Book review

I have recently finished reading The red necklace by Sally Gardner. As you know I am a bit of a fan of historical fiction, however I avoided reading this one because it is set at the time of the French Revolution (1789) a period of history I was put off by a truly dreadful lecturer at university. However the tag line -"Murder, magic, secrets- and the blade of the guillotine is still to fall" - intruiged me and I had to read it and I really enjoyed it. My only reservation is the use of magic in the book as it is so unlikely that such things could be achieved and this detracts a little from the story. Otherwise it is a really good adventure story and gives an insight into the period of the French Revolution.

The hero is Yann a boy with magical talents and an uncertain background. When he and his co-magicians are tricked into giving a performance by the evil Count Kalliovski everything changes. Yann  has to escape to England but is then persuaded to return to France in spite of the danger, to rescue Sido the unloved daughter of  a member of the nobility. Can Yann rescue Sido from the guillotine, find out about the powers of the red necklace and discover the truth about his upbringing?

Scottish Children's Book Awards 2012

The winners of the Scottish Children's Book Awards were announced yesterday afternoon and the ICHS students who had acted as judges watched some of the ceremony via a live feed from GLOW. The winner of the 8-11 years Category was first-time author Ross McKenzie with his fantasy book 'Zak and the dream pirates'. This was also the favourite book of the ICHS judges in that category.

The winner in the 12-16 Category was Nicola Morgan' s book about love, life and fate  - 'Wasted'. Although we had enjoyed this book, the majority of ICHS judges voted for 'The Blackhope enigma' by Teresa Flavin.

All of the shortlisted books are on display in the Library, along with the sequels to 'The Blackhope enigma' and 'The case of the London dragonfish'.
For more information about the Scottish Children's Book Awards visit the Scottish Book Trust

World Book Day 2012

This year World  Book Day is on Thursday 1st March. If you cannot wait that long for some new reading material why not download the FREE World Book Day App where you can read exclusive new short stories by: Malorie Blackman; Neil Gaiman; Charlie Higson; Anthony Horowitz; Sophie McKenzie and Rachel Vincent. The App also has news, videos and extras. Go to the World Book Day website for more information.
This year's £1 books are:

1. Where's Wally now by Martin Hanford
2. Magic Molly:the clever little kitten by Holly Webb
3. Roald Dahl's fantabulous facts by Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake
4. How to train your dragon:the day of the Dreader by Cressida Cowell
5. Big day out by Jacqueline Wilson
6. Skullduggery Pleasant: the end of the world by Derek Landy
7. Winnie flies again by ValerieThomas and Korky Paul 
8. What the ladybird heard song by Julia Donalsdon and Lydia Monks

The Isle of Berk is being stalked by a deadly sea dragon called the BIG DREADER, fires are ravaging the forests and the Hairy Hooligans are trapped on the island without any food! All except Toothless who has found a stash of eggs that he plans to keep all to himself… But not if the BIG DREADER has anything to do with it!

A jam-packed, fun-filled book of Roald Dahl facts!
It’s a trip through a year; with letters and observations by Roald Dahl himself about everything under the sun – from what he got up to as a boy and the best time of the year for conkers, to why he hated Christmas.
Jam-packed with weird and wonderful facts (find out what the most expensive food in the world is, and how to cook savoury crocodile), plus jokes, quizzes and top tips, here is the stuff that every Roald Dahl fan should know.

 Wally-Watchers, get ready to dive into the past – and maybe the future – on your        search  for Wally and his friends, Woof, Wenda, Wizard Whitebeard and Odlaw.
 Full of incredible searches, made even more fiendish in this miniature edition of the classic picture book.

Skulduggery Pleasant and Valkyrie Cain are back – just in time to see their whole world get turned upside down…
While they struggle to protect a known killer from an unstoppable assassin, Valkyrie is on a secret mission of her own. This quest, to prevent her dark and murderous destiny, threatens to take her to the brink of death and beyond. And then the body-snatching Remnants get loose, thousands of twisted souls who possess the living like puppets, and they begin their search for a being powerful enough to lead them. Facing such insurmountable odds, Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Ghastly and Tanith can trust no one. Not even each other…

Enjoy four very special days out this World Book Day, in this collection of fun short stories from Jacqueline Wilson. From a trip to the country to a seaside outing and a funfair adventure, Big Day Out is a wonderful treat for dedicated fans of Jacqueline Wilson, and for readers who are discovering her for the very first time.

Valentine's Day

The latest Library display celebrates love and romance for Valentine's Day. Read the romantic verses on the display board or borrow one of the love stories.
Pride and prejudice by Jane Austen
Kissing Vanessa by Simon Cheshire
A teenage worriers guide to lurve by Ros Asquith
Loves me, loves me not by Per Nilsson
Wild roses by Deb Caletti
Breathing underwater by Julia Green
Love, lies and Lizzie by Rosie Rushton
My funny valentine by Karen McCombie
Beauty by Robin McKinley

Most popular authors borrowed

Every year public libraries announce who have been the most borrowed authors via the figures they keep under PLR (public lending right). For the year July 2010-June 2011 the most popular childrens' (all ages) authors were:
1.   Daisy Meadows                                            
2.   Jacqueline Wilson                                          
3.   Francesca Simon                                           
4.   Julia Donalsdon                                            
5.   Mick Inkpen                                               
6.   Adam Blade                                                 
7.   Terry Deary                                                 
8.   Fiona Watt                                                  
9.   Roald Dahl                                                   
10. Lauren Child

Terry Deary author of Horrible Histories etc

Jacqueline Wilson

Roald Dahl

                                         

Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day is held on the 27th January every year to remind everyone of the lessons that need to be learned from the Nazi persecution and from all genocide past and present. In the Library there is a display of non-fiction and fiction books which tell of the Holocaust from a historical and often personal perspective. HMD website.

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War horse

Michael Morpurgo's wonderful novel 'War horse' is now a major movie directed by Steven Spielberg. It also was made into an award-winning stage production, which is still running in London, where the actors work with lifesize puppets of the horses. 'War horse' tells the story of the bond between a young soldier in the First World War and his horse as they face the dangers of the frontline together.

Michael Morpurgo has written a sequel to 'War horse' it is called 'Farm boy' and is set fifty years after 'War horse'.

 



 



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Burns Night

Wednesday 25th January is Burns Night when people all over the world celebrate the life and work of Scottish poet Robert Burns by holding special Burns Night Suppers. Robert Burns was born on the 25th January 1759, by the time he died in 1796 he had written many poems in the Scots dialect including: Tam o' Shanter, Tae a mouse, Aye fond kiss, Auld lang syne and Aman's a man for a' that.
The display in the Library focuses on the poem Aye fond kiss but also provides lots of inspiration for food to have at a Burns Supper, including a lovely recipe for making haggis!

Girls' lives: then and now

Like your heroines to be brave, independent, forthright or just plain feisty? Girls past and present feature in one of the displays in the 'What should I read next' section of the Library.

Below are just a few of the books you can borrow on this theme.

The truth about Josie Green by Belinda Hollyer

My so called life by Joanna Nadin

My name is Rose by Sally Grindley

Cecily's portrait by Adele Geras

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

Pirates! by Celia Rees

Choose a book to match your mood

If you would like a book that will make you laugh or cry or even scream take a look at the 'What should I read next' display and you might find exactly the book you need.

Books to make you laugh:

Books to make you cry:

Books to make you scream:

Do you agree with me that these books are funny, sad and scary? If not why not write a review about a book that you find really hilarious, or makes you sad or really scares you? Give your reviews to Mrs Aitken.

"It's ok, I'm alive": survival stories

The latest Library display focuses on books about survival, something all S2 students should know more about after their week long 'State of emergency' activities. Here are the top 5 fiction books with a survival theme.

1. Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

The original story about surviving on a desert island. First published in 1719 this book is still an excellent read nearly 300 years later!

2. The dead and the gone by Susan Pfeffer

A tsunami hits New York City killing millions. Can the Morales children survive in the city asfood runs out and the city becomes ever more dangerous?

3. Ice claw by David GilmanDuring his attempt to win an extreme sports challenge Matt witnesses the death of a mysterious monk, who screams a cryptic clue as he falls. Now Matt is in a race - to survive.

4. Titanic 2020:Cannibal city by Colin Bateman

Jimmy and Claire are deserted by the new Titanic and find the world is in the hands of cannibals and gangs. Fighting for survival, all they have is - hope.

5.Gold of the gods by Bear GryllsAn exciting adventure story full of gruesome details and survival tips from the modern day master of survival.