Jasper Jones

"Please, mum, can you read my class novel so we can talk about it?"
"Sure thing, son."
Thus began my love affair with this excellent Year 12 English text, a 'fresh off the press' novel by an entertaining young author called Greg Silvey.
Don't bother with this one if you don't have a sense of humour. Silvey is a wit addict, creating lengthy verbal spas between the protagonist, Charlie, and his best friend Jeffrey, which made me lol on numerous occasions.
And the plot? Let's just say there is a suspicious death at the start - a local teenage girl is found hanging from a tree - and Charlie finds himself as an unwitting accomplice due to helping Jasper Jones get rid of the body.
This would be a hard book to read a few pages at a time, due to the extended detailed conversations, so I suggest 'chunk' reading, ie, read at least 50 pages at a time.
The novel has been likened to "a modern day Mockingbird". I disagree. Mockingbird is a classic in its own right. Having said that, I think in the future Jasper Jones will take its own place amongst the annals of classic texts.
Great choice, Miss Year 12 English teacher!

Where Did That Last 3 Hours Go?

It is interesting how time flies when you’re hooked in a book’s plot. I am 500 pages into Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes and I can’t put the darn thing down! Picoult takes us on a journey into the mind of a mass murderer. What might interest you, Year 9, is that the killer is around your age. He went on a shooting spree in his high school, killing 10 outright and leaving many more wounded.

It is dark reading. I can’t necessarily tell what’s fact and what’s fiction but one thing’s for sure – this has happened and will likely happen again.

Picoult portrays the killer as a victim in his own right; he was bullied to the max from a young age and his parents had been oblivious to the torment he was facing every minute of every day.

She is not one of my favourite authors (in case you’re interested – ask me why in person and I’ll let you in on a little secret) but I can’t fault the compelling interweaving of the characters’ lives. Is a victim of extreme bullying a walking time bomb? Jodi says yes!

for one more day by Mitch Albom

This novel starts with a failed suicide attempt. The protagonist then candidly reflects on what reduced him to giving up on life. A once successful baseballer (yes, it's American), he falls apart after the death of his mother, turning to alcohol and isolation.
I am not sure you would be captivated by this, Year 9, but if your parents enjoy reading this would be a good one to recommend for them. It's a quick read and a thoughtful look at what really matters in life. I give it 3.5 out of 5. Miss ^__^

HOPE

As I said, I couldn't wait to read the end of 'Gravity'; I did, and I am glad to say it didn't disappoint. For me, the strongest theme was centered around hope, a rarity in our cynical, scarred and anguished society. No way am I going to give away the ending. It was a short, punchy read in every chapter. It was philosophical but not laboured. I'd love a class set of these texts - any excuse to teach a good piece of writing. Go for it, Yr 9.  Miss ^__^

GRAVITY by Scott Gardner

I am loving this one! Got it from the young adult section of the library. 209 pages (c) 2006. I am half way through and I can't put the damn thing down!
The plot is about an older teen who makes a big mistake involving alcohol and a car wreck. Instead of facing up to this, Adam elects to run away and try and start afresh. He begins by dropping in on his mum in the city; she had walked out on the family a couple of years earlier as she was having some sort of a break down.
Every page holds an interesting twist involving relationships, the choices we make and, of course, conscience. Can't wait to finish it! I wonder if Adam ever goes home...

Spoke Too Soon

So by the time I was half way through The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group I was beginning to feel somewhat abused myself. I found that the plot lost its drive and started wandering aimlessly through a series of unlikely events. There was certainly nothing to capture my interest for the 2nd half of the book. You may think differently on this point and I would be interested to get your feedback.
Yep, by the time some of the characters had revealed that they were actually vampires (!) I felt that Jinks was trying to meet a publisher deadline; there was a sense of desperation in the unfolding of events towards the end. And did I miss the climax? Or was there none??
So see what you think. Personally, I wouldn't recommend this book. :(

The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group

Catherine Jinks has done it again. With her irreverent humour and gnarly teen themes she has concocted a rather fun read about a lad who discovers that when the moon is right he morphs into a violent werewolf (hmm, violent werewolf - is there any other kind??)

So, Year 9, if you are still looking for a good read this could well be it. Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite: 

 

'Behavioural problems?' Mum echoed, all at sea. By this time Reuben was shifting about like someone sitting on a hotplate.
'I turn into a wild animal,' he said roughly. 'No one can stop it.' He wiped his hand across his mouth as he stared at the floor. A muscle in his cheek was twitching. 'It's dangerous,' he finally concluded. 'If you don't take precautions, things can get...' He trailed off.
After a moment's silence, Father Ramon finished the sentence for him. 'Things can get out of control. People can get hurt.' The priest placed his palms together, leaning forward, brow furrowed. 'That's why we had to warn you. If Toby is affected, then his condition will have to be managed properly. Otherwise he might attack someone.'
The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group by Catherine Jinks (C) 2010