Friends and Brothers by Dick King-Smith

A simple book about two brothers. William is finding it difficult to get along with his younger brother, Charlie. he thinks he is a show-off, asks far too many questions and is always saying the word "absolutely." It is a little bit dated but anyone who finds younger siblings pesky might relate to this little book. Some of it would be considered politically incorrect these days. Their mum threatens to hit William if he hits Charlie again. There are seven chapters in the book and each chapter is basically a separate story. The chapter called Snapdragon is quite a nice story about Charlie's pet beetle which he has named Snapdragon. One day William is looking in the matchbox where Charlie keeps him and accidentally lets him go...

Za-Za's Baby Brother.avi

This absolutely stunning picture book is all about Za-za and the effect that the new baby has on a household. When Za-za, the little zebra gets a baby brother, the usual routines in her life change radically. Mum returns from hospital, and she's tired, and Za-za is looked after by Granny. The baby receives all the attention from both her parents as well as visitors and Za-za is feeling neglected. Everyone is so busy that there is no time for toys or stories. So how does it all turn out for Za-za? This book is well known because of its use by Tommy's The Baby Charity, as part of their publicity campaign. This would have to be the brightest book in the Little Library of Rescued Books. Watch the video below, it's good fun.

Lockie Leonard Legend by Tim Winton

Lockie is missing Egg, his best friend who has moved away to Freemantle, his brother Phillip is blowing things up in his quest for the ultimate scientific experiment, and Blob...well, she is still chewing on linoleum and filling her nappies. Lockie, who is now fourteen, hasn't been able to shake off his infatuation with Vicki Streeton although he fools himself that he has, and Sarge, his Dad, is still into poetry and other great literary classics. But something is not quite right with his Mum. The house is a mess, she sits staring into space and she is crying all the time. Sarge calls in the golf-obsessed grandparents to supposedly help, but they only make life in the house more complicated and Lockie finds himself sleeping in the laundry. Then, in an unexpected twist, Sarge brings home Cyril the merino ram who is attracted to Phillip's bike.

Finally, the third book in Winton's Lockie Leonard series has made it onto our bookshelves. Lockie takes on many new household responsibilities when his mother is diagnosed with depression and hospitalised. This book is quite different from the preceding two in that it is mainly set at home and focuses on household life and the way Lockie, Philllip and the Sarge cope in the absence of Joy, the family glue who would normally deal with the laundry, the dishes, the cleaning, the meals, the baby and everyone's problems.

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

Pizza Features by John Larkin

This novel continues the story of loser and westie Eric Underwood, a grade 9 student, whom we first met in Spaghetti Legs. It is followed by Lasagna Brain which can be found in our Little Library of Rescued Books. Eric believes he didn’t get the looks and he has been battling with acne. He is unlucky in love and has just been abandoned by Veronica, whom he’d thought was the love of his life. He has to move out into the shed after his younger brother nearly decapitates him. To top off all his woes he has been told he has to accompany his grandmother to England, just what all teenage boys love to do! To find out more about John Larkin, the author, visit his webpage: http://larkinabout.com.au/

Two Weeks With the Queen by Morris Gleitzman

There are now two copies of this book in the unit, so you could read it athe same time as a friend, which is always fun.

Two Weeks with the Queen was another book I had to read in one sitting. The story revolves around Colin, whose younger brother has cancer. Colin is sent to stay with relatives in London and decides that he can do something to help his brother. It is a combination of humour and pathos and would be enjoyed by any upper primary student. Here is Colin's letter to the Queen:

"Dear Your Majesty the Queen,

I need to speak to you urgently about my brother Luke. He's got cancer and the doctors in Australia are being really slack. If I could borrow your top doctor for a few days I know he/she would fix things in no time. Of course Mum and Dad would pay his/her fares even if it meant selling the car or getting a loan. Please contact me at the above address urgently.

Yours sincerely,

Colin Mudford."

Listen to chapter 1 by clicking the link below:

http://www.morrisgleitzman.com/books/fst_2wks_audio.html