Rivals for the crown

Author: Margaret Simpson

Pages: 169

Age group: 12+

Genre: History, royals

Blurb

Two princesses, born seventeen years apart to the same father but different mothers. Their father, King Henry VIII, is determined that no woman shall ever wear the English crown. But when their younger brother, Edward, dies naming another woman as his successor, the two women take action - in very different ways.

Mary Tudor

Forced by her father and brother to publicly renounce her beloved religion, Mary has a heavy cross to bear. Determined to restore England to the true Church, she decides to take matters into her own hands...

Elizabeth Tudor

Bright, beautiful and highly popular at court, Protestant Elizabeth decides to lie low when Lady Jane Grey is declared queen. But must she lie even lower id Mary gets her own way?

 

There are always two sides to every story...

My review

Rivals to the crown was a great book, it was more of an informative read rather than for pleasure but it was very enjoyable. At the moment I am doing a Medieval assignment for school, so this book tied in well with that which was good, it also showed me the way life was in those days. This book helped me learn more about how kingdoms are run and more so about the rivalry families would have felt toward a relation who was the heir to the throne. I rate Rivals to the crown 7 out of 10.

Hope you have all had a good week,

Take care,

Courtney 

 

Who stole Kathy Young?

Author: Margaret Goff Clark

Pages: 191

Age Group: 12+

Genre: Mystery, detective

Blurb

"Kathy!" screams Meg, running toward her friend. But it's too late. The van, with Kathy inside, has already disappeared down the road. Who are Kathy's kidnappers? And where have they taken her? 

Meg's investigation leads to an old, abandoned house, and a clue left by Kathy herself! Other clues start adding up, until meg is sure she knows who's really behind the kidnapping. 

But she has to act fast. Can she find Kathy in time?

  My review

Awesome book!! It was a great mystery! It reminded me a little bit of the Hardy boy books. I found it in an Op shop 15cents !! I am a big fan of mystery books and this certainly was very exciting. The two main characters were Kathy & Meg. Kathy had a hearing impairment which made the story quite informative. It was very interesting to learn how it would feel to not be able to hear anything. I rate it... 10 out of 10

Very good storyline and written beautifully!!

Hope you enjoy this amazing mystery!

see you all soon,

Courts

#7 The legend of Annie Murphy

Author: Frank Peretti 

Pages: 151 

Age group: 10+ 

Genre: History, Mystery, Adventure,

In 1885, the Murphy mine struck gold. According to legend, Annie Murphy killed her husband out of greed, but just before she was to be hanged for the murder, she escaped. Now, a hundred years later, there have been sightings of Annie Murphy's "ghost." The Coopers unwittingly become involved in a mystery that finds them caught between the past and the present.

My review

I rate this book 10 out of 10

I loved it!! So fun to read. It is such a exciting book that I'm sure every would like to read!! Although I'm fourteen I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is an adventure through the past and the present. 

Will Jay,Lila, Mac and Dr cooper be able to solve the Legend of Annie Murphy?

See you all later,

Courtney

#6 The deadly curse of Toco-Rey

Author: Frank Peretti

Pages:150

Age group: 10+

Genre: Adventure, History, Ancient ruins, Mystery

Lila and Jay Cooper have joined their dad on a mission to the jungles of Central America, where a group of American treasure hunters have already become the victims of the deadly curse of Toco-Rey. Before Dr. Cooper can solve the mystery, his children are kidnapped and his integrity is put to the test. What price will he pay to get his children back? Is the treasure in the burial tomb of Kachi-Tochetin really worth more than gold?
Follow the Coopers as they explore unknown ruins, plunge through dangerous jungles, face hostile natives, and battle ancient evil forces. Will their courage and faith in God bring them through?
My review 

 I rate this book 9 out of 10

The deadly curse of Toco-Rey is the sixth book in the cooper adventure series.

I am reading the seventh book at the moment and I seemed to have whizzed through the book as i am really enjoying it.These books are really exciting and are continuously bringing up the unexpected.  In this book The coopers lives are at risk more than once. They have to find out the secret of the curse and hope they can survive. Will the Coopers find out the truth behind many lies?

 Amazing books, Can't wait to review the cooper series next book.

I will be posting it next week.

See you all soon,

Courtney

#8 Trixie Belden and the mystery of the Black jacket

Author: Kathryn Kenny (Pen name)

Pages: 236

Age Group:11+

Genre: Mystery, Adventure 

Trixie is intrigued by Regan's problems and the sudden appearance of Dan Mangan, a black-jacket wearing city kid who has come to stay with My Maypenny.  Although the Bob-Whites are busy organizing an Ice Carnival to help out their Mexican pen-pals, Trixie is determined to find out why Dan is here and what is troubling Regan.  When Honey's missing watch is pawned and the clubhouse is broken into, the finger points squarely at Dan.  Trixie's dislike of him is evident, but when she and Bobby find themselves in trouble he is the only one who can save them. Will he save them or not???

My Review 

Of course this was a great read!! I was sucked into yet again another fantastic mystery!! In this book there was another character introduced into the story.

Dan Mangan a curious young fellow has moved from the city to stay with his uncle. Trixie as usual assumes that he is related to Mr.Maypenny but when she comes across a few suspicious clues she begins to think otherwise.

Who is Dan related to?? Is he the mysterious thief or not??

A must read book, read it to find out who Dan really is...

hope you are going well and make sure you enjoy your reading,

at the moment I am reading Rivals to the crown it is a very informative read all about Elizabeth and Mary Tudor, I will post a review of it soon.

Take Care,

Courtney:)

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

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

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☺

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☺

#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!

Catwalk Queen, #3 Million dollar mates

Author: Cathy Hopkins

Pages: 240

Age Group: 10+

Genre: Realistic, fashion, celebrities,Friendship  

 My Review

Although i don't read many books of this genre, I really enjoyed it! It had a lot of meaning behind it and was a very exciting book. 

 Catwalk queen Is the third book in the Million dollar mates series. This is an awesome series about a girl called Jess Hall who is your everyday teenager.

 " I sort of wish the cover wasn't quite so glitz and glam, as it probably puts off several people who dismiss it as too girly and no meaning to the book, while it actually has a lot of meaning and morals in the story."said a reader of this book.

Here is a snippet of the first three books.

 #1 Million dollar mates

When Jess's dad gets a job as the general manager at Porchester Park, and is moving Jess, her brother and pet cat into a staff apartment there. Jess is dreading the move, until she learns the apartments are strictly A-list only and soon to be populated by actors, musicians, models and millionaires... But mixing in with the stars isn't all it's cracked up to be, and soon Jess is wishing for a return to real-life - but can she admit to her friends that the gilded cage isn't quite as golden as she'd anticipated?

#2 Million dollar mates paparazzi princess 

It's the end of term and Jess is excited about all the new faces due to arrive at Number 1, Porchester Park for the holidays. Outside the apartment block, the usual paparazzi lie in wait hoping for a story or photo. Jess knows she should avoid them, and when new resident Riko arrives, they enjoy dodging the cameras together. But is Riko all she appears to be - or is this million dollar mate a fake? Distracted by two boys: handsome A-Lister, JJ, and school boy, Tom - neither of whom are making their intentions totally clear - Jess is finding it really hard to know who to trust right now. And getting it wrong could prove to be a costly mistake...

#3 Million dollar mates Catwalk queen

In this book, Tanisha, a pop diva who has recently moved into Porchester park is the mentor for a teen modeling comp. She encouraged Jess to enter as she has 'potential' Jess decided she would enter as she thought it would be a good way to stand out from the crowd and hopefully attract the attention from JJ or Tom.

This is a very exciting series! You never know what is going to happen next.

See you soon,

Courts

Brumby Mountain #5 Diamond Spirit series

Author:  Karen Wood

Pages: 242

Genre: Horses, adventure, realistic

Age group: 11+ (Great for any age)

Blurb

"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 traumatized brumby's, 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 mountain horses from their cruel fate ?
And in going back to Matty's Flat, will Luke discover where he really belongs ?

 My Review

I just can't believe that I had the privilege to have interviewed this very talented author on my blog! I just cannot comprehend the skill Karen has to write!! In Brumby Mountain Jess & Luke  embark on a journey to the tiny town of Mathews Flat(Matty's Flat). Jess is afraid that she is going to lose Luke as this town is where he was born and will always belong. 

Will Luke stay at Coachwood crossing or not??

Spectacular book (of course) couldn't put it down.

I have got all 5 books in the Diamond Spirit Series, My most loved books.

I believe that these books need to get more attention as I reckon that anyone who reads them will thoroughly enjoy them. "Congratulations Karen, keep up the great work!"

Enjoy readers,

New post next Wednesday!

Courtney

Anne Frank's diary

Author: Anne Frank

Pages: 427

Age group: 12+

Genre: Journal, hiding in world war 2, general

My review

The diary of Anne Frank was definitely a very interesting read! It was a diary written in 1942 by a Jew who lived in a time very hard for the Jewish followers. When the war started Jews were fearful because if they didn't hide and make themselves scarce they would sooner or later get take to concentration camps. They managed to survive 2 years before unfortunately they got take away to   concentration camps (Death). When i read the afterword i was so sad because to think that just the day before she was living normal life, within minutes they were whisked away for doing nothing. Great read, A few sensitive subjects but other wise fine.

 Blurb

The blurb reads....

In July 1942, thirteen-year-old Anne Frank and her family, fleeing the horrors of Nazi occupation, went into hiding in an Amsterdam warehouse. Over the next two years Anne vividly describes the frustrations of living in confinement, and she confides her innermost thoughts and longings. But her diary ends abruptly when... in August 1944, they were all betrayed.

Sixty years after it's first publication, The diary of a Young girl remains the single most poignant story to emerge from the second world war. 

Hope you enjoy this old classic,

Thank you for following my reading...

feel free to comment and say what you think of this book!!

see you soon

Courtney 

I was meaning to tell all you readers out there that Karen Wood has finally released Brumby mountain which is the fifth book in the diamond spirit series. It has been out for a few weeks!! (whoops)

Amazing book, as usual!! She is also hoping to write a 6th book to the series which would be great.

But.. get going and read this thrilling book your missing out!

Catch you all soon,

Courtney

 

The night they stormed Eureka

Author: Jackie French

Pages:252

Genre: History, Eureka Stockade, olden day life.

Age:10+

It′s 1854, and the Ballarat goldfields are a place of dreams and rebellion as Sam, a homeless teenager, is called back to the past to join the Puddlehams, who run ′the best little cook shop on the diggings′.

The Puddlehams dream of buying a hotel with velvet seats, while others dream of freedom from the government, with its corrupt officials and brutal soldiers.

 As the summer days get hotter, and the miners' protests are ignored with catastrophic results, Sam experiences at first-hand the power of a united stand, which will change her life forever.

My Review

 I am amazed at how well Jackie French can captivate history. She has written it so well that I can clearly feel how it would have felt to be the Puddlehams, Sam or any of the miners on the Ballarat goldfield in 1854.

I rate the night they stormed Eureka 8 out of 10!!!!

great book, as are all of the other historical Jackie french books I have read.

I will see you next week...

Courts