A few of the new fiction titles on display this week include:

1. Lyra’s Oxford by Philip Pullman. If you have read the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman (which includes Northern Lights; The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass) you will want to read this short story about trilogy heroine Lyra and her daemon, Pantalaimon.
2. The bridge on the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle. Historical war fiction which has also been made into a movie.
3. Nation by Terry Pratchett. An adventure fantasy story that is funny and thought-provoking.
4. The map of time by Felix J. Palma. This book is a blend of genres (sci-fi, steampunk, mystery, romance, historical fantasy), is rich in details, and is dramatic and off-beat. It will appeal to senior students who enjoy historical fiction and fantasy fiction.
5. The silence of murder by Dandi Daley Mackall. A fast-paced, compelling murder mystery for teens.
6. The deep: here by dragons, a graphic novel by Australian author, Tom Taylor.
7. A collection (4) of Simpsons Comics is also on display this week.

 

An enticing collection of new fiction books are on display for the month of March including:

1. Two more books in the Girl v the world series including Things I don’t know by Meredith Badger and I heart you, Archie de Souza by Chrissie Keighery.
2. Parvana’s Promise by Deborah Ellis. The sequel to Parvana and Parvana’s journey.
3. Firespell by Laura Amy Schlitz
4. Grimm Tales for young and old by Philip Pullman
5. Book 4 in the Cardcaptor Sakura manga series
6. Reached by Ally Condie. The third book in the dystopian series, Matched. This popular series successfully combines romance, science fiction and action as well as references to philosophy and the arts. Readers of Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games) and Catherine Fisher (Incarceron)  will enjoy this series.
7. City of Swords by Mary Hoffman. This is the sixth book in the suspenseful fantasy series, Stravaganza.
8. Enjoy some silly time in the world of Andy Griffiths and explore The 26-storey Treehouse.
9. The Third Door by Emily Rodda. This is book 3 in the Three Doors trilogy.
10. Bleak House by Charles Dickens. This is a recommended book on the Year 10 Reading List. This list can be found as a link on the library catalogue.
11. The Amber Amulet by Craig Silvey. An engaging, thought-provoking and humourous story for young adults.
12. Noah Barleywater runs away by John Boyne, the author of The boy in the striped pyjamas.

Welcome back to a new school year and we hope that everyone enjoyed their summer holidays. All the best for the new school year.

Did you enjoy reading a book or two over the holiday break? The summer holidays was the perfect time to catch up on some leisure reading.

Over this term, there will be a number of new resources added to the library collection to assist you with research and study as well as for your general interest and leisure reading. So visit the library regularly to keep in touch with new resources available or visit the library blog page to keep in touch with some of the resources that will be listed here.

Some of the new fiction titles on display this week include:-

1. Fans of the Artemis Fowl series can get up to date with Artemis Fowl and the TimeParadox (book 6), Artemis Fowl and the Atlantis Complex (book 7) and the latest book, Artemis Fowl and the Last Guardian (book 8). A witty, suspenseful and fast-paced fantasy series.
2. Diary of Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney. Follow the further adventures of Greg Heffley as he navigates the ups and downs of middle school life.
3. For manga fans, the library has the next books in a couple of series including xxxHolic (v. 6), Vampire Knight (v. 14) and The Gentlemen’s Alliance (v. 6).
4. Heaven by Alexandra Adornetto is the third book in the Halo trilogy by Australian author, Alexandra Adornetto.
5. Marzi, a memoir by Marzena Sowa. “Told from a young girl’s perspective, Marzena Sowa’s memoir is a compelling and powerful coming-of-age story that portrays the harsh realities of life behind the Iron Curtain while maintaining the everyday wonders of curiosity of childhood. With open and engaging art by Sylvain Sovoia, Marzi is a moving and resonant story of an ordinary girl in turbulent, changing times.” (Book Jacket).

A couple of new non-fiction books on display this week include:

1. Bamboo Palace by Christopher Kremmer. “In the dying days of the Vietnam War, a royal family is rounded up and flown by helicopter to a remote prison camp. Behind the bamboo curtain erected by victorious communist guerillas, the tragic final days of an Asian king and his dynasty will play out. Bestselling author of The Carpet Wars, Christopher Kremmer takes readers on a gripping odyssey to Indochina′s heart of darkness, the remote prison camp where the Kingdom of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol finally ends. Part travelogue, part mystery, Bamboo Palace reveals the only known eye-witness account of the final solution carried out in the jungles of northern Laos.” (Source: http://www.harpercollins.com.au)
2. Australia’s greatest inventions & innovations by Christopher Cheng & Linsay Knight in association with the Powerhouse Museum). “Imagine a world without wi-fi or clothes lines or lawnmowers or Vegemite or dual-flush toliets or even mousetraps. Weird, huh? These are just a few of the many inventions that have been created by clever Australians to solve some of life’s difficult problems. In Australia’s Greatest Inventions and Innovations, you will find out about our nation’s most ingenious inventions, their makers, and how to turn a bright idea into a useful creation. Be inspired!” (Source: http://www.randomhouse.com.au)
3. 2013 Guinness Book of World Records

Come to the library to browse and borrow. New books may be borrowed on Friday.

New non-fiction books

Cerdon artists! Seeking creative inspiration? Come to the library to browse through some of the wonderful new art books on display including:

1. Asian Graphics Now (NF 741.6095 ASI)
2. Painting people : the state of the art by Charlotte Mullins (NF 757 MUL)
3. Raw + material = art : found, scavenged and upcycled by Tristan Manco (NF 702.814 MAN)

The latest edition of the Young Writers Showcase (NF A820.8 YOU) is also available and is highly recommended for Year 12 Extension English students.

The library has two copies of the book by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, ‘The woman who changed her brain : and other inspiring stories of pioneering brain transformation’, available for borrowing. The author of this book was born with severe learning disabilities and was labelled by her teachers as slow or stubborn. She struggled through her education and was physically uncoordinated. However, through her strong will and amazing memory she managed to graduate from school and in the process discovered research that inspired her to invent cognitive exercises to ‘fix’ her own brain.

‘Starting in the late 1970s, she has continued to expand and refine these exercises, which have benefited thousands of individuals. Barbara founded Arrowsmith School in Toronto in 1980 and then the Arrowsmith Program to train teachers and to implement this highly effective methodology in schools all over North America. Her work is revealed as one of the first examples of neuroplasticity’s extensive and practical application.’ (www.amazon.com). Highly recommended to both teachers and students.

New fiction books

Maureen McCarthy, author of numerous YA books including Chain of Hearts and Ganglands, has recently published The Convent. This is an engaging, intricately plotted family saga that was inspired by McCarthy’s own family history associated with Abbotsford Convent in Melbourne. It spans three decades of (fictional) women whose lives are affected in different ways by the convent. It’s an absorbing and enjoyable YA read that will appeal to readers of all ages.

Another revered Australian author, Melina Marchetta, has published the third book in the Lumatere chronicles, Quintana of Charyn.  The series has consistently received high praise from reviewers and readers commending Marchetta on her ability to not only create an amazing fantasy world but to develop fascinating characters with great emotional depth. The first book in the series is Finnikan of the Rock followed by Froi of the Exiles. Readers of fantasy such as Kristin Cashore’s Graceling and Christopher Paolini’s Inheritanceseries will love this series.

The other new fiction books currently on display include:

Code name Verity by Elizabeth Wein – ‘Summary: Two young women become unlikely best friends during WWII, until one is captured by the Gestapo. Only in wartime could a stalwart lass from Manchester rub shoulders with a Scottish aristocrat, one a pilot, the other a special operations executive’ (SCIS). A moving, suspenseful, historical novel. For more information and reviews go to GoodReads.

Crewel by Gennifer Albin – ‘Summary: Gifted with the unusual ability to embroider the very fabric of life, sixteen-year-old Adelice is summoned by Manipulation Services to become a Spinster, a move that will separate her from her beloved family and home forever.’ (Novelist). A melancholy, thought-provoking, fast-paced dystopian romance novel suitable for years 7-10.

Black Spring by Alison Croggon – ‘Summary: Lina is enchanting, vibrant, but wilful, and her beauty betrays her for what she truly is, a witch. With her childhood companion, Damek, she has grown up privileged and spoiled and the pair are devoted to each other to the point of obsession. But times are changing. Vendetta id coming, and tragedy is stalking the halls of the Red House.’ (SCIS). Gothic, fantasy fiction by Alison Croggon, Australian author of the Pellinor series.

Creepy & Maud by Dianne Touchell – ‘Summary: A humorous look at the relationship between two neighbours and social misfits, played out in the space between their windows. Told through the viewpoint of Creepy, a boy who watches from the shadows keenly observing and caustically commentating on human folly, who is in love with Maud, a confused girl with a condition that embarrasses her parents and assures her isolation. Together Creepy and Maud discover something outside their own vulnerability – each other’s. But life is arbitrary and loving someone doesn’t mean you can save them.’ (Novelist). Darkly humorous, character-driven, realistic fiction.

Every day by David Levithan – ‘Summary: Every morning A wakes in a different person’s body, in a different person’s life, learning over the years to never get too attached, until he wakes up in the body of Justin and falls in love with Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon.’ (Novelist). An engaging. moving and thought-provoking story.

The new fiction books on display at the back of the library may be borrowed on Friday. All other books on display in the library may be borrowed. If you need help locating these books please ask the library staff for assistance.