Beach Party by R.L Stine

This is the first R.L Stine book I have read for teenagers, and whilst I enjoyed us, all I kept thinking the whole time I was reading the book, "I am glad that my daughter didn't have the attitude and self-righteousness of the two teenage girls depicted in this book. "It is essentially a softened-up crime novel for older kids. The two main protagonists, Karen Mandell and Ann-Marie ( a bit wishy-washy) are childhood friends who meet up again when Karen  invites Ann-Marie,who had moved to New York some years before,  to  spend some time with her back in her old stomping ground  in Venice Beach, a suburb of Los Angeles. The more physically-striking of the two, Karen finds herself sought after by two young attractive males, Jerry a seemingly well-balanced guy with great friends, and the other Vince, a leather-clad member of a gang. Karen soon discovers things are not as straightforward as she initially thought, especially after discovering that Jerry already has a girlfriend  called Renee who is non-to-pleased about their blossoming friendship, and that Jerry recently lost his brother in unfortunate accident. Karen starts getting threatening messages to stay away from Jerry, then her friend Ann-Marie starts behaving in an odd manner, and suddenly Karen finds herself being questioned about a murder. The plot,  even if slightly contrived, is not too obvious, and I think most teenage readers would enjoy this book. The only thing I find about R.L.Stine's characters is that they are not very well developed so it is hard to feel an attachment to any of them, but then again like James Patterson, he is known for his racy page-turning publications.

Mister Eternity by Maggie Hamilton

Mister Eternity by Maggie Hamilton is basically a crime book for children set in Kings Cross, Sydney. Sebastian and Josie find themselves enmeshed in mysterious events after their elderly friend, Lil, is bashed nearly to death and her home set on fire.The teenagers had been visiting her only hours before having their futures read in tea leaves. Now, they are on a quest to find out what really happened to their friend and to discover what it is people seem to be after in her apartment. An elderly gentlemen appears in Sebastian's life scribing the word "eternity"on the sidewalk outside his apartment building, and Sebastian instinctively knows that this man is part of the puzzle. Sebastian has problems of his own at home, like his mother he misses his dad and his brother Scotty who were killed in a trucking accident and now his mother is thinking of selling up and moving out of Kings Cross. Sebastian is devastated at the thought of leaving his beloved neighbourhood and dreads the idea of having to move in with his cold and authoritarian grandmother. Then, suddenly, Razor, an old friend is found murdered and the two friends know they must act quickly to save Lil who has mysteriously been moved from the hospital to an aged-care facility  called Greystaines in the outer suburbs

According to the author, Maggie Hamilton, Mister Eternity was inspired by the life of Arthur Stace, a reformed alcoholic. She has dedicated her final chapter of the book to him Further information can be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Stace

Flashback the Amazing Adventures of a Film Horse by Gillian Rubenstein

The  novel Flashback the Amazing Adventures of a Film Horse, by Gillian Rubinstein, deals with the trials and tribulations of Antony Abel who was leading a very mundane but safe existence with his very conservative great aunt and uncle on a property of some  two hundred acres called Oonoobooloo.  The one real joy he has in life is his pony, Flashback, whom he has only just started to train.  After an unfortunate accident  on his beloved pony, Antony  loses his memory and  finds himself hanging out with stuntmen, Doggo Slim and Pablo Pequeno (Small Paul),  from the film company Tasman True Productions. They are currently working on a film with the narcissistic and greedy actor, Tasman True, whom even the director Oliver Bolivar can't control. Tasman True insists that he needs someone to play his double to make the dare-devil leap across the very wide gap at Desolution Gorge. I must admit I found this book a bit hard-going in terms of interest stakes, but if you like rough riding and eccentric characters and improbable plots,  then maybe you will enjoy this novel.

The Boy Who Was Afraid by Armstrong Perry

Want something a little different to read?  This beautiful story tells the story of Mafatu, an islander boy who lost his mother to the sea when he was very young. Mafatu has an intense fear of the sea and because of this his father is ashamed of him and the village children ridicule him.  Mafatu decides to try and overcome this fear and sense of shame so he sets off in a canoe out into the open sea. His only companions are his dog Kivi and a tame albatross. Mafatu's courage grows as he learns to survive on an uninhabited island. However, this island is visited occasionally by the fierce eaters-of-men who come in their big war canoes. How will he cope with this? 

This is novel is a real classic about coming of age and confronting one's fears. It is also a salute to the navigational prowess of the Polynesian people. 

Bartlett and the Ice Voyage by Odo Hirsch

I had not heard of author Odo Hirsch until I picked up this tongue-in-cheek quest tale, and I was pleasantly surprised given it's somewhat ho hum cover. His writing style is reminiscent of Roald Dahl and bit like David Walliams. Odo is an Australian born doctor who has worked for Amnesty International and many of his novels have been short-listed for the Children Book Council of Australia Awards. This novel is about a snooty queen who owns seven countries and who is far too busy to leave her home country to visit the others. She constantly receives gifts from the people in these countries but becomes exasperated when the tasty melidrop fruit cannot be delivered before it goes rotten and starts obsessing about it, causing everyone in her kingdom great misery. You see there is no modern fast forms of transport and the tree or its seeds will not grow in her country. Thus the challenge for Bartlett, the famous explorer, is to transport this fruit to The Queen before it turns to mush. Boys may need encouragement to persevere through the first three chapters which focus on The Queen, in order to enjoy the sea adventure of Bartlett, which in fact makes up the majority of the novel.

The soft pencil illustrations by Andrew McLean help bring the characters to life and depict life in the royal court and at sea.

Girl Underground by Morris Gleitzman

This book follows on from the book Boy Overboard but as with all of Gleitzman's books, it is not necessary to read this novel in order to understand or enjoy this one. The book is signed by the author himself. I bought it for my son, Travis, when I attended one of his seminars. This is a story of friendship, courage and a bit of crime. Bridget wants a quiet life and this is difficult when your Dad is a wheeler and dealer and your brother is in gaol. Bridget doesn't really care for the new, posh school her parents have enrolled her in, but after making the acquaintance with Menzies, son of politician, life becomes more interesting. Menzies makes her an offer she can't refuse, and they set off on a job of their own. It's a desperate, daring plan to rescue two kids, Jamal and Bibi, from a desert detention centre. Can Bridget and Menzies pull off their very first jail break, or will they end up behind bars too? Listen to the first chapter by clicking on the link below:

http://www.morrisgleitzman.com/books/fst_girl_audio.html

McMummy by Betsy Byars

This novel by Betsy Byars is a little bit dated, telephone booths still rule, and there are no mobile phones. Messages from overseas still arrive by telegram and the two main characters ring each other up from home lines; they don't text. There are many elements of the modern day novel missing, but if you like Betsy Byars as an author this book won't disappoint. The main character Mozie has lots of character (his adopted cat which fell out of a plane is called Pine Cone and he calls his house Crumb Castle), and it's fun to follow his adventures when he has to look after the plants in Professor Orloff's greenhouse which is located near a forbidding forest. His best friend, Batty has been grounded and he must make to visits to the spooky greenhouse to water and fertilise the plants there by himself. The scary thing is the huge pod tucked away in the far corner of the garden and it hums; it's downright weird. Mozie is both fascinated by it and scared of what could be inside. The huge thunder storm which wreaks havoc on the town adds to the intensity of the plant drama. There is no cast of thousands, the only two other significant characters are Mozie's mum, who sews dresses for a living and Valvoline, one of her clients. Then there is Richie, whom he babysits and Richie's mum, Mrs Hunter. It is a straightforward read, probably a good book to put between two challenging reads.

What Do You Think Feezal? by Elizabeth Honey

There are now two copies of this book in the library so you could read it with a friend. This is a tale about a girl called Bean, a skyscraper called the Blue Boat, big business, some horrible robbers, a Harley-Davidson motor bike, abseiling, family, friends, computers, babysitters and many other things. But mostly it is about a poor little rich girl who outwits her kidnappers. Oh, and she desperately wants a dog. Read about the book in an interview with Elizabeth Honey done at the time of the release of the book.

http://users.tpg.com.au/waldrenm/honey.html

The House Guest by Eleanor Nilsson

This book has been rated as a top read for boys and girls would love it too. It's another Australian gem I couldn't put down. Gunno and his gang regularly skip school and raid houses for fun, stealing cash only. When Gunno and the gang break into The Big House, he finds that his life changes as this house in the valley is different and it holds some fascination for him. He is continually drawn back to it. and starts visiting regularly thinking of it as his house; he loves the little dog there and day by day is learning about the lives of the owners. And there's also Hugh's room, but where is Hugh?His bedroom is musty and his books and belongings are all covered in dust. Eleanor Nilsson first thought of the story of Gunno and Hugh after she saw an old rambling house near Adelaide. The house seemed welcoming yet elusive and mysterious. This is the house in The House Guest. The dog in the story was inspired by Lochie, Eleanor's own Shetland Sheepdog.

The Great Elephant Chase by Gillian Cross

When the elephant came to town, Tad and Cissie went to the show like everyone else. Little did they know it would change their lives for ever. Because of the elephant, Tad and Cissie get involved in a chase across America, by train, by flatboat, and steam boat. Close behind is HannibalJackson, who is determined to have the elephant for himself. And how do you hide a large Indian elephant? This novel was the winner of the Whitbread Children's Novel Award and the Smarties Prize. Gillian Cross has also won the Carnegie Medal and is a highly-acclaimed author. For me information about the author go to her website:

http://www.gillian-cross.co.uk/

The Kingdom by the Sea by Robert Westall

Harry's family are running to the shelter when the bomb hits. As the rescue team pull him alone out of the rubble, Harry realises he'll be sent off to live with moping, fussy Cousin Elsie - the last thing he needs on top of the shock of losing his family. He runs away, meeting Don, a dog who's also lost his home, on the beach. In wartime every step is full of danger. Getting a meal, sleeping in a haystack, it seems that everywhere Harry goes he finds people full of suspicion, ready to turn in a boy on his own. But Harry encounters sudden kindnesses too. A family have left a caravan open, filled with tinned food for anyone who needs shelter. They all died when a bomb hit their home, but they help Harry when he needs it most. Joining eccentric Joseph Keilty by the sea, Harry learns to scavenge along the beach and makes friends with some nearby soldiers, until once more he is driven on alone. Meet the author...see what Robert has to say about cats!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrRP-FMSv0M

Underground Hero by Elaine K. McEwan

Josh hasn't learnt not to listen to Ben Anderson's bright ideas. Together they decide to explore the old Klum place which was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. They find evidence to suggest that this house isn't deserted as people think. And on top of this Ben is trying hard to deal with his parents' divorce.

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.

Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz

This is a bit of a doorstop at 431 pages but a great read. Maybe Simon or Hamish would enjoy this author. You don't need to have read the preceding novels to understand or enjoy it. Mrs P has some of his books on her side of the double unit too. I think Sean has read some of them. Alex Rider is a series of spy novels, by British author Anthony Horowitz about a teenage spy named Alex Rider. The series is aimed primarily at young adults but some students in the unit would handle them okay.This gripping final mission brings together Alex Rider's old enemies to frame the teenage superspy in an unstoppable plot of revenge, from which he can never return. Pursued from Europe to North Africa and Cairo's city of the dead – this is the twistiest and most deadly plot of any Alex Rider mission yet, and will reveal Smithers' ultimate gadget and see the shocking death of a major character. Watch a clip with Horowitz talking about this novel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALgqQinhCcM

and check out the author reading an extract from his book:http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/video/2011/apr/21/anthony-horowitz-video

Travellers by Night by Vivien Alcock

This is a fast-paced book about two children named Belle and Charlie who are determined to save an old elephant from the slaughterhouse. The two circus children kidnap the animal and begin a dangerous journey, traveling by night across the English countryside to a safari park where they hope to find the elephant a home. The novel becomes more believable and suspenseful as the journey progresses. This novel was turned into a popular television series and the following clip might influence you to give the novel a go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c62fcyzGk-I

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

I think this is one of the more accessible classics for upper primary children and I really enjoyed is as child. The book was first published in England in December 1884 and in the United States in February 1885. Commonly named among the Great American Novels the work is among the first in American Literature to be written in the vernacular. It is told in the first person by Huck Finn, a friend of Tom Sawyer. The book has colourful descriptions of people and places along the Mississippi River. It focuses on entrenched attitudes and particularly racism. Huck runs away with a slave and has many adventures. Click on the link below to watch a trailer to the movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS9-HeIUa-M

Why the Whales Came by Michael Morpurgo

This story revolves around the curse which was put on the people of Samson, one of the Isles of Scilly, and how two young children and the supposedly mad Birdman of Bryher manage to redeem the curse some thirty years later. It is not a dark and sinister story about evil curses, rather it is a gentle story about friendship and trust, and it all comes about in the very beginning because of a pair of aggressive swans. The breeding pair drive Gracie and her close friend Daniel away from their favourite local pond where they sail their model ships. In their search for some safe flat water the children find themselves playing on the forbidden Rushy Beach. It is set in 1914. There has been a movie adapted from book entitled When the Whales Came, but I haven't been able to get my hands on it; well not yet. The cover of this novel is a still from the movie.

The Cop Catchers by Terrance Dicks

This novel was withdrawn from the Rose Bay High School and still offers a good read. I found it at Vinnies. Detective Sergeant Day has vanished under mysterious circumstances. The police have been tipped off that he has been taking bribes and now he is on the wanted list. However, the Baker Street Irregulars, a group of friends, are not totally convinced. They suddenly find that they have their hands full solving the mysterious disappearance of their friend Detective-Sergeant Day as well as jewel theft, a series of truck hijackings, a missing person case, and a traffic violation when a yacht gets sailed into a seawall. Boy are they busy!

Journey into War by Margaret Donaldosn

If you enjoyed Morris Gleitzman's Once and Then, I can just about guarantee that you will like this book too. It is May and France is about to fall to the German army. Ten year old Janey has been in France for two years, but now her father insists that she should return to England. In the care of Martin, the gardener, she is on her way to Dieppe when they are separated and she is stranded. She thinks of going to Quentin in search of her dad. So with a horse and a a dog for company she sets off only to discover her Dad has already left and the town is occupied by the Germans. Janey meets up with two Polish boys, also separated from loved-ones. Together, they wage their own war against the Germans. Janey is captured whilst sabotaging a truck and things take a turn for the worse.

Welcome to Camp Nightmare by R.L.Stine

All of those scary stories about camp are all coming true. The food is terrible and the counsellors are very strange. The camp director, Uncle Al, is turning out to be demented. But that’s alright, Billy believes he can handle all of that but then suddenly his friends start to disappear. What is going on? His parents don’t answer his letters, and there is something lurking after dark. Camp Nightmoon might as well be called Camp Nightmare! This is one for Jye or maybe, Lucinda.