Writing Workshop with Sofie Laguna

On Tuesday 12^th May 20 budding young writers were treated to some wonderful insights on writing by author Sofie Laguna.  Sofie has written books for a wide range of ages from picture books, through Our Australian girl and Do you dare series to adult fiction.  Her most recent adult novel, The eye of the sheep, was nominated for the Stella book prize and has been shortlisted for the Miles Franklin award.

Sofie probably surprised a lot of the audience by saying, that for her, it is always the character that comes first, not the plot. She began by getting the group to brainstorm a character of their making to demonstrate how writing can flow from a character not just from the plot.  This lead to lots of participation and Sofie was excellent at drawing responses from all the participants, even the reluctant ones.  Everyone participated with enthusiasm and remained focused for the hour and a half session.

Once they started writing the participants came up with some wonderful characters and interesting dialogue.  Probably the comment that best summed up the evening was “ It’s the first time I actually felt my character.”

Rita @ Hawthorn

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'A boy called hope' by Lara Williamson

Once in a while a book comes along which makes you laugh out loud and touches your heart at the same time. This is one of those books. Dan Hope has a wish list of things he'd like to happen in his life, at the top of that list is wanting his dad to love him. Dan's dad walked out 4 years ago and Dan hasn't seen him since. When his father appears on the television as a TV presenter Dan begins plotting to get his father's attention and love. But it seems the harder he tries the more things go wrong. Can Dan's hopes come true?

Rita @ Hawthorn

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What's new for 2015!

One of our wonderful Children's and Youth Librarians, Rita, recently attended a talk about what's coming out in 2015. Here are her recommendations...

·         Patrick Ness – The rest of us just live here – New one by the author of the Chaos Walking series.

·         Michael Hyde – Footy Dreaming – Will appeal to AFL fans.  Michael has been one of our guest authors in the library.

·         Jandy Nelson – I’ll give you the sun – this was given rave reviews – by the author of The sky is everywhere.

·         Sue Lawson – Freedom ride – set in 1965, covering Australia’s own freedom ride and racial tensions in this period – sounded a great read.

·         Carole Wilkinson – Atmospheric – non-fiction dealing with climate change also sounded good.

·         Leah Thomas - Because you’ll never meet me – Letters between 2 boys with life threatening diseases.

·         Maureen McCarthy – Stay with me – Byron bay setting inspired by her paternal grandmother – this author always writes great family stories.

·         Shaun Tan – Singing bones – Grimm’s fairy tales with skull illustrations – sounds weird but looked amazing.

·         Jaclyn Moriarty – A tangle of gold – the last book in her 'Colours of Madeleine' series

·         Fiona Wood – Cloudwish – another one with the same characters as Wildlife and Six impossible things - bound to be fantastic

·         Rebecca Stead – Goodbye stranger – this author always writes great books

·         Jennifer Niven - All the bright places – in the mould of Fault in our stars

·         John Larkin – The pause – a novel about suicide

·         Martine Murray – Molly and Pin and the million stars – probably for the 10+ audience

And there was much more...

Happy reading in 2015!

Rita @ Hawthorn Library.

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Author Sonya Hartnett

I am a bit clueless how I have missed out on Sonya Hartnett. It’s well worth pushing through any apprehension you may have for her bleak themes. Its powerful exhilarating stuff!

I have a feeling I will be up all night again with the next one on my list …

Great writing!

Mehera @ Kew.


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The fate in the box - by Michelle Lovric

Ever since the evil Fogfinger has used his automata to rule and control Venice life has been difficult for anyone who has opposed him.  Now his grip is getting tighter and Amneris, Tockle and Biri join forces to find a way to outwit and defeat Fogfinger. Their daring plan will see them helped by mermaids, talking statues and winged cats as they embark on a roller coaster adventure.

Rita @ Hawthorn

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The book of lies - by James Moloney

Imagine waking up in an orphanage with no memory of who or what you were because your memory has been erased by a powerful spell placed on you by Lord Alwyn.  But the spell has not been complete, because Robert can remember that his name really is Marcel.

Here begins his quest to escape from the orphanage and find his true parents. He is aided in his adventure by Nicola and Fergus, as they  learn more about all the lies that surround them, and how it is impossible to trick the Book of Lies, it will know if you speak the truth, or not. As their bond of friendship grows stronger and stronger they are tested to the limits.

Lisa @ Ashburton.

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Navigating Early - by Clare Vanderpool

After the death of his mother, Jack Baker is sent to a boy's boarding school in Maine.

Here, lonely and grieving, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with Early Auden, an unusual boy with a passion for bears, boats and the story of Pi. Early and Jack set out on the Appalachian trail on a bear hunt which change both their lives. 

Rita @ Hawthorn Library.

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Texting the Underworld by Ellen Booraem

The night a banshee called Ashling appears at Connor O'Neill's house, he knows that someone from his family is about to die. To prevent this Connor must conquer some of his greatest fears, spiders and heights, and travel with Ashling to the underworld. Is it possible to text from the underworld? Connor is about to find out on this very funny, death-defying trip.

Rita @ Hawthorn Library.

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Frost Hollow Hall by Emma Carroll

While skating on a frozen lake Tilly Higgins falls through the ice and is rescued by the ghost of Kit Barrington, who drowned in the lake ten years ago.  But Kit is a troubled ghost who needs Tilly’s help to reveal dark secrets lurking at Frost Hollow Hall.

Can Tilly heal the past and put the ghosts to rest?

Rita @ Hawthorn Library

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The year my life broke by John Marsden

Josh’s world has turned upside down. His parents, having lost all their money, have moved to Tarrawagga, the most boring place on earth.

Lonely and grumpy, Josh finds it hard to adjust to his new life and school.  The interschool cricket match finally gives him  a chance to show off his cricketing talent and gain some respect at the same time.

Rita @ Hawthorn Library.


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Jinx: the wizard's apprentice (Jinx #1) by Sage Blackwood

Abandoned by his stepfather in the woods of Urwald, Jinx is rescued by the wizard Simon. As he works for Simon, Jinx begins to understand the power of magic and to realise that he has unusual magical abilities. When Simon uses a spell to steal Jinx's magic, Jinx begins to distrust Simon – a fear that will lead him into dangerous adventures as he seeks to reverse Simon's spell.

By Rita at Hawthorn Library

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• Go to the catalogue and reserve it.
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The Vengekeep Prophecies by Brian Farrey

Born into a family of thieves, Jaxter's clumsiness makes being a thief difficult. While robbing the Castellan's house, he accidently sets fire to it, which lands his family in jail. Just when it seems things couldn't get worse, the year's prophecy for Vengekeep shows terrible calamities which only Jaxter's family can prevent from happening. Can Jaxter overcome his clumsiness and save everyone?

Rita @ Hawthorn Library

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The road to Gundagai (Matilda Saga #3) by Jackie French

After her family is killed in a boat accident, and a house fire cripples her legs, Blue Laurence goes to live with her elderly aunts.  Here she realises that someone is trying to poison her.  She escapes and joins the Magnifico Family Circus where she is disguised as a mermaid.  But Blue isn’t the only one trying to avoid detection, and it seems that there are many secrets being kept by the circus. This is the next exciting instalment in the Matilda saga.

Rita @ Hawthorn Library

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Today is Roald Dahl Day!

Roald Dahl! What an amazing author!

My bet is there aren't many of us who haven't read at least one of his amazing children's books, let alone his compelling stories for adults. If you haven't read any of his work, find something right this minute and get reading!

Roald Dahl was born in Wales on 13th September, 1916 into a large family of half- and step- brothers and sisters and was raised mostly by his mother after his father died when he was 3. He had a truly interesting life, including boarding at various schools, summers in Norway, adventure in the Air Force and having a large family of his own. Sadly his life was often touched by tragedy, including the death of his father and sister when he was 3, the death of his own daughter at age 7 and various serious medical emergencies with his wife and children. He published two autobiographies, Boy about his childhood, and Going Solo about his life after leaving school. Despite the challenges he faced, he never forgot what it was to be a child; the joys, horrors, hardships and pleasures, and his own experiences often influenced his writing. Roald Dahl died of a rare blood disorder when he was 74. 

Often dark and subversive, but always funny and ultimately uplifting, there is a reason why Roald Dahl remains one of the worlds most popular and enduring children's authors of all time. He is simply marvellous! 

What now?

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What the Raven saw by Samantha-Ellen Bound

Take one self-important raven, a girl whose brother has just died, a pastor and a thief and mix them together and you get a quirky, funny tale. This is the raven’s story told from his bird’s eye point of view. A tale of how a ghost and a scarecrow change the raven’s views on helping others which leads him to scale great heights – musically.


Rita @ Hawthorn Library

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Fire spell: or slendours and glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz

Clara Wintermute is a lonely child who for her twelfth birthday requests a puppet show.  When the show is over Clara mysteriously vanishes without a trace.  Suspicion falls on the puppet master and his two assistants, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall.  Lizzie Rose and Parsefall are determined to find Clara and clear their names. As they begin to unravel the truth, they find they are caught up in a struggle between the evil puppet master and a powerful witch.

Rita @ Hawthorn Library.

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The spindlers by Lauren Oliver

When Liza's brother, Patrick, changes overnight, Liza knows his soul has been stolen by the spindlers.  Liza is determined to rescue his soul.  To do this she must travel to the world below.  Here she will encounter many strange and wonderful creatures and must try to outwit the deadly queen of the spindlers before time runs out for Patrick.

Rita @ Hawthorn Library.

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ReviewbyU: Cookie by Jacqueline Wilson

Reviewer: Ezri
Rating: 4 stars

I loved reading Cookie because it really made me think how lucky I was. Wilson did an exceptional job at describing the nature of all the characters and how she felt in the world.

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CBCA Awards 2013

The short list of this year's nominated books have been announced for the Children's Book Council of Australia Awards, 2013!!

How does it work, I hear you ask? All the authors must be Australian, and are nominated by their publishers. Then, the judges assess the nominations and select a short list of finalists. There are categories for Older Readers, Younger Readers, Early Childhood, Picture Books and Information Books. Winners are announced at 12pm sharp on the third Friday in August (that's 16th August this year).

And the nominees are:

Older Readers:

Neil Grant, The Ink Bridge

Margo Lanagan, Sea Hearts
Doug McLeod, Shiny Guys
Dianne Touchell, Creepy and Maud
Vikki Wakefield, Friday Brown
Suzy Zail, The Wrong Boy

Younger Readers:
Jackie French, Pennies for Hitler
Simon French, Other Brother
Morris Gleitzman, After

Sonya Hartnett, Children of the King

Steven Herrick, Pookie Aleera is not my Boyfriend
Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King, The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk

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ReviewbyU: The chamber of secrets by J.K.Rowling

Reviewer: Ezri
Rating: 4 stars

The Chamber of Secrets was a fantastic book, with action, humour and best of all... Wizardry! Fans of Harry Potter, I reccomend this book.

What now?

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