November 7

‘My Life as an Alphabet’ by Barry Jonsberg

mylifeasanalphabet     Life may seem like a piece of cake for little old Candice Phee, but in reality life is another dimension for this 12-year-old girl.

     You may think that Candice is an average Year 8 girl in the sunburnt town of Albright, but in many respects she lives a very tough life. Due to a family feud, her father and uncle do not talk to each other anymore. As the death of Candice’s newborn sister, Sky, is introduced in the book Candice experiences depression and guilt.

     One day at her school, Candice is given an assignment. Her task is to write her life in 26 paragraphs, but each paragraph has to start with consecutive letter of the alphabet. Candice then recounts her life in order to write the assignment, along the way she tries to remember the people who made her what she is.

     I really enjoyed the book, ‘My Life As An Alphabet’ because it was fascinating to learn about how this young girl handles teenage depression and creates a whole other universe where she can be herself. It was very engaging how Barry Jonsberg describes the toughest of times for Candice, but suddenly turns the worst of times into an advantage.

    The ending of the story was very creative as a former character is brought back in for the final word.

    I would recommend this novel to teenagers from age 13-16 as it tells the tale of a young girl facing the teenage life that lies ahead. This book was compelling and it had many ups and downs with Candice discovering who she really was: Candice Phee, a girl whose life really is an alphabet. I would rate this book 4.5/5 stars.

     Bobby.T,  Year 9

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‘No family is perfect… we argue, we fight. We even stop talking to each other at times.

But in the end, family is family…The love will always be there.’

      Candice Phee, a twelve-year-old girl from the town of Albright, enjoys school and has a best friend called “Douglas Benson from another dimension”. Douglas Benson from another dimension thinks he is from another dimension after a recent fall from a tree. Candice’s sister Sky died when she was only a couple of weeks old in her sleep. Candice’s dad and uncle both dislike each other and they do not talk much.

      Candice received an assignment at school one day to write a story of her life. It has to have 26 paragraphs with each paragraph starting with the letter of the alphabet. For example C is for Chaos. The reader then goes on an adventure throughout Candice’s life along with Douglas Benson, Sky, Candice’s dad and Candice’s uncle.

     I liked this story a lot because it reminds me that not everyone has a perfect family, in fact no family is perfect. While reading this story I realised that friends can be crazy, families may fight or argue and you may get bullied at school but life moves on every second of your life. I would recommend this to both boys and girls between the ages of 12-16, because the characters Candice Phee and Douglas Benson are 12 years old and it mainly focuses on teenagers because the story states the things that teenagers have to go through in their life. 

 

Luke J., Year 9

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“Laugh-out-loud funny and wonderfully touching… An extraordinary book…a book you won’t neglect.”

 

         Candice Phee is a nearly thirteen-year-old girl, who’s on an inspiring mission to bring light, laughter and love to the treasured ones around her. Throughout the book, Candice Phee is hilariously honest and a bit … odd at times, and somehow, through all the things she tries to accomplish, she effortlessly succeeds in making sure that everyone she loves and cares about, including her pet Goldfish (Earth-Pig-Fish) is living a happy and positive life, despite the weird mistakes and confusion she easily creates.  

            At school one day, Candice was given a task to write 26 paragraphs all about her life, and each paragraph had to start with the next letter of the alphabet. Throughout the novel, Candice gives you a unique insight into her fascinating, fun, quirky and harsh life, of how her family is “torn-apart,” due to her mother’s battle with cancer, and her father’s falling out with his brother over business. Although it may not sound like Candice has the prefect family that everybody wishes for, she is constantly trying to repair her family with happiness.

           

            I really enjoyed reading ‘My Life as an Alphabet’ as it was a brilliant view of a young girl’s own unique experiences of how she copes with family issues, neglect, depression, loneliness and confusion in the eyes of a thirteen year old. I believe by reading this book it helps girls and/or boys to understand some of life’s hurdles thrown at you. Even though the author portrays a lot of sadness and heart felt moments, it is an ‘hilarious and lighthearted comedy-drama award-winning novel,’ and I would definitely recommend this book to young adults from ages 14 years and up. The author, Barry Jonsberg is a brilliant author by captivating his audience and making them want to read on endlessly. Candice Phee really did live a topsy-turvy life but dealt with troubles and made them the best times in her life. I honestly thought that this was one of the best novels that I have ever read and I am willing to rate this book 4/5 stars. 

 

Courtney H,  Year 9.

 

November 7

‘A Walk to Remember’ by Nicholas Sparks

 A walk to remember“An extraordinary book…touching at times riveting…a book you won’t soon forget.”Sunday New York Post.

      This book is set in Beaufort, North Carolina. The novel follows the life of two 17 year olds, Landon Carter and Jamie Sullivan, in their last year of school at Beaufort High. Landon is a young boy who lives his life on the edge; he likes to be known as a rebel. Then there’s Jamie, a sweet, smart, innocent girl who strongly believes in the Christian faith. She carries her Bible around with her everywhere that she goes. Christianity is a big part of life in Beaufort, but Landon doesn’t take it as seriously as Jamie and the other Christians in the community. Every year Jamie’s father, who is the Minister at the local church, puts together a production for everyone in Beaufort. While Landon is a part of this production, he discovers things about himself that he never would have, if it weren’t for Jamie. Landon and Jamie’s final year at Beaufort High isn’t how they expected it to be.

      As Jamie and Landon start to become closer, Jamie teaches Landon some special things about the Bible, the Christian faith and about the things that she volunteers for to help other people. As the year progresses, Landon finds out something heart breaking that could shatter everything that they have and change how he sees the world.

I really enjoyed this book because it’s heart warming, and the way the author describes everything makes you feel as if you were there with them. As you read you learn about the things that people that young can achieve and accomplish.

     I would recommend this book to teenagers over the age of 13 as they can enjoy and understand the heart-warming experiences that Landon and Jamie encounter.

      Briahna B, Year 9.    

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     In his last year at Beaufort High in North Carolina, Landon Carter can remember the girl who changed his ways and his life… Serious and responsible, Jamie is the daughter of the town’s minister, and she’s not afraid of boasting to others about her faith, and how important God is in her life. In his last year at school, Landon selects drama as his elective so he doesn’t have to sit through chemistry, which he finds too difficult, and too boring. In drama he meets the person who is nothing like him. In over his head, Landon is forced to ask her for help, as he has no idea how to act. Landon soon finds himself falling in love with this innocent girl who is nothing like the popular, school rebel that Landon is.

     Though the introduction to the life of Landon in the book of ‘A Walk to Remember’ may be a bit lengthy and a little lifeless, you may soon find yourself engaged in the plot of the story, and the two completely opposite characters that both at first look the other way. Landon is the school’s rebel, and Jamie a brain and the town minister’s daughter. Both are completely different and in the story change from neglecting each other, to being hopelessly in love with each other.

      The heartfelt story of these two characters in love seems perfect for a while, but soon a secret Jamie has kept for some time reveals the tragedy that will take Jamie out of Landon’s life. In the end Landon reminds himself that his love for Jamie is like the wind, “he can’t see it, but he can feel it.”       – Nicholas Sparks, A Walk To Remember.

November 5

‘Back on Track’ by Margaret Clark

BACK on track      Say hello to Simone Fawkner. She is in the 9H from hell at Roxdale High School. She is in that class for a reason, and that reason is that she is emotionally and socially disadvantaged. She is not your typical type of girl. She gets into trouble with the law and her only friends are drugs. At the moment she is in a pretty rough state. Do you think she will ever get back up on two feet?

     Does this sound like your type of book? Then ‘Back on Track’ is the book for you.

     In the suburb of Roxdale, things aren’t starting out well for Simone. She has just witnessed her mother’s death in her favorite armchair, with a bottle of whisky beside her. To this point Simone’s life was a wreck and Simone got to the point of not bothering with life anymore. What she has left is all this guilt in her stomach because she believes that she killed her own mother. Simone now lives with her older sister. She has a troubled life at home, as she gets abused by her sister’s boyfriend for no apparent reason, but she believes he has a drinking problem. All she thinks is that she needs someone to love her. Later on she meets a young, beautiful and superstitious guy. His name is Mike. They text and call 24/7 until one day he randomly stops calling and texting. Simone is getting frustrated and moves to a big city called Palmino where she believes Mike lives. Through the middle of the book she meets a gang in Palmino. The head leader, Grace, introduces Simone to her group. At first they didn’t like Simone but after a while they started liking her. Towards the end of the book she was faced with many challenges. Some of the challenges were: getting raped twice, drug addiction, getting pregnant and losing some of her closest friends.

 

I really enjoyed the book, ‘Back on Track’ because it’s a story about a young girl who has a troubled life, but she never gives up no matter what stands in her way. I was attached to this book by the way Margaret Clark describes the scenes and places. This book always kept me interested, as there was always something new and exciting on the next page. I would recommend this book to young teens that are interested in crime and thriller novels. This book was truly a great read and I would love to read other books by Margaret Clark. I would rate this book 3 out of 5 star.

 

Courtney L., Year 9

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     Where would you go? What would you do? How would you react?

     These are all questions you would have to face in Margaret Clark’s novel, ‘Back on Track’.

     The novel setting varies from chapter to chapter, from the little run down town of Palmino NSW, to the paradise city of the Gold Coast, QLD.

     The main character of the novel is from a broken family. Her mother has passed away and her father is nowhere to be seen. She knows that she has to fend for herself, there’s trouble around each and every corner, and she knows this and has to survive the life of being a dreaded ‘townie’. 

     Throughout the novel, it poses different questions to you and keeps you connected. These questions can range from you thinking what she is going through, and what is she thinking. Is she losing it?

     This novel kept you enthralled throughout, from the complex descriptive language to each and every twist, it keeps you engaged and craving for more. If you’re into heavy drama, true stories and an edgy plot then this is the book for you. I would advice this novel to either man or woman, above the age of 15 as it possesses its own descriptive language and can be somewhat dark at times. This book will keep you on the edge and wanting more. It makes you wonder where she’s going to go next, what she’s going to do and most importantly, will this young girl ever get back on her feet and ‘Back on Track’.

 

Kurt M, Year 9

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Drugs, rape and abuse – three things that we don’t want to suffer in our lifetime. Back On Track written by Margaret Clark explains all three of these actions. Say hello to Simone Fawkner, a girl with an awful past.

‘Why does this happen to me?’ She asks herself all the time. Back On Track is set in a high school at the start of the book and moves its way around Australia.

  Simone Fawkner is a 15-year-old girl attending Roxdale High School in class 9h for the emotionally and social disadvantaged. Things are getting bad for Simone lately. First her mother dies, then she gets abused, moves to Palmino with her so-called ‘boyfriend’ and many more events happen.

  Her new boyfriend lures Simone with promises of a better life if she moves to the big city with him, running away from home where her drug addicted sister and her sister’s abusive boyfriend live. She arrives in Palmino with hope that she can start over. But no, that wouldn’t make the book interesting, would it now? No. What happens when her boyfriend turns abusive? She will have to learn the ways of living on the street with her gang.

 I enjoyed this book very much and I think that you would too. Read along with Simone and discover her life and how she works to make her future better. I recommend this book to teenagers and young adults.

– Rebekah

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     Meet Simone, a fifteen year old that’s been through more than most do in their whole lives. Mom’s dead, living on the street, and addicted to drugs. Life’s tough but Simone is tougher and she is back on track. If this seems like the book you would want to read about for days straight using every bit of spare time you get to read then ‘Back on track’ is the book for you!

     Life isn’t easy for Simone, 15 years of age and already her dad has run away, her mom has died and she can’t count on her older sister for a place to call home because her boyfriend beats them up.  Simone gets hooked up with this boy through her friend and she falls for him almost instantly. He tells her he loves her and can give her a fresh start if she comes and lives with him in Palomino. She gets his number and sleeps on it. The next morning she is packed and on a train, so excited! No more school! No more sister’s boyfriends! Just her and her new boyfriend Mike.

     She gets off the train it is pouring rain and she can’t find Mike anywhere. Arriving at the youth camp she gets confronted by a girl called Grace they end up having a punch up then becoming best friends. Grace takes Simone under her wing until Simone finally meets Mike again. But it doesn’t go how she expected. Mike and his mate lock her in a car and take advantage of her violently. She ends up pregnant, addicted to drugs and the most well known bikie in town is keen on her. But that’s not going to stop Simone. She gets her life back on track goes back to school and studies hard.

     I really enjoyed this book because it was so realistic and it is a side of society that doesn’t get exposed often enough. My eyes were glued to this book for hours straight by the way Margaret Clark described the scenes but didn’t describe the characters too much so that your imagination was allowed to run wild with it. I would recommend this book to teenagers and young adults although it is suitable for persons from 14 years up.

Sam, Year 9

November 4

‘Second star to the right’ By Deborah Hautzig

Second star to the right“‘I won’t be happy till I’m skinny,’ I said to myself, grabbing my skin and letting it fall back to its original place.”

Many young women can relate to this quote, as in the young teen years for girls are hard to see yourself the way you would like too.
This life-changing story is set in New York, in Leslie Hiller’s loving life. Leslie is a fun loving, beautiful and bright 14-year-old girl. She is a perfectionist and when she wants to succeed at something she won’t stop till she has got it. She loves her mother so dearly and has a very close relationship with her. Leslie tries to make her mother proud in everything she does and hates to feel she has disappointed her.
Leslie is just like any normal teenager in New York City; she is strong willed and won’t stop till she gets what she wants, but Leslie starts going on an extreme diet because she feels she is not as stick thin as the other girls at her school. But was it the right thing? Her friends and even her own family are oblivious to what’s going on with Leslie but will they only take notice when it’s too late?
This book is a breath-taking look into the reality of some teenage girls’ lives. I found this book extremely interesting to see what some teenage girls in our society have to go through. I strongly recommend this book to the age group of 13-17 year old teenage girls. I believe this book will help teenage girls prepare them before it’s too late for these young girls in today’s society.

Paris C., Year 9

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Meet fourteen year old Leslie Hiller. Leslie is a smart, well adjusted teenage girl living a privileged life in New York City. She lives a normal life, attends school and like most girls her age, wishes to be perfect and will go to extreme lengths to achieve it. Leslie has exemplary grades, ideal friends and an unrivalled life, a loving mother and father, younger brother Sam, and a best friend named Cavett.

Everything is perfect in her life except for one thing: Leslie has the overwhelming desire to be thinner. After accidentally losing weight due to having the flu, she realises losing weight is easier than she had originally thought out to be. She decides to start an intense diet to achieve her goals of being ten pounds thinner. Being the perfectionist girl that she is, she loses the weight but still finds herself unhappy with how she looks. Because of this, she decides to take her dieting to life-threatening extremes and slowly starts to lose control over everything. Her family and friends start to notice her strange eating habits and low self-esteem. They would soon become very concerned for Leslie’s wellbeing.

Further on in the novel, Leslie is professionally diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa, a life threatening mental illness.

I appreciated this book because teens can relate to the theme of wanting to lose weight, being as perfect as they can be and being generally unhappy with their body image. This book can also be used as an exemplary case to observe the severe consequences of an eating disorder on one’s body, mind and others around them.

If you enjoy books that’ll yank heartstrings, place you on a walloping emotional roller coaster and leave you teary-eyed, then I would personally recommend this book to a teen audience, because they would relate more to this book than any other age group in particular. I rate this book an 8 out of 10 stars.

Heather, Year 9

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Second Star to the Right by Deborah Hautzig is a truthful, powerful book that shows us the life of an anorexic teenage girl, Leslie Hiller. The book is based on the author’s own experience with anorexia. She presents the theme of anorexia through Leslie’s life truthfully.

 

Leslie was an everyday teenage girl who has a somewhat perfect life, with a loving family and good friends. The only problem was that she needed to lose a little bit of weight. She decided to go on a diet, and lost some weight. Everyone complimented her and congratulated her on her accomplishment, and this made her happy. As she continued on with her diet, her mind slowly started convincing itself that she needed to be thin to be happy, and the thinner she was, the happier she’d be. She lessens her eating to almost nothing. Her mind is convinced that she shouldn’t eat. Days and months pass, and Leslie is only getting thinner; so thin that people don’t even recognize her. By this time, she was extremely weak, physically and mentally. She starts questioning everything that happens and turns it into a negative. By this stage, she was withering away to nothing. Only a thin line separates her from life and death, and only her will and mental strength can bring her back to life.

 

A strong positive point of the book is that it’s extremely easy to relate to. The concept of losing weight is common among us and many of us have once attempted to, or have gone on a diet. This is something that most of us can relate to. The fact that we can relate to the story makes us want to read the story more. The tragedy of the story also keeps us hooked. At many points, the words were so strong that Leslie was able to connect with me and I was drawn into the story. Things like this makes the story stick with you for a long time.

 

However, the book isn’t perfect and has a few flaws. At some points, there seemed to be too many words to explain simple things, and the vocabulary used could’ve been better. Moments like these interrupt the flow of the story and make it not as enjoyable. The story at the start also progressed very slowly. The story could’ve been more gratifying if it didn’t beat around the bush so much.

 

Aside from these flaws, I found the book very enjoyable and a great quick read. I believe most mature people can enjoy the story and truly understand much more about anorexia, but I would definitely recommend it to teenage girls that are aged 10-16, as they would be able to completely relate to the emotions of the story. I would rate it 8/10, because while the story was powerful and heart touching, it certainly could’ve been improved easily with better wording and vocabulary.

Terina, Year 9

November 4

‘When Dogs Cry’ by Markus Zusak

When dogs cryHave you ever felt alone? Is your only company your annoying brothers and father who don’t really acknowledge you much at all, but one day when that perfect girl comes around the corner, it changes your world? This is what Cameron Wolfe fells like in the book ‘When Dogs Cry’ written by Markus Zusak.   

           Cameron Wolfe lives with his mum, dad, sister and brother. His Mum and Dad don’t really care about Cameron that much. He has a love and hate relationship with his brother Rube, who is always paying him out and giving him a hard time. Cameron’s sister is one of the nicest people that Cameron has in his life. Steve is Cameron’s brother also but he doesn’t live with them; he has his own apartment down the road. Cameron hasn’t had a girlfriend yet but his brother Rube is the guy who has a different girlfriend every month and Cameron gets really jealous sometimes. Cameron was always interested in Rube’s ex-girlfriend Octavia. Then Cameron started seeing Octavia more often after Rube broke up with her. When he started seeing her it changed his life ….. How? The main characters in this novel are Octavia, Cameron Wolfe and Rube Wolfe.

            I thought that the book, ‘When Dogs Cry’ was an average book because it doesn’t get straight into the main scene, which happens at the very end of the book. On the other hand, it is a great book because it was easy to imagine what was exactly happening in my head. It had interesting characters with all different personalities. One main thing that makes you glued to the book is because it is about a real teenage boy’s life with young love and annoying brothers. I recommend this to teens between the ages of 10-15 years old. I rate the book ‘When Dogs Cry’ 3 stars out of 5.

Jazmin L, Year 9

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Have you ever felt all alone like a bit of a loner at school with not many friends? Well, this is what Cameron Wolfe feels like in the book “When dogs cry”. Cameron Wolfe is a boy who lives with his family and he is pretty much best friends with his older brother Ruben Wolfe. Cameron is a boy who has always been scared to talk to girls, unlike his big brother who gets along really well with girls, so Cameron has to learn to stand up and prove that he deserves a girlfriend and friends.

      Cam also enjoys watching his older brother Steve playing footy at the local footy club and then kicking round the ball with Steve afterwards. During the book Cam finally stands up to realise that he is more then he thinks he is. He forgets about what people thought about him and finds himself a lovely girlfriend that he is happy with. But through all of the happiness, Cam’s brother Rube gets into some trouble with one of his girlfriends, so Cam has to stick to his brother’s side and help him through the trouble because that’s what their family does.

      I would recommend this to people that are about in Grades 8-11 because a lot of people this age are going through things like this in their life and this book is not only going to entertain them but also teach them that in life you have to stand up for yourself even if people don’t think that much of you just like Cam did in the book “When dogs cry”.  

      Taine, Grade 9.

June 7

‘Six Impossible Things’ by Fiona Wood

Six impossible things“There’s this girl I know. I know her by heart. I know her in every way but one: actuality. Her name is Estelle. I yearn for her. ” – Fiona Wood.

The book is set in Melbourne, Australia, mainly at Dan’s school. This story is about a young man named Dan Cereill. His dad announces to him and his mother that he is gay and is deciding to move out of the house, and then they find out that his mother’s wedding cake business is going nowhere but downhill and eventually out of business. Then, to make matters worse, his great Aunt Adelaide passes. Lucky for him and his mother, in Adelaide’s will she leaves Dan and his mother her giant mansion and her dog, Howard. There is also a girl named Estelle in this story, who is the girl of Dan’s dreams. He has never seen her, talked to her, or met her, but somehow he knows she exists and has a huge crush on her.

 

I liked this book because I can relate to it, it’s interesting and overall a great book. I enjoyed this book a lot because it is very descriptive, which helps paint a picture in my head about what is really happening throughout the story, and it helps me to imagine the situation in my mind. I also liked the storyline of this book and the way it progressed, because it kept me engaged the whole time and I could barely put the book down for anything.

 

I would recommend this story to both boys and girls from about ages 10+ and I believe that anyone would love this book, especially those who enjoy reading teen novels. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Millie L., Year 8

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Dan Cereill, normal boy who goes to a normal school? Right? Wrong. Dan is the complete opposite of normal with a crazy life.

 

Dan’s life was turned upside down when his Dad announced that he was gay, broke and would be moving out. This left Dan and his Mum with no food, no money and no life. All they had was a dead aunt’s old house and her dog Howard.

 

Dan Cereill had to live in a new town, with a new school and no job. This involved Dan meeting new people, going through new school hell and finding a successful job for both of them to kick-start their lives again.

 

The only thing getting Dan through this crisis is the girl next door, Estelle. Dan fell in love with her the first time he saw her and it just so happens that they are in the same class. Lucky or not?

 

Dan wrote a list of six impossible things that could happen in his life in his diary.

 

The list includes:

 

1.     Kiss Estelle

2.     Get a job

3.     Cheer my mother up

4.     Try not to be a complete loser at school

5.     Talk to my Dad when he calls

6.     Figure out how to be good.                                Fiona Wood

 

I loved this book from the very start. Fiona Wood described the setting and the characters so well, which made it easier to understand the book and to picture what the characters look like. I loved it because it could be someone’s life and it has a large amount of events in it which are relevant in today’s world.

 

I would recommend this book for 13- 16 girls who are interested in love stories and drama. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

 

Emma, Year 8

November 25

‘Next Summer’ by Hailey Abbott

I am not the type of person who particularly likes to read. If someone asked me to read a book, I would procrastinate as much as possible. But I’ve never found a book that I enjoy more than Next Summer, which is a Summer Boys novel (also a wonderful book).

The book is targeted at young teenage girls, and that is exactly who it attracts. My friends and I have all read this book and we all have the same opinion – that it is extremely interesting and easy to relate to.
I particularly found this novel interesting, because there are so many aspects of it that I can relate to, such as relationships, betrayal, siblings, holidays and tricky situations, which are impossible to avoid. Most teenage girls could relate to this book in the same ways as myself.

The book’s main characters are Beth, Ella and Kelsi. Ella and Kelsi are both sisters yet are so different. Kelsi is more of a reserved girl, whereas Ella attracts the attention of every guy she walks past, as if she is some magnet. Beth’s boyfriend, George is going off to a painting school during summer break, rather than go with her to Pebble Beach.

I highly recommend this book for girls aged 14-17, as the vocabulary featured in the book is suited to the age demographic, and girls of these ages tend to face the same troubles that are featured in the book. It is a great book, filled with new problems and heartbreak, yet also brings a smile to one’s face.

By Jessie U, Year 9.

October 25

‘The Secret Life of Maeve Lee Kwong’ by Kirsty Murray

Maeve Lee Kwong is a 13 year-old girl who loves dancing, her friends and above all her family. When her mother, Sue, dies suddenly in a car crash Maeve’s whole world is torn apart. Maeve and her little brother Ned are devastated; all they have left is each other. So when Maeve is sent away from Ned she feels her world slowly falling apart. Will things ever be the way they used to be? Will Maeve ever be with Ned again? If you enjoy a sad gripping story you will love ‘The Secret Life of Maeve Lee Kwong.’ Alley, Year 9

October 21

‘Saving Francesca’ by Melina Marchetta

‘Saving Francesca’ is a book about family, love, depression and friendship. It grips you from the very first pages, and once you start to read there’s no going back.Francesca is beginning her second term at an all boys school that has only just began accepting girls (and by that they mean giving them their own toilet block). She misses all her old friends and can’t stand the immature teenagers that populate the school. To make things even worse, her mother has experienced an emotional breakdown, and the depression that comes with it has kept her stapled to her bed. In turn Francesca is forced to dive head on into new experiences, friendships and romance that lead her to thinking the question that flutters, dust-covered amongst the back of everyone’s mind… is change really such a bad thing? Join Francesca with her heart warming adventures, eye-watering romance and emotional roller coasters in ‘Saving Francesca’. You won’t regret it.
Amanda, Year 9

A journey of a girl who feels alone in the world, a story of depression, of crisis and of love. Francesca is one of the first girls at a recently co-ed school and is fighting to get equality for girls. All the while, her mother is battling severe depression which could tear their family apart. And of course, she begins to fall for the most unlikely of persons. Can Francesca save her family? Does she have the strength to pull through this ordeal? Can her relationship survive? Are you a girl who loves a dramatic story for the mind and the heart? Then I suggest you read this novel. You won’t be sorry!
Courtney – Year 9
The life of a teenager has always been really hard. But for Francesca Spinelli, hard is an understatement. Her controlling mother is the rock of the family and when she falls into acute depression Francesca’s family find it increasingly hard to cope. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s in her second term in an all boys school that pretends to be co-ed by giving the girls their own toilets. With all her old friends gone, her family falling apart, an on and off relationship, how could Francesca’s life get any more screwed up? The plot is so enthralling, and relative to teenage life, the worst thing about the book was that I couldn’t put it down! Follow Francesca on a journey to find herself.  You’ll become engrossed in her story, just like I was.

Monika, Year 9

This is a captivating story full of both joy and heartbreak. Francesca is beginning her second term at her recently turned co-ed school, St Sebastian’s. Missing her old friends, she finds it hard to make new ones and to make matters even more difficult her mother has undergone a breakdown and is now suffering acute depression. But what Francesca had not expected was the sudden loyalty of her new friends and finding love in the most surprising of places. Can Francesca find the strength within to pull her family back together? Follow Francesca as she endures the hardships of friendship, love and depression.     Laura, Year 9

October 20

‘All I Ever Wanted’ by Vikki Wakefield

Imagine if your family was involved in drug dealing. Jemima’s family is a risky one and she doesn’t exactly fit in.  Her Mother is always lying on the couch and having private meetings. Jemima’s two brothers have ended up in jail for selling and buying drugs. “Mim” does not want to end up like her fellow family members so therefore she has set herself rules to live by. Rule No 1: Do not end up like mum. Her mum has asked Jemima to collect a package What is in the package? Jemima has been told not to open the package… but with her experience with a guy from school named Jordan, will she turn this all around ? She may not be able to return home with her mum’s unknown package. Is Jordan who she always thought he was and is his sister, Kate, as shy as she appears at school? Jemima will soon find not everything is what is seems and the main question is what is inside the package? This book got better as it went on and it all made perfect sense in the end. Tyla, Year 9

 

The book All I ever wanted is a book like no other. Written by Vikki Wakefield, All I Ever Wanted is all about following your dreams and never giving up on them. Jemima (better know as Mim) has rules that are always getting the better of her, but as she is growing older and nearing her 17th birthday, she experiences a range of events that will change the way she thinks about ordinary things. Mim is just like any other girl. She has dreams, friends and family. The only problem is that Mim’s brothers are in jail for drug dealing and her mother is always too busy to even notice her existence. Her one and only friendship is falling apart and Mim realises that not everyone is what they seem. In this story you learn not to judge books by their covers and to live life to the fullest. For me, the book started off quite slow but ended with a bang. Join Mim (and all the people she met along the way) in a fascinating story about how much you can learn from a few broken rules. By Hayley, Year 9

The book ‘All I ever wanted’ is a story about a girl called Mim who is trying to find herself. Mim has created 10 rules that she lives her life by and they guide her to do the right things, specifically so she doesn’t turn out like her mother. The story begins when a boy called Jordan steals a package from her, that her mother requested for her to pick up one afternoon. She doesn’t know exactly what is in the package, but she assumes that it contains something valuable. So when it gets stolen from her, she is determined to retrieve it before her mother finds out she lost it. Mim encounters many obstacles in trying to get back the package and meets new people as well. She makes new friends like Kate and Melinda and discovers new things about people she thought she knew. This book is about a girl who is finding who she is, and being true to herself. It wasn’t the best book, and there were many opportunities for it to be improved. I’d recommend this book for teenage girls.   Chiara, Year 9