A thousand splendid suns / Khaled Hosseini

This book made me catch my breath. The lives of two women, two very different women, under the suffering of a male-dominant Taliban society in Afghanistan are woven together in a story that will strike your heart. The book is poignant, simply relating events that the two women go through. I was astounded by the writing, the emotion behind every simple act. I have never known pain or suffering like this, and when I finished the novel I was overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude and optimism.

Who would enjoy this? Those familiar with Hosseini's "The Kite Runner" will appreciate his similar writing style.

Reviewed by Calista

Someone like you / Roald Dahl

I enjoy reading short stories. But more than that, I enjoy these short stories. Maybe it's the mystery, the author's clever use of word and character, or maybe it's the constant flow of suspense that rises to a head with a spectacular ending. Roald Dahl is well known for his children's stories, but his readers will find something quite different here. His writing style is dark and his plots thrilling. The stories seem to exist for one common goal: to engage the reader - in every possible aspect of the word.

Who would enjoy this? Those that enjoy macabre humour and dark storylines would enjoy Roald Dahl. He keeps his stories witty and fresh and thoroughly enjoyable to read.

Reviewed by Calista

Mission: Survival / Chris Ryan

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be stranded on a desert island? No food, no water, only the clothes on your back and four people you hate for company?
This is the reality for Alex, Li, Paulo, Hex and Amber: five teens who are completely different, but get stranded together. But when one of the five gets fatally injured, they must all work together if they want to survive.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who enjoys adventurous and exciting books.

Reviewed by Tessa

Maximum Ride: The angel experiment / James Patterson

Watch the book trailer!

An epic book of flying kids, mutant wolf-men and a School that actually is as evil as most kids think theirs is. Maximum Ride is fourteen and is 98% human, 2% bird. She is the leader of her flock of "Avian Americans": Fang, Iggy, Nudge, the Gasman and six-year-old Angel. They, at the moment, are safe from the School where they were captive their whole lives.
But when Angel is kid- or rather, bird-kid-napped, Max has to rescue her, and also keep the others alive. Oh, and possibly save the world as well.

This is the first book in the epic Maximum Ride series.

Who would enjoy this book? People who enjoy adventure, flying, or who wonder what it's like to fly.

Reviewed by Tessa

Hamlet: A novel / John Marsden

Shakespeare is possibly the most prominent playwright of all time. So it was with good cause that I approached this novel with scepticism. However, I was pleasantly surprised. John Marsden manages to take a well-known play, a famous play, and give it a spin of its own. The setting remains very much the same, but the characters seem reinvented somehow, fresh off the page. I find myself regarding the story with a whole new perspective.

Who would enjoy this? John Marsden has a particular way of writing, so anybody who enjoyed his previous works (Tomorrow, When the War Began, The Ellie Chronicles etc.) will also enjoy this. Shakespeare lovers will also enjoy the novel.

Reviewed by Calista

Matched / Ally Condie

Watch the book trailer!

Based on the concept that it is possible to electronically find your perfect match in life, this book explores a society that has decided that too much choice is likely to cause disruption and social upheaval. It was a great read because it seems so reasonable and successful. It would be so good if the partner of your dreams could be sorted out without you having to go through any of the difficulties that are so common for us. It made me think and has stayed with me for ages. I strongly recommend it!

Who would enjoy this? True love treated in a different way, dawning horror and fear and a sense of betrayal - if this appeals to you, then try this book.

Reviewed by Amy

In a heartbeat / Loretta Ellsworth

This book is written from two different points of view - one is star skater, Eagan, set on getting into the Olympics when she's a bit older; the other is sick girl, Amelia, who needs a new heart and gets Eagan's after she has an accident while skating. While it was an excellent read for itself, it has left me wondering whether there could possibly be such a thing as cell memory that means organ recipients take on some of the characteristics of their donors.

Who would enjoy this? If you like a story that is engrossing and introduces you to something a bit new and different, then this one should suit you.

Reviewed by Sophie

Forgotten / Cat Patrick

Watch the book trailer!

This is a very good book! Takes a bit of getting your head around as the main character can only remember FORWARD and has to make notes so she has any kind of continuity in her life. For instance she has a great boyfriend but can't remember him from day to day. As well, the book explores questions like whether we should tell people bad things that happened in the past, or whether we should protect them from this knowledge and whether trauma can cause the complete muddling of memories. Confusing but very engrossing and one of those books you can't put down.

Who would enjoy this? There's love, mystery, real life - something there for everyone!

Reviewed by Sophie

The emerald atlas / John Stephens

Watch the book trailer!

This is the first in a new series and I will be looking out for the next book as soon as it arrives. Three children who have grown up in a series of increasingly awful orphanages are taken to the strangest one yet. There they discover that they are not "normal" - they can move through time and in fact have to work to save the community they are in from being destroyed by evil. It's not too hard and it kept me reading the whole time. A really good book.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who likes fantasy which is not too hard to read, and with interesting and believable characters.

Reviewed by Jason

The dead I know / Scot Gardner

Aaron's life is unravelling - one minute he is having a hard time at high school, the next minute, of all the possible career options, he's a trainee funeral director! That's the least of his worries though - it's what is happening at night that is giving him grief. Aaron is a sleepwalker, and it's getting out of control. Even tying himself to the bed doesn't stop him from waking up in unexpected and dangerous situations.
This is a riveting story that demands your attention as you try and work out what is actually happening to Aaron and why having to deal with death helps him to face up to his past.

Who would enjoy this? This is a great read if you like something a bit different with intriguing characters and a look at one of those 'elephant in the room' subjects.

Reviewed by Hamish

Beautiful malice / Rebecca James

Beautiful Malice centres on the life of Katherine, after the untimely death of her younger sister. She meets Alice, who at first, seems like the coolest best friend ever. But then, Katherine finds out Alice is not as great as she seems...

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who enjoys a good psychological thriller with unexpected twists and turns.

Reviewed by Tessa

Artemis Fowl / Eion Colfer

Artemis Fowl is a rich twelve year old Irish prodigy. He is also a criminal.
Artemis takes it upon himself to discover and capture one of the new species he is absolutely positive exists: a fairy. Artemis is certain he will be the first ever human to successfully separate a fairy from its gold, and he plans to do this by himself, with only his bodyguard and butler, Butler, to help.

Do you think he can do it?

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who has a healthy belief in fairies, gold, and twelve year old criminal masterminds.

Reviewed by Tessa

The kite runner / Khaled Hosseini

Watch the book trailer!

In this novel, the author manages to capture the atmosphere of not only a setting and era, but of the friendship between two young boys as well as the relationship between a father and his son under difficult circumstances. Hosseini strives to recreate emotion through his plotline, placing the reader right by the side of the protagonist, Amir. We follow him through his navigation of growth - both physical and emotional. I found this book incredibly moving, realistically telling a story with colourful language and imagery.

Who would enjoy this? Anybody who is willing to be taken away with the book will love this story. The lessons learnt in the novel may not be particularly happy, but they are hopeful.

Senior Fiction

Reviewed by Calista

Alanna / Tamora Pierce

Tamora Pierce's books are a must read when it comes to adventures set in the magical world. Pierce magically weaves her stories so that even those who are not interested are entrapped within her stories. Alanna: the First Adventure is the first novel in the Song of the Lioness Quartet.

Who would enjoy this? Those who enjoy magic and adventure.

Reviewed by Tju-Yi

When the cat's away / Jackie Rutherford

The clock is ticking for teenagers Jodi, Nathan and Briana. Their parents are due back from their overseas trip and there are a few things to be sorted out first. Namely house repairs and contents replacement from the party that got completely out of hand. It's amazing what that sort of pressure does for sibling relationships - the author has these nailed. The comebacks are classic and the behaviour totally recognisable. She has created a fast and enjoyable story about a family who could be the family next door.

Who would enjoy this? If you are wanting a fast and relaxing read then this is a good choice.

Reviewed  by Sophie

Raven's mountain / Wendy Orr

I liked this book because I like tramping and climbing. There's a rockfall at the top of a mountain and Raven, though hurt, is the only one who can get help for the others who are trapped in a cave made by the rockfall. Her journey down the mountain is scary and dangerous. I thought that the author made Raven a real person, though a bit too perfect, maybe.

Who would enjoy this?  If you like quick-read adventure stories which make you wonder if you would be able to do what the main character did, then you would probably like this book.

Reviewed by Katya

The unidentified / Rae Mariz

Watch the book trailer!

If you don't like the way our school is run, then this book is really worth reading - the whole school programme is based on market research and computer games. It took me a while to get my head around how it worked, and even now I am not quite sure I've got it properly sorted out, as it was such a new concept. There were glimpses of how the teachers made sure the students did learn stuff, but it was all mixed up with branding and the heavy influence of the sponsors. This was the bit I found most interesting. But I also liked the way that even in this school, the students are not happy with the way things go on - with good reason sometimes! - and a group gets together to see what they can do to sabotage the culture of everyone being forced to conform.

Who would enjoy this? Anyone who wants to explore the role of commercialism in education. Is this the logical end to private/public partnerships?

Reviewed by Amy

August / Bernard Beckett

I have enjoyed lots of Bernard Beckett's books but I'm still not sure about this one. It's really interesting and thought-provoking but I think that I like my books slightly less demanding. You have to think about so much, and even working out what is going on is tricky at times. The book is set in a dystopic future. The main characters live very different lives, but they are equally horrible. Even the ending makes you think, as it doesn't actually spell out what does happen.  I keep wondering about this so I guess you could say the author has been successful!

Who would enjoy this?  I would recommend this book if you like a challenge and I would love to see some comments about what other people think about it!

Senior fiction

Reviewed by Amy