My recommended book for teenage boys would be Kings in Grass Castles by Mary Durack.  As a migrant to Australia I read it soon after I arrived.  It’s a great story of an Irish migrant family and their story about establishing a dynasty in the Kimberly in Western Australia.  From the early days settling in NSW Southern Highlands, to Wester Queensland and then being the first people to drive cattle across the Northern Territory into the Kimberley.  This book is a great read for any migrant to understand what people when thru in settling this country and it’s agreat book for any young Australian to understand what the early settlers went thru in settling the country.

 Review by Dara Lyne (Dad)

On order in the BLRC

My book recommendation is “On The Beach ” by Nevil Shute ( which I read in year 11 in 1976 ). I recall Brother Patrick our Dorm Master recommended it at the time. We all had access to his extensive collection of novels.

The book describes the end of the World ( or at least the human race ) as a result of nuclear war in the northern hemisphere , and much of it is situated in southern Australia. It gives you a good reason to vote and for keeping our politicians honest.

Review by: Simon Liddy (Joeys Dad)

Available in BLRC at F SHU

“The Happiest Refugee” by Anh Do

The book is a fascinating read giving an insightful view into the life of a refugee who became one of Australia’s most loved comedians. It reveals the struggles of Anh’s life,  fleeing from his country with his family on a dilapidated and congested boat to Australia, in the hope for a better life. Personally, I found this book very ineresting as it showed a perspective of a refugee coming to Australia as at such a time, much political and media hype is centralised around “stopping the boats” and headlines of “boat people”. I enjoyed this book as Anh found humour in the toughest of times and gives a rare view into the life of a refugee.

Reviewed by: Dominic Kocx

Available in BLRC at NF 792.702 DO

Conspiracy 365 is about a teenager named Callum Ormond who inherets a conspiracy against his family, which is passed to the first born boy.  After someone attacks his uncle and younger sister, Cal is framed for it and is forced into a life on the run. He must rely on instinct and cunning to outwit both his enemy’s and the cops and with his best friend Boges at his side, Cal must find out the mysterious picture his dad sent him, clear his name, and survive the year as a fugitive. Conspiracy 365 is an explosive, 12 book series, a must read for fans of action, suspense and mystery. Highly recommended.

Review by : Charles McCann

Available in BLRC at F LOR

This book starts in a concerntration camp where the main character, David, is about to escape. The concentration camp has turned his view on life upside down. We learn about his perspective of life as he travels through Europe. He has many speed bumps on the way he saves a girl from a fire, so the family takes him in for a few days. In this time he learns about houses, seeing as he has never been in one. David has a straight forward view of life and when he is taken by a farmer as a slave, he comes to relise that ‘they’ aren’t the only bad people. I recommend this book as a great read.

Reviewed by Thomas Callaughan

Available in BLRC at F HOL

By Charlie Howard

Stephanie a 13 year old girl couldn’t be more shocked when she realises that she is living in a world of magic and adventure. This ordinary girl discovers what she is really capable with the help of her new found detective friend Skulduggery Pleasant. Together they stop the Faceless ones from entering this world with the help of a few old friends and new.

This book i think is a great lead up to the rest of the books in the series. It was a very challenging book to review because it is a journey not a story, of an outcast girl coming into a community where she felt accepted. The adventures were perfect ways to relate to us because a lot of them were in everyday places. Because of this you have to look at it at a completely different way but to be honest I am not sure what that way is.

This gripping book is just what I look for after siting in classes all day with its sense of humour and gripping adventure.

Review by Harrison Fricott

This book is based in 1666 where you follow the story of Jakob von Drachenfels who through his determination to join the Hexenjäger, a group of witch hunters, forges his letters of recommendation. In this book he has to retrieve a biblical relic of immense power from a witch infested castle, but to their surprise the forces of Satan (Lucifer whatever you call him) are not their only enemies in this cursed ground.

This book is non-stop actions from start to finish with twists and plot at every corner it is not to be missed. It is the kind of historical novel I like to read – one that has its roots firmly in the factual events of seventeenth century Germany, but also manages to include a healthy dose of dark fantasy.

Review By Chris Kocx

Jasper Jones, the outcast and town troublemaker, lures Charlie, a young boy who is more interested in a world formed through the books he reads than reality. He is swayed by the promise of adventure and it is something that all teens can relate to.

Many people call this book “an Australian To Kill a Mockingbird”, however I think this book has tried too hard to earn this title and the constant inter-textuality with references to characters such as Atticus reduces the overall originality and quality.

However it was a great read and I could not put the book down. It is a sad tale about a troubled town. Be prepared for a journey, not in any way a light read.

Shakespeare by Bill Bryson delves into the mysterious world of the most prolific author the English language has ever seen. The book is part biography of Shakespeare’s life, and part historical record. Readers will be amazed at just how little we know of the man, whose influence can still be felt almost 400 years after his death.

 Bill Bryson is his usual witty self, setting the Elizabethan and Jacobean scenes expertly, drawing the reader deeper into the hidden world of early theatre. He contrasts history with the legend of Shakespeare and introduces the reader to many of Shakespeare’s peers and rivals. In short Bill Bryson paints a picture, with the limited information available, of an English country boy with the right combination of circumstances and talent to change our world forever.

A thoroughly enjoyable read which will leave you with many more questions than when you started!

Reviewed by Mr John Cherry
Available in the RC at 822.33 BRY