The Dead I Know by Scot Gardner

on July 2nd, 2011 at 10:00 am

Reviewed by Truc (yr12) Ruyton

‘To truly know death, you’d have to have loved’

As an avid reader of romance and chick-lit novels, I was hesitant and a bit wary when I first saw the cover of the book that I would be reviewing. At first glance, it looked like a stereotypical teenage boy book, but what intrigued me was the bold cover, the white heading against the black background with a red border around the edge. In the midst lies a lone caravan with a similar red border around the edge of the door giving it a very claustrophobic feel. If the cover isn’t appealing to you yet, I’m sure the blurb will pull you in. Readers are introduced to the protagonist Aaron Rowe who is a sleep walker and is told that unless he figures out his hidden past he might never wake up one day.

This is a very poignant novel, showing what I presume to be the typical teenage boy struggling to contain his emotions, putting on a tough facade and refusing to let others into his world. On one level it is about Aaron trying to deduce the meanings of the same recurring dream he has every night, but on a deeper level it is about the value of life. The irony in it is that Aaron is working in a funeral parlour, surrounded by death every day, with John Burton, his boss and ultimately his saviour. The Barton family is a boisterous bunch, and Aaron earned himself the nickname of ‘Robot’, given to him by Mr Barton’s twelve year old daughter Skye. She is a very amusing character and is actually my favourite in the novel. Skye is cheeky and inquisitive as she continuously pushed Aaron out of his shell.

This is a book that I would have never read, mainly because of the very boyish looking cover but regardless it is a very powerful read. Getting past the first ten pages was rather tedious as I found it hard to adapt to Gardner’s simplistic writing style. Though this novel is definitely not for the faint hearted (it is mainly set in a funeral parlour after all), it has a great plot that will draw you right in, Aaron is in no way perfect but he is an inspiration to many teenagers, boys and girls alike.

Fans of Scott Westerfield will also enjoy this novel along with Scott Gardner’s other books Gravity, Happy as Larry and Burning Eddy. Definitely a must read for every teenage boy out there.

 

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Jenna & Jonah’s Fauxmance by Emily Franklin & Brendan Halpin

on June 30th, 2011 at 9:52 pm

Review by Monique (yr9)

This book is about Charlie Tracker and Fielding Withers playing lead roles on the Family Network in America as Jenna and Jonah – love-struck next door neighbours. But when their producers tell them to have an off-set romance or get fired, they have to pretend to be in love even though they can’t stand each other. It’s then that they become internationally famous and their show goes straight to the top of the charts.

Fielding can’t wait to finish up his contract and to get out of the business, and be away from all the loneliness and lack of privacy that comes with fame, because he just wants to be normal. He hates living a lie –especially with Charlie- Fielding isn’t even his real name! Charlie, who also hates her job but still wants to stay in the acting business, wants to break out of the Family Network and make it big, and stop the bad acting and corny songs from Jenna and Jonah so she can do something more professional. But suddenly, the paparazzi exploit a lie that Fielding is gay, and so they also release the truth about their Fauxmance. Charlie’s big plans for the future are crushed, but Fielding couldn’t be more relieved. They are forced to hide out in one of Fielding’s undisturbed properties hidden in the country until all the publicity has calmed and they can continue their jobs again.

I thought this book would be really bad and corny but it was actually really exciting and sweet! The storyline is a bit predictable, but I was still dying to know it they get together! I usually like big chapter books and I was off putted by how thin this book was, but it was well written so the book seems much longer than it looks – in a good way.

Enjoy!

 

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Pig Boy by JC Burke

on June 26th, 2011 at 7:45 pm

reviewed by Claire (yr10) Genazzano FCJ College

Pig Boy is the story of Damon Styles, who on his eighteenth birthday is expelled from school, just weeks before his final exams. He has been a victim of bullying since childhood due to his weight and is know as the town ‘psycho’. Damon is a misunderstood character, with many people in his small town of Strathven thinking he is dangerous after an incident on year 10 camp. Although Damon is a very aggressive and short-temped protagonist, he has good intentions and doesn’t desire to hurt people.

Pig Boy is a complex and well-written novel that can be confronting at times. It makes you consider what your reaction would be if you were in the character’s shoes. The novel’s individuals are unique and their relationships with one another are at times complicated. Damon’s mother loves him and means well, but doesn’t understand him. Damon’s boss Miro, commonly know as the Pigman, is a Bosnian-Serb who immigrated to Australia and pronounces his name as ‘Demon’.

Pig Boy explores issues such as bullying, being an outcast, violence and revenge in an interesting story. As the novel progresses you slowly learn about Damon’s past and what he is intending to do. Any predictions you make at the begging on the plot will most likely be different to the story’s end, as this is a book that keeps you on your toes. This is the type of book that continues to capture your attention even after you have turned the last page and is for mature readers who are looking for a different and interesting novel.


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Chime by Franny Billingsley

on June 26th, 2011 at 7:33 pm


reviewed by Elodie (yr9)

Chime by Franny Billingsley is a book that would suit readers 12 years and up. It is an incredible book, when I signed up to this book reviewing I never thought for a second that I would receive a book that was so amazing!

It is a story from a Briony’s point of view. She knows she is a witch but has grown up in a childhood so full of lies she doesn’t know what is right or wrong. Chime also shows the point of view of a teenage girl in the 1900s and so it tells us about everyday problems a normal teenage girl would have faced compared to what Briony faces.

She loves her twin sister but thinks she is capable of weirdness. She has never had any friends as she has closed herself from the rest of the world and stayed in her little cocoon of habits. Briony’s father that she despises so much invites a few friends over for a long-term stay – Eldric a fine Bad-boy and his father. She tries to act normal but she is exploding inside because she feels that she is not letting her true self show.

It is the story of what happens to her when she risks her life for her little sister and her attractions towards the handsome Eldric. I loved the way the book starts at the end and then the rest is filled in for us throughout the novel and how the whole novel is extremely descriptive and keeps you hanging with every page. While reading this novel I always wanted to know what was coming next as the book reeled you in from the very first page and there was something going on at all times. As I knew that I was supposed to review this book after I read it, I tried to look for any parts that I did not like or anything that I could critique, however I found none at all!
I absolutely loved this book as much as I have loved Cassandra Clare’s novels, as the two author’s styles are quite similar. They both write scenarios that they have invented and that no one else would of thought about, and that everybody loves. I also love how the book is composed of many different styles all together. There is a twist of romance, of fantasy, of adventure, of action, of science fiction, of comedy and reality… It is a mixture of most of the styles put together. The book, is one I would recommend strongly to all those who are open-minded with their reading.

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