‘Kill the Possum’ is like ‘Our Little Secret’ in some ways. It lets you into a world where young people are trapped in secrecy and powerlessness. It is a very thought provoking book and filled me with anguish in parts. I could feel the pain and desperation in the young teenage males who had no where to go […]

Popularity: 6% [?]

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‘Our Little Secret’ is very popular with the girls at school. Now that I have completed it, I can see why.  It’s set in a small community and unpretentiously reveals some of the hardships teen girls grapple with. The position the young, innocent heroine finds herself in is described with a clear youthful voice. It was very believable and I’m […]

Popularity: 6% [?]

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I loathe reality TV. It has always fascinated me that anyone can believe it’s not constructed. This novel ‘Loathing Lola’ was a fun read about a teenager who is ‘selected’ for a reality TV show. There is nothing very surprising to me in it about the way she is treated and the experiences she has […]

Popularity: 5% [?]

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Yes, I’ve finally finished the ‘Twilight’ series. If it weren’t for the enthusiasm of the young people I surround myself with, I don’t think I would have got to that happily ever after ending, it was. I really didn’t see how it was all going to turn out. I’m not going to spoil it and […]

Popularity: 8% [?]

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One great thing about being without the Internet was that I got to read more. I am nearly finished the ‘Twilight’ series.
‘Eclipse’ like the previous two books was very long and in parts seemed to drag for me. I know many of the young people I teach think these books are just wonderful, but I […]

Popularity: 8% [?]

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Today I’ve achieved nothing. It feels like the first normal day for a month! I had a few things to do, but the Post Office was closed and then I gave up on the list. I’ve watched a few DVDs and just felt lazy and ‘can’t be bothered’. I haven’t even unpacked from my trip to the […]

Popularity: 6% [?]

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I read this book before school ended because a student insisted I would love it. I am not sure if I was just too busy but I really didn’t get into until the last few chapters. There was not a lot of action I felt. I was unaware of all the hype and that there […]

Popularity: 6% [?]

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I got my copy of Surprise! last week. I really enjoyed it (being a big kid at heart). It is a refreshing and beautiful story, that embraces the ‘random acts of kindness’ and connectedness themes. It’s perfect for this season of Christmas.
My daughter, who is studying to be a Primary school teacher also really enjoyed […]

Popularity: 10% [?]

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I read ‘Emil and Karl’ in a day. I forgot to bring a book to one of my reading classes in the library and picked it up and couldn’t put it down… all day! When I checked it out the librarian said she’d found it captivating also and had read it in a day. In […]

Popularity: 6% [?]

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The last book I am aware of in Scot Westerfeld’s Uglies series is Extras. A new central character is introduced and Tally arrives part way through the novel to save the day. The world has changed and no longer are standards of beauty imposed and brains numbed to accept it. The currency for this new […]

Popularity: 7% [?]

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