relationships and obviously uses some of her own experiences as a mum.

Whether you are familiar with Dawn French or not, her novel makes a lovely summer read and you will be crossing your fingers for another!!!

I Am Number Four

by Pittacus Lore

rrp $16.95

We told you about this excellent novel late last year, but as it is being released as a film in a few weeks (trailer below) we thought we’d refresh your memory!

I Am Number Four is a brilliant teen fiction novel in the fantasy and sci-fi genre that teens of all ages will love and be enthralled by.  It tells the story of nine aliens who flee their home planet of Lorien when it is is attacked by the evil Mogadorian.  They take refuge on planet earth and one of them, John, hides in small-town Ohio as a regular high school student.  But the enemy has found the nine escapees and starts hunting them down, one by one.  Number One was killed in Malaysia, number Two was murdered in England, number Three was hunted down in Kenya.  John is number Four, and is running out of time…

There is still time to read this action-packed read before it hits the big screen in a few weeks.

Look out for the sequel, The Power of Six, coming later in the year.