Georgina Moginie and Kirby Brown from Geraldine High School are our very cool Guest Reviewers and they have won copies of I am Rebecca by Fleur Beale, and Singing home the whale by Mandy Hager! You too can win! Email your brief review to the library to go in the monthly draw to win a cool prize!
The Terrible Thing That Happened To Barnaby Brocket by John Boyne
reviewed by Georgina Moginie
This book is based around a boy called Barnaby Brocket who is born to an extraordinarily ‘ordinary’ family! In a home environment obsessed with normality. The story is told from the point of view of Barnaby, and is set in a variety of places such as Sydney, North America, Canada and even in Space!
Barnaby struggles to meet the standards his family set, as he floats. Yes, Barnaby defies the most basic law; the law of gravity! Pressure to conform is part of life, but this family takes the idea of ‘normal’ to the next level. Boyne exaggerates normal issues to make them larger than life which gives them a humorous edge. The book, although funny on the surface and full of good laughs, has some deeper meanings and good quotes such as ‘Just because your version of normal isn’t the same as someone else’s version doesn’t mean that there’s anything wrong with you.’
Barnaby’s ‘talent’ lands him in a lot of trouble and introduces the reader to a variety of colorful people and gets him into a lot of ridiculous situations such as bumping into a Brazilian lesbian, coffee farming couple in a hot air balloon! Boyne uses a sense of super realism to engage the reader, such as a strict teacher that treats her school as the worst kind of prison, or Barnaby’s own super normal family. Barnaby is a clever, resourceful boy who realises how unique and special he is on this incredible journey.
This book stresses the importance of individuality and acceptance no matter how different or normal you are, and it teaches us to treasure the people in our lives that treat us well.
This book will appeal to a variety of ages: I could imagine my forty-eight year old Dad reading this with my nine year old sister, or my sixty-eight year old Grandad enjoying this book. I, (aged 13), laughed out loud during maths thanks to Barnaby. If you love the ridiculous with a bit of deep and meaningful, you won’t be able to put it down.
Girl vs The World: Waiting For It by Chrissie Keighery
reviewed by Kirby Brown
Waiting For It is based around the life, school troubles and home troubles of a 13 year old girl named Hazel. Being a 14 year old girl this really relates to me. I really enjoyed this book as it is entirely realistic. I think that we all get a bit tired of those stories about those perfect girls with their perfect hair and perfect lives. This story makes us realise that not everything in life is perfect and, yes, it is normal to fight with your parents and to be nervous around your friends.
The story is told from Hazel’s point of view and is set in several places, including a neighbourhood, Hazel’s parents houses and school.
Waiting For It covers most problems a young teenage girl would come across at school and at home such as, bullying, parent troubles, divorce, boy - girl relationships and puberty. This book is one in a series of books that focus on young girls, their challenges and milestones on the road through teenagehood.
The boys made a hot list of the top forty girls in their year. Hazel was number seventeen, much to her surprise. For the girls who were lower down the list, and the ones not even on the list, it was a form of bullying showing just how rude and immature boys can be.
Waiting for it is filled with many different characters including:
Hazel’s mum - She is always hanging out with her new boyfriend, or so it seems to Hazel. “The Feral” - This is the nickname that Hazel and her big sister Romy have for their mothers new dreadlocked boyfriend.
Olympia - Hazel’s flaky friend. One minute she is supporting Hazel, the next acting completely snobbish.
Alice - She was the most popular girl in primary school, but at high school she didn't even place in the top twenty on the hot list
I believe the author managed to capture the true essence of a young teenagers life by showing the reader the awkward, and confusing parts about growing up.
This book is aimed at young teenage girls and I do not believe that it would appeal to a boy at all.
I really enjoyed the book and would give it a very positive ⅘ stars. A definite confidence booster for young girls.
