The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse

This book is based on the famous French film called   Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon) which was made in 1956. It is about an only child who finds a helium-filled balloon. He can't ride the bus because of it so he walks to school. There the care taker looks after it whilst he does his day's lessons.  He is late home on account of the balloon and not being able to catch the bus, so his angry mother releases the balloon. The story continues on as Pascal attempts to recapture his bright, red treasure. Trouble strikes first at school and then again when he runs into a gang of boys. The book is filled with photos taken from the film. The setting is the Menilmontant neighbourhood in Paris. Below is the first part of the film.                   

The Night Mare by Robert Westall

This now out of print book is set in the 1930's in Tyneside, North England, where author Robert Westall grew up, and is about a gang of boys who get up to all types of mischief. They have a vendetta against a vicious old hag called Miss Crimond who lives in their street who is constantly checking on those families who rent her houses and threatening them with eviction. Some of the boys' plots backfire miserably but they have the occasional victory. Billy's family used to be wealthy but now they live in this street and face the same economical woes as their neighbours. It doesn't help that Billy's father has a drinking problem and often squanders what little money they have. Throw in a broken-down old mare who pulls the dunny can collectors' cart, who wins Billy's heart, and you have the making of a very enjoyable read.

A Little Drop of Wayne by David McRobbie

This is the fourth book in the Wayne series for adolescent readers. This story relates the youthful adventures of Wayne who tries to form a gang that doesn't really come together. He confronts bullies and learns that life can be hard and hazardous. The book is made up of ten stories and these are overflowing with embarrassing moments when Wayne wishes that the ground would just open up and swallow him. It is part of a television series. I have never heard iof this series so would appreciate hearing from someone who has.

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

What if a plane carrying a full load of school boys crashes on a deserted island with no adult survivors? What would happen to those boys? What would you expect to happen? These are the questions William Golding explores in this modern classic and the answers are not what maybe you would expect. There are many memorable characters, most notably Ralph, Jack and Piggy. The pig head scene and the last 50 pages are fascinating and intense. Democracy versus the darkside of human nature makes for a tense and often frightening story. This book is more for the high school student but could be appreciated by mature readers at the upper primary level. This book has been made into a film. To see the trailer click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw5VqjtZkys

The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke

I liked the book more the film only because I feel the characters are not really developed enough in the movie.

The book was originally written in German but was translated into English in 2002. If you like Harry Potter books then you will most likely appreciate the novels by Funke. Running away to Venice seemed like a good idea to Bo and Prosper after their mother's death given that she loved the city so much. Following a difficult journey, they find a place with other homeless children who live in an abandoned theatre. Their leader is the charming, slightly mysterious Scipio, known as the Thief Lord. Like Robin Hood, Scipio robs the rich to provide his poor friends with food and the necessities of life. Scipio usually takes jewels, but he's hired to steal a most unusual item for a pawnbroker's wealthy client, a broken wooden wing. The wing as it turns out is part of a magical carousel that has the power to change children into adults, and adults into children. During this adventure, secrets about the characters and their fantastic world are revealed. I have the DVD if anyone in Bay Unit wants to watch it after reading the novel. Here is preview of the film, the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKNgQ75FlzY&feature=related