Tony Hawk : professional skateboarder

by Tony Hawk

Reviewed by Adrian F. of Year 7

This book is really cool because Tony writes about his life from when he was first born until now. He tells you about the tricks he invented and what he does on and off the skateboard.

This is a great book that you will love to read.

Teenage Authors

It is pretty amazing that Christopher Paolini wrote Eragon when he was only 15, but most authors begin writing early, even if they aren't published until much later, usually. Successful Australian authors who started writing as teenagers include Isobelle Carmody (Obernewtyn Chronicles) and Sonya Hartnett (Trouble All The Way), and more recently Jack Heath (The Lab). For a list of other teen authors check out this list : Great Books Written by Teens

I know there are some budding authors at Patrician Brothers, so here are some links you might enjoy:
Author, Jenni Mawter, has suggestions for places to publish for teen authors.
Or check out 10 Things Teenage Writers Should Know About Writing From John Scalzi's Whatever blog. Harsh but probably true.

Keep on reading and writing!

Photo: My writing is my writing is my writing by Esther G

Maxx Rumble Cricket and AFL Series

by Michael Wagner

Reviewed by Matthew U. of Year 7

Maxx Rumble is a boy who plays cricket and AFL. Both sports have one series each with crazy problems like big bugs attacking Maxx's batters and bowlers, the opposite team cheating or sumo sized batters or ruckman.

He is the captain of both sports and he often gets hurt. But then he still goes out on the pitch or field in either bandages or in a wheelchair. He mostly saves the team from certain defeat.

Both series are thrilling, exciting and the pictures from Terry Denton are great. People who love their sports will love these books.

Find out more about the author and his books here.

Never Say Die

by Steve Waugh

Reviewed by Luke C. of Year 7

I liked this book because it is insightful about cricket. It shows a great deal of difficulty to do what Steve Waugh has done. Even when he is at a low in his career he can still come up with the goods in one of the most spectacular innings ever.

This is what his book is about, never giving up even if you are already losing the battle. In his book he tells you of a remarkable innings he had when everything was against him.

This is a great book for all sports lovers to read even if they don't like cricket. I am not much of a cricketer but reading this book inspired me to be a better sportsman.

Sir Thursday

by Garth Nix

Reviewed by Tommo of Year 7

Another instant classic by Garth Nix. It is the 4th book in the Keys to the Kingdom Series..It comes in after Arthur has defeated Drowned Wednesday and is going home when ........ A great book for 10-16 year olds. A must read - 10/10

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Other posts about Garth Nix on Book Bites:

Mister Monday, The Wand in the Word: Conversations with Writers of Fantasy

Artemis Fowl

By Eoin Colfer

Reviewed by Matthew C. of Year 7

Artemis Fowl is a 12 year old criminal mastermind. The Fowl generation goes back thousands of years and Artemis is the next in line. He is looking to restoring the family fortune which his father threw into jeapordy.

Artemis Fowl senior decided to further their fortune by going to Russia but the Mafia blew up his boat. So Artemis thinks up a brilliant plan, to capture a fairy and get their ransom fund. But there is one problem, these fairies aren't of bedtime stories. These fairies are armed and dangerous. Artemis has no idea what he's done when he captures Holly Short of the leprecon force. The fairies are nice at first but that's when they break the rules.

I recommend this book for people who like adventure stories and have a vidid imagination. I would rate this book 10/10. There are also 4 other books in the series.

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Visit the Official Artemis Fowl Website.

Eragon

by Christopher Paolini

Reviewed by Nick M. of Year 7

Eragon is a great book full of excitement and wonder. It combines many different genres including Adventure and Mystery. It has been enjoyed by many children and students from 9-20 years of age. I recommend this book to all readers because I thought it was very imaginative and full of fantasy.

Reviewed by Dominic C. of Year 6

Eragon is a small farm boy who is very poor. He does not live with his mother or father, he lives with his uncle and cousin. His uncle is killed by the Ra'zac, who are looking for Eragon because he finds a dragon, which hatches, and he names the dragon Saphira. Brom, who was a Dragon Rider as well, befriends Eragon. They travel away from the village of Pancular, to escape from the pursuing Ra'zac. They are captured several times during their journey and adventures and later Eragon is joined by the mysterious Mustfang. The adventure continues as they seek the Varden and the security of their numbers and mysterious hiding place.

I found the book to be highly interesting as it is full of adventure.

Find out more about Eragon.

Fullmetal Alchemist

by Hiromu Arakawa

Reviewed by Gian of Year 7

The Fullmetal Alchemist series is a very good book to read if you are a fan of Japanese anime. The main characters Edward and Alphonse Elric are alchemists on a mission to regain their original bodies after losing them in an alchemy spell gone wrong. The result was to Edward the loss of his arm and leg but to Alphonse the loss of his entire body. It really gets you interested with mysteries and new characters.

The introductions of new characters and action encourages the reader to keep on reading. The way the book blends adventure, action and fantasy makes this book a must read book. Even if your not a big fan of Japanese anime this book will bring you back wanting some more!

Shadowgate

by Emily Rodda

Reviewed by Tim J. of Year 7

Deltora Quest Shadowgate is a story about four evil creations called the four sisters and to save the dragon race of Del. Lief, Barda, and Jasmine are on an everlasting quest to destroy these demons, free the land of this evil and unleash the last of the dragon race which was almost wiped out by the aka ba. They are now up to number three and with it bring even more mystical evil challenges, with even more of the shadow lord and Dragons.

This is the second last book of a four read series. It is a great read for everyone, boys and girls, from 10 years up. It can be spooky or heroic.

The Final Lap

by Michael Panckridge

Reviewed by Cammo of Year 7

It is the last event of the Sandhurst Legends Series and the statistics in it are very close. In the boys section, Mitchell Grady, new to the school, is challenging the boy’s legend of sport last year, Travis Fisk, also a bully.

Meanwhile, in the girl’s legend, Luci Rankin is leading best friend Rebecca Tan, and Mia Tompkins, reigning legend of sport. Whoever wins the legend of swimming in both sections will win the legend of sport trophy.

The competitors mount the blocks. The starting gun sounds. Who will be in front in the final lap?

This is a good book for people who like sport. If you want to read more on the legends series, look for these titles: Chasing the break, Against the spin, Down the line, Clearing the pack, Over the wall, On the buzzer, and Raising the bar.

Ptolemy's Gate

By Jonathon Stroud

Reviewed By Cain D. of Year 7

Ptolemy’s gate is about a man who has control over several djinn (wizard like ghosts who can change shape and are not genies) and is the head of international affairs office in the wizard government in England. One particular djinni named Bartimaeus (bar-tee-may-us) who has been his slave/friend for several years. The main plot of the story is about a powerful magician who is experimenting on people by trying to force djinn into people’s souls. The powerful magician is mentioned in the book several times and is who you would least expect.

I advise reading the two previous books called the Golems Eye and the Amulet of Samarkand.I give this book 8 out of ten.

World Cup Fever

By Bob Cattell

Reviewed by Siddharth B. of Year 7

Glory Gardens Cricket Club cannot resist a challenge and this time they’re going to try to win the Under 13s cricket world cup competition!With teams from the West Indies and South Africa visiting England, it’s a brilliant time to show the world that Glory gardens is the best junior club in the world. It’s not long before the thrills and spills of cricket spark off temper tantrums, severe injuries and practical jokes. So, as Australia does battle with the West Indies and South Africa face India/Pakistan, can Glory Gardens rise to the top and bring glory to England?

Bob Cattell, the author of the great Glory Gardens series is an English-born man who lives in Ireland he is a mad cricket fan and has written number of books on cricket.

I rate this book and the Glory Gardens series 10/10.