Thursday 26 July 2012

A pony to school

Author: Diana Pullein-Thompson
Pages:160
Age group: 9+
Genre:Horses

Blurb
Why had Ted Dunne asked Christian and Augusta to school clown? Where had he failed? The question was soon answered- Clown was a rearer, and  the experts said that if he was a confirmed rearer he would be incurable and have to be destroyed.
Then when the skewbald pony became ill Christina and Augusta realise they are very fond of him and will do anything to cure him of his dreadful habit. The experience is harrowing but somehow they must prevent Clown from being killed.
My review
Boy did I love this book!! This was a great bargain that I found in an Op shop for 10cents. It was so funny because last week when I went to an Op shop I found a book called Riders from Afar- By Christine Pullein-Tompson, Personally I thought that this book that I was buying was written by the same author as A Pony to school. But... When I got home I realized that it wasn't. I figured that they would have to be related as they both: had the same last name, Wrote about horses, had books published by the same company and they were published around the same time. And guess what? I was right. I stumbled upon a website that told me the whole story. 
Diana and Christine are Twin Sisters and they both write horse books!(No wonder why I was curious) And they also have another sister named Josephine and a mother called Joanna Cannan. The funny thing is that they all write Horse books. I also found out that the three sisters all worked together to make a 'black beauty' series which my aunty vaguely said something about, mind you she said it was her favorite series.


Well I didn't tell you much about A pony to school But I did tell you about my 'Amazing discoveries' About this recently (unknown to me) chain of Authors.
Hope you enjoy these books,
Courtney

Wednesday 18 July 2012

Rabbit girl

Author: Mary Arrigan
Pages: 224
Age group: 10+
Genre: war, realistic, animals, history, friendship
When Mallie buys a drawing of a girl with a rabbit, she finds a mystery within the old picture that connects her to two evacuees from the London Blitz.
 My review
Rabbit Girl tells two stories, parallel to each other in alternating chapters. The two main characters are Tony and Mallie
 First I'll tell you about Tony as he was born earlier than Mallie.
 Tony
Tonys story was set in the Second World War.He's story begins first in Ireland, then London and then later in the Lake District. 
When young Tony travels to England to be with his father who has found work in London. Tony is at first utterly disappointed as all he wanted was a garden with a hutch and some white rabbits in it.But they are living in a smelly house(room) with no garden. Slowly he adapts to his new life in the city, before having to adapt all over again when the War begins.
 Mallie
Mallie story was set in the present day, and tells of a teenage girl called Mallie Kelly, who lives alone with her mother Sarah. Mallie worries for her mother, who always seems to be losing jobs and her love for her talent, which is drawing and art. Mallie secretly takes a job working at the local pet shop, against her mother's wishes, to get some money and buy her mother a special birthday gift.
This gift turns out to be very special indeed, alongside the romantic matchmaking attempts by Mallie for her mother, ultimately draws together the two strands of the story together.
There is a secret which you may guess at during the story, which is revealed at the end of the story. 
Although Mallie lives in the present day a world so different  from Tony's somehow in the end both worlds are brought together.

An absolutely marvelous book! I loved the comparison between Tony and Mallie's lives.
I recommend this book to everyone.
Enjoy,
Courtney

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Start here, doing hard things right where you are

Authors: Alex & Brett Harris
Pages: 167
Age group: anyone who wants to make a difference
Genre: Teachings & life stories of Rebelutionaries
Do you want to do hard things? But have no idea where to start? Or are you….
Changing the world around you, but are tired and burned out? You feel that you are called to do the extraordinary for God, but you feel stuck in the ordinary. If that’s what you feel like then this is the book for you!!
Do Hard Things has inspired many thousands of young people around the world to make the most of the teen years. Now Alex and Brett Harris are back and ready to tackle the questions that Do Hard Things has inspired:
How do I get started?
What do I do when I get discouraged?
What's the best way to inspire others?


Filled with stories and insights from Alex, Brett, and many other real-life Rebelutionaries experiences,
Start Here is a powerful and practical guide to doing hard things, right where you are. Are you ready to take the next step and blast past your weakness for the glory of God? START HERE.


I can't believe that I have the pleasure to be able to recommend this book to you guys. I feel that we teenagers will be able to change the way our generation acts by standing up for what you believe in! Next time your in a situation where you aren't sure what to do, Do whats right. 
Hope all you Australians are enjoying your holidays!( And anyone else who is on Vacation) See you soon.
Courtney

Sunday 8 July 2012

Do hard things

Author: Alex & Brett Harris
Pages: 256
Age group: Anyone who wants to make an impact on the world
Genre:Teachings & life stories of Rebelutionaries 

Most  people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book. And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care. And if you care, they don't expect you to do anything about it. And even if you do something about it, they don't expect it to last. BUT…We do.            
   Alex and Brett
 
A generation stands on the brink of a "rebelution."
A growing movement of young people are rebelling against the low expectations of today's culture by choosing to "do hard things" for the glory of God.  And Alex and Brett Harris are leading the charge. Do Hard Things is the Harris twins' revolutionary message in its purest and most compelling form, giving readers a tangible glimpse of what is possible for teens who actively resist cultural lies that limit their potential.
 
Combating the idea of adolescence as a vacation from responsibility, the authors weave together biblical insights, history, and modern examples to redefine the teen years as the launching pad of life.  Then they map out five powerful ways teens can respond for personal and social change.

Written by teens for teens,
Do Hard Things is packed with humorous personal anecdotes, practical examples, and stories of real-life rebelutionaries in action. This rallying cry from the heart of an already-happening teen revolution challenges a generation to lay claim to a brighter future, starting today.

Amazing book!! Congratulations to the twins!!!
This was such an inspiring book that I think, would inspire any & everyone who reads this book no matter how young or old. I have started my journey as a rebelutionary by showing the way Christians live through my daily life. No matter how big or small your ideas or actions are they all are just as significant as each other. 
Dream Big,
Can't wait to here from you readers,
see you soon,
Courtney

Tuesday 3 July 2012

#7 Trixie Belden and the mysterious Code

Author: Kathryn Kenny
Pages: 233
Age Group: 10+
Genre: Mystery,
Acts of vandalism at the Bobwhites school forces the board of Sleepyside High to crack down on secret clubs, and the Bobwhites are forced to prove their worth by holding an Antique show to raise money for UNICEF.  Preparation for the show uncovers some truly valuable antiques and attracts some unwanted attention, putting the life of Bobby and Trixie in danger. Will their club survive??
 My review
Kathryn Kenny has done a great job of continuing the same characters to the next mystery. As I told you last time the 6th book was Julie Campbells last book. You would think that there would be some noticeable differences in the way it is written but... I can honestly say that I couldn't pick out anything different even the way the characters said things! This was yet again a great mystery. It was a very involved mystery with many intense sections which threatened the lives of a few characters! I just love reading all about the characters as they have come to life in my world!!

Awesome Book!!! from a must read series !!!!
As it's the holidays you should have plenty of time to read... So enjoy
Hope you visit soon...
Courts
The Queen of books!