Dead Average by Moya Simons

This book is written by Australian author Moya Simons who likes to write about family situations. (I was pleased to find out that we both have something in common; we don't like people who whinge.) It is an easy read for the 9-12 age range and has no pretentions whatsoever. It is a simple plot about twelve year old Danny Thompson, the average boy next door, who lands himself a role in a television commercial for an "essential pharmaceutical product." He thinks he is about to make a fortune, something like between five hundred and a thousand dollars for one day's work... but... of course there wouldn't be a story if things pan out as he he expects. This book is a sequel to Dead Meat which I actually haven't read but it reads well as a stand alone novel. Danny's dad owns a delicatessen just down the road and his mum helps out there when she can. His baby sister whom he calls Bub Tub keeps everyone fairly busy, especially her infatuation with keeping dead cockroaches as pets. You have to love the Australianisms in this novel: "My face is hotter than Bondi Beach.""I'm just an average kind of bloke." Each chapter basically encapsulates a witty story about the family.

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.

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper

This novel comes next after Over Sea, Under Stone, which is also in the Little Library of Rescued Books. This series will get you in once you start reading it...and there is the film which can watch. I have The Seeker: the Dark is Rising DVD for any student who wishes to watch it. You can have a sneak preview by watching the trailer below. In this book the main character is eleven year old Will who is the seventh son of the seventh son, and he learns that he is an Old One whose destiny is to struggle for The Light(the good) against The Dark(evil). It contains elements of realistic fiction as well as fantasy. If you liked Harry Potter series, or books by the author C.S. Lewis, then I imagine you will enjoy this series too.

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.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindren

This book is a classic and is popular across the world. Eight-year-old Pippi Longstocking (Pippi Långstrump) is somewhat eccentric, knows her rights and has superhuman strength. For example, she can lift a horse without any trouble, and that's only with one hand! She isn’t always respectful of her elders and frequently mocks them, especially those adults who are condescending, unkind or just plain stupid. You know when she’s angry as she turns white around the nose. She never wants to grow up, in many ways she is like Peter Pan. This book has been made into many a movie and television series. You may wonder why the lip-synchronization is so bad in the clip below, it’s because it has been dubbed in English. As always, the original language, Swedish, is the best. There are three full length Pippi Longstocking books.

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 Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Brand New to the Little Library of Rescued Books is this brand new books which is one of my all time favourites. It is one of the easier classics to read and has been made into a beautiful film. Below you can take a sneak preview. I am thinking of bringing in my Video player so students can individually watch some of the videos I have kept; this could be a new experience! Originally this book was published as a serial format and it was published in its entirety in 1910. The central character, Mary Lennox is a snotty-nosed, middle class brat who you could almost classify as narcissistic. She has recently been orphaned and has been given a home by her uncle in a remote and quiet country house. Her uncle, Mr Craven, doesn't seem to have visitors, in fact, he has almost completely cut himself off from people since his wife died. Mary is intrigued by the garden and finds a hidden side to the house when she hears a crying child. She discovers an overgrown garden which is walled off from the rest and her curiosity gets the better of her and soon she urgently seeks the key to unlock the secrets of the garden.