#6 The Mystery In Arizona

Author: Julie Campbell

Pages: 234

Age group:11+

Genre: Mystery, Arizona, cowboys

 My review

I love Trixie Belden books and can see how they were such a hit in the 1950's & 1960's. Unfortunately they aren't extremely popular in this generation but I want to change that. As usual the Mystery in Arizona was great although this was Julie Campbells last book and people think that she didn't do a very good job of her last two books, I thought they weren't that bad at all, in fact I thought they were just as good as the others.

In this book Trixie, Mat, Brian, Honey, Jim & Di all get invited to fly over to Arizona to spend Christmas at Di's uncle's Dude Ranch. Unfortunately Trixie assumes she won't be allowed to go as she has to study for the half year exams. Since she was failing every subject her mother said she had to study, study, study. When they arrive in Arizona, Di's uncle is flustered because strangely enough all of his staff have left the dude ranch.
What will the Bob-Whites do?? Is Trixie allowed to go??
 Read this awesome book to find out!!! 

Hope you are enjoying this series as only have 8 more books to get before I have the whole series (39 books)!!

see you all soon,

courts

Billy the kid

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Pages:160

Age:8-12

Billy and the kid is set in world war II. It is about a boy called Billy who Loved playing football and had a dream to play for the Chelsea football team.His mother gave birth to Joe, who later on in the story joined the army. A while later they received a message to say that he had died. Joe died at Dunkirk on the French coast around the time when the Germans advanced, routing the British army.His family was depressed to hear such sad news. Soon after Billy decides to join the army to fight for his country(And Joe). They Succeeded and He survives to become a player for Chelsea Football Club and lives to an old age.

My review

This was a great book, even though it was a short story. This book would be suitable for anyone from an age of about 8-12. Although this book wasn't very long it had a really goos storyline and is a very interesting read. In this book there were some sad moments but over all it was a very lovely book with a great ending.

Enjoy, 

Courtney

The undercover secret

Author: Colin Thiele

Pages:133

Age group:10+

Genre: realistic, mystery

 Jenny Cox loved the river that flowed past her suburban home. Often she sat on the bank dangling her feet in the water, sometimes meeting her old friend and neighbour, Swampy Marshman, and his friends - enigmatic trio, Hoppy, Fatso and Slim. It was during the Depression of 1930s - Jenny's father was out of work and times were hard for everyone she knew, but in her private world by the river Jenny felt safe and secure. When swampy died unexpectedly, Jenny was suddenly plunged into strange and terrifying experiences. WHO was the  mysterious stranger whom she surprised searching through Swampys house? What was the secret of Swampy's parting gift-two battered old stamp albums that were practically worthless? Why was Jenny chased in a frightening pursuit through the park one night? And worst of all, would her parents really be forced to give up their riverside cottage and be thrown out onto the street? Just when everything seemed to be lost, Jenny discovered the old mans secret...

My Review

The undercover Secret was a exciting read which was very cleverly set out. All of Colin Thiele's Books are set in Australia. This book was located in the heat of Hackney, 10 Min's out of Adelaide.It was great to read a book that shows how Adelaide would have been in the 1930's. It  is a great book suitable for anyone! Every page was leading you towards the 'under cover ' secret. And left you wondering what was going to happen next.

I highly recommend this book and also all of these other Colin Thiele books I have read...

February dragon

Jodie's Journey

Blue Fin

The fire in the Stone

You will defiantly be seeing more of Colin Thiele's books on my blog soon.

Thanks readers, Hope you are enjoying the rest of your holiday and had a great Easter,

Cya soon,

Courts

Golden Stranger #4 Diamond Spirit Series

Author: Karen wood

Pages: 241

Age group:11+

Genre: horses, Cattle drafting, real life

  

Shara heard her father's four-wheel drive and moments later the sounds of hoovesup a tailgate. She rushed to the window and saw Rocko's big brown rump disappearinto the float.

'Dad! Dad! No!' She threw herself down the back steps, sobbing. 'I'm sorry!'

When Shara decides to join her friends in protesting against a wild horse race at the local show, it sounds fun, even heroic, but she isn't prepared for the tangle of heartbreak that follows. Now the police are at the door, her friend Corey has severe head injuries and her dream of rescuing a golden colt from its cruel owners is fading fast. Can she clear her name ? Will she ever see Goldie again ? And what will happen between her and Corey now ?

My review

As usual an amazing read. Karen wood has done an amazing Job of this series!

 In Golden Stranger, Shara's friends convince her to join them in a protest against the wild horse race at the local show. They don't agree with this discraceful event and would love to see the brumbies released.They didn't realise that they could get into a lot of trouble if they are caught out.

When a special Golden brumbie turns up in their yard, Sharsy knows she has found her once-in-a-lifetime horse. But when she and her friends muck up again will she be able to keep him?

Lovely read. You would understand it best if  you read the first 3 before reading it.

Brumby mountain is getting released in June so watch out for it!!

Thanks readers,

Hope you are all having a great holiday and Have a good Easter.

Cya soon,

Courts

Interview with Karen Wood

Karen wood with Reo her once-in-a-lifetime horse.

Hi everyone,

I have interviewed Karen Wood, who is a great author friend of mine.She has just released, Golden Stranger which is the fourth book in the Diamond Spirit series. I asked her a range of questions regarding her books and got great answers. Here they are...

Where did you get the ideas from to write the diamond spirit series?

Diamond was a real pony. My young friend Jess leased her to me and then she really did get stuck in a cattle grid. Jess was only eleven and she had to make the awful decision to have her pony destroyed. She was so brave and so gracious the day that Diamond was put down that I was inspired to write a book about her. So the first few chapters came from an event in my life that really touched me. The rest of the books and the stories are based on people I have known and places I have been.

Who is your favourite character in the series?

I really like Grace, she's funny and I just love Luke.

Do you wish that you were one of the character in the book?

I wish I had their lifestyle!!! I used to have their lifestyle but now I'm married with two small girls and can't just pack up and go campdrafting every weekend. Most of the characters in the books have a little bit of me in them.

Around how long does it take you to write each book?

Every time I write one it seems to take less time. It took 6 years to write book 1, but now it only takes me about 6 - 8 months.

Any, tips for young writers?

Just tell the story, write write write write write! Don't worry about spelling or grammar or getting it perfect, just tell the story. Any story. You'll be amazed at what comes out. Later, you can go back, delete the stuff that didn't work and keep the good stuff. And tidy it up. Add pretty bits, etc. Just get the flow happening.

Also read good quality books by well regarded authors, you will absorb a good style by osmosis.

Are you releasing any more books after Brumby mountain?

I'm in discussions with my publisher and my agent at the moment, about what comes next. I do have quite a few unfinished projects filed away. So many ideas - so little time!

Can you give us a sneak peak of Brumby mountain??

I can give you the official blurb for BRUMBY MOUNTAIN (due for release in June).

'I want to stop whoever's running those brumbies.' Luke looked up at her suddenly. 'Come with me, Jessy. I don't want to leave you behind this time. I miss you too much.'

When Luke brings home a truckload of traumatised brumbies, some with horrific injuries, Jess agrees that something must be done. Can Jess, Luke and their friends foil the brumby runners and save the wild horses from their cruel fate? And in going back to matty's Flat, will Luke discover where he really belongs?

 Congratulations Karen, You are doing great in the world of books. I'm sure all of us readers out here, especially me, can't wait to read Brumby Mountain and any other books you will be releasing in the future. I absolutely love your books and the amazing characters you have created. Keep on writing.

Readers,

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Karen wood, I will be doing interviews with an other author soon....

Golden spirit is now aviliable at most bookshops so... GO Buy it!!

Also on an ending note Brumby mountain is going to be released in June, i'll keep you posted.

Bye for now,

Courtney