He collects feathers because his Mum told him they keep bad dreams away, and he believes he will dream of her if he can catch them.
The boy chases the feathers as they float from above.
Sometimes they are just out of reach. Other times, a feather will land close by.
One day when a brown feather is caught, the boy calls it his wish feather and places it under his pillow. He waits for dreams of his Mum, and feels her with him, always.
The feathers in the story are symbolic, and used as a reminder for the boy of the mother whose no longer with him.
Inconceivable! Somehow, I had not yet read this and that is
just weird for several reasons: it’s a Jackie French historical fiction, it’s
about William Shakespeare and it’s Jackie French *grin*. So of course, it went
onto my holiday reading list which is not always about new releases. I absolutely loved it to bits. Part history,
part humour, part conjecture on Shakespeare’s life and times this is one that
would appeal not only to your lovers of historical fiction, Jackie’s other
Shakespearean-themed novels but as a ‘read around your topic’ for students with
the Bard on their reading list.
The great writer has retired very comfortably, with wealth and social status, to his home in Stratford where the humdrum of domesticity and a life far removed from London and his acclaim often plagues him.
To alleviate the tedium William takes up his pen again to write a diary for his own pleasure.
This hilarious graphic novel turned diary follows 12
year old Henry Khoo as he is about to embark on the greatest adventure of all.
Feeling smothered by both his mother and sister who
still treat him like a baby – Henry sets out to prove them wrong.
When his annual trip to visit his father in
Singapore is cancelled, Henry decides he is still going regardless. Besides
it’s not like anyone will actually miss him?
Henry’s so called best friend has found new friends,
leaving him alone. His sister is totally distracted and his mother only notices
when things are not done properly around the house.
Starting an anonymous blog called ‘Fly on the
Wall’, Henry publishes his tales of woes for the world to see – but will
they really see him and stop his audacious plan?
At the end of World War I there were huge
celebrations as families reunited. But the returning soldiers brought another
surprise home with them; the Spanish Flu. Just like war, this disease changed
the world when it evolved into a pandemic.
History
is repeating itself, with the modern world currently experiencing a pandemic.
Beautifully crafted, this picture book by renowned Australian author Jackie
French and Australian illustrator Bruce Whatley takes us on a journey through
hardship, loss and generosity of spirit.
1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
These days my computer is my most valuable tool, but the first time I used a computer, I was so scared that I cried. My teacher had told us that a monster in the ceiling would chomp our legs off if we were naughty, and I was terrified that it would chomp me for pressing the wrong button.
2. What is your nickname?
Mim, because my sister couldn’t say ‘Amelia’ when she was little.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Being forced to play sport on TV, or a weird picture of me becoming a meme.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Colourful worlds, quirky people, emotional rollercoasters, might give you nightmares.
Lots of kids love diggers! They are fascinated by their size, ability, and that their movement is close to robotic. Operated by a girl driver, the giant yellow digger scoops up mud. She sits in a high seat that allows her a clear and safe view of everything around her.
Younger readers who love the Worst Witch series
(whether books or TV) will fall in love with Little Gem, a little witch who
lacks confidence and, actually, skills.
When her spell cast at the Witchcraft School goes horribly wrong, Gem finds herself in a completely unknown setting – a small seaside village where the inhabitants all immediately welcome her as the new village witch.
There is great excitement as the village has been lacking their own witch for many years, but Gem is more concerned with getting back to her own time and place – and her cat.
Besides this, she knows she is not very
skillful with even the simplest of spells!
Having a new baby in the family is an exciting event, a cause for celebration.But what happens when the new baby arrives early? What if you can't visit the baby?
Come Home Ella is the story of just that situation, when an older sibling discovers their baby sister couldn't wait to see the world, but isn't quite big and strong enough to come home yet.
We share the experience with the older sibling, who is never named.
There are lots of things they want to share with their new baby sister. Things like hugs (which is why there's a hug chart to record all the hugs that Ella will get when she comes home).
Looking
for the perfect story to escape from everyday life? Then Damien Love’s debut
novel is a spellbinding, roller coaster of a ride . . .
Alex
is your normal, everyday 12 year old; whose world is filled with friends,
bullies demanding money and unrelenting homework. Nothing ever happens in his
world, that is until a package arrives from Prague.
His
grandfather has sent him an old tin robot along with a cryptic message that
‘this one is special’.
Alex
disregards the note, but then strange things start to happen. His English essay
finishes writing itself and then the school bully Kenzie Mitchell is put in his
place mid-sentence without lifting a finger. The only connection is the old tin
robot.
