Junior Books

I've loved reading since I was very young and still have a soft spot for junior books. Working in a High School Library allows me the perfect excuse (as if I need one!) to read these books.

When I say 'junior books' I'm talking about those aimed at 10-15 year olds, bit old for those little basic readers but not quite at that Young Adult (YA) levels. They are fun, friendly and for good readers, a quick read. They are a great way to get back into the swing of reading if you have had a bit of a dry spell.

This week we had the lovely pleasure of getting the first new books for the year in our Library (its so nice to get new books, even better when they don't actually have to pay for them out of your own pocket!) Among them we some great deals we got from BigW and also Scholastic Books (great sale - got some picture story books for $1!!!)

This meant I finally got to read the latest instalment in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series - Book 8 "Hard Luck". If you have been hiding under and adult size rock and haven't seen these books, or even the movies these are a great fun series which mixes words and pictures in an almost graphic novel style. These books are really great for those reluctant readers because they are fun and about things school kids deal with - friendship, weird family, 'rules' of school. We have multiple copies of each book at school and they are always borrowed out - usually with a waiting list. While they are immensely popular with the boys even the girls like these books and have been published in 41 languages! If you are ever stuck for a gift idea for boys these are definitely a good idea (if they don't already have them) - another popular series in a similar style are the Capitan Underpants series.

The other book I read today was a fun light-hearted collection by Michael Morpurgo called Mudpuddle Farm: Six Animal Stories. Michael, a former school teacher is known for his many children books such as War Horse, one of five which have been made into movies. Along with his wife they also have 3 farms in London which are open for city children to come for a work stay. These six stories centre about life on Mudpuddle farm with animals who can talk to each other and Farmer Rafferty. These short stories are complemented with cute illustrations along with crazy, expressive print (think round in circles) which make for a fun read. This is a perfect book for parents to read along with their younger stories, and then for them to read on their own when they are older. This book is split into 6 short stories - perfect to stretch it out for a week of bedtime stories (even if I did read it all in under an hour!)

What was the last Junior or YA book you read? Its nearly school holidays - why not check out your local library to see what they have planned!

Happy reading

Something Different

I can't remember where I heard about this book first - I think it may have been from Oprah's Book Club Email. I tried to get a copy through my local library and the lovely staff there were able to find it through Inter-library loans (thanks Geelong Regional Library http://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/!)

This Is Not The Story You Think It Is: A Season of Unlikely Happiness by Laura Munson


This is an interesting book. Its not a novel but a diary like account of a tumultuously few months in the life of New York Times columnist Laura Munson when her husband of 20 years told her he might not love her anymore and wants to leave.

Laura tries to face this upheaval in a grown up and mature manner, using various methods she has learnt to try and help her husband find his way through this crisis. Her realistic and honest writing is a refreshing change and her description of her life in Montana made me want to visit.

With some level headed honest advice this book is easy to read and will help many see how the best way to happiness is taking control for yourself.

Details about Laura can be found on her website  http://www.lauramunson.com/ or blog http://blog.lauramunson.com/