Reading Matters

If you enjoy Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, or the long running TV series Midsomer Murders, then M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series could be for you!

Newly retired from the PR scene Agatha Raisin has relocated to a small village in the Cotswolds. Unable to cook, and finding herself a little lonely Agatha decides to  ”shock horror” enter a purchased quiche in a local baking competition. This “dreadful” act leads to a range of social and emotional interactions with some really, suitable for the story, busybody behaviours intermingled! If small village life is anything like Beaton describes then any newcomers, like Agatha, are in for a big surprise.  Will Agatha survive the small village scene, and, did her quiche kill Mr Cummings Browne? Read and find out for yourself. I’m getting straight to reading another one, not in order, but nevermind- “Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener”. I wonder what has happened to the gardener?

The cross-curricular journal assignment about heroes and villains brings out the best and worst in Philip Dugan’s class. Keeping a journal and writing about their chosen person becomes a tale about true heroes and those purporting to be. Philip becomes a hero in the eyes of many whilst Macca, who appears to have the world at his feet, bullies his way through school.  This story by Fensham demonstrates that standing up for what is right can be difficult, painful and exhilarating, just as has been demonstrated throughout history. Read and see how Mr Quayle’s bullying tactics come back to haunt him bringing presentation day to its knees. Fensham’s novel creates many questions and encourages all of us to contemplate our responses to various settings. It is a great read for so many reasons.

This is a heart breaking story of brotherly love and broken trust. Dan decides to leave home in search of his mother. Eddie, his younger brother, follows him and together they encounter hardships and kindness on their journey. Dan feels a significant responsibility for his younger brother and it is only later in the story that we learn why. Set during World War One in rural Australia the countryside is harsh. Against all odds the brothers join in with a group of men marching to sign up for the War. To find out what happens to Eddie and Dan then read “When We Were Two.” It is a very emotional story so be prepared for some laughs and sadness on the journey.

Two unlikely characters form the basis of this story. Mikey and Ellie are the siblings of two young people who are involved as opposing parties in a court case. After a late night of partying Karen, Mikey’s sister, accuses Ellie’s brother Tom of sexual assault. Downham follows, for the most part, Mikey’s desire to seek retribution with the complicating factor of him falling for Ellie. She provides an excellent insight into the devastating impact of the assault for Karen, and her family. Likewise she highlights the impact for Ellie and her family. In stories such as this there are clearly no winners. Nevertheless Downham offers a glimpse into the ways individuals and families respond to threat and trauma. She also provides us with some insights as to how it could have been very different had individuals taken responsibility for their own actions, and, heeded early warnings. Is Ellie implicated in the events of that night, and can she make a difference in the unfolding legal proceedings? Can she make a difference to the final outcome? Read and see.

Having survived a brutal couple of years living rough (after the Last Days) Ben seeks out a more peaceful existence. Hopeful that he might find remnants of his former life he heads towards Sydney. After a close encounter with a gang of survivors Ben finds himself in the confines of Taronga, the famous Sydney Zoo. Will he settle in and become part of the community there and find peace, or will he be drawn into another battle for survival? If you enjoyed Marsden’s ‘Tomorrow’ series then give Taronga a go. You won’t be able to put it down!

Wilkinson has written a fabulous story about Bee, a young girl heading into Year 12, who is working at the Natural History Museum over the summer holidays. Her supervisor is found dead so Bee and Toby, another student working at the Museum, take on an investigation worthy of all the great mystery investigators. Bee loves mysteries and her fond memories of reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden stories, and later Agatha Christie amongst others, come to the fore during the investigation. Will they solve the mystery of the body in the rotunda? Read it and see! Along the way learn about taxidermy and amazing facts about a wide range of insects and animals.

Stories about animals often evoke a range of emotions and Red Dog’s story is no different. Although de Bernierẽs explains that he has created the characters in the story apart from one, he has written about actual events that took place for Red Dog. Red Dog is an amazing character; faithful to some, and loved by many. In the story he becomes a regular roving feature of various communities throughout Western Australia. Truck drivers, office workers and even vets amongst others come to know and respect Red Dog and his mysterious ways. Of course there are those who have a different opinion about him too. If you enjoy a good yarn about animals then give this a whirl.

Jem and Scout Finch live with their father, Atticus, in the Deep South of America. They are inquisitive, curious children and seek to find out all they can about their neighbourhood, neighbours who are rarely seen, and secrets of the past. Through their eyes Lee provides us with a really great snapshot of the 1930s including the prejudices and unfairness that pervaded many aspects of society at that time. Jem and Scout’s father is a lawyer and whilst representing a man charged with rape the small town in which they live becomes divided. The children support their father as best they can through what is a difficult time for him, his client, and also for their community. Lee has really captured for us a tone of innocence and complexity, within the story. Justice, racism, inequality and poverty are some of the inherent themes. Once you start reading you can’t put it down. What happens to the key characters in this unforgettable story? Read and see!

Cricket is a central theme in this thought provoking look back at a summer of moods and untold dissatisfaction. Michael loves bowling, the knocks on the fence that almost drive his mother insane are testament to that. But there is more to this sleepy hollow community, hopes are postponed and first love dwindles away. When he is asked to raise funds for his new team Michael learns even more about the community in which he lives, and the end result is devastating in more ways than one. Will Michael ever find the joy of the perfect bowl, when all of the elements of timing and effortless movement bond, or is this too lost to him? Does his family really know him, do they connect in the way we think is caring and loving, or is Michael pushing them away in order to move into adulthood? This gentle and reflective story, with little technological influence on a later teens life, demonstrates many changes over the last half a century.

Imagine being able to communicate with your pets so that they can understand you, and vice versa. Well Charlie is able to speak cat. Not just with ‘kitty’ cats, but the big cats too. Charlie’s parents disappear, and his neighbour kidnaps him, a fairly eventful beginning you might say, but with clear thinking Charlie manages to escape. Using his cat speaking skills Charlie establishes that his parents are being taken out of the country. Eventually Charlie stows away on a magnificent circus ship and travels to Paris. Corder’s descriptions of the circus characters, and creatures, and the fantastical bigtop on the ship are fabulous. Set in a futuristic world where fossil fuels are rare we can see that the mix of old and new technologies seem to blend in an interesting way. Sailing ships and mobile phone usage are some of the elements that come to mind. The reason Charlie’s parents have been kidnapped comes to light and it is with some disappointment that we have to leave Charlie still seeking them out. Nevertheless it is a great story, with creative descriptions and lots of planning between Charlie and the big cats of the circus. Why not borrow the book and join Charlie on his adventure!