Ginnette Cameron-Gardner – Primary Teacher/Librarian

It is Term 4 and the end of the school year is drawing closer! What have you read, what have you learned, what skills and knowledge are you striving to gain? The students, the teachers and other staff, the parents and carers, the whole school community, are all striving as one to be the best we all can be.

Find time to rest and relax, to enter the world of books – whether it be to gain academic knowledge or to increase our understanding of the world and our place in it. We are custodians of this place for the generations to come and when we leave we need to be able to say: “I made it a better place than I found it”.

So many students are asking for advice on fantasy novels to read. The new books shelves have many new fantasy books: some are continuations of series already held, others are the first and even the second in new series or stand alones to tempt you into a world of wonder. One of these is Shadow magic by Joshua Khan. Rick Riordan has his opinion of this book on its cover “I defy you not to love this story”. This is high praise from this renowned author.

Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels for young readers, including: the Percy Jackson series, the Kane Chronicles, the Magnus Chase series and the Trials of Apollo. He is also the author of the multi-award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adults. (rickriordan.com/about/)

Shadow Magic by Joshua Khan

384 pages of fast-paced adventure set in a time when men, women and children can be sold as slaves. Thorn, an outlawed woodworkers son, wasn’t supposed to be a slave. He’s been captured and now, at twelve years old, muscular and strong with thick blonde hair and green eyes he is manacled and offered up for sale in the slave market.

Thorn is sold to Tyburn, the executioner who serves the House of Shadow. What does he want Thorn for? Will Thorn ever get home to Stour?

Lilith Shadow, following the murder of her father, mother and brother is now ruler of Gehenna. Thirteen years old with long silky black hair, she is to be married to Duke Gabriel, the apparent heir of a neighbouring kingdom. The aim is to bring peace between the two nations. She dislikes him on sight and the longer she spends in his company the greater her distaste for him grows. What can she do? Her people need peace and they would be defeated if war commenced.

How do their lives become entwined? Lilith is targeted by a ruthless assassin – can she and Thorn join forces and find the hidden enemy? Can she find happiness and rule her people? Will they both get sucked into the dangerous world of dark magic?

Marge in Charge by Isla Fisher

A completely different read to the book just reviewed, but a light-hearted read especially for those who like humour – the Marge series.

Isla Fisher, the actress, has commenced writing a fun series of Children’s fiction featuring Marge, an eccentric babysitter. Reminiscent of Mary Poppins she brings unpredictability to the children’s lives. Readers will find themselves laughing out loud on occasion when reading this series. The first in the series is Marge in Charge. The books are about 50 pages each and are suitable for ages 6-12.  

Review by David Walliams: “Isla Fisher is hilarious.” 

Review by David Baddie: “Charming, funny, delightful. Marge is the babysitter all children would wish for.”

We hold the first four books. Order of reading: Marge in Charge, Marge and the Pirate Baby, Marge and the Great Train Rescue, Marge and the Secret Tunnel.

If you need help finding a new book, check out the titles displayed on the noticeboard on the left as you enter the Primary Library and you can always ask myself or Mrs Singer at the Circulation Desk. Happy reading!