By Glenda Millard
ABC Books, Sydney, 2003 95p. ill.
Summary: Griffin has to go to school while mama is away getting well. Nell buys him new school clothes and long with his unusual name and his long hair he draws the attention of the bully Scott McAllister. Griffin stand his ground but decides he doesn’t like school so much. On his way home he meets layla from school. Obviously a princess with a crown of daisies on her head, he thinks maybe he can survive school. When layla notices the empty crib in his parents room Griffin tells her about Tishkin. Together they plan a naming day ceremony and invite mama home to share it with the whole Silk family.
Comment: I love Glenda Millards style. It is gentle but packs a punch. This sort of topic while confronting is just the sort of thing young people often have to deal with but is often kept from them.
Rating: 7.5/10
Mrs B
October 24th, 2009
Date Read: 28/5/08 – 31/5/08
Author: John Heffernan
Publ.
Themes: Family,
Summary: Another book about families and life off the rails. Marty is haunted by something in the past which has left a shadow. Not just in his dreams but his every waking moment till it tears his life apart. Marty’s best friend is his little brother,…. At school he makes friends with ……. These two help Marty to hold on and make sense of the world. Marty’s waking and sleeping nightmares come together through the novel until it is almost too much for him. The only light at the end of the tunnel is the constant love from his brother.
Comment: How protected I have been. Great story, a little dark but definitely keeps you reading. I read this in one night which for me is pretty quick.
Rating7 ½ /10
Mrs B
July 17th, 2009
By Chris Lynch
Will uses his woodwork time to exercise his gift. Public scrutiny comes when a young girl is found dead on the beach. Wills sculpture draws people to the site and begins a memorial. with subsequent deaths and sculptures people begin to think Will is involved. Will questions whether he has ‘freewill’ or if he is destined to bring death and grief to the people around him.
The book develops the path to our discovery of Wills nightmare without giving away too much. Is Will really involved? Does he know what is going on? What is his connection? What has happened to Will to make him feel it is all his fault.
8/10
December 5th, 2008
