Just Macbeth by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

New to the classroom bookshelves is Andy Griffith's Just Macbeth. It is a must-read for all diehard Griffiths fans. This is the seventh book in the Just series. It is written as a play and blends the characters from the Just series with the story and characters from Macbeth. Andy, Lisa and Danny are rehearsing the famous witches' scene from the play in preparation for a performance they are doing for their English class. They concoct a disgusting potion and then dare each other to try it. Suddenly, they are transported back in time into the battle scene of Act 1. Andy is mistaken by the three hags as Macbeth and told his future, that he should become a king. The book then pretty much follows the plot line of the original play with Andy, Lisa and Danny taking on the roles of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo. The language is a mix of colloquial kids' language with sprinklings of Shakespeare's famous lines. The illustrations and quips of Terry Denton, as always, do justice to the book giving humorous advice and suggestions to the reader as well as deviating from the plot with other ridiculous but very funny reinterpretations of historical events.

The stage show was a hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eUpkFVE95Y

Just Tricking by Andy Griffiths

It's 8.15 a.m. and I'm still in bed. I should have got up an hour ago.

But I didn't. You wanna know why?

Because I'm dead.

Well, not not really dead. I'm just pretending I'm dead so I don't have to go to school.

If I convince Mum and Dad that I'm dead, not only will I have pulled off one of the greatest practical jokes of the century, but I'll get off going to school for the rest of the year. Maybe even the rest of my life.

Thus begins the first story in this book, typical Griffith's style. Andy Griffith's books greatly appeal to upper primary boys. Just Tricking is the first book in the Just Series and it contains ten short stories on the theme of tricks and practical jokes narrated by the main character, Andy. Now Andy believes he is the world's greatest practical joker, however, most of his jokes backfire on him making this a pretty funny read. Just Stupid and Just Disgusting are also available for borrowing from the Little Library of Rescued Books.

Check out the author talking about this series of books and his book called Just Macbeth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6UNvg7xbYs

I Own the Racecourse by Patricia Wrightson

Andy Hoddel is different from other boys but he is well-liked and is very friendly. He is duped into buying a Beecham Park Racecource from a tramp for $3 and firmly believes he owns it and is excited about the prospect of sharing it with his mates. His friends are not quite sure how to break the neews to him that he doesn't own it. This novel was made into a television movie in 1986 but so far I haven't been able to get a copy of it. Patricia Wrightson is an Australian writer who sadly passed away last year.

An Uncommon Friend by Lisa Shnookal

So far there are no reviews of this book on the web. This is Australian author Lisa Shnookal's first book. Lisa, who has a teaching background, has worked mainly with disadvantaged teenagers and this book reflects these experiences. The story is set in Melbourne and spans the years 1970-1976, and the action is seen through the eyes of thirteen year old Lucy Runelli who lives with her younger brother Andy and her older sister, Gina. When, as a 13 year old she first meets Scott Allen (Scotchie), she is not impressed; he may well be the son of a judge but he has far too many bad habits for her liking. The fact that her dad is an Italian party boy certainly doesn't help matters. This book is definitely for a mature high school reader and deals with many issue which face students in their mid-teen years.

Monster Blood II by R.L.Stine

Hey Jye...read this one yet? How could anyone not like a book that has "monster blood" in it? This book is full of R.L. Stine's trademark suspense and kid-friendly horror. Evan Ross, the main character, can't stop thinking about Monster Blood and all that happened last summer. It was just so terrifyingly horrible! Even Evan's science teacher doesn't believe him and now he has to clean out the hamster's cage as punishment for making up stories. Then, his friend, Andy, arrives in town and things go from bad to worse…

UPDATE: Jye just informed me he has read all the Goosebumps series...hmmm I will come up with something.