the latest in the Matilda Saga—every bit as wonderful as we'd hoped

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the latest in the Matilda Saga—every bit as wonderful as we'd hoped

I’ve just finished this new book in the Matilda Saga. Actually, you could say I just started it too since I started it last night and finished it this morning! All of us at WTBA love this series, so imagine my delight when I spotted Facing the Flame on the shelves at Avid Reader yesterday, even though the official release date is December 1.

When Louisa saw me reading it she sighed: “It’s short.”—and added with mock exasperation: “Jackie French!” We always hope that the next Matilda Saga book will be in the 600 page realm so that we can enjoy the characters for longer.

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a charming and satisfying fairytale retelling

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a charming and satisfying fairytale retelling

ages 14+ years
I have no idea how I came across The Changeling Sea—one day it was just on my bookshelf (probably purchased in one of my many book buying sprees back before kids—when my book budget was unlimited). No matter how it got there, I’m just glad it did. It’s a charmingly well written changeling fable, a classic fairytale story with a fresh and original twist. 

When Peri was fourteen, her father was lost at sea and her whole life changed—her mother was lost to heartache and she (Peri) had to take care of herself.

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the perfect adventure for fantasy-lovers aged 14- to 114-years

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the perfect adventure for fantasy-lovers aged 14- to 114-years

Since moving house a few months ago, I haven’t had as much spare time for reading as I'd like. I've re-read a few of the books from my library but just haven’t had my head on straight enough to search out new reads.

Thankfully a friend lent me Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody and it was just what I needed—a new author and a great read!

Set in the distant future after the world has experienced near total destructions by something known only as ‘The Great White’, 

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a moving and eye-opening look at myriad lives—for older readers

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a moving and eye-opening look at myriad lives—for older readers

ages 14 and up
The thing about kaleidoscopes is that they need to have two or more points of reflection. Without those points we see only a messy collection of colours and shapes. But, with those points, we see an extraordinary array of beautiful images that meld into each other to produce something inspiring. This book is a kaleidoscope of sorts.

Living on Hope Street is populated with multiple characters whose lives are difficult, heart wrenching and desperate in many different ways. But, as the novel unfolds, it presents that second point of reflection—and the messy collection of characters and circumstances come together to show lives of great beauty and complexity

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how to defeat an evil sorcerer, kiss a frog, and save the world—but first, the right lip gloss!

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how to defeat an evil sorcerer, kiss a frog, and save the world—but first, the right lip gloss!

ages 12+
I love a great adventure story told with skill and wit, the kind that you can pick up, sit back, and enjoy. Frogkisser! by Garth Nix is just that. Here's how it goes:

All Princess Anya wants is to sit in the library and work on becoming a sorcerer (of the good variety).

But with an evil sorcerer step-father who wants to be king at any cost and a flighty older sister whose true love has been turned into a frog, something has to be done. It’s time for a Quest!

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how friendship and courage bring hope to a community

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how friendship and courage bring hope to a community

ages 12 years and up
Hotaka is the tale of the town of Omori-wan, one of the Japanese villages devastated by the 2011 Tsunami and the people who are trying to learn to live after everything is swept away—it's told through the eyes of a young boy, Hotaka....

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move over vampires, the trolls are in town!

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move over vampires, the trolls are in town!

teens + y.a.
Modern mythical fantasy is all the rage these days. There have been books about Witches and Wizards, Vampires and Werewolves, Daemons and Demigods—you may be wondering what on earth is left. Well, Trolls! But the ugly, grumpy ‘live under a bridge and eat whatever crosses’ kind of troll is nowhere to be seen in Amanda Hocking's Frostfire. Set in modern day North America,....

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