Month: August 2016

Lily’s book review

Mrs Riding Book Reviews by You!

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Lily And The Fairy House by Jane Tanner

Lily and the fairy house is my favourite book. I love this book. I was given this book as a gift for getting citizenship in year 1. The book is about a girl named Lily. No not me, another girl named Lily. Lily knows that fairies live near the gum tree. She has made a fairy house with a rose petal bed and a gum leaf table and today she is putting on a fairy party there is yummy cake and honey tea. The fairies love the party and ask to play with Lily. They have a great time together. The fairies even make Lily a fairy crown made out of flowers to thank her for the party. But just as Lily puts on her crown the fairies vanish. Where did they go? Lily hears birds chirping loudly. Lily follows the sound and comes across the fairies crying. Lily we need your help. Lily sees a tiny egg has fallen from a nest. She carefully picks it up and puts it back in the nest. The birds chirp around Lily happy to have their egg back. The fairies thank Lily for all her help. Lily has had a wonderful day. I wonder what will happen tomorrow down by the old gum tree.

Australia! Story Country

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Australia! Story Country. What a fabulous theme!

“If you want to get to know a person listen to their stories, if you want to get to know a nation listen to its people’s stories.” – M. Howie

Australia has a rich history of storytelling which extends back thousands of years to our first Australian storytellers, the Aboriginal people whose oral storytelling tradition was vital for maintaining culture and identity, for passing on life lessons and the lessons of the land.  The first Europeans brought with them stories from their culture and history, which over time has been shaped and continues to evolve into what has become our national identity. Our stories reflect who we are.

The shortlisted books this year epitomise the theme perfectly. They tell the stories of ordinary Australians who are remembered for extraordinary reasons.  I was enthralled as I read about the real-life adventure of 9 year old Lennie Gwyther who rode his horse Ginger Mick from his hometown of Leongatha in Victoria to Sydney for the opening of the Harbour Bridge in 1932. I can’t imagine there would be too many parents these days who would give their blessings to their child’s wish for such an adventure.  Lennie the Legend: Solo to Sydney by Pony by Stephanie Owen Reeder was the worthy winner of this year’s Eve Pownall award. I also learned more of the service and sacrifice of men and women from vastly different cultures who served Australia in World War 1 in Ancestry: Stories of Multicultural Anzacs by Robyn Siers and Carlie Walker. Historian Clare Wright’s We are Rebels was also a fascinating read bringing to light the role of women on the goldfields and the part they played in the Eureka rebellion.  Peter Gouldthorpe’s The White Mouse: The story of Nancy Wake, provided another fascinating biography of this amazing woman and her involvement in the French resistance during the German invasion of France during World War 11.

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A brief look at previous winners highlights the very important role of books and libraries. Well researched and beautifully crafted books breathe life into our history, ensuring it is accessible and interesting and therefore less likely to be forgotten. Look for these titles on our library shelves.

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Write Now!

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I recently attended the presentation of awards for the Maitland City Library’s annual Write Now! competition. The event began with an opening address by the Mayor of Maitland, Councillor Peter Blackmore who spoke of the importance of libraries and their dedicated staff in fostering a love of books and literature in our students. He acknowledged the role that reading plays in becoming an accomplished author. To be a writer you must first be a reader. Renowned local author Barry Maitland also praised students for their efforts, commenting on the high standard of this year’s entries.

Eight students from across our region’s schools were recognised. Jasmine Parish from Tenambit public school received the highly commended award for Stage 2, while Emily Foreman, Bella Maystone, Madison McDonnell, Banjo Longworth and Hannah Elliott each received participation certificates. All entries are on display at East Maitland branch library.

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One of our students met author Barry Maitland and shared her ambition of one day becoming an author.

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Mr Manning’s magical…

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 Mr Manning’s magical book review

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter is a story about a young boy that grows up as an orphan. As time passed he realised he could make some odd things happen. As it turns out he is a wizard. Harry attends a school for witches and wizards called Hogwarts. Here he learns how to use and control magic, concoct and brew potions, look after magical creatures and even fly a broomstick. Along the way he makes some lifelong friends and enemies including the most evil and dark wizard in the world.

The book sucks you in with its way of making magic come to life. It has moments of danger, action, suspense, laughter and tears as the characters battle their way through their first year at Hogwarts and struggle to save the Philosophers Stone.

Inside the book there are ghosts, three headed dogs, dragons and giants for you to discover and learn about and that is not even mentioning wizards chess or invisibility cloaks.

I recommend this book to everyone to read as it is only the start of a 7 book long journey. The book can be found in the library for you all to borrow.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask a question at school or below in the comments 🙂

 

Austin’s book review

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Fire by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley

THIS BOOK IS ON FIRE LITERALLY! Fire is really well illustrated by Bruce Whatley. I give it a 5 star rating. I also like all the fancy words used in this book, the words really match the pictures.

Even though there were very few characters Fire was still really good. My opinion of this book is it’s GREAT, definitely read this book.

I recommend this book to everyone! There is always one book you like and this is mine but just maybe it could also be yours. I promise you that there is at least one bit of this book you will like.

All the books that Jackie French writes are all so good. I could just sit under a tree and READ, READ AND READ.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

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‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder‘ ~ Margaret Wolfe Hungerford

‘Beauty is only skin deep‘ ~ Sir Thomas Overbury

I’m sure you are familiar with these quotes. I read a great book last week called The Ravenous Gown and 14 more Tales about Real Beauty by Steffani Raff. It was a lot of fun, but it also had a very profound underlying message. It challenges the idea that you have to fit society’s idea of beauty in order to be loved and accepted. It’s about being yourself, and being happy in the skin you’re in. It’s in our library now just waiting to be taken home and enjoyed.

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