'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Sunday 3 October 2010

Fabulous New Books for Girls Aged 8 - 12


This hot line-up of new release books for girls covers the gamut of topics from dogs to a brand new fantasy series. They are loosely targeted at girls aged 8 to 12, but can suit older or younger readers, too, depending on reading proficiency. Oh - and boys and adults will find absolute gems here, too.

Title: Noah Barleywater Runs Away

Author: John Boyne

Publisher: David Fickling, A$27.95RRP

Publication Date: October 2010

Format: Hard cover with dustjacket

ISBN: 9780385618953

For ages: 8-12

About: Noah Barleywater left home in the early morning, before the sun rose, before the dogs woke, before the dew stopped falling on the fields.

Eight-year-old Noah’s problems seem easier to deal with if he doesn't think about them. So he runs away, taking an untrodden path through the forest.

Before long he come across a shop. But this is no ordinary shop. It is a toyshop, full of the most amazing toys, and brimming with the most wonderful magic. And here Noah meets a very unusual toymaker.

The toymaker has a story to tell, and it’s a story of adventure and wonder and broken promises. He takes Noah on a journey. A journey that will change his life. And it could change yours, too.
 
This book is available online
 
Title: Cherry Crush


Publisher: Puffin, A$14.95RRP

Publication Date: August 2010

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780141335094

For ages: 8-12

About: Cherry Costello's life is about to change forever. She and Dad are moving to Somerset where a new mum and a bunch of brand-new sisters await.

And on Cherry's first day there she meets Shay Fletcher; with suntanned skin and sea-green eyes he's the kind of boy who should carry a government health warning.

But Shay already has a girlfriend, Cherry's new stepsister, Honey. Cherry knows her friendship with Shay is dangerous – it could destroy everything. But that doesn't mean she's going to stay away from him...


Title: EJ12 Girl Hero: Making Waves


Publisher: Scholastic, A$12.99RRP

Publication Date: September 2010

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781921684166

For ages: 7-11

About: Special Agent EJ12 could be in over her head but she must stop SHADOW before it is too late. That's the easy part. As EJ12, Emma Jacks can do anything. So why is she so nervous about the school swimming carnival?
 


Title: The Keepers: Museum of Thieves

Author: Lian Tanner

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, A$22.99RRP

b October 2010

Format: Hard cover

ISBN: 9781742371573

For ages: 9-13

About: 'You're in the Museum now - and ANYTHING can happen!' Goldie Roth lives in the city of Jewel, where impatience is a sin and boldness is a crime.

But Goldie is both bold and impatient. She runs away to the mysterious Museum of Dunt, where she meets a boy named Toadspit and discovers dangerous secrets. A monstrous brizzlehound stalks the museum's corridors, and only a thief can find the way through its strange, shifting rooms.

Goldie and Toadspit have a talent for thieving. Which is just as well, because the treacherous Fugleman has his own plans for the museum, plans that threaten the lives of everyone Goldie loves. And it will take a very bold thief to stop him.

A thrilling tale of action and adventure.
 

Title: Just a Dog

Author: Michael Gerard Bauer

Publisher: Scholastic, A$14.99RRP

Publication Date: September 2010

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9781862918870

For ages: 8-12

About: Mr Mosely isn't a pedigree dog, but he is just the dog Corey and his family want: hes is loyal, protective and loving. And he is much more than that.

He might well be the one thing that holds them all together.
 

Title: Always Jack


Publisher: HarperCollins, A$14.99RRP

Publication Date: October 2010

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780732290207

For ages: 7-11

About: Jack′s life is pretty good - he has brilliant friends, everyone loves his funny jokes and he′s a great inventor. But things are getting complicated. Nanna′s older and wobblier, and why does his face now go red when he sees his best friend Anna? And to top it off Mum and Rob′s wedding seems to be taking over the world.

Something really scary has also happened to his mum and it′s going to take all of Jack′s courage to deal with it.

From the author of the bestselling I am Jack comes an insightful and inspiring book about the effect of cancer on families.
 

Title: The Great Big Enormous Book of Tashi

Author: Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg, Kim Gamble

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, A$29.99RRP

Publication Date: October 2010, 32-book volume

Format: Paperback

ISBN: 9780732290207

For ages: 6-10

About: Tashi's too cunning for the war lord and the wicked baron, and far too clever for giants, ghosts and demons. And Tashi tells the best stories ever! When he comes face to face with sneaky strangers, ancient warriors, fearless kidnappers or even a haunted house...... Tashi always knows what to do: stay calm, think hard and move fast!

Tashi comes from a place very far away. He escaped from a war lord and flew to this country on the back of a swan. He's as brave as he's clever, and he tells the best stories ever! Giants, ghosts, witches... Bandits, demons, monsters... Tashi is always ready for anything.

Now all his stories are rolled into one enormous book. That's thirty-two daredevil adventures!