BOOK REVIEW: "I AND MANY OTHERS WILL BE RACING TO THE SHOPS TO PICK UP ANY FUTURE TITLES!"

Tommy Parker: Destiny Will Find You!
Anthony Ormond
9+

"Ormond trained initially as a lawyer, but his insight into the ways of children and their interactions is sharp, fresh and most assured. In this first novel, Tommy is given a pen from his grandfather, which seems nothing out of the ordinary until Tommy is told of the history of the pen, and of what it can do. From there on, Tommy and his friends are pulled into a series of adventures involving time travel, danger and a most unpleasant organisation. Ormond's observations and ability tell an exciting yarn are very convincing; this alone, aside from the subject matter and ideas exploited in the book, will be enough to have the reader turning pages without wishing to put the book down. The end of the book appears to set the stage for at least one sequel, and if Ormond's talent at writing anything to go by, I and many others will be racing to the shops to pick up any future titles!"

Rudolf Loewenstein
The School Librarian (Winter 2014)

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BOOK REVIEW: "AN EXCEPTIONAL FIRST NOVEL WHICH IS HIGHLY ENTERTAINING..."

The Liars' and Fibbers' Academy
Laura Foakes
9+ years

"When Danny Quinn truthfully tells everyone that a stray dog is the reincarnation of his older sister, his mother takes to her bed. Dany is sent to the Liars and Fibbers Academy where he meets Derek, who insists she's a mermaid. They are the only children at the school, which has no teachers.

This is a wonderfully quirky read, which has lots of humour and depth. There is a great cast of characters sich as Danny's granny, Lydia who does head standing yoga and belly dancing, and Miss Balalaika from Petersburg who lives upstairs with her Arthur (arthritis), eats Chum dog food, and looks out for Danny with her cries of 'Oi Vey'. The narrative rattles along, diving into Inigus' past as a mud lark and turd collector for a tannery in Victorian England. There is wit and originality in the writing which swooshes the reader from past to present and then into a further dimension. Underlying the fast paced action is the unfurling story of two children struggling to cope with bereavement and with the guil they carry from feeling they were responsible for their loved ones' deaths.

This is an exceptional first novel which is highly entertaining; it also addresses the burden of self blame which many children carry."

Sophie Smiley

The School Librarian (Winter 2014)

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