KBR Recommends Summer Reads: Junior Fiction Part I

Some wonderful books for younger readers were released during 2010 - here are some gorgeous books that will make for great reading over the summer holidays.

"Magic is always impossible," said the magician. "It begins with the impossible and ends with the impossible and is impossible in between. That is why it is magic."

What if? Why not? Could it be? When a fortune-teller's tent appears in the market square of the city of Baltese, orphan Peter Augustus Duchenne knows the questions that he must ask: Does his sister still live? And if so, how can he find her? The fortune-teller's mysterious answer (An elephant! An elephant will lead you there!) sets off a chain of events so remarkable, so impossible, that you will hardly dare to believe it is true.

Title: The Magician's Elephant
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Yoko Tanaka
Publisher: Walker Books, $16.95 RRP
Publication Date: November 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781406322514
For ages: 9 - 12
Type: Novel

This book is available online

When triplets Gwen, Nel and Rain turned thirteen, they expected cake, balloons and presents. What they got was family secrets, cranky professors, evil shapeshifters and some shocking news:

- Book-worm Gwen discovers she's a witch with a destiny - about to collide with magical beings from another world.
- Fashion-loving Rain finds out she's a vampire (does this mean she'll never be able to do a daytime shoot?).
- Nel loves animals and wants to be a vet, but how does she feel about being... an elf!

The three feisty sisters have to juggle homework, school rivalries, magic lessons, and defy the evil plans of the greatest witch of all.

The first title in an engaging, funny, trilogy for tweens.

Title: The Littlest Witch
Author: Martine Allars
Publisher: Pan Macmillan, $14.99 RRP
Publication Date: May 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780330423571
For ages: 8 - 12
Type: Novel

This book is available online

There are surprises and adventures in store for Willow and Freddie when they go to stay with their Auntie Suzy by the sea. They love the special Hoozle toys she makes in her shop, but never would have guessed that they're magical toys! It's the start of lots of adventure and fun for Willow, Freddie and their new Hoozle friends - plus a fair bit of trouble courtesy of Croc the naughty Hoozle...

Title: The Hoozles Book 1: My Magical Teddy
Author: Jessie Little
Publisher: Faber, $8.99 RRP
Publication Date: September 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780571247912
For ages: 5 - 7
Type: Novel

This book is available online

Every year, twelve boys and twelve girls are chosen to take part in the Hunger Games. Watched by the entire nation, this is action-packed reality TV at its most exciting - and most dangerous.

Katniss Everdeen has grown up struggling to save the people close to her. Now she faces the biggest challenge of all - the fight for her life. Winning will make you famous. Losing means certain death.

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic, $18.99 RRP
Publication Date: 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780439023481
For ages: 9+
Type: Novel

This book is available online

Mr Badger is in charge of special events at a splendid old London hotel. When he and his assistant, Miss Pims, prepare for Miss Sylvia Smothers-Carruthers' seventh birthday party, little does Mr Badger know just what is in store for Sylvia, and for him...

Meet Mr Badger and his friends and discover the world of the Boubles Grand Hotel.


Title: Mr Badger and the Big Surprise
Author/Illustrator: Leigh Hobbs
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $13.99 RRP
Publication Date: September 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781742374178
For ages: 6 - 11
Type: Novel

This book is available online

The story of Jacob Reckless' desperate mission to save his younger brother, Will, set between two worlds linked by a mirror: the real world of today and a dark fairytale place, where modern technology has disastrously mixed with magic, resulting in war and corruption. For the first time in his life, Jacob Reckless is afraid. For years he's stolen across to another world, a dark enchanted place he's loved for its treasure, secrets and dangers.

Until now. Will, his younger brother, has followed him with terrible consequences: the boy will turn to beast; the girl he loves will break her heart and chaos will rule forever, unless Jacob can spin a fairytale to save them.

Title: Reckless
Author: Cornelia Funke
Publisher: Chicken House, $29.99 RRP
Publication Date: 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781905294855
For ages: 9+
Type: Novel

This book is available online

In this amazing adventure, Thea's friends the Thea Sisters head to Peru, where a good friend of Paulina's is in danger.

There, the five mice climb the Andes mountains in search of a mysterious treasure that's hidden in the Secret City of the Incas.

Readers will love following the clues to help the Thea Sisters solve the mystery! Title: Stilton and the Secret City
Author: Thea Stilton
Publisher: Scholastic, $7.99 RRP
Publication Date: September 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780545150613
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Fiction

This book is available online

Farticus Maximus, Greatest Gladiator of All Time, has got away! Evil Emperor Bullius won't have it-Farticus and his old foe (now friend) Gassius Brutus must be found and punished.

Will the gladiators stay one smelly step ahead, or will they end up butterfly-kissed, never to break wind again?

Also featuring the explosive stories of a stinky stepmother to be, a competition in which the whoopee cushion comes up a winner, a series of SBDs' that are enough to foil a robbery, and plenty more!

Title: Farticus Maximus: Bottom Burps of Britannia
Author: Felice Area
Publisher: Scholastic, $14.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 October 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781741698237
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Fiction

This book is available online

Everyone in the class at Yabby Creek school is bringing a pet to meet the famous TV star. All except Joe. But wait till he meets Crikey!

Mates - Great Australian Yarns are the only full-colour Australian junior novels. Perfect for the new national curriculum but also perfect for young readers.

Title: Crikey!
Author: Jane and Zannah Carroll
Illustrator: Chris Edser
Publisher: Scholastic, $11.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 September 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781862918245
For ages: 6 - 8
Type: Junior Fiction

This book is available online