Monday, August 27, 2007

Mr Pip - Lloyd Jones


The library has been lucky enough to have had a copy of Lloyd Jones' award winning novel donated to its collection.

There has been a lot of 'hype' about the novel and I certainly did find it a very interesting read. The choice of the 11 year old Matilda as the narrator means that the tale is told with a certain naivete, which in turn heightens the impact of the book's climax. The historical background of inter-tribal conflict and the independence movement in Papua New Guinea sets a brutal back-drop for a story where one book provides an escape from the harsh realities of life.

Mr Pip is more suitable for senior readers and staff. I know that a number of schools are buying it as a new senior text.

Read more about the author at this link
http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/joneslloyd.html

Saturday, August 18, 2007

Here Lies Arthur - Phillip Reeve


I'm a great fan of the King Arthur legends. The stories always fascinated me when I was a kid - especially the descriptions of the knights and the fantastic adventures that they were always involved in.

This book looks at King Arthur in a whole new, less romantic light!! Merlin is more of a 'trickster' than a magician, and Arthur is a little less chivalrous than the legend would have us believe.

What do you think?

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Salt - Maurice Gee


For more senior readers, Gee's latest is a look at a future which is grim indeed.

Society has fallen into chaos and the 'Company' controls all apects of life. Company families live in heavily protected compounds and inter-marry to maintain their superiority. The rest of the population tries to survive amidst the ruins and rubbish of the now destroyed cities, many living like animals and in fear of their lives. The 'Company' maintains its dominance by enforced slave labour in the mines - few ever return.

What happens when the system is challenged? A riveting tale.

If you want to find out more about Maurice Gee have a look at this link
http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/geem.html

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - JK Rowling


Well I guess I really had to start the library blog with this one!! This book is in our collection, but you will have to wait for Mrs Kraushaar to return before it can be borrowed.

Was it the most 'waited for' book ever to be published?

For really really keen fans the wait will have been worth it. That's not to say that the book is perfect! There are lots of parts where phrases like 'two months later...' pop up. But there is lots of action, a few surprises and the ending .......I'll leave that for you to discover.

Make sure you add your thoughts after you have read the book.....
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